Молли Фитц

Kitty Confidential. Terrier Transgressions. Hairless Harassment. Dog-Eared Delinquent. The Cat Caper. Chihuahua Conspiracy

1. KITTY CONFIDENTIAL

CHAPTER ONE

The first thing you should know about me is that I hate lawyers. The second is that I work for them.

I didnít plan it that way. Not one bit.

I was going to be a huge star, leave Blueberry Bay behind without so much as a farewell glance over my shoulder as I booked it the heck out of there. The problem with that plan was, well, you need talent in order to be a staróand I never had much of that. At least not that Iíve discovered.

Yet.

When the temp agency assigned me to work for Fulton, Thompson, and Associates as their new paralegal, I almost said no. But then I saw those dollar signs and remembered how rent is a thing that exists.

And so here I am, doing the needful to get by as I continue down that elusive path toward fame by eliminating every possible talent one at a time. Stands to reason if I keep at it long enough Iíll eventually find my true calling. Who knows? I could be the worldís best hip-hop yodelerÖ

Except I already tried that and Iím not.

Itís fine, really. Iím enjoying the journey, although I sure do wish the destination would hurry up and get here already.

Hi, Iím Angie Russo, and one day youíre going to see my name in lights.

You see, my nan used to be a celebrated Broadway actress back in the day. That is, until she quit at the peak of her career to retire to Glendale, Maine, and raise her family.

Before you ask, no, I canít sing, dance, or act, but Nan assures me that I have star power in my blood. Just like she did and just like my mom.

Oh, yeah, you probably know my mom. Sheís the news anchor on Channel Seven and my dad does the sports report. Seeing as theyíre these huge career types, it was Nan who did most of the work raising meóand that suited me just fine.

In fact, Iíd still be living with her even now if she hadnít given me a gentle push out of the nest and told me it was time to fly.

That was about a year ago and happened just shortly after I collected my seventh consecutive associate degree from Blueberry Bay Community College. Yes, indeed, Iíve always loved learning anything I could wrap my brain around.

At least God did me a solid by making me smart, even if he made my unique talents hard to find. One of my degrees is, in fact, for paralegal studies and law administration services, which may seem like a strange thing to study for someone who hates lawyers as much as I do.

But thatís a story for another timeÖ

This is the story of how I almost died, and itís a good one.

[ ŗūÚŤŪÍŗ: img_2]

Ibegan my day by sniff-testing two blazers with the goal of choosing whichever was cleanest for a will reading at the office that day. Both smelled vaguely of sweat and gym shoes, meaning either would earn me a stern lecture from the partners. Then again, maybe thatís precisely what I deserved for putting off that trip to the dry cleanerís for so long.

After spraying a cough-inducing fog of deodorizer into my closet, I plucked the neon pink jacket off its hanger and pushed my arms into the sleeves. A black and white polka dot blouse and stretchy leggings completed the outfit perfectly. Because I didnít have time to wash my hair that morning, I pulled my poofy shoulder-length hair into a messy bun and accented the do with a cute barrette I picked up earlier in the week from my favorite dollar store.

And before you can askÖ

No, I didnít have time for dry cleaning.

And, yes, I always had time for the dollar store.

On that particular morning, I didnít have time for either one, though. In fact, Iíd spent so much time agonizing over which blazer to wear that Iíd pretty much run out of time altogether. Iím already not a morning person, but when you add in a manic rush to get to a job I donít even likeÖ

Well, I could already tell just how bad this day would end up.

I raced out the dooróunshowered, unfed, and uncaffeinatedóhoping that Iíd at least have some luck and catch all green lights on my commute that day. Instead, the longest train in the world cut me off not even two blocks from my house. The train tracks run along the only major street to serve our small coastal town, and thereís absolutely no way for me to reach the firm via backroads, which meant I found myself stuck waiting in a line of angry, honking cars for a solid fifteen minutes.

By the time I actually reached the office, I was the last one through the door and we had less than ten minutes until the will reading commenced. My hope to sneak in undetected proved unfounded as well.

ďRusso!Ē Mr. Thompson bellowed before the door even closed all the way behind me. If you pictured an old, white guy wearing boat shoes and an ascot, youíd have a pretty good idea of how Mr. Thompson looked and an even better idea of how he acted. He was a fantastic lawyer, but not a very personable boss.

A thick, meaty vein pulsed at the side of his head, and for some reason I couldnít stop staring at it. He pointed at me with a shaking finger and a scowl. ďLate and dressed like youíre attending an 80ís themed party instead of a will reading. Nope. Thatís not going to fly today. Go see if Peters has a jacket you can borrow.Ē

It took the strength of a thousand body builders not to roll my eyes as I slumped off to find the only female associate in the whole place.

We often got grouped together by nature of our shared gender, but Bethany Peters and I were nothing alike. She was blonde and pretty andlooked like she should be sweet as pie, tooóexcept she was actually the biggest shark of them all. I guess you have to be in order to get taken seriously in a manís world.

But what did I know?

I was just a glorified secretary who didnít even want to be there.

Bethany turned her nose up at me the second I entered her office, and I pinched my fingers over mine. See, Bethany had an obsession with essential oils and even sold them in these tacky online parties that she invited us all to about once per month. Even at that point Iíd only worked at the firm for a few months but had already ordered more lavender bath salts than I could ever possibly need.

On the day of the will reading, Bethanyís office reeked of juniper and lemonódefinitely not one of her better combinations. Still, whatever blend of restorative girl power mojo she was trying to concoct, I sincerely hoped it would work for her.

ďLet me guess,Ē she said in that nasally, condescending tone that she always used whenever talking to me or one of the other employees without a law degree. ďFulton sent you in to borrow a jacket from me.Ē

A smile crept across my face.ďThompson, actually.Ē Call me a contrarian, but I loved getting the chance to prove her wrong, especially when a day started off as bad as this one had. It was a small and beautiful gift.

ďCanít you pick up some more appropriate work clothes for yourself so youíre not always stuck borrowing mine last minute?Ē She sighed before lumbering over to the other side of her office with loose arms and large, exaggerated strides. She looked like a preppy blonde gorilla, but I decided to keep that particular comparison to myself.

ďThompsonÖ FultonÖ Theyíre both kind of freaking out today,Ē Bethany confided in me. ďApparently the old lady that died is related to Fulton.Ē

ďHow do you know?Ē My eyes grew wide. So this was why everyone was making such an unusually large fuss that morning.

ďWell for starters, her last name is Fulton, too.Ē She tapped on her temple to draw my attention to her superior brain power.

I tapped on my head and shot her an ugly grimace in response. Now we were both office gorillas, and what an exhibit the pair of us made.

Bethany chuckled as she handed me the most boring navy-blue blazer God ever put on this green earth.ďTry to keep it together for the reading, huh?Ē

I nodded while switching jackets. The blazer pinched at my armpits, but I knew better than to complain.ďThanks,Ē I muttered, narrowly escaping Bethanyís office before she could once again remind me that Good Will or the Salvation Army were a nice place to find clothes within my budget.

ďIíd lose the barrette!Ē she shouted after me.

Aargh, so close.

But since Bethany tended to be like a dog with a bone once she had an idea, I pulled my cute little accessory out, taking a few caught hairs with it. The bun came out next, and I quickly finger combed my hair to make it semi-presentable. Hopefully that would be enough to make everyone happy.

ďAngie, is that you?Ē Mr. Fulton, the senior most partner called from inside the conference room. For whatever reason, Thompson always uses our last names, and Fulton sticks to our firsts. Maybe that was their way of playing good lawyer, bad lawyer, or maybe they just liked to keep us on our toes.

I put on my best smile. After all, the guy did just lose a family member.ďGood morning, sir. Can I help you with something?Ē

His eyes lingered on my face briefly before he cleared his throat and pointed to the dusty old coffeemaker in the corner of the room.ďWeíre going to need lots of coffee, and since youíre a bit late this morning, Iím afraid thereís no time to make a run to the barista. Youíll have to use our backup maker. As strong as you can make it, please.Ē

ďIím on it!Ē We didnít use the in-house coffeemaker very often and really only kept it around for code red caffeine emergencies. The fact we needed it now was definitely not a good sign.

In fact, Iíd never actually used that old thing at all. The one time Iíd almost had the chance, an intern burst into the office carrying a tray of Starbucks and let me off the hook. This ancient thing shouldnít be too hard to figure out, though. After all, I had seven associate degrees.

Mr. Thompson, Bethany, and a few of the other associates entered while I was fiddling with the roast basket, which for some reason refused to line up with the necessary grooves in the machine. Normally weíd only have one or two attorneys present at a reading, but they seemed to be pulling out all the stops for this one.

Was it just because the person who died was related to one of our partners? Or was something more going on here? My curiosity had definitely been piqued by this point.

Working in my corner, I caught a few snippets of the discussion happening around the conference room table. Our day-to-day conversations at the firm were normally pretty dry, but things sounded refreshingly juicy today.

ďAdmittedly, it is a somewhat unusual situation,Ē Thompson said first.

Later, Fulton said,ďGiven the stipulations, Iím expecting one of the grantees to contest.Ē

An associate named Brad set up a tape recorderóyes, another ancient relic living in our officeóand Bethany shuffled a bunch of papers around.

When the coffeemakerís basket snapped into place, I let out a triumphant yip, drawing aggravated stares from my colleagues. ďIíll just be right back,Ē I promised as I rushed past the growing crowd with the empty coffee pot.

A beautiful, blonde woman wearing a matching cardigan set and a string of pink pearls stopped me before I could make it to the kitchen tap.

ďAngie, Iím so glad I ran into you!Ē Diane FultonóMr. Fultonís wifeóshook her head and knitted her over-plucked brow. ďDid you catch last nightís episode?Ē

Even though Diane dresses like a blue-blood snob, she was actually the coolest person in the entire place. She and I had a whole list of reality shows we liked to watch together and discuss whenever she came by the office to visit her husband for lunch.

Her eyes widened as she waited for my response. I may have been late to work, but I would never be late when it came to our shows.

ďI couldnít believe Trace got eliminated,Ē I answered with a tragic sigh as I turned on the faucet and let water fill the coffeepot. ďHopefully heíll still get a record deal out of the whole thing.Ē

ďLetís catch up later,Ē she told me with a slight frown. ďI have toÖĒ She pointed to the conference room and knitted her brow again.

And I felt just awful for her.ďI heard. My condolences. You, uh, werenít close, were you?Ē

She stared at me for a moment as if she hadnít heard the question. Her dangling earrings were so long, they hit her cheeks as she shook her head. ďEthel was Richardís great aunt. She was very old and had been sick for a long time. I think we were all expecting her to go sooner rather than later.Ē

ďStill, that sucks,Ē I offered.

Diane gave me a polite smile then excused herself.

Seriously? The best I could come up with was that sucks? Good thing none of my degrees were in counseling. Then again, maybe it wouldnít be the worst idea in the world to go back to school. After all, school had always been my happy place. That was part of how Iíd ended up with so many degrees to begin with.

I returned with a full carafe of water and a bag of coffee grounds that had expired some time last year but thankfully still smelled fresh. During my very brief absence, the meeting room had filled with even more folks. The Fultons must have been one big family. Either that, or Great Aunt Ethel had been one wealthy—and presumably generousówoman.

Mr. Fulton looked to me with one eyebrow raised in question.

ďAlmost ready,Ē I assured him as I rushed past the room of people to my quiet, little coffeemaker corner.

Quick as I could, I filled up the tank with my freshly gotten water, scooped some grounds into the filter, and pressed the big red button to initiate the brewing process.

Nothing happened

So I pushed it againÖ and againÖ and another thirteen times to no effect.

ďPlugging it in would help,Ē Bethany shouted loud enough for everyone to hear and causing them all to laugh at me and my well-meaning incompetence.

Ugh, talk about wicked embarrassing!

I groped around the back of the machine until I found the cord. Everyone was still laughing when I pushed the plug into the closest socketÖ

First I felt a gentle prick on my fingertips, then my entire body lit with pain. For about two milliseconds, I became hyper-conscious of my surroundingsóevery smell, sound, feeling, even what the air in that room tasted like just then. The individual laughs transformed into a collective gasp that tore through the room.

Then with a sharpzzzzztt it all fell away.

And I fell unconscious to the floor.

CHAPTER TWO

Iwoke up on the conference room floor. Funny, I couldnít remember passing out, yet there I was.

My heart womped a million miles an hour, but most of my body had become fuzzy and tingly. I tried to move my arms, but they seemed content to lay splayed out at my sides. One by one, my senses started to come back online.

Pop!

Mrs. Fultonís shriek was the first thing I heard, then others in the room began to murmur amongst themselves. Some voices I recognized, but others were completely unfamiliar.

Bethany said,ďItís probably time we threw that old thing out.Ē

Mr. Fulton ignored her as he rushed toward me.ďAngieÖ AngieÖĒ His panicked voice grew closer until heíd arrived right at my side. ďAre you okay?Ē

Meanwhile, Mr. Thompson mumbled something about liabilities and workmanís compensationóexactly as anyone who knew him would expect him to do in such a situation.

I was still trying to remember what had happened when an unexpected weight pressed down onto my chest and made it quite difficult for me to breathe. The overpowering smell of tuna filled my nostrils, and the sudden intensity of it brought on a coughing fit.

A voice Iíd never heard before hovered over me. ďWell, how about that? This one had more than one life, after all. People,pssh. So fragile.Ē

ďOh, sheís breathing!Ē Diane shouted.

ďOf course sheís breathing, honey,Ē her husband responded with a note of relief in his previously panicked voice. ďSheís also coughing.Ē

ďAnd here I thought the car trip wouldnít be worth it,Ē that same unfamiliar voice chimed in, pairing the words with an unkind chuckle. ďThat was, paws down, the best entertainment Iíve had all week.Ē

Finally, my eyes flew open, and I found a gleaming amber gaze watching me from just a few inches away. WaitÖ Why was there a cat in the office, and why was iton me?I struggled to sit up, but my limbs were still too heavy to lift on my own.

ďOh, honey,Ē that voice drawled again. ďIf you expect to keep walking, then you probably should have landed on your feet.Ē

I let out a loud groan. I could feel the activity humming all around me, but the only thing I saw was the danged cat who was definitely intruding in my personal space right about then.

ďWhat happened?Ē I asked before coughing again.

ďI think the coffeemaker electrocuted you when you tried to plug it in,Ē Diane revealed. Her shaky voice made it obvious sheíd been crying. I felt so bad that my clumsiness put her through that.

ďOh, jeez. This oneís even stupider than the first. Iím really looking forward to living with her while the rest of the family figures out where to dump me. Such a pity. They donít know greatness when itís staring them in the face.Ē

I moaned and attempted to lift my head to get a better look around the room.ďWho is that?Ē I demanded.

ďItís me, Angie,Ē Mrs. Fulton said, squeezing one of my hands in earnest. ďYou asked what happened, and I told you about the coffeemaker.Ē

ďNo, the guy who just called both of us stupid.Ē I wished I could sit up to see past this annoying cat, but he was the only thing that filled my vision in that moment. Of course, I had lots of questions about the coffeemaker and how such a tiny old appliance had managed to zap me unconscious, but the need to identify the unknown speaker weighed on me much more heavily.

A cruel snicker sounded nearby.ďI called you stupid, because youare stupid. Honesty is the best policy, the truth will set you free, yada yada, and all that other nonsense you humans like to say.Ē

If I hadnít known any better, Iíd have sworn that strange, lilting voice was coming from the cat. Man, how hard had I hit my head when I fell?

The cat leaned in so close that his whiskers tickled my face. His unnervingly large eyes moved frantically from side to side as if stalking some kind of prey. Oh, how I hoped I wasnít that prey. Iíd barely escaped the coffeemaker. If something sentient set out to hurt me today, I wouldnít even stand a chance.

ďDid youÖ Did you really hear what I said?Ē the voice asked again, and again it really sounded like it was coming from the cat. Did he eat a tiny human or something? None of this made any sense.

ďYes, I hear you, and I think youíre rather mean,Ē I answered with a huff, giving the best attitude I could, considering my prone position.

ďAngie, who are you talking to?Ē Diane asked with words that sounded unsure and just as worried as I felt myself.

ďIím not sure who it is, but he keeps insulting me.Ē I closed my eyes tight, then slowly opened them again.

The cat seemed to smile, but not in a friendly way. Once again, I wondered if he considered me easy prey. Heck, I considered me easy prey, too.

ďNo oneís insulting you,Ē Mr. Fulton insisted. ďWe all just want to make sure youíre okay.Ē

The cat smiled again, bigger this time.ďOoh, ooh, me! Iím insulting you, you big, stupid bag of skin.Ē

ďHe just called me a big, stupid flesh bag. Can you really not hear him?Ē I blinked half a dozen times, then pinched myself. Nothing seemed to change.

ďRusso, I think maybe you should take the rest of the day off and a trip to the emergency room,Ē Mr. Thompson commanded after clearing his throat loudly from somewhere near the door.

ďWow, you really can hear me,Ē the voice said again. ďBy the way, hi, Iím Octavius Maxwell Ricardo Edmund Frederick Fulton, and I have some demands.Ē

I was having a difficult time keeping track of all the threads of conversation. I knew the partners were worried about me and about themselves, but I still couldnít identify the mystery speaker or figure out what he wanted. ďOctavius MaxwellÖ who?Ē

ďHoney, are you talking about the cat?Ē Mrs. Fulton asked, picking the tabby off from my chest.

My straining lungs thanked her, and immediately I felt stronger.

In a cutesy baby voice, Diane held the cat up to her face and cooed,ďAre you trying to help our Angie feel better? Youíre such a sweet fuzzy wuzzy.Ē

The cat turned to me and narrowed his eyes into slits.ďHeeeeelp meeeee.Ē

Energized at last by my need to find out what the heck was going on, I managed to sit up and look around the room.

ďOh, good. Now that you can move again, Peters will take you to the hospital,Ē Thompson decreed.

Bethany sighed but didnít argue the point.

ďWait!ĒThe tabby cat trotted up to me the second Diane set him back on the floor.ďWhat about my demands?Ē

I stared at him, dumbfounded. There was absolutely no wayÖ

The cat flicked his tail and emitted a low growl from deep in his throat.ďI know you can hear me, so how about doing the polite thing and keeping up your end of the conversation, huh?Ē

ďWhat do you want?Ē I whispered, but still everyone in the office could see and hear the crazy lady talking to the cat sheíd just met.

ďMy owner was murdered, and I need you to help me prove it. Also of equal importance, I havenít been fed in hours. Maybe years.Ē His ears fell back against his head and his eyes widened, making me feel inexplicably fond of him despite his bad attitude.

Then the first part of what he said hit me, and I gasped.ďMurdered?Ē

Bethany tittered nervously and grabbed me by the arm.ďOkay, letís get you to the hospital. Hallucinations are not a good sign.Ē

ďButÖĒ I began to argue. That argument fell away when I realized I had no sane or valid reason to resist.

ďMurdered!Ēthe cat shouted after me dramatically.ďShe was offed before her time, and now that I know you can hear me, youíre going to help me get her the justice she deserves. Itís the least I can do to thank her for all the years she spent feeding me and arranging my pillows just as I like them. Also, did you hear the part about me needingto be fed?Ē

Bethany and I had almost made it to the doorway. That meant it was my last chance to talk to the cat. For all I knew, we would never see each other again. Of course, I knew it was totally crazy to assume there was even a chance any of this being real, but still, I couldnít ignore the fact that the talking tabby needed my help.

ďI want to help!Ē I bellowed back into the room just before the door closed behind us.

ďNo, youneed help,Ē Bethany growled, sounding even more like an animal than the cat had. ďThanks a lot, by the way. This was the first time theyíve included me in something this important to the firm. Now, thanks to your little act with the coffeemaker, Iím going to miss it.Ē

That hurt almost as bad as the zap from the coffeemaker.ďYou honestly donít think I electrocuted myself just to sabotage you, do you?Ē

She sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose.ďNo, Iím sorry. I know itís not your fault. I just have to work twice as hard to get ahead since Iím the only female associate, and everyone wants to put me on the baby track instead of the partner track.Ē

ďYeah, wellÖ at least youíre not just some glorified secretary.Ē I honestly couldnít believe Bethany was complaining abouther problems when Iíd just had a near-death experience a few minutes earlierÖ

Or maybe I could. It was Bethany, after all.

She settled me into the passenger seat of her car. It was a newer model Lexus, which told me she probably didnít have things quite as bad as she thought. Still, I felt guilty for costing her what she considered to be her big shot, so I said, ďFor what itís worth, youíre the smartest one of them all.Ē

She laughed as she buckled her seatbelt and adjusted the rear-view mirror.ďEven more than Thompson and Fulton?Ē

I nodded, and the movement made me dizzy.ďEspecially more than Thompson and Fulton.Ē

We shared a brief glance of camaraderie before she backed out of her spot and navigated onto the main road. Hopefully there would be no more trains passing through today, because despite our brief bond of sisterhood, I wasnít sure how long either of us could handle being trapped in a car together.

ďThanks for taking me, even though I know you didnít want to. You donít have to wait around. Just drop me off and Iíll call my nan to come get me when Iím done.Ē

ďAlready planned on it. If I hurry, I can still make part of the reading.Ē She tapped at her temple to once again show her superior thinking.

And just like that, we were back to normal.

As for me? I wasnít so sure.

CHAPTER THREE

Isat swinging my legs off the side of a wheeled hospital bed as the emergency room doctor laughed right in my face.

ďYou actually got electrocuted by an old coffeemaker?Ē Whatever kind of reception I might have expected to get at the hospital, this definitely wasnít it.

I crossed my arms over my chest and turned away so I wouldnít have to look at his inappropriately amused expression. ďYes, I donít see why thatís funny.Ē

He finally sobered up as he twiddled his pen between his fingers like a strange tic. Studying me with a slight frown, he asked,ďAnd it caused you to lose consciousness?Ē

ďYes.ĒWeíd been over this before.

ďDid you hit your head on the way down?Ē

ďI donít think so.Ē There was still plenty about my accident I couldnít quite wrap my head around, but at least I felt fine physically.

The doctor stuck his pen back into his pocket and peered into my eyes before declaring,ďWell, you look okay to me. The most Iíd prescribe to you is a dose of regular strength Tylenol in case thereís any pain from hitting the floor like you did.Ē

He hesitated for a moment, then shook his head and offered a wry laugh.ďItís strange, thoughÖ the voltage in that coffeemaker should have only given you a light zap. Iím surprised you had such a strong reaction.Ē

So, we were back to this. I needed to get out of there before he called in his entire staff to check out the freak on display in the ER.

ďGee, thanks,Ē I muttered.

His vision narrowed.ďYes,thanksis right. Be thankful you havenít got any burns. No concussion, either. But you did manage to score a day off work, huh?Ē The doctor had the audacity to wink at me before letting out another chuckle and turning to walk away.

ďI didnít do this to myself on purpose!Ē I called after him, trying not to let my frustration get the better of me.What a jerk.

When I was sure he wouldnít be coming back, I shot a quick text to Nan and gathered my things to go wait for her outside. The whole time I sat there waiting, I didnít see a single person come or go through those spinny glass doors. Even though Blueberry Bay wasnít the most densely populated area, I still expected thehospital to see some activity. Then again, maybe it was a good thing that clown of a doctor didnít have any actual sick people to look after.

I paced back and forth along the curb, trying my best to recall every detail of that morning. As unkind as the doctor had been, he did have a point. Iíd nearly died at the hands of an old coffeemaker, and when Iíd woken up again, I could talk to animals.

As a kid, Iíd loved watching Eddie Murphy as the hapless Dr. Doolittle, helping his animal patients like no one else could thanks to his unique ability to talk with them. Back then, Iíd thought it would be so cool to be able to understand and hold conversations with animals.

But now that I was faced with the reality?

I was scared out of my mind.

A strong gust of wind kicked up a swirl of leaves, drawing my attention to the parking lot where a pair of seagulls fought beak and talon over a fast-food hamburger wrapper that appeared to have a bit of cheese stuck to its center.

One of them held its wings out to his side and screeched. Then the other hissed and pecked at his opponentís feet. Their fight took on new vigor as they danced around the wrapper screaming and pecking at each otheróand giving me the beginnings of a wicked headache.

ďOh, will you just be quiet!Ē I shouted at them.

If the birds could hear me, they were clearly too occupied with their impromptu battle to care.

WaitÖ could they hear me? Would they be able to talk to me like the cat from work did?

I tiptoed over to them, thankful I was on my own in the abandoned parking lot because I knew how crazy I looked in that moment. Still, a little crazy was a small price to pay for finally figuring out what was going on with me today.

I cleared my throat and addressed the birds.ďExcuse me.Ē

One of the seagulls cawed and nipped at the other, but neither of them gave me any credence.

ďExcuse me,Ē I called a little louder, taking several more steps forward.

One of the birds turned to look at me, and the other took the opportunity to grab the wrapper and hop away with it. The first gave chase and soon the two were locked in a tug of war, the paper wrapper twisting and crinkling between them.

I chased after them too and yelled at the top of my lungs,ďExcuse me!Ē

Finally, they both gave me their attention, although neither let go of the coveted prize.

Since I at last knew they were listening, I followed up with an offer I knew they wouldnít be able to refuse. I smiled wide and told them, ďI have tons of tasty food. Burgers, fries, ice cream conesÖ Itís all yours if you just answer one question:Can you understand me?Ē

One of the gulls tilted its head as if to think about this. While he was distracted, the other yanked the wrapper free and flew off into the sky.

ďSorry about that,Ē I told the remaining bird. ďI can get you more food, better food that didnít come from the trash. What do you say?Ē

Before the gull could answer, a ruby red sports coupe rolled up next to me, scaring him off once and for all.

Nan rolled down the window of her favorite new toy and whistled at me.ďHop in, dearie!Ē

ďThanks for coming to get me.Ē I slid onto the slippery leather seat and tugged the seatbelt across my chest.

Nan let the car idle as she lowered her cat eye sunglasses and studied me without saying a word. Her blue-gray hair was covered with a brightly patterned silk scarf, and she wore driving gloves that matched the exact same shade of red as the carís exterior. I had to admit, Nan had style. Even when sheíd moved away from the spotlight of Broadway, sheíd never stopped putting on a show.

I shrugged.ďWhat? Iím fine.Ē

Additional wrinkles formed on her forehead.ďYou didnít say much in your text. What happened?Ē

ďJust a mild electric shock. Again, Iím fine.Ē

She raised an eyebrow at me.ďThen why the hospital?Ē

I shrugged again.ďYou know how the partners are. They donít want to take any risks when it comes to liabilities and whatnot.Ē

She shook her head, then stepped on the gas pedal so hard it jerked us both back against our seats.ďSo where to?Ē

I needed to find that cat since it seemed only he had the answers I craved. If I was lucky, then this would all turn out to be one very bad dream. Either way though, I had to knowóbut Nan didnít. At least not until I knew how to explain what was happening to me.

ďBack to the office, please,Ē I answered, fingering my seatbelt nervously.

Nan let out a sassy little huff.ďCímon, not even going to take the full day off? Youíve already been excused, now letís play hooky. Maybe we could hit the beach. Or perhaps a matinee. What do you say, dear?Ē

Ah, playing hooky. That had always been Nanís favorite thing. Some of my favorite childhood memories involved her breaking me out of second period to go on some zany, ill-conceived adventure. As Iíd grown older, our skip days had grown fewer and far between. In fact, we hadnít managed a single one since Iíd moved out to get my own place.

Make no mistake, I missed my nan dearly. HoweverÖ

I hated to let her down, but I had no other choice.ďThat sounds great, but Iíve got to grab my car from the office or Iíll have a hard time of it tomorrow. Maybe I could meet you for dinner instead?Ē I offered with the biggest smile I can muster.

Nan groaned and took a sharp right turn.ďThis new job has changed you.Ē

Oh, she had no idea.

[ ŗūÚŤŪÍŗ: img_2]

Despite Nanís objections, she brought me back to the office in one piece. Hardly more than an hour had passed since I left and most everyone was still hanging around, discussing the surprise twists in Ethel Fultonís will. Could one of them really be a murderer?

Only my new cat friend had the answers, which is why it was so important that I find him without any further delays or interruptions.

I spotted Bethany chatting with the other associates and headed her way to ask that they fill me in on what I missed.

ďCan you believe she left so much to the cat? Whatís a cat going to do with all that money?Ē someone I didnít recognize grumbled, taking a long pull at his takeout coffee cup.

The woman standing beside him nodded.ďItís a real slap in the face.Ē

Who are these two? Could they be the murderers?I wondered, trying not to stare as I committed their features to memory.

Diane came out of nowhere and saddled me with a giant, squishy hug.ďOh, thank goodness youíre okay. We were all so worried!Ē

ďYup, youíll need more than an angry coffeemaker to take me out. Iím made of tougher stuff.Ē I knocked on my collarbone to demonstrate my durability.

As much as I enjoyed my chats with Diane, I came back for one reason and one reason aloneóto find that cat. Somehow I had to figure out a way to inquire about him without raising anyoneís suspicions.

ďUm, did the reading go okay?Ē I fished, hoping she would take the bait and swim with it.

Mrs. Fulton dropped her voice to a whisper and leaned in close.ďYes, but some of the relatives are upset with their take. You know how these things are.Ē

ďAt least she didnít leave it all to the cat.Ē I tried to act casual, seeing as Iíd already overheard that the dearly deceased had done exactly that.

ďWell, not all of it, but it was still quite a bit. Thatís why he was here, you know. She required all beneficiaries be present and seeing as the cat was one of the biggest, well, there you go.Ē

I feigned shockónot the electrocution kind this time, but the real, honest-to-goodness surprise at receiving unexpected news. ďYouíve got to be kidding me.Ē

Diane shook her head and made a funny face.ďNever let it be said that Auntie Fulton didnít love that cat.Ē

ďSo whatís going to happen to him now that sheís gone?Ē

Mr. Fulton noticed us and crossed the office to join our conversation.ďBack already, Angie? Donít you at least want to take the rest of the day off?Ē

Crud. Iíd been so close to getting the answer I needed from his wife. Now I had to find a way to steer the discussion back to the location of that cat without making things too awkward. Mr. Fulton was a smart guy who regularly bested the areaís top attorneys in court. Did I really think I could outmaneuver him?

I had to try.

I swallowed hard and put on the same semi-famous smile that had landed me this job in the first place.ďIím fine. Iíll probably head out early but wanted to check in first to grab my car and let you all know Iím okay.Ē

ďGreat. See you tomorrow, then. Sleep in a little if you think it will help.Ē Mr. Fulton patted me on the shoulder and glanced pointedly toward the door.

I knew he was just looking out for me, but I couldnít leave without first talking to that cat, especially if there was a murderer afoot. Hopefully Mr. Fulton would thank me for my stubbornness on this matter later.

I stood my ground, twisting my hands before me.ďActually, I was wondering if the cat was still around. He seemed pretty worried, and I wanted to let him know Iím okay.Ē

Husband and wife exchange a worried expression.

ďItís okay, dear. Weíll tell him for you,Ē Diane informed me kindly.

I hated lying, but desperate timesÖ

ďIt may not be okay,Ē I warned then jumped with both feet straight into my lie. ďI did a course on Animal Psychology back at Blueberry Bay Community College, and it would help if he could see for himself that Iím fine. Otherwise, um, behavioral problems could arise due to sublimated anxiety.Ē

Mrs. Fulton stared at me in confused horror.ďOh, no, we donít want that!Ē

Mr. Fulton chuckled.ďYou said it, honey. Especially since heís staying with us for the foreseeable future. We donít want old Octavius taking out his sublimated anxiety on our new curtains.Ē

And there it was. Another golden opportunity, one I was too greedy not to grab hold of.

ďYou knowÖ Heís probably already quite anxious. More than likely depressed, too, what with his owner dying and his whole life being uprooted.Ē

ďI hadnít thought of it like that.Ē Dianeís brow pinched with concern. ďCan cats get depression?Ē

I almost had her.

Nodding vigorously, I dug my hooks in deeper.ďMost definitely, and since they canít exactly take anti-depressants, they really need someone who knows how to recognize the signs and treat them naturally.Ē

ďWhat are you suggesting?Ē Mr. Fulton asked. Unfortunately, his face gave nothing away.

Shrugging, I try to act disinterested in the outcome to really sell it now.ďI know Iím just a paralegal, but I did take that course and Iíve always had a way with animals, especially cats. Since you have so much going on with the family and the estate, maybe I should take him off your hands for a few days. I could keep him out of your hair and help him work through his depression, if you want.Ē

They looked at each other, exchanging a look I couldnít quite discern. I supposed that type of thing came with being married for thirty-plus years.

Diane was the one who finally answered for both of them.ďIt would be a huge help to us, but are you sure?Ē

With a massive placating grin, I answered,ďIt would be my pleasure.Ē

Yes, a pleasureóand hopefullynot my funeral instead.

CHAPTER FOUR

With the Fultonsí blessing, I let myself into the senior partnerís office and immediately spotted the cat. He sat right in the center of the leather desk chair like some kind of Bond villain. I half expected him to pull out a smaller, fluffier cat to stroke intimidatingly while he spoke to me.

ďTook you long enough,Ē he mumbled, obsessively licking his paw. Despite all I had been through to get back to him, he didnít even bother to look up at me. Iíd known this cat for all of five minutes and could already tell that he was a major jerk.

If Iíd only been grappling with the talking to animals problem that day, I probably would have walked away then and there. But, no, someone had been murderedóand a sweet old lady at that.

ďI came as fast as I could,Ē I hissed, wondering how he liked that little dose of his own medicine. ďItís not like you had anywhere else to be.Ē

He snorted and said something about busy schedules and important routines. I didnít exactly catch everything because he spoke incredibly fast.

Whatever the case, there I stood, conversing with a cat in a way we both mostly understood. If I was crazy, then at least I was consistent about it. Now that Iíd found and confirmed my ability to talk to this cat, it was time to learn his impossibly long moniker. ďWhatís your name again?Ē

He rolled his amber eyes then rose to his feet.ďWerenít you paying attention? Iím Octavius Maxwell Ricardo Edmund Frederick Fulton.Ē

No wonder he talked so fast. It was the only way for him to spit out that name without risking the other person falling asleep right in the middle of it. I tested out the strange name, hoping that if I got it right he might be a little nicer to me.ďOctavius Maxwell RichardÖĒ

ďRicardo Edmund Frederick Fulton,Ēhe corrected.ďHonestly, itís not that hard.Ē

He hopped off the chair and paced toward me, irritation flashing in his snake-like eyes. Somehow it was now my fault he had a ridiculous long name. Well, I refused to be bullied by a creature that I easily outweighed ten-to-one.

ďMy nameís Angie. Thanks for asking, by the way.Ē

He stopped walking and crinkled the skin above his nose.ďWell, thatís boring. Itís got no ring to it at all.Ē

ďSorry to disappoint you,Ē I hissed, which made me wonder if I was speaking cat or if he was speaking human.

The tabbyís voice took on a kinder tone for the first time since Iíd met him. He sighed, and said, ďWell, we canít all be Octavius Maxwell Ricardo Edmund Frederick Fulton, the First.Ē

ďWait, did you just add to your name to make it longer? No, this is not going to work. Even if I could remember your string of, like, eight names, I am not saying all of them whenever I want to get your attention.Ē

ďWhatever.Ē He widened his eyes at me and yawned. What a bratty cat. Hopefully if I put him in his place heíd start treating me as an equal instead of an incompetent servant.

ďSince youíre on board, Iím shortening your name toÖ toÖummÖĒ

ďNice to see your mind is just as sharp as your name.Ē He let out a mewling laugh, which I ignored.

ďShut up, OctaviusÖ OctagonÖ OctopussÖ Octo-Cat! Thatís it. From now on, Iíll call you Octo-Cat.Ē I felt so proud of myself for that cute nickname that fit him like a glove. Not even his bad attitude could bring me down now.

ďOctoÖ Cat.Ē He sneered and batted at the air between us. ďI donít think so.Ē

ďWell, your first name is Octavius, and you have like eight names total, soóĒ

He padded the ground and spun in a circle.ďNo, my first name is Octavius Maxwell RicóĒ

ďEnough!Do you want me to go back to Octo-Puss? Because I can.Ē

He began to say something, but the sound of the door creaking open stopped us both mid-conversation.

Dianeís head appeared in the doorway before the rest of her. ďEverything okay in here? I thought I heard voices.Ē

I stood up straight and brushed off the knees of my pants, flashing my friend with an ingratiating smile to promise I wasnít crazy. ďTotally fine. I was just introducing myself and letting him know heís going to be living with me for a few days.Ē

She glanced toward Octo-Cat, who chose that exact moment to plop himself on his rump and start licking his kitty bits.ďYouíre talking to the cat?Ē she asked, but it didnít really sound like a question.

I fixed my eyes on her to show I wasnít embarrassed, even though I mostly definitely was. ďOf course. It helps them to forge an emotional bond which will be important even for the brief time weíre living together.Ē

She glanced from me to the cat and back again, then shrugged.ďOkay, well, I just pulled his things from the car. Are you sure itís not any trouble for you to take him off our hands for a few days?Ē

She stopped and frowned before confiding,ďIím afraid heís not the nicest animal.Ē

ďPositive.Thanks for grabbing his stuff. I should probably get both of us home for some rest. Busy day, huh?Ē I laughed nervously, then pushed past her through the doorway.

ďHere, kitty. Címon, kitty.Ē I clicked my tongue and patted the side of my thigh to call him over.

Octo-Cat obediently trotted after me, mumbling through gritted teeth,ďIf you ever call me Ďkittyí again, Iím going to puke in your slippers while you sleep.Ē

ďOkay, bye now!Ē I yelled to Diane, quickly gathering up all of the catís things piled by the firmís main entrance.

Once we were both safely seated in my car, Octo-Cat exploded in a litany of what I assumed were feline-specific curse words.

ďStop that,Ē I scolded. ďDidnít your mother teach you any manners?Ē

He paused and looked over at me with such derision, I actually recoiled.ďNow youíre insulting my mother? Iíll have you know she did the best she could with seven kittens to feed and only six nipples to feed them with.Ē

I shuddered and pulled the car into reverse.ďWell, thank you for that visual.Ē

Octo-Cat let out a terrible yowl and jumped onto my lap, claws extended.ďOh, my whiskers! Weíre going to die!Ē he cried. ďIím too young to die. Too pretty. And far too important.Ē

ďAww, are you afraid?Ē I cooed, almost liking him in that moment, even though his claws were digging into my thigh. ďThatís so cute.Ē

ďI am not cute,Ē he ground out. ďGet me to safety at once, then we shall discuss your punishment.Ē

I laughed and turned on the radio, letting the newest top forty hit flood the car and drown out some of Octo-Catís complaints about my driving.

Despite the unnecessary drama, we managed to make it back to my house in good time, but now I had a new problem. I loved my tiny two-bedroom rental with its wide porch and tall oak tree in the front yard.

My new roommate, on the other handÖ

ďWhere have you brought me?Ē he demanded, unwilling to leave the car no matter how much I begged.

ďThis is my house and youíll be living here, too, for a few days,Ē I explained, even though my patience had worn so thin it was like a strand of angel hair pasta.

He turned his spoiled pink nose up at me.ďNo, absolutely not! This is hardly even a hovel. Itís not up to the standards by which I am accustomed to living.Ē

I had half a mind to hightail it back to the office and return him to the Fultons. Instead I took a deep, sarcastic bow and grumbled,ďWell, too bad, your royal highness. This is all I can afford. Besides, youíre just an ordinary tabby cat with a bad attitude and ridiculous expectations of life.Ē

He hissed and took an honest-to-goodness swipe at me. Luckily, I managed to yank my arm out of his path before he could break skin.

