"I'm in Chestnut Hill. Let's say two o'clock. Antiquarian's Delight. You know it?"

"Sure thing, Mr. Picker. Two o'clock it is."

I crossed the street at Bethlehem Pike. Several stores down I picked up some natural, homemade dog biscuits. Put them in my pocket. At West Evergreen I crossed again and started walking towards my car.

A block from the Avenue I heard footsteps behind me. Heavy footsteps.

One hundred feet ahead I could see my parked car.

The next two things appeared to happen at once.

Kato leapt from the Morgan. He came tearing towards me.

Simultaneously, the sound of two men rushing up from behind.

I turn quickly. Tall and thin; short and stocky. T amp;T is raising his arm holding a. 38 caliber Smith amp; Wesson. S amp;S is gripping a blackjack in his left paw.

My black and tan monster springs from his hind legs. Kato’s teeth come down hard on Tall's right wrist; the one holding the gun. I actually hear bones crunching. Tall drops to his knees and screams.

Short raises his hand to strike with the blackjack. My left hand grabs his left wrist; I turn into him; bend my knees and pull. Short ends up on his back.

"Throat," I said. Kato releases Tall's broken wrist; opens his jaws as wide as they can go and grabs Short's neck.

Tall is in so much pain that he has no idea what is going on. I step over and kick the gun out of his reach. Return to Short; lean over; smile and said, "This is important. Pay close attention. Do Not Move or that dog will kill you. If you have any doubts whatsoever, well, you can find out first hand."

I stand back up. Grin from ear to ear. "Well boys. What can I do for you today?"

T amp;T was in too much pain to talk. S amp;S just looked terrified. "Look, son. Talk to me or I'll have him kill you just for giggles. Understand?"