She figured she had just enough time to flake out and take a nap before she had to get dressed up and walk the dogs down to Jackson Square. After she handed them off to Shamus she’d hopefully meet up with Babcock and they’d . . . She stopped short when the leaves on her banana palm began to tremble and shake. “Who’s there?” Carmela called out. What she was really thinking was, What now? The palm shook again as Quigg Brevard stepped out of the lengthening shadows. “This is getting to be a bad habit of yours,” Carmela said. She decided she was also honor bound to discourage it. Quigg grabbed her by both arms. “I had to see you, Carmela. I know you’ve been avoiding me and, believe me, it’s been torture. May I come in?” He threw a hopeful glance at her front door. “Just for a few minutes so we can talk? We need to catch up.” Visions of Babcock danced in Carmela’s head.
