All the houses on Haley Street are packed together like sardines, and as such, it takes me a nanosecond to cross into my neighbor’s yard. As my knuckle raps the door, it occurs to me she might think me quite mad. We’ve never popped over to one another’s home. We’ve only crossed paths on the sidewalk.

The door cracks open, and I paste on my friendliest smile, hoping she’ll open the door further. The wide, friendly smile works. The door swings wide. She’s wearing a headset, her hair is up in a ponytail, and she’s got her phone in one hand, but her expression and posture are welcoming.

“Hi. I’m so sorry to bother you. I live next door. I have the stout cockapoo. Trace?”

“Oh, right. I recognize you. I’m Jenny.”

“Nice to meet you. I’m Alex. Look, I know this might be forward, but I’ve been called out of town. Is there any chance Jocelyn might be interested in making some extra money? I need someone to walk Trace and feed him, and she always likes to love on him. I’m short on options, otherwise I’d never bang on your door.”

“Of course. No problem. She’ll be happy to do it. She’ll probably beg to let him sleep here, if you’re okay with that.”

“Oh my god. Of course. If she wants to. Anything. I owe you guys so big.”

After giving Jenny my spare key and promising to text instructions for care, I turn my attention to the other matter in my life. My job as an associate professor at UCSB in the psychology and brain sciences department. The one thing worse than being a part of a department termed brain science had been my father’s derision.

“You are taking a position at a location without a criminal justice division? Have you gone mad?”

No, Daddy dearest. Not mad. Desperate. The two are different.

I dial my TA. As a first-year associate professor, I teach my classes. This request for my TA to fill in won’t reflect well on me, especially if any of the students complain in the end-of-year satisfaction surveys. But this is Sophia. Cassandra’s daughter. And really, even if it wasn’t a personal matter, if I want to build out my CV as a police consultant, I need to be flexible.

“Timothy?” I check the screen to confirm the call is connected. “Timothy, are you there? Timothy?”

“Alex? Hello?”

“Timothy?”

“Yeah. Hey. Damn earbuds didn’t connect.”

“Hey. I have a huge favor to ask. Can you cover my three o’clock psych class today and my nine a.m. criminal minds class tomorrow?”

“Are you serious?”

“I know it’s a huge ask. I’ll send you all my notes. And I have video you can show for tomorrow’s class.”

“Is everything okay?”

“Yeah. I’ve been pulled in on a case, and I have to go to San Diego.”

“A case? Like for the police?”

“Missing person. We could find her this evening and I’ll be back for the nine o’clock class.”