Wendy and I landed in Reno at 7:43 PM. We retrieved my suitcase and hailed a taxi, giving the driver the address on the slip of paper Mom gave me.

The house was normal looking. I imagined a family living there with two kids, a dog, and a minivan, but I knew better. We knocked but no one looked home.

Wendy walked all the way around it, peering in windows, but I stayed put on the porch. I shivered, the sun had set and it was getting cold.

“Hey, you kids!” Shrieked an old lady next door, angrily waving her phone. “You better leave nice Mr. Cooper alone or I’ll call the cops!”

She would make a nice wife for Crotchety Corbet!

“No, Ma’am.” I jumped off the porch and walked toward her with my hands up as if she were wielding a gun. “We’re looking for Marcus. I’m his…”
“Well, I’ll be!” She interrupted. “You’ve got to be his brother! There’s a strong family resemblance! He’s out of town, asked me to watch his place. Come in!”

Wendy had caught up to me and raised her brows at me. We entered, suitcase and all.