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“I’ve seen and smelled a few walking by the house at night,” Sonny commented. “But never one that big. I didn’t see any in Tucson. Would it really hurt us?”

“Usually not, but they have big teeth and it’s not worth the risk. They eat cactus, needles and all. They aren’t fond of dogs and if they’re protecting their young—”

I was interrupted by the appearance of three smaller javelinas who joined their mother.

Sonny laughed. “Now, they’re adorable.”

“They are, but, yeah, it’s probably good to keep a distance from mama. She was coming out of the brush hot.”

Though we were a good thirty feet away from them, their scent was strong. We must have been downwind. We watched as the mother piglike wild creature led her babies down the street and away from us.

Sonny looked at me. “That wouldn’t happen in Wisconsin. Maybe in Tucson, but not where I was.”

“No javelinas in Wisconsin, huh?”

“Nor scorpions, in case you wondered.”

I nodded but didn’t respond right away.

“What’s on your mind?” Sonny asked.

“That man who attacked me. He smelled like that, as well as other things.”

“You think he’s living next to a family of javelinas?”

“I don’t know, but that along with the other smells tells me he’s outside most of the time.”

“Okay. Do the police need to know?”

“Maybe, but not at the moment. I told Calloway and the new police chief what the guy smelled like, but not specifically like that. I just said he stunk, like body odor. But it was more than that, I realize, and it wouldn’t hurt for them to know.”

“Want to give them a call?”

I shook my head. “I know what I’d like to do, though.”

“Tell me.”

“Let’s go back to your place.” I paused. “Do not waste any time wondering if that’s a pickup line. It is.” I started walking back toward Sonny’s house.

We didn’t clean up the pizza and the walk had been short, but it was enough. I’d had plenty of air—fresh or otherwise.

Maybe it was the evening or the stars. Maybe the jolt of adrenaline-infused fear, but I felt a lot better. I’d been considering the idea all night, and I just couldn’t come up with any reason why not. It had been a while, which wasn’t a good reason—by itself. But there were plenty of green flags to go along with my interest.

It was time for some inside activities.

CHAPTER

20

“HAZEL DYLAN, ARE you doing the walk of shame?” Trisha asked as I parked the Jeep and slid off the driver’s seat.

She’d been sitting on the ground, her back up to the wall, next to my front door. It appeared that she’d been waiting for me.

“Not working this morning?” I asked.

“Nope.” She stood and wiped off her behind. “I need your help.”

“Okay.”