arl said I talked too much. What a joker.”

Hi sat on the floor, locked in an intense tug o’ war with Coop. The puppy rolled and growled, giving it his all.

“Yuck it up, pal.” Shelton spooned dog food into a bowl. “Karsten harassed me the whole time. I almost blew it.”

Catching a whiff of Science Diet, Coop padded over to investigate.

“He suspects us,” Ben said.

Parked in my usual turret groove, I debated sharing what had taken place during my interview. Ben was right. Karsten had accused me directly.

“Playing dumb worked,” Shelton said. “My parents don’t suspect a thing.”

“We still have Dr. Dumbass to worry about.” Hi, ever the poet.

We’d met up after dinner. The adults usually left us to our own devices on weekend evenings. While they thought we were on the beach, we’d gathered at the bunker.

Shelton smiled. “Your advice was good. Karsten asked about little things. Ben’s pratfall, the fat lady, even the poodle. I could tell he was pissed.”

Hi bowed without rising. “BS is my specialty. If you lived in my house, you’d be a pro, too.”

“The old fart even asked where I parked the boat,” Ben said. “Weirder, he asked if I’d been sick. Trying to throw me off, I guess.”

The tinniest alarm sounded in my brain.

“What exactly did he say?” I asked.

“Just that. ‘Have you been sick?’ Now that I think about it, he asked me twice.”

“Funny, I had the same question,” Hi said. “Caught me off guard. But I lied and said no. I wasn’t going to mention my blackout after running from Charleston’s finest.”

“Me too.” Shelton mimicked Karsten. “Have you been unwell lately, Mr. Devers? Flu-ish? Anything at all?” His eyes rolled. “What’s his angle, anyway?”

“Karsten must have a reason,” I said. “He brought it up with me, too.”

An accusation, not a question. I didn’t say it.

“Why would he think we don’t feel well?” Shelton cleaned a glob of dog chow from Coop’s whisker.

“Or care?” Ben added.

“I don’t know.” Not totally true. “The break-in took place during a storm. Maybe he thinks the burglars caught cold.”

The others looked at me like I was nuts.

“To be honest, I haven’t been feeling great.” Hi sounded a touch nervous. “And why did I faint on the boat?”

“Don’t worry, I’m feeling run down too.” I forced a chuckle. “We’ve had a big week.”

I wasn’t ready to mention my own little fit.

“All right.” Shelton spoke with reluctance. “I wasn’t going to say, but something strange happened to me yesterday.”

We all waited.

“My legs just gave out. I was showering, then I was lying on the tile and couldn’t move. I felt incredibly hot. Then, poof. I was normal again.”

Oh boy. Shelton’s attack sounded similar to mine.

“How have you felt since?” I asked.

“Fine. Not sick in the slightest.”

“That’s what happened to me!” Hi squawked. “I dropped like a rock, scorched up inside, then it all went away. But I’ve felt run down ever since.”

“Ben?” I still wasn’t ready to share.

“Nothing. Strong like bull.”

Could be coincidence. Don’t start a panic.

“It’s probably just the flu,” I said. “We were out in the rain all day.”

Shelton and Hi nodded, but looked uneasy. That clinched it. I’d keep my own blackout secret for now.

Ditto for Karsten’s accusations. No need to stir up pointless worry.!!!Change the subject.

“If Karsten had evidence against us, he’d have used it. So long as we keep quiet”—I glanced at the puppy—“and Coop out of sight, we’ll be safe.”

There. That sounded confident.

As though on cue, Coop scampered over and nudged Shelton for an ear scratch. When Shelton obliged, the puppy rolled tummy-up and wagged his tail. He was so adorable I could throw up.

“What’s next for the wolfpup?” asked Ben.

“We start looking for a home.” Though I hated giving Coop up, he was a smoking gun. If Karsten spotted him, we’d wind up in juvie.

“We need someone trustworthy,” I said. “Outside the city. Somewhere Karsten will never stumble across him.”

“What about Heaton?” Shelton asked. “I don’t have plans for tomorrow, but I’d like a heads-up if we’re going to rob a bank or something.”

“Hilarious,” I said. “You should write for The Simpsons.”

“I’ll think about it,” Shelton said. “Heaton?”

“The fingerprint is our only lead. If that bombs, I’m out of ideas.”

“Relying on Chance Claybourne.” Ben shook his head. “Great.”

“He’s not so bad,” Shelton said. “For a trust fund baby.”

“Goodbye.” Hi stood. “I’m hitting the rack before I feel worse. I’m paranoid enough as it is.”

I was on the same page.

The boys ruffled Coop’s fur as they trooped outside. He whined, but curled on his cushion. In moments he was sleeping.

We’ll need a door soon, I thought. Any day now Coop will be bounding through the dunes. A good problem.

“Sweet dreams, little guy.”

I followed the others out into the night.