ďJust a tabby!Ē he shouted, gracing me with another diatribe full of kitty curses. ďHow dare you? Iíll have you know that I am part Maine Coon on my grandmotherís side.Ē

I was growing really tired of this. Why did every little thing have to be a battle?

I dropped to my haunches to face him eye-to-eye, even though it put me at incredible risk given his temper coupled with those sharp claws.

ďLook, do you want me to help you solve this murder or not? Because from where Iím sitting, Iím literally the only person in the entire world who can help you right now. But if you want me to actually do that, youíre going to have to be a whole lot nicer.Ē

We stared each other down, but I refused to look away first. I dealt with megalomaniac attorneys on the regular. I could handle this little, ill-tempered cat.

Finally, Octo-Cat stretched, yawned, jumped down from the car, and trotted over to my front door.

ďAre you going to let me in or what?Ē he yowled from my porch, flicking his tail in agitation.

Well, at least it was progress.

CHAPTER FIVE

Once inside, Octo-Cat made a beeline for my favorite overstuffed armchair. Despite his protests only moments ago, he quickly settled in and made himself comfortable. From the state of my pants, I already knew Octo-Cat was a massive shedder. My poor cream-colored chair didnít stand a chance against his brown and black fur.

Still, he was a guest, and Nan had worked hard to teach me manners.

ďCan I get you something to drink?Ē I asked, hesitating by the kitchen.

He perked his head up and let out a contented purr that I found just as shocking as if heíd sprouted a second tail. ďDo you have any Evian?Ē he asked politely, crossing his paws in front of himself now.

ďI have tap water andÖĒ I glanced into the fridge and frowned at the lack of cat-friendly options. ďDiet Coke and apple juice, too.Ē

The purring abruptly stopped as Octo-Cat uncrossed and recrossed his paws.ďIíll pass for now, but youíre going to need to go to the store and gather the necessary supplies for my stay. I only drink Evian, and I only eat Fancy Feast. Not just any flavor, mind you. It must be fish-based, and it must come in the small metal canónot the plastic container. I can tastethe difference.Ē

I couldnít help but laugh at the audacity of this request. ďIs that all?Ē

ďNo, but we need to start somewhere.Ē He scowled at me, refusing to see the humor in the situation.

Seeing as we were getting nowhere fast, I gave up in the kitchen and returned to the living room with a can of Diet Coke for myself. I slumped on the couch with a huge sigh. If Octo-Cat was going to be melodramatic, then I would be, too.

His probing amber gaze bore into me, refusing to look away, and that danged tail began flicking wildly again. It was a wonder he hadnít learned any manners, given the circumstances in which heíd lived up until two days ago.

I cleared my throat but still, he continued to stare unabashedly. Was he waiting for me toÖ?Oh my gosh.

ďI donít need to go to the store right now,Ē I snapped, correcting my posture and glaring right back at him. ďDo I?Ē

He shrugged as if he hadnít given it much thought, even though we both knew he had. ďWell, it would be nice.Ē

ďThis morning all you could talk about was Ethel Fultonís murder. Now itís more important that you have a specific type of water than that we discuss the details and start working on the case?Ē

He considered this for a moment.ďI never thought Iíd say this, but bring on the tap water.Ē

ďReally?Ē Despite his giving the desired response, I fully expected him to change his mind within a matter of secondsóor to tell me that heíd obviously been joking and then call me stupid for not getting it.

ďSometimes we have to make sacrifices for the ones we love. This oneís for Ethel.Ē He nodded gravely despite the fact that we were discussing one of the most mundane topics imaginable.

ďOh, how long-suffering you are.Ē

His eyes widened in what I presumed was shock.ďHopefully notlong suffering. Once I tell you what I know, it should be an open and shut case.Ē

ďPerfect,Ē I said, making my way to the kitchen and running the faucet for a few seconds to make sure it was the perfect temperature for my spoiled new acquaintance. ďTell me what you know.Ē

Octo-Cat waited until I had returned and set the bowl of water on the coffee table before him. He hopped over and sniffed hesitantly.

ďThis isnít made of Lennox or crystal. Not even stainless steel.Ē He craned his neck to the side, turning his body into an odd, snobby twist of fur and limbs. ďWhat is it? And is it safe to drink from?Ē

ďItís a normal bowl from the dollar store and is perfectly fine. I eat out of it all the time.Ē I pushed the bowl toward him emphatically, and Octo-Cat jumped back in fright.

ďThatís hardly a ringing endorsement.Ē He eyed me from head to toe and shrugged his little kitty shoulders before turning and leaping back to my armchair. ďSuddenly, Iím not so thirsty,Ē he declared with a yawn.

Instead of responding to his snobbery, I popped open my soda and took a nice, long drink. The bubbles did little to calm my frazzled nerves.

ďAre we going to talk about this?Ē Octo-Cat flicked his tail impatiently. Despite the many delays heíd caused, my single drink was now to blame for us falling behind in the two of us beginning our job as amateur sleuths.

As much as I hated to be a pushover, it was simply easier to go along with his outrageousness than to keep arguing over every little thing. The sooner we identified the murderer and brought him to justice, the sooner I could be back to my normal, cat-free life.

I took a deep, centering breath and asked,ďWhat makes you think Ethel Fulton was murdered?Ē

ďI donítthink she was murdered. Iknow it. I saw everything with my own two eyes.Ē He widened his amber gaze demonstratively. Maybe this wouldnít be so difficult after all.

ďOh, great. Well, who did it then?Ē I leaned forward, ready for the big reveal.

ďI donít know.Ē

Deep breaths.ďBut you said you saw everything?Ē

ďI did.Ē

ďThen how can you not know who did it?Ē

ďIt was definitely a human,Ē he said, an expression of surety spread between his whiskers.

ďReally? Is that all youíve got?Ē The couch groaned in protest as I threw myself back against it and threw my hands in the air so as not to ring Octo-Catís neck with them. ďWas it a man or a woman? Someone old or young? A stranger or someone she knew?Ē

He yawned.ďDo you really expect me to remember that?Ē

ďAre you serious?Ē And now I was yelling at a cat.

ďWhat? Itís not my fault all humans look the same.Ē

Deep, calming yoga breaths.ďSo, you saw a human kill her, but you donít know who.Ē

ďYes. Thatís what I said. Arenít you paying attention?Ē

I spoke slowly even though he was the one who assumed me to be an idiot.ďDo you know how the human killed her? From what I understand, she died of natural causes.Ē

ďNo, she wasnít ready to die yet. Someone definitely intervened.Ē

I waited for him to say more, but he started grooming himself instead.

ďHello? Weíre kind of in the middle of an important conversation here. Can you stop licking yourself for five minutes so we can figure this out?Ē

Octo-Cat let out a little huff but complied with my request.ďThe sacrifices I make. I hope Ethel is watching from above so that my good deeds donít go unnoticed.Ē

ďIím sure sheís in Heaven, looking down at us and thinking, ĎWow, what a great cat I had.í Now, can you tell me the whole story from start to finish?About the murder,Ē I quickly specified, not wanting to hear about his motherís six nipples again.

He nodded and brought himself up onto his haunches. What followed was a dramatic retelling that would have been worthy of an Oscar if anyone could understand him besides me.

ďLet me paint the scene for you.Ē He lifted his paw and swept it in an arc before him. ďIt was just two nights ago. The weather was balmy. The light had begun to fade from the sky. Ethel had invited several other humans over to eat food at the table. She cooked the whole thing herself. I remember because she made salmon and also gave me a little plate to enjoy. Iím happy to report the fish was perfectly cooked, tender but not dry, and the portion was absolutely perfect, too. Ethel always knew exactly what I needed.Ē

ďFocus, please,Ē I said through gritted teeth. ďBack to the murder, if you donít mind.Ē

He sneered but didnít offer any verbal argument. ďEveryone ate more than their fill, then they all went home. When Ethel was getting ready for bed, she clutched her chest and told me she wasnít feeling well, then tucked herself in and went to sleep. She didnít wake up again.Ē

ďIt sounds like maybe she had a heart attack. What makes you think she was murdered?Ē I reached out to offer him a conciliatory pat on the head, but he batted my hand away.

ďEthel had a very strong heart,Ē he insisted. ďShe was always telling me about it after she came back from the doctors.Ē He made his voice high and scratchy, hunching forward in what seemed to be an impression of his late owner. ďĎDoc says I have a strong heart and just might live forever.í In fact, she went to the doctor just that week, and he again told her what good shape her heart was in.Ē

I didnít know how to put this delicately, so I just blurted it out. ďYes, but she was old. Sometimes their bodies just give out on them.Ē

He shook his head adamantly, and when he glanced up at me again, his eyes had crossed before his nose.ďMaybe, but thatís not what happened to Ethel. She smelled funny after dinner.Ē

I worried my lip while thinking this over. I knew Octo-Cat loved his owner, but the more he talked, the more it sounded as if sheíd died of natural causes and not some secret murder scheme. I just didnít know how to tell him this.

After a momentís hesitation, I told him, ďIíve heard cats can sometimes know when people are about to die. You two were very close, so maybe you just sensed it.Ē

Again with the manic head shaking.ďNo, she was definitely murdered. That same weird smell was in the dinner and the tea.Ē

ďAre you trying to tell me she was poisoned? Iím not sure that pans out. Remember, you told me in great detail how you ate the fish and you are perfectly fine.Ē

ďShe fed me before the guests arrived. I think someone tampered with the food after Iíd left the kitchen to go take a cat nap.Ē

I raised an eyebrow and asked,ďThen why didnít the other guests die?Ē

ďSomeone specifically wanted to kill Ethel, I guess.Ē He moved his eyes to the chair before him in his first show of true sorrow. ďI donít understand. She was the nicest human ever. Who would want to kill her?Ē

ďI was hoping youíd know the answer to that one.Ē I had to remind myself that he didnít want to be pettedóat least not by me. I wrapped both hands around my drink and took another sip before suggesting, ďShe did have a lot of money. Do you think someone was trying to get their inheritance early?Ē

His head whipped back up and his eyes focused in on mine.ďSo you think someone in the family killed her?Ē

I shrugged.ďIím still not entirely convinced she was even murdered.Ē

ďThen I guess Iím going to have to show you.Ē He popped to his feet and jumped off the chair in what amounted to the blink of an eye.

ďShow me? How?Ē I asked, following dumbly.

ďLetís go to my house and take a look around. I guarantee youíll find the proof you need,Ē he said, then flicked his tail before adding, ďSeeing as my word apparently isnít enough.Ē

CHAPTER SIX

Iconsidered it a small miracle that Octo-Cat actually knew his home address. He and Ethel had lived together on the exact opposite side of town close to the bayóthe same as all the other wealthy folks around Glendale.

A private drive twisted about half a mile through the woods before it opened up to a gorgeous, sprawling Colonial with huge bay windows looking out onto the sea.

My jaw dropped in response to the unexpected grandeur.ďYou live here?Ē

ďSafety first, then talk,Ē Octo-Cat whisper-yelled, digging his claws deeper into my thighs as I navigated the last stretch of driveway and pulled to a stop before the structure that reminded me more of a palace than an actual home.

Rather than parking out front, I pulled around to the far side of the house to at least partially conceal my visit. As soon as I opened the car door, Octo-Cat hopped out onto the ground and walked in a crooked line toward the porch.

ďWait!Ē I called after him, taking another opportunity to survey the estate. ďAre we really just going to walk right in?Ē

ďOf course we are. This is my home.Ē

ďYeah, but isnít it locked?Ē Despite all my various degrees and random knowledge, Iíd never taken the time to learn locksmithing. Perhaps I could add it to my list for later, although that wouldnít help us much now.

ďPssh. Only for humans. Watch.Ē Octo-Cat ran up the porch steps and stood before a little doggie door that was almost perfectly hidden within the stone face of the house. As he waited, the slab slid open, admitting him inside and leaving no doubt that Octo-Catís front door cost more than my entire monthísómaybe even yearísórent.

I jogged up to join him, then lowered myself to my hands and knees to peer inside. The stone doorway shut right in my face but re-opened a few seconds later.

Octo-Cat trotted back outside with a smile curling across his short snout.ďItís good to be home.Ē

ďWell, donít get used to it. Weíre only here to look for clues.Ē

ďWhat are you waiting for, then? Come inside.Ē He slipped back in through his private entrance, and this time I was close enough to see a little light flash on his collar before the door slid open. Fancy.

Octo-Cat turned around to glare at me.ďArenít you coming?Ē

ďJust one small problem.Ē I reached my hand in after him. ďI donít fit.Ē

He shook his head slowly and raised a paw to his face in exasperation.ďThen grab the key thatís under the shiny rock. Hurry up already!Ē

I groaned as I lifted myself back to my feet and searched the porch and nearby flowerbeds for the shiny rock heíd mentioned. Even having only met Octo-Cat earlier that day, I already knew better than to ask for help or further clarification. Honestly, you havenít lived until youíve been condescended to by a catóalthough I donít recommend the experience if you can avoid it.

As for me, I had no choice in the matter. At least not until I either solved the murder or proved no foul play had occurred, either of which I considered an equally likely outcome.

Octo-Cat jogged back out and tapped my calf with his paw. He made no effort to conceal his claws when doing so.ďYouíre looking in the wrong place,Ē he informed me with a bored expression.

I glared down at him and checked my leg for any fresh pricks of blood.

My kitty companion spun in a circle then hopped off the porch and began pawing at the corner where the house met the steps. There sat the first in a series of foot path lights, none of which had been illuminated despite the descending dusk.

I trotted back down the steps after him and pulled that first light right out of the ground. Sure enough, a small silver key lay buried in the earth beneath.ďGood hiding spot,Ē I said as I bent down to pluck the key from its grave.

ďEthel was just as smart as she was kind,Ē Octo-Cat said with a reverence he didnít normally possess. ďShe really was the best human. Too bad you never got the chance to meet her.Ē

I was just about to tell him how sweet I found that sentiment, when he added,ďYou really could have learned so much.Ē

ďAll right,Ē I said with a grunt, turning to face the stairs once again. ďLetís get on with this investigation already.Ē

The key slid into the lock perfectly, and a moment later I stood inside the regal entryway with no clue where to begin. Letting out a low whistle, I whispered,ďThis place is huge.Ē

Octo-Cat sighed.ďYeah, itís perfect. Isnít it?Ē

We stood in respectful silence as I took in all the expensive furnishings and decor. Even the light fixtures looked like they had been lifted from a seventeenth century castle. If I hadnít already felt guilty about breaking into a dead womanís home, then I definitely felt bad about snooping around amidst all these priceless possessions.

The tabby took off decisively toward the right, and I followed. A short while later we wound up in the kitchen.

I eyed the beautiful white oak cabinetry appreciatively. Everything about this place proved larger than life. The giant island in the middle of the space was about the same size as a king bed, and the stainless-steel fridge appeared to be at least twice the size of my tiny rentalís.

ďOh, good thinking,Ē I murmured, unable to tear my eyes away from what had just become my own personal kitchen goals. ďSince the food was prepared here, we should look for any proof of poisoning we can find.Ē

At last I shifted my attention back to Octo-Cat. At least he didnít mind me moving slowly if it was to admire his former home.

In fact, he looked quite pleased with himself now.ďMmm-hmm. The Evianís in here.Ē

I followed his gaze to the pantry where, sure enough, dozens of bottles of his preferred drinking water were stacked on the lowest shelf.ďDo we really need to do this first?Ē

ďYes, now hurry. Iím parched.Ē He lowered himself to the ground and waited.

I rolled my eyes but followed Octo-Catís orders all the same. After I poured him the specified amount in the specified dish, I went back to the pantry and grabbed several bottles of water and a couple dozen cans of Fancy Feast to help get us through our time together. At least now I wouldnít have to spend a small fortune on Octo-Catís shopping needs.

He lapped appreciatively from the dish and then licked the outside of his mouth for good measure.ďThat hit the spot. Thanks.Ē

I resisted the urge to tap my foot impatiently, which seemed the human equivalent of all his tail flicking.ďNow that youíre refreshed and rehydrated, perhaps you can show me around and help me see what you saw the night of the murder.Ē

ďYes, okay.Ē He crossed the kitchen at a slow, loping run, then jumped onto the counter.

I followed as he guided me toward the sink, which had been filled to the brim with dirty dishes.

ďThis is gross, but Iíll do it for Ethel,Ē he informed me before closing his eyes and sticking his nose into the middle of the mess.

He rooted around for a bit, then murmured,ďItís this one.Ē

I craned my neck but couldnít see what he meant. ďWhich one?Ē

ďIím pointing at it with my nose,Ē came his muffled reply. ďPlease hurry, itís not the most pleasant smell.Ē

One after the other, I pulled dirty plates from the sink. Each had a varying degree of salmon skin, rice grains, or butter glommed onto the surface, but Iíd dealt with far worse than a couple day old dishes. The activity didnít bother me nearly as much as it did Octo-Cat.

ďThere. Thatís the one,Ē he cried, slowly backing out of the sink and immediately licking his paw. ďSmell it.Ē

I did as he said but could only discern the faint smell of spoiled fish.

Octo-Cat rubbed his paw on top of his head, then brought it back down for more licks.ďNow sniff another, and youíll see what I mean,Ē he instructed.

I did as he said, making sure to take a good long whiff of each, but as far as I could tell they were no different.ďWhat am I supposed to be smelling other than the fish?Ē

ďRemember I told you about the funny smell?Ē He waited for me to nod, then revealed, ďOnly Ethelís plate had it.Ē

ďAnd this was her plate?Ē I asked, holding up the first for him to sniff again.

His face contorted in disgust.ďDefinitely.Ē

ďI donít know what I can do here. I canít smell the difference, and I wouldnít even know how to begin getting a forensics team on this.Ē

ďTell them what I told you.Ē

ďOh, sure. Tell them Ďthe cat told me.í That will go over real well.Ē

ďI see your point.Ē He stopped grooming and glanced around the kitchen. ďNothing looks out of order other than the mess from dinner. But open up the trash can and see if thereís any poison in there.Ē

I did as he said, stepping on the little foot pedal to raise the lid so we could both peer inside.

ďNothing,Ē I told him with a shake of my head. ďItís starting to look like she wasnít murdered, after all.Ē

ďOr that the culprit was smart enough to take the evidence with him. Besides, we have proof from the sink. Itís not my fault your weak human nose refuses to smell whatís right there in front of it.Ē

I hated to admit it, but he was right.ďFine. Where else can we look for clues?Ē

He shook his head haughtily and flicked his tail to match.ďFirst tell me you believe me about the murder.Ē

ďWhat? Why is that important?Ē I fixed him with my most domineering stare. I didnít think cats had alphas the way dogs do, but I needed some way to gain leverage here.

He growled, breaking my concentration.ďIf weíre going to be working together, I need to know you believe in what weíre doing. I need to know youíll do what it takes to get justice for Ethel.Ē

I rolled my eyes and muttered,ďFine, I believe you.Ē

ďNext time, try a little harder to sound convincing.Ē He sneered at me then jumped off the counter, shaking his little kitty booty as he strode away. ďSeeing as youíre the best option Iíve got, Iím just going to have to put up with you. Címon, let me show you our bedroom.Ē

While following him back to the entryway and up the grand staircase, I asked myself whether I did believe that Ethel had been murdered. I hadnít been able to see or smell any proof for myself just yet, but I also knew Octo-Cat well enough to know he wouldnít waste his time on false claims.

Whether or not it made much sense, he was convinced Ethel had met an unnatural endóand even though it made me more than a little crazy, I believed him.

CHAPTER SEVEN

It felt strange standing in a room where someone had died less than forty-eight hours earlier. Even the air in Ethel Fultonís bedroom felt less oxygenated somehow, as if sheíd tried to suck in every last breath she could before taking her last. At that lovely thought, I shuddered and wrapped my arms around myself.

Octo-Cat hopped up on the bed and pawed at the comforter.ďThis is where she died. I slept on this pillow here, and she slept on the side closest to the bathroom. Usually she got up a couple times per night to pollute her water bowl. You humans are a disgusting bunch, by the way, but I loved Ethel and was able to overlook her flaws.Ē

ďYour point?Ē I asked with a sigh.

He raised a lip at me but kept his hiss to himself.ďThat night she didnít wake up at all. It was the first sign I knew something was definitely wrong.Ē

I hovered awkwardly near the bed, unwilling to sit down or even to touch it.ďI thought the funny smelling food was the first sign something was wrong.Ē

My companion sniffed around the bed as if in search of something specific.ďThatís when I first suspected, but when she didnít get up at night, I knew for sure.Ē

I gave Octo-Cat a few uninterrupted moments to finish his investigation of the bed. When he settled back on his pillow, I said,ďOkay, so even though this is where she died, I donít think it has anything to do with the murder. Downstairs there were six dinner plates. Assuming one was for Ethel, can you remember who any of the other five guests were?Ē

ďI might be able to identify them if I saw them again, and more likely by smell than sight.Ē

I contemplated this. Octo-Catís heightened sense of smell was of no use to me. The only other person Iíd ever be able to identify by scent would be Bethany from workóand that was only because of her essential oils obsession. At that, an encouraging thought struck me. ďWere any of them at the will reading this morning?Ē

He yawned and stretched his paws in front of himself in some kind of sleek yoga pose.ďYes, all of them were there,Ē he revealed.

Suddenly, solving this thing seemed not only possible, but likely. Trying not to startle Octo-Cat with my sudden burst of eagerness, I said,ďBut you donít know which one killed Ethel?Ē

ďNo, none of them had the funny smell from the dinner party when I saw them this morning,Ē he confided with a frown.

ďAnd you donít remember their names?Ē

Octo-Cat shook his head.

Forgetting my earlier disgust, I sighed and sunk down onto the mattress beside him, feeling all the wind leave my newly raised sails.ďSeeing as there were at least twenty people at the reading, we have quite a few suspects.Ē

He sighed, too.ďYes, it would seem we do.Ē

I shivered upon realizing that I was sitting in the exact same spot where old lady Fulton had died not even two full days earlier.ďMaybe if we try toóĒ

ďHush!ĒOcto-Cat yelled, leaping to attention. His ears twitched like tiny satellite dishes trying to find the best reception.ďSomeone just came in the house.Ē

My stomach dropped past my feet and straight through the floor boards.ďWhat?Ē

He listened a little bit longer.ďYes, someone is definitely inside.Ē

Knowing my luck, it would be the killer, coming to scrub the scene clean of any lingering evidenceóevidence Iíd been too stupid to actually locate. Now it would be gone forever, and poor Ethel Fulton would have to go into the afterlife unavenged. Not to mention if the killer found us, he just might strike againóand, of course, we stood right in his path.

ďWe need to get out of here,Ē I mouthed, hoping Octo-Cat could read lips.

He jumped onto the floor and trotted out through the bedroom door which Iíd foolishly left wide open.

I listened for what felt like an eternity, waiting for someone to cross paths with my hapless sidekick. Would Octo-Cat recognize the danger? And, if so, would he find a way to alert me to it?

Several minutes passed without any sign of Octo-Cat or anyone else. Taking a deep breath, I tiptoed out into the hallway and toward the grand staircase. I just had to make it down these steps and out the door, then I never had to set sight on this place again.

Although I did a great job of descending quietly, I did it at the expense of a speedy getaway.

About halfway down, a shadowy figure appeared in the foyer and paused upon noticing me.

Of all the things I could have done then, I chose the worst possible one. I froze in place.

ďWhoís there?Ē the figure asked. The voice clearly belonged to a woman, which eased my fears a bit. Iíd have a hard time defending myself against a full-grown man, but at five foot eight and a size twelve, I could probably fight off most other womenÖ unless she had a weapon.

ďIÖ IímÖĒ How could I possibly explain my trespassing? The truth about the talking cat and our murder investigation would be worse than pretty much any lie, but I was far too frightened to think up a good lie on the spot.

Luckily, Octo-Cat chose that exact moment to come in through his electronic cat door and race up the stairs to join me.ďTell her youíre looking for my food and bed and other supplies,Ē he commanded.

Oh, that was a great idea. It was also at least partially true.

ďIím watching the cat for a few days and came over to pick up his things. Wh-who are you?Ē I asked boldly, standing tall as if I had every right to be here.

She stepped back and flicked a switch that illuminated the overhead chandelier, casting light over us both.ďObviously youíre not close with the family or you wouldnít have to ask that. So why donít you start by telling me whoyou are?Ē

ďSheís bluffing,Ē Octo-Cat whispered at my side. ďSheís just as scared as you are. Sheís throwing out human stress hormones like crazy.Ē

ďI work for Mr. Fulton.Ē I descended a few steps, keeping my eyes trained on the other woman. ďShould I tell him you stopped by?Ē

ďNice one,Ē Octo-Cat cheered behind me.

The woman cursed under her breath. The deep bags beneath her eyes implied she hadnít slept well in nights, and the way she twisted her mouth into a frown told me I had her outwitted.

ďNo, he wouldnít like that,Ē she mumbled, glancing behind her then back up toward me. ďLook, Iím not taking anything. Just looking over Aunt Ethelís things to make sure I donít get taken when divvying up the inheritance. Iím on my way out, though, so no harm done.Ē She lifted her hands in surrender and waited for me to join her on the main floor.

ďI suppose I donít need to tell Mr. Fulton about this, but we had both better leave and lock up,Ē I said with far more courage than I felt.

ďYes, okay.Ē She backed away slowly, keeping her eyes on me the whole time, then bumbled for the doorknob and swung the front door open so forcefully it slammed against the wall. If I wasnít suspicious before, then I definitely questioned her motives now.

ďSee you around, then,Ē the woman said, peering through the door one last time before scurrying down the steps.

I watched as she got into an old car and sat mumbling to herself behind the wheel. Even though she was on her way now, it didnít mean that sheóor othersówouldnít be back soon. I had to get out of there, but first I needed to grab Octo-Catís things from the kitchen.

He followed me at a quick clip.ďYou did great,Ē he said. ďIím starting to think that maybe youíre up to this task after all.Ē

ďGee, thanks,Ē I told him as I packed my arms with the Evian and cat food cans as best I could. ďMind watching my back in case she tries to sneak up and stab me while Iím not looking?Ē

Octo-Cat jumped on the counter and widened his eyes.ďOh, sheís not the killer.Ē

ďWhat makes you so sure?Ē I mumbled, struggling with my off balanced load. ďWas she not there that night?Ē

ďOh, she was there, but sheís not smart enough to commit a murder, let alone conceal it. Believe me, thatís Ethelís niece. Sheís, hands down, the stupidest human Iíve ever met. She couldnít have concocted this.Ē

ďIt almost sounds like you admire the killer,Ē I whispered while leaving the kitchen. I didnít know whether the other visitor had left yet or whether she would return before I had a chance to make my getaway.

My companion hissed.ďNo, believe me, Iím mad as a human without its cell phone. I just know she doesnít have it in her. That still leaves four other guests that could have done it, though.Ē

The front door still hung wide open, but the other womanís car had disappeared from the drive. Thank goodness, because I wasnít up for more small talk even if I could rest assured that it wouldnít end with my own murder.

ďBut you donít know who any of the other guests were? Earlier you said you didnít know anyone, but you seemed to recognize Ethelís niece right away.Ē

He sighed as if he were the one suffering a fool here.ďItís scent memory. Some details donít click into place without it.Ē

ďIíve never heard of such a ridiculous thing.Ē I watched my feet as we picked our way across the uneven ground to the side of the house where Iíd concealed my car near a copse of tall trees.

ďWell, how many cats did you have deep conversations with before you met me?Ē

I had to admit, he had me there.ďPoint taken. But this little field trip accomplished nothing, so what are we supposed to do next?Ē

We reached my car and I set my load of cans and bottles on the ground so I could open the trunk and stash everything inside.

ďIt definitely wasnot nothing.Ē Octo-Cat jumped onto the hood of my car and looked down on me as if I were a peasant and he was king. ďWe got my food and Evian, didnít we?Ē

I shook my head and chuckled as I slammed the trunk closed again. Weíd come face to face with danger but were still nowhere near solving our murder mystery. At least we had Evian, though!

CHAPTER EIGHT

The next morning, I woke up to an ear-piercing cry in the wee hours. The room was still shrouded in darkness, so I groped for my phone to serve as a makeshift flashlight.

ďAck, right in my eye!Ē Octo-Cat shouted as he jumped from the bed to the floor to escape the path of the light.

I struggled to sit, my limbs still heavy with sleep.ďWhatís going on? Whatís wrong?Ē

He turned to face me. His glinting eyes widened as they adjusted to my flashlight.ďItís time for breakfast,Ē he informed me.

A quick glance at my phone confirmed that it was only five oíclock, more than two full hours before I generally awoke on a work day.

ďNo way, not going to happen,Ē I moaned and pulled the covers over my head. ďGo away.Ē

That same horrible banshee cry sounded again, sending shivers up my spine and digging straight into my brain.

ďIs that you?Ē I hissed.

Octo-Cat hissed back but otherwise kept his voice slow and at its normal volume.ďItís breakfast time,Ē he repeated. ďIf I could open the can myself, I would, but I canít. So get up and use those opposable thumbs the way God intended, darling.Ē

ďFine, but I hate you,Ē I whined as I threw my legs over the side of the bed. He had me up, but that didnít mean I needed to hurry.

He ran ahead and turned several circles while waiting for me to catch up.ďThe feeling is mutual. At least until Iíve had my breakfast.Ē

ďAnd me, my coffee,Ē I said, shuddering as I remembered yesterdayís run-in with the office coffeemaker. Perhaps I would switch to tea going forward.

In the kitchen I plunked his favorite congealed salmon p?t? onto a plate and set it on the ground for my spoiled roommate.ďBon Appetit,Ē I mumbled, shuffling back toward my bedroom.

I didnít even have a chance to lie back down before Octo-Cat took a swipe at my feet and growled. ďNo, you canít go back to bed. Itís morning and I need to have my breakfast.Ē

ďI just fed you. Go eat already and leave me alone.Ē I dropped into bed and turned on my side so that I wouldnít have to look at his demanding kitty face.

ďWhy is this so hard to understand?Ē he said with a sigh, his whiskers twitching furiously. ďI canít eat unless you stand nearby and watch me. Maybe tell me what a good cat I am, too.Ē

ďBut youíre not a good cat,Ē I grumbled. Right now he was pretty much the worst cat in the world. After all, none of the others were rousing me from sleep at this unholy hour.

ďEthel always petted me and talked to me while I ate. Please, donít you thinkÖ?Ē His words broke away and despite my better judgment I turned to look straight into his huge, pleading eyes.

ďFine!Ē I sputtered. ďBut tomorrow we wake up on my schedule.Ē

Octo-Cat didnít say anything as he led the way back to my kitchen, his tail held high and hips swaying in a way that definitely looked put on for my benefit.

ďOh, great and mighty Octo-Cat, you are such a good kitty,Ē I said, rolling my eyes as he took his first tentative bite of that awful-smelling breakfast.

ďHey, what did I tell you about calling me Ďkitty?íĒ He grumbled between bites. ďBut Iíve gotta say, the other thing is growing on me.Ē

ďWhat?Octo-Cat?ĒI regarded him suspiciously. This was a surprise given how heíd stubbornly insisted on his ridiculously long moniker until now.

ďThatís the one,Ē he confirmed with a smack of his lips as he continued to gobble up Fancy Feast.

ďIt suits you.Ē

ďAnd it makes me seem hip and modern, too.Ē

ďOh, yes, youíre one cool cat.Ē Maybe it was time to teach the poor guy some new slang. After all, heíd taken all his current lingo from a woman in her eighties.

When he finished his meal, I poured some Evian into a mug and set it before Octo-Cat. He lapped it up appreciatively and then began the first of his many daily grooming ministrations.

ďSince Iím up, I guess Iíll go get ready,Ē I informed him, thanking my lucky stars when he didnít follow me into the bathroom. I was able to take a shower without any added drama.

The hot water pounded my skin, slowly bringing me back to life. By the time I finished my own grooming rituals, I found myself in a much better mood.

ďGood to see youíve finally woken up,Ē Octo-Cat said with an approving nod. ďWhat time do we head into the office?Ē

ďWe? No, no, no. Thereís no way I can justify taking you into the firm.Ē

ďBut I was there yesterday,Ē he argued with a child-like pout.

ďFor the will reading.Ē

ďWell, just have another will reading then. Besides, if Iím there, I can help suss out the killer.Ē

I crossed my arms over my chest and stared him down without blinking.ďYouírenot coming.Ē

He ran toward the door, calling to me in a sing-song voice.ďToo bad you canít stop me.Ē

Oh, what a brat. Leave it to Octo-Cat to always want to be at the center of all the action. He was really quite outgoing as far as cats were concerned. If I had any chance of leaving him at home, then I needed to come up with something important for him to do hereóor at least something I could trick him into thinking was important.

What was that saying about curiosity and cats again? I was banking on it being true.

ďIím only going to work because I havenít got a choice in the matter,Ē I informed him. ďYou, however, do. And it would be much better if you stayed here and did some research into our case.Ē

He flicked his tail, but otherwise looked intrigued. Score one for clich?d old sayings. ďOh? Well, what did you have in mind?Ē

If I took too long to think, Octo-Cat would figure me out so I went with the first thing that popped into my mind.ďResearch. On the Internet.Ē

ďI canít type,Ē he said with a scowl. ďOr read, for that matter.Ē

ďCanít read?Ē I donít know why I was surprised. Most cats didnít talk. Maybe Iíd just assumed that Octo-Cat could do all things like my very own super kitty sidekick.

He abandoned the door and joined me in the living room.ďUntil I met you, I had no idea humans had such a complex system of communication,Ē he explained. ďYour different sounds mean different things! I always thought it was just about emotion, but you actually seem to assign noises to various objects and concepts. Itís fascinating.Ē

ďRight back at you, cat.Ē It still hadnít ceased to amaze me that Octo-Cat thought of humans as just another animal. In his mind, cats were the most intellectually superior species on the planet, which seemed laughable to me. Were humans otherwise deluded about their place in the animal kingdom? It sure made me wonder.

Iíd been wondering something else, too, and decided to ask Octo-Cat about it. ďSo, youíre not speaking English?Ē

He twitched his whiskers in confusion.ďWhatís English? Is that your word for human? Because no, Iím not speaking human. Youíre speaking cat.Ē

ďIím not speaking cat, though.Ē At least I was pretty sure I wasnít speaking in a series of meows, purrs, and growls.

ďAnd yet somehow we understand each other.Ē Octo-Cat looked bored, even though I found the intricacies of our communication amazingly interesting. Maybe at the end of the day curiosity killed the human, too.

We sat in companionable silence as we both puzzled over this, one of us more than the other.

At last I said,ďI suppose thatís another mystery weíll have to figure out. You know, once we solve the more pressing murder mystery.Ē

ďThereís no mystery about it,Ē he informed me, his eyes flashing with untold knowledge. ďItís magic.Ē

ďMagic?Ē I laughed at this notion. ďYou believe in magic?Ē

ďYou donít?Ē He looked authentically surprised at this.

How much did we humans not know about the rest of the world? I was beginning to think it was substantial. Iíd look into this all later. Right now, I needed to focus on distracting him so that I could slip away to the office, unaccompanied.

ďOkay, so thatís what you can do for me,Ē I told him, reaching forward to grab the remote from the coffee table. ďIíll leave the TV on for you and you can learn to read human.Ē

ďEww, why?Ē

ďSo you can help me with the research, of course.Ē

ďAre you going to learn cat?Ē he shot back.

ďSure, you can give me some lessons once Iím home from work.Ē I agreed primarily to avoid an argument but had to admit, the idea of learning such an uncharted new language did excite me.

The TV flickered to life at the press of the button and immediately our eyes darted to the screen. After a bit of channel surfing, I settled on one of the kidsí channels where a caramel-skinned little girl and her monkey talked directly to the viewer. I pressed a series of buttons, at last reaching the option to enable subtitles.

Octo-Cat meowed right back at the screen, immediately enamored of the program. I watched with him for a few minutes, then managed to slip out undetected just as Iíd hoped.

Iíd be painfully early to the office that day, but maybe that would be to my benefit. Little by little, a plan began to form in my mind.

Yes, today would be a productive day when it came to solving Ethel Fultonís murder. If all went according to plan, I might even be able to discover the culprit before returning home in the evening.

CHAPTER NINE

On my way to the office, I stopped by the local coffee shop to order lattes for the partners and all the associates. Even though I couldnít really afford it, I needed an excuse to talk to everyone and see what I could learn about the will reading and Ethel Fultonís purported cause of death.

Thankfully, no matter how much Nan wanted me to be a fully functional adult, she would still step in whenever I couldnít make rent. Generally my pocket money went toward books or community college courses or online webinars, but I figured Octo-Catís and my mystery would keep me too busy to spend much time on recreational learning for the next few days.

Iíd read enough police procedural novels by this point to know it took a fair bit of work to identify a killer. Surely in the real world, many cases proved to be open and shut, but I doubted Ethelís would turn out that way.

For starters, all of my evidence was based on hearsayÖfrom a cat.

And even though I believed him, I couldnít exactly use his word to justify myself to others. Octo-Cat had also given me just enough to legitimize his claims of murder, but not enough to guide my questioning when talking to anyone else.

All of this meant Iíd need to keep myself casual and conversational while trying to glean information from my boss and coworkers. The surprise coffee delivery would be my way in, but Iíd need to rely on my wits to learn anything of actual value.

Oh boy, I definitely had my work cut out for me.

Thanks to my rude awakening that morning, I reached work a full hour before my normal start time. Only two other cars stood in the parking lotó Mr. Fultonís and Bethanyís. So much for all the extra lattes. I just hoped Iíd be able to secretly warm them in the microwave later without anyone noticing.

Trying not to show my disappointment, I floated into the office with my oversized tray of coffees and a bright smile on my face.

ďGood morning,Ē I sang, passing by the front desk where I normally sat to greet any visitors who happened to drop by the firm.

Only silence greeted me.

ďHello?Ē I called, knowing for a fact Iíd seen their cars. As I moved down the hall toward Mr. Fultonís office, I flicked on the overhead lights.

ďMr. Fulton?Ē

The door opened abruptly, causing me to jump back. Thank goodness the hot coffees didnít spill down my front or Iíd have found myself in the hospital with a wicked work injury a second day in a row.

Once I regained my balance, I glanced up at my boss. The poor man was almost unrecognizable. Mr. Fulton appeared almost comically disheveled. His normally well-pressed shirt was wrinkled, and his tie hung askew. His eyes focused on the ground, meaning it took him an extra moment to realize I was standing right in front of him.

ďGood morning, sir,Ē I said carefully. ďIsÖ Is everything okay?Ē

He glanced up at me and plastered on a polite smile, which I saw right through.ďOh, yes. Yes, Iím fine. Is this coffee for me?Ē

After I handed him a latte, he retreated back into his office and slammed the door behind him without so much as athank you, agood morning, or an Iím glad you didnít die at the hands of that coffeemaker yesterday.

Strange. Definitely strange.

Shrugging it off, I headed toward Bethanyís office next. The room sat dark and quiet even though I could have sworn Iíd seen her car in the lot, too. Maybe I really had lost my mind, or maybe it was everyone else who had gone crazy.

Either way, I had the strange feeling of being watched. Did the killer know I was on to him, or was some other dark danger looming?

Danger,phfff. I was just being silly.

It was still my plain, old boring office, only a little bit earlier in the day. Mr. Fulton had just lost a relative and had a complicated estate to manage as well, so of course he was out of sorts.

As for Bethany, she often liked to escape outside to grab some fresh air, which also made sense seeing as a chemical fog hung in her office from more than a year of overzealous essential oil use. In fact, she was probably hanging around in the yard now, which would give me the perfect opportunity to talk with her in private before the others arrived.

Having talked myself down from that near fright, I set the tray of coffees on my desk, grabbed one for me and one for Bethany, then headed outside. I took a lap around the entire building, but only found a shifty looking squirrel staring at me suspiciously.

Where could Bethany have gone?

