moment, tempted to just fall asleep right there. He had dropped Wyrdrune and Kira off at the car rental

agency, so they could rent two cars, increasing their ability to cover the town in their search for the Dark

One. Rental cars would be more practical, and far less conspicuous, than using the unicorns again.

Dividing up their strength like that would be risky, but they had decided that they had to take the chance.

There was only one more day until the start of the fiesta and they had already started setting up the

booths and the canopied stage down in the plaza.

moment, tempted to just fall asleep right there. He had dropped Wyrdrune and Kira off at the car rental

agency, so they could rent two cars, increasing their ability to cover the town in their search for the Dark

One. Rental cars would be more practical, and far less conspicuous, than using the unicorns again.

Dividing up their strength like that would be risky, but they had decided that they had to take the chance.

There was only one more day until the start of the fiesta and they had already started setting up the

booths and the canopied stage down in the plaza.

Wearily, Paul got out of the car and trudged up the steps to the house. He unlocked the door and

walked in, tossing the keys on the table in the entryway. He felt almost too tired to make it up the stairs

to his bedroom. He had given the guest bedroom to Wyrdrune and Kira. Billy was asleep on the couch in

the den, having refused to deprive Paul of his bed, saying he'd slept soundly in far less comfortable

places. Even Gomez was tired and had curled up in his usual place at the foot of Paul's bed. Paul went

into the kitchen and poured himself a glass of orange juice. He had drunk about half of it when someone

rang the doorbell. Probably Wyrdrune and Kira, he thought. That was quick. He went to open the door.

"A-1 Plumbing," said the man at the door. He was dressed in coveralls and carrying a metal toolbox.

Paul frowned. "Plumbing? I didn't call a plumber."

"This isn't 2535 Declovina?"

"Yes, it is, but there must be some mistake. We didn't call a plumber."

"Your name's not Mr. Jones?"

"No, it's Ramirez."

The man grimaced and shook his head. "Hell, someone at the office must have screwed up. We got an

emergency call from somebody named Jones, burst pipes, water spraying all over the place, and they

sent me to the wrong address. Would you mind if I used your phone to call the office? I'd be glad to pay

for the call."

"No, that's quite all right, that won't be necessary," Paul said, standing aside. "Come in. There's a phone

in the kitchen."

"Thanks. I really appreciate this."

Wulfgar followed Paul into the kitchen.

"The phone's right over there," said Paul, pointing.

"Thanks. I'll try not to be too long."

He picked up the phone and started dialing. Paul took the rest of his orange juice and went back out into