“I…uh…” He swallowed, and his Adam’s apple bobbed with the effort. “I don’t actually know her number.”

Exchanging another glance with John, Molly sighed. “There’s a student directory. At the least, you could’ve found her email address. Not only that, but she would’ve given you her contact info if she’d actually asked you to bring her your notes.” She pulled her phone out of her pocket, and Stuart’s eyes bugged out in obvious panic.

“Wait! Who are you calling?”

“Cara, first of all.” She shot off a quick text. “If her answer is what I think it’s going to be, then you’re going to have to think of a new and more convincing story for the cops, Stu.”

His face went even paler until his skin matched his light-blond eyebrows and lashes. A blue vein pulsed in his temple as they all waited in silence for Cara’s return text. Before Molly’s phone could beep, the knob twisted and shook as someone outside tried to open the door.

“Molly?” Charlie called. “Are you trying to be funny, or is the door stuck again?”

“Neither!” Molly raised her voice in order for her sister to be able to hear her. “Carmondy has a wannabe burglar shoved against it.”

There wasn’t even a startled pause before Charlie spoke again. “Could he move him for a sec? Just long enough for me and Fifi to get inside?”

John half carried and half dragged Stuart over and pressed him against the wall next to the door. “You’re clear!” John called, and the door immediately flew open.

“What’s up?” Charlie asked, her eyes wide with interest as she spotted Stuart. “Does this have anything to do with…?” She paused, obviously not wanting to say Mom. “The issue that we were talking about earlier?”

Molly wasn’t sure why she’d needed the nudge, but it was painfully obvious once Charlie had asked the question. “We’re not sure yet, but it’s likely. Blondie here picked the lock after we were delayed in answering the door.”

“Delayed by what?” Felicity asked, following Charlie inside and closing the door behind them.

“Does it matter?” Molly asked, not able to keep the testiness out of her voice. They had someone break into their home, and her sister was worried about why it took them a couple extra minutes to answer the door?

“Not really, but I’m interested in hearing the answer.” As she spoke, Felicity coolly eyed Stuart up and down.

“Me too.” Of course Charlie had to chime in.

“John and I were discussing something and took a few minutes to get to the door.”

“Discussing something?” Charlie sounded like she was about to laugh. “Is that a euphemism?”

Stuart’s gaze was darting from person to person. “If you all want to talk about this in private, I’ll just leave…” He trailed off as John’s fist tightened around his shirt, holding him more firmly in place.

Knowing that John had their intruder under control, Molly focused on her sisters. “No. It’s not a euphemism. We were literally talking, as in using our words to exchange ideas.”