Local Hero by Nora Roberts

can see Zark’s going to have his hands full when Leilah teams up with the Black Moth.”
    â€œThe Black Moth. Holy cow.” Faced with the facts, Josh was duly impressed. Then he remembered his comic book history, and suspicion reared again. “I thought he destroyed the Moth five issues ago.”
    â€œThe Moth only went into hibernation after Zark bombarded the Zenith with experimental ZT-5. Leilah used her scientific genius to bring him out again.”
    â€œWow.” This came from Josh as he stared at the oversized words and drawings. “How come you make this so big? It can’t fit in a comic book.”
    â€œIt has to be reduced.”
    â€œI read all about that stuff.” Radley gave Josh a superior glance. “I got this book out of the library that gave the history of comic books, all the way back to the 1930s.”
    â€œThe Stone Age.” Mitch smiled as the boys continued to admire his work. Hester was doing some admiring of her own. Beneath the clutter, she was certain there was a genuine French rococo cupboard. And books. Hundreds of them. Mitch watched her wander the room. And would have gone on watching if Josh hadn’t tugged on his arm.
    â€œPlease, can I have your autograph?”
    Mitch felt foolishly delighted as he stared down at the earnest face. “Sure.” Shuffling through papers, he found a blank one and signed it. Then, with a flourish, he added a quick sketch of Zark.
    â€œNeat.” Josh folded the paper reverently and slipped it in his back pocket. “My brother’s always bragging because he’s got an autographed baseball, but this is better.”
    â€œTold ya.” With a grin, Radley moved closer to Mitch. “And I’m going to be staying with Mitch after school until Mom gets home from work.”
    â€œNo kidding?”
    â€œAll right, guys, we’ve taken up enough of Mr. Dempsey’s time.” Hester started to shoo the boys along when Taz strolled into the room.
    â€œGee whiz, he’s really big.” Radley started forward, hand out, when Hester caught him.
    â€œRadley, you know better than to go up to a strange dog.”
    â€œYour mom’s right,” Mitch put in. “But in this case it’s okay. Taz is harmless.”
    And enormous, Hester thought, keeping a firm grip on both boys.
    Taz, who had a healthy respect for little people, sat in the doorway and eyed them both. Small boys had a tendency to want to play rough and pull ears, which Taz suffered heroically but could do without. Waiting to see which way the wind blew, he sat and thumped his tail.
    â€œHe’s anything but an aggressive dog,” Mitch reassured Hester. He stepped around her and put a hand on Taz’s head. Without, Hester noted, having to bend over.
    â€œDoes he do tricks?” Radley wanted to know. It was one of his most secret wishes to own a dog. A big one. But he never asked, because he knew they couldn’t keep one shut in an apartment all day alone.
    â€œNo, all Taz does is talk.”
    â€œTalk?” Josh went into a fit of laughter. “Dogs can’t talk.”
    â€œHe means bark,” Hester said, relaxing a little.
    â€œNo, I mean talk.” Mitch gave Taz a couple of friendly pats. “How’s it going, Taz?”
    In answer, the dog pushed his head hard against Mitch’s leg and began to groan and grumble. Eyes wide and sincere, he looked up at his master and howled and hooted until both boys were nearly rolling with laughter.
    â€œHe
does
talk.” Radley stepped forward, palm up. “He really does.” Taz decided Radley didn’t look like an ear puller and nuzzled his long snout in the boy’s hand. “He likes me. Look, Mom.” It was love at first sight as Radley threw his arms around the dog’s neck. Automatically Hester started forward.
    â€œHe’s as gentle as they come, I promise you.” Mitch put a hand on Hester’s