Bayliss went over to where Coop was looking over the spectral charts, showing the strength of the curses in different parts of the house. “What my partner means is he doesn’t know how to read blueprints or any of the rest of this.”

“And you do?” said Nelson.

“Of course. It’s part of basic training.”

Nelson said, “It’s part of basic training,” in the same squeaky voice he’d used on Coop.

“How did you not learn any of this?”

Nelson considered the question. “Wait a minute. Maybe I did and can’t remember.” He looked at Giselle. “Are you messing with my mind? Are you in on something with him?” he said, pointing to Coop.

“Right. I love sitting in this room with your gin sweat and no coffee.”

“It’s whiskey sweat, kitten.”

“Just because you can’t do your job, suddenly it’s my fault. Why don’t you get your toy crucifix and go eat a burrito?”

Nelson pointed at her. “How do you know I like burritos?”

“Unknot your diapers. Everybody likes burritos,” said Coop.

“Personally, I like the plantain chips more,” said Giselle.

“You’ve been following me,” said Nelson. “What are you up to?”

“I just like watching you gobble down an ebola and black beans grande with a side of dizzy juice.”

“Are you two in this together? Is this a conspiracy?”

“Leave me out of this. I’m a McDonald’s man, myself,” said Coop.

“Relax,” said Bayliss. “She just came by one time so we could talk.”

“I don’t remember that. When was it?”

Bayliss looked at Giselle. “Um . . .”

“It was just the other day. You weren’t there,” said Giselle.

“Aha! But you’ve never been there without me. Have you?”

Bayliss looked away.

“No. You’re too honest to lie about it. So, you two are in on something,” said Nelson, pointing to Bayliss and Giselle. Then he turned to Coop. “And you most of all. You’re all in on it together.”

“We’re trying to steal the Constitution,” said Giselle. “Haven’t you seen the movie? There’s a treasure map on the back.”

Nelson looked back and forth between Giselle and Coop.

Coop said, “Calm down, kids. We’re all just doing our jobs. All I want is a way this heist doesn’t get me killed or arrested.”

Nelson aimed a pencil at Giselle. “Why can’t the Scarlet Witch just turn invisible and walk you in and out the front door?”

“Wow, Dr. Who. You just saved the day,” said Coop.

“What Coop means is that a Marilyn is the first thing Babylon would have thought of,” said Giselle.

“They have wards and hexes everywhere,” said Coop. “No one clouds anyone’s mind in there.”

“Lucky them,” said Nelson. He looked at Giselle. “If she’s a third wheel around here, then why is she still around?”