Returning to the parking lot, I glanced into her car, but it also stood empty. When I turned around, I caught a flash of gray disappearing behind the building.

ďBethany?Ē I called, jogging after.

But again, nothing was there.

Giving up at last, I went back inside and found Bethany waiting for me beside my desk.ďHow did youÖ?Ē

ďWhat?Ē she asked, pawing at one of the coffees before at last picking it up and holding it between her two hands awkwardly. ďI was here the whole time,Ē she offered with a shrug when I didnít say anything more. If that was true, then it meant she was more than likely in Mr. Fultonís office with him. Her office had definitely been empty, and none of the others had been opened yet for the day.

But why the secrecy?

Had I stumbled upon a new mystery altogether?

No, Mr. Fulton would never have an affair. Not in a million years. And especially not with harsh and brassy Bethany, who was so much his wifeís opposite. Thanks to Octo-Cat, my imagination had run away with me, plain and simple.

Now it was time to stop speculating about my coworkers and start gathering intel about Ethelís murder. Seeing as Bethany was already a tad harried, maybe she would slip and tell me more than she would have otherwise intended.

I had to give it a shot.

ďSoÖĒ I said, setting one of the coffees down and taking a small sip of the other. ďYesterday was crazy, huh?Ē

Her face jerked toward me as if sheíd only just remembered I was there, and then a serpentine smile slithered across her face. ďSeriously crazy,Ē she agreed.

ďDid you miss much because of taking me to the hospital?Ē

ďOh, no. I donít think so. When I got back theyíd only just made it to the part about the cat.Ē She tucked her light blonde hair behind her ears and offered me a placating smile.

ďI heard Ethel left a lot of her estate to OctÖ I mean, her cat. That really had everyone up in arms, I bet.Ē

She settled into our conversation, becoming less stiff as we gossiped.ďHow would you feel if youíd been denied your inheritance because of a common house cat?Ē

ďI hear heís part Maine Coon,Ē I said, wondering why I felt the need to defend a cat Iíd known less than twenty-four hours and didnít really even like all that much, anyway. Bethany was right. I still didnít know how much Octo-Cat had inherited, but judging from the house we visited yesterday, it had to be a pretty penny, indeed.

ďWell, whatever the case,Ē she said with a frown. ďI donít think that woman is going to be remembered favorably after this. At least not by her family.Ē

ďDid they like her before?Ē I wondered aloud, trying not to show my rapt interest in her answer as we finally got to the meat of this juicy tidbit.

Bethany shrugged.ďWho knows?Ē

When she turned to walk away, I blurted out the first thing that popped into my head.ďDo you know how she died?Ē I practically shouted. ďIs it possible someone in the family, you know, helped her along to get a shot at their inheritance early?Ē

Bethany froze in place. A few awkward seconds passed before she burst out laughing.ďReally, Angie? It seems youíve been watching a bit too much TV. People die every day. Very few of them are murdered.Ē

I forced a chuckle, too.ďOh, youíre right. I stayed up late reading last night and then woke up early because of the cat. Iím afraid my brain is a bit fried.Ē

She seemed interested in this.ďThe cat. Yes, you took him in, didnít you?Ē

ďYup, I wanted to help the family during this difficult time, and this seemed like the easiest way.Ē

Bethany stalked back toward me with slow, deliberate steps. Dropping her voice to a husky rasp, she whispered,ďYou better be glad those murder mysteries are only in your head, because whoever gets the cat gets the money. If he stays with you too much longer, you could be next on the killerís list.Ē

A chill crept from my fingertips all the way to my heart, and the little hairs on the back of my neck also stood tall and on alert. I was just about to ask what she was insinuating when Bethany exploded in laughter once again.

ďYou should have seen your face,Ē she crowed, turning on heel and strolling back to her office. Her laughter bobbed along after her, leaving me alone with my mostly full tray of coffees.

If I hadnít known better, Iíd swear Bethany was trying to get a rise out of meóor extend a warning. Did she know something I didnít? Could she be at least partially to blame?

Suddenly I didnít feel so safe anymore.

CHAPTER TEN

About half an hour later, the other attorneys began to trickle in to the office. By then Iíd already decided I would never show up early ever again. Mr. Thompson sent me out for coffee when he arrived, but at least this time he gave me the cash to cover my purchase.

When I returned with a fresh tray of hot beverages in hand, I found Diane Fulton sitting in the small waiting area with a magazine folded over her crossed legs.

ďOh, there you are, Angie,Ē she said, turning to me with an exacerbated smile. ďGood morning.Ē

ďGood morning,Ē I responded hesitantly, shifting my weight from one foot to the other. Normally I loved Dianeís visits, but today her presence had me nervous considering her husbandís oddball behavior that morning and my suspicions of a possible affair.

I put on a huge fake smile of my own.ďIs there something I can help you with?Ē

Her hands shook in her lap, belying the extreme emotion she was trying so hard to keep buried beneath the surface.ďWell, I came in to see my husband, but he doesnít seem to be around. I figured if I waited long enough for you to return maybe youíd know where I can find him.Ē

ďIím sorry, no. If heís not in his office, Iím not sure where he would have gone.Ē I hesitated again before asking, ďIs everything okay?Ē

Diane tucked her normally neat hair behind her ears and swallowed hard. It was only then I noticed how disheveled she appeared, too. Rather than her usual wardrobe of trendy designer blouses and skirts, she wore an old T-shirt that had a large, blotchy stain across the chest. Sheíd paired that monstrosity with track pants and flip flops, neither of which I ever would have guessed she even owned, let alone would ever be seen wearing in public.

I set the coffees on a side table and stooped down to talk to my friend, who now visibly had to work to fight back tears.ďYou can always talk to me,Ē I cooed, wondering if I should offer a tissue or a hug.

ďItís Richard,Ē she confessed with a sob. ďHe didnít come home last night, and heís not answering any of my calls or texts. I donít know what to do.Ē

I thought back to that morning. Iíd never seen my boss so out of sorts, and I was willing to bet Diane had never seen him lose his composure like this either.

ďTell you what,Ē I said, hoping I wouldnít regret this. ďIíll shoot you a call whenever I next see him.Ē

Her eyes widened, the unshed tears now sparkling with mirth.ďOh, would you? That would be such a huge help.Ē

ďSure.Ē I really didnít want to insert myself into the middle of their domestic drama but also couldnít ignore my friend in her hour of need.

ďHeís been acting so strange this past week,Ē Diane continued after grabbing a tissue for herself and giving her nose a good blow. ďWeíve been married almost thirty years, but suddenly itís like heís a stranger.Ē

I really didnít know what to say to that, so I patted her on the shoulder and offered a placating smile. ďThere, there, Iím sure everything is fine. Heís going through a rough time with the death of his aunt. Right?Ē

Diane nodded.ďEthel was always my favorite in the family. I just wished we would have spent more time with her in the final days. I think we all half expected her to live forever. Itís been such a shock.Ē

I would have loved to ask her about the dinner party, but there was no way I could justify having that knowledge. Instead I said,ďI really am so sorry for your loss.Ē

She sniffed and tucked the used tissue into her purse.ďOh, look at me. Iím keeping you from your work.Ē She tossed the magazine back on the coffee table and stood, attempting and failing to brush the wrinkles from her outfit. She laughed sarcastically. ďIím such a mess. Maybe a salon day is in order.Ē

ďThat sounds like the perfect idea to me.Ē

ďYou promise youíll call me if you see him?Ē

ďI promise.Ē That at least I could do. Solving the murder, though? I was seriously beginning to worry about what other unsavory secrets I might uncover if I kept digging.

Diane nodded, glanced around the office, and then surprised me with a tight hug.ďThank you, Angie. You have no idea how much youíve helped.Ē

Less than a minute later, she was gone and I was just as confused as ever.

Our youngest associate, Derek, emerged from the office he shared with another of our blue blood frat-type attorneys in training, Brad, and made a beeline straight for the coffee.ďThanks for this,Ē he said, grabbing two and spinning on his heel to dive back into their office.

I followed sitting at the corner of Derekís desk, so neither man could ignore me. ďYou guys were at the will reading yesterday, right?Ē

Derek took a slow slurp of coffee.ďI wasnít invited, but Brad was.Ē He didnít seem too happy about this fact, but I didnít have time to unpack Derekís feelings when there was still so much more to learn about the Fultons.

I fixed my gaze on Brad and tried to show my interest in the topic without encouraging any flirtations on his part.ďIíve heard the craziest things. What happened?Ē

He spun in his chair with a self-satisfied smirk.ďWell, there was this hot secretary who got electrocuted and had to be rushed to the hospital.Ē

Non-detective me would have either slapped him knowing full well I could lose my job for doing so, or she would have stormed out without so much as a second glance. Brad had asked me out once or twice or a few dozen times, and each time Iíd said no. I would forever say no, that was one certainty Iíd happily stake my life on.

Add to all this the fact he referred to me as the firmís secretary on a regular basis, and I was more than a little irked. I was a paralegal. Just because I happened to bring everyone coffee most days didnít change that. Besides, I was pretty sure Brad had only scraped by in law school because of his fatherís connections. Everything I had career-wiseówhich admittedly wasnít muchócame from my own merits.

I forced a smile.ďAfter that, I mean?Ē As skeezy as I found Brad to be, at least I could count on him wanting to impress me. That meant he might be a little looser with his tongue than some of the more tight-lipped attorneys. And thatís exactly what I was banking on now.

He cleared his throat and adjusted his tie, sitting straighter in his seat as he revealed,ďThe old lady left almost everything to her cat. And one lady lost her cool completely when she heard.Ē

Oh, now weíre getting somewhere!

ďWhat lady?Ē I asked, quirking an eyebrow in curiosity.

His face contorted in a grimace.ďShe was short, had gray hair, pretty frumpy. I think maybe it was the niece?Ē

Hmm, that sure sounded a lot like the person Octo-Cat and I found lurking around Ethelís estate the night before. ďWhat did she do when she found out?Ē

ďShe started yelling all these profanities, said how much she had looked after Ethel over the years while all the cat ever did was catch some mice and poop in a box. She saidshe deserved the money.Ē

I laughed and silently tucked away the second-hand insult to deliver to Octo-Cat later.ďAnd what did everyone else say?Ē

ďBasically to stay in her lane. She sat down and shut up pretty quickly after that, then rushed out of there as fast as her feet could carry her when it was over.Ē

I chuckled and tried my best to picture the fiasco.ďSounds like I missed quite the show.Ē

Brad popped to his feet and popped his collar in a move Iím sure he thought was sexy, but I found ridiculously clownish. ďIíd be happy to give you a recap over dinner.Ē

I yawned and shook my head.ďThanks, but Iíll have to pass.Ē

He shrugged off the bruise to his ego. I was beginning to believe he had freaky healing powers like the Wolverine or the cheerleader girl fromHeroes. Nothing ever seemed to faze him more than as a glancing blow.

ďSee you guys later,Ē I said with a polite nod to Derek, whom Iíd always liked far more than Brad. Then again, I liked everyone in the office better than Brad. Except maybe Bethany. Those two were probably tied for last place on my list of favorite coworkers.

Maybe if she wasnít having an affair with Mr. Fulton, sheíd consider Brad a possible suitor instead. That would be great for getting him off my case, but I wasnít sure if it would be worth the nightmare possibility of those two teaming up.

When I passed back through the main area, I noticed all the to-go cups of coffee had been claimed while I chatted with Brad and Derek about yesterdayís will reading. That meant either someone was being greedy or that Mr. Fulton was indeed nearby and had consciously hidden from his wife during her visit.

I took a deep breath before going to check his office. Nobody responded to my knock, but the door hadnít been latched all the way, so I gently pushed my way inside. I knew it was wrong to snoop, but it was also wrong to murderóand I needed to at least try to bring the culprit to justice.

After my strange run-in first with Mr. Fulton and then with his wife, I was beginning to suspect my kindly boss could have blood on his hands, which made breaking into his office all the more risky.

I moved slowly through the space, ready to bolt at the first sign of dangeróor of Mr. Fultonís return. At first everything appeared normal, but then a swath of bright purple lying in a heap under his desk caught my eye. Wheeling the chair back, I bent down for a closer look.

And came face-to-cup with a frilly silk bra. It was way fancier than anything I would ever wear, and too sexy for Diane. Could that meanÖ?

I didnít want to believe the worst about my boss, but I was already beginning to suspect him of murder, so maybe adultery wasnít too far a stretch by comparison.

As easy as it would be to peg this whole thing on the most obvious and immediate suspect, I still had a hard time picturing my favorite boss as the killer of a kindly old cat lady.

It just didnít make any sense. Heíd always seemed like such a nice guy even, and perhaps especially, for a lawyer. Had it all been a ruse to lull us all into overlooking his culpability?

But why now?

Why would he kill his aunt? Was it cold and calculated or more of a passion thing? It sure seemed that slipping poison into someoneís dinner was something you planned in advance. If heíd really done this horrible thingóhad slowly and surely carried it outóthen why did he seem so frazzled now?

I just couldnít figure it out, but one thing was for sure: I needed to get out of there before I was caught purple-handed with this newfound evidence. Sure, what exactly it was evidence for remained to be seen, but soon the truth about everything would come out.

Yes, even if I had to force it.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Ididnít see Mr. Fulton for the rest of the day, which only raised my suspicions that much more. Diane called just before the end of my shift to check in, and I absolutely hated disappointing her with my lack of news.

On the drive home, I rolled down my windows and let the cool ocean breeze sweep through my car. It was really quite nice to be able to drive without claws stuck into my thighs for a change. And, speaking of claws, I really hoped Octo-Cat hadnít made a disaster of my house while I was away.

A few short minutes later I pulled into the gravel lot of my rental, sucked in as much fresh air as I could, and entered expecting the worst.

Octo-Cat greeted me at the door by rubbing against my pant leg and shaking his tail.ďYou were gone forever!Ē

I thought about bending down to pet him but didnít want to spoil his mood so soon after returning. ďJust a little longer than my normal nine to five. Not forever,Ē I explained.

ďNine to five? Sounds like a prison sentence to me.Ē He had a point; I could give him that.

ďYeah, well, youíre not exactly wrong,Ē I admitted with a weary sigh.

ďThen why do you go?Ē He sat down and studied me without hissing, flicking his tail, or otherwise expressing displeasure. Had he been body-snatched while I was away? This was definitely not the crabby tabby Iíd come to know and loathe.

I rubbed my index finger and thumb together.ďItís all about the Benjamins, babe. And whatís this? You actually missed me?Ē I didnít want to risk turning him back into a striped version of Grumpy Cat, but I had to know.

He shrugged.ďI like knowing youíre nearby. You know, in case I need some fresh Evian or help with a particularly tricky hairball.Ē

That made me laugh.ďThank goodness you survived.Ē

He grinned likeÖ well, like the Cheshire cat, then informed me, ďSpeaking of which, itís time for my supper.Ē

I saluted him and headed for the kitchen. After I plopped a fresh chunk of p?t? down for him and filled a cup with Evian, I proceeded to tell him what a good cat he was, just as Iíd been instructed earlier that day.

When he finished his evening meal, he jumped up onto the counter and said,ďWell done. You may pet me now.Ē

ďUm, okay.Ē It felt strangely intimate to run my fingers through his brown and black fur and rub him all the way from the top of his head down to the base of his tail. It felt even stranger to hear him purr.

ďYouíre welcome,Ē he said after a few more strokes. ďI know youíve been wanting to do that for a while, andóheyóyouíve earned it. But please stop now or I will have to bite you.Ē

I yanked my hand away faster than you could say,ďOh, brother.Ē Then I said it aloud anyway for good measure.

Octo-Cat hopped back onto the floor and guided me into the living room where my TV still sat tuned in to the kidís channel Iíd selected for him earlier that day. ďDid you learn a lot today?Ē I asked with a smirk.

He yawned and nodded.ďIn between napping, yes.Ē

ďArenít you going to ask me about my day?Ē I was eager to hear his thoughts about Mr. Fultonís strange behavior coupled with the fact that he seemed to have gone missing.

ďThe thought hadnít occurred to me,Ē he admitted with another yawn. ďBesides, I still have so much more to tell you about mine.Ē

ďOh, Iím sorry. Please go ahead.Ē I took a seat on the couch and motioned for him to regale me with all the many, varied events that had filled his day. It was the least I could do after heíd managed not to wreck everything I owned in some kind of irrational hissy fit as I had expected.

He jumped onto the coffee table and paced back and forth, speaking rapidly as he recounted his day.ďFirst I woke up hungry as I often do. It took me a while to get you out of bed, and even longer to teach you how to properly serve me my morning repast. All in all, Iíd give you a C for effort. Average, but not special.Ē

ďOkay, great. Can we skip ahead please?Ē I asked in irritation. Iíd never met someone who could turn on a dime as quickly as this cat. One moment he lovingly greets me at the door and the next heís back to insulting me. This inconsistency seemed to be a staple of his character. At least I could trust him to always tell me exactly what was on his mind. That had to count for something, especially when it came to solving a murder mystery.

Octo-Cat continued to pace back and forth, speaking in rhythm with his quick steps.ďAfter you left, I watched the cartoon girl solve mysteries using the items in her backpack. We should really get a backpack to help with our case, too. Oh, and a map.Ē

I chuckled, which apparently was the wrong response.

ďIím dead serious here,Ē he said, his amber eyes boring into my blues. ďI also learned about pineapples under the sea and other oddities of the human world. Iím understanding your language a bit better, but you as a species a lot less. Why broadcast shows about a sea sponge and his pet snail? Why not focus on your own species, or at least a superior species like theFelis catus?Ē

ďUm, I donít really have an answer to that one. People do weird things all the time, like commit murder or have affairs. Youíll never believe what I discovered today at work.Ē

ďOh, Iím sure I will believe it. You humans are also quite predictable,Ē he informed me, plopping his rear down on the coffee table and wagging his tail ominously. ďBut first I must tell you about the rest of my day.Ē

There wasmore?How much more could there possibly be?

I really wasnít looking forward to a blow by blow of all the cartoons heíd watched that day, especially not when we had far more important matters to discuss. Still, it seemed important to him that I give him my undivided attention, so I leaned back into the couch cushions and motioned for him to continue.

ďAt first I tried napping on the back of the couch, but I found it too lumpy for my liking. After scouring the premises, I found the perfect spot where a patch of light landed on the carpet and warmed it nicely. I napped there for roughly an hour before the sun moved, rendering the spot unsatisfactory.Ē

He waited for me to say something, so I settled for,ďOf course.Ē

Pleased, he continued,ďThen I went to your bedroom and found a nice twist in the comforter where I made something of a burrow. Unfortunately, I was unable to jump down in time when I woke up with a hairball clogging my windpipe. So you may want to do a load of laundry before turning in for the night.Ē

He puked on my comforter?Gross.At least heíd told me rather than letting me discover it for myself. Thank goodness for small miracles.

ďWhen you came home, you fed me, and this time you made a much better showing of it. Iíll give it anA minus, I think. Now we are here. How the rest of the day unfolds remains to be seen.Ē

ďSounds like you had a busy day,Ē I summarized sarcastically.

He winked at me, not catching the humor.ďYes, it was a good day, considering.Ē

I considered asking him what he meant by that, but decided Iíd rather not get in another long conversation about the intricacies of daily cat life when we still needed to discuss what Iíd stumbled across at work. ďMay I tell you about mine?Ē

ďIt will be hard to top my day, but you may try.Ē

I thought this meant he was happy with me, and for some reason that made my heart swell with pride. Maybe like Brad, I craved affection from someone who didnít easily offer it. Octo-Catís kindness felt like a reward that I had earned for good behavior, and I was lapping it right up.

Without going into too much detailóbecause I knew how easy it was to lose his interestóI recapped the events of my day, ending with the purple bra Iíd discovered in Mr. Fultonís office.

Octo-Cat shook his head.ďAnd humans think weíre the ones who need to be neutered. At least the only thing we do is make kittens, not trouble.Ē

I had to agree with him there.ďDoes it surprise you that Mr. Fulton could be having an affair?Ē

ďNot really, but I donít know him well and I donít understand your human marriages, anyway. Those tiny collars you wear on your fingersÖ Itís like being micro-chipped, right? You can try to run away, but theyíll always find you again and bring you home. Frustrating.Ē

ďSomething like that,Ē I said, trying to hide my smile. ďDo you think Mr. Fulton could have been the one to poison Ethel?Ē

Octo-Cat thought about this for a good long time.ďHeís the one with gray hair and extra padding, right?Ē

Mr. Fulton was fit and slim, and most of his hair was still brown. Something wasnít adding up. ďAre you talking about the woman we saw at your house yesterday?Ē

ďYes! Thatís Mr. Fulton, right?Ē

ďUm, no. That was Ethelís niece. Can you really not tell men and women apart?Ē

ďI told you, all humans look the same. Can you tell whether a cat is a man or a woman just by glancing at them?Ē

Okay, he was right about that, so I decided to cut him a bit of slack.

He flicked his tail as he thought, then said,ďI donít suppose you could describe what this Mr. Fulton smells like? It would be so much easier for me if you would.Ē

ďUm, no. Sorry.Ē I shook my head to erase the mental image of me attempting to surreptitiously sniff my boss.

He shrugged and began grooming himself.

I slumped back against the couch again and sighed, something I sure was doing a lot of lately.ďThen I guess nothing I tell you is of value because you donít even know who Iím talking about. How are we supposed to solve this thing if we canít even fully communicate with each other?Ē

It seemed like a cruel joke that Iíd somehow gained the ability to talk to animals but couldnít use that power to actually accomplish anything. Someone upstairs must be getting a good laugh out of the two of us right about now.

ďYou could take me to work with you,Ē Octo-Cat chanced with a sly grin.

ďNo way. I already told you why that wonít work.Ē I still had no idea why he wanted to go to the office so badly, but this was one point on which I refused to waver.

He looked bored as he suggested,ďOkay, then how about the viewing tomorrow?Ē

I leapt up straight in my seat at this.ďA viewing? Like the pre-funeral thing?Ē

ďThat was what I gathered. The humans were discussing it yesterday between the time you left and the time you came back.Ē He meant when Iíd gone to the hospital. It seemed no one was overly concerned about my near brush with death, not even my new friend, the talking cat. I tried not to let it hurt my feelings, but jeez. Youíd think at least someone would be worried after a display like that.

ďI donít know how,Ē I told him, forcing myself to focus on the matter at hand once again. ďBut yes. Iím going to find a way to take you with me. Since the killer was someone Ethel knew well enough to have over for dinner, then heíll definitely be making an appearance. We need to be there, too.Ē

ďI was hoping youíd say that,Ē he said with a wink. ďNow, if youíll please excuse me, I need to pay a visit to the little kitty box.Ē

CHAPTER TWELVE

Isnuck out of work early the next day so that Octo-Cat and I could get ready for the viewing happening early that evening. Mr. Fulton didnít come into the office at all that day, which made it quite difficult for me to do any further investigation into his means or motive. The longer he stayed away, however, the more and more suspicious I became.

One way or another, Iíd need to find a way to learn more. Maybe I could invite myself over to his house to visit with Diane. Or maybe the viewing would reveal everything I needed to know. I sure hoped it would be the latter.

Knowing that there was a killer on the looseóand that it was more than likely someone I personally knewóhad started cutting into my sleep lately. Add Octo-Catís early morning wakeup calls to the mix, and I was practically a dead woman walking.Yikes.

Until we had enough proof to take our case to the police, Iíd just need to drink lots and lots of extra coffee, a pretty cruel irony considering how Iíd first acquired my ability to talk to animals in the first place. I tried not to dwell on my near-death experience too much, considering that there was nothingnear about Ethel Fultonís death.

On the way home I stopped off at the local charity shop to find a suitable mourning outfit. I also found an oversized shoulder bag that I quickly claimed for that eveningís use. Even though its tan and black wicker design appeared a tad on the beachy side, it would conceal Octo-Catís furry bulk perfectly, thus allowing me to sneak him in and out of the funeral home undetected.

ďIt smells,Ē he told me with a flick of his tail when I presented my idea to him a short while later.

Even though I knew the second-hand bag wouldnít be an easy sell for my spoiled cat friend, I still frowned with disappointment. ďUnless you have a better idea, Iím afraid weíre stuck.Ē

ďI was invited to the will reading. Why am I not invited to this?Ē His upper lip quivered, and he let out a pitiful, weak mewling sound. It actually made me feel bad for him even though his ego could stand to be taken down a few pegs.

ďLook, I didnít make the rules,Ē I explained. ďItís a public showing, which means pretty much anyone who wants to come is welcome, but I still worry theyíll turn us both away if I show up with you out in the open. Sorry, itís just how most people would react to a cat showing up in a public place. Especially if youíre still all freaked out from the car ride.Ē

And now Iíd made him angry. Well, angry was better than sad, I guess.

ďYou said I was getting better,Ē he reminded me with a growl.

Okay, yes, I did tell him that on the way home from Ethelís estate a couple nights back, but it had only been a polite, little lie to make him feel better.

ďYes, thatís right,Ē I said now, unwilling to take the time to explain the intricacies of human etiquette to him when the clock was already ticking.

I left my feline friend to pout while I quickly changed into my new get-up. Sarcastic or not, Bethany had been absolutely right about Good Will being a great place to find clothes within my budget. This new black dress fell just below my knees and could just as easily be repurposed for a cocktail party as it could a funeral.

ďLetís go,Ē I said, sweeping back through the living room and pointing to the wicker vehicle Iíd purchased expressly for this mission.

Octo-Catís eyes widened in horror. ďSurely I donít need to get in there now. Canít it at least wait until we reach the funeral parlor?Ē

ďNope, Iím not taking any chances.Ē I put one hand on my hip and used the other to hold the bag open wide. ďNow in!Ē

He hissed and growled, but ultimately complied.

ďGood kitty,Ē I said.

Another hiss rose out of the bag.ďI warned you about that.Ē

ďYeah,Ē I murmured as I twisted the lock on the front door after closing it behind me. ďBut you already puked on my bed once, so I figured Iíd earned that one.Ē

ďYou figured wrong,Ē he said, popping his head out of the bag to scowl at me.

I laughed as I set his makeshift carrier on the floor of the passenger seat, then off we went. Once or twice he tried to flee the bag for the safe harbor of my lap, but each time I managed to talk him off the ledge and back into his hiding place.

ďI hate you so much,Ē Octo-Cat snarled when at last we arrived.

ďShh,Ē I warned him.ďNobody can know youíre here.Ē

Luckily the bagís weave gave him some visibility without revealing his hidden form. Just as much as I wanted to catch the killer, I also believed Octo-Cat deserved the chance to pay Ethel his respects. After all, sheíd been an all-encompassing companion for him his entire life and I knew he missed her like crazy.

ďRemember the plan,Ē I murmured without moving my lips. Maybe all these years my hidden talent had actually lied in ventriloquism. Iíd definitely have to explore it in more detail later.

ďIf you seeóor,umm, smellósomeone who was at the dinner party,Ē I continued, ďreach through the bag with your claws and tap my arm. Please note this is the only time I am giving you permission to claw me.Ē

ďUnderstood. Now please letís get this over with. This thing really stinks.Ē He wasnít the only one whoíd rather be at home, but it seemed I had to be strong now for the both of us.

I hoisted the bag further up my shoulder and strode forward with the confidence of someone who didnít have a talking cat secretly stashed in her bag. No sooner had we entered than I found a familiar, wrinkled visage staring right at me. Honestly, it gave me the heebee jeebees, especially after what Brad had revealed to me about her tantrum at the will reading.

ďI recognize you,Ē I said, striding straight up to her. ďWhatís your name again?Ē

She glanced around then murmured,ďAnne Fulton.Ē

Octo-Cat chose that exact moment to sink his claws into the soft flesh beneath my arm.

ďOw,Ē I cried, then caught myself, chuckled nervously, and said,ďíOw did you know Ethel?Ē

ďShe was my aunt,Ē Anne said, giving the answer I already knew.

ďIím sorry for your loss,Ē I said, ducking my head and charging away. The last thing I needed was to be trapped with this strange, temperamental, breaking-and-entering woman all evening. Yet, then again, I was kind of all those things, too. Maybe Anne and I had more in common than I wanted toadmit.

The bag weighed heavily on my shoulder, making me think that maybe Octo-Cat would benefit from a diet and me from some more weight lifting. We passed gracelessly between the guests, making our way toward the casket.

There Ethel Fulton lay upon a bed of light pink silk, her short hairstyle curled in a perfect halo, her makeup heavy but elegant. I hadnít known her in life, but seeing her dead body laid on display like this sent a shiver of sorrow straight through me.

Octo-Cat clawed me a second time, and it stung.ďYes,Ē I hissed quietly. ďEthel was at her own dinner party. I know that.Ē

He let out a low growl then mumbled,ďIncoming from behind.Ē

I spun on my heel, resisting the urge to check my arm for little pin pricks of blood, and came face to face with Diane wearing a simple, black shift dress with an understated pillbox hat.

ďOh, Angie,Ē she cried, falling into my arms so fast the bag almost slipped off my shoulder. ďIím so glad to see a friendly face.Ē

She held tight to me for a long time, sobbing and sharing stories of all the good times sheíd had with Ethel. ďWhen I was a young bride, Ethel took me under her wing and taught me everything I needed to know to keep a good home and to keep my husband happy.Ē Diane burst into another hysterical sob. ďOh, you donít have time for this.Ē

ďThere, there,Ē I said, patting her back and praying she would let me go.

She tensed in my arms and yanked away as if sheíd been burnedÖ or perhaps electrocuted.

I turned to see what she was staring at and saw Mr. Fulton standing in the entryway to the funeral home, with Bethany close at his side.

ďI have to go,Ē Diane sobbed, fleeing the scene before I had a chance to stop her.

Visions of the purple bra in Mr. Fultonís office danced before me menacingly. Now that I thought about it some more, that thing had looked like it was about Bethanyís size. I watched in disgust as our boss placed his hand at the small of Bethanyís back and guided her toward the casket, openly flaunting their intimacy for all to see.

Oh, poor Diane!

She had come to say goodbye to a beloved relative and instead her husband chose to humiliate her in front of the entire community.

I waited at the casket, wondering if they would even try to excuse their behavior. Octo-Cat slipped his claws through the bagís weave and dug those tiny pin missiles into me once more, alerting me to the fact that Mr. Fulton had, indeed, been present the night of the murder, too.

Well, now we knew the identity of three of the five guests from that night. Octo-Cat had already ruled out Anne for us, and I knew better than to suspect Diane. That narrowed our suspects to exactly three people. Either Mr. Fulton or one of the remaining mystery guests had done the deedóand more and more it looked like Fulton was our man.

ďAngie,Ē he said with a sad smile, dropping his hand from Bethanyís back as he approached. ďThank you for coming to pay your respects.Ē

Bethany nodded curtly but didnít say anything.

ďIt was the least I could do,Ē I said, not knowing what I meant by that.

Apparently, however, my words were well received.

ďShe was such a special lady,Ē Fulton said with a sigh. ďAlmost like a second mother. Iíve been having such a hard time admitting sheís gone.Ē

His voice cracked, and Bethany patted his arm consolingly. It only made me angrier and angrier.

They both turned to look into the casket, and I excused myself before I could say something we all regretted. Octo-Cat tapped me again as I charged through the other guests toward the door, but I didnít even notice who he wanted me to see.

At this point, I had all the proof I needed to know Mr. Fulton was guilty of at least two unforgivable crimes.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Ahand on my shoulder stopped me before I could tear my way across the parking lot. I whipped around to seeÖ

Bethany, of all people.

ďWhat do you want?Ē I growled, not even bothering to disguise my disgust now.

Her wispy blonde hair rippled in the wind, and her lips pinched together in a tiny bow. Iíd never seen her look this vulnerableóor this feminineóbefore. ďI want to make sure youíre okay. You looked like you were going to be sick back there. Have you never seen a dead body before?Ē

ďIíve seen bodies,Ē I spat. ďWhat I havenít seen is my boss flaunting his affair right in everyoneís faces and at the very worst possible time, too.Ē

Bethany gasped and took a step back.ďAffair? You couldnít possibly thinkÖĒ

ďWhat else am I supposed to think?Ē I demanded, actually wishing sheíd offer up another answer. Iíd been quite happy working for Fulton, Thompson, and Associates until this recent turn of events. Iíd never be able to look at Fulton or Bethany the same ever again, not without picturing that awful purple bra, his hand at her back andóoh, yeahóthe murder of a sweet, old lady who definitely didnít deserve it.

Bethany frowned and shook her head.ďI thought you knew me better than that by now, Angie.Ē It almost looked like she might cry. Who was this frail woman before me, and why was she suddenly so different than the office shark who would sink her teeth into anyone to get ahead?

ďI hardly know you at all. And I guess I donít know Mr. Fulton very well, either.Ē I laughed bitterly. ďYou know, you guys did a great job hiding it. I actually had no idea until I came in early and found you two alone in the office. Then there was that braóĒ

ďA bra?Ē Bethany asked aloud, then mumbled something to herself that I couldnít quite make out. Maybe now that she knew sheíd been caught, sheíd finally start telling me the truth here.

I crossed my arms, narrowing my gaze at her.ďYeah,your bra.Ē

ďWow.Ē She stared at me, unblinking. ďJust wow.Ē

ďYou honestly thought no one would ever find out? Just because Iím a paralegal doesnít make me any less intelligent than all you know-it-all lawyers.Ē All my grievances were coming out now, all the things Iíd kept to myself over the months in the name of creating a positive workplace environment. The way Bethany just stared at me with something that resembled hurt in her eyes was quite unsettling, though. Iíd almost rather be dealing with Brad and his obnoxious come-ons right now.

Bethany kicked at the pavement in frustration. When her eyes snapped back up to mine, they were cold and unyielding.ďYes, and just because youíre a woman doesnít mean youíre not being terribly sexist right now, either. Itís one thing for me to get this from the guys, but from you? I expected more of you, Angie.Ē

ďOh, donít give me that whole ĎIím not angry, Iím disappointedí spiel. I heard it from my nan a million times growing up. And donít go placing the blame on me when youíre the one sneaking around with a married manówho just so happens to also be our boss.Ē

She widened her stance as if bracing for impact, then enunciated each word as she insisted,ďI am not having an affair with Mr. Fulton.Ē

ďI donít know,Ē I said with a shrug. ďYou two looked mighty cozy in there.Ē

She glanced over her shoulder demurely.ďThatís different.Ē

ďYeah, right.Ē I smirked and gave her a sarcastic thumbs up. I wasnít normally such a confrontational person, but for some reason, Bethany just got under my skin, especially today at the viewing when emotions already ran high.

ďIt is,Ē she insisted through gritted teeth. ďYou donít understand.Ē

ďOh, I understand perfectly,Ē I yelled. There was nothing I hated more than being condescended toówell, except maybe murder and adultery.

ďNo, you donít,Ē she shouted back, then dropped her voice several notches. ďAnd youíre starting to make a scene.Ē

What Bethany didnít understand is that Iíd never been bothered about making a scene. I was raised by a retired stage actress, for crying out loud! As far as we were concerned, making a scene was a good thing just so long as it didnít get us into trouble.

I could tell Bethany was getting ready to put an end to our exchange, so I finally decided to ask the million-dollar question.ďHey, youíre the one who stopped me from leaving. But, okay, tell me this: if youíre not having an affair, then what are the two of you doing?Ē

She wrapped both arms around her own waist and looked toward the ground as she murmured,ďI canít tell you that. At least not yet.Ē

ďHow convenient,Ē I muttered while shaking my head.

When Bethany didnít say anything else, I charged the rest of the way across the lot and tossed my bag onto the passenger seat of my car, forgetting momentarily that Octo-Cat was stowed away inside.Oops.

ďDo you mind?Ē he shouted after making the same terrible sound he most often uses to wake me up in the mornings. ďSome of us are trying to avoid losing lives unnecessarily here.Ē

Despite his irritation, he seemed to be okay.

But me? I was so angry that my hands shook and turned bright red. I needed a moment to recenter myself, but Octo-Cat did not like being ignored.

ďUh, hello, Iím talking here!Ē he shouted, taking a swipe at my arm with claws extended, which made me angrier still.

ďDonít you ever shut up?Ē I yelled back at him.

ďWow, who pooped in your party?Ē

ďThatís not the expression,Ē I said, still seething from the confrontation with Bethany. I just wanted to get home, but I didnít trust myself to drive safely yet.

My tabby nuisance put his two front paws on my leg and began to knead the muscle as he spoke.ďIt fits, though. Now youíre the one who dragged me into this, you can at least include me. What was that back there?Ē

ďMe?Draggingyou?Yeah, thatís not how I remember it.Ē

ďSemantics.Ē He waved a paw dismissively and sat back down on his seat. ďWho started this isnít whatís important. What I want to know is why you got so hung up on a human that wasnít even there that night. Donít you care about finding Ethelís murderer?Ē

Suddenly, all the fight drained out of me as if Octo-Cat had twisted a spigot. No matter how scandalized I felt about the affair, Octo-Cat, no doubt, felt far worse. Heíd lost someone important to him, and here I was making a circus out of her viewing.

ďIím sorry,Ē I murmured, feeling like the worst friend in the world.

ďHey, itís okay. Humans get emotional sometimes.Ē He licked at his paw idly, then added, ďOkay, a lot of times. But we can work through this.Ē

His words were oddly comforting and just what I needed.

ďOkay,Ē I said, letting out a slow, shaky breath. ďOkay.Ē

Octo-Cat nodded.ďWe need to go back in,Ē he informed me. ďWe still havenít found everyone who was there that night.Ē

ďI think I already know who killed Ethel,Ē I confessed. ďAll signs point to Mr. Fulton.Ē

ďThe man. My boss,Ē I clarified when I noticed he still looked confused.

As it turned out, what my kitty companion said next shocked me with its wisdom and depth.

ďLook,Ē he said. ďHe could very well be the one, but we canít know for sure until we rule the others out. Itís like how sometimes you might think that the chicken p?t? is your favorite flavor of Fancy Feast, but then the next day you have the salmon and shrimp blend and it tastes even better than the chicken. When you think about it some more, you may have just been extra hungry before which made the inferior flavor of the chicken seem extra delicious, or you mistakenly thought chicken was best only because you hadnít tried all the other wonderful flavors yet. Do you get what Iím saying?Ē

Strangely, I did.ďThat Mr. Fulton could be our salmon and shrimp blend, or he could simply be chicken p?t?, but we wonít know until weíve finished our meal?Ē

ďExactly.Ē He seemed to glow with pride, but maybe that was just his eyes glinting in the waning sunlight. ďThis mealís only just getting started, so make sure you save some space in that belly of yours.Ē

ďThanks, Octo-Cat. I needed that.Ē

ďAnd I may need you to swing by the store after this and grab some chicken p?t?. I know, I know. I usually donít eat the poultry flavors, but suddenly I find myself with a craving.Ē

I scratched him between the ears.ďYouíre a good cat.Ē

ďAnd youíre a very good human. Yes, you are,Ē he told me in a goochie-goo voice that made us both smile. ďNow letís get back inside and see who else we can find.Ē

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Even though Octo-Cat convinced me to go back into the funeral home for the viewing, we were too late to do any meaningful sleuthing. The close family and friends had already departed for a private function, leaving only distant acquaintances and curious casket-gawkers to mingle in the parlor.

Unsurprisingly, Bethany had left, too, only further supporting my suspicions.

Octo-Cat and I were among the last to remain behind, which gave him a chance to surreptitiously poke his head out of the bag and speak his goodbyes to Ethel.

ďOh, Ethel,Ē he cried without a trace of his normal over-the-top theatrics. ďYou were my whole world, and you didnít even know it. I know we had our disagreements on occasion, but you were truly the best thing that ever happened to me. The world wonít be quite as bright without you in it.Iíll always think of you when drinking Evian or stretching out in a sun spot. I love you and am so happy you were my human.Ē

I teared up a bit as I listened to his heartfelt goodbye.ďThat was beautiful,Ē I told him, searching around for one of the box of tissues Iíd spotted earlier, but coming up short.

