“Your fave.” Luna handed him the sandwich and a handful of napkins. “Any progress on the trunk situation?”

“Oh boy. I should know better than to get you involved.” He smiled at his sister.

“As if you could avoid it.” She snickered in return.

“Gotta run. Sabrina is covering for me. See you later.” She gave him a wave and a raised eyebrow.

* * *

Cullen sat at his workbench and unwrapped his sloppy lunch. He reread the letter. Why was the sender being so secretive as to his or her identity? Could the trunk hold something of value? Perhaps stolen? He was getting almost as impatient as his sister. He wondered how long it would take for Luna to use this mystery as an excuse to contact Gaines. Cullen was well aware of their flirtation as well as the mutual respect they shared.

Cullen liked U.S. Marshal Christopher Gaines. If they lived closer, they might even be friends. Not that he didn’t think of Gaines as a friend, but a pal. Someone he could hang out with. He loved his sister, but they had different interests outside of work. He liked to watch sports, play golf, and fish. Maybe shoot a little pool now and again. Luna liked to watch comedies or thrillers and do yoga or take a walk in the park. Reading books was another one of Luna’s favorite pastimes when she wasn’t reading a person. She enjoyed the outdoors but not in the same way as her brother. But they had a pact promising to have dinner together at least one night a week. Lately, they had been inviting Chi-Chi to join them, an invitation she gladly accepted, and Cullen was equally glad she did.

Cullen was growing fond of Chi-Chi. She had a beguiling way about her. She was exotic, intelligent, and laughed at his jokes. Not even his sister thought Cullen had much of a sense of humor. She would say that while he “appreciated humor,” he was “no Jerry Seinfeld.”

Cullen secretly hoped he might get the courage to invite Chi-Chi out on a date. A real date. He hadn’t discussed it with Luna, but he knew she knew. It was just a matter of time before Luna started poking at him. He chuckled at the irony. Luna would be the one to push him to take that leap, yet she was too chicken to do the same with Gaines. Must be in our DNA, he mused.

He looked down at the money order for $1000. Later that afternoon, he knew he would get some feedback from “the crew.” Luna decided their little pack of friends needed to be called something. “The Squad” was already taken by a few in Washington, D.C., and they wanted to stay away from anything that had a hint of politics.