“Charles, thank you for that disclosure, and I think I speak for all of us when I say thank you and that your…your…family business is safe with us. Having said that, let’s get down to work on Harry’s problem,” Annie said.

The atmosphere in the room changed as quickly as the weather had outside. Sunlight streamed through the windows, the rain ceased, and Myra smiled up at him. He thought her eyes were full of promises. He’d made the right decision. It was his turn to smile, and smile he did. And then they were all smiling and giggling.

Life was back on track. Charles felt like a peacock ready to strut his stuff, but he stifled the feeling. He risked a quick glance at Myra, who was still smiling. He felt buoyed at the thought she might switch up that ugly comforter on the bed and put her fluffy yellow towels back in the bathroom. He couldn’t get emotional at the moment. He had a job to do, and his chicks were waiting.

“First things first. I want to congratulate you on your last two successful missions. I say successful because you are back here safe on the mountain. I want to stress to all of you that you broke all the rules. You took ridiculous chances with your well-being. What that means to me and should mean to you is you all got cocky. If it was just one of you, I might be able to understand the attitude, but for all of you to endanger one another is not acceptable. Someday, not today, I want you to tell me what you were trying to prove by going to the White House and driving those people home to Kalorama. What you accomplished is to turn every organization into high gear in regard to capturing you. You acted like teenagers out on a lark. There will be no more of that. Do you understand me?”

The Sisters nodded. Only Myra and Annie managed to look defiant. Charles glared at them.

“And, you two!” he said, pointing his finger at them. “Do not think for one minute that I won’t find out where you went in deliberate disregard of the rules that you all stick together. Make no mistake, I will find out.

“I’m going to ask you all one more time. Do you want me to continue in my role as master planner? Are you going to do as I say when I say it? Last but not least, are we all on the same page? And that includes you, Myra and Annie. Just raise your hand.”

Seven hands went up at the speed of light.

Charles felt the insane urge to guffaw, but he stamped it down, and said, “Open your folders, girls, and let’s see what we’re up against.”

Papers rustled, feet tapped the pine floors. At some point Murphy and Grady had come in, but the pair had gone unnoticed until they both barked as if on cue. Charles nodded in their direction. Both dogs dropped to the floor in the middle of the doorway, their large heads on their paws, their eyes alert to what was going on.