Raphael wiped his mouth with his napkin. “I saw the news report. The footage was so grainy that it could have even been a rabid dog.”

Diane looked at Raphael like he’d betrayed her. “A dog wearing jeans and sneakers?” She took a bite of pasta, her jaw working harder than necessary. When she swallowed, she said, “I’m not saying it’s a werewolf or something. I’m not crazy. But a guy running around on all fours? Probably a meth head. Take it from me: those people are unpredictable. Either way, these two are staying away.”

“The theater is here in Warwick, Ms. Jeffries,” Malachi offered, earning him a nod from Diane. We’d rehearsed this part, and he looked relieved that he’d gotten it right.

“What are you seeing?” she asked, finally relaxing.

“Night Huntress,” he recited. “It’s received great reviews.”

“I heard it was a gore fest,” she grumbled as she began to clear the table.

I held in my half-hysterical giggles as I helped get the dishes into the sink. “Thanks for dinner. And for being cool.”

She shrugged and hmphed. “You’ve earned my trust, baby. Keep it, all right?”

“No problem,” I said. “You don’t have to wait up.”

“Nice try. It’s a school night. You’re lucky I’m letting you out at all. Be back by ten.” Diane leaned out of the kitchen and fixed Malachi with a suspicious look. “You’d better take care of this girl, young man.”

Malachi closed the distance between us and took my hand. “Ms. Jeffries, I swear to you, I will protect her with my life.”

Diane laughed. If she only knew he’d already done exactly that at least a dozen times.

She let us go with a minimum of fuss, even though she wouldn’t let Raphael escape without a hug, which he seemed happy enough to give her. No matter what she thought of Malachi, it was obvious she thought Raphael was all right, which would help a lot. As soon as we were a safe distance away, Raphael turned to us and said, “Mission accomplished. Have fun tonight, you two. I’m needed elsewhere. Summon me if you require my assistance.”

“We won’t,” said Malachi, squeezing my hand. “But thank you.”

“Actually,” I said, “can you help me out with Diane? I’m lucky she’s letting me out at all, but this curfew …”

Raphael nodded. “When she’s not on the night shift, which should suit your patrol schedule nicely, Ms. Jeffries will be sleeping very soundly.”

I bit my lip. I hated to do this to Diane, but I didn’t have a choice. “Thanks.”