“What? Did you say something?” Alice questioned.

“No, no..er..I was just..er…a wise man once said: A flowing stream
soothes a restless duck while s-s-s…er..salmons beats a path to their
deaths”

“Huh?” Alice and Shane asked in unison.

“Never mind….. So what are you going to do now?”

“I’m hitting the Boston museum and we’re gonna meet with my
surveillance expert. Need some new nifty gadgets to go with this heist.”

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

“Pookieee!” A shrill voice pierced the stillness of the night. Sticking
her head out the car’s window, Dana glared at Tonya.”Oh god Carter!
What did we just talk about? And for god’s sake, keep it down! We’re on
a stakeout!”

“mmm..sorry couldn’t help myself.” Tonya said sheepishly as she got in the car. “So what’s going on?”

“You heard of a gadget specialist named  Carmen de la Pica Morales?” Tonya shook her, “No”

“Well, she supplies guns and gadgets to underworld figures and word on
the street is that she’s making a sale tonight, here at this hotel. And
I’ll bet my last drop of chicken noodle soup that Milky is going to be
here. Now you stay here, I’m going in for a look. Keep your eyes open
and remember our code word for action .”

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

“Do you have to bring that gerbil everywhere we go?” Alice
complained as they got out of the lift. “Mr Jenks is family, I can’t
leave him all alone at the lair! And he’s a hamster Boss, hamster”
Shane said, holding Mr.Jenks close to her.

“Ok, ok, just keep him out of the way” Alice gave in and knocked on
room 69. “Carmen!” Alice greeted the young lady who opened the door.

“Hey Alice, it’s been a while” Carmen responded, gesturing with her hand for them to come in.

Shane stood transfixed with her mouth agape at the sight of Carmen. For
the longest time, she has had a secret crush on Carmen but never had
the courage to ask her out. The tickle on her face brought on by Mr.
Jenks’s whiskers jarred Shane out of the trance.

“You see her, Mr. Jenks? She’s my dream girl”

“Squeak..squeak…squeak…”

“Shhh…Mr. Jenks, I can’t ask her out. Look at her…she’s so..so..beautiful, she’ll never go out with someone like me…”

“Shane! Are you talking to yourself back there? Come over here.”