Page 13 of It takes a Psychic

“Wouldn’t want to do that, considering that you’re the one with the sled.”

“See? I knew you were pretty smart.”

She whisked up her bloodstained skirts, stepped onto the platform, and sat down at one end of the front bench. Oliver slipped off the pack and set it on the rear bench. He got behind the wheel and rezzed the motor. There was a quiet confidence in every move he made.

She was suddenly conscious of just how close he was now. He was not a big man but he dominated the space around him. It was his energy field, she thought. So much chained power.

“You told me you always have a plan and a backup,” she said on impulse.

“Right.”

“Obviously I wasn’t a factor in your original plan. So, are we now going with your backup plan?”

“No. I also believe in having a very flexible plan A. My original plan included leaving on the sled, and that’s what I’m doing. The only difference is that I’m not leaving alone.”

“In other words, I’m excess baggage?”

“I was thinking more along the lines of a souvenir.” An enthusiastic chortling stopped him just as he was about to step on the accelerator. “What in green hell?”

Startled, Leona turned on the seat and looked back. A large wad of dryer lint with six paws and a couple of bright blue eyes was bustling toward the sled.

“It’s the dust bunny,” she said, delighted.

“Which dust bunny?” Oliver asked, glancing over his shoulder.

“The one that got my attention in the gallery and led me to the lab to rescue her pals.”

“How can you be sure it’s the same dust bunny?” Oliver’s brows rose. “Or that it’s a female?”

“I can’t explain it.” She smiled. “I guess there’s some sort of connection between us now.” She broke off. “Uh-oh.”

“What?”

“She’s got something in her paws. A little crystal sculpture. Pretty sure I recognize it.”

“Does it belong to you?”

“No. I noticed it earlier in one of the glass cases in the gallery. Dust bunnies are very attracted to bright, shiny objects.”

“Those cases are securely locked. How did she get it?”

“I unlocked the case to get a better look at the artifact. I may have left it open.”

“Got it. You were planning to take a little souvenir yourself.”

She glared at him. “I was distracted by the dust bunny. It was obvious she needed help.”

Oliver’s mouth twitched again. “Distracted?”

“Oh, shut up.”

The dust bunny hopped up onto the sled platform and then bounded onto the rear bench. With a cheery chortle, she offered the object to Leona.

“Thanks.” Leona took the object and stifled a sigh. “Really? Of all the valuable objects that were in the gallery, you picked this one to give me as a thank-you gift?”

The dust bunny had lost interest. She was braced expectantly on the rear seat.

Oliver gestured for her to hop off the sled. “Time to bail. We’re leaving now.”

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