I had to make sure there would be no drama while I was gone. I introduced Hazel to Adnan. I took her outside surreptitiously into the gangway between my house and my neighbors. I let her sniff Adnan and told her that he and his crew were all right. In just a minute or so, Hazel was nudging him and asking him for a pet. Mission accomplished. Then the jinn disappeared and went back into position.
Hazel followed me to the back steps, where Marlese was sitting. I hadn't heard her come out.
"What were you doing?" she asked.
"Just had to talk to Hazel for a minute," I said, sitting next to her. Hazel snuggled up between my legs.
"Don't take this the wrong way," Marlese said, "but I get the feeling that you're not the same."
I didn't know what to say. I didn't like having to lie to my daught
