Shaw slumped against the wall, sliding down to sit on the floor. “I told him the exact same thing.”

The puppy came slowly down the hallway, a tiny growl building in his tiny throat. Shaw turned his hand over, palm up, and the puppy licked his fingers and glanced up.

“Aww.”

Then the puppy bit down. Hard.

“Son of a bitch,” Shaw shouted, dragging his hand away. “I’m bleeding. I’ve got rabies, and I’m going to go crazy and start foaming at the mouth, but it won’t matter because I’m going to bleed to death.”

The Löwchen jumped onto his legs, curled up, and went to sleep.

“This is insane. You’re insane. Get off me. Come on. Get off me.”

Lost in dreams, the puppy kicked once, as though in hot pursuit. Probably chasing the rest of Shaw’s fingers, Shaw thought grimly. Probably dreaming of how he was going to bite off each one.

Shaw managed to get his phone out of his pocket and dial.

Pari’s voice came on the line. “When I’m off the clock, I keep a separate account. I charge by the minute.”

“North used the damn coupon.”

Pari whispered something that sounded like give me a minute and then, a moment later, her voice came back louder. “Well, we knew that was a risk.”

“No, I said it was a risk. I said I wanted to give him a coupon for a free aura reading. I’m good at aura readings, Pari. I’m good at a lot of things. I could have written him a coupon for a chakra realignment. I could have written him a coupon for the best sex of his life.”

“What were you going to do? Get him a night with that cute guy from Queer Eye?”

“Pari!”

“I’m on a date.”

“The dog is here. He bit me. I think I’m dying.”

“Well, I can’t help you. Truck took me to Ruth’s Chris, and I ordered lobster.”

“You’re still dating Truck? Pari, he’s like, I don’t know, special.”

“He is special.”

“He’s a criminal.”

“He doesn’t complain about spending money on me. He likes spending money on me. That’s a nice change.”

“Are you still mad because I wouldn’t buy you that citrus-infused diamond? It was a scam, Pari. I don’t even think they know how to infuse citrus into a diamond. I don’t even know why you’d want it.”

“I’m hanging up now,” Pari sang. “Good luck!”

“Pari!”

“Listen, dogs like routine. Did North leave you a routine?”

“I don’t know. I think it’s smeared with blood and gore from my wounds.”

“Uh huh. Well, just follow the routine. How many days is North gone?”

“He’ll be back at nine.”

“October 9th?”

“No. Nine. Tonight.”

The call disconnected.