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I’d become hooked on the action. Sometimes I even think about selling the store and opening up an office. Robin Light. Private detective. I could work off someone else’s license. I don’t know. I can’t decide. But until I do, I still have a business to run, which was why I asked what else had happened since I’d been gone.
    Tim shrugged. “Aside from the phone never stopping ringing, not much. We sold some feeders since you’ve been gone. A couple of mollies, a bag of that all-natural dog food. That’s about it.”
    Business had been sluggish since after Christmas and, if previous years were any indication, it would remain that way until the spring, when sales would start picking up again.
    â€œOh.” Tim slapped the counter. A guinea pig, momentarily distracted by the noise, glanced up and then went back to its food. “You’ll enjoy this one. Some lady wanted to know if we sold Gaboon vipers. She wanted to give her boyfriend a surprise birthday present.”
    â€œThat would be quite a surprise. Did you explain about them?”
    â€œI think she knew.”
    â€œNice lady.” Depending on the size of the person, a bite from a Gaboon could be fatal, a fact that reminded me of the conversation I’d just had with Bryan Hayes. “Speaking of which, do you remember if we sold a boa or a Burmese to a kid called Tommy West?” I inquired as I went behind the counter to stow my backpack. Zsa Zsa, my cocker spaniel, looked up from her bed by the back wall and yawned. I swear that animal sleeps at least eighteen hours a day. Maybe I should cut back on her beer ration.
    Tim twirled the stud in his ear around while he thought. “Sorry,” he said after a minute. “The name doesn’t ring a bell. Why?”
    Zsa Zsa got up, stretched, and came over for a pet. I scratched behind her ears. She gave my hand a hello lick, then went in the back to get some water. I straightened up and put the flyer Bryan had given me on the counter.
    â€œWhat about her? Does she look familiar?”
    Tim glanced down. “That’s the case you’re working on? I remember reading something in the paper, but I can’t remember what.” He frowned. “After a while all these missing-person cases sound alike. Another couple and I’m going to begin believing what those alien abduction guys are saying.”
    I nodded. “According to her brother, she was in our store last year wanting to buy a sugar glider. You told her they make bad pets.”
    â€œWell they do. Sorry, I don’t remember her. I guess she didn’t make much of an impression.”
    â€œHe thinks she was killed by her boyfriend’s snake.” I told Tim the story.
    He snorted. “When in doubt, blame the reptile.”
    â€œWell, it is a possibility. Remember down in New York,” I said, referring to an incident that had recently taken place in the Bronx.
    â€œThe guy didn’t feed the snake. He was a moron.”
    â€œNow he’s a dead moron.”
    â€œIt was a nine-foot retic.”
    I wondered what kind of boid Tommy West had and how often he fed it.
    The bell on the front door rang. A customer walked in.
    â€œI don’t know,” Tim said as he watched him approach.
    â€œIf I had to trust a reptile or a person, my money would go with the reptile. At least they’re predictable.”
    I was inclined to agree.

Chapter 5
    G eorge changed lanes without looking, cutting off the Blazer behind us. The guy in the Blazer pulled up next to us, rolled down his window, and screamed, “Why don’t you learn how to drive, asshole?”
    George muttered an obscenity and we shot forward, two cars in a choreographed dance. A moment later George slowed back down. “Aren’t you going to say anything?” he demanded while he checked the rearview mirror. The Blazer was nowhere in sight. It had turned off.
    â€œLike what?” I wanted to