When I opened the Jeep door, an odor rushed out: nose-burning, industrial-strength ammonia. The wolf had pissed himself. Lizzie Holman had lined the kennel with absorbent pads against this eventuality, but they had made no difference.

The phone rang as I turned the key in the ignition. Charley’s face appeared on the screen. The old man was one of the only people in my life with whom I engaged in video chats. It gave him such obvious pleasure to see me that I indulged his whim. I enjoyed seeing him, too, I had to admit. He had a weathered face and a chin like the toe of a boot. His head of white hair had grown back after he’d shaved himself bald for an unsanctioned investigation, in June.

“Did I catch you at a bad time, young feller?”

“Never.”

“You wouldn’t tell me if I had. I’ll cut right to the chase then and ask if you’ve given any more thought to Christmas supper? If you’re free, Ora and I would like you and Dani to join us. Stacey will be here, of course. The Boss says that might be a dealbreaker for you.”

It was his affectionate nickname for his wife, Ora. No man of my generation could get away with using it for his spouse.

“Things are still up in the air,” I said.

Charley was my mentor and my closest confidant in the world. But now was not the time to tell him that according to Nicole Tate, Dani and I were no longer a couple.

“We understand if you have to decline,” Charley said. “But we’d dearly like you to join us, son. The holiday won’t be the same without you.”

For half a dozen years, I hadn’t missed Christmas supper at the Stevens house. But that was before Dani and I had gotten serious.

“I hope to have an answer for you tonight.”

“Good enough,” said the old pilot. “So what are you up to on this fine December day?”

“I had to bring Shadow to the vet in Pennacook.”

“You got the werewolf into a kennel? How’d you manage that feat?”

“I started putting an electric blanket inside the crate to get him used to sleeping there.”

“That’s a nifty trick!”

“Honestly, I think he chose to go of his own free will. He’s smarter than any dog I’ve ever known.”

“How is the old boy?”

“Dozing at the moment. Dr. Holman shot him full of drugs. But he’s healthier than he has any right to be.”

“Good to hear! So you’re about to head home then?”

The man’s curiosity was as bad as my own. “I had to make a few stops in Stratford.”

“Stratford! I won’t ask what mischief brings you to that Podunk.”

“Thank you.”