“I had no idea what I was paying James, but based on his picnic-assembling skills alone, he needed a raise.”

“Life is a series of calculated risks, James. I happen to think that this one is worth it.”

“We found James standing in front of the crypt, leaning against the side nonchalantly, like it was no big deal—like he hung out in cemeteries every day. Of course, working for Douglas, he probably had.”

“Sam, you need experts on this, and I love you, but—”“I’m so new I have that new-car smell about me?”

“There were no windows in my bedroom, so I had to sit up and read my clock to figure out how angry I should be at my visitor. Eight A.M. I hated whoever woke me up. Had they come an hour earlier, I would have also hated their families and any household pets.”

“I had an affinity for pandas. Something about clumsy vegetarians struck a chord with me.”

“He got in my face and started jabbing a finger into my chest. “Then we don’t want your help, if this is what it looks like. First you bring a human among us, and now this? I don’t like your kind, and I’m not the only one. They can’t be trusted. You can’t be trusted.” He drew the last word out, practically hissing it. That’s our Eric. What a charmer. Ladies, try not to swoon.”