ďYeah,Ē he said with a sniff and a twitch of his whiskers.

ďBy the way,Ē I said, settling him back into the bag with the utmost care. ďShe knew how important she was to you.Ē

His voice came out muffled.ďHow can you be sure?Ē

ďI just am.Ē

After that, we drove home, and I briefly stopped off at the supermarket to purchase fresh shrimp for our dinner. Octo-Cat had kept it together when I couldnít. As far as I was concerned, heíd more than earned this special treat. Seeing as it would be impossible for me to prepare such a nice meal without also indulging, I bought enough to feed me, too.

Octo-Cat didnít eat as much as he normally did, which worried me. ďIs your dinner okay?Ē I asked regarding the morsel on my fork suspiciously. Could he sense something I didnít? My mind briefly flitted back to smelling dishes in Ethelís kitchen in an illfated attempt to detect poison.

He sighed.ďI just miss Ethel.Ē

ďOf course you do. Iím so sorry you had to see her like that.Ē

ďItís justÖĒ He sniffed as he padded his paws on the table anxiously. ďItís just, I thought weíd be together forever. Then suddenly she was gone.Ē

ďLife works like that sometimes,Ē I admitted, never having felt this acute sense of loss myself but hoping I could still offer some measure of comfort.

ďIf you want, maybeÖĒ I hesitated, something new and most definitely unexpected overtaking me.

ďYeah?Ē he asked sadly, when I didnít continue.

ďMaybe after this is all said and done, I donít knowÖĒ

Just say it!

ďWell, maybe I could be your human.Ē

His eyes widened with surprise, and then a rumbling purr filled the silence between us.ďIíd like that,Ē he said.

ďI mean, itís better than having to break in another new human.Ē He dropped his head and nibbled on the largest and most succulent shrimp I had placed before him.

Now that he was otherwise occupied, he was unable to see the tears welling in the corners of my eyes.

What could I say?

That ornery tabby had really grown on me the past few days. Maybe I was a cat person after all.

[ ŗūÚŤŪÍŗ: img_2]

The next morning, I woke up before Octo-Cat could rouse meóand unbelievably I felt refreshed and ready to go. Excited for the day ahead, even. It was such a drastic change from how Iíd felt upon going to bed that it couldnít have been anything other than a gift from above.

Rather than questioning it, I decided to pay it forward.

ďI have a present for you,Ē I told Octo-Cat after heíd finished his breakfast.

ďNot another foul-smelling bag, I hope,Ē he complained, but I could tell he was excited. Something about the twitch of his tail and the perkiness with which he trailed me back toward the bedroom suggested he was in just as good a mood as me that day. Perhaps how weíd bonded over our shrimp dinner last night had something to do with it.

ďHop up,Ē I told him as I took a seat on the bed and rooted around in my night stand.

He joined me, padding across my lap to sniff at the drawer.

When I pulled out what I was looking for, he leapt back with a start.ďWhatís that thing?Ē he said between quick, panicked breaths.

ďThis is my iPad,Ē I explained, pushing the power button to wake the screen then setting it on the bed between us. ďWell, actually now itís yours.Ē

ďItís shiny,Ē he commented, sniffing it hesitantly.

I nodded enthusiastically.ďYes, and I think youíll really like what it can do.Ē

ďOh?Ē Now I had his interest.

ďIím guessing Ethel didnít have one of these,Ē I said, presenting it once again with a flourish.

He shook his head in confirmation.

ďWell, we can install apps for you to play with when youíre bored, like a virtual fish tank or a keyboard or even the radio, and we willÖ But the main reason Iím giving this to you is for FaceTime.Ē

ďFaceTime?Ē He laughed after trying the name aloud for himself. ďThatís an odd mash up of unrelated words.Ē

ďYeah, but they already had iPhone, so they had to come up with something else to name this app. Look.Ē I pulled my phone out of my pocket and called the tablet using FaceTime.

Oct-Cat swished his tail as he watched me reach over to answer the call.ďWhoa,Ē he murmured in awe when my face popped up on the screen, followed by his own when I pointed the phone on my camera toward him.

ďCool, right?Ē I gushed. I loved teaching others new things just as much as I loved learning them for myself.

ďWhat else can it do?Ē he asked, spinning in an excited circle before settling back down before the iPad.

ďI know you miss me while Iím at work, so I figured we could use this system to talk to each other,Ē I explained with an ingratiating smile, just in case he planned to argue this point. I was pleasantly surprised when he didnít.

My iPad was part of Nanís family network, while my phone was funded by Fulton, Thompson, and Associates, which thankfully meant I had two separate numbers. Earlier, Iíd found that to be a pain, but it worked out quite well now that my talking cat needed his own line.

I sat with him for about half an hour, teaching him how to unlock the device, click on the FaceTime app, and press my photo to call me. We also practiced having me call him, so he could answer by stepping on the screen with his paw.

And he did it all splendidly.

Who said cats couldnít be trained?

By the time I had to leave for work, Octo-Cat was pleasantly pre-occupied with a koi fish app heíd selected all on his own. He didnít play the game quite right, but he sure had fun swiping at the fish on screen.

So, I left him to it and headed to the firm to see what more I could learn that day.

As it turned out, it wasnít much. Mr. Thompson had taken Derek to court with him. Bethany refused to speak so much as a word to me, and I generally preferred to avoid Brad as a rule. That left a few of our less talkative associates, Mr. Fulton, and me.

For his part, my boss seemed far more composed today than he had earlier in the week. I wondered if heíd made up with Diane. I also wondered if Bethany had told him about our heated exchange last night in the parking lot, but if she had, he showed no signs of knowing I suspected him of anything unsavory, affair or otherwise.

He approached my desk and cleared his throat.ďAngie,Ē he said, his mouth set in a firm line. ďI need you to work on a special project for me today.Ē

I looked up from my keyboard and nodded.ďSure. What can I do for you?Ē

He rapped his fingers on the edge of my desk, and we both watched his hand as he spoke.

ďI need you to search for some precedents about wills being thrown out due to the guarantors being of unsound mind at the time of signing. What were their arguments? What happened to the estate after the original will was discarded? How long did the cases take to settle?Ē

He paused, slipped both hands in his pockets, and glanced over his shoulder before continuing.

ďBut before that, could you, um, do a quick review of a petition for me and then send it through the courier? Iíd really like it to go out today, please.Ē

ďYes, absolutely,Ē I answered without hesitation.

He broke out into a huge smile.ďGreat. Thatíll be a huge help. Iíll email the petition shortly.Ē He turned and walked back to his office with a somewhat lighter gait than heíd used to approach.

It hardly took a minute for the document to pop up in my inbox. Curious, I clicked to download the attachment.

It was a petition for divorce.

His divorce from Diane.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

After a quick scan of the divorce petition, I snuck into the bathroom at work to call Octo-Cat. It took two tries before he answered, and when he did, I couldnít see anything on the screen.

ďHello?Ē I asked, unsure about the stability of our connection.

ďHello,Ē he answered, his voice coming over loud and clear and full of pride. ďI did it!Ē

I stared at the screen, still unable to make out his picture.ďWhy canít I see you?Ē

ďI donít know,Ē came his befuddled response. ďI mean, Iím sitting right on the thing!Ē

Well, that explained a lot. Iíd have to gently remind him how the camera works later that night. For now, I was far too excited about the new information I had to share and preferred not to spoil it by getting in to a lengthy argument over proper iPad usage for cats.

I dropped my voice to a whisper to make sure no one else in the building could hear me.ďMr. Fulton is filing for a divorce. He also has me researching a bunch of old cases related to overturning wills. I think he might be our shrimp and salmon blend after all.Ē

ďWhat does that mean?Ē Octo-Cat asked without the slightest hint of irony in his voice. Could he have really forgotten his own metaphor?

ďYesterday, youÖNever mind.ĒI couldnít get into this with him, not when we had far more important matters to discuss. Not when I already had a massive headache forming at the edges of my brain.

ďJust tell me this,Ē I said, determined to make something of this call. ďWhat do you think it all means?Ē

Octo-Cat let out a loud and long yawn.ďYouíre right that it makes him seem guilty. Mr. Fulton,hmmÖWhich one is he again?Ē

I sighed and clutched my forehead in my hands. We were quickly heading to migraine status.ďIíll point him out at the funeral, okay?Ē I offered with a whimper.

ďSure.Ē He yawned again. ďWhen is that again?Ē

I was seriously beginning to worry here. Itís like my catís entire mind had been wiped clean overnight. ďHey, um,are you okay?Ē

ďI just woke up from a nap, so Iím a little out of sorts,Ē he admitted with another high-pitched yawn. ďAnd the longer we talk, the warmer this thing is getting. Itís making me so sleepy.Ē

Thatís what happens when you sit on your iPad, I thought.ďOkay, well, Iíll let you go then. Enjoy your nap.Ē

ďOh, I shall,Ē he said right before I ended the call.

Well, that had accomplished nothing, other than telling me that FaceTime could possibly work as a method of communication for us with a bit more practice on Octo-Catís end.

I washed my hands and then stepped out of the bathroom, back into the main office.

Mr. Fulton was waiting just outside the door.ďDid you finish that petition for me yet?Ē he asked anxiously.

ďJust about,Ē I promised.

ďGood.Ē He nodded, but continued to frown. ďI need that research ASAP, too.Ē

ďYouíve got it.Ē He looked like he wanted to say something more, so I stood awkwardly by and waited for him to gather his thoughts.

Mr. Fulton frowned as he regarded me, which I tried not to take personally. Even though I was trying to prove him guilty of murder, I was still great at my job as a paralegal.

ďIíll be headed out of the office soon and plan on taking tomorrow and Monday for personal affairs,Ē he informed me with a dismissive nod.

Affairs. I practically choked at his choices of words, but managed to hold it together well enough to say,ďOkay, Iíll put everything else on hold until I get that done for you.Ē

Finally, he switched his expression to something less aggrieved and a bit more neutral. It still wasnít quite a smile, but Iíd take it. ďGood. Thank you, Angie. See you next week.Ē

I watched him return to his office, then shut and lock the door. What could he possibly be hiding in there? And where was he headed for the long weekend?

I briefly debated calling Octo-Cat again, but the poor furball clearly needed his rest. Still, I needed someone to talk to, so I took a big gamble and headed to Bethanyís office, hoping enough time had passed that sheíd at least be willing to talk with me.

I knocked softly at her door, wishing I had some kind of peace offering. For now, my apology would have to do.

ďGo away, please,Ē she called without opening the door.

ďIím sorry about yesterday,Ē I pleaded into the cherry-stained wood. ďI was hoping we could talk about it.Ē

The door flung open to reveal my still very clearly enraged coworker.ďWhatís there to talk about?Ē she demanded with a hand on her hip and a scowl on her face.

ďIím just worried about you and wanted to see if you needed to talk.Ē This much was true. If she was carousing with a murderer, she definitely needed to know that. As much as Bethany got on my nerves sometimes, Iíd much rather have her on my team than playing against me.

ďNo thanks,Ē she answered, trying to close the door again.

I stuck my foot into the doorís path just in time. ďPlease, just give me two minutes,Ē I begged.

ďFine.Ē She retreated back to the safety of her desk and stared daggers at me.

I closed the door behind me and slowly approached.

ďTimeís a ticking,Ē she reminded me, pointing at her wrist even though sheíd never worn a watch as long as Iíd known her.

ďLook, I donít know whatís going on with you and Mr. Fulton, but Iím worried about you,Ē I started.

She let out a sigh so big, it ruffled some of the papers on her desk.ďNot this again.Ē

ďBethany, listen to me. I have reason to believe heís dangerous.Ē

She shook her head.ďThatís ridiculous. Mr. Fulton is one of the most legitimately kind people I know.Ē

ďHeís leaving the office for several days,Ē I blurted out. It was definitely unusual behavior. Normally, he worked straight through the weekends, and I wanted to know what had changed about this week. ďDo you know why?Ē

ďI donít knowÖ Maybe mourning? Why canít you just leave the poor man alone? And leave me alone, too, for that matter. Timeís up, by the way.Ē

ďWhat? But we hardly even said anything at all,Ē I protested.

ďThis is my office,Ē she said as she rose from her seat and marched toward the door. ďI decide who is and isnít welcome. And right now, you most definitely arenít.Ē

Defeated, I trailed after her.ďJust be careful, okay?Ē I said once Iíd made it into the hall.

ďSure, whatever,Ē she said with a grimace, hesitating with her hand on the door knob. She hadnít closed me out, not yet.

Bethany bit her lip and studied me for a moment before suggesting,ďI think you should talk to Brad about that bra you mentioned yesterday. I overheard him bragging to Derek about some after-hours conquest, and wellÖ Iím sure heíll be more than happy to tell you the rest.Ē

She shut the door in my faceóa bit gentler this time, so at least we were making progress. Opting to take her advice, I headed to Bradís office next.

I hated that we didnít have Derek as a buffer today. He was usually the only one who could keep Brad even close to in control. Still, I needed answers, and I needed them much sooner than later.

ďWhatís up, doll face?Ē he asked when I clicked his door shut behind me.

ďDoll face? Really?Ē I shuddered. First of all, that pet term was from at least eight decades ago, and second, it wasnít at all appropriate for work.

ďWhat? You prefer sweet cheeks?Ē He glanced pointedly toward my rear and widened his eyes in what I assumed was appreciation.Gross.

ďWhat I want is for you to call me my name and only my name,Ē I ground out, taking great care not to slap him across the faceóat least not before getting the info Iíd come for. ďItís Angie, by the way,Ē I reminded him.

ďOkay, Angie,Ē he said pointedly, smirking up at me. ďWhat can I do you for?Ē

I decided to just spit it out so that I could spend as little time alone with this walking lawsuit as possible.ďWhat do you know about the purple silk bra I found in Mr. Fultonís office yesterday?Ē

His smile widened to a sickening degree.ďHeard about that, did you?Ē

ďIsaw it,Ē I said, shuddering again.

He chuckled.ďAww, donít be jealous. Thereís plenty of Brad to go around.Ē

ďSo, itwas yours,Ē I spat.

ďNot mine, butÖĒ He shot me a creepy smile as he thought of how to put it. ďA friendís,Ē he finally settled on.

ďIf it was your friendís, then what was it doing in Mr. Fultonís office?Ē I demanded.

He shrugged casually.ďMy friend may have thought I was the junior partner here.Ē

ďAnd why would she think that?Ē

He sighed and shook his head.ďCímon, Angie. Do I really need to spell it out for you?Ē

Ick, ick, ick.ďDoes Mr. Fulton know?Ē

He cleared his throat.ďOf course not. You think I want to be put on suspension?Ē

ďNo, but you deserve it. Worse, even,Ē I hissed, giving him one last withering look before charging out of his office.

Finally, the firm had enough reason to send Brad packing. I didnít care how influential and well respected his father was. Brad was, hands down, the biggest creep Iíd ever met. He should have been fired months ago for sexual harassment, but then again, it was possible that neither Thompson nor Fulton knew since Bethany and I tended to let his disgusting behavior carry on unchecked.

Well, no more.

I barged straight to Fultonís office, forgetting to knock.

I found him on the phone, speaking in a raspy whisper.ďI donít care what it takes,Ē he growled. ďKeep it buried. At least until the divorce is final.Ē

Our eyes locked, and his face contorted in momentary rage before he wiped his expression clean once again. I should have turned on my heel and run away but was too startled to move a muscle. Stupid deer in headlights effect.

ďIíll talk to you later,Ē he whispered into the phone, then turned his full attention to me and plastered on the most inauthentic smile Iíd ever seen in all my life. ďAngie, do you have my petition ready?Ē

ďYeah, let me just go get it,Ē I lied, then I booked it out of there as fast as my legs could carry me.

Bradís dismissal would have to wait for another day. Right now, I had to make sure that I wasnít next on the chopping block. Iíd happily give up my job, however, if it meant keeping my head.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Luckily, Mr. Fulton left shortly after I summoned the courier, which meant I was safe for the time being. Iíd definitely be looking over my shoulder extra until he was behind bars, though.

When I told Octo-Cat about the call Iíd overhead, even he had to agree that no one but Mr. Fulton could be to blame for Ethelís murder.

ďAnd if heís killed before, itíll be easier for him to do it again,Ē he added.

I shivered in fear.ďYouíre right, and Iím pretty sure he knows thatI know.Ē

ďBased on what youíve told me, youíre probably right.Ē Octo-Cat rubbed his head against my arm affectionately, but it wasnít enough to put my mind at ease. Suddenly, every lingering shadow, every unexpected sound transformed into a warning that my boss was coming to kill me for what basically amounted to being too good at my job. Then again, I was supposed to be researching legal precedents, not clues in a murder mystery.

ďWe need to get out of here,Ē I said, panic rising in my chest.

Octo-Cat looked up at me with large, amber eyes and an understanding nod.ďWhere to? Ethelís house?Ē

ďHeck no!Ē I practically shouted. ďWeíre going to Nanís.Ē

I packed up his Fancy Feast, Evian, and freshly cleaned litter box in a hurry, feeling far too exposed in my own home.

ďDonít forget my iPad,Ē he reminded me as he pawed at the bedroom door. He seemed far less frightened than I did. Was this because he had nine lives to draw on? Whatever the case, he hadnít seen the livid expression on Mr. Fultonís face when he caught me eavesdropping on his call. If looks could killÖ

No, if I focused too much on my fear, I wouldnít be able to act to keep myself safe. Right now, I just needed to focus on getting us out of there. Once we were out of there, we could brainstorm the best way to present our case to local law enforcement. Maybe Nan would have some good ideas about how to repackage our evidence in such a way that excluded the fact our primary informant was a talking cat.

Less than fifteen minutes later, Octo-Cat and I turned up at Nanís door with our overnight bags. Thank goodness for small towns and short drives.

ďAngie?Ē my grandmother asked, blinking first at me and then at the tabby who stood at my side.

ďWhat a nice surprise,Ē she exclaimed, motioning us in and saddling me with a huge hug. She didnít even ask about the cat Iíd randomly acquired since our last meeting. It all made me feel very guilty and like I should probably visit my nan more often.

She led us to the couch, and Octo-Cat immediately hopped up on her lap and began to purr.

ďI like her,Ē he announced. ďShe reminds me of Ethel.Ē

ďHe likes you,Ē I told her.

ďI like him, too,Ē she cooed. ďIs he yours?Ē Today she wore an emerald green blouse with gemstones hand-sewn around the neck, and it suited her perfectly. I glanced down at the jeans and T-shirt Iíd changed into after work, suddenly feeling underdressed for our visit. Then again, I was always coming up short compared to my elegant and talented Nan.

I shook my head and frowned.ďNo. Well, maybe. Itís kind of a long story.Ē

ďI have time. Tell me whatís going on.Ē She continued to pet Octo-Cat while she listened to my tale of unexpected workplace terror.

Once I started talking, I just couldnít stop. It felt so nice to be able to unload it all on someone I knew was actually paying attention for a change. I caught her up on all the evidence against Mr. Fulton and what were more than likely false accusations toward Bethany. Now that I thought about it, I definitely owed her an apology.A sincere and heartfelt one.

ďIt sounds like something straight out of an off-Broadway script,Ē Nan said, summing things up pretty accurately. ďOne thing I donít quite understand, though, is how you suspected murder in the first place.Ē

I glanced toward Octo-Cat for guidance.

ďYou might as well tell her,Ē he said, leaving Nan to take up residence on my lap. ďYou can pet me, if it helps,Ē he offered selflessly.

ďThank you,Ē I mumbled.

ďThank you for what, dear?Ē Nan asked with an unassuming smile.

Why was I holding back? If I couldnít trust Nanóthe very woman who had raised meóthen I had no hope left for this life, anyway. Besides, it would be nice to finally share my secret with someone outside of Octo-Cat.

I took a deep breath, pushing my fingers through his fur as I prepared for my big reveal.ďRemember how you picked me up from the hospital earlier this week?Ē Man, could it really only be Thursday with all that had happened these past few days? My entire world had changed in the blink of a catís eye.

Nan nodded.ďYou said it was a mild electric shock. Was it something more than that?Ē she pressed, reaching for her bifocals so she could study my face more closely as we talked.

ďIt was an electrical shock, that partís totally true. What I didnít tell you, thoughÖĒ I bit my lip. What would I do if Nan didnít believe me?

ďGo on,Ē Octo-Cat encouraged me. ďShe can handle it.Ē

ďGo on,Ē Nan also said. Her wrinkled brow knitted with worry while she waited. As much as my forthcoming confession unnerved me, I couldnít leave her hanging like that.

ďI can talk to cats,Ē I blurted out, finally putting it out there for the wider universeís consideration.

She glanced from me to Octo-Cat and back again.ďDoes he talk?Ē she asked considering my big reveal for a few seconds.

ďYes, he does,Ē I nodded enthusiastically. Did this mean she actually believed me? ďHeís the one who told me about Ethelís murder. She was his owner, and he saw the whole thing,Ē I further explained.

ďIím so sorry your owner was murdered like that,Ē she told Octo-Cat, patting her lap and inviting him to return to her. ďIs there anything I can do to help?Ē

And this right here was one of the many reasons I loved my nan so dearly. She didnít question my crazy claim. She just automatically believed what I told her. We all need someone like Nan in our corner.

Relief washed over me as I realized Iíd done the right thing by trusting her with my secret. ďDid you understand her?Ē I asked Octo-Cat.

ďYes, I did,Ē he informed me, then looked up at Nan and said, ďThank you for your condolences.Ē

ďOh,Ē Nan cried. ďHeís talking to me! What did that adorable, little meow mean?Ē

Octo-Cat beamed with pure and unadulterated joy. Apparently it was okay for Nan to dote on him in a way that I wasnít quite allowed yet.

ďHe thanked you for your condolences,Ē I passed on.

ďWhat a well-mannered fella you are,Ē she said, stroking him up and down his back. Octo-Cat now seemed to live on cloud nine, and I didnít want to ruin the moment for either of them by reminding everyone of just how rude my cat companion was on the regular.

ďIím worried, Nan,Ē I confessed. ďIím almost positive Mr. Fulton poisoned his aunt, but the police probably wonít believe the whole talking cat informant angle as readily as you did.Ē

ďGood point,Ē she said with a defeated frown.

ďSo where does that leave us?Ē I begged for an answer. ďI canít exactly live the rest of my life on edge until heís caught, but I also canít go to the police with this. Even if I were to quit my job and move back in with you, that still wouldnít guarantee anyoneís safety. And it wouldnít avenge Ethel, either. Besides, what if Mr. Fulton is planning to strike again?Ē

Nan and I both thought on this in relative silence as Octo-Cat purred his content at receiving Nanís idle attentions. I meditated on my last question. Even if Mr. Fulton did kill again, would I really be the most likely candidate? It made far more sense thatÖ

ďOh my gosh, Diane!Ē I shouted with this sudden realization. ďShe doesnít know!Ē

Of course! Add the fact that Mr. Fulton had said he wanted to keep his dirty secret until after the divorce was finalized to the other simple fact he was filing for divorce in the first place, and it clearly painted Diane Fulton as the one who was most in danger should he decide to strike again.

The divorce itself already showed he had no love left for the soon-to-be-former Mrs. Fulton. What if she pushed him too hard during the divorce proceedings? What if she was next? She didnít have any idea she could be in dangerÖ

I popped to my feet, suddenly desperate to get to my friend and make sure she was okay.

ďNow just you hold on, missy,Ē Nan said, pulling herself to her feet and placing a hand on my shoulder. ďYou came here because you were afraid for your safety. Iím not letting you rush off straight into the lionsí den. Regardless of the source, you have a pretty solid case against Mr. Fultonóand it sounds like he might know it, too. The last thing you want to do now is to turn up at his house with these accusations of yours.Ē

Our eyes met, hers pleading while mine stared ahead unblinking. This was my nan, the one person who loved me more than anything in the whole wide world. Of course, she only wanted what was best for me. But at the end of the day, I couldnít stand by if it meant possibly signing my friendís death warrant.

I ripped my arm away from Nan.ďIím sorry, but I donít have any choice,Ē I shouted, already on my way out the door.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Iwas surprised when Nan didnít try to stop me. Far less surprising, though, was the fact that Octo-Cat seemed to think he was coming with me. A brown blur shot past me as I ran toward my car.

ďLetís do this,Ē the tabby said with a look of determination I would have found comical if not for the seriousness of the situation.

ďYouíre not coming,Ē I shouted. I didnít have time for this. What if I was too late to warn Diane? ďNow get out of my way.Ē

He kept his focus glued firmly on my car door, waiting for me to open it.ďOh, I see. Iím only allowed to come whenyou think you need me.Ē

ďThatís right,Ē I grumped. ďAnd I donít need you for this. Go stay with Nan and wait for me to come back.Ē

His tail flicked wildly back and forth as he regarded me with hurt reflecting in his eyes.ďYouíre really mean sometimes. You know that?Ē

ďAnd youíre really annoying all the time,Ē I yelled back while silently begging for him to give up the fight. The last thing I needed was for him to be in danger, too. Despite my better judgment, Iíd really come to love the little nuisance.

ďWhatever,Ē he said with a growl, staring me down. When at last I opened the car door, he hopped right in despite my consistent objections.

So, I did the worst possible thing I could think of. I picked him up by the scruff of his neck and marched him straight back to the house.

ďLet go of me,Ē Octo-Cat cried as he twisted violently in a futile attempt to escape my grip. ďThis is not okay!Ē

Without saying anything more, I tossed him into the house and slammed the door shut before he could regain his bearings. As much as Iíd miss my sassy sidekick, it was better this way. Besides, if I brought him with me, Diane might suggest I leave him with her. I couldnít stand the thought of losing my new friendóbut I also knew I wouldnít be strong enough to refuse if she asked.

I still didnít know how to convince the extended, non-murdering side of the Fulton family to let me keep him, but Iíd have time to figure that out later. Right now, I had to save Diane from meeting a fate similar to Ethelís.

Although we probably wouldnít see each other much anymore, considering the divorce and the likelihood of her ex eventually ending up in jail, I still cared about her and wanted her to be all right. At the end of the day, I wouldnít wish death on anyone, not even Brad and especially not poor Diane who had been through so much already.

I owed her at least this much in honor of the brief, reality-TV based friendship weíd shared these past few months.

Iíd only been to the Fultonís home once before to attend a company potluck over the holidays, but I still remembered the exact location of their fancy McMansion. After all, Blueberry Bay wasnít that big of a region, and our town of Glendale was even tinier.

I pulled up outside the white vinyl facade, which was offset by a massive front lawn, and cut my engine. Perhaps a call to announce my arrival would have been in order, but I didnít want to risk Mr. Fulton finding out I was headed here before I at least had a chance to warn Diane about the dangers that lurked right in her very own broken home.

Marching right up to the front door with far more confidence than I felt, I tried the handle without first ringing the doorbell to announce myself. Of course, since this was small-town Maine, the door stood unlocked. I let myself in, hoping that I wasnít too late to make a difference.

Inside, the house was dark as dusk settled over the land.

ďHello? Diane?Ē I called, groping about for a light switch but coming up short.

I padded toward the living room but turned abruptly when I heard the sound of a floorboard creak from a few paces behind me. There, within the pale light of the large bay window, a tall shadowy figure stood with its arms stretched high overhead.

ďDiane?Ē I asked, squinting at the figure and praying it was my friend rather than her husband. I didnít have long to puzzle it out, though, becauseÖ

CRACK!

A tremendous pain radiated from my forehead, and before I had the chance to figure out what was going on, I crumpled to the floor, having once again lost consciousness.

[ ŗūÚŤŪÍŗ: img_2]

When I came to, every inch of my body screamed with pain. I looked to my left and saw a massive fire roaring in the fireplace less than a foot away. It was too close. My skin had already begun to turn red from the excessive warmth. Struggling to move out of its range, I realized then that both my hands and my feet had been bound together in front of me.

ďYou think you can just break into somebodyís home?Ē my captor rasped, moving into the light. I fully expected to see Mr. Fulton standing before me, but no. It wasnít him at all.

It was Diane, my friend.My attacker? What?

ďDiane,Ē I wheezed. ďItís me, Angie. We need to get out of here.Ē

ďI know who you are. What I donít know is why you couldnít leave well enough alone.Ē The contempt that filled her eyes as they combed over me was so blatant I could hardly recognize the kindly woman Iíd come to consider a friend.

My head pulsed with pain, making it hard to think straight. Why was she acting like this? Had Mr. Fulton lied to her about everything? Did she somehow think I was to blame for all of this?

None of this was adding up.

ďEthel was murdered!Ē I screamed at her. My throat ached just like the rest of me, but I didnít care. ďWe have to tell someone.Ē

Diane groaned and paced the room in search of something.ďKeep quiet,Ē she warned. Maybe this was all an act. Maybe she was scared, too, and trying to convince Mr. Fulton she was on his side so that he wouldnít harm her.

ďLet me go,Ē I pleaded. ďItís not too late. We can go to the police, andóĒ

She rushed back toward me and stooped down so we were at eye level.ďNobodyís going to the police,Ē she said in an eerie whisper before slapping me right across my face.

As this new pain stung my cheek, I finally saw the truth that stood right before me. Mr. Fulton had never been guiltyónot of murder, not of this.

ďIt was you the whole time,Ē I spat.

She smiled a wicked grin and rolled her eyes.ďObviously. Donít act like you didnít know. I couldnít believe my dumb luck when you woke up at the will reading talking about a murder. Iíve heard about psychics before, but I had no idea you were one of them.Ē

ďYou think Iím a psychic?Ē I hissed. Everything hurt, but most of all my heart. Iíd been so naive, blindly trusting Diane because we liked the same TV shows. Now this oversight could very well cost me my life.

ďHow else would you explain your inexplicable knowledge of Ethelís murder? At first I thought maybe you were playing some kind of joke and had just accidentally blurted out something true without even knowing it, but then you kept turning up everywhere.Ē

I shook my head and struggled against my bonds to no avail. It made sense that Diane thought I had psychic powers. In a way I did, just not in the way sheíd assumed.

ďThe viewing, Ethelís houseÖĒ Diane continued, kicking me back when she saw that I was trying to untie my feet.

ďOh, donít look so shocked. Of course Anne told me about that. The one thing I couldnít piece together is why you hadnít gone to the police to turn me in. But then when you tried to break into my house, I realized you actually planned to take me out yourself. Well, great job, you did.Ē She laughed an evil villain laugh that seemed so at odds with the sweater-set-wearing, pearl clutching housewife I knew.

ďButwhy?Why would you kill Ethel?Ē I choked out. As much as I wanted to hear the answer, I needed to keep her talking until I could figure out a way to escape. For all I knew, she planned to kill me after our little talk here. Clearly this madwoman was capable of anything.

Diane snarled like a wild animal, baring her teeth and sending another chill straight to my gut.ďDidnít you figure that part out when you helped my philandering oaf of a husband serve me with a petition for divorce today?Ē

I gasped, a response she clearly appreciated.

ďSo hewas sleeping with Bethany!Ē I said, playing it up to keep her talking as long as possible. Iíd been wrong about our killer, but right about the affair. Whether or not the bra belonged to Bethany, she was still guilty.

ďSleeping with her?Ē Diane curled her nose in disgust and pushed off the floor back to a standing position.

My phone vibrated in my hip pocket, which gave me an idea. If I could just find a way to FaceTime Octo-Cat, he could get Nan and she could get the police. I needed to distract Diane enough that she wouldnít see me reaching into my pocket. It would be hard to be sly with my hands bound together, but I at least had to try.

ďSo he wasnít?Ē I asked curiously.

ďI should hope not, seeing as sheís his daughter. Then again, Richardís illegitimate child is the least of my problems right now.Ē She moved fast, muttering to herself on occasion before speaking more to me.

How had she hidden so much of her true self? How had I never seen through the pleasant house wife act? Did Mr. Fulton know? Is that why he was leaving her? I wanted to know so much more, but first, I needed to get away from the crazy murderess who now paced the floor in front of me.

ďAnd you wanted all of Ethelís money for yourself,Ē I said, hoping it was enough of a prompt to get her to fly into another monologue about her motives.

ďWho wouldnít want the money? Itís not like the old lady was long for this world anyway. I gave her an easy death which, if you ask me, was far better than she deserved.Ē

As she talked, I inched my hands closer to my pocket. Luckily, my phone was on the opposite side of the fire, which gave me some shadows to help disguise my movements.

ďYouíre already rich,Ē I murmured, happy she wasnít looking at me anymore.

Diane had now returned to her frantic search of the room. I prayed it wasnít a gun she was hoping to find. I may be able to think fast, but I didnít think Iíd be able to act fast enough to dodge a speeding bullet aimed straight at me, especially considering my recent head injury.

She laughed bitterly.ďAlready rich as Mrs. Fulton. What do you think will happen to me after the divorce, though?Ē Luckily, this was a rhetorical question as she kept talking without waiting to see what I had to say. ďI thought I had more time. Richard was supposed to inherit everything from his aunt, then Iíd get half if I could just keep him happy long enough for the will to go through. I got sick of waiting for the old lady to kick the bucket, so I helped her along. I couldnít believe my rotten luck when we found out sheíd recently changed her will to leave almost everything to that stupid cat!Ē

I kept my eyes glued to Diane as I slipped the tips of my fingers into my pocket and began to slip the phone out from inside. She continued on her diatribe about her poor, unfair life, but I only heard enough to offer the smallest of replies. Instead, my focus had shifted toward my phone.

I pressed to unlock itóthankful Iíd disabled the passcodeóclicked the FaceTime app icon, and placed a call to Octo-Cat on my iPad.

Fingers crossed he wasnít too mad to help save my life.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

The call went through, and Octo-Cat answered after just a couple rings. I swear Iíd never been happier to hear anyoneís voice in all my life.

ďLet me guess,Ē he said, sounding almost bored. ďYouíre in danger and need the cat to come save the day.Ē

Yes!I wanted to scream, but I couldnít alert Diane to the call without causing serious trouble for myself. Instead, I needed to find a way to keep her talking until my cat could come up with a way to rescue me. Seriously, of all the things my life could hinge on, it all came down to a talking cat with a bad attitudeóone whom Iíd recently made very, very angry with me.

I needed to find a way to keep the conversation going, but Diane wasnít paying any attention to me as she ripped through drawers and containers in search of whatever it was she needed. A couple minutes later she found what sheíd been searching for all this time and strode back across the room to show me. Oh, how I prayed Octo-Cat was still with me!

I pushed the phone behind my back by making a big show of struggling against my bonds, managing to get it out of sight just in time.

ďIíd stop that if I were you,Ē Diane warned, holding up the newly acquired object so that I could see it clearly. An old revolver caught and reflected the light of the fire in its smooth metal body, and no matter how much it terrified me, I just couldnít tear my eyes away.

ďThatís right,Ē my captor said with a smirk. ďYouíre going to die.Ē

My mind reeled, turning back to Octo-Cat once more. I couldnít hear his voice anymore. For all I knew, weíd lost the connection or heíd gotten bored and given up waiting. Still, I had to press on with my plan, hoping he was there and listening with Nan.

ďI can keep quiet,Ē I pleaded with Diane. ďI donít have to tell anyone you murdered Ethel. You can take the money and leave. Or I can leave. Please. Just let me go.Ē

ďOh, Angie,Ē she said with false pity. ďYouíre forgetting that I know you. You canít even keep the results of a TV singing competition secret. What makes you think Iíd trust you with something like this?Ē

ďAre you going to shoot me?Ē I asked, my voiced tremoring with fear. Iíd like to say that it was put on for effect, but that would be a lie. I had no idea whether my lone escape plan was working or whether Iíd survive this horrible experience to live another day. If I did, Iíd sure take alot less for granted going forward.

Like peopleís guilt or innocence, for one thing.

Diane kicked my leg and lowered the gun from my head to my chest.ďThatís plan B,Ē she revealed coldly.

ďWhatís plan A?Ē I whispered as my heart galloped wildly in my chest.

ďYou like swimming. Donít you, Angie?Ē she asked, kicking me again. ďI figured we could go for a nice night swim at Deadmanís Wharf. What do you say?Ē

ďDeadmanís Wharf?Ē I repeated loudly. ďBut the undertow thereÖ I wouldnít be able toÖ IídÖĒ I cried openly now.

ďOh, I know.Ē Dianeís face flashed with sick delight as she loosened the bonds on my ankles. ďNow get up.Ē

ďI donít want to go to Deadmanís Wharf,Ē I wailed.Please, Octo-Cat. Please be listening. Please understand what Iím trying to tell you.

ďNow itís about whatI want.Ē She kicked me a third time. ďGet up.Ē

Somehow I had to find a way to get up without her seeing my phone on the floor behind me. I made a big show of struggling to my feet then stumbled forward, knocking Diane over in the process.

ďOh, youíre going to live to regret that,Ē she growled before breaking out in a creepy laugh. ďLuckily it wonít be very long.Ē

She pulled us both to our feet, stuck the gun into my ribs, and led me outside. It looked like we were on our way to Deadmanís Wharf.

I just hoped we werenít the only ones.

[ ŗūÚŤŪÍŗ: img_2]

Despite driving in Dianeís large luxury SUV, the ride over was bumpy and painful. Well, I wouldnít be volunteering to lay tied up on the floor again any time soonóthat is, if I even managed to reach tomorrow with my life intact.

Sheíd tied my ankles tight again after forcing me onto the floor of her vehicle, then kept her eyes on me through the rear-view mirror the entire drive over. Even if Iíd had the strength to mount an escape, carrying it out would have been impossible under her watchful eye.

By the time we arrived at Deadmanís Wharf, I had already lost feeling in my feet. Well, except for the mess of tingles that had taken up residence and made it so that I no longer trusted myself to stand without the very real risk of toppling over.

Diane parked near one of the darkened buildings dotting the wharf and did a quick search of the premises before finally forcing me out of the car.

Wind whipped violently at the waves as Diane dug her nails into my wrist and yanked me toward the nearest pier. But my ankles were still bound too tightly for me to shuffle along. I had to hop along instead, which was especially difficult given the fact my feet had fallen asleep and my brain had gone crazy with fear.

ďI did like you before,Ē Diane muttered when we reached the midpoint of the pier. ďItís going to be much harder killing you than it was to kill Ethel.Ē

Gee, thanks. She was still going to kill me, but at least sheíd feel a little bit bad about it.

ďYou donít have to do this,Ē I said with great difficulty before falling face forward on the old, weathered planks below when one of my hops failed to land properly.

ďStop being dramatic,Ē Diane hissed in my ear as she put an arm beneath each of mine and pulled me back to a standing position with a series of insulting grunts and groans. ďIíd tell you to maybe try a diet, butÖĒ She made a flippant gesture and actually laughed.

ďFat shaming me, really?Ē I ground out. My legs burned beneath me. The new wounds on my face stung from where my cheek had hit the pier. ďIím sure youíll feel way less guilty about killing me now.Ē

Diane said nothing but quickened our pace toward the end of the pier.

I tried to glance back over my shoulder to see if Octo-Cat and Nan had gotten my message to come out and help. Maybe some lone lobsterman would be out checking his traps. Maybe a car would just randomly happen to pass byÖ

Or maybe no one was coming.

Maybe I was really going to die.

We were less than ten feet from the end of the pier now. The tide was high and the waves crashed so violently that they lapped at the edge, sending ripples over the wood. I was a good swimmer, having been raised near the ocean, but not nearly good enough to escape waves like this when both my hands and feet were tied tightly.

I had one last chance to make it out of this alive, and it was time for me to take it. Drawing in a deep, labored breath before my next hop, I angled myself so that I landed partially on Dianeís foot, knocking us both sideways across the pier.

