“Give it up, Gay. You know it’s our best chance to find out what’s going on here.” She lightly touched her hand to his shoulder. “It will be all right.” She gave him a crooked grin. “I thrive on unknowns and the unexpected, you know that.

“Now suck it up, Gay. We have to get a move on. Dillon, do you have anything to add before you winter up, and we’ll see if you pass muster. Gay’s gear is in the front closet.”

Savich said, “Gay, I know exactly how you feel, but trust me, this is the best way to proceed. Think of it as a chess game; we’re good, we’ve thought it all out, prepared. All our pieces are in play and the odds are excellent the opponent will make the moves we’re predicting.”

Gay sighed. “Yeah, yeah, you two should be lawyers. I understand, but I don’t like it. Both of you, be careful, all right?”

As Savich donned Gay’s coat and scarf, Olivia went down on her knees and hugged Helmut close. “I know you want to come with me, but I’m not about to put you in danger. You and Gay will guard the house. I’ve left you water and food in the kitchen, you know the drill. Sorry, Gay, but I didn’t leave you any food or water.” She gave Helmut a last big hug, felt his tongue lap over her face. She kissed his forehead, straightened, and turned to study the winterized Dillon. “Not bad. Wrap the scarf more around the lower part of your face. With the sunglasses and the knit cap, you look enough like Gay to me. For at least two minutes.”

Savich turned to Gay. “Do I look like your brother, at least?”

“No.” Gay sighed. “You’re taller than I am and I have twenty pounds on you. As for my brother, he’s short, too heavy, and bald. Okay, like Olivia said, you could fool people for maybe two minutes, from a distance.”

“Good enough. We’re lucky it’s so cold.” Savich’s cell sang out “Whatever It Takes” by Imagine Dragons. He listened, disconnected. “Agent Noble says it’s time. The car’s still out there, tucked away near a driveway, half a block away.” He looked at Olivia, who’d slipped on her coat, scarf, and knit cap. “You ready?”

Olivia nodded. “It’ll be all right. Helmut, stay. Gay, you stay, too.”