“I don’t care about the neighbors!”

“You should! Some of them are very nosy!” Wally turned, unlocked the door, and scrambled into his darkened living room. “I can’t see a thing! I’ll get a flashlight or a candle.”

Panting, Arthur collapsed onto the couch. “I dropped my stun gun. It was either on the street or in their apartment. I’m pretty sure it was their apartment.”

“Stun gun?” Wally called from the kitchen. “What were you doing with a stun gun?”

“You know I like gadgets. They’re good for protection. I was buying one for my grandmother so I bought one for myself.”

“They’re illegal around here.”

“I know!”

Wally came back into the living room carrying a lit birthday candle. “Let’s make a plan,” he said as the wax dripped onto his fingers. “I can always say the stun gun was mine and I dropped it when I was working there.”

“That is ridiculous. The owners know someone broke into their apartment.”

“You’re right. It is ridiculous. I feel so bad for Rod.”

“You feel bad for Rod? What about me?”

“He’s worked so hard all these years. If this comes out it’ll be terrible for his business.”

“He won’t end up in jail, now will he?” Arthur growled. He wiped his forehead. “I’m sweating to death.”

“Okay, okay,” Wally said. “I’ve got an idea. Let’s take a ride back into the city—”

“I’m too upset to drive!”

“We’ll take my car, then. I suggest we retrace your steps between the building and where you parked your car. It’s very possible we’ll find the stun gun.”

“And if we don’t? We’re in a blackout! The streets are so dark it’s hard to see anything!”

“I don’t know. But I have the feeling that at least if we’re near the loft, we’ll figure things out. Maybe we can grab a bite somewhere.”

“Grab a bite? Are you crazy?”

“I can’t sit here, Arthur! My stomach is in knots. Let’s go. This candle is burning my fingers.”

“That woman might still be out on the roof,” Arthur said miserably.

“No way. She and her husband are as thick as thieves.”

“Thick as thieves? Like us?”

“You know what I meant. He has to have rescued her by now.” Wally blew out the remains of the candle and jumped up. “Come on, Arthur. Sitting here isn’t going to get that stun gun back.”

“I have the feeling that it’s too late anyway.”

“Never mind. Let’s go. But, Arthur—”

“Yes.”

“There’s no harm in getting the tools out of your car. You never know. We might get a second chance at that safe.”

“No way, you jerk! I am not bringing my tools!”

18

C onrad Spreckles searched the guest room high and low. There was no sign of any cash that Lorraine might have squirreled away. But he was wildly irritated, when, upon close examination, he noticed the exorbitant price tags still attached to many of Lorraine’s handbags.

“I was so used,” he gasped. “Grandma Spreckles would be mortified at this waste! Lorraine bought just for the sake of buying. It’s disgusting. She is not getting these handbags back! I’m giving them all to Alexis. Any bag she doesn’t like I’ll donate to charity!”