"Jeff, this is Dema. We're back. Kayaking was great."

"Okay, so what's your take on this guy?"

"He's on our side. He was spotting the mules on his boat, and made all those anonymous calls. That was the connection." 

It took Jeff a moment to add it up, then, "Oh. But why anonymous?"

"Think about it. It was like a perfect undercover operation."

"Okay, yeah, we probably would have blown his cover for him. But how did he spot them?"

"I'll find that out tonight. He's going to take me with him. Something about watching guys pick up drug stashes from sea caves."

"You sure about this?"

"Trust me. He's one of the good guys."

"Okay then. Stay in touch."

"Right."Dema put away her cell phone and went in the kitchen, where Ryan was steaming a mess of Dungeness crabs. He served them with drawn butter, and they had a private feast. Dema tossed the salad.

"If you ever have a chance," he said, "You should take a ride out to Dungeness Spit. It's on the Strait of Juan de Fuca, north of the Olympic Peninsula, a little east of the Port Angeles ferry terminal. These crabs are native to the whole northwest coast, but Dungeness was the first major crab fishery to harvest them, way back in the 1850's. If you like seafood, really fresh Dungeness crab like this is about as good as it gets."

Dema had to agree. But good food has a tendency to disappear, and soon it was time to think about other things. "We'll need to get the kayaks out again soon," she said.

Ryan looked at her with a twinkle in his eye. "I've been thinking about what you said earlier, and while you were on the phone I went in the other room and tried it. Watch." 

Standing in the center of the floor, he changed into sea lion form. There was no pile of clothing left behind. A moment later he changed back, and was standing there again, fully clothed. He patted his back pocket. "Even my wallet! I had no idea the physical universe could be so cooperative."

"Only for the pure of heart, Ryan." This time she really did hug him.

He hugged her back. After a moment, he said. "My heart is not feeling entirely pure right now."

"Neither is mine," she whispered.