“She did. She divorced Peter and married Godfrey. His second wife, I think.” Melba thought a moment. “Yes, his second. His first wife was some C-list actress who actually made porn films, from what I heard.” The scandalized look on her face was priceless.

“How did Peter end up here, of all places? Didn’t he know this was Godfrey’s hometown?”

“No, poor man, just his luck.” Melba glanced toward Peter’s door again. “I guess he wanted to get as far away from California as he could, but he had no idea until after he got here that Godfrey was from Athena.”

The man was jinxed. I felt sorry for Peter. No wonder he had such a venomous attitude toward Godfrey.

“Is there anyone Godfrey hasn’t pissed off?” I gave Melba a rueful smile.

“I’m beginning to think not.” A buzzer sounded. Melba looked cross. “I’d better find out what he wants. I’ll see you tonight.”

“We’ll be there,” I said, heading for the door. “Come on, Diesel. Let’s finish upstairs and go home.”

Diesel bounded up ahead of me. He knew the word home.

I finished cataloging a couple more items, and when I remembered to look at my watch, I was surprised to see that it read 5:37. “Definitely time to go,” I said.

Diesel was ready, practically pulling me down the stairs once I locked the door to the archive behind us.

Back home again, I freed Diesel from his harness, and off he went to find crunchies and water. I headed to my bedroom on the second floor for a quick shower. I paused on the landing to listen for sounds of habitation on the third floor, where Justin’s room was.

“Justin? Are you there?”

I waited a moment and called again. There was no answer, only silence. I supposed he could still be with Godfrey, but Godfrey was due at his reception at seven. I went up the stairs to Justin’s door and tapped lightly. I called his name, but there was no response.

I listened for a moment longer and then tried his door. It was unlocked. Normally I wouldn’t have done it, because my boarders deserved their privacy. I couldn’t shake the feeling that Justin could be in trouble.

The room was empty, the bed unmade.

I shut the door and walked slowly back down the stairs to my room, telling myself not to worry. There was surely some innocuous reason for Justin’s absence.

Coming out of the bathroom twenty minutes later, still toweling my hair, I spotted Diesel in the middle of my bed. His head was cocked to the side, as if he were asking me a question.

“Yes, I’m going out, and yes, you’re going with me.” I frowned. I talked to Diesel a lot, I realized. Some people might find that odd, but it didn’t really matter. So I talked to my cat.