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“Mrs. Food’s pocket. Mrs. Third Floor gave it to her before she left,” Oscar said smugly. “I thought we could, you know, borrow it. Just for a little while.”

“Well done,” Walt said grudgingly. “But I still think this is a ridiculous plan.”

“It’ll be fine!” Marco said, walking over to her. He was carrying a tissue bundle filled with sunflower seeds. He patted it lovingly. “Snacks. Now should I just climb up or…”

Walt rolled her eyes.“FINE. Just one second.” Walt disappeared behind the couch and reappeared a few minutes later with a small bag hanging around her neck. Then she lay down. “Hop up,” she said. Marco and Polo quickly scrambled onto her back.

Oscar eyed the bag.“That’s one of Mrs. Food’s.”

“Like you said. I’m borrowing it,” Walt said, standing up. “Polo, can you be in charge of the key?”

Polo nodded solemnly as Oscar handed her the key.“I’ll guard it with my life.”

Walt looked uncomfortable.“Erm, okay?” She really didn’t think it would come to that.

Butterbean nosed Wallace.“You coming with me?”

“Sure,” Wallace said. He grabbed on to Butterbean’s hair and held on under her tummy. He didn’t think he’d be comfortable being exposed like Marco and Polo were. He’d been a wild rat too long now.

Oscar flew over to the countertop and picked up a bright orange flyer from the local pizza place. Then he flew over to the front door and pushed down on the handle with his feet. It swung open just enough for Walt and Butterbean to squeeze through.

Walt and Butterbean held the door open while Oscar flew through the crack. Then, as he slipped the flyer in between the door and the latch, they let it close.“It can’t lock if that flyer’s in there,” Oscar explained. “We can get back in this way.”

“You’ve obviously been thinking about this,” Walt said approvingly. “Nice trick.”

“Save the congratulations until we see if it works,” Oscar said, looking around the hallway nervously. “Maybe the vents would have been better.”

“Too late now,” Walt said. “Of course, somebody could see that piece of paper. It’s pretty obvious.”

Oscar cringed. He should’ve gone for something in a nice white or beige. But it was too late to worry about that now. Besides, the paper was the least of their concerns. He didn’t think anyone would be up at this time of night, but if someone did see them, their whole plan would fall apart. He didn’t know how they would explain being in the hallway. Oscar puffed up his feathers and sniffed. “Not a problem. We’ll be back before that happens.” He just hoped it was true.

Walt stalked over to the elevator.“Butterbean, would you do the honors?”

“Oh boy!” Butterbean squealed, jumping up and pressing the elevator button with her nose. She was an expert at elevator button pushing.

Oscar flew over and landed on her head, his feet clutching tightly to her ears. He’d never been in an elevator without his cage before. He didn’t know what to expect.

“Remember, we don’t go until it’s empty,” Walt said, her whiskers twitching nervously. This whole plan was wrong. They were too exposed. The last thing they needed was for Butterbean to be reckless.

Butterbean rolled her eyes.“It’s the middle of the night! Who would be in the elevator in the middle of the night?”

The elevator bell sounded. The doors opened.

It wasn’t empty.

An elderly woman wearing a housedress was standing in the elevator, holding a laundry basket. Mrs. Power Walker.

“Perfect!” Butterbean barked. “Hi, Mrs. Power Walker!”

“Butterbean, no!” Walt started, but it was too late. Butterbean didn’t hesitate. With Oscar still clinging tightly to the top of her head, Butterbean marched into the elevator, pressed the button for five, and sat down. She wagged her tail at Mrs. Power Walker.

Walt cursed slightly under her breath. Mrs. Power Walker had been pretty accepting of Walt and Butterbean in the past, but there was no way she was going to be able to overlook three rats and a bird. The last thing Walt wanted was Marco and Polo waving their arms and screaming like they were on a roller coaster.

“Not a word,” she hissed at the rats. She darted into the elevator and sat down just as the doors closed.

The rats didn’t need to be told. As soon as they’d seen Mrs. Power Walker, Marco and Polo had flattened themselves to Walt’s back in their best attempt to turn invisible. It didn’t work.

Mrs. Power Walker smiled at Butterbean sympathetically.“Couldn’t sleep?”

Butterbean thumped her tail and lolled her tongue out of her mouth.

Mrs. Power Walker winked.“I couldn’t either. Thought I’d get a little laundry done since I was up.” She nodded toward her laundry basket.

Oscar fidgeted in place and stared straight ahead. He didn’t know if he was supposed to say anything back. He wasn’t up on his elevator etiquette.

“A nice walk before bed will be just the thing for you,” Mrs. Power Walker said. Then she frowned, seeming to notice Oscar and the rats for the first time. “And your… friends.”

Oscar attempted a smile, but his beak wasn’t really made that way.