“You love it.” I put the Jeep in drive and rolled out of the yard. “That was probably the best reception you’ve had in years. Surprising, too. There’s some stiff competition in this town. Cookie Cult Al. Sleaze-ball Cody. And Pickup Dude.”

“Pickup Dude?”

I nodded toward the familiar pickup roaring toward us, muffler clattering. The driver waggled his tongue at me, yellow teeth flashing.

“It’s close,” I said. “But you get my vote.”

“So do you want to know what Vee said? Or would you rather keep insulting me?”

“Just keeping that ego of yours in check. It’s a full-time job.”

“I know what that’s like,” he said with an arch look my way.

I swerved over just as agarden sprinkler arced our way. Adam swore and ducked, but didn’t quite make it. As I veered back onto the road, he ran his hands through his hair, shaking his head, water flecking the dash.

“I’m sure there’s a brush in the glove box,” I said.

“Yeah, yours.” He settled for finger-combing his hair, then settled back in his seat.

“So what’d Vee say?” I asked.

He glanced over, brows lifting.

After a moment, I sighed. “Okay, I apologize. Now, please, what did she say?”

“Well, she was a little late to the party. Megan sent her looking for the new girl, who seems to be hiding out. Can’t blame her. That Alastair guy is seriously creepy.”

“Agreed. Now, about Vee ...”

“She was late joining the others, meaning she walked past the office when you were interviewing the old guy. She heard him tell you that Ginny and Brandi had never come to the house.”

“And she said they did.”

“Yep. Megan and Alastair caught them snooping around one night when they were out tending to the animals. Vee saw the whole thing. Megan wanted to call the cops. Alastair said he’d handle it. He took Ginny and Brandi aside, talked to them, then came into the house and told Megan they wouldn’t have any more problems. She still wanted to report it, but he was adamant. Said it would only cause trouble in the town. She backed down.”

“That’s not an encounter he’s likely to have forgotten,” I said.

“Nope. If Megan’s saying she never met the girls either, then he’s told her to keep her mouth shut.”

I PARKED NEAR the Radu place, and we got out to deal with Tiffany.

“If she recognized you, we should presume she knows who I am, too,” Adam said.

“I wouldn’t.”

“Thanks.”

“I didn’t mean it like that. The only reason she knows me is because of my parents. As usual.”

“And the only way she’d know me is because of my dad. As usual.” He shook his head. “Supernaturals overshadowed by their famous parents. We should start a support group.”

“I think we already have.”