Up late with two very nice boys in blue

It took me over an hour to realize that my apartment had been burglarized. So much for being a mystery writer's daughter.

Friday night, I came home late with my friend, Katy, who was visiting. Laughing with her, it barely registered that the lock didn't click when I turned the key. We flopped on the couch and reviewed our night, and it wasn't until I went to change into my PJs that I noticed my bedroom was a mess — well, more of a mess.

Then I saw the open window.

My computer was not on my desk.

I rushed to tell Katy. "I've been robbed. I need to call the police."

"Wait. Maybe you should call your mom first."

"Shouldn't I call the police first? That's more important, right?"

Katy bit her lip. She's been my best friend for 15 years. She knows my mother very well.

I dialed my mom's cell. "Hi, Mom, I'm totally fine, but my apartment was broken into, so I'm calling the police. Everything's under control. I love you, bye."

Then I dialed 911.

Waiting for the police, I assessed what was missing: my Macbook Pro, its power cord, my iPad, and a tote bag, presumably to carry the loot. My jewelry and wallet were untouched; they only took Apple products.

iBurglars.

[KERN-1]Adding insult to injury, the stolen bag was a promotional tote for [/KERN-1]Look Again, by Lisa Scottoline.

When I told my mom this detail later, she said, "Maybe we'll get some readers out of it."

I imagine they'll make Look Again their next thug-book-club pick:

"The question is, guys, what really makes a mother?"

"Love, of course."

"And bail money."

Soon, two policemen arrived and took me through the standard questions and paperwork. A forensics team would have to dust for fingerprints, but due to high weekend demand, they couldn't come for three hours. The police said they'd wait with me. Even a rookie like me deduced that coffee was in order.

With no respect for authority, my dog, Pip, jumped on one officer's leg for attention. "The dog was here when it happened?" he asked, patting Pip.

"Yes." I rounded the corner to the kitchen, still within earshot.

"I'm surprised they hit a place with a dog."

"He's not much of a watchdog," I called to them. "I'm just glad they didn't hurt him."

"Yeah, you're lucky. Last week — "

"Nmm-mm," Katy interrupted. I heard her say, "Don't. It will upset her."

May we all be blessed with a friend who will shush a police officer to spare your nerves.

If you are neither the victim nor the perpetrator of a serious crime, hanging out with the police is fun! They entertained us with stories of streakers on Seventh Avenue, "The Naked Highway." They dished department gossip on the crazy girlfriend who faked a mugging to get attention from her cop boyfriend.

I also learned that both officers were veterans of Iraq. Each showed me cellphone pet pictures — one had a cute rescued pit bull, the other a pair of beloved Ragdoll cats. The cat lover told me how he and his wife were in the process of adopting a baby, a lifelong dream of theirs, having both been happily adopted themselves.

By the time the sun came up, we were old friends.

"Can I make you guys some breakfast?" I asked.

Eyebrows lifted. "What do you have?"

"I have girl food - Greek yogurt, low-glycemic bread, vegetarian sausage. But I have eggs - real ones!"

They used their right to remain silent.

It was 6 o'clock in the morning when the forensics team arrived. In no time, they dusted, found nothing, and left in a puff of black dust. Sadly, the time had come to say goodbye to my new police friends.

"You be careful now," said one.

"Get bars on that window," said the other.

I promised I would and thanked them again.

As scary as the ordeal was, I felt grateful. I was grateful the burglars had only taken things and not harmed my precious Pip. I was grateful Katy was there with me. I was grateful the police were so kind and professional, but not too professional to hug me goodbye. I was even grateful the forensics team took so long, since it afforded me the company of two of New York's Finest, to sit and chat until I wasn't afraid anymore.

It's dangerous to be alone in the city.

I'm lucky I'm not.