The momentary light mood vanished as if it had never been. Kowalski gave him a look, then focused on the display table, his back to the checkout counter.

Nobody in sight, but that didn’t always mean much with the Others.

“We went to MacDonald’s house this morning to pick up Ruthie’s things,” Kowalski said quietly. “Eve Denby busted ass to get the apartment cleaned and painted for us, and we’ll help her and Pete do the same in the downstairs apartment. Simon Wolfgard came through with his promise to fetch their personal possessions from their old place in the Midwest. The terra indigene in that area packed everything they could, starting with the things that the Denbys had indicated were most important.”

“Personal things,” Monty said just as quietly.

Kowalski nodded. “A lot was left behind. Big stuff like the appliances. Couch. Mattresses.”

Monty understood the outlay of cash that would be required to start over. He was looking at the same. His ex-lover, Elayne, had kept all the furnishings they had bought for the apartment they had shared in Toland. Elayne’s brother had been found dead, and her mother was still listed as missing, so he wasn’t sure who would have to deal with the liquidation of Elayne’s estate.

He supposed Lizzy was now Elayne’s next of kin. He should have a chat with Pete Denby soon to make sure Lizzy’s interests were protected.

“Has Eve or Pete Denby talked to you about registering Lizzy for school in the fall?”

“No.” Monty studied his partner. “Is there something I should know?”

“Eve went to talk to the principal of the school that Sarah and Robert should be attending next fall.”

Monty felt a chill. “Should be?”

“She was told that her offspring had no right to use up resources needed for proper humans.”

“How did they know she wasn’t a proper human?”

“She gave them her new address. I think the school administrators were waiting for the opportunity to reject Eve’s children and use them as a test case for refusing any children whose parents were Wolf lovers.”

“They can’t do that,” Monty protested. “It’s not a private school. We’re talking about a public school run by the city.”

“Ruthie saw a small article in the Lakeside News about a vote that’s about to be taken to privatize all schools. If that happens, they will be able to choose who is admitted.”

“Gods above and below.” Another twist of an emotional knife. How many parents would become members of the HFL if that was the only way their children could be educated?

“Thought you should know,” Kowalski said.

“I appreciate the heads-up.”

“I’d better pay for this book and get back to work before Eve comes looking for me.”

“I’ll see you at the station tomorrow,” Monty said.

“I’m so ready to come back.”