Mac leaned against the counter, watching them with growing amusement. "You know, this might actually work in our favor. The Collector's tracking magical pairs, right? Well, you two aren't exactly the same magical signature anymore."
Sam tilted his head, ears perking forward.
"He's right," Delilah said, excitement building. "Baba Yaga said the spell would disrupt the Collector's pairing magic. Maybe this ridiculous puppy situation is actually camouflage."
Sam tapped his paw twice on the floor, then three times in rapid succession.
"Two for no, three for terrible idea..." Delilah translated. "You don't think it's camouflage?"
Sam pawed at the case file again, then at a map of Assjacket, then stood on his hind legs in what appeared to be an impression of Mayor Grimble.
"The Mayor?" Mac guessed.
Sam barked once, then mimed digging frantically.
"Something hidden?" Delilah tried.
Sam's ears flattened in frustration, then he ran to the kitchen, returning with a wooden spoon in his mouth. He dropped it at their feet, then stood up straight, holding the spoon like a wand.
"The silver-haired witch!" Delilah exclaimed.
One enthusiastic bark, followed by Sam running back to the Mayor's location on the map.
"You think the witch is connected to Mayor Grimble?" Mac asked.
Sam barked once, his expression eerily human despite the canine features.
"This is actually working," Delilah marveled. "Between the ear positions, paw taps, and strategic growls..."
Mac snorted. "Only Sam Wolfe could maintain his detective skills while being adorable and fluffy."
Sam growled, but the effect was diminished by his size.
"Don't worry," Delilah said, fighting a smile. "We'll figure out how to change you back. But in the meantime..." She reached down to scratch behind his ears, and to her surprise, Sam leaned into her touch. "We might as well use this unexpected camouflage to our advantage."
Delilah hurried across the town square, Sam trotting beside her with as much dignity as his tiny paws could manage. They'd hoped to slip unnoticed to the library archives, but in Assjacket, "unnoticed" was an aspirational concept at best.
"Is that—?" Mrs. Pendleton squinted at Sam, then at Delilah. "Did you get a dog, dear? Or is that...?"
"Just dog-sitting," Delilah said quickly. "For a friend."
Sam made a noise that sounded suspiciously like a snort.
They'd almost reached the library steps when Mayor Grimble emerged from the municipal building, his latest hat resembling a miniature town hall complete with working clock tower that chimed the hour—ten minutes slow.
"Miss Hart!" he called, waving frantically. "And is that—good heavens—Investigator Wolfe?"
Sam froze mid-step, ears flattening against his head.
"What? No! This is just a?—"
"A canine of remarkably similar eye color and judgmental expression?" Mayor Grimble adjusted his spectacles, bending down to peer at Sam. "The municipal eyesight enhancement program never fails!"
Sam growled, backing away from the mayor's outstretched hand.
"He doesn't like strangers," Delilah explained, which wasn't entirely untrue in either form.
"Nonsense! We're not strangers. We're municipal colleagues!" The mayor straightened, his expression shifting to what he probably thought was authoritative concern. "This is a matter of civic importance! Mildred!"
