Full Scoop by Janet Evanovich and Charlotte Hughes

“I want to see how this FBI stuff works.”
    Zack looked at Maggie. “Before I forget, I’m having a state-of-the-art-alarm system installed first thing in the morning. Sensors on every door and window,” he added. “I’ll give you and Mel the code and show you how to use it. It’s very simple.”
    “You’re staying here ?” Maggie asked.
    “How do you think he’s going to protect you and Mel?” Queenie asked.
    Maggie nodded. “Oh, yeah.”
    “You must be pretty sure that Carl Lee Stanton is going to show up,” Mel said.
    Zack gave her an easy smile as the three of them headed to the door. “ If he makes it this far,” he said, “which is highly unlikely considering everybody in the free world is looking for him.”
    Maggie watched them go through the door. She was glad Zack was playing down the danger. She tossed the dirty bandage and used cotton balls into the trash and returned her medical bag to the top of the refrigerator.
    “You okay?” Queenie asked.
    Maggie nodded. “I have a lot on my mind. Surprising as it might seem,” she added with a rueful smile.
    Mel came through the door with the carton of ice cream, and Queenie put it in the freezer. The phone rang in Mel’s room, and the girl started from the kitchen.
    “Don’t forget what we talked about,” Maggie reminded.
    “I know, Mom. My favorite Uncle Zack is visiting.”
    Maggie waited until she heard the door close to her daughter’s room. “I should probably go in and have that talk with her,” she said to Queenie. “Get it over with,” she added.
    “Doesn’t the poor girl have enough to think about right now without you dishing out more?” Queenie asked.
    Maggie no longer knew what was best for Mel. “I’m already frazzled over the waiting,” she said. “Waiting and not knowing if or when he’ll show up. And we’ve just begun.”
    “This is probably a good time for you and Mel to take a little vacation,” Queenie said.
    “I’m booked solid next week,” Maggie said. “I’ve got new patients coming in. If I cancel they might go someplace else. I need those patients, Queenie.” It was all Maggie could do to pay her overhead some months, not to mention living expenses and putting a good chunk of money into Mel’s college fund each month. As much as she scrimped, she hadn’t made a deposit in her savings account all summer, but she knew it took time to build up a solid practice.
    “Is it worth the risk?” Queenie asked after a moment.
    They were prevented from discussing it further when Zack and Everest walked through the door carrying Zack’s luggage. Maggie noted the serious look on Zack’s face. “Everything okay?” she asked.
    “I need to replace a couple of light bulbs,” he said, setting the small suitcase and a shoulder bag out of the way. Everest placed an olive-colored duffel bag beside them. “The one by the back door is out.”
    “I keep forgetting to replace it,” Maggie said, getting up from the table.
    “This is a good time to do it.”
    Maggie nodded. FBI guys probably changed their light bulbs once a week. “I’ll grab a box of bulbs from the laundry room.”
    “I’m going to check out the inside while you do that.”
    “You’ll have to knock on Mel’s door,” Maggie told him. “She’s on the phone. It could be hours before she gets off.”
    “That was so cool,” Everest said quietly when Maggie reentered the room. “Zack doesn’t miss a thing. I can learn a lot from watching him. He says I have what it takes to be FBI. Plus, he promised to put in a good word for me. I’m going to join the gym right away and start working out, and then I’m going to buy a gun and go to the firing range so I can practice, and then I’m going to sign up for the exam. I have to go to the library and see if they have any FBI books I can study.” He had to pause to catch his breath.
    “But what about your choir job?” Queenie asked. “I thought you were going to sing for the Lord.”
    He