Finley’s face lit. “You know, that just might be it.”
“Type that into your brain game and let’s see if I’m right,” Kat said. “I bet I’m right. I bet the answer’s the Dewey decimal system.”
“I bet it is.”
When Finley didn’t race off, Kat asked, “Are you going to check it?”
“Sure.” Finley slipped toward her office.
Kat followed.
Finley blocked the door. “I need to return an email, then I’ll check it.”
“I’ll wait here.”
“All right.” Finley closed the door. Kat positioned herself an inch from the threshold with self-satisfied body language, waiting for the chance to sayI told you so.
Luke went to work. He’d start with the idiotic “It’s a great day to have a great day!” social media captions so he could get them out of the way.
It could be worse. He could have a psychotic puppy to worry about.
After a few minutes, Finley’s voice carried through her closed door. “You were right, Kat! The answer was the Dewey decimal system.”
“I told you so!”
“Thanks a bunch. You’re the best!”
Kat gave him a look that saidTop that, buddyas she settled behind her desk.
His phone buzzed, alerting him to a text.
Finley
I told Kat she was right to make her happy and throw her off the scent. I don’t actually know yet whether this number correlates to a book, but I think it’s as good a guess as any.
Luke
If it does correlate to a book, do you think your dad would be referring to a book at the Misty River Library?
Finley
I do. Though he might also be referring to a book at the Hartwell Library he took me to when I was young. I say we swing by the Misty River Library during our lunch break.
The woman who fielded their request for help at the Misty River Library was young, redheaded, named Dakota, and had great taste in pets. She’d adopted a puppy named Loretta (three-month-old Maltese mix, licks air) from Furry Tails a year prior.
Finley had been chitchatting with her since they’d arrived at the customer service desk. Currently, Dakota was showing Finley glamour shots of Loretta on her phone.
“She looks like she’s thriving in her forever home,” Finley said.
“She is. I adore her.”
“Wonderful. That’s the outcome I hoped for.”
Luke had remained quiet during the exchange. Except for his magnetism, which spoke loudly. Dakota had repeatedly shot him speculative looks, none of which he’d appeared to notice.
He’d yet to show much improvement in response to the conditioning of outings like this one.
“What can I help you with today?” Dakota asked.
