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She opens her mouth. Nothing comes out.

“Exactly.”

Under the bed, Alibi spits out the key.

I reach for it.

He puts his paw over it.

We stare at each other.

Callie makes a strangled sound beside me.

“Don't.”

“He put his paw on it.”

“I can fucking see that.”

“He's negotiating.”

“With what? He doesn't have demands.”

“Maybe he wants breakfast.”

“It's my key.”

“He has possession.”

I slowly turn my head. Callie's eyes are sparkling.

“I swear to God, if you say hostage provisions⁠—”

“Circumstantial evidence?”

I close my eyes.

Her laughter fills the bedroom.

Alibi's tail thumps beneath the bed.

And somehow, I smile.

Fuck my life.

Eventually, Alibi gets distracted by Callie's fingers tapping the floor. I grab the key before he can change his mind and sit back against the bed.

Callie holds out her wrist. I look at it, then at mine.

All I have to do is unlock the cuff.

Problem solved.

Callie can get dressed. I can drive her and Alibi to her car so she can go home.

My house will go back to normal. Quiet and empty. Exactly the way I like it.

My thumb runs over the edge of the key.