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“Hands where I can see them!” one of the cops shouted. “Release the prisoners!”

Luckily the prisoners had all been released, thanks to two crooks having had a change of heart and the joint effort of thousands of little turtles.

Thus ended another eventful episode—and Randy Hancock’s career.

And as we emerged from that basement into the store, and then out into the sunlight, we all watched in awe how all of those turtles slowly made their way along the street, led by Pinkie, heading for the ocean.

Our humans acted as traffic wardens, and stopped traffic to allow the turtles to make the big trek, and Brutus waved to Pinkie, who waved back and said,“Thanks for everything, Brutus.”

“You’re welcome, Pinkie!” Brutus yelled.

“You can always go and visit,” Dooley said as Brutus teared up at the departure of his tiny friend.

“She lives in the ocean, Dooley,” said Brutus. “I can’t go and visit.”

“Oh. Right.”

“I’m sure she’ll come back when she’s fully grown,” said Harriet, giving her mate a gentle head bump, “to payyou a visit.”

“I hope so,” said Brutus. “We became friends, being locked up down there in that basement.” He then swallowed and added, “Thanks for coming to save me, you guys. It means a lot.”

“Of course, Brutus,” I said. “That’s what friends are for.”

“Thanks, Max,” he sniffed.

Life in Hampton Cove came to a full stop for a moment, as Pinkie’s family moved through town, kindly assisted by Hampton Covians.

It was a sight for sore eyes, and when the final turtle had moved beyond the horizon, Odelia returned to give us a ride home.

Epilogue

We were all gathered in the backyard of Marge and Tex’s home, the latter manning the grill, this time with the assistance of Chase, thus ensuring that the meat we ate wasn’t charred beyond recognition and unfit for human or feline or canine consumption.

The number of people and pets was pretty impressive: the entire Poole family was present and accounted for, of course, and their respective love interests in the form of Chase and Charlene. Gran’s friend Scarlett was there, and the pet contingent was represented by Rufus, Fifi and Lil Ran, alongside us four cats on the porch.

“So are you looking forward to going home?” asked Harriet.

“Yeah, I guess I am,” said Lil Ran. He was still a little sad that his human had been arrested, and would spend a considerable time behind bars, since dogs love their humans, regardless of whether they’re on the straight and narrow or as crooked as a corkscrew.

“And you’re sure this housekeeper will take good care of you?” Harriet insisted. Like us, she’d come to like and appreciate the smart and sensitive Irish Setter.

“Oh, sure. In fact she was the one who mostly took care of me before, while Randy was either out and about for his career, or out and about partying and getting wasted. She was the one who took me on my daily walks, provided my food, and generally was my constant companion—or I hers, depending how you look at it.”

“But… I thought she was a criminal, too?” said Brutus. “Wasn’t she the one who drugged you and shot that video of her employer being ‘poisoned’ and sent all those messages to Randy’s phone?”

“She did, but only because Randy convinced her it was the only way for him to stay out of trouble with the men he’d borrowed so much money from. She had no idea what he was really up to. She’s basically a good person, and did it out of loyalty.”

“I’ll miss you, Lil Ran,” said Fifi. “Dog choir won’t be the same without you.”

“What are you talking about? I still live in town, Fifi. I’ll still attend dog choir.”

The Yorkie’s face lit up. “You will? That’s the best news I’ve heard all week!”

“I think the best news I’ve heard all week is that Gran and Wilbur aren’t getting married and I can keep on living here,” said Dooley, snacking, like the rest of us, on some prime burger patties, courtesy of Chase Kingsley, who’d managed to keep his future father-in-law from ruining our meal—a heroic and much-appreciated effort.

“And I’m glad Marge isn’t going to marry Randy,” said Brutus. “I like Tex. He may not be the perfect husband, but he’s a damn sight better than Randy—no offense, Lil Ran.”

“None taken,” said the large canine. “You’re right. Randy will have to make a big effort to make amends. What he did to this family is terrible, and I’m glad he’s gone.”

He still looked a little sad when he said this, and I could understand why. If Odelia suddenly snapped and went nuts, I’d still love her, even if she had to go away for a while and become a ward of the state’s penitentiary system. I didn’t think that would happen any time soon, though.

She came walking over to us now, to dole out some more goodies.“So how are you holding up, Brutus?” she asked, giving the butch black cat a stroke of the fur. “Not missing your little turtle buddy too much?”

“It’s all right,” said Brutus. “I know Pinkie is happier where she is now, and that makes me happy, too. And maybe one day she’ll pay me a visit—when she’s bigger and stronger.”

“Let’s hope she does,” said Odelia with a smile.