The front door opens and Wilson, Ethan’s mini dachshund, bolts out and down the stairs. Tane actually gives a high-pitched yelp and raises his hands, palms out, in defense. Wilson makes a beeline for Tane, snout down, sniffing furiously, and then he begins capering around Tane’s feet, yipping excitedly and leaping against his shins.

“What the fuck?” Tane cries.

“He wants you to rub his belly.” I crouch and spread my arms wide. “Wilson! What’s up, pup? You forget your Aunt Suzie?”

Wilson barrels over to me, jumps up against my chest, and licks my nose. Then he flops onto his back and paddles his front paws. I oblige and scratch his belly. “You’re just a big belly slut, aren’t you? Yes you are,” I say. Wilson’s eyes are half closed, his tongue drooping out of his mouth.

Tane slowly uncringes and stares at me. “‘Fucking vicious,’” he says in disgust.

“Susannah,” someone says, and I look up to see Ethan on the front porch, arms folded across his chest.

“Hey,” I say. “Any news about Uncle Gavin?”

Ethan shakes his head. “Doctor wants to meet with us at one o’clock tomorrow at the hospital, talk with Uncle Gavin about his … options.” He glances at Tane, then back at me.

To me Tane says, “That’s your brother?”

“Yep,” I say. To Ethan, I shrug apologetically. “Sorry to stop by so late. I figured it’s summer, you aren’t teaching, so maybe you could put up with a couple of house guests for a night or two?”

“I’m teaching summer school,” Ethan says. “Got class at eight AM tomorrow.”

Of course he does. Nice planning, Suzie. “I’m sorry, Ethan,” I say. “I didn’t know where else to go.”

Ethan sighs. “I know. Caesar already called me.” He turns back to the front door. “It’s not like I’m gonna sleep anyway. Come on in.”

CHAPTER SIX

I fill Ethan in as we sit in his living room, him in an armchair, me on the floor playing with Wilson. Tane is taking a shower in the one bathroom.

“So Uncle Gavin was at the airport to pick up Tane,” Ethan says. “Did this Peaches guy tell you why Uncle Gavin wanted him?”

“Wasn’t really in a position to ask,” I say. I throw Wilson’s rope bone and he scrabbles across the hardwood floor to chase it. “Peaches dumped Tane on me and left with his posse. But I intend to find out as soon as Tane gets out of the shower.”