ďOh, youíre going to pay for that!Ē she whisper-screamed while clutching her jaw from where it had hit on the firm wood planks. I was banking on her to scream and curse at the top of her lungs, but that didnít happen. We didnít both pitch off the side, either.

I glanced around frantically, searching for someone who could save me.Octo-Cat,I begged in my mind.Please, please help me!

Then I realized I was probably dying one way or the other, so I began to scream at the top of my lungs, praying with all my might that someone was near, that someone would reach me in time.ďHelp! Sheís going to kill me!Ē

All this did was make Diane even angrier and even more determined to kill me quickly. She hobbled back to her feet.ďThanks for making this so easy, Angie,Ē she growled with animal-like anger in her eyes.

We hadnít reached the end of the pier, but apparently we were close enough. She kicked me in the ribs again and again, forcing me to the edge.

ďNo, please stop!Ē I screamed as loud as I could into the empty night.

Much to my surprise, Diane did pause for a moment, regarding me from above with not the slightest flash of pity in her eyes.ďYou had the chance to stop this, but you just kept digging into things that were none of your business. This isnít my fault. Itís yours.Ē

And with that, she swooped down and pushed me with both hands. It was enough to send me rolling straight off the pier and into the unforgiving ocean below.

I sucked in a deep breath just before I hit the water, just before the darkness of the churning waves pushed me under.

Well, that settled that question. Now I knewÖ

I was definitely going to die.

CHAPTER NINETEEN

Two near-death experiences within one week has got to be some kind of a record. Then again, time was ticking, and I wasnít sure how much longer I could hold on. No, I probablywouldnít survive being pulled down into the undertow of Deadmanís Wharf. They called it Deadmanís Wharf for a reason, after all.

And if they ever did manage to find my body, it would be far from the first theyíd recovered from this perilous stretch of sea.

Diane would be long gone by then.

I thrashed my arms and legs, but only sunk deeper below the waves. The salt of the ocean water stung all my fresh wounds, blinding me with a fresh onslaught of pain. I held my breath past the point of comfort, even as panic overtook me completely. I knew that the first inhalation of sea water would be the thing that ultimately killed me.

But I also knew I didnít want to die.

No matter how much the odds were stacked against me, I had to keep fighting to survive. So I continued to thrash and hope against hope as the dark depths drew me deeper and deeper into their embrace.

As my brain began to starve from the lack of oxygen, the pain also started to fall away. My body felt lighter, warmer, almost as if it was rising back toward the surface. More likely, though, was that I had died without noticing the exact moment of my demise, and now God was lifting me to Heaven. I even saw a light shining right in my eyes.

And it hurt.

Which meantÖ

Was I safe now?

I finally gasped for air, unable to hold my breath for even a second longer. The overwhelming pain surged again. It was truly amazing the human capacity for pain. Somehow, I was still finding new ways to hurt, even in the final moments before my death.

I coughed and sputtered, expelling the mistakenly inhaled water in big bursts. A cold chill overtook my entire body when just seconds ago Iíd felt warm and peaceful. Even though it felt as if they were weighted down by heavy blocks, I managed to open my eyes just long enough to notice I wasnít underwater anymore.

Somebody pulled me up and onto the pier, and somebody else climbed up after. Had he been the one to pull me to the surface?

I didnít have time to figure out their identities, because everything went dark again as I lost consciousness.

Yes,again.

Yes, that makes three times so far this week.

This was by far the worst, though.

[ ŗūÚŤŪÍŗ: img_2]

My throat was on fire as I vomited lava onto the ground beside me. At least thatís what it felt like.

Nanís voice was the first I discerned from the jumble surrounding me. ďThatís right, dear. Cough it all out.Ē

I took her advice and coughed and coughed until it didnít hurt quite so bad. When I opened my eyes to see who had saved me, I came face to face with a set of amber eyes glinting in the darkness as they regarded me with pity.

No, not pity.Fear.

Octo-Catís entire body shook, and I didnít think it was from the dampness of his fur or the chilliness of the night. ďI thought Iíd lost you now, too,Ē he said between panicked kitty breaths.

ďIím okay,Ē I said, reaching out to pet him. My hand came away soaked, making me wonder if heíd jumped in after me despite his hatred of any water that didnít come from an Evian bottle.

I continued to stroke him until his labored breathing became gentler and was ultimately drowned out by the beautiful, contented sound of his rumbling purr.

ďDiane Fulton,Ē I ground out, sputtering even still. ďDid she get away?Ē

A familiar pair of strong arms lifted me to a sitting position and wrapped a shiny insulated blanket over my shoulders.ďWe got her,Ē the police officer said with a reassuring smile. Seeing as he was just as drenched as I was, I assumed this was the brave man who had jumped in to save me before Deadmanís Wharf could claim me forever.

Nan appeared at my side, sitting right down on the pier and crossing her legs like we were at a slumber party and not a rescue mission.ďThat was good thinking, calling your iPad,Ē she told me, careful to leave out any direct references to Octo-Cat I noticed. ďWe were able to record our end of the line and gave it to the police as evidence. And her intention to kill you,Ē Nan revealed, rubbing my shoulder over the insulatedblanket. ďIt was just awful to listen to, especially when the call went silent.Ē

My heart clenched, reimagining tonightís events from poor Nanís perspective. Luckily she was a tough, old kook, and I seemed to be okay now.

ďOf course, youíre going to need to buy me a new iPad now,Ē Octo-Cat added, pushing his way under the blanket with me. ďAnd seeing all you put me through tonight, you might have to make that two iPads.Ē

ďYou did the right thing,Ē the officer told Nan. ďYour quick thinking saved your daughterís life.Ē

ďOh, granddaughter, actually.Ē Nan giggled and coquettishly twirled a ringlet as she looked the officer up and down. The officer, who was way, way too young for her to be flirting with. ďWhatís your name again?Ē

Some things never changed, and thank goodness for that.

ďOfficer Damon Bouchard, maíam.Ē He smiled kindly at her, but I felt Nan stiffen beside me at the polite nickname. Her crush had ended just as soon as it had begun. That was good considering we had enough to deal with already.

ďAre you ready to get in the ambulance?Ē the other officer askedóa womanóapproaching us from the pier.

ďCan my cat come, too?Ē

Officer Bouchard shrugged and glanced toward his partner.ďI guess he can ride over with us, but unfortunately heís not going to be able to come into the hospital with us.Ē

ďButÖĒ I hesitated. After all weíd just been through, I didnít want to leave him again especially so soon.

ďItís okay, dear,Ē Nan said, turning her full focus to me once again. ďIíll take care of him until youíre well enough to come home.Ē

ďCould you just give me a moment alone with him?Ē I asked, knowing the request made me sound crazy.

ďUm, sure,Ē Officer Bouchard said.

ďWeíll just be over there,Ē the other officer said, pointing somewhere to the right, but I didnít care enough to notice.

ďYou can stay, Nan,Ē I said as she began to struggle to her feet.

She settled back down and wrapped both arms around me, then we waited together until we knew we had the privacy we needed.

ďThank you for saving my life,Ē I whispered toward my chest, where Octo-Cat still sat nuzzled against me. ďIím sorry I scruffed you, and Iím sorry for all the times I was rude or didnít understand. During this past week youíve become my best friendÖ well, other than Nan, I meanÖ and Iím so glad youíre in my life. Can you forgive me?Ē

A few tense moments of silence passed before Octo-Cat finally extracted himself from the warmth of the blanket and came to stand before me on the wharf.ďYouíre my best friend, too,Ē he said, rubbing his head against my hand and purring in earnest. ďBut if you ever scruff me again, Iíll kill you and eat the evidence.Ē

I erupted with laughter, and Nan joined me even though she didnít quite know why.

ďThank you for avenging Ethel,Ē he said when our peals of laughter faded out. ďShe would have liked you, you know.Ē

My eyes teared at the compliment.Ugh,more salt water was not what I needed just then. Still, judging from how awesome her cat was, I bet I would have liked her, too.

CHAPTER TWENTY

Ifelt fineóall things consideringóbut the hospital insisted on keeping me for at least twenty-four hours since I was still in danger of succumbing to my near-drowning even now.

I groaned audibly when a familiar face popped into my room.

ďSoÖĒ Dr. Artie Lewis, the same ER doctor who had treated me earlier that week, said with an obnoxiously large smile. ďYou decided to up the ante this time, eh? You know, real life isnít an action movie. You canít keep putting your life at risk and expecting to survive.Ē

Yes, this was the same guy who had made me feel like an idiot when I came to him for care after getting zapped unconscious by the office coffeemaker. It was upsetting to see that his bedside manner hadnít improved since Iíd seen him last.

The doctor bobbed his head, ignoring the fact that I hadnít responded to his greetingóor his advice. ďDrowning is definitely a more impressive way to lose consciousness. Good job.Ē

Did he really just compliment me on my method of getting hurt? Yeah, because I had a lot of control over that. I briefly wondered if perhaps the not-so-good doc was a bit of a thrill seeker in his life outside of the hospital. He seemed almost excited as he discussed the details of my near drowning.

ďJust leave me alone,Ē I pleaded, finally breaking my silence. Hadnít I already been through enough that day?

Iíd nearly died, for crying out loud!

He shot me a withering glance before chuckling to himself and saying,ďNo can do. This time you need a lot more than some regular strength Tylenol. You know, a smile wouldnít hurt you much, either.Ē

If I had any strength left, Iíd have shot out of bed to punch him in the face. Iíd had enough violence for one day, howeveróeven though it sure seemed like this doctor guy was cut from the same sleazy cloth as my least favorite colleague, Brad.

Maybe it was time to start exploring some alternative medicine therapiesÖ or to stop getting knocked unconscious every other day. Either worked.

ďIíll be back later,Ē Dr. Lewis announced after a brief glance over my vitals. ďBy the way, you have some guests waiting in the lobby. Should I send them in?Ē

ďYes, please.Ē I nodded excitedly, wondering if Nan had somehow found a way to sneak Octo-Cat into my room. I definitely wouldnít put it past her.

It wasnít Nan who came to see me, though.

A few minutes later, Mr. Fulton and Bethany shuffled into my room. Mr. Fulton carried a giant pink teddy bear that saidItís a Girl which made me giggle.

Ouch. Laughing hurt deep in my chest.

ďHow are you doing?Ē Bethany asked, trailing her fingers along the foot of my bed. Iíd never seen her out of office clothes before and was surprised to find her personal style was actually pretty fun. She wore red polka dotted pants with a white button down shirt, an outfit that would have fit perfectly with either Nanís or my own wardrobe.

ďPretty good, considering.Ē I smiled to show her I was all right and that there were no hard feelings between us.

ďIím sorry my wife almost killed you,Ē Mr. Fulton interjected, catching me off guard. I mean, Iíd only been in the hospital a few hours. It seemed strange that he and Bethany already knew what had happened.

ďHow did you find out?Ē I asked, wondering just how much he knew about what had transpired between me and Diane, if he knew that she was also to blame for killing his beloved aunt.

He rushed to explain.ďI came home from my trip early and saw your car in front of my house and the door wide open. A short while later, officers showed up and brought me in for questioning. Letís just say they caught me up on my wifeís shocking extracurricular activities.Ē

ďAnd you?Ē I asked Bethany. I remembered now that, in the middle of her maniacal raving, Diane had mentioned something about Bethany being Mr. Fultonís daughter. I still had so many questions about that but was hoping they might fill me in without being prompted. After all, it technically wasnít any of my business.

Bethany glanced toward Mr. Fulton nervously.ďHe called me on the way over.Ē

ďItís okay,Ē I coaxed, apparently unable to play it cool. ďDiane told me the truth. At least, I think she did.Ē

I turned to Mr. Fulton.ďIs she really your daughter?Ē

ďYes,Ē they answered in unison, both regarding me with similar expressions.

ďHow come you didnít just tell me that?Ē I asked Bethany, recalling the hard time Iíd given her at the funeral. Of course I felt terrible now.

ďI didnít want it getting out,Ē Mr. Fulton explained. ďDiane was already so upset.Ē

I glanced back toward Bethany.ďDid you know all this time?Ē

ďNot all this time. I suspected he might be my mysterious missing father when I took my position at the firm, but we only just had it verified by DNA testing. In fact, thatís why I decided to apply in the first place.Ē

Mr. Fulton looked like he was going to be sick as he explained,ďI cheated on Diane while we were dating. Just once, butóĒ

ďIt led to my mom getting pregnant,Ē Bethany supplied. ďIíve had some strangeÖ health issues these past few years, and Iíve been trying to learn more about my best options. So, finally my mom caved and told me more about my father.Ē

ďOh,Ē I said simply. It sucked for Diane that her husband had cheated on her. Sure, they hadnít been married at that time, but theyíd still been committed to each other. You always assume that your partner will be faithfulóbut then again, you also assume they wonít try to murder anyone you care about, too.

ďWe figured since you were already part of the family drama, thanks to Diane, you at least deserved to know the full story,Ē she said with a sniff.

ďIím so sorry, Bethany. I treated you horribly.Ē It all came rushing to me then. Sheíd grown up without a dad. Sheíd suffered health issues she didnít feel comfortable disclosing, and sheíd recently lost an aunt she never even got the chance to know.

ďYes, you did,Ē Bethany said with a frown that quickly transformed into a smile. ďBut Iíve treated you horribly on so many other occasions that perhaps weíre just even now. Letís stop trying to tear each other down and start lifting each other up instead now, okay?Ē

ďWe girls have to stick together,Ē I said in agreement. ďBy the way, I really like your outfit.Ē

She smiled and sashayed playfully at the compliment.

ďAgain, Iím so sorry that my wife tried to kill you,Ē Mr. Fulton said with a pained expression. ďWhat I donít understand is why. Do you know?Ē

Both he and Bethany studied me with curious eyes.

I took a deep breath to steady myself before revealing,ďShe thought I was psychic and that I had figured everything out. As part of that, she confessed to killing Ethel in a scheme to get more money out of your divorce.Ē

Mr. Fulton sighed and shook his head.

ďAre you?Ē Bethany asked, her breathing hitched slightly as she awaited my response.

I scrunched up my face in confusion.ďAm I what?Ē

ďPsychic,Ē she supplied.

ďWhat?Ē I chuckled nervously. No one besides Nan could ever know the truth about me and Octo-Cat. ďNo, of course not. Donít be silly.Ē

Bethany laughed, too.ďJust seeing if you still have your wits about you after that massive loss of oxygen to your brain.Ē

Mr. Fulton placed a hand on his daughterís shoulder. ďBethany, could you give us a moment?Ē

ďSure. Iíll be waiting for you outside,Ē she answered, smiling at me one more time before leaving the room and clicking the door shut behind her.

Fulton grabbed a nearby chair and pulled it up beside my bed.ďI think it goes without saying Iíll be resigning from the firm.Ē

I nodded, unsure of what he wanted from me now.

ďIíll actually be using it as an opportunity to retire, get to know my daughter, and enjoy life outside of work for a change.Ē

ďThatís great,Ē I said, happy for him but finding it hard to maintain my enthusiasm. My brain felt heavy with the weight of all the new knowledge Iíd acquired that day, and I needed my rest.

ďI had no idea what Diane was up to all this time, but Iím so sorry you got hurt because of it.Ē He reached into his suit jacket and pulled out a check book. ďI know I can never make it fully right, but let me help you somehow. Do you think one-hundred thousand is enough toÖ? Well, to forgive me?Ē

I edged my hand toward his, but couldnít quite reach. ďYou donít need to pay me off. I forgive you.Ē

ďPlease let me do something. This money and more was going to go to Diane in the divorce, but now that sheíll probably be spending the rest of her life in prison, I suddenly have far more than I need.Ē He seemed so sad, so desperate to give me a small fortune in recompense. But he had never done anything wrong. Well, not for the past thirtyish years, at least.

ďI donít need anything,Ē I said, realizing as soon as I said the words that they werenít entirely true.

Mr. Fulton must have caught onto my ambivalence, because he said,ďI can see you do. How about one hundred and fifty? Two hundred? Please, just tell me what you need.Ē

For the briefest of moments, I allowed myself to envision what life would be like with that kind of money. I could stop working, put a sizable down payment on a house all my own, or even take a couple years off to travel the world.

I could do anything my little heart desired.

But, honestly, I liked my life, no matter how lackluster it may appear to an outsider. Sure, I wanted to be rich one dayówho doesnít?óbut I also wanted to make my own fortune, my own way.

There was one thing, however, I now desperately wanted that only Mr. Fulton could provide.

ďI do have a request, if you donít mind,Ē I said after licking my cracked and dried lips.

He perked right up and poised his pen over the checkbook.ďAnything. Name your price.Ē

ďWould you mind if I keep the cat?Ē I asked, almost afraid to breathe until he gave me his answer.

He closed his checkbook and stared at me blankly.ďThe cat?Ē he asked to clarify.

ďYeah, Octavius MaxwellÖĒ I broke off in a laugh. ďYou know, Ethelís cat, the one Iíve been looking after this week.Ē

ďThe cat!ĒRecognition at last lighted in his eyes.ďI forgot about him with everything else thatís been going on these past few days.Ē

I smiled and waited for his answer.

It came with a wink that I didnít quite understand. ďOf course you can have the cat. Iíll send over his things in a couple days when youíre settled back at home.Ē

My heart filled with joy over being able to keep an animal I had until very recently considered the bane of my existence, but now wouldnít trade for the worldóor for two-hundred thousand dollars.

ďThank you so much,Ē I called after Mr. Fultonís departing figure, absolutely beside myself with delight.

I couldnít wait to get home and tell Octo-Cat the good news.

[ ŗūÚŤŪÍŗ: img_2]

Iwas given the next two weeks off work to recover from my ordeal and spent most of it curled up on the couch with Octo-Cat, catching up on all our favorite human TV shows. We even found a show about a cat trainer, which we both found hilarious. Every time theďexpertĒ interpreted what the cat was feeling, Octo-Cat corrected him and we both broke out laughing.

A few days into my forced vacation timeóyeah, they really had to twist my arm on this oneóa parcel arrived by courier.

ďWhatís this?Ē I asked, after signing my name on the dotted line.

He shrugged and trotted away, leaving me alone with the mysterious letter. It was a very thick letter, at least twenty pages long.

ďWhatcha got there?Ē Octo-Cat asked, coming to sit beside me at the table as I continued to puzzle over the manila envelope lying before me.

ďI honestly have no idea,Ē I answered while fiddling with the clasp.

ďWell, open up! Iím dying of curiosity here.Ē

I decided to let that one go since I was also quite curious myself.

After pulling out the bundle of pages, I quickly scanned the first, then flipped through, glazing over the headlines for each subsequent section of the legal document before me.

ďSay, Octo-Cat,Ē I murmured, unable to tear my eyes away. ďWhatís your full name again?Ē

ďOctavius Maxwell Ricardo Edmund Frederick Fulton Russo,Ē he said, each syllable rolling off his sandpaper tongue seamlessly.

ďAww,Ē I cooed. ďYou added my last name.Ē

ďWell, of course I did. Youíre my human,Ē he said with an endearing twitch of his whiskers.

ďUm, for legal purposes, youíll have to drop the Russo, though.Ē

ďWhy?Ē

I pushed the papers toward him, even though he couldnít read very well yet.

ďWhatís that say?Ē His tail flicked in agitation.

ďThis is the paperwork for the trust fund Ethel set up for you. Now that you live with me, Iím your official guardian and thus guarantor of your estate.Ē

He yawned.ďAnd that means?Ē

ďTwo things,Ē I told him with a huge smile on my face. ďOne, youíre legally mine now. And two, we will receive a stipend of five thousand dollars per month to contribute to your care and provide the lifestyle to which you are accustomed.Ē

Octo-Catís eyes grew wide.

ďFinally!Ē he cried. ďI knew Ethel would come through for me. Now letís have a little talk about these living quartersÖĒ

2. TERRIER TRANSGRESSIONS

Chapter One

Hi, Iím Angie Russo, and I have a talking cat for a pet. Well, he only talks to me, but still. A few months have passed since he came to live with me following the murder of his owneróa sweet old lady who was poisoned by a member of her own family in a greedy inheritance grab.

Since then, Octo-Cat and I have been settling into our new life as roommates, and heís nice to me more often than not just so long as I feed him his breakfast on time and never, ever call him ďkitty.Ē Heís even learned how to use his iPad to call me on FaceTime so we can check in with each other while Iím at work.

Yes,his iPad.

Have I mentioned just how spoiled he is?

Not only does he have his own tabletóand a trust fund, tooóbut he insists on drinking Evian fresh from the bottle and will only eat certain flavors of Fancy Feast when served on specific dishes and according to his rigorously kept, though fully unnecessary, schedule.

I have to admit heís grown on me, something I honestly never thought would happen. I even kind of like my job as a paralegal at Fulton, Thompson and Associates these days. Things have been pretty interesting since the Fultons left town rather abruptly and our firm lost its senior most partner.

A cutthroat competition as to who will take his place has ensued. Until Mr. Thompson decides whom heíd like to promote, though, weíre simply Thompson and Associates. Lots of candidatesóboth from within our firm and from outsideóhave been passing through our office in hopes of securing the coveted position at Blueberry Bayís most respected law firm, but Thompson is having a hard time making up his mind.

Canít say I blame him. I definitely wouldnít want to be in his shoes.

Our firm is now a bit infamous following the surprising murder involving one of its partners and his family. Everyone wants the scoop, but Mr. Thompson has made it very clear: we arenít supposed to discuss what happened with anyone.

In the meantime, he has hired a new associate to help keep up with the newly increased workload. Charles Longfellow, III, came to us highly recommended with a great resume and even better looks.

Itís been a while since Iíve had a crush butóboyódo I have it bad for Charlie. Heís got this thick, wavy hair that falls in a perfect dark swoop on his forehead. Heís tall, likemaybe-played-basketball-in-high-school-but-probably-not-in-college tall, and you could easily get lost in his deep green eyes. I know, because I already have a few times.

Yes, as much as I usually prefer books to boys, I often find myself a bit twitterpated whenever Charles is near. Thatís probably how I made such a colossal mistake in the first placeÖ

Now Iím being blackmailed about my biggest secret, the fact that I can talk to animals.

The worst part? I kind of like it.

I should probably start at the beginning, huh?

Well, here goes nothingÖ

[ ŗūÚŤŪÍŗ: img_3]

Octo-Cat called me via FaceTime just before noon. I was at the office, of course, but since he knew not to call unless it was an emergency, I decided to put my research on hold to answer him. Besides, almost everyone had left the firm for an early lunch meeting, leaving me more or less alone in the building.

ďWhat do you need?Ē I asked after scanning the premises just in case I wasnít as alone as Iíd thought. Normally I took my calls with Octo-Cat in the bathroom, but one of the junior associates had been holed up in there for at least half an hour before he leftóand I definitely wanted to avoid whatever disaster scenario heíd left behind.

ďThereís a fly in my Evian,Ē my cat complained with a keening mewl. His face looked utterly scandalized as he leaned in close to the camera.

ďOh, you poor thing,Ē I cooed while rolling my eyes just out of his view. Octo-Cat was definitely too spoiled for his own good sometimes, but then again, I received a five-thousand-dollar monthly allowance for his care, so I really couldnít complain too much.

ďMy thoughts exactly,Ē he answered with a grimace and a sigh. ďI need you to come home immediately to rectify this situation.Ē

ďI canít. Iím at work,Ē I reminded him with a beleaguered sigh of my own while clicking through my overfull email inbox idly.

Octo-Cat growled when he noticed he didnít have my full attention. ďI thought you were supposed to only be going part-time now?Ē

Why was I constantly explaining my life choices to a cat? He rarely remembered what I told him, anyway. Weíd had this exact same conversation about my work at least three times already. Rehashing it now felt like the ultimate exercise in futility.

Still, it was easier to explain yet again than to deal with one of his hissy fits.

ďYes, technically I am part-time,Ē I explained patiently. ďBut I need to help out extra until Thompson finally hires a new partner. Itís been really busy around here, and unfortunately I just donít have time to stop home and pour you a new cup of water right now. Iím sorry.Ē

His eyes narrowed, ready to go to war over such a simple thing.ďBut donít you receive a generous monthly stipend to ensure Iím cared for in the manner to which I am accustomed? Because I most definitely amnot accustomed to having a wiggly-legged fly swimming in my Evian.Ē

Once again, it was easier to cave than it was to argue for hours or days on end.ďAargh, fine. Iíll send Nan by to pour you some more water. Happy?Ē

He yawned, which only annoyed me more.ďNot exactly. It will take me days to recover from this horrible event. Could you make sure Nan knows she needs to throw out the contaminated cup?Ē

ďYou are a cat,Ē I said between clenched teeth. ďYou are supposed to be a fearsome hunter, not a spoiled baby. You know, other cats evenóĒ

ďAngie?Ē a deep, dreamy voice broke into the middle of our conversation.

Oh, no, no, no. Everyone was supposed to be gone!

I spun around in my chair to find none other than Charles Longfellow, III standing behind me and gawking over my shoulder at the image of Octo-Cat on my phone screen.

ďUm, hi, Charles.Ē I tittered nervously as I pushed the button to end our call, but it was too late. Heíd already heard and seen more than enough to figure out my secret. The best I could hope for now is that he would think one or both of us had gone crazy.

I took it as a good sign that he stood looking at me as if Iíd sprouted a second head. Perhaps that would have been less strange than what heíd really walked in on.

ďIs everything all right?Ē he asked, raising one thick eyebrow in my direction. The air suddenly felt impossibly thin like the office had been transported to the top of the nearest mountain.

I nodded, desperate for Charles to go away and stop questioning me.ďPerfectly all right. Thanks,Ē I lied, wishing Iíd inherited Nanís legendary acting skills. As it was, I could tell my colleague wasnít fooled by my feeble attempts to downplay the situation.

Sure enough, his voice dripped with sarcasm as he said,ďReally? Because it seemed like your cat needed some help with hisÖĒ A delicious smile crept across his face, stretching from one high cheek bone to the next. ďEvian? Is that right?Ē

My mouth fell open from shock, but no additional words came out to explain away the freak show my crush had just witnessed.

ďWell?Ē he prompted, widening his eyes at me. ďWere you or were you not just having a conversation with your cat?Ē

I tucked my hair behind my ears and swallowed hard before stumbling over my answer.ďUm, I call him sometimes when Iím away. He has separation anxiety soÖĒ I gave him my most ingratiating smile, but it didnít seem to work. I was seriously outmatched here.

ďBut it sounded like maybe he was talking back to you,Ē Charles insisted. ďLike you were having an actual conversation with each other.Ē

I blinked hard as I stammered,ďWhat? No, donít be silly. Of course I canít talk to animals. I mean, who can?Ē

ďYou, apparently,Ē Charles said, narrowing his gaze at me. Clearly he wasnít going to let me off the hook until I revealed the one thing I most wanted to hide.

I swallowed the giant lump that had become lodged in my throat, then broke out in hysterical laughter.ďGotcha! I canít believe you fell for my little office prank.Ē

Charles shoved both hands in his pockets and rocked back and forth on his heels, but didnít say anything.

Oh my gosh. Why wasnít he saying anything?

My heart galloped like a wild stallion as my nervous laughter fell away.

Charles studied me for a long time, and stupidly I couldnít bring myself to look away. ďYouíre coming with me,Ē he said.

ďWhat?Ē I crossed my arms over my chest in defiance. ďNo. I have too much work to catch up on here.Ē

He placed his palms on my desk and leaned down so our faces were only a few inches apart. Given pretty much any other circumstance, Iíd have enjoyed having his gorgeous face so near to mine.

As it was now, though? I was absolutely terrified.

ďYouíre coming with me,Ē he repeated with a devilish grin. ďUnless you want me to tell everyone what I saw.Ē

I gulped.ďEveryone?Ē

ďEveryone,Ēhe confirmed before returning to his full height and straightening his tie.

Completely bewildered and unable to see any practical alternative, I rose to join Charles.

ďExcellent,Ē he said, leading me to the door and motioning for me to go through it.

I turned back to study him.ďWhere are we going?Ē

ďMy place,Ē he answered coolly as we strode through the parking lot toward his car. Charles had never invited me anywhere before, especially not his apartment. Unfortunately, something told me I wouldnít like what was waiting for me there one bit.

Chapter Two

About five minutes after leaving the office, Charles and I pulled up to the Cliffside apartment complex. I was surprised to find that he lived in the budget apartments rather than the nicer condos on the other side of town. Normally, Cliffside was for newly graduated students or those who were otherwise just passing through.

As an attorney, Charles could easily afford somewhere niceróand safer, too. Crime rarely occurred in Glendale, but when it did, nine times out of ten it happened here. As a criminal defense attorney, perhaps he wanted to be closer to his client base. Still, most of the crimes our firm dealt with fell under the category of white-collar crime. With its stained carpeting and peeling paint, Cliffside was anything but white collar.

Did Charles living here mean he wasnít planning on making Blueberry Bay his long-term home? Was he just passing through like so many of the others who lived in this run-down cluster of buildings?

Even though he was kind of blackmailing me, I hoped heíd stick around a bit more permanently. Despite everything, I still liked him and preferred his company to the others at the firm. Lately, Bethany and I had formed a tentative friendship, but we often found it hard to relate to one another. We just came from two very different worlds.

Despite his fancy name, perhaps Charles and I werenít so different, after all. No, I hadnít grown up poor, but Nan had raised me to be humble even as others were showering me with praise. Her mantra had always been that the stage was for stars, and real life was for real people.

Maybe Charles had grown up under similar guidance, although Cliffside was a little moreďreal lifeĒ than even I preferred.

Heíd remained tight-lipped on the drive over and stayed quiet still as he led me up the stairs to the third floor.

ďThis is me,Ē he said, turning his key in the door.

I shrugged and followed him in.

Immediately we were greeted by a hyper, barking dog, who was so excited to see us he piddled right on the floor at our feet.

ďSorry about that!Ē Charles cried, grabbing a roll of paper towels from the nearby counter. ďHe just gets a little excited sometimes.Ē

ďIíll say.Ē I politely patted the little dog on the head but resisted the urge to pick him up, seeing I was in no mood to be peed on today.

Something struck me as odd, though. Charles had already been in town for at least a month, but a quick glance around his apartment showed more unopened boxes than actual furniture or home decor. So, how did he already have a dog? And what did it do all day while he put in the long hours Thompson required of all his associates?

Charles finished cleaning up the mess, washed his hands, and motioned for me to make myself comfortable on the lone futon that sat against the living room wall.

ďWhereís all your stuff?Ē I asked conversationally, feeling more than a little unnerved when he sat down beside me on the much too short futon.

The terrier also hopped up when he patted the seat beside him.

He just shrugged, not seeming the least bit embarrassed by my question.ďI sold everything before moving east and havenít had the time to pick up much since arriving.Ē

That made sense. Heíd come to Maine by way of California, and as far as I knew, he didnít have any family nearby. Why anyone would want to leave guaranteed sunny weather to hole up in small-town Maine, Iíd never understand, but still, I was happy to have him here in Blueberry Bay.

The little dog spun in happy circles, racing from Charlesís lap to mine and back again and again. The poor thing was obviously deprived of the regular attention he needed.

ďIf youíre so busy, then why do you have a dog? That isnít really fair to him.Ē I didnít mean to sound accusing, but I knew very well from Octo-Cat that animals hated being left alone all day while their owners pursued lives outside the home. No wonder the little guy peed on the floor themoment he came through the door.

ďNo, Iíve only had him for a little while,Ē he said with a frown. ďAnd before you can say anything more, I know I donít have time for a dog butÖ well, itís kind of a long story, and itís why I asked you here.Ē

My curiosity was definitely piqued now, but first, I had to clarify one thing.ďYou didnít ask me here,Ē I said with a knowing look. ďYou forced me.Ē

His handsome face pulled down in a frown.ďIím sorry. Really, I am. Itís just.. I didnít know how else to get you to come, and Iím kind of desperate here.Ē At least he had the decency to appear apologetic now.

I nodded even though I didnít really understand what he was talking about yet. Obviously,he didnít understand that I would have been more than willing to follow him anywhere if only heíd asked nicely.

Charles stroked the tan and gray, silky-coated dog and launched into his story.ďThis is Yo-Yo. Heís not mine. I found him, actually.Ē

I immediately went into fix-it mode.ďHow long ago? Did you call the shelter? Iím sure someoneís really missing him and hoping heíll come home.Ē

Charles shook his head and cleared his throat, glancing from me to Yo-Yo before he said,ďNo. His owners are dead.Ē

I scooted a little farther from him on the futon.ďWhat? How could you possibly know that if heís just some dog you found?Ē

ďThe address listed here.Ē He thumbed the tag on the Yorkieís collar. ďAnd I know his owners are dead because Iím defending the person accused of their murder.Ē

Well, Iíd heard more than enough now. Jumping to my feet, I cried, ďWhoa, whoa, whoa. I may not be the one whoís taken an oath of ethics, but this seems really, really wrong. What are you hoping to accomplish by keeping this poor dog hostage?Ē

Charles stood, too, holding Yo-Yo against his chest with one arm and reaching the other toward me. I yanked myself away before he could make contact, though. The last thing I needed was my batty hormones intervening here.

ďMy client didnít kill Yo-Yoís owners,Ē he said, his eyes begging me to understand. ďHeís innocent.Ē

ďYeah, everyone says theyíre not guilty, but you know what? Usually, they are.Ē I briefly considered grabbing Yo-Yo and making a run for it. That poor, little dog. First his owners had been murdered, then heíd somehow inexplicably wound up with the man defending their killer.

ďNo, itís not like that,Ē Charles insisted. ďI know he didnít do it, but the evidence against him, itís bad. Like I said, Iím desperate here. So when I saw you talking to your cat, I thought maybe, just maybe, you could be the answer to my prayers. You could save an innocent man from jail and help get justice for Yo-Yoís owners, too.Ē

I considered denying my ability, insisting that there was no way I could do what he was asking for, but Charles just looked so needyóand Yo-Yo also chose that exact moment to whimper and stare at me with sparkling, little doggie eyesÖ

ďUgh, fine!Ē I shouted, sinking back down onto the futon. ďIíll see what I can do.Ē

Relief washed over Charlesís face as he lowered himself beside me. ďThank you. Youíre a lifesaver!Ē

ďYeah, well, I havenít actually done anything yet,Ē I grumbled. There was absolutely nothing about this situation I liked.

ďThe fact that youíre willing to try means everything,Ē Charles said, and for the briefest of moments something passed between us.

Love?

Longing?

That special bond between a blackmailer and his blackmailee?

Really, I had no idea.

He stood again, then set Yo-Yo on the futon beside me. The dog jumped on my lap where he immediately began licking my face, his tail wagging wildly with each lap.

ďHey, Yo-Yo,Ē I said, completely unsure of myself. The only animal Iíd ever actually carried on a conversation with was Octo-Cat, and heíd talked to me first. This thing right now with Yo-Yo felt crazy, unnatural, and uncomfortable by comparison. Still, I had to try for the sake of Charles and his client. And for Yo-Yo, too.

ďI understand you lost your owners,Ē I said slowly with an even voice. ďCan you tell me what happened?Ē

The Yorkie continued licking my face without any signs of slowing down, so I picked him up and put him on the floor to see if it could help him focus.

ďWhat happened to your owners?Ē I asked again. ďDid someone murder them?Ē

Yo-Yo yipped merrily and hopped back up on the futon beside me. Now he decided it was a good time to douse my hand in a slobber bath.

ďWhat did he say?Ē Charles asked eagerly. His eagerness made this whole thing that much more frustrating. Iíd always hated letting people down. Yes, even when they were blackmailing me, I guess.

ďHe barked,Ē I said simply.

ďYes, but what did it mean?Ē

ďI donít know,Ē I admitted honestly.

His face fell.ďBut I thought you could talk to animals?Ē

ďI talk to my cat, but thatís it.Ē

ďSo why canít you talk to Yo-Yo?Ē This was the hundred-thousand-dollar question. Iíd stopped questioning my sanity when it came to my ability to talk to Octo-Cat but still had no idea why I could speak to him or what the extent of my powers might be.

I raised my palms and shrugged.ďI donít know, but Iím trying.Ē

ďWell, try harder,Ē he urged. ďItís really, really important.Ē

ďIam trying,Ē I muttered to Charles through gritted teeth, then turned back to Yo-Yo with my most pleasant expression. ďHey, there, little guy. If you could talk to me, it would be a huge help. Maybe start by telling me what you really think of this guy youíre living with now?Ē

I hooked a thumb toward Charles and made a goofy face, which resulted in Yo-Yo grabbing hold of my sweater and giving it a firm tug.

ďHey, stop!Ē I cried, but this only made him tug harder. When I finally managed to wrestle my shirt away from him, it had been stretched beyond repair. I leaped to my feet so he couldnít destroy any other parts of me before we were through here.

ďWhat did he say?Ē Charles asked, hope reflecting in his dark eyes.

ďHe said youíve got the wrong girl,Ē I answered. ďAnd that he liked my sweater but still thought it deserved to die a horrible, untimely death.Ē

Charles deadpanned.ďJust like his owners, huh?Ē

Okay, now I felt bad, but it didnít change anything about my inability to speak with Yo-Yo. Iíd tried. It hadnít worked. It was time to move on.

ďI donít know what he said or even if he said anything,Ē I explained, hoping Charles would finally take me at my word. ďI guess I canít talk to dogs.Ē

ďBut you can talk to cats?Ē

I shrugged noncommittally, but he seemed to interpret this as my agreement.

ďGreat,Ē he said, shuffling through the items in a junk drawer before extracting a long, black leash. ďCímon, Yo-Yo. Weíre going for a walk,Ē he cried in a slightly higher pitched voice that made me forget my irritation for a momentóbut only a moment. ďWant to go for a walk?Ē

ďAnd Iím going back to work,Ē I said, traipsing toward the door. ďDrop me off on your way to wherever it is the two of you are going.Ē

ďSorry, canít,Ē Charles answered while the Yorkie ran furious, barking circles around the apartment to convey his enthusiasm. ďWe need you to come with us.Ē

I crossed my arms and eyed them both suspiciously.ďWhy?Ē

ďBecause weíre going to your house to talk to your cat,Ē Charles explained, grabbing Yo-Yo into his arms and clipping on the leash.

To my house?

Crud. Octo-Cat was definitely not going to like this.

Chapter Three

Less than two miles stretched between Charlesís apartment complex and my rental home, which meant we were in one place almost as soon as weíd left the other.

I opened the door to find Octo-Cat waiting for me with a rapturous look upon his face.

ďFinally!Ē he cried. ďIíve been so thirsty.Ē His expression quickly changed to outrage, though, when Yo-Yo nosed his way into the house and gave Octo-Cat a big, wet kiss right on the nose.

Charles pulled back on the leash, then lifted the visiting dog into his arms.

Octo-Cat shook with fury as a bead of drool dripped down his face and onto the carpet below.ďWhy would you do this to me? Havenít I already been through enough today? First the fly and now a-a-adog?Ē he spat out that last word as if it were the foulest curse word he could imagine.

ďWhatís he saying?Ē Charles asked with rapt interest.

ďHeís mad at me,Ē I admitted. ďAnd heís not happy about Yo-Yo being here, either.Ē

Octo-Cat arched his back and hissed.ďYou can say that again,Ē he muttered before jumping onto the kitchen table.

ďJust give me a minute here,Ē I whispered to Charles before joining my irate tabby in the kitchen.

Octo-Cat took a giant leap from the table to the counter, then sat with his tail flicking back and forth wildly.ďUnbelievable,Ē he growled without so much as looking at me.

I knew I was in the wrong here, but I also had no other choice but to comply with Charlesís wishes. If anyone else found out about my special ability to talk to cats, Iíd lose my job, be made a laughing stock, and possibly have to move away from the only home Iíve ever known to start life over with a clean reputation.

Hopefully Octo-Cat would understand that my hands were tied once I had the chance to explain a bit more. First, though, I needed to find a way to give Charles what he wanted. Once I did, the threat hanging over my head would be eradicated, and Octo-Cat could go back to being mad at me for the usual reasons.

I grabbed a fresh bottle of Evian and a clean china tea cup from the cupboard. The cup came from the set weíd inherited from his late owner Ethel and was used for the sole purpose of offering Octo-Cat his daily libations. After presenting the fresh water to him, I made quick work disposing of the dead fly.

He took one quick lap from the dish, then trotted off to my bedroom without so much as a thank you.

ďYouíre welcome!Ē I called after him with a scowl. Jeez, it felt like no one appreciated me today.

ďSo what now?Ē Charles asked, bending down to unleash Yo-Yo.

ďNo, wait,Ē I cried, but unfortunately it was too late.

The Yorkie immediately darted into my bedroom, barking manically the whole way. A dreadful hiss-growl-meow hybrid reverberated through the house, and a second later Octo-Cat appeared with his tail poofed out so large that it resembled that of a raccoon.

ďI hate you!Ē he screamed, tearing through the house as the dog gave chase.

ďGrab him!Ē I yelled to Charles, who made a leap for the rambunctious animal and missed.

ďHey, Yo-Yo!Ē I called, racing back toward the kitchen. ďWant a treat?Ē

The Yorkie immediately turned in his tracks and trotted after me, releasing a joyous series of high-pitched barks. I reached into the fridge and grabbed a slice of lunch meat to offer him as a treat just as Charles managed to re-clip the leash to his collar.

ďWell, that was an experience,Ē he said with a weary chuckle.

ďI wouldnít laugh if I were you,Ē I told him. ďItís going to take forever for my cat to forgive me now.Ē

Charles stared at me in confusion.

ďIf he wonít forgive me, then he also wonít help. Donít you know anything about cats?Ē I grumbled, despite the fact that I hadnít really known anything about them myself until a few months prior.

He looked properly chastised as he hung his head and let out a giant sigh.ďSorry. What should we do?Ē

ďWe arenít going to do anything just yet.You are going to take Yo-Yo outside, and I guess Iíll go offer up my firstborn in a last-ditch attempt to get Octo-Cat to talk to me.Ē

Charles began to smile but quickly retracted it immediately upon seeing the stone-cold serious expression on my face.

ďUh, okay. Címon, Yo-Yo,Ē he said, yanking the little dog toward the door.

ďDonít come in until I tell you itís okay,Ē I shouted after them.

ďItís never going to be okay,Ē Octo-Cat hissed, emerging from wherever it was heíd been hiding. ďWhy would you do that to me?Ē

ďIím sorry. I didnít want to,Ē I rushed to explain. ďHe made me.Ē

Octo-Cat wagged his tail, which had mostly returned to its normal size.ďSo you sold me out for a pretty face,Ē he cried. ďI thought we were friends! I thought we were family!Ē

My heart clenched. Normally I didnít let his dramatics get to me, but this particular reprimand cut deep. This is what I got for confiding my workplace crush in my cat. He was thankfully getting better at telling humans apart and could accurately guess gender about four times out of five now. Of course, when I needed him to identify a murderer, he was hopeless, but when it came to figuring out my crush? Sure,that was no problem.

ďI didnít want to,Ē I repeated yet again. ďHe walked in on us FaceTiming earlier and forced me to help him.Ē

Octo-Cat scoffed.ďSo he walked in on you.Lie! Seriously, Angela, how hard is that?Ē

He rarely used my name, and even more rarely my birth name. Oh, yeah, I was in serious trouble now. Someone would most definitely be waking up to vomit in her shoes tomorrowóand, sadly, that somebody was me.

ďLook,Ē I said, trying to reason with him. ďRegardless of whether you would have handled things differently, weíre here now. Charles wants us to talk to that dog to learn about how his owners died so that he can better defend his client who is being wrongfully accused of their murder.Ē

Octo-Cat nodded but maintained his cold, narrow gaze. Heíd been watching a lot ofLaw& Order reruns lately in an effort to better understand my job, and I was glad to see heíd learned enough to keep up with the legalese required to understand the situation.

ďOkay, fine,Ē he said after a thoughtful pause. ďBut why didnít you just talk to the dog yourself? Why did you need to drag me into this circus?Ē

ďBecause,Ē I whined, wishing that he could just take me at my word for once in our lives. ďI couldnít understand Yo-Yo, and I donít think he could understand me, either.Ē

ďAgain, why couldnít you have lied? For goodnessí sake, Angie, make something up so we can all move on with our lives.Ē

Well, it was nice to know my cat had no problems with lying to get out of a scrape. My morals were less questionable, however. Also, Iíd already tried lying to Charles and it hadnít worked.

At this point I had seriously begun to worry about the ramifications of my midday work break. How much time had passed? Had Thompson and the other associates returned to the office and realized I was missing yet?

ďI am not going to lie to him,Ē I said, choosing to take the high road. ďEspecially not about a case. What if his client really is innocent? What if he has to spend the rest of his life in jail because my lie messed up the case? Yeah, no thank you.Ē

Octo-Cat groaned and rolled his eyes, a new human gesture heíd picked up from me. ďSo what? You need me to translate because you canít speak dog?Ē

ďYes, please.Ē I clasped my hands in front of me. I wasnít above begging, and Octo-Cat just so happened to love it when I groveled.

He took on a self-important air, glancing down his nose at me. It made his eyes cross, and I had to fight to suppress a laugh.ďYou know dogs have a much simpler language than cats. It matches their simple minds. If you understand me, then you should definitely be able to talk to Dum-Dum out there.Ē

ďSo youíll help?Ē I asked, praying he could see how desperately I needed him.

ďFine, Iíll helpĒ he said with a growl. ďBut you owe me.Big time.Ē

I raced to the door to let Charles and Yo-Yo in before my cat could change his mind.ďKeep him on the leash this time,Ē I instructed as they passed back through the threshold into my home. ďBetter yet, keep him on your lap.Ē

Charles took a seat on my living room couch with the dog perched on his lap.ďWhat now?Ē he asked as I took up residence in my arm chair.

ďFirst, promise me that you wonít tell anyone about any of this.Ē

He bobbed his head in rapid, enthusiastic agreement.ďYes, I promise.Ē

I nodded, too.ďGood. Now remember I donít even know if this is going to work, but give me a few minutes and weíll be able to find out.Ē

Charles fell silent, his eyes fixed squarely on me. It seemed that maybe Octo-Cat frightened him a bit, and that was just fine by me.

I turned to my tabby companion and said,ďWould you please ask Yo-Yo what happened to his owners?Ē

Octo-Cat hopped up onto the coffee table and faced the dog on Charlesís lap before repeating the question.

Yo-Yo gave a happy, little yap and began to pant, which my cat translated as,ďHe says his owners are the nicest people in the whole world and that the guy he is staying with right now is nice, but he misses his family and wants to go home.Ē

ďHe said all that?Ē It took Octo-Cat at least ten times longer to translate that than it took Yo-Yo to speak it.

ďI told you,Ē Octo-Cat said, taking a quick break to lick at his paw. ďDog language is incredibly simple. What he actually said translates to Ďbest, miss,í but when dealing with dogs you have to add a ridiculous degree of enthusiasm to get a proper sense of what they want to tell you. Itís exhausting, really.Ē

ďWhat are they saying?Ē Charles asked.

ďShhh,Ē Octo-Cat and I both hissed.

Charles slumped back on the couch and watched us with a mix of intrigue and fear.

Turning back to my cat, I requested,ďWould you please ask him if he was present when his owners were murdered?Ē

When Octo-Cat relayed my question, Yo-Yo let out a long, shrill series of screams and clawed at Charlesís lap in a panicked attempt to get away.

ďOh my gosh, what happened?Ē I cried at the same time Charles asked, ďWhat the heck was that about?Ē

I looked to Octo-Cat for an explanation.

The catís eyes widened as he revealed, ďHe says his owners arenít dead, and that pretending they are is a mean and terrible joke to make.Ē

So much for using Yo-Yo to plan a defense for Charlesís client. It sounded as if the little dog were being murdered himself simply by being asked about their deaths. How could we get any useful information from him if he didnít even realize they had died?

One thing was for certain: I wasnít going to be the one to break this poor, sweet doggieís heart.

Chapter Four

I watched helplessly as Charles raked both hands through his hair in distress.

ďI just donít know what to do anymore,Ē he admitted with a deep, guttural groan. ďI thought for sure when I saw what you could do that it was fate, that you were meant to help me defend this case.Ē

I leaned forward in my chair and placed a consoling hand on his knee. It was the only part of him I could reach, but still, the minor contact sent a little thrill racing from my fingertips straight to my chest.ďMaybe I can find another way to help. Thereís still one thing really doesnít make much sense to me, though.Ē

He raised his head to look at me. A series of wrinkles lined his brow as he waited for what I had to say.

I cleared my throat before asking,ďIf youíre so sure your client didnít do it, then how come you donít have a defense for him outside of talking to the victimsí dog?Ē

He slumped back on his chair and ran a hand through his hair again, releasing the scents of soap and pine into the air.ďBecause everyoneís already decided heís guilty.Ē

ďExcept you,Ē I said flatly.

Charles sighed.ďSeems that way.Ē

ďOkay, so walk me through this, then. Can you tell me more about what happened and why everyoneís so convinced your client is guilty? Also, Iíd love to know how you ended up with this dog.Ē

Octo-Cat settled in on the chair beside me.ďActually, Iíd love to know that, too.Ē

We both waited while Charles composed himself enough to tell us the story.

ďIf he starts this thing with Ďit was a dark and stormy night,í Iím going to puke,Ē Octo-Cat remarked with an exaggerated yawn.

ďHush up, you,Ē I said to the impatient tabby at my side before offering Charles an apologetic glance. ďSorry. Go on.Ē

He cocked his head and studied the pair of us for a moment.ďWhat did he say?Ē

ďYou donít want to know,Ē I muttered, stroking Octo-Cat with more force than he generally liked as my way of sending him a silent warning.

Charles let his gaze linger on Octo-Cat as he launched into his description of the murder.ďIt happened in the morning. The victimsótheir names were Bill and Ruth Hayesóhad just put their house on the market. Apparently theyíd already had an offer accepted on a new place and needed their old place to move fast, so a big open house was planned for that day. I guess property in their subdivision rarely goes up for sale, so there was a lot of interest. At least a dozen couples arrived to check the place out, and one of them discovered the victimsí bodies shoved into the master bedroom closet upstairs.Ē

I took this all in before asking,ďOkay, so lots of people means lots of potential suspects. Why did the blame get pegged on your client?Ē

ďThe crime scene guys said theyíd been dead for close to ten hours before they were discovered the next morning, and it was my clientís hammer that was used as the murder weapon. Besides his sister, he was one of the only people who had access to their home and knew the code to disarm the security system.Ē Charlesís face was grim as he recounted the details. The more he told me, the more familiar the events started to feel. I hadnít been brought in to research this case for the firm, but I had heard all these details before from another sourceÖ

ďWait, is this the Brock Calhoun case? Iíve seen that all over the news.Ē I wasnít sure whether Charles knew that my mom was the anchor for our local station or that she was part of the reason everyone assumed his clientís guilt. I decided not to mention that part. Otherwise, heíd neverlet me help him, and clearly he needed as much help as he could get right now.

Charles nodded.ďHe and his sister Breanne were the ones responsible for selling the place. Someone used Brockís hammer to bludgeon the two homeowners to death.Ē

ďOuch. Yeah. It doesnít look good for your client.Ē I sucked air in through my teeth and glanced toward Yo-Yo, who was now snoozing on the floor by Charlesís feet. Thank goodness he couldnít understand what we were saying now. No one wants to picture their loved ones meeting such a violent end, and this particular Yorkie seemed less equipped than most to deal with such a harrowing mental picture.

Charles also looked down at Yo-Yo before meeting my eyes again.ďLike I said, everyoneís already decided heís guilty, and now the communityís pressing for a quick conviction and harsh sentencing.Ē

I tried to keep my expression neutral as I asked,ďWhat makes you believe heís innocent?Ē

ďPart of it is the fact that the evidence is largely circumstantial. Another reason is that people seem to have decided he was guilty based on the fact that he wasnít the nicest person during his high school years, and alsoÖĒ He seemed to debate whether he actually wanted to tell me this next part.

ďYou can tell me,Ē I said with what I hoped amounted to a reassuring smile.

He shrugged.ďWell, itís just a feeling I get when I talk to him. I know heís telling me the truth when he says he didnít do it.Ē

I nudged his knee again and made a funny face.ďIs intuition one-oh-one something theyíre teaching in law school these days?Ē

My joke didnít even get him to crack a smile.

Octo-Cat, however, sighed and said,ďWas that supposed to be funny? We really need to get you a joke book or something.Ē

Charles hung his head and continued to frown.ďI know Iím new to town, but it just seems ridiculous that stupid teenage behavior from nearly ten years ago could cost this guy everything. So what if he bullied some classmates? I mean, itís not great, but itís also not murder.Ē

I nodded. Brock had been a year ahead of me in school andóyeahóheíd been a jerk, but just like Charles, I also had a hard time picturing him as a killer.

ďYou said the Hayeses were bludgeoned to death with a hammer, right? That seems an awful lot like a crime of passion to me. What possible reason could Brock have had to kill them, especially so brutally and at close range?Ē

Charles perked up at this.ďThatís the crux of my defense so faróthat he had zero motive even if he had the means and opportunity.Ē

ďAnd the police arenít helping?Ē I thought back to my encounter with Officer Bouchard and his partner a few months ago. Theyíd saved my life without even a momentís hesitation. Could the same force really be turning their back on Brock in his hour of need?

Charles laughed bitterly.ďIf only. Once they made their arrest, they just kind of clocked out. Thatís really the worst part of all of this. How can the justice system do its job properly if the police donít do theirs?Ē

ďYeah, yeah, yeah,Ē Octo-Cat complained with an emphatic flick of his tail. ďHeís still leaving out the most important part. How did he wind up with that doggie menace in the first place?Ē

ďWhere does Yo-Yo fit into all of this?Ē I translated for Charles as I placed a stilling hand on the tabby beside me.

ďThatís the weirdest part. He was missing on the morning of the open house. Everyone assumed heíd just run away, but when I was driving through the Hayesís neighborhood last week, desperate for any clue or lead I could uncover, I found him waiting on the porch asking to be let in.Ē

Okay, that was weird, but it still didnít explain why Charles had kept him all this time. ďAnd you decided the best thing to do would be to steal him?Ē

He rushed to defend himself, but I wasnít buying it. ďNo, no, of course not.Ē

ďThen why do you still have him?Ē

ďIt was already pretty late that night, so I was going to take him to Animal Control the next morning. Only Thompson called me in early to go over the case, and I really needed his input. So then I decided I would take Yo-Yo in after work.Ē

I couldnít argue with this. After all, Thompson was my boss, too, and I knew how demanding he could be. ďLet me guess, it was too late again?Ē

Charles nodded emphatically.ďExactly, and the longer I hung on to him, the more the little guy began to grow on me. Also, the harder it became to just dump him off at Animal Control, or to confess that I was the one who had him all this time.Ē

ďWell, not all this time,Ē I pointed out. Charles had hung on to Yo-Yo for less than a week, so where was he all that time before? How did he just disappear and then show up again as if no time had passed at all?

ďA terrible reason to keep a dog,Ē Octo-Cat said with a sneer. ďI guess your hots for this guy have to be extinguished now. You canít end up with a dog person, Angela. That just wonít do.Ē

Heat pooled in my cheeks from morbid embarrassment, but then I remembered that Charles couldnít understand Octo-Catóand seriously, thank goodness for that!

ďEverything okay?Ē Charles asked, glancing from me to my cat and back again.

This was the exact moment Yo-Yo chose to wake up from his nap. Upon spotting the cat sitting just a few feet away, he resumed his hyper chain of barks almost as if heíd never stopped in the first place.

ďWell, isnít this pleasant?Ē Octo-Cat growled as he hopped to the top of my chair and took cover, using me as a human shield. ďI donít like this dog, and I donít like your boyfriend.Ē

ďHeís not my boyfriend,Ē I corrected without thinking.

Now Charles was the one blushing. Oh, great.

ďWill you please just stop embarrassing me in front of Charles?Ē I whisper-yelled at the cat.

Octo-Cat laughed but refused to back down or even apologize.

ďAnyway,Ē Charles said as he scooped up the noisy terrier. ďDo you think you could help withó?Ē He continued talking, but it was impossible to hear him over Octo-Cat, who decided now was the perfect time to start in on one of his annoying diatribes.

ďCharles is far too classy a name for this oaf,Ē he mused. ďIt sounds more like the name of a cat person, and a cat person would never have tormented me with Dum-Dum the way this guy did.Ē

ďKeep your commentary to yourself, please,Ē I begged, trying to focus my attention back on Charles.

ďIím going to give him a new name, one that fits him better.Ē

ďGreat, tell me about it later,Ē I mumbled to the cat. ďCharles, Iím sorry. Would you mind starting over?Ē

ďSure, I was hoping you could help me withóĒ

ďWhat might some good nicknames for Charles be? Charlie, Chuck…Huh. More like Upchuck, because being around him and his dog make me want to barf up my breakfast.Ē

I had almost managed to drown out Octo-Catís voice when he shouted at the top of his lungs. ďYes, Upchuck! Itís the perfect name for him. Upchuck, Upchuck, Upchuck,Ē he sang in absolute merriment and at the fullest possible volume his tiny kitty lungs could produce.

And he didnít stop after saying it a few times. Heíd already repeated this cruel new moniker at least fifty times when Charles asked, ďWhat do all these meows mean? Iíve never heard a cat talk so much in all my life.Ē

ďUm, heís just wondering if you have a nickname we could call you by,Ē I hedged. What? My explanation was mostly true. While I wasnít big on bending the truth, I was even less a fan of hurting othersí feelings when it was in no way warranted.

Charles broke into a smile at last.ďSure,Ē he said, his eyes lingering on mine. ďMy grandfather was Charles. My dad was CharlieÖ And since Iím the third, they call me Chuck. You can, too, when weíre not in the office. I mean, if you like that better.Ē

Of course his nickname would be Chuck. Of course it would.

Octo-Cat just about died laughing.

Chapter Five

Even with our multiple pit stops, CharlesóIím sorry, I just canít bring myself to call him ďChuckĒóand I still made it back to the office before the others returned from their long working lunch.

Charles locked himself into his office for the rest of the day, while I did some research on prior cases that could help defend Brock Calhoun from the double murder charge hanging over his head. Charles had probably already pulled every possible case, seeing as he was so desperate heíd now turned to my newly discovered pet whispering abilities to help suss out leads. Still, it felt good to know I was doing something to assist on the case.

Toward the end of the day, the mailman came and handed me a thick stack of bills, flyers, and correspondence for the office. After discarding the ads and circulars into the recycle bin, I made a round to deliver the letters by hand.

Charles groaned when I brought his to the office he shared with Derek. Previously, another associate named Brad had sat at his desk, but he was fired a few months back for workplace misconductówhich was a gentle way of saying the guy was the biggest, most sexist jerk you could possibly imagine.

ďMore hate mail, I take it,Ē Charles said as he studied the postmark and sighed. ďGreat. Itís coming all the way from Misty Harbor now.Ē

ďHate mail? You have got to be kidding.Ē I sat down on Derekís empty desk. He must have gone home early after the big lunch meeting. Whatever the case, I was thankful to have some alone time with Charles now. Yes, Iíd already forgiven him for the blackmailing that had taken place that morning. Maybe I needed to re-evaluate my life choices, or maybe it was just impossible to stay mad at a guy who already seemed so defeated.

ďI wish,Ē he said as he tore his thumb through the top of the envelope and extracted the folded paper inside. His eyes roamed down the page quickly, and then he handed the letter to me. ďThis is pretty much the usual these days.Ē

The short letter was typed in a large serif font and wasnít signed by its sender.You should be ashamed of yourselfwas the general gist, but it also included threats of picketing the trial and appealing to the bar to get Charlesís ability to practice law revoked.

ďIs this for real?Ē I asked, shaking my head as I handed the letter back to him. ďPeople are ridiculous.Ē

ďIf theyíre sending me this much mail, I can only imagine how much Brock must be getting.Ē Charles balled up the note and tossed it in the trash.

No wonder he was so desperate to defend his client. I hadnít seen the people in my hometownóand even the neighboring towns, too!óthis worked up since a popular football player got suspended for dealing drugs to underclassmen. He lost his college offers, scholarships, and even had his Homecoming King title retroactively pulled.

And back then it was just drugs.

Now we were facing murder, and things definitely didnít look good for Brock. Small towns never forget, which meant that even if he was found innocent, his reputation would be forever tainted and heíd probably have to move somewhere new to start over.

Poor guy.

ďIt gets even worse,Ē Charles said, his mouth arranged in a firm line. ďI just found out the local news station is devoting their entire broadcast tonight to a special theyíre callingBrock Calhoun: A Murderer Amongst Us.Ē

Ugh, leave it to my mom to go full-on sensational over this.

ďI might be able to help with that,Ē I said with a cringe and an apologetic smile.

He turned to be with excitement shining in his eyes.ďOf course! Why hadnít I put two and two together before? The sports guy, Roman Russo, youíre related, arenít you?Ē

ďYes,Ē I admitted through clenched teeth. ďHeís my dad. Also Laura Lee is my mom.Ē

His expression soured instantly. Generally my mom was well-liked all across Glendale and the greater Blueberry Bay region. Usually, though, people didnít find themselves on the receiving end of her passion for investigative journalism.

Most people also didnít realize that our locally famous news anchor was actually my mom, seeing as she decided to keep her maiden name just in case Nanís lingering showbiz connections could help her own career get a leg up.

That strategy had worked well, and Mom had boasted a very successful career pretty much ever since I was in diapers. Lately, though, she seemed to be growing tired of all the puff pieces and human-interest stories that dominated Glendaleís news. I hadnít talked to her in a couple weeks, but I could almost guarantee that she saw the Brock Calhoun case as a way of getting national attentionóand possibly a better job offer for both her and my dad.

ďLet me talk to her,Ē I said with a sigh. ďMaybe I can get her to ease up a little.Ē

ďMore like ease up a lot,Ē Charles said with a groan.

I nodded.ďYes, okay. Iím not sure I can catch her before tonightís story runs, but I promise you Iíll do my best.Ē

ďThanks.Ē Charles frowned and shuffled some papers around on his desk, which I took as my dismissal.

Halfway to the door, though, he stopped me.ďAngie?Ē

ďHmmm?Ē I whipped around, pleasantly surprised by the smile he offered me.

ďThank you,Ē he said in earnest. ďI know I kind of pulled you into this case against your will, but it means a lot that youíre willing to help me.Ē

ďNo problem,Ē I said with a giant grin of my own. Yes, Iíd definitely forgiven him for the whole blackmail thing now.

Charles returned to the papers on his desk, and I left his office to return to my own work spot near the firmís front door. As soon as I reached my desk, I shot a quick text to my mom:

SOS. We need to talk ASAP. XOXO.

I usually preferred to text in complete sentences and with proper punctuation, but it was a well-known fact that the more acronyms I used, the more likely my mom would be to respond quickly. Sure enough, I received a message back almost as soon as Iíd hitsend on mine.

Whatís wrong?She included an exploding head emoji and also one that looked like an alien, which I didnít quite understand, given the context. It kind of rankled that my middle-aged mother was more up on the current lingo than Iíd ever be.

I drew in a deep breath before composing my next text. I had her attention now, but getting her to agree wouldnít be easy. Need you to cancel the Brock Calhoun special youíre planning for tonight.

My phone buzzed with an incoming call not even a full minute later.

Momís voice sounded panicked, which made me feel a bit defensive. ďWhy do you need me to cancel my report? Itís one of the best pieces Iíve ever put together.Ē

I pinched the bridge of my nose while speaking, hoping it would help to stave off the migraine pressure I felt building in my head.ďIím sure it is, Mom, but he hasnít been put on trial yet. It isnít fair to turn the whole area against him before he even gets a chance to defend himself.Ē

Please understand. Please understand. Please understand.

It was hard to predict how my mom would react. Growing up, we hadnít shared the close relationship that many mothers and daughters do. She worked hard and never deprived me of anything, but it was Nan who had put in the emotional work raising me. Nan had always been the one I came to with my secrets, my dreams, my fears. Mom supported me in everything I did, but she was also so busy living her big life that being a mother sometimes felt too small by comparison.

I think this was a big part of the reason I hadnít settled down myself yetónot just the whole starting a family thing, but also really committing to a single career path. I liked having my options wide open and only being accountable to myselfówell, and my cat, too. I couldnít imagine the pressure my mom felt whenever her home and work lives collided, and especially when they crashed into one another as was the case with my request today.

ďWe all know he did it,Ē my mom said in little more than a whisper. ďBesides, I heard my piece might get picked up all across the state and maybe even farther out on the Eastern seaboard, too.Ē

I inhaled sharply before revealing,ďMom, my firm is defending him, and now Iím helping with the case, too.Ē

It took a moment for her to respond. When she did, she didnít seem at all sure of the words she spoke. ďPerhaps you could recuse yourself. We all know paralegaling isnít your real passion, but sharing important stories with the public is mine. Please, Angie. I donít want to hurt you, but canít you see that this is my big shot at finally breaking out of local news?Ē

ďI know, and I wouldnít ask unless it was really important.Ē

ďWeíve already been advertising it, too,Ē she said, her voice getting weaker with each syllable.

ďSo I heard.Ē I racked my brain for a solution that would satisfy both of us, finally landing on something that I thought might work. ďTell you what. Do you think you can hold the story until Friday? That will give us some time to work on the case without the added cloud of bias.Ē

Momís words came out a little surer. ďOkay, but what happens Friday?Ē

I presented the first option with as much as enthusiasm as I could muster. After all, it would be the better option for both of us, and I thought maybe that saying it aloud would give it more of a chance of actually coming true.ďEither we prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that Brock Calhoun is not guilty, and we give you the exclusive right to break our story.Ē

ďOr?Ē Something rustled on the other end of the line, and I pictured my mom twisting nervously in her seat as she waited for me to make my full offer.

ďYou run it as-is and I wonít try to stop you.Ē

The line went silent for a frighteningly long time.

At last, my mother returned, her voice sweet and placating.ďHoney, are you sure? You seem really upset about all of this.Ē

I gulped down my anxiety. The clock had been set, and already it was ticking.ďIím sure. Thank you, Mom. If anyone at the station gets mad at you, send them over to me.Ē

She laughed, and I felt all the stress weíd each been holding bubble up and float away into the sky. ďI just might have to do that,Ē she said with a sigh. ďI love you, Angie. Good luck on the case,Ē she added before ending the call.

Yes, luckóCharles and I would definitely need it. Weíd also need a certain pair of talking animals to get over their hang-ups to help us figure out some new leads. Otherwise, we might as well sign Brockís sentence now, because we seemed to be out of any other reasonable avenues for his defense.

Perhaps Iíd stop by the grocery store and pick up some fresh shrimp as a way to bribe Octo-Cat into spending more time with Yo-Yo. Hereís hoping my feline friend loved shrimp more than he hated dogs.

Chapter Six

TUESDAY

I awoke the next morning with a growing sense of dread lodged right between my lungs. The weight of knowing that Brockís freedom seemed to now rest squarely on my shoulders made it difficult to catch my breath.

I couldnít let himóor Charlesódown. I also wanted to find the real culprit and secure justice for poor Yo-Yo, who still had no idea his owners were even dead.

Despite my vow to never come to the office before nine in the morning, I sucked it up and headed to the firm almost as soon as I could string a coherent thought together.

As expected, only Bethany had arrived before me. Iíd never understand why she insisted on showing up so early every single day, but at least she looked happy to see me when I knocked on her office door to say hello.

The cloying and heavy scent of citrus combined with freshly brewed coffee to create a nauseating aroma as I breezed into her office. Bethany may have become a softer, kinder person lately, but the one thing that would never change was her obsession with essential oils. Hey, everyone had their weird little things. I definitely wasnít in any place to judge.

Besides, Bethany was my own personal hero these days.

After I got electrocuted by the old office coffee maker, she brought in a Keurig machine, which she kept in her private space rather than the common area. Honestly, I was still terrified of that horrible appliance in all its forms butómuch to my surprise and reliefóBethany had kindly taken to brewing me a cup each morning. I never needed to ask or to work up the courage to press thebrew button on my own.

Thus her having become one of my favorite people lately.

ďGood morning,Ē she said with an alert smile on her fair face. My guess was sheíd already imbibed two to three cups before I even arrived. ďYouíre here early.Ē

ďYeah,Ē I said with a tiny wave hello. ďSeeing if I can help Charles with the Brock Calhoun case.Ē

Bethany rose to approach the coffee maker, and I was so happy I almost hugged her right then and there. Bethany and I were slowly becoming friends, but making physical contact would probably be more of a detriment than a boon to our relationship. She usually avoided hugs, handshakes, and the like whenever she could. Maybe it was something about being the only female associate at our firm, or maybe it was just her personality. Whatever the case, I knew better than to judge the woman responsible for caffeinating me five days out of seven.

ďYou know,Ē she said as she popped a morning blend cup into the machine. ďI was really surprised Thompson assigned such a prominent case to our newest associate. Honestly, itís one he should have handled himself.Ē

I shrugged.ďMaybe everyone else was too busy to add to their workloads right now. We have been getting a lot of business ever sinceÖ you know.Ē

She took a couple steps closer to me and lowered her voice.ďI know butóand please just keep this between you and meóI had time to help, and Iím pretty sure Derek and some of the others could have made time, too.Ē

ďWhat are you trying to say?Ē

Bethany dropped her voice even lower.ďIím saying that I think Thompson gave this case to Charles on purpose, knowing heíll probably lose it.Ē

ďAnd?Ē I may have been awake enough to drag myself to the office, but my real thinking ability wouldnít kick in until after Iíd drained my first cup of joe.

ďWell, think about it. Charles is brand new to the firm. When he loses what amounts to a more or less impossible case, itíll be easy for Thompson to fire him and move that stigma away from the firm.Ē

ďLike a sacrificial lamb?Ē Even as I questioned her, I knew Bethany was right. Our senior partner definitely wasnít above such underhanded tactics.

Her eyes glowed an unnatural hue as she nodded.ďExactly. That way Thompson gets to keep enjoying our newfound wave of success without having to worry about one notorious trial dragging him down.Ē

That all made perfect sense, but how could Thompson be so sure Charles would lose? He was giving his everything and then some to this case. He could still win it in the end. I raised an eyebrow and asked,ďBut what if Charles wins?Ē

ďEven better,Ē Bethany answered, grabbing my coffee cup from the machine and placing it directly into my outstretched hands. ďThen heíll get to brag about how his firm won the unwinnable, how he discovered Charles almost straight out of law school and recognized his talent instantly. Weíll become even more popular, and Thompson will be able to pad his retirement account nicely.Ē

ďWell, thatís super fun,Ē I muttered before taking an appreciative sip from my mug.

ďIsnít it though?Ē Bethany nodded as she paced across the office to return to her desk. ďI think itís nice youíre helping Charles. Heís going to need every last bit he can get.Ē

Bethany and I chatted about other things for a few minutes, but my mind stayed on what I had just learned about Charles. Did he know his job was on the line, too? Is that why he so badly wanted to win, or did it still come down to his belief in Brockís innocence?

Whatever the case, it wasnít fair for Thompson to move him clear across the country only to set him up to fall on the sword at the first available opportunity. I needed to help him win this case, and not just because the office would feel sad and empty without himÖ

But also because it was the right thing to do.

[ ŗūÚŤŪÍŗ: img_3]

By nine oí clock, the rest of our colleagues had joined us at the office. I snuck into Mr. Thompsonís office after giving him a few minutes to settle in.

ďGood morning, sir,Ē I said, clasping my hands in front of me and offering my most ingratiating smile. ďI have a request if youíre not too busy.Ē

Our lone partner glanced up from his computer monitor and looked at me briefly before returning his attention to whatever was displayed on the screen before him.ďGo ahead,Ē he said in a way that suggested he would rather not deal with me just then. Still, I had to get his okay before going forward with my plan, whether or not he was in a good mood that day.

ďIíd like to devote my week to helping Longfellow with the Calhoun case,Ē I informed him bravely. While our previous partner, Mr. Fulton, had called everyone by their first names, Mr. Thompson only used last names. It was cold and impersonal and part of what made him so scary.

He dropped his hands from the keyboard and raised his eyes to mine, at last giving me his full attention.ďWhy?Ē

Luckily, Iíd spent the last half hour or so preparing for this conversation and was ready with my response. ďLongfellow is doing a great job, but his job is being made more difficult by the media. More specifically, by my mother. Adding me to this case will get her to ease up some while we work out a defense. It could be the difference between a win and a loss for Thompson and Associates on this case.Ē

My boss studied me for a moment before offering a quick nod of agreement.ďGood thinking, Russo.Ē

ďThank you, sir,Ē I said, ready to book it out of there and head straight to Charlesís office to share the good news.

ďNext week you return to business as usual, though,Ē Thompson called after me. And, yes, that was fine, seeing as we really only had until Friday to figure out our defense, anyway.

I ran into Charles just as he was leaving the office he shared with Derek.

ďLeaving so soon?Ē I asked, unable to hide my enthusiasm at officially being assigned to the case.

ďYup. Iím meeting with a client at ten,Ē he informed me as we walked together toward the door.

ďIf itís Brock Calhoun, then Iím coming, too.Ē

He paused to study me, and those same worried wrinkles from the other day stretched across his forehead.

ďThompson assigned me to the case for the week,Ē I explained with a flippant wave. ďNow letís go.Ē

Charles shrugged but didnít argue when I followed him out to his car and climbed into the passenger seat.

ďSince I guess youíre on the case now,Ē he told me while navigating us toward the state prison where Brock was being held on remand. ďIíll share the discovery with you when we get back to the office.Ē He bit his lip and hesitated. It looked as if heíd missed a shave or two, and I hoped my help wasnít too late to keep him from coming undone.

ďWhat?Ē I asked, eager to know what had him so upset now.

Charles risked a quick glance at me before returning his gaze to the road ahead.ďItís pretty gruesome. The crime scene photos, I mean. Are you going to be okay looking at them?Ē

ďIíll be fine,Ē I said, even though I wasnít so sure. I hadnít struggled much with blood and gore before. Heck, Iíd even completed a phlebotomy certification in my early days of college. But something about being tied up as a hostage and almost offed by a crazed killer a few months backhad made me more squeamish than Iíd once been.

I needed to suck it up for Charles, for Brock, and for Yo-Yo, though. They were all counting on me.

ďA fresh set of eyes could help,Ē I offered, secretly picturing the worst in my mindís eye.

Okay, time to change the subject before I had a mini freak out.

ďWhat are we meeting Brock about today?Ē I asked, feigning calm.

ďNormal attorney-client stuff,Ē Charles answered rather unhelpfully. ďI can introduce the two of you and let him know how you helped to get the news story delayed, but I really donít have anything else to tell him at this point.Ē

ďThen why go? Why not call with a quick update?Ē

Charles sighed and tightened his grip on the steering wheel.ďIím hoping he might have something new to tell me, something to help with the defense.Ē

I sighed, too. While I was happy for the chance to meet Brock and decide for myself whether I believed he did it, I doubted heíd suddenly remember the one detail that could save him after weeks of sitting in prison. Charles didnít need to hear me express my doubts, though. I was sure he had his own.

It also seemed Iíd recently become the unofficial case optimist. If I started acting defeated now, we wouldnít stand a chance of securing an innocent ruling.

When we arrived outside the state prison, I was surprised by how small and unassuming it appeared from the outside. Maybe I was expecting a giant, sprawling facility containing watchtower turrets with snipers and barbed wire fencing that stretched two stories high, but that definitely wasnít what I got. The concrete-faced building looked like something you might spot in a strip mallónot like a secure detention center for nearly a thousand inmates accused of everything from drug possession to murder.

ďYou going to be okay?Ē Charles asked, pulling the car into the visitorsí parking lot.

ďIím fine.Ē I unbuckled my seat belt with shaky hands while keeping my eyes focused straight ahead. ďLetís get this over with.Ē

The inside of the prison felt much closer to what Iíd expectedóthe guards, the metal detectors, the holding cells. Frankly, the whole scene gave me the creeps. I followed Charles wordlessly as we were guided into one of the private attorney-client rooms. Once there, we had to wait several minutes before Brock was brought out to join us.

There, our client stood with shackles securing his hands and feet and an unbecoming beige uniform that washed out his light complexion. His dark hair appeared overgrown and poorly washed. His gray eyes were deep-set, with heavy circles painted beneath them.

When he saw us waiting for him, he smiled and ducked his head politely. Even though he was easily six foot four and had sizeable muscles to round out his physique, he seemed so small standing there before us. And then I felt it, that same gut feeling Iíd teased Charles about just one day earlier. It was as if a thunder bolt of understanding struck me in my very core.

Boom!

Just like that, I knew for sure that Brock Calhoun didnít belong in this awful place and that he couldnít possibly have murdered those people.

Brock turned toward me askance, waiting for an introduction perhaps. He smiled hesitantly, politely, un-killer-ly.

ďHi, Brock,Ē I said after clearing my throat. ďMy nameís Angie, and Iím going to help win your case.Ē

Chapter Seven

Just as I feared, Brock had nothing new to share with us during our visit. That meant it was up to me, Charles, and the pets to find a new angle for his defenseóand finding a new angle meant finding the real murderer.

Was I scared? Oh, yeah.

Last time Iíd gone head-to-head with a killer I almost ended up dead myself. For now, Iíd try my best not to think about that. When all this was over, though, Iíd definitely be booking some therapy sessions.

Back at the office, Charles handed me a thick folder filled past bursting with the prosecutionís discovery, all the facts and files they believed would prove Brock guilty of the Hayesís murders.

ďWow,Ē I said, letting out a low whistle as I flipped through the many, many pages it contained. ďThey sure have a lot.Ē

Charles groaned and slumped into the chair beside me.ďYeah, they really do.Ē

I only looked at the crime scene photos for a few seconds before pushing them aside. The gruesome pictures showed that poor Bill and Ruth had not died a gentle death. The deep crimson puddles of blood that pooled around their heads made my stomach churn.

Who would do such a horrible thing? And, perhaps even more importantly,why?

Charles returned to his desk for a moment. When he came back to our shared workspace, he placed a much thinner folder on the table before me.ďOur discovery,Ē he said.

ďOh.Ē He had a few prior cases and character witnesses for Brock, but not much else to go by. It definitely didnít look good. ďWho gave these statements?Ē I asked, holding up the character testimonies.

Charles grabbed the thin bunch of papers and described each one as he placed them back before me.ďHis sister, a few previous clients of his handyman business, an old girlfriend.Ē

ďHave you talked to anyone who knew the victims?Ē

He shook his head.ďJust Brock and his sister.Ē

ďWhat about the witnesses for the prosecution?Ē I asked, returning to the thick discovery folder and pulling out several pages of testimony from inside.

Charles didnít even bother reaching for these papers. Instead he shrugged and explained, ďThey prefer not to talk to our side pre-trial.Ē

ďWell, thatís convenient,Ē I grumbled, blowing out a big puff of air that ruffled my bangs.

No one seemed to be playing fair hereónobody except for Charles, that was. And this fact put us at a huge disadvantage.

Charles could take the high road all he wanted. I knew perfectly well that sometimes back roads were the only way to reach your destination, and I was definitely not opposed to taking them.ďOkay, so here me out on thisÖ What if they donít know theyíre talking to us?Ē I suggested with a sly grin.

