6
We didn’t need a second warning as Alec grabbed my hand and, with Rodney close behind, we fled the scene of our crime. Blackbeak led us to an alley a block from the hotel and landed on a tall crate where he set the book down.
I fell against a nearby wall and pressed my hand over my chest. My heart beat in time to the tango as Alec stopped beside me. His attention fell on Rodney as he joined us, out of breath but with a mischievous grin on his lips. “That was an elaborate distraction plan.”
Rodney shrugged. “I must admit I was uncertain if it would work, but it worked rather wonderfully.”
Blackbeak scoffed. “Except for all the millions of ways it could have gone wrong, like one of you getting clobbered by that clubbed man.”
“But none of us are the worse for wear-” Rodney pointe
