“You did not just call me cookie.”
“Pumpkin? Sweetie? Cupcake?”
“Wanna try that again?”
“Trust me that gods are drama queens who always make every little thing about themselves, Chief Reed.”
I just shook my head. “I kind of want to go back to the statue you were so worried about so I can get rid of you.”
“No. Come on, Delaney, I’m just giving you a hard time. Things have been so boring. The busted penguin is the most excitement I’ve had all week.”
“Did you break it?”
“You learn quick, don’t you? But no. I found it knocked over on my doorstep. Probably just kids screwing around.”
“Where do you keep it normally?”
“In the flower pot out front. The penguin was busted, a couple flowers were picked, dirt thrown around. I’d say a dog had been digging in the dirt, but it’s a pretty tall pot. A dog couldn’t reach it.”
“What about that thing about you being hunted?” Myra asked.
He shrugged. “You weren’t taking the penguin seriously, so I lied.”
I pinched the bridge of my nose. “Go away now.”
“But I was helping. Before you forced me to admit I was lying about being hunted, and confess I think the penguin is just some kids goofing off, and call you every delicious pastry on the shelf, which is a compliment when you think about how much I love pastry, I was helping.”
“Do you want to file a report about the statue?”
“I do not,” he said.
“Good. Go away.”’
“C’mon, Nancy Drew. Let me help you solve the mystery of the stolen spear.”
“No.”
“He’s a god. It’s a god item.”
“No.”
“I’m a god. I like stealing god items.”
I gave him a hard look.
“Well, not lately.”
“That doesn’t mean you get to play detective.”
“Consultant. I’m not going to tromp around dark alleys and chew on old cigar butts.”
“That’s not what a detective does,” I said.
“Which is why I’m not going to do it. I’ll consult.”
“Okay,” Myra said.
“What?” I turned on her. “What did you just say?”