He crossed his arms and shook his head.ďEveryone knows Iím the attorney on Brockís case. Even if I wanted to be sneaky, I couldnít. And, no, I donít want to be sneaky. I want to win this case and clear Brockís name fair and square.Ē

ďOh, sure. I understand,Ē I acquiesced quickly. ďForget I said anything.Ē

Brock and I spent the next several hours reviewing both sets of discovery and planning our cross-examination of the witnesses. He didnít need to know that Iíd secretly made a list of people to visit outside of office hours. No one would recognize me as being part of the case.

After all, few people ever paid any real attention to paralegals.

I could use that to my advantage to learn more about the victims and figure out who might have wanted them dead. Nothing needed to come out in court unless I found our smoking gunóor, in this particular case, our bloody hammer.

[ ŗūÚŤŪÍŗ: img_3]

ďAre you ready, Nan?Ē I asked when I showed up to collect her for our after-hours private investigation. Because Iíd arrived at work early that day, I was also able to sneak out a bit early. This gave us just enough time to stop by Bill Hayesís former place of employment and see what new information we could learn about him and any potential murder suspects that might be lurking around his office.

ďOh, yeah,Ē Nan drawled with a vaguely Southern accent. ďLetís do this.Ē

Have I mentioned that my grandmother used to be a huge star on Broadway? She acted in the occasional community theater production now, but still jumped at any opportunity to dust off her under-utilized talents. Thatís why Iíd invited her to tag along with me tonight.

The late Mr. Hayes had worked at a place called Bayside Printing Company. Most of their jobs involved printing promotional materials for the many businesses scattered across Blueberry Bay, but a quick search on their website informed us that they also helped independent authors and micro-presses publish their books. This gave us the perfect excuse to stop in for a chat.

You see, for years, Nan had been telling anyone who would listen that she had a book in heróand more specifically, an autobiography. Sheíd even decided upon a title despite the fact she had yet to write a single page.

ďItís calledFrom Broadway to Blueberry Bay: The Life and Times of Dorothy Loretta Lee, and I guarantee itís the most fabulous piece of printing that will ever come across your desk,Ē she told the printing manager with a big jazz hands finish.

I studied the unassuming middle-aged man sitting across from us. His name was Mr. Weber, and with his thinning hairline and well-ironed shirt tucked neatly into his pants, he definitely didnít look like a murderer. He smiled at Nan with genuine interest as she regaled him with all the stories of her fake youth growing up in the South.

ďIt truly sounds fascinating,Ē he said, mirroring her accent.

I had to fight hard not to crack up laughing at them both as the spoke chummily in their matching set of fake accents.

ďLet me run some numbers so we can get settled on a quote,Ē he said as he made a big show of pulling his keyboard toward him on the desk.

ďLovely,Ē Nan said, folding her hands in her lap.

Mr. Weberís smile didnít leave his face as he clicked a series of boxes on his computer screen, pausing occasionally to ask Nan questions like how many pages her book would contain, what trim size she needed, if she wanted cream or white paper, paperback or hardcover.

Nan didnít hesitate one bit as she flawlessly trotted out each response to Mr. Weberís apparent satisfaction. It made me wonder if perhaps she was really serious about this autobiography despite the fact she hadnít yet begun to write it.

Well, I would just have to make the time to figure out how I could be more supportive of her dream later. Right now, the investigation needed my full attention.

ďSoÖĒ I said, drawing out the syllable until Mr. Weber turned his attention to me.ďIsnít this the place where that poor Bill Hayes worked before he was so tragically murdered?Ē

Mr. Weber turned red and sweat began to bead on his forehead at the mere mention of the victimís name. ďYes,Ē he said with poorly concealed rage. ďNo one deserves to be killed like that, but especially not Bill.Ē

ďSuch a terrible thing that happened,Ē Nan said, patting his hand and offering a sympathetic nod.

A calm washed over Mr. Weber following Nanís touch. ďBill was the best employee I had and was even poised to take over for me when I retire next year,Ē he explained with a frown. ďI guess that wonít be happening now.Ē

ďThatís too bad,Ē Nan said while I silently thanked my lucky stars that Iíd decided to bring her with me. ďI can tell you work very hard. You deserve a break after so many years of devoting yourself to the company.Ē

He shook his head sadly.ďBill was the very same. Everyone in the office loved him. All the customers, too. There were so many times a client would come to us with a crazy rush deadline, and Bill wouldnít even think twice before offering to stay late and put in extra hours to make sure they got their order on time.Ē

ďIt sounds like he was a wonderful asset to Bayside Printing Company,Ē I added with a reassuring nod, not wanting to be completely outdone by Nan.

Mr. Weber kept his eyes glued to Nan, though, as he sighed and said,ďI still canít wrap my head around it. What did that handyman have against Bill? And to kill his wife, too? I hope they put him away for a long, long time.Ē

I shifted in my seat uncomfortably as Mr. Weber forced a smile back on his face and turned his computer monitor toward us.

ďAnyway,Ē he said after clearing his throat twice. ďAs you can see, youíre looking at a cost of $2,500 to $6,700, depending on how many copies youíd like to print for your first run.Ē

Nan nodded.ďWhat would you recó?Ē Suddenly, she broke into a terrible coughing fit, unable to speak another word as she clutched at her chest dramatically.

ďExcuse me,Ē she croaked out once the coughs had subsided. ďMr. Weber, would it be possible for me to have a cup of water?Ē

He popped to his feet quicker than I might have expected a man of his girth and stature to be able.ďSure, thatís no problem at all. Excuse me. Iíll be right back.Ē

As soon as heíd rushed out of the office, Nan began rummaging through the papers on his desk and snapping bursts of pictures with her cell phone camera.

ďWhat are you doing?Ē I whispered.

Nan didnít pause as she ground out her answer. ďSeeing if we can find anything heís not telling us. When he comes back with my water, excuse yourself to use the bathroom and see if you can find anything in the main office.Ē

Wow, my nan made an excellent private investigator. Perhaps Iíd have to include her on my cases more often. Then again, this was only my second case to date and already sheíd proved indispensable to both. Hey, Iíd take help wherever and from whomever I could get it, just so long as nothing I did ever put my dear nan in any danger.

When heavy footsteps clopped their way back down the hall, Nan slipped her phone back into her purse just in time to greet Mr. Weber with a gracious smile.ďMy hero,Ē she cooed as he handed her the cup of water.

ďIf youíll excuse me,Ē I said, rising to my feet. ďI just need to use the bathroom real quick.Ē

ďTurn left, then itís the second door on the right,Ē Mr. Weber muttered without looking up to see me off. Heíd fallen under Nanís spell as so many did, and I couldnít fault him for thatóespecially since it would make my investigation that much easier.

ďThanks,Ē I muttered before clicking the door shut behind me. Even though Nan was obviously an old pro, I myself was still new to this whole snooping business and didnít really know where I should be looking. Somehow, I doubted Bayside Printing Company would just leave their financials or security tapes in plain view. Come to think of it, a place like Bayside probably didnít even have security tapes, although if they did that would make this whole thing so much easier.

Man, I wished Octo-Cat was here with me. Where I was gangly and untalented, my cat was an expert at sticking his nose in othersí business. Heck,snooping might as well have been one of his middle names. With such a long list of them, it might actually be hidden in there without me knowing. He even put Nan to shame with his immense spying skills and the zero remorse he showed over exercising them. Maybe I could channel some of that nowÖ

Now, if I were Octo-Cat, where would I look first?

I didnít get a chance to find out, because a moment later I found that I wasnít alone in the main office. The tall, slim woman who sat silently in the waiting area perked up upon noticing me.

ďCan I help you?Ē I asked hesitantly. It seemed rude to just ignore her, even though I hadnít a clue how I could actually help her with anything of consequence.

ďIs Mr. Weber in?Ē she asked, tucking a fluffy red curl behind her ear and offering me a friendly smile. ďI was hoping to grab my order before he closed up shop for the night.Ē

ďUm, sure. Iíll just go tell him youíre here,Ē I said, turning back toward the office in defeat.

I sure hoped Nan was having better luck with Mr. Weber than Iíd had out here. Or that she had captured something valuable on her camera during her sleuthing micro-burst.

Otherwise, it looked like Bayside Printing Company might be a big, fat dead end. All weíd managed to do was waste value time.

Wednesday was almost upon us, and we werenít any closer to finding the Hayesís real killer. Might tomorrow turn out to be our lucky day?

Oh, I sure hoped so.

Chapter Eight

WEDNESDAY

The next morning I told Charles about the reconnaissance Nan and I had attempted at the Bayside Printing Company the night before.

ďI knew you were up to something,Ē he said before widening his eyes and asking, ďDid you find anything that can help?Ē

I caught him up on the little things weíd learned, like that Bill was well-liked at his job and slated for a promotion the following year. In the end, we really hadnít gained anything more than that. Most of Nanís pictures had turned out blurry, and the few we could see clearly showed nothing useful.

I tapped my pen on the desk and chewed my lower lip.ďAre you sure that none of the prosecutionís witnesses would be willing to talk to us before the trial?Ē

ďIím sure,Ē Charles answered with a weary sigh. ďThey all saidno. Well, except for one, but I havenít been able to get a hold of her despite trying to call multiple times.Ē He shrugged and took a sip from his coffee cup before adding, ďIím not sure sheíll be taking the stand, anyway.Ē

ďOh? Who might that be?Ē I leaned in closer, eager to hear more. Had Charles been sitting on this lead the whole time? I wished he would have said something earlier.

He didnít seem to think it was a big deal as he casually informed me, ďMichelle Hayes, the daughter.Ē

My heart quickened at this revelation. Could Michelle be the missing key to unlock the perfect defense?

ďDonít get so excited,Ē Charles warned me. ďIím telling you, sheís all but impossible to get a hold of.Ē

ďJust like this case is impossible to defend?Ē I quipped, shooting him a wry grin. Suddenly, a dark thought occurred to me. ďYou donít think sheís not returning your calls becauseshe did it, do you?Ē

ďAbsolutely no way. She loved her parents. They were payingbeaucoupbucks to put her through private college, and she still came home almost every weekend to visit even though her school is a good three-hour drive from here.Ē

ďI thought you couldnít get a hold of her?Ē I asked suspiciously. He seemed awfully quick to jump to Michelleís defense. Was it possible he wasnít sharing everything he knew with me? And, if so, why?

Charles seemed unperturbed by my question, and he held his coffee firmly between both hands as he said,ďThat was in the statement she gave the police.Ē

ďWhatís her number?Ē I asked, crossing the office to grab his landline. This week, Derek had graciously agreed to switch workspaces with me so that Charles and I could have unfettered access to each other while I assisted on Brockís case. It definitely made things easier.

Until Charles yanked the phone right out of my hand.

ďItís way too early in the morning to be calling a nineteen-year-old student. You think sheís going to want to talk to us if we wake her from a dead sleep?Ē

I cringed at his choice of words, but ultimately agreed.ďLater then.Ē

ďDo you think we could try the animals again today?Ē Charles asked with a similar puppy dog expression to the one Iíd seen on Yo-Yoís face when weíd first met.

ďSure. Why not?Ē I answered. We had to do something. Maybe I could put in a call to Michelle when he wasnít paying attention.

ďOkay,Ē Charles said before letting a relieved whoosh of air escape from his lungs. ďLetís go.Ē

ďNot so fast,Ē I called after him.

Heíd already grabbed his things and made it halfway out the door. Talk about eager. Charles turned back to me, properly chastised. ďWhatís wrong?Ē

ďWe need a plan first.Ē I returned to my seat and flipped to a new page on my bright yellow legal pad.

Charles sat back down, too, but began to bounce both legs nervously.

When I was sure I had his attention, I continued,ďWe need to treat the animals just like we would any other witness, and we need to approach Yo-Yo as a vulnerable witness. You saw the trauma he went through at the mere suggestion his owners might be hurt. We canít upset him like that again or he may close off to us completely. Also, if we push too hard, I worry it could negatively impact his long-term mental health.Ē

Charles thought about this for a moment. By the time he spoke again, his nervous bouncing had ceased.ďDo you think Yo-Yo saw the murder?Ē

ďHe definitely could have seen it,Ē I said with a nod.

Understanding sparked within his pine-colored eyes.ďHe saw it, and then he suppressed the memory to protect himself.Ē

ďThatís what Iím thinking.Ē I brought the pen to my mouth but stopped short before I began to gnaw at the cap. It was a nervous habit of mineóa disgusting habitóI definitely didnít want to trot out in front of Charles.

Luckily, he didnít seem to notice. ďSo how do we get him to acknowledge these hidden memories in time to save Brock?Ē

ďWe donít,Ē I said, recapping the pen and placing it back onto the desk. ďI think Yo-Yo can still help even without remembering what happened or knowing that his owners were killed. I mean, who knows a person better than their dog? He saw their daily routines for years. He would definitely know if anything had changed shortly before their deaths.Ē

ďSmart,Ē Charles said with a nod while my heart secretly swelled at the compliment. ďDo you want to take the lead on the questioning?Ē

ďYes, I think I do.Ē I could talk to animals for a reason. At first I thought helping Octo-Cat solve Ethelís murder had just been a fluke, but more and more it seemed like this was my calling: to uncover justice one fluffy critter at a time.

[ ŗūÚŤŪÍŗ: img_3]

A couple hours later, weíd prepared an exhaustive list of questions and prompts, and even role-played how a conversation with Yo-Yo might go. That only left one variable for which we hadnít properly accountedóOcto-Cat.

His mood changed so regularly, it would take far too long to draw out the various scenarios we might be faced with while trying to secure his compliance. Also, I was too embarrassed to admit to Charles how much I let my cat walk all over me on a daily basis. Instead, we planned to just show up at my house and tell Octo-Cat what we expected of him, plain and simple.

Oh, heíd definitely find a way to punish me for it, but I could handle a little cat puke or a fresh claw wound if it meant saving an innocent man from a life in prison and protecting a sweet terrierís innocence.

We stopped off at Cliffside Apartments to grab Yo-Yo, then made a quick detour to the pet store where we purchased a leash and harness for Octo-Cat. Unfortunately, the only get-up they had in his size was bright neon green with a series of fluorescent bones patterned along the leash.

This would make it that much harder to convince him to wear it, but we didnít have time to stop off at multiple stores just to assuage my catís vanity.

Sure enough, Octo-Cat baulked when presented with his shiny new walking gear.ďSo let me get this straight. You not only want me to spend more time talking to Dum-Dum while you make heart eyes at Upchuck, but you also expect me to wear this monstrosity?Maíam, I am a cat, not some common, mouth-breathing dog.Ē

I crossed my legs and sat down on the floor in front of him, arranging my face in the best approximation of puppy-dog eyes any human could hope to muster.ďPlease.Itís just for a little while, and I wouldnít ask unless it was really important.Ē

He flicked his tail a few times before responding with,ďSo youíre asking then? That means I have a choice. I chooseno.Ē

I gave Charles the signal we had discussed, knowing in advance that it would most likely prove necessary. I watched as he slowly slipped his hands into a pair of oven mitts and tiptoed toward Octo-Cat from behind.

ďI want you to knowÖĒ I told my soon-to-be furious furr-enemy. ďI was hoping it wouldnít come to this.Ē

Octo-Catís eyes widened with the knowledge of my betrayal at the same time I shouted, ďNow!Ē

A furious cry ripped through the house as Charles scooped my cat into his arms, clutching him tightly and very much against his will.

ďUnhand me, Upchuck!Ē he screamed as he swiped his claws in any and every direction. ďI will not be disrespected like this!Ē

ďShh,Ē I said in a futile attempt to coax him into a belated agreement as I worked his arms through the harness.ďYou do this for me, help us find who killed Yo-Yoís owners, and I will owe you a favor. It can be any favor you want. I swear. Please just help us. We need you. And, if youíll recall, it wasnít so long ago I risked my life to help you get justice for Ethel.Ē

At these words, all the fight drained from his furry little body, and Octo-Cat sighed heavily.ďFine,Ē he growled as I clipped the harness under his belly.

Charles set him back on the ground, and Octo-Cat took a few tipsy steps. His fur stuck out in various directions from the struggle, and he twitched spasmodically while keeping his posture low and defensive.

ďYou owe me a big favor,Ē he shouted in my direction. ďThe biggest favor youíve ever given anyone in all your nine lives!Ē

I nodded, eager to put this confrontation to an end. Iíd braced myself for a much bigger fight than heíd given me, and things could still go south if I wasnít careful. ďYouíve got it,Ē I promised. ďAnything.Ē

Octo-Cat let out a maniacal chuckle that made the small hairs on the back of my neck stand on end, too.

ďWhat?Ē I asked, my voice suddenly shaky and unsure.

ďOh, youíll see. Youíll all see!Ē He swept a paw toward Charles, which only increased my worryóbut my crazy catís demands could be dealt with later. Thinking of which, I should also probably put parent controls on the TV later to discourage this kind of crazed villainous behavior. Rightnow, though, we had to move on to the next phase of our plan, just in case he suddenly changed his mind and retracted his offer to help.

ďLetís get out of here while we still can,Ē I told Charles while bending down to clip the leash to Octo-Catís new harness.

ďFully unnecessary,Ē the tabby grumbled. ďWhat makes you assume Iíd run away? Remember, I chose you despite your many,many shortcomings.Ē

ďItís more for your safety than your compliance,Ē I explained.

Even if Octo-Cat fully intended to stick with us on this trip, he had a tendency to become a different cat from the moment he stepped paw outside. Inside the house, he was a cool intellectual who freely offered an unsolicited running commentary on my life. Once he got out into the wide open, though, he became flighty, unpredictable, and highly excitable. For all I knew, he could spot a butterfly and run three miles straight before realizing we werenít right there chasing it with him.

Yes, as annoying as he could sometimes be, I loved my cat and wanted to keep him with me for many years to come.

Unfortunately for him, that meant he needed to wear the harness.

I only hoped the favor he requested of me would be something I could legally and physically obtain for him. You just never knew with this guy. Thatís part of what made living with him so exciting most days.

Then there were days like todayÖ

I knew the worst of his agitation was yet to come.

Grabbing a thick, long-sleeved jacket from the closet, I took a deep breath and led our motley party toward Charlesís waiting car.

It was time for phase two.

Chapter Nine

We arrived in the Hayesís old neighborhood less than ten minutes later, and Yo-Yo immediately perked up upon taking in the familiar sights and smells. He barked, howled, whimpered, and whined, all before we even managed to find a place to park the car.

ďWhatís he saying?Ē I asked Octo-Cat, who sat velcroed to my lap in the passenger seat. Since I wasnít driving this time, Iíd had the blessedly bright idea to bring a cushion to place between his claws and me. Never before had I enjoyed such a nice car ride with my agoraphobic cat.

Octo-Cat, of course, was still less than thrilled to be in the moving vehicle. It took a few moments before he answered.ďHeís calling out to his mom and dad and letting them know heís come home,Ē he explained between nervous pants.

ďOh, thatís really sad,Ē I responded after offering a quick translation for Charles. Despite the obvious seriousness of the situation, speaking to each other like this reminded me of the old schoolyard game of telephone. How warped did Yo-Yoís words become by the time they finally reached Charles?

ďDefinitely a vulnerable witness,Ē Charles agreed with my earlier assessment while pulling up to the curb and putting the car in park. ďPoor guy.Ē

ďYou still havenít told me the plan,Ē Octo-Cat said as I helped him untangle his claws from the cushion and placed him gently on the pavement outside.

Charles grabbed Yo-Yoís leash and came around the car to stand beside us. The excited terrier strained so hard against his leash, he began to wheeze.

ďYup. Dum-Dum is definitely a much better name for this dog,Ē Octo-Cat said with a contented grin, clearly feeling like himself again now that he was back on solid ground. ďUpchuck suits the human, too.Ē

ďYes, yes, youíre a great nicknamer,Ē I said to placate him, resisting the urge to roll my eyes now that he knew what the gesture meant. Instead, I chose to answer his earlier question. ďThe plan is to walk around the neighborhood and see what Yo-Yo can tell us about his life before. Something he says could give us a clue as to who besides Brock might have committed the murder.Ē

ďWouldnít it be easier if you just told Dum-Dum the truth about what happened and asked him to help?Ē Octo-Cat almost seemed as if he was trying to help, but I suspected the real goal was to end his involvement with our case as soon as felinely possible.

ďNo!Ē I shouted at the same time Yo-Yo screeched and began to twist at the end of the leash. Any passerby would have thought we were torturing the poor Yorkie. Thankfully, we had the street to ourselves for the moment.

ďDum-Dum says he wants to know the truth,Ē Octo-Cat explained with a bored expression and a yawn.

ďUgh, stop making things harder than they have to be,Ē I scolded him. ďAnd stop being such an elitist. His name is Yo-Yo, and you know it.Ē

ďYes, Iím the one making things harder here,Ē my cat said, widening his eyes in the direction of the neon-colored leash that tied me and him together. He let out an exasperated huff and looked away.

Iíd had more than enough of his complaints, especially since Yo-Yo was still panickingóand doing so loudly. Dropping to my haunches, I stared the obstinate tabby down and said, ďIf you want your return favor, youíll do things the way I want them done. You hear?Ē

He cringed.ďSay it. Donít spray it. And you donít have to shout, either.Ē

Okay, that was it. I would definitely be restricting his TV access. It was bad enough when he was watching educational cartoons all hours of the day, but now heíd turned into a snarky teenageróand that was just too much when combined with his already snarky feline temperament. Besides, he needed to learn that his actions had consequences.

Ugh.Here I was still in my twenties and yet somehow also a single mother to a whiny teenager. I owed Nan and my parents a huge apology for all the irritating know-it-all things Iíd done as a teenage brat myself.

ďAre we agreed?Ē I asked pointedly as I stood up and Charles bent down to pick up Yo-Yo so that he would stop hurting himself.

ďFine,Ē Octo-Cat spat out. ďWhat do you want me to tell him?Ē

I put on a huge smile to show Octo-Cat how pleased I was about his cooperation. I knew better than to call him a good boy in front of mixed company, even though he loved hearing those words when it was just the two of us at home.ďTell him his mom and dad are away on a trip right now, but weíre going to take a walk around his neighborhood together because weíd love to hear about all his favorite memories with them.Ē

ďYou do realize this is going to be torture for me, right?Ē

ďYouíll live,Ē I shot back.

Octo-Cat conveyed my message to Yo-Yo, who briefly stopped panting and slipped his tongue back inside his mouth. A few seconds later, his enthusiasm returned, and he struggled to break free of Charlesís grasp once more.

ďReady?Ē Charles asked.

When I nodded, he placed the terrier on the ground, and the four of us began our walk around the neighborhood with Yo-Yo proudly leading the way.

ďDo I have to translate everything he says?Ē Octo-Cat whined less than a minute into our jaunt.

ďYes, everything,Ē I answered.

Charles stayed oddly silent as the animals and I conversed. On the rare occasion we ran into another walker, he spoke, too, so that I would appear at least somewhat less insane. I was still walking a very angry-looking cat on a leash, after all.

ďCareful, he bites,Ē Charles warned a pair of blue-haired ladies in track suits when it looked like they were going to try to pet Octo-Cat.

Octo-Cat hissed and arched his back for good measure, then laughed when they quickened their pace and power-walked right on by us.ďThat was kind of fun,Ē he said as he shook it out.

ďAwesome, so glad youíre enjoying yourself. Now, what is Yo-Yo saying?Ē I demanded. I was glad Octo-Cat had found a way to make the experience more palatable, but we needed him to stay focused on the entire reason for this trip in the first place.

The tabby sighed and twitched his whiskers and moved his ears back and forth.ďLet me just turn on my Dum-Dum receptorsÖ There.Ē

ďHaha, youíre hilarious. Now stop with the stand-up comedy and start with the translation already.Ē

ďFiiiiiiiine,Ē he drew that single word out for at least seven syllables before finally doing as he was told. He sighed and said,ďWell, that rock we just passed a few paces back, thatís one of his favorite places to pee. Once he saw a squirrel crossing the road here, and it ran so fast he couldnít catch up. Birds like to sit in that tree over there. He also enjoys peeing there. Thereís usually a nest every spring. The kids who live in that house up ahead like to run through the sprinklers in summer, and sometimes they invite him to playÖĒ

I was starting to get his hesitation about translatingeverything Yo-Yo said. It all came out so fast there was no way I could relay it to Charles. I offered him an apologetic glance before asking Octo-Cat,ďDo you think you could ask him some questions for me?Ē

He just kept walking without so much as looking at me.

I took his silence as agreement.ďAsk him if he likes all the people who live in this neighborhood.Ē

ďHe says, Ďyes, very much,í then he told me about the time he saw two red cars in a row right on this block.Ē

I needed to keep both of them talking, but I also needed to keep them on topic.ďWere Bill and Ruth particularly close to anyone in the area?Ē

ďApparently they liked everybody, and everybody liked them,Ē Octo-Cat relayed. I was beginning to wonder if our terrier friend might not be the most reliable of witnesses. It seemed he saw the best in everybodyóand every situation, too.

ďAnything yet?Ē Charles asked.

I shook my head and kicked at a pebble in our path.ďNo. Unless you count knowing all the best places to mark your territory along this block.Ē

Charles laughed, but I could tell he was at least a littleóand probablya lotódisappointed. I was just about to suggest we head back when Yo-Yo barked defensively. He stopped walking and grew stiff, pointing his nose to the next yard over.

ďWhat is it?Ē I asked my cat as excitement surged through my veins.

ďHe says thatís the bad lady. He wants her to go away.Ē

I followed Yo-Yoís gaze to the ďFor SaleĒ sign down the block. There, a blue and white notice announced that the property was being sold through Calhoun Realty, and a picture of Brock smiling beside his twin sister, Breanne, graced its countenance.

ďLady, right?Ē I asked carefully. ďNot man?Ē

ďDefinitely lady,Ē Octo-Cat concurred. ďHe said that she always shoved him into a closet whenever people came to visit and that made him sad and scared.Ē

ďHmm,I wonder if that could be the same closet that Bill and Ruthís bodies were found inside.Ē

Octo-Cat took a deep breath and turned toward Yo-Yo.

ďDonít translate that!Ē I shouted.

ďWhat are they saying?Ē Charles nudged by arm while wearing an expression of utter glee. ďDo we have a lead?Ē

I glanced from the sign to Yo-Yo and then to Charles.ďWell, the dog that likes everyone has a very negative impression of Breanne Calhoun. It seems we might need to pay her a little visit.Ē

[ ŗūÚŤŪÍŗ: img_3]

As we walked back toward the car, Charles placed a call to Breanneóor at least he tried to get through to her.

ďStraight to voicemail,Ē he said with a frustrated groan.

ďText her?Ē I suggested.

Charles did, and we heard back from her almost right away. He handed me the phone, so I could read the message for myself:

Showing houses to a client. Everything okay?

I gave the phone back to Charles, who deftly composed his reply while speaking each word aloud to keep me in the loop.ďCan we meet about the case?Ē

A quick series of pings followed, and Charles relayed,ďShe canít tonight, but says we can stop in tomorrow any time after lunch.Ē

ďGreat,Ē I moaned. Tomorrow would be Thursday, and my momís story was set to run Friday. That sure didnít leave us much time, especially if Breanne turned out to be yet another false lead.

ďSo what now?Ē I asked.

ďIím kind of hungry,Ē Charles answered. ďDo you know of any place we can get a good lobster roll? Iíve been craving one ever since I moved here.Ē

I stopped dead in my tracks.ďAre you serious right now, Charles Longfellow, the Third?Ē

ďWhat? What did I do?Ē

ďYouíve been in Maine how long and havenít had one of our famous lobster rolls?Ē

He laughed.ďHave I mentioned Iím kind of a workaholic?Ē

ďThis wonít fly, Chuck,Ē I said, finally feeling comfortable using his nickname. ďSince youíve waited this long, not just any lobster roll will do. You need the best.Ē

ďIím definitely okay with that. Which place has the best?Ē

ďCímon, weíre headed to Misty Harbor and a little place called the Little Dog Diner. I just know youíre going to love it.Ē

Chapter Ten

Our dinner detour in the nearby town of Misty Harbor proved to be just the thing both Charles and I needed to ease our frazzled nerves. Of course, weíd stopped by my house to drop off Octo-Cat along the wayóa fact for which he was exceedingly gratefulóbut we brought Yo-Yo with us and dined at one of their outdoor tables that looked right onto the bay. We even got the pup a fish dinner of his own, which he devoured with aplomb. I saved a small portion in a to-go box for Octo-Cat as a thank you for his help that day, and also with the hope heíd go easy on me whenever he revealed the favor Iíd need to grant him in return.

Charles and I sat and chatted over lobster rolls until the sky began to darken and another restaurant-goer needed our table. I thought I recognized the woman with red, fluffy hair, who approached us with a smile and a request to take over our spot, but I couldnít quite place her. Anyway, it looked like she was busy, because the moment we gathered our things to leave, she plopped down and unpacked a laptop from her bag. That was before the busboy had even managed to clear away our plates.

I felt bad for her, having no one to dine with her on this beautiful Wednesday night, even though Iíd be home in my jammies fighting with Octo-Cat by now if it werenít for this impromptu outing with Charles.

ďSee,Ē he said, bumping my shoulder with his own. ďAt least I know not to mix work and lobster rolls.Ē

Work, ugh.Yes, our momentary break from the case had come to an end. There wasnít much time left now.

ďCan we try calling Michelle now?Ē I suggested as we made our way back to the parking lot.

ďSure, use my phone,Ē he said. ďI have her number saved just in case.Ē

I tried my luck but got sent straight to voicemail where a robotic voice informed me the mailbox was full and thus unable to take any new messages.ďSo much for that,Ē I said with a defeated sigh.

ďHey. At least tomorrowís a new day,Ē Charles told me with a wistful glance in my direction.

Yes, a new dayóand the last full one we had when it came to proving Brockís innocence and stopping my momís big expos?. Even with the animalsí help, this was not turning out as easy as Iíd hoped.

Could we possibly hope that a new day would make that any different?

[ ŗūÚŤŪÍŗ: img_3]

THURSDAY

Charles and I put in a full morning at the firm before heading over to Calhoun Realty around noon. Heíd practically insisted we bring the animals with us, but fortunately I was able to convince him that we should meet with Breanne on our own before getting Octo-Cat and Yo-Yo involvedóespecially since we had no idea how the little dog would react to seeing Breanne in person. If she was our killer, all heck could break lose once Yo-Yoís memories came rushing back. And, judging by his reaction to seeing her printed image yesterday, that was a very real possibility.

We had to wait more than half an hour before Breanne ushered us back into her office. Even though I was sure she was a very busy person, this immediately soured her to me. One of my biggest pet peeves was people who didnít respect othersí time. Didnít she know her brotherís freedom was on the line here?

ďSorry about that,Ē the realtor said when at last she waved us back into her private office. Of course, she didnít seem the least bit apologetic despite her words to the contrary.

Charles and I sat in the matching pair of chairs in front of her desk and waited for Breanne to settle herself. She seemed rather put out by our arrival even though sheíd known we were coming.

ďHow is everything?Ē Charles asked, putting on the same drawn expression Iíd seen him use when speaking with Brock at the prison.

ďNot so hot,Ē she admitted, tossing her auburn hair into a messy bun at the nape of her neck. With her hair pulled back, I noticed how strongly she resembled her brother. I guess that made sense, them being twins and all, but still I found the similarity quite striking and a bit shocking. The only differences seemed to be the feminine curve to Breanneís face and the alternate hair color.

She pinched her features in dismay before jumping into a lengthy explanation.ďHalf the people I take out on showings donít even want a house. They just want to gossip about my brother. Or, worse, sometimes they want to chew me out on his behalf. Still, Iím taking as many extra hours as I can, because your firm doesnít come cheap. And, if Brock is convicted, I can pretty much kiss this realty goodbye.Ē Breanne laughed sarcastically and let out a long sigh. ďSo, yeah, not so hot.Ē

ďIím sorry to be intruding on your busy schedule,Ē Charles said. He didnít seem too apologetic, either. ďBut we need to explore every possible lead that comes before us, and your brother has asked that I keep you informed of all new developments for his case.Ē

I shifted uncomfortably in my chair as I tried my best not to stare at her with open hostility. If there was one thing the past few months had taught me, it was that I could trust what animals said far more than I could trust humans. For all we knew, Breanne might just be playing the part of the aggrieved sister, all the while framing her poor brother for a crime she committed.

The most convincing evidence I had to support my theory, of course, was the fact that the happy-go-lucky Yorkie who loved everyone became insecure and defensive when confronted with a mere picture of her.

What else could something like that mean?

I did wish Charles wouldíve been open to the idea of having Nan accompany us. She could have engaged in some of her grade-A sleuthing while Charles and I spoke directly to Breanne. Iíd only met this realtor minutes ago and already knew better than to trust a single word that came out of her glossy red mouth.

ďHas there been a new development?Ē Breanne asked, crossing her legs above the knee and staring Charles down. ďGo on, tell me about it, then.Ē

Charles glanced toward me and took a deep breath. Oh, gosh, I hope he wasnít planning on telling her about the talking animals or that we now suspected her because of them.

ďThis is Angie Russo,Ē he said as he gestured toward me.

I smiled and waggled my fingers at her awkwardly.

ďSheís Blueberry Bayís best paralegal and has recently signed on to help me defend your brotherís case.Ē

ďThatís all well and good,Ē Breanne said with a disappointed shake of her head. ďBut I hired a lawyer, not a paralegal. With as much as weíre paying, Mr. Thompson should really be defending this case himself. Please tell me you didnít request this meeting just to tell me you have a new assistant. That is not news I should have to pay $275 an hour to hear!Ē

ďDonít worry. This visit is off the clock,Ē Charles said with an ingratiating smile. Somehow it actually seemed to work, too.

ďOh?Ē the pretty realtor said, sitting a little higher in her chair. ďThen how can I help you today?Ē

ďIn reviewing the discovery with Angie here, we came up with a few new questions regarding the crime scene. Would it be possible for us to have another look around this afternoon?Ē

ďYou want to see the house again,Ē she said flatly. ďI guess thatís fine.Ē

ďGreat, thank you so much.Ē Charles rose to his feet and extended a hand across the desk. ďIf you could just give us the key then, weíll be on our way.Ē

ďNot so fast,Ē Breanne said as she stood up with him. ďThe State Licensing Board is already watching me like a hawk. Even if Brock gets off the hook, the fact still remains that the killer could have gained access to the Hayesís home through my lockbox. Someone even suggested that maybe I didnít close it up properly and thatís why my clients were murdered. Can you believe that?Ē

ďTough break,Ē I muttered. Apparently, this was the wrong thing to say.

Breanneís eyes narrowed in on me and she pinched her lips together in quiet contemplation before shifting her gaze back to Charles. ďWhat did you say her name was again?Ē

ďAngie Russo,Ē I answered on my own behalf, purposefully not offering to shake hands on our re-introduction. ďNow can we please go see the house?Ē

Her eyes zipped back to mine, and this time she sneered openly. The two of us stared at each other for a few moments before Breanne finally caved and showed us out of her office.

ďWeíll meet you at the house in about fifteen minutes,Ē Charles said. ďWe have a quick pit stop to make first.Ē

ďFine, but please donít be longer than that. I have a lot of paperwork to get through tonight and would prefer not to be up all night.Ē

I didnít say anything until Charles and I were buckled safely back inside his car. ďWell, isnít she a peach?Ē I scoffed.

Charles appeared thoughtful as he watched Breanne pull away in her large cherry red SUV.ďSheís under a lot of pressure these days. Maybe even worse than her brother,Ē he explained. His expression became almost tender, which made me feel queasy.

ďBut that doesnít mean she needs to be rude,Ē I argued. ďWhatís your plan for checking out the house, anyway? I thought the whole point of this visit was to find out if Breanne framed her brother for the murders.Ē

ďWe canít exactly come right out and ask a client if sheís guilty, especially since sheís not the one weíve been hired to defend. I figured we could grab the animals, grab the discovery, and check the place out. After all, you havenít seen the crime scene yet. You might notice somethingI havenít. Yo-Yo might remember something once we get him back inside.Ē

ďYesterday, Yo-Yo seemed pretty convinced that Breanne was to blame. He even called her Ďthe bad lady,íĒ I reminded him.

Charles kept his eyes straight ahead as if gathering his private thoughts, ones he wasnít quite ready to share with me. ďYeah, well, I know Breanne better than you, and I still donít think she did it.Ē

ďAnd I do,Ē I shot back, crossing my arms over my chest like an angry toddler. If I didnít feel threatened by Breanne before, I definitely did now that Charles was going out of his way to defend her despite our evidence against her. It seemed maybe my crush had a little crush of his own.

Maybe Octo-Cat was right. Maybe I needed to find a nice cat person to settle down with and leave pining for Chuck in my past.

But then he smiled a full-on toothy grin, grabbed my hand, and gave it a good squeeze.ďOnly one way to find out. Letís go.Ē

My breathing hitched in my chest. Oh, yes, I was ready to follow him anywhere. Not just because he was handsome, but also because he was smart, kind, and committed to justice.

And all of that was a good thing, too, since we were heading to the place where two people had recently been murderedÖ

Chapter Eleven

Charles and I pulled up to the Hayesís home some twenty minutes later and found Breanne waiting in her SUV idling in the driveway. When we each exited with an animal sidekick, she scrambled out and slammed the door with more strength than I thought she had in her.

Yo-Yo growled and bared his tiny incisors, but made no effort to escape Charlesís arms despite either his anxiety over spending more time with a person he loathed or his unbridled joy at having finally returned home.

ďWhat are you doing with these animals?Ē Breanne demanded, marching right up to us and blocking our path to the house.

Octo-Cat and I cut across the grass and let ourselves inside, leaving Charles to charm the angry realtor since neither of us would be much help there.

The moment we entered, the sharp tang of chemicals hit my nose.

Octo-Cat smelled it, too, and immediately began rubbing his paw over his face.ďEw, ew, ew,Ē he complained with each step we took further into the house.ďYou humans sure have a knack for fouling up your environment. Iím not sure how long Iíll be able to take this.Ē

ďMe either,Ē I said, lifting the collar of my shirt over my face to form an impromptu breathing filter. ďI guess they had to give the place an extra deep cleaning afterÖĒ

Octo-Cat picked up where my words had trailed off.ďThe brutal murders? Yeah.Ē His words came out muffled from beneath his paw.

I looked to him, wondering where we should go next, but the cat ignored me. Instead, he lifted his head and bravely sniffed the air, then broke into a trot and headed straight up the stairs without another secondís hesitation.

ďWait,Ē I called after him, struggling and failing to keep pace. ďWhere are you going?Ē

He didnít answer, but after climbing the stairs myself, I found him sitting in a bedroom at the end of the hallway. The large area was completely devoid of furniture, unlike the other rooms Iíd passed through on my way here. It also appeared to be the source for the strong chemical smell, but otherwise the walls and carpeting appeared pristine and untouched.

I felt a little guilty stomping through the room, but that feeling left me when I managed to pry open the windows and let some fresh, non-toxic air into the space.

Octo-Cat hopped up onto the window sill appreciatively.ďNow I can breathe again,Ē he said with a contented sigh. ďFor a while there I thoughtI was going to die in this house, too.Ē

I placed a hand on each hip and stared him down.ďToo soon, Octo. Too soon.Ē

He flicked his tail in agitation.ďIs my punishment to lose yet another part of my name? What happened to theCat inOcto-Cat?Hmmm?Ē

ďI donít know,Ē I answered truthfully, a devious smile creeping across my face. ďYouíre giving everyone new nicknames lately, so I guess I thought Iíd try it out, too. Besides, unlike you, Iím trying to lighten the mood a little bit, considering Iím pretty sure this is the room where Bill and Ruth died.Ē

ďThis is the room where they weremurdered, you mean,Ē Octo-Cat corrected, taking deliberate care to enunciate the terrible term. ďAnd donít forget theCat next time. It is the most important part of my name.Ē

ďFine, but letís try to focus now. Okay? This is the place two people were killed.Ē I dropped my voice to a whisper just in case Breanne could hear us from outside. I couldnít hear her and had no idea where she, Charles, and Yo-Yo were at the moment, so perhaps we were in good shape for now. Still, it always paid to be extra careful when letting my freak flag fly. ďWe need to see what we can find out while weíre here and have the chance to look around.Ē

ďYes, boss,Ē my tabby said wryly and with another energetic flick of his tail.

