Ignoring the fact that Mrs. Penny didn’t actually have a jurisdiction because she wasn’t a licensed PI or a law enforcement officer, Riley concentrated on the important part. “You’re sure she got on a train?”
“Am I sure?” she scoffed. “Of course I’m sure. I double-parked right out front, snuck in behind them like a ninja, waited until she and that buff limo driver headed down to the tracks, and then I paid the gate agent a ten spot to tell me where she was going. By the way, you owe me a hundred sixty bucks.”
“Oh, God. You didn’t actually follow her onto the train, did you?”
“No! I would have, but someone got their panties in a bunch over me double-parking while on official PI business, and I got a parking ticket.”
Riley looked over her shoulder to make sure Tiptoeing Tommy hadn’t followed her into the room. “So where did she go?”
“Who?”
“Sesame. Where did Sesame go?” she asked in exasperation.
“Oh. Right. Penn Station.”
“Crap,” Riley muttered.
“That’s in New York City, you know.”
“I know, Mrs. Penny.”
“You want me to catch the next train and track her down? I think I’ve got my spare zip ties in my bag.”
A sleepy-looking Nick strolled into the room and crossed his arms.
“No! It’s not necessary for you to make a completely illegal citizen’s arrest.”
“Mrs. Penny?” he asked.
Riley nodded.
He rolled his eyes and swiped her coffee.
“Look, Mrs. Penny. You did good. Why don’t you see if you can get the ticket guy to tell you when Sesame is coming back?” she suggested.
“She’s following Sesame?” Nick demanded.
“Yes, but somehow it turned out to be a good thing,” Riley whispered.
“That might be a problem,” Mrs. Penny told her.
“Why?”
“Well, I kinda got thrown out of the station after I hit a security guard with my cane.”
“Gimmie the phone,” Nick insisted, crooking his fingers.
Riley shook her head. “You know what, Mrs. Penny? Why don’t you just come home? Immediately. And don’t hit anyone else with your cane. You can write up a report about your findings for Nick.”
“He’ll have it on his desk by noon,” Mrs. Penny said with enthusiasm. “I need a second breakfast. I always work up an appetite trailing a suspect.”
Nick reached for the phone, but Riley danced out of the way.
“Okay. I’ll see you at noon—”
“Of course, I’ll also need a lunch break. Breakfast always makes me hungry for lunch. And then I like to take a nap after lunch so I can start the afternoon fresh. I’ll get the report to him by tomorrow morning.”
“Great. Bye!” Riley said, disconnecting the call before Nick could take the phone from her.
