Charlie led them out of the crawl space and back into the house, the squirrel people staying close to the walls and moving quickly so as not to be seen from the street.
Charlie felt a tap on his shoulder and turned to see Irena Posokovanovich smiling at him. He jumped up a couple of steps and screamed. "Don't shock me again, I'm a good guy."
"I know that, Mr. Asher. I was wondering if you'd like me to park your van for you before it gets towed away."
"Oh yes, that would be nice." He handed her the keys. "Thank you."
In the house, Audrey said, "She just wants to help."
"She's creepy," Charlie said, but then he caught what he thought was a look of disapproval rising in Audrey's eyes and he quickly added, "In a completely sweet way, I mean."
They went directly to the kitchen and stood before the open pantry.
"They got them all," Audrey said. "That's why they didn't hurt us - they weren't interested in us."
Charlie was so angry he was having trouble thinking, but without an outlet, he just shook and tried to keep his voice under control. "They just did the same thing at my store. Something did."
"There must have been three hundred souls in here," Audrey said.
"They took Rachel's soul."
Audrey put her arm around his back, but he couldn't respond other than to walk out of the kitchen. "That's it, Audrey. I'm done."
"What do you mean, you're done, Charlie? You're scaring me."
"Ask your squirrel people where I can get into the storm sewer system. Can they tell you that?"
"Probably. But you can't do that."
He wheeled on her and she jumped back.
"I have to do that. Find out, Audrey. Everyone into my van. I want you at my building, where you'll be safe."
They were all gathered in Charlie's living room: Sophie, Audrey, Jane, Cassandra, Lily, Minty Fresh, the undead clients from the Buddhist center, the hellhounds, and fifty or so of the squirrel people. Lily, Jane, and Cassandra were standing on the couch to get away from the squirrel people, who were milling on and around the breakfast bar.
"Nice outfits," Lily said. "But ewww."
"Thank you," Audrey said. Sophie was standing next to Audrey, looking her up and down as if trying to guess her weight.
"I'm a Jewess," Sophie said. "Are you a Jewess?"
"No, I'm a Buddhist," Audrey said.
"Is that like a shiksa?"
"Yes, I think it is," said Audrey. "It's a type of shiksa."
"Oh, I guess that's okay, then. My puppies are shiksas, too. That's what Mrs. Ling calls them."
"They're very impressive puppies, too," Audrey said.
"They want to eat your little guys, but I won't let them, okay?"
"Thank you. That would be nice."
"Unless you're mean to my daddy. Then they're toast."
"Well, right back at you," Audrey said. She smiled at the little brunette with the heartbreaking blue eyes and the attitude, and it was all she could do not to scoop her up and hug the bejeezus out of her.
Charlie jumped up on the couch next to Jane, Cassandra, and Lily, and then realized as he looked across the room at Minty Fresh that he still didn't stand taller than the Death Merchant, which was a little unnerving. (Minty seemed focused on Lily, which was also a little unnerving.)
"You guys, I'm going to go do something, and I might not come back. Jane, that letter I sent you has all the papers making you Sophie's legal guardian."
"I'm out of here," Lily said.
"No," Charlie said, catching her by the arm. "I want you here, too. I'm leaving you the business, but with the understanding that a percentage of the profits go to Jane to help with Sophie and will also go into a college fund for her. I know you have your career as a chef, but I trust you and you're good at the business."
Lily looked like she wanted to say something sarcastic, but shrugged and said, "Sure. I can run your business and cook, too. You do your Death Merchant thing and raise a daughter."
"Thanks. Jane, you'll get the building, of course, but when Sophie grows up, if she wants to stay in the City, you always have to have an apartment for her."
Jane jumped off the couch. "Charlie, this is crap, I'm not letting you do anything - "
"Please. Jane, I've got to go. This is all in writing, I just want you to hear what