“What’s does ‘Moe’ stand for? ‘Mountain’?”

“He looks like Moe. You know, Moe Howard.” When her face stayed blank, Flynn sighed. “Women, they don’t know what they’re missing when it comes to the courageous comedy and wit of The Three Stooges.”

“Yes, yes, we do know what we’re missing. We miss it on purpose.” Realizing they were standing close, she took a deliberate step back. “Was there something else?”

“I started running down these people you guys are tangled up with. Liam Pitte, Rowena O’Meara. At least those are the names they’re using.”

“Why shouldn’t those be their names?”

“Because when I used my incredible skills and talents, I found no record of anyone under those names that jibes with the new owners of Warrior’s Peak. No social security numbers, no passport numbers, no driver’s licenses, business licenses. No corporate paper trail for this Triad. At least none that connects to them.”

“They’re not American,” she began, then blew out a breath. “Okay, no passport numbers. Maybe you didn’t find it yet, or maybe they’ve used different names to buy the house.”

“Maybe. It’ll be interesting to find out, because right now it’s looking like they popped out of thin air.”

“I’d like to know more about the Daughters of Glass. The more I know about them, the better chance I have of finding the key.”

“I’ll call my grandmother, get more details of the legend. I can fill you in over dinner tomorrow.”

She considered him, then looked back toward the dog. He was willing to help, and she only had four weeks. On a personal front, she would keep it simple. Friendly, but simple. At least until she’d decided what to do about him.

“Would that be a table for two or for three?”

“Two.”

“All right. You can pick me up at seven.”

“Great.”

“And you can go out that way.” She pointed toward the patio door.

“No problem.” He walked to the door, glanced back. “You really are pretty,” he said, then eased the door open just enough to squeeze out.

She watched him unhook the dog, watched him stagger under the weight when Moe leaped up to lavishly kiss his face. She waited until they’d trotted off before she chuckled.

Chapter Five

MALORY found Zoe’s little house easily enough. It was a tiny box on a narrow stamp of lawn. But it had been painted a cheerful yellow with bright white trim. A colorful patch of flowers bloomed vigorously along either side of the door.

Even if Malory hadn’t been sure of the address, hadn’t recognized Zoe’s car parked at the curb, she’d have known the house by the boy in the yard, tossing a ball high in the air, then racing to catch it.

He looked almost eerily like his mother. The dark hair, the long-lidded eyes in a pixie face. He had a slight build clad in ripped jeans and a Pittsburgh Pirates T-shirt.