“Fair point,” I conceded.
“So, we’re really going to check out the lab in broad daylight?” Basia asked. “And we’re sure that’s a good idea.”
“Yes,” I confirmed. “I know it sounds counterintuitive, but I need to be able to clearly see what’s there. Also, I don’t want to risk using my laptop in the dark. It would give off light, and someone could spot us. That means we go in daylight.”
“Fine, but we have a bit of a problem,” Basia said. “What are we going to do about the guys? Our guys. They’re certain to be calling soon—it’s almost nine o’clock. They may be hungover, but if I know Slash, he’ll be calling you shortly. What do we tell them?”
“Who’s Slash?” Barbie interrupted.
“My husband,” I said. “I’m going to tell him the truth—we had to relinquish the dog last night, so we no longer have her. However, we’re not convinced the lab is on the up and up, so we’re doing some digging into it. We just want to make sure the dog is safe and whatever is being done to her at the lab is ethical and legal.”
Gray raised an eyebrow. “And the reconnaissance on the lab? Do we mention it? I can just imagine what would run through Hands and Slash’s heads if we tell them that plan.”
“Wait,” Barbie interrupted. “Can we back up a minute? Your husband’s name is Slash? Who has a name like that? Is he some kind of assassin, model, singer? Is that his real name?”
“It’s his name,” I said, letting at drop at that and then added, “He’s a computer guy like me, not a professional singer or a model.” Since I wasn’t clear on the assassin part, I left that one out.
“He should be,” Basia said. “Think Italian, dark haired, sexy, and swoon-worthy accent. Need I say more?”
Barbie thought it over and shrugged. “You could have added ‘shirtless,’ but overall, I’m good with that image.”
I rolled my eyes and pretended not to be worried about the guys’ reactions, but I knew full well they’d drive up in a second if they thought we needed help.
“We’re just going to look at the building from a distance,” I said. “We don’t need the guys for that. No need to freak them out. We’ll be home tomorrow, and that’s that.”
Basia narrowed her eyes at me. “You just don’t want Slash coming here and?—”
“—bringing Elvis, Xavier, and Hands with him,” Gwen finished for her.
I reluctantly nodded. “True. Why should we ruin their weekend? Why should any of them think they need to come up here and save us? From what?” I didn’t say it, but I also wondered if Slash might think I was lowering the guys’ threshold of fun so I could win our bet…which I totally wasn’t doing.
“We’re not in danger,” I repeated. “We can handle a little drive-by recon on a building. Remember, we’re just collecting external information on a lab, from a distance, that may or may not be harming an animal we happen to know. No imminent danger whatsoever.”
“Why do I feel nervous when you say that?” Basia asked.
“You shouldn’t,” I said. “Besides, you can wait for us here in the hotel or in the car while we take a look. From a distance,” I added again for extra emphasis. “Trust me. It will be so much safer than New Guinea or even your bachelorette party.”
“Or Lexi’s wedding,” Gwen added and then snorted.
“What was unsafe about Lexi’s wedding?” Barbie asked, looking between them confusedly.
“Everything,” Gwen said emphatically.
“Especially the seagulls,” Gray added.
“And Lexi with a candlestand,” Basia said before they all broke down laughing.
“Ha-ha. Okay, guys,” I said. “Now that we’ve all had a laugh at my expense, let’s get back to the matter at hand.”
“Fine, I’m in,” Gray said, still smiling and wiping the corner of one eye. “As I’ve said, reconnaissance makes total operational sense.”
I glanced at her. She’d started to talk like Hands more and more. Maybe that was something that happened to long-term couples. To be fair, I’d sort of started to talk like Slash. What if I started using Italian endearments and waving my hands around when I talked? If I started to dress like him, it would be all over.
“Lexi?” Basia said, snapping me out of my thoughts. “Did you hear what I said?”
“Oh, sorry,” I said. “I was thinking.”
“I said I’m in, too,” Basia continued. “I want to make sure Ginger is okay. I can handle Xavier and his questions. Let’s do it.”
