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I don’t know how it works in the other towns, but in Smuggler’s Rest, we take turns. This year it’s my turn to steal the raccoon from Rogue’s Landing. I’ve managed to steal the parrot from Pirate’s Perch once. I figure stealing a raccoon can’t be any harder.
Sophia squeals. “And I get to help. Do I need to swear a blood oath before we begin?”
“Blood oath? Why would you need to take one of those?”
“To swear me to secrecy. No one knows who steals the mascots each year. It’s a closely held secret.”
Shit. She’s right. I didn’t think this through. Sophia can’t keep a secret from her girls. The entire town of Smuggler’s Rest will know we stole the raccoon before the night’s over.
“I don’t have a knife so a pinky swear will have to do.” She holds out her pinky and I hook mine to hers. “Repeat after me. I solemnly swear.”
“I solemnly swear.”
“To not tell anyone about tonight’s activities.”
“To not tell anyone including my girls about tonight’s activities.”
I kiss her forehead. “Now, come on. Our window of opportunity is closing.”
I aim for an alley and Sophia follows me. “Where are we going?”
“Tom is supposed to be watching Rogue but his wife, Sarah, won’t let him bring the raccoon into the house. We need to get in and get out with Rogue before Tom gets home from his bowling league.”
Her jaw drops open. “You did recon? And without me?”
I twitch her nose. “Tom works for me. No recon necessary.”
“Oh. You’re a cheater.”
I shrug. “I can’t help it if Tom complained to my entire crew about his wife bitching about the raccoon.”
I stop at the gate to Tom’s backyard. “You ready?”
“What do you need me to do? Animals love me. I can sweet talk Rogue into following us.”
I grunt. “You’re not sweet talking a wild animal.”
“Rogue is not a wild animal. He does tricks at the high school basketball games.”
“That Rogue died a few years ago. This is a new Rogue.”
“Ah. Poor Rogue died? Did they have a funeral for him? Why did no one tell me? I would have—”
“Soph, can we get back to the matter at hand?” I interrupt to ask.
She clears her throat. “What can I do?”
“Open the marshmallows for me.”
She snatches the bag from me and rips it open before shoving one in her mouth. “You brought snacks. Good thinking.”
“The marshmallows aren’t for us. They’re for Rogue.”
She holds up the bag. “He can’t possibly eat this many.”
The gate in the fence opens up and Sarah peeks out. “You’re not very stealthy.”
“Sorry, Sarah.”
