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“I don’t doubt it,” he said. “I’m more of a border-collie man myself.”

Helene Grey reached out toward the stranger as he got to the log. “Virginia, this is Raymond Pike. We worked together on a case years ago, and now he’s with the FBI. Raymond, this is Virginia, my fitness instructor.”

Virginia nodded. Baskerville eased back on his haunches. Grey turned and stared at Virginia for a few seconds, then lifted her eyebrows slightly.

“Oh,” said Virginia, suddenly catching on. “You two want to be alone. Okay. I get it.”

“Thanks, Virginia,” said Pike. “Helene and I just need a few minutes to catch up.”

“I’ll leave on one condition, Mr. Pike. Promise me that you’ll walk Detective Grey back to the lodge. Deal?”

Pike nodded. “Deal. I promise not to leave her to the wolves.”

“Okay then.” Virginia clapped her hands together. “Baskerville! Let’s go, boy!” The dog bounded off down the trail. Virginia followed right behind. In a few moments, they both disappeared over a hill.

“That girl was looking at me funny,” said Pike. “Does she know about us?”

“I wouldn’t put it past her,” said Grey. “She picks up on a lot of things.” She grabbed her walking stick and stepped back onto the trail. “So, how long were you tracking us?”

Pike smiled. “Just long enough to prove I still had the touch.”

“Sorry to call you out of the blue,” said Grey.

“No worries. It was good to hear from you again. I’m flattered that you still have my number.” He put his arm through hers as they headed down the trail toward the lodge. She felt him give her a little squeeze through her thick sleeve. It was friendly, not romantic. Still, it felt nice. Like old times.

“So, what do your contacts say about the Texas refinery?” asked Grey.

“Middle East operatives possibly, but nothing conclusive yet. Whoever it was infiltrated from Mexico. Standard-issue explosives and detonator, but a sophisticated timer. Untraceable. My guys think the attack might be an attempt to spook American energy markets. There was another explosion last night. Oil transmission pipe in Oklahoma. They’re trying to keep that one quiet.”

Helene Grey’s heart rate sped up. Oklahoma! The explosion Holmes had told her about this morning. The one he and Poe couldn’t trace.

“So, you’re living up here now with your mystery friends?” said Pike. “The three ghosts who appeared out of nowhere?”

“Right. The ones not even your fancy sources could pin down.”

“They got a lot of press in New York last year. Closed some big cases.”

“They’re good detectives, Raymond.”

“I also heard they almost got blown to bits in Brooklyn. You along with them.”

Grey nodded. “That’s true.”

Pike stopped and turned Grey to face him.

“You could have died that night, Helene. And you still haven’t figured out it’s dangerous to be around them?”

Grey started walking again. “I’ve got my reasons.”

“So, I assume you and your friends are already on this bombing case.”

Grey smiled. “Me? Haven’t you heard? I’m retired. Just like you.” She patted her belly. “Besides, I’ve got an advanced case of baby brain.”

“Congratulations, by the way.”

“Thank you.”

“Who’s the father? I mean, if it’s not inappropriate to ask…”