The Case of the Missing Martian MacGuffin

Previously

…As the last echoes of Marcus’s laughter faded, replaced by the gentle drip of melting ice cream from the ceiling, Mia picked up a stray sprinkle from her own, mostly intact, lavender sundae. It glinted under the office light, a tiny, edible star. They had faced down intergalactic smugglers, navigated time distortions, and survived a confectionery catastrophe. The Cosmic Chronometer was safe, and their partnership, much like their office, was gloriously, undeniably messy. And as Mia looked at Marcus, happily scooping a glob of caramel from his shirt, she wouldn’t have had it any other way. The adventure, it seemed, was far from over. It was just about to be cleaned up.