It could look like three different families lived there, but it was really two men, two women, and four kids.
“That property is zoned for multi-family use. There are two families living there, and they’ve let us know they sometimes have extended family stay for blocks of time. Being so close to the beach is a real draw.”
I smiled, just like I always did when I was covering things up. Mrs. Yates took me at my word.
Than raised his eyebrows, but I stared back at him. Other than omitting the fact that they were shapeshifters, I’d been telling the truth. When other shapeshifters showed up in town, they always stayed with the Persons.
Yes, I got the humor in that last name.
“I don’t know who may have taken my property, Mr. Than. That is why I called you here.”
“All right, so no cars, no people you noticed walking by lately?”
“No one I haven’t seen before. A lot of people stop by to see the penguin, you know.”
I knew. Everyone knew.
“Were there any tour buses?”
“No. Although there was a couple who said they were driving Highway 101 from beginning to end, and they stopped by to take a selfie. They came up to the house to talk with me briefly.”
“About what?”
“They asked permission for taking a picture in my yard. They were very polite.”
“Did you get their names?”
“Troy and Trisha Smith. Cute couple. Young. Here, they sent me the photo.”
She stepped over to the little dining table and retrieved her tablet. It only took her a moment to scroll through the pictures and find the one she wanted.
“This is them.” She handed me the tablet. I studied the faces. Young couple. Cute. Their car was parked across the street at just the right angle, I could make out the plates. “We’ll run their plates just in case.”
“Oh, I don’t really think it’s them,” she said hastily.
“No?”
She drew her hands together in front of her and picked at one of her thumbs. “I’m sure it’s someone local.”
“Why do you think that?”
Her eyes dashed to the side, back to me, then dashed away again. She was hiding something. She knew something.
“Who took the penguin?” I asked. “If you know, I can just go to them and retrieve it. It won’t be a problem. If you want us to let them off with a warning, we’re happy to do so.”
“It’s just that things have been quiet, with the summer season winding down.”
“Yes,” I encouraged.
“And there hasn’t been an article for months now.”
I scanned the framed clippings again, and noted they were in chronological order. The last was dated June. So it had been three months since there was any outside press.
“I thought stirring things up wouldn’t be such a bad idea.”
“Did you give someone the penguin?” But even as I said it, that didn’t make any sense. Why would she call us in if she knew where it was?
“No. I…even I’m not that hungry for attention.”