A bird chirped in the tree outside the window and immediately drew his attention away. Octo-Cat slowly rose to his feet while keeping his head perfectly still, then wiggled his butt and let out a laughable impression of a bird call.

Rather than tease him, I just rolled my eyes and walked the perimeter of the room. One of us needed to get to work before this golden investigation opportunity completely passed us by. And it seemed that would have to be me.

Tucked into a little nook, I found the door to an impressive walk-in closet. This was the place the bodies had been found, although nothingóother than the chemical smellóhinted at its uncomfortably recent and gruesome history now. It was simply a plain, empty space.

ďThis is where they were found,Ē Charles said, coming up behind me and causing me to jump in my skin.

ďYou donít just sneak up on someone in the middle of a crime scene,Ē I hissed, turning toward him so that he could read the displeasure on my face.

His eyebrows pinched together, and his mouth drooped in a frown. Well, at least he looked properly chastised.ďSorry about that. I didnít mean to scare you, but I also worry we donít have much time. Breanne is not happy right now and even threatened to call Thompson and issue a complaint.Ē

I shook my head and took a step back when I realized Charles and I were still standing too near each other for comfort. I had the hots for the guy, sure, but this hardly felt like the time or place.ďAll because we brought a couple animals with us? Does she even recognize Yo-Yo?Ē

Upon hearing his name, the Yorkie zipped into the room, running huge looping circles so fast, he was mostly a gray and brown blur.

ďWell, someone has the zoomies,Ē Octo-Cat declared, hopping down from the window sill and joining me and Charles by the closet. ďAlso he scared my bird away. I almost had it, too.Ē

I decided not to mention that Octo-Cat also got the zoomies from time to time or that there was absolutely no way he was catching that birdónot just because his bird call was extremely unconvincing but also because of the screen window that hung between them. Add to that his whole inability to fly and we had the very definition of an impossible situation.

We watched the Yorkie run joyous circles until he collapsed in an exhausting, panting heap right in the middle of the room.

ďWhatís going on with Breanne?Ē I asked Charles while Octo-Cat dutifully approached the dog and began a conversation with him.

ďShe says weíre overstepping, and she questions our sanity.Ē His face remained unreadable as he delivered this unwelcome news, but I could guess how he probably felt in that moment.

My heart began to gallop. It was bad enough that Charles knew my secret, but now he was telling others, too?ďYou didnít tell her aboutóĒ

ďNo,Ē he cut me off. ďBut I had to tell her something, so I said they were emotional support animals.Ē

Well, no wonder she thought we were crazy. Charles had basically confirmed that for her.

ďHow long do we have?Ē I asked, unable to resist the urge to gnaw on one of my many hangnails. I really needed to treat myself to a manicure when this whole thing was over.

ďHalf an hour, tops,Ē he revealed with another deep frown.

ďThen we better get to it.Ē I approached the animals slowly and sat down beside them cross-legged. Hopefully, the chemical smell from the carpet wouldnít rub off on my clothes, but even if it did, it would be a small price to pay for information that would save Brock.

ďWhat did he say?Ē I asked Octo-Cat while nodding toward our doggie eye witness.

ďLots of things. Too many things,Ē Octo-Cat said, rolling onto his back so that his belly was facing the ceiling. He looked utterly exhausted even though he couldnít have been talking to Yo-Yo for more than two minutes before I interrupted.

ďCare to tell me any of them?Ē I asked, resisting the urge to pet his fluffy tummy. Something told me he was already looking for a reason to bite me as an outlet for his anxiety, and neither of us needed the extra hostility right now.

He yawned, and the smell of the tuna blend breakfast on his breath mixed with the chemicals in the carpet made my stomach churn with bile.ďSomething about his owners and missing home. He was in the closet. They were in the closet. Yada yada yada.Ē

ďWhat? Noyada yada yada. What did he say? His exact words, please.Ē I nudged him until he rolled onto his side then forced him to look up and focus on me.

Octo-Cat growled, picked himself up, and moved a couple feet so that he was out of my reach.ďI told you everything I could remember. He talks fast. And incessantly, I might add. It just all kind of runs together after a while.Ē

Hmm, kind of like Octo-Cat himself.

I groaned, and Yo-Yo crawled onto my lap to frantically lick my face.ďI cannot believe you,Ē I told my naughty kitty. ďWe came here specifically to investigate the murder and you canít be bothered to pay attention for two minutes?Ē

ďI donít need to lay here and listen to this,Ē Octo-Cat said, pulling himself to his feet with great agitation and trotting out of the room.

Yo-Yo perked up in my lap, then hopped off to give chase.

ďWell, Iím guessing we have even less time now,Ē I told Charles, returning to my feet as well. ďWhere is Breanne hanging out, by the way?Ē

He stood in the closet studying the walls as if they were the most interesting thing in the whole world.ďIn her SUV,Ē he mumbled without looking away. ďShe said she had some calls to make.Ē

I swallowed the giant lump in my throat. We both knew that one of those calls might be to our boss. As much as we needed to make the most of our time here, I also needed to tread lightly as far as my boss was concerned. Mr. Fulton had always been kind and complimentary of my work, but Mr. Thompsonóthe only partner left at this pointómade his dislike of me clear at every possible opportunity.

If Bethany was right about him planning to throw Charles under the bus when it came to this unwinnable case, I had no doubt heíd all too happily discard of me as well.

Sigh.Why were things never easy?

ďShould we go after them?Ē I asked, pointing my chin toward the door through which the animals had just noisily departed.

Charles glanced from me to the door and back again, then shook his head.ďIn a little bit. First, thereís something about the crime scene thatís always struck me as a bit odd. Maybe you can help me figure it out.Ē He reached into his messenger bag and pulled out the giant discovery folder from the prosecution.

Just as I feared, he flipped straight to the photos of Bill and Ruthís bloody, lifeless bodies. I hadnít wanted to see these pictures the first time, and I certainly didnít want to see them now.

But I also didnít want to see an innocent man spend the rest of his life in prison, so I grabbed some antacids from my purse, placed one on my tongue, and willed myself to examine the photos that Charles extended out to me now.

I looked closely this time. Carefully. Just as Charles had asked of me.

And wouldnít you know it? We finally found something that might actually help our case.

Chapter Twelve

I may not have much experience with murder or crime scenes, but something about those photos jumped out at me.

ďCan we lay these out in the closet?Ē I asked, shoving them back toward Charles.

He nodded, got down on his hands and knees, then matched the photos up to their corresponding spots in the actual physical space. Together, we spent a few minutes making sure the angles were represented perfectly.

ďOkay, walk me through this,Ē I said, rubbing my chin with the side of my index finger. ďWhat exactly do we know from the pictures?Ē

Charles pointed to one on the left-hand side of our spread.ďFrom the angle of the blood splatter, we know that the killer approached his victims from the right.Ē

We both studied the wall, which had once been painted red with blood. Now it was a pristine and perfect white.

ďOkay, what else?Ē I asked, chewing on a fingernail now that the antacid had fully dissolved. I needed something to ground myself in the now so my fears wouldnít get the best of me.

Charles swept his vision across the arc of photographs before turning back toward me.ďWell, we believe Bill was killed first and that Ruth was killed a few minutes after when she came to investigate.Ē

I hadnít heard this bit before, but I also hadnít asked for many details about the crime scene, either. One thing was for sure: I definitely needed to work on thickening my skin or at least strengthening my stomach when it came to these thingsóespecially since it seemed investigating murders was becoming something of a habit for me as of late.

I nodded.ďOkay. What makes you say that?Ē

ďBillís blood was more saturated in the carpet and spread further than Ruthís, but really it was a matter of minutes between the murders, so itís hard to say,Ē Charles explained, keeping his voice steady. I wondered if thinking about the brutal killings upset him as much as it upset me. If it did, he certainly didnít make his feelings obvious.

ďHmm,Ē I said, considering my investigative partner just as much as the information heíd presented. After a moment of tense silence, I grabbed a pencil from my purse and did my best to trace the area of blood splatter on the wall. Art was one of my many failed talents, but I did okay considering.

Charles panicked and tried to wrest the pencil away from me.ďWhat are you doing?Ē he demanded with a look of horror on his handsome face. Although, I had to admit, he seemed less handsome today than he had at the beginning of the week. Maybe I was unconsciously beginning to associate the Hayesís double murder with him, and that definitely wasnít swoon-inducing or crush-worthy.

ďTrying to match the evidence to the conclusion.Ē I had to admit, I felt very Sherlock Holmes in that moment. Well, if Holmes had secretly harbored an on-again-off-again crush on Watson. Yeah, I still hadnít found anything groundbreaking, but something told me if we kept following this line of thought, weíd find exactly what we needed to save Brock.

My Watson unfortunately wasnít the most agreeable when it came to my current tactics. He argued, ďBut BreanneóĒ

ďSheís already mad,Ē I said through gritted teeth. ďItís not like this will make things any worse.Ē

Charles sighed but moved aside and let me finish my work.

Ignoring the small droplets, I reproduced the outline for the main burst of the blood splatter carefully. A few minutes later, I stepped back, satisfied with the effort.

ďNow,Ē I said, brushing my hands off on my pants even though they hadnít gotten the slightest bit dirty. ďWe need to finish setting the scene. You be Bill, and Iíll be the killer. Do you have anything can work as the hammer?Ē

ďUmÖĒ Charles shifted his weight uncomfortably. He didnít seem to have the slightest idea what I was on about, but I didnít want to waste time explaining, especially when Breanne could barge in and disrupt us any minute.

ďNever mind, we can use this.Ē I grabbed Octo-Catís neon leash and folded it over several times to approximate the length of a standard hammer, then tied it in place with a hair tie on each end. ďGot any sticky notes in there?Ē

Charles fumbled around in his bag, then pulled out a mini pad of brightly colored notes, which he promptly handed to me.ďNever know when these might come in handy,Ē he said with a shrug. ďIn fact, I still donít know how theyíre going to help right now, but Iím ready to find out.Ē

ďGood,Ē I said, eyeing him carefully for a moment. He smiled instead of grimacing, which I took as a win. ďNow go lay down the way Bill was found and in the same spot, too.Ē

He did, lowering himself gently down onto his stomach and reaching his arms overhead at odd angles. It was eerie, seeing him there sprawled out like the victim from our photosóespecially since my mind automatically filled in the missing details like the blood and the giant, blossoming bruises.

I shook my head to clear my mental Etch-a-Sketch of that gruesome picture, then picked up the photo of Billís prone body and put a series of sticky notes on Charlesís back and head in the same spots where the hammer had wounded Bill. There were three in totalóone near the base of his neck, one on the side of his face, and the last on his upper back near his shoulder.

ďOkay. Now stand up,Ē I instructed, taking a big step back to give him space.

Charles did without saying anything. I could tell he was intrigued and also wanted to see where this was going.

ďHow tall was Bill?Ē I asked as I motioned for my colleague to turn around so that I could study his back from behind.

ďAbout five foot ten,Ē he answered after a brief momentís thought.

ďAnd how tall are you?Ē

ďSix feet even.Ē

ďNow how tall is Brock?Ē

ďSix-four.Ē

I kept all these numbers in my head, adding my height of five foot seven to the mix as I brought my makeshift murder weapon up and down on each of the sticky notes. I caught each shot with the camera on my phone.

ďOkay. You can turn around now.Ē I made a quick trip to the app store to download a measuring app while I explained the next steps to Charles. ďBrock is six inches taller than Bill. So now weíre going to make me six inches taller than you. Can you crouch to aboutyea-high?Ē

I drew the phone from the floor to about my shoulder height and held it there while Charles got into position. He was a bit shaky as I redid my measurements and snapped pictures of each.

ďNow check these out with me,Ē I said, helping him back to his feet so we could both examine the six new photos on my phone. ďThese first three photos are from when we were both at our normal height, and the next three are from us recreating the height difference between Bill and Brock. What do you notice?Ē

Charles grabbed the phone from me excitedly and flipped back and forth reviewing each photo several times, then we placed my phone onto the floor next to the crime scene photos of Bill. He looked from the walls where Iíd traced the path of the blood splatter and back to the pictures.

ďGiven the angle of the blood splatter and placement of the wounds, the first pictures look much more accurate.Ē

I nodded.ďIf Brock had landed these blows on Bill, he would have needed to angle his wrists awkwardly like this and taken a wide, golf-like swing. It would have been much more naturalóand more effectiveóto hit him from above.Ē

ďSo you think someone shorter committed the crime?Ē

ďI do, but letís recreate Ruthís death before deciding for sure.Ē

We went through all the same motions again, with me playing the victim this time. Ruth had only needed one blow to go down and it was directly to the top of her skull.

ďSee,Ē I told Charles as we were going through the resulting photos. ďWhy would the murderer hit Ruth over the top of the head and not Bill?Ē

ďBecause he couldnít reach on Bill,Ē Charles answered excitedly.

I nodded, happy to see that my companion both understood and supported my theory.ďActually, Iím pretty sure the culprit is a she. Or a very short man. In any case, itís not Brock.Ē

ďSo weíre looking for someone aboutÖĒ His eyes found and held mine.

ďMy height, yup,Ē I confirmed.

Charles grabbed the discovery folder and flipped through it quickly, mumbling the names of each witness and person of interest as he went.ďIt couldnít be Brock. Also couldnít be Billís boss. Both are too tall.Ē

I already knew exactly who this new evidence implicated, but I needed Charles to arrive there on his own.

ďAlmost everyone is either too tall or too short to be considered,Ē he murmured while stashing the folder back in his bag.

ďWe know at least one person related to this case whoís exactly my height,Ē I pointed out.

ďBreanne,Ē Charles said with a sigh. ďI was afraid of that.Ē

A series of footsteps stomped up the staircase, causing us to share a horrified expression. We knew exactly who had come to find us now.

ďOkay, timeís up!Ē Breanne called, charging angrily into the room and growing even more livid when she found Charles and me sitting on the closet floor with the crime scene photos and a matching pair of guilty expressions on our faces.

ďWhat are you doing?Ē she demanded, placing a hand on each hip. ďAnd where are your animals?Ē

Uh-oh.This was not good. Not good at all.

Chapter Thirteen

I bolted out of that room so fast, Breanne couldnít have stopped me if sheíd tried. Maybe I was being a bit overdramatic, but I didnít feel like being trapped in the same small, enclosed space with a possible killer. Her arrival also reminded me that I hadnít heard from the animals in quite some time, and I had no idea whether theyíd somehow managed to escape outside.

Luckily, I found Octo-Cat almost right away. He stood on top of the fridge with his fur puffed up and his expression angry. Yo-Yo whined and stood on his hind legs scratching the surface of the refrigerator in his desperation to reach the cat.

ďWhy did you abandon me?Ē Octo-Cat raged.

I put my hands up in surrender.ďHey, youíre the one who left in the middle of our investigation. You could have come back at any time.Ē

ďNot with Dum-Dum cornering me here,Ē he ground out.

I knew he was irritated, but so was I. He was supposed to be finding a way to connect with our doggie witness, and that clearly had not happened.

ďSo, Iím guessing you did nothing useful this whole time?Ē I asked with a frustrated sigh.

His angry, unblinking eyes fixed right on me.ďI defended my life and my dignity, and that is the most important thing of all.Ē

I shook my head and bent down to collect Yo-Yo.ďWe have to go,Ē I whispered to Octo-Cat. ďAnd when the other humans come downstairs, I have to stop talking to you.Ē

ďWhatís that?Ē Breanne asked, appearing suddenly at the foot of the stairs. Seriously, what was it with people sneaking up on me in this house? It gave me the heebie jeebies big time.

ďJust telling them itís time to go,Ē I answered truthfully.

Charles joined us a few moments later.ďI was just gathering our things,Ē he said, handing me Octo-Catís bundled up leash. ďAnd telling Breanne that I would be happy to apply a new coat of paint myself.Ē

Right, to cover the huge damage Iíd made with my light pencil marks.

ďI hired you to make things easier for me. Not harder,Ē Breanne said with a scowl.

ďSorry,Ē I apologized for all of us. ďIt was one-hundred percent my fault.Ē

Breanne regarded me coldly.ďOh, I know. Thatís why I want you off my brotherís case.Ē

A pit of fear formed deep in my stomach. This wasnít supposed to be happening. Charles and I were supposed to take our new theory about the killerís height and use it to clear Brock and save the day just in time. That would be much, much harder if Breanne stood in our way.

How could I explain this all without making her angrier? I didnít know, but I at least had to try. ďButÖĒ

ďBut nothing. All youíre doing is making a mess of my sale property and distracting my lawyer from the job heís supposed to be doing.Ē

ďBrockís lawyer,Ē I corrected without thinking.

Breanne fumed, stomping a heeled foot on the kitchen tile for added emphasis.ďYep. I definitely never want to see you again or your therapy animals. Iíll also be having a talk with Mr. Thompson about my grave disappointment with his firmís performance to date.Ē

I gulped and forced myself to keep quiet even though my instinct was to either defend myself or accuse her. Yo-Yo tensed in my arms and growled at Breanne.

ďWhat is it with small scrappy dogs and their hatred for me?Ē Breanne asked flippantly as she shoved our entire party toward the door. ďThe homeowners had one just like this. It was the most irritating thing. Definitely reminded me why Iím a cat person.Ē

ďDid she say cat person?Ē Octo-Cat asked, quickening his pace so he could rub against the realtorís ankles. The whole thing was uncomfortably flirtatious, and I seriously had no idea what my tabby expected to gain from such an exchange. ďI think I like this one,Ē he purred.

Breanne bent down to pet his striped head, softening a bit as she stroked his silky fur.

ďOh, yeah! I like her very much!Ē Octo-Cat said, flipping onto his side and presenting his belly. What a traitor.

She sighed.ďI guess I can hold off on the call to Thompson, if only for this little cutie. But I still donít want you working on my case anymore.Ē

ďNoted,Ē I answered coolly.

ďWhat was that about?Ē I demanded once Charles, the animals, and I were tucked securely back in his car.

ďWhat?Ē Octo-Cat shrugged, still calm and collected since the car hadnít begun to move yet. ďSometimes a guy just needs a little bit of attention from a pretty lady. Besides, I really saved your butt back there, so I wouldnít be complaining if I were you.Ē

I groaned and shook my head. If I wasnít careful, Iíd soon have a killer migraine.

ďWhat did he say?Ē Charles asked, gesturing toward Octo-Cat with his chin.

ďNever mind,Ē I murmured.

Charles didnít push me any further on that, but he did ask, ďWhere to now? I think we need some time to catch up with the animals, and I doubt theyíd be welcomed back at the firm.Ē

ďNo,Ē I agreed thoughtfully. ďBut I know somewhere even better we can go. Take a left out of here.Ē

[ ŗūÚŤŪÍŗ: img_3]

Nan answered the door in a rose-printed kimono so long it pooled at her feet. Her all-white hair clung to her jawline in a stylish bob that included a thick shelf of bangs that fell just above her brow.

ďLooking good,Ē I said, pushing straight into her house. This had been my home until about six months ago, when Nan had forced me to get a place of my own as part of the whole growing up thing. Even still, I visited her at least a couple times per week. She wasnít just the woman whoíd raised me, but she was also my best friend and the person I trusted most in this entire world.

Thatís why Iíd brought everyone here now.

Both animals followed me inside as I hooked a thumb back at Charles.ďThis is Charles. Heís the head attorney on the case you helped me with the other day.Ē

Wow, had it really only been two days since our dead-end trip to the printing company?Unreal.

ďHeís cute,Ē Nan said, batting her eyelashes.

Charles cleared his throat and glanced toward the ground, which gave me the giggles. Nan had always been a shameless flirt, but she did it for fun, not to land a date. It had been more than ten years since Gramps passed on to a better place, and she hadnít taken on a boyfriend since. I doubted sheíd make an exception for Charles, no matter how handsome we both found him. Besides, sheíd no doubt soon associate him with the Hayesís double murder the way I did now.

Turning back toward me, Nan asked,ďHere to work on the case?Ē

ďYup, you up for helping us out?Ē I led our party into the dining room as it had the best work area to seat all of us.

ďOh, dear, you know me,Ē she answered, making eyes at Charles again. ďIím always up for anything.Ē

He blushed, not quite knowing what to do with the geriatric flirt.ďActually, Iím not sureÖĒ

ďYou can trust Nan,Ē I insisted.

ďIíll sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement,Ē she added.

Charles looked trapped, but ultimately agreed with a shrug.ďFine,Ē he said. ďDo you have a printer I can use to print that NDA for you?Ē

Nan led him to the little office she kept upstairs, then returned to join me and the animals in the formal dining room.ďDoes he know aboutÖ?Ē She widened her eyes at Octo-Cat. ďWell, you know.Ē

ďIím afraid he does,Ē I said with a groan. That was probably another reason why Charles and I could never become an item.

Nan sucked air through her teeth and shook her head in disappointment.ďYou shouldnít just go around blabbing your secret, dear. Itís really not wise.Ē

ďTrust me, I didnít.Ē I took a quick moment to catch her up on the whole blackmail scenario.

When Charles returned with his printed form, Nan hit him on the chest.

ďOuch,Ē he mumbled. ďWhat was that for?Ē

ďYouíre lucky my granddaughter is such a forgiving person. If you ever blackmail her again, though, youíll have me to answer to someone much less forgiving. Me.Ē She pulled herself onto tiptoe and stared at him menacingly despite her small stature.

ďYes, maíam,Ē he answered at once as he clutched the NDA to his chest defensively. He almost looked afraid to offer it to Nan now.

I rolled my eyes at them both.ďEnough posturing. Weíve got a lot of work to do and not much time to do it.Ē

Charles unpacked his messenger bag and began to lay out papers on the table, while Nan excused herself to make a pot of coffee. I took the opportunity to head to Nanís little office so that I could print out the photos I had taken while at the Hayesís house.

When I returned, Octo-Cat sat in the middle of the table, shedding all over everything as he flopped his tail back and forth.

ďHe wouldnít move,Ē Charles told me with a frown.

ďKeeping myself front and center is the best way to ensure you protect me from Dum-Dum,Ē Octo-Cat explained. ďI donít want you getting so caught up in your work that you forget all about the handsome cat who made this all possible.Ē

Ugh, he was so vain. And even more stubborn.

ďWhat did I tell you about calling him Dum-Dum?Ē I asked in irritation.

Octo-Cat yawned unapologetically.ďHey, I calls Ďem like I sees Ďem.Ē

ďWell, if youíre not going to cooperate with us, then weíre not going to cooperate with you. Oh, Yo-Yo!Ē I called, grabbing the cat and placing him on the floor so that the dog could slobber him with kisses.

Octo-Cat screeched, got puffy-tailed, and fled in the direction of the kitchen, shouting kitty curses the whole way.

Nan appeared a couple minutes later, holding the tabby in her arms and stroking him kindly.ďWhat did you do to this poor guy?Ē she demanded.

ďDonít believe a word he says,Ē I shot back. ďHe is not the victim he makes himself out to be.Ē

ďOh, hush. Heís just an innocent little kitty,Ē Nan argued, peppering the smug feline with kisses. Even though she couldnít talk to animals the way I can, sometimes it felt like it. This was one of those times.

Charles couldnít help but chuckle. ďHow does it feel when the tables are turned on you,hmmm?Ē

Octo-Cat laughed, too, but not kindly.ďYour nan likes me better than you,Ē he teased, then actually had the audacity to stick his tongue out at me to add an extra layer of awfulness.

Nan put him down on the table, then returned to the kitchen to fetch the coffee.

ďSee?Ē Octo-Cat said. ďIf you wonít appreciate me, I can always find someone else who does.Ē

I picked him up again and was ready to give him back to Yo-Yo when Nan returned and scolded me.ďYou leave that handsome boy alone. Heís such a good cat. Isnít he?Ē

Octo-Cat laughed again and immediately moved to Nanís side of the table where he snuggled up against her chest and purred at a ridiculous volume.

ďBy the way, hereís your form,Ē she said, pushing the Non-Disclosure Agreement in Charlesís direction. ďNow catch me up on the case.Ē

I took a deep breath and explained everything.

ďHuh,ĒNan said, sitting back in her chair pensively.ďYou sure have a doozy on your hands, but I think I have an idea.Ē

I couldnít wait to hear what she had to say.

Chapter Fourteen

All eyes zoomed to Nan, even Yo-Yoís despite the fact he still didnít know what we were investigating, and I was pretty sure he couldnít understand any of us humans, either.

ďWell, hereís what I thinkÖĒ my eccentric grandmother said, placing the Yorkie in her lap, much to Octo-Catís annoyance.

He skittered across the table and back to my side.ďYuck. Dog germs,Ē he said with an exaggerated twitch.

ďI think,Ē Nan continued in a baby voice directed at Yo-Yo. ďThat nobodyís tried buttering this little guy up. You keep putting him in all these excitable situations and expecting him to be able to perform. Why not spend a little time getting to know him, making him feel comfortable, and then broaching theÖ?Ē

She hesitated before deciding on the word she needed to finish her sentence.ďUm, conversation,Ē Nan concluded with an awkward smile.

Charles and I looked to each other and shrugged.

ďI guess itís worth a try,Ē I said with a quick nod. Iíd hoped she would stay with me and Charles to study the photos and files some more, but once Nan had an idea, it was hard to get her to focus on anything else. Actually, she was kind of like Yo-Yo in that way.

ďGreat.Ē Nan stood, still clutching the terrier to her chest delicately. ďYou two get back to your work with those grisly photos, and Iíll work on plying the key witness.Ē

ďWe donít actually know that he saw anything. Itís possible thatóĒ Charles corrected, but stopped short when I placed a hand on his wrist and shook my head.

ďJust let her do her thing, and weíll do ours,Ē I said. ďNow help me pull out the testimonies of all the women involved in the caseóofficers, witnesses, friends, neighbors, coworkers, anyone we have.Ē

We shuffled through the papers, having all but memorized the order of the statements and evidence. It didnít even take five minutes to pull out the documents we needed.

ďNow,Ē I said, appraising our work. ďAre there any men that we know for sure are my height or shorter?Ē

Charles thought for a few moments before handing me a couple of additional files.ďThis one is a colleague of Billís from Bayside Printing Company, and thatís one of the potential buyers from the open house.Ē

I fanned everything out before us, attempting to group similar people together. We have one end for colleagues, one for people from the open house, one for friends and family, and one for miscellaneous folks who had somehow been called into the case, such as police officers or crime scene cleaners. Most documents werenít official testimonies at all, but rather bio sheets Charles had made himself before I joined the case.

ďLetís go through them all one at a time,Ē Charles suggested, reaching for the colleagues stack. We spent the next hour talking through each person and taking notes about who had either means, motive, or opportunity. For those that had more than one of those, we added a star to their sheet and placed them in a new pile.

After all that work, we were left staring at our two most probable suspects: the daughter and the realtor, Michelle Hayes and Breanne Calhoun.

I sighed and leaned back against my chair.ďI keep hoping the facts will line up differently, but it really looks like one of these two is to blame.Ē

Charles crossed his arms and shook his head, staring me directly in the eye as he defended ouróor at least myóprime suspect. ďNo way. I know Breanne can be a bit brusque, but she didnít do it.Ē

ďMaybe so,Ē I said, even though I still hadnít even come close to clearing the rude realtor in my mind. I like to think I learned my lesson from investigating Ethel Fultonís death. Iíd been so convinced of who the killer was that I wouldnít even consider anyone elseóand ended up putting myself in a very dangerous position besides.

Still, from everything Iíd seen and heard so far, Breanne made sense. Maybe if I eased Charles into this realization a little more slowly, heíd put his hesitation aside and finally see things my way.

ďOkay, so then letís discuss the daughter. How do you explain the fact that Michelle has more or less disappeared into thin air?Ē

ďShe hasnít disappeared,Ē Charles argued this point, too. If we kept disagreeing over every single possibility, we might as well hand over Brockís conviction now.

ďSheís just not answering our calls,Ē he said, tapping his pen on the table and frazzling my nerves.

ďOkay, then where is she?Ē I demanded, grabbing the pen and moving it out of his reach.

Charles sighed and folded his hands in front of him.ďAt her college up state.Ē

ďWell, given that we have no other leads to pursue, I think I know weíre headed next.Ē

ďIt will be a waste of time,Ē he insisted with another heady sigh.

ďCharles,Ē I said gently. ďPlease. We have nothing else at this point. We at least have to try. For Brock.Ē

ďFine. For Brock,Ē he answered in defeat.

ďGood,Ē I said, even though his lack of enthusiasm made it an empty victory. ďLet me go check with Nan and Yo-Yo. Címon, Octo-Cat.Ē I roused my tabby from his nap and motioned for him to follow me.

ďAre we finally getting somewhere with all of this?Ē my cat asked after letting out a massive yawn.

ďSoon, I hope,Ē I said diplomatically.

Charles groaned and laid his forehead on the table as we walked away.

ďOh, hi, dears!Ē Nan cried as Octo-Cat and I joined her in the living room. ďYo-Yo and I are having a great time getting to know each other out here. Arenít we, boy?Ē

The terrier barked, and Nan praised him profusely.

ďWell, sheís lost at least ten points in my book,Ē Octo-Cat said drolly. ďItís always a shame when a good human falls to the dog side. I must say, I never expected this kind of betrayal from Nan. You, maybe, but definitely not her.Ē

ďSheís not changing allegiances,Ē I said as he jumped to the back of the couch and settled in. ďSheís just doing what she can to help out.Ē

ďSays you,Ē he complained, shaking his head in disgust.

ďIs everything okay?Ē Nan asked with a quick glance toward the perturbed kitty.

ďItís fine, or at least it will be. Hey, Octo-Cat,Ē I called to get his attention again.

ďWhat?Ē he whined, mid-paw lick.

ďYou can take a bath later,Ē I scolded. ďThe whole point of us coming out here was to see if Yo-Yo has anything new to say. Could you please ask him if he remembers anything new?Ē

ďNo, not like that,Ē Nan interjected, continuing to pet the Yorkie enthusiastically. ďTell him his new friend Nan would like to know if anyone has hurt his family that he can remember and if he can tell us about it.Ē

ďBarf,Ē Octo-Cat responded before shouting, ďHey, Dum-Dum!Ē

The terrierís head immediately snapped toward him. It definitely didnít help that Yo-Yo had started responding to the catís cruel nickname for him.

Octo-Cat asked his question exactly as Nan had worded it, which caused the other animal to whimper and bury his face in Nanís lap. The fact that he wasnít yipping in terror was definitely progress.

My bored-looking cat nodded as he listened to the little dog, who had now lifted his head to look directly at Octo-Cat as he made sad puppy noises.

When Yo-Yo grew quiet again, Octo-Cat said,ďWow. Iím actually really surprised that worked.Ē

I sat up straighter in my excitement.ďWhat did he say?Ē

ďHe said it was really dark that night and he couldnít see well, but the person who hurt his mom and dad had red hair. He also wants to know when he can go back to his family.Ē

The poor dog still didnít know he wouldnít be seeing his parents again, but he had finally given us enough to finish clicking all the pieces together. Red hair could only meanÖ

ďSo it was Breanne!Ē I shouted triumphantly. ďI knew it!Ē

ďGood kitty,Ē I called back to Octo-Cat as I marched back to Charles in the dining room.

ďDo not call me kitty,Ē Octo-Cat growled after me, but from the note of happiness in his voice, I could tell the correction was just to remain consistent in his attempts to train me out of certain behaviors he didnít much appreciate.

ďDid you hear?Ē I said, placing a palm on each table and leaning toward Charles, who still looked utterly defeated.

ďYou think it was Breanne,Ē he answered. When he lifted his head, one of our case documents was stuck to his cheek. ďWhy?Ē

ďYo-Yo doesnít know theyíre dead, but he remembers them getting hurt. He said it was late at night, which matches up with what we know about the crime.Ē

Charles finally looked as excited as I felt.ďAnd?Ē

ďHe said it was dark so he couldnít see well, but that the person who hurt them had red hair. That could only be Breanne.Ē

ďThink again,Ē Charles said, pulling out his phone and browsing through his email. When he handed it back to me, there was a young woman with bright red locks who looked vaguely familiar even though I wasnít sure Iíd ever seen her before.

ďWhoís that?Ē I demanded.

ďThatís Michelle Hayes.Ē

Uh oh.

We stared at each other for a moment before I finally came up with an argument.ďBut wouldnít Yo-Yo recognize his own sister?Ē I sputtered.

Charles frowned.ďNot necessarily. Especially if it was too dark to make things out clearly.Ē

ďSo what now?Ē I asked, gnawing on one of my few untouched fingernails as nerves overtook me.

ďRoad trip!Ē Nan cried from the other room.

Charles nodded.ďItís our last shot at solving this in time to stop your motherís story.Ē

Shoot, he was right. Even though just minutes earlier Iíd been the one insisting we pay Michelle a visit, I felt much more anxious knowing that she may actually be the killer.

Chapter Fifteen

FRIDAY

The next morning, I woke up before Octo-Cat for what was probably one of the first times ever in our strange relationship. The alarm on my phone sounded at four thirty and I had to nudge him awake so that we could both get ready for the long day ahead.

In hindsight, I really wished we had gone to bed earlier the night before, but when Mom joined us at Nanís, we all wanted to hear her opinion on the progress weíd made so far.

ďI have to admit,Ē she told us, shaking her head. ďIt really seems like youíre right about Brock not having done it.Ē

Mom offered to hold the story longer, but I insisted that she wouldnít have to. We would solve this thing before the six oíclock news was set to air, and weíd give her the exclusive true story, too.

Charles didnít share my optimism, but he did agree to wake up before dawn so we could make the long drive to Michelleís college where weíd grill her live and in person so we could finally uncover the important answers weíd been missing all this time.

Predictably, Yo-Yo was excited for our big road trip, even though we hadnít told him we were going to see his human sister.

Iíd offered Octo-Cat the opportunity to stay at home, but he refused to get left out of the action. This worried me, because he had made zero progress in dealing with his car phobia and we had a very long drive ahead of us that day. Because I knew it would be impossible to change his mind, I decided to help him out. With his permission, I slipped some crushed-up medicine into his morning meal. It was just the kitty Benadryl his vet had previously prescribed in case of emergency, but it did cause him to snooze for a large part of our journeyóand for that, everyone was very thankful indeed.

He really did look like an angel when he wasnít insulting me, or clawing me, or questioning my life choices in general. And I suspected he was also starting to enjoy our crime-solving gig, even though for the time being it included a dog.

Nan joined us for the road trip, too. Yes, now that sheíd been brought up to speed, she insisted on coming along for the ride. ďIn case Yo-Yo needs a friend,Ē sheíd said, making me wonder why I was the one whoíd gained the ability to talk to animals when it seemed she was the one who understood them so much better.

Despite trying hard not to, I snoozed for part of the trip right along with Octo-Cat. After all, I didnít have Bethany to make coffee for me, and Iíd already thrown out my home coffee maker for fear of sustaining another near-death experience, or worseógaining weird, new superpowers. Luckily, Nan was more than happy to keep Charles company while Octo-Cat and I caught up on our beauty sleep.

ďRise and shine!Ē Nan shouted from behind me, forcing me to wake up again. Yes, indeed, the previously absent sun was now shining bright and high in the sky.

ďWeíre here,Ē Charles announced, maneuvering his car into the guest parking lot that serviced our suspectís small liberal arts college.

ďSo whatís the game plan?Ē Nan asked eagerly, leaning forward with a hand on the edge of each of our seats.

ďDidnít you figure out the plan on the way over?Ē I asked in irritation. If Iíd have known they were just going to shoot the breeze, I never would have allowed myself to nod off when there was still work to be done.

ďRoute One is lovely this time of year,Ē Nan answered in a cheery tone. ďWe were too busy admiring the scenery to worry about what weíd do when we got here. Besides, you seem to be the designated worrier of the bunch. So, why donít you make the plan?Ē

I slapped a palm against my forehead.ďI guess thatís what I get for sleeping on the job.Ē

Octo-Cat woke up and yawned in my face, sending a giant whiff of tuna breath straight up my nostrils. Let me tell you, it worked better than a double shot of espresso to snap me wide awake.

ďItís a small college, so I guess letís just ask around,Ē I said with a sigh, hating that this was now our plan. Then I realized we had one very distinct advantage we hadnít considered yet. ďMaybe itís time to let Yo-Yo in on who weíre here to see. He may even be able to sniff her out for us.Ē

Before Charles had a chance to either agree or disagree, Octo-Cat relayed the message to the Yorkie, who responded immediately and with great enthusiasm to the idea.

ďHeís ready,Ē Octo-Cat said as he stretched his legs and spine to finish waking up himself. Miraculously, he only hissed at me once while I worked the harness onto him.

Nan had a much harder time readying Yo-Yo, who continuously threw himself against the car door in his eagerness to reunite with Michelle.

Once both animals were safely leashed, we were on our way. As we walked around the seaside campus, it struck me that we were probably one of the strangest groups of five whoíd ever wandered these paths. It was still only about seven in the morning, which meant the campus was mostly empty, but that didnít stop the people we did come across from sending pointed stares our way.

I smiled at each as they passed, but by the time the third or fourth person grimaced our way without so much as a properďgood morning,Ē Iíd had enough.

ďSo what if Iím walking my cat on a leash?Ē I called, holding my chin high. They couldnít possibly judge me any harsher than I already judged myself. ďHe likes to get some fresh air, too. And why should dogs have all the fun?Ē

ďYes!Ē Octo-Cat cheered, skipping a little as he ran beside me. ďNow you get it. You finally get it!Ē

Yo-Yo stopped abruptly and went rigid, making the same pointing gesture heíd taken on when first seeing the sign for Calhoun Realty. This time his gaze was fixed on a three-story stone building that lay across a neat and tidy lawn.

He woofed once, twice, then stopped.

ďHe says his sister is in that building,Ē Octo-Cat translated.

ďIs that a dorm?Ē I asked my human companions.

Charles jogged around the front and read the sign.ďYes, it is,Ē he said when he returned, not even the least bit winded from the tiny burst of exercise.

ďHe wants to see his sister,Ē Octo-Cat said as the Yorkie began to whimper and pad his paws on the ground impatiently.

ďIím going in,Ē Nan said, forging confidently ahead.

ďWait. Why you?Ē Charles demanded.

ďNone of us are relatives, but Iíd wager whatever security they have in this place is far less likely to question a kindly old lady.Ē Nan paused for a moment. When neither of us argued with her, she straightened her posture and asked, ďThe markís name is Michelle Hayes, right?Ē

The mark?What? Had Nan been watching those con man adventure movies again? She was really getting way to in to this.

Now that I was awake enough to notice things a bit better, I realized that she had actually put together an elderly granny costume, complete with a knitted shawl and a high-waisted skirt. The ensemble was so very not her that it could only be intentional. Sheíd had this plan all along but hadnít told me because sheíd known Iíd argue about her forging ahead alone.

Well, she was right about that much.

ďIím coming with you,Ē I said, handing Octo-Catís leash to Charles before trailing after her.

Charles grabbed me by my shoulder, forcing me to stop short.ďSheís right. Weíll wait here until you come back or text us.Ē

Nan nodded.

Charles nodded.

I groaned and motioned for Nan to carry on her way.ďAre they even going to let Yo-Yo into the dorms?Ē I called after her.

ďOnly one way to find out,Ē Charles answered as we both watched Nan turn the corner to the front of the building.

ďI donít like this,Ē I pouted. ďAnd I donít think Michelle did it.Ē

ďYes, weíve established what you