“What the hell is this for, Beth?” Mace asked. “You never had a security detail at your house before. You usually don’t even have a driver.”

“Different world and the mayor insisted.”

“Has there been a threat?”

“I get threats every day. Stalkers at HQ, here at home.”

“I know, so what’s changed?”

“Not for you to worry about.”

The car slowed and Beth Perry rolled down her window and exchanged a few words with the officers on duty, and then she and Mace headed into the house. Mace dropped the duffel bag containing everything she’d brought to prison with her and looked around. “You’re not going to tell me the truth about all the new security?”

“There’s nothing to tell. I don’t particularly like it, but like I said, the mayor insisted.”

“But why did he-”

“Drop it, Mace!”

The sisters did a staredown and Mace finally backed off.

“So where’s Blind Man?”

As if on cue, an old fifty-pound mutt with gray, black, and tan markings came into the room. As it sniffed the air, it gave a yelp and bounded toward Mace. She knelt and scratched Blind Man behind the ears and then gave the dog a lingering hug, pushing her nose into its smooth fur as Blind Man happily licked her ear.

“I think I missed this guy almost as much as I missed you.”

“He’s been pining for you.”

“Hey, Blind Man, you missed me, man, you missed me?”

“I still can’t believe they were going to put him down just because he can’t see. That dog’s nose is so keen it’s better than having two pairs of twenty-twenties.”

Mace rose but continued to stroke Blind Man’s head. “You always have been one to bring in strays with special cases. The deaf cat, and three-legged Bill the boxer.”

“Everybody and everything deserves a chance.”