Your stuff is top-level, as always. Lucio closed the portfolio and smiled at him. I have always felt honored to have had the chance to work with you.

Piers stood quietly, his hand propped against the edge of a small desk. He smiled warmly at Lucio. And I have been honored to work with you, Lucky.

Lucio shook his head and began to chuckle. And now now I will become a renowned pet photographer!

The two of them shared a laugh. Lucio slipped the leather case back into the mailing envelope and returned it to the closet shelf that seemed to be the dumping ground for paperwork. Lucio smiled at the stacks of travel documents, visa applications, expense forms, receipts, and Piers's passport. Like Lucio's, the passport was thickened with the dozens of extra pages needed to accommodate his travel, and he let his fingers brush over the cover, a twinge of longing moving through him.

Ilsa Knauss, Piers said out of nowhere, jerking Lucio's attention away from his silly sentimentality.

Ah, yes, Lucio said. I must admit I haven't had a chance to track her down.

But I have, Piers said with a wiggle of his eyebrows. She's in London. I e-mailed her a few days ago and she just got back to me. And guess where she was four months ago?

Lucio's mouth opened. China?

Even betterJiangxi Province.

You're joking.

No. Let me show you our e-mail exchanges. I think it's enough to get the police involved. Piers gestured for Lucio to walk with him out the guest-room door. So, do you really think this scheme of yours will work? Piers asked.

Lucio saw the concern in his friend's frown. The pet photography business? Yes! I do! Lucio shut the closet behind him and followed Piers into the hallway. Genevieve and I have been brainstorming. She's already got three of her friends and their dogs on the calendar. We even have a name for the company.

Piers raised an eyebrow. Really?

Petography.

Ah, Piers said with a nod. Clever. They'd reached the living room and Piers sat down in his computer chair, turning on the power to the desktop.

We will become San Francisco's only high-concept, fantasy photo studio for pets and their owners. Here. Lucio dug around in his back pocket. Genevieve and her boys came up with this.

Piers unfolded the piece of printer paper with a mock-up of the company's Web page and began to read out loud. ‘Does your Maine coon cat have the soul of Cleopatra? Does your Akita possess the heart of a samurai? Does your pug parade around like a prince?'

Piers looked up from the document, dazed, then read the rest out loud. ‘Let San Francisco's only pet-centered fantasy photography studio capture your and your pet's unique personalities'. He handed it back to Lucio. Impressive, he said. Now, I must ask you something.

Of course.

Who the hell is Genevieve?

Lucio laughed, plopping down in an armchair next to the computer desk. I am sorry. Genevieve is Ginger Garrison. The same woman I've spoken of before. I discovered that Genevieve is her given name and, I have to say, it fits her better.

Now both of Piers's eyebrows were high on his forehead.

Yes, well, we are seeing each other, Lucio told him. I decided to find out if she is that special woman I think she might be. But, of course, I already know she is special. I only mean Lucio stopped, flustered. You know what I mean.

Piers blinked a few times.

I realize this is not my usual way of talking about a woman, Lucio said, taking note of his friend's stunned expression. It made sensePiers had seen him with dozens of women over the years. And Lucio was fairly certain that Sylvie had revealed everything to Piers about her wildbut briefaffair with Lucio. It could not have been a flattering portrait.

Piers laughed softly, shaking his head. He clicked on a few keys of his computer. When did all this happen? he asked. The last I heard you were going to stay clear of the woman. You said you didn't have the kind of stability she deservedno job, no money, no home, a hairbreadth from prison, a horrible example for her sons

The Host! Lucio shouted in surprise, waving his hand in the air. You make me sound like a a vagabundo!

Bum?

Exactly.

But those were your words, not mine! Piers smiled.

Perhaps I was overly dramatic at the time. Lucio craned his neck to see the computer screen. I'd like to come by with Jason to load up the equipment I'm borrowing. Just let me know when it will be convenient for you.

Piers grinned. I won't even ask who this Jason person is.

Oh, Lucio said, aware that he was smiling. Jason is one of Genevieve's sons. He is almost sixteen. I have agreed to let him be my photographer's assistant.

Piers let go with a full-out belly laugh, the first Lucio had heard from his old friend since he'd arrived in San Francisco. The fact that Piers could produce such a guffaw was good. The fact that he was laughing at Lucio's expense was not so good.

I am glad you find this so amusing, Lucio said.

Piers scrolled through his e-mail in-box, looking for his give-and-take with Ilsa. He turned to Lucio, shaking his head, still chuckling. Please don't be offended, Lucky, but you have to admit it's bizarre. I have never heard you talk like this. In all the years I've known you, I have never heard you use the phrases ‘seeing somebody' or ‘somebody special.' Piers shot a glance over his shoulder. And this is surely the first time your assistant has not been gorgeous, starstruck, and female!

Piers was rightabout all of it.

Are you sure you want to get chummy with her son?

You make it sound like a mistake.

It's just a big step, that's all. Piers returned his attention to the computer. Okay. Here. Take a look at this. I e-mailed her five days ago and she got back to me yesterdaythen all this!

Lucio scooted the chair closer to the screen and leaned forward to read. He wasn't exactly shocked by what he sawIlsa had most certainly called him a bastard and an asshole to his face that day at the airport, so why not say it again in writing? But the fact that she was still so livid surprised him.

Piers scrolled down to his first e-mail exchange between himself and Ilsa. She wrote: Oh, by the way, while I was in China I had a chance to even the score with Lucky in a way that I'm sure has gotten his attention. Do you know if he got my gift? The next time you see him, please send him my regards. LOL!

?Hostia! Lucio stared at Piers. The woman is unbelievable!

Piers nodded. In addition to the police, I think we should send it Geographica, the State Department, and the Erskine Prize committee.

Lucio ran a hand through his hair, suddenly agitated. Jesus, Piers, he said, shaking his head. Look, print out a copy of these, will you? I'll call Sydney and ask him what he suggests.

No problem. Piers reached over and turned on the printer that sat on a shelf beneath his desk. We finished off the Rioja the last time you were here, but would you care for a beer? Coffee? Tea?

No, but thank you, Lucio said, his mind elsewhere. I need to get back.

Hot date tonight?

Piers had already gone to get himself a beer from the refrigerator.

Lucio frowned, impatient for the printer to warm up.

Piers returned from the kitchen, still chuckling, twisting off the bottle cap and taking a few large gulps. Forgive me, Lucky, he said. I can't help but tease you a little. You have to admit the turn of events is amusing.

How so?

Piers shrugged, leaning up against one of the pillars that separated the living area from his kitchen. It almost sounds like you're ready to settle down with this woman, you know, actually take advantage of your U.S. citizenship and stay a while. I never thought I'd see the day! Piers raised his bottle in Lucio's direction. Skal! he cheered. To you and Genevieve!