We ate the pizza and wondered about this attempt on my life.
"I'm kind of surprised you aren't freaking out," I said.
"Would it make a difference if I did?" His eyebrows went up. "Now, why don't you give me a tour of the house?"
"It's getting late." I pulled out my cell and called Kelly, who assured me that the girls had been playing freeze tag and had the leftover pizzas for dinner. She was fine with me spending a little quality time with my husband.
It wasn't an in-depth tour—just a cursory one. I felt bad leaving Kelly with the girls, until I remembered the mud pit. Then I took it a little slower.
"You haven't found the last two clues?" Rex asked.
"No. And we did a thorough search. I'm wondering if she died before getting the other two out. Maybe the killer realized she was planning to tip me off and acted earlier."
"That's a very good point. Besides, it doesn't sound like you were getting anywhere anyway."
I shook my head. "Nope. The clues were pretty vague."
We finished back in the kitchen, where I cleaned up the mess from dinner. We decided that the frog would be alright overnight in the pitcher, but we closed it inside the pantry just to be safe. Rex drove his SUV, and I drove the silver van back to camp. Kelly was outside, sitting on a lawn chair.
"What are you doing out here?"
"Don't worry. They're asleep."
My gaze turned to the high ropes course. In spite of the fact that I can take care of myself—as long as I'm not bathing around venomous critters—it was nice to have Rex here. As backup.
"Have you been out here long?" I asked.
"Toad stopped by to check on us. She left about ten minutes ago."
"Toad?" Rex asked. "What is it with you and amphibians?"
Kelly explained the idea of camp names, and then I told Kelly about the frog. She scowled and pulled out her cell, and we went inside. I gave Rex a tour while she remained in the kitchen. After a lengthy study of the murder board, we joined her.
"Turns out you would've been okay. I've been doing a little research on the things at AJ's house and remembered something about that frog. In captivity, they are harmless."
I pictured the frog's beady little death stare. "He didn't seem so harmless."
"No, what I mean is, they don't have access to some sort of toxic beetle. If they aren't eating those things, then they can't produce the venom."
Oh good. "Well, that's a relief, as long as Aunt June hasn't imported those beetles to feed him."
"That's true. I guess we won't know until we find out what they've been eating." She yawned and stretched. "If you guys don't mind, I'm going to crash."
"Good night." I waved as she disappeared down the hall.
Once the door closed, I had Rex follow me outside, where I pointed out the ropes course. We walked over to it, and he looked up at the platform. Then he walked around the base and peered into the woods.
"Merry," he said after a minute. "If you think the girls are in danger, maybe they shouldn't be here."
"Have you met Betty? I probably need to protect the baddie from her. Did you know she does magic now? Full on vanishes and reappears. Very scary."
Rex grabbed the ladder and worked his way up to the platform. I watched his muscles straining against his T-shirt. My husband was a total hottie. Maybe we'd been too hasty in leaving Aunt June's house.
He disappeared over the edge and then peered down at me. After a moment, he climbed back down.
"You're right. There's really nowhere to go up there, except to work your way through the course."
"You had to see that for yourself, did you?"
"Sorry. Part of the job. I'm used to double-checking things." He smiled, putting his arm around my shoulders. "You know, this is kind of fun. Like the Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew."
I held up one finger. "Except that Nancy Drew was far superior."
"What do you mean?" Rex wondered.
"It took two guys to do what she did by herself."
"Good point. Do you want me to call for backup?" Rex took me into his arms and kissed my forehead.
I pushed back. "As long as you realize that I'm your equal in every way." I wasn't sure I wanted to share the glory with Rex.
He held his hands out in front of him defensively. "Oh, I'm very much aware of that."
I sized him up. "Okay. You're in."
"He's in?" A tiny voice made us jump. We turned to see Betty standing right behind us, completely outfitted in black like a ninja, wearing one of the harnesses she'd bought with my credit card.
"How is he in but I'm not?" Her little chin went up defiantly.
I swiped the black stocking cap off her head. "Where did you get this?"
"I have a whole box of these. I brought ninja suits for all the girls."
For a very brief moment, I wondered if it was Betty I'd seen on the platform and if Betty, not the planter of the poisonous frog, had left the cap behind at the house. Maybe the black stocking cap was a red herring. I handed it back.
Rex stifled a grin and walked a short distance away, pretending to be fascinated with the woods surrounding the course. I loved him even more for letting me deal with the kid. Other guys might jump in and exert control. Not my husband. He let me be the heavy. After all, the girls needed women role models.
"Why did you bring ninja suits?" I asked.
She rolled her eyes and popped on a ski mask, pulling it down over her face. "Why wouldn't I bring ninja suits?"
"No rappelling or ninja…um…ing," I said quietly. "And if you're going to do something outlandishly dangerous." I leaned down and whispered, "You can't do it without me."
There went my being a tough and responsible adult.
The child considered this then stuck
