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and any other big A-C owned or operated facility. I’d still never met Gladys. Because I was kind of afraid of her. She was considered one of the most formidable, if not
the
most formidable, of all A-C personnel, and she had sarcasm down to an art form.
    â€œSo, you get Jamie’s dinner taken care of, then let me know when she’s ready for fun times.” Denise tickled Jamie’s tummy, as Jamie squealed with laughter.
    â€œYou’re getting out of the uncomfortable formal affair
again
?” Was this woman’s luck truly never-ending?
    Denise winked. “The perks of being the Daycare Mom. I have to do it because it’s my job.”
    â€œYou are
so
lucky.”
    â€œI know. Believe me, I like going to fancy things as much as the next gal, but not these kinds of things. I’m much happier with the kids and Gladys is really fun to hang out with, and these are the only times I get to see her.”
    Gladys was someone Denise
wanted
to hang out with? Never a day went by when I didn’t score new information like this. Decided it was in the interests of my longevity to not mention aloud that I found it hard to believe Gladys was a party animal. “Where will all of you be, here?”
    Denise shook her head. “We’re going over to the Pontifex’s residence. That way, no one can sneak out to see their mommies or daddies.” She shot Raymond an amused but exasperated look.
    â€œJust trying to help,” he said under his breath.
    â€œAnd we appreciate your efforts.” Hey, I had no issues with Raymond questioning our safety. In most cases, he was probably wise to do so.
    I considered my options. I could try to get all of our animal kingdom and my daughter back upstairs alone, or I could call for help. “Com on!”
    â€œYes, Chief?” Walter asked.
    â€œI need Len and Kyle here to help me. Like now.”
    â€œThey’re advised and on their way, Chief.”
    â€œYou’re the best, Walt.”
    Len and Kyle were human C.I.A. agents permanently assigned to be my driver and bodyguard, respectively. They were also young, cute, and former members of USC’s Trojan Football team who’d come into my orbit during the excitement surrounding my wedding. Instead of pursuing pro careers, they went straight from college to Chuckie’s side of things and, therefore, were swept right back up into my orbit.
    Len had been the quarterback and Kyle had been on the line, which was why when it came to who got to handle what, Kyle got the four dogs and Len got the Feline Winnebago. I kept the cute little girl because I could.
    â€œYou boys ready for tonight?” I asked as we squished into the elevator. The dogs ensured that they took up a lot of room.
    â€œYes,” Len replied. “It’s supposed to be a fun night. And we’ll have friends attending.”
    â€œI know. Olga doesn’t want to miss any hilarity that might ensue.”
    Olga was the wife of the Romanian ambassador. The Romanian Embassy was across the street from ours, and through a variety of circumstances, we’d become close with Olga and her granddaughter and personal assistant, Adriana. That Olga was former KGB and training Adriana in all the skills was a secret we were all happy to keep.
    Olga was suffering from multiple sclerosis, so she was mostly confined to a wheelchair. This didn’t stop her from somehow knowing everything that was going on in D.C. and many other places as well. My personal goal was to surprise or know something, anything, before her. It happened, but very rarely. Hoped that she wasn’t aware that the Dingo was in town, but I wasn’t willing to bet on it.
    â€œSince Pierre’s been here, we haven’t had any really disastrous social events,” Len reminded me.
    â€œTrue enough. I’m thankful for Pierre every day.” I chose not to mention that an interstellar invasion definitely counted as a disastrous