“If the world is really going to end, I don’t think we have a choice. And I’m sure something could be done if we were caught, but it sounds like the boss is a hothead, so we might not like his take on things. It’s probably better if we don’t get caught.”

“That sounds good in theory but we’re talking about me here. In forty-eight years, I’ve never even managed to walk around the edge of the fountain downtown without falling in. Do you really think I can climb in windows and sneak around dark houses without someone noticing?”

“So you were a clumsy kid. That can change.”

“I fell in it three months ago.”

Halcyon stared. “Why were you walking around the fountain three months ago?”

“I don’t know. Because I keep thinking this time will be different? I usually manage to dunk myself once a year.”

“I do not understand this town. I know that Old Lady Richard woke up this morning with a blister on her heel from her new shoes, but I don’t hear about you flinging yourself into the fountain every year.”

“I do it in the middle of the night.”

“Sometimes you surprise me. Maybe there’s a sense of adventure in you after all. If so, we’re going to pull it out, even if it’s kicking and screaming.”

“Even if it means falling in a fountain?”

“As long as I’m wearing cotton, we’re good.”

“Black cotton if we’re planning on cat-burgling on the regular.”

“The upside is most people in Last Chance don’t have alarms. The downside is most do have dogs and guns.”

“You’ll have a sneezing fit and blow our cover.”

“I’ll take Benadryl and wear a mask. We should both wear masks. I’ll order some off Amazon. Not like we’re going to find ski masks in south Louisiana.”

“Okay, so we get ski masks and then what—start roaming through people’s houses every night? Do we go alphabetically? By street would probably be more efficient. But what about everyone who lives out in the bayou? We’ve only got a week and we can’t exactly stroll around in black ski masks during the day.”

“You’re overthinking this. We can eliminate a lot of people simply because some wouldn’t have an heirloom. Take Six-Pack Steve, for example. If he had anything of value, he would have already sold it for beer.”

“So add pawnshops to the list.”

“Definitely. So I guess the first thing we need to do is ask this Alexios what the ring looks like.”

“Oh yeah, right! I can text him.”

“Let me have another cinnamon roll first. Those skinny guys are the worst. They can pack away more than any two regular guys.”

Marina nodded and passed the box of baked goods. And that’s when she realized that the circles under Halcyon’s eyes were lighter. She grabbed her phone and clicked a picture, blinding Halcyon with the flash.

“A little warning, please!” Halcyon complained. “Now I can’t even see to find the cinnamon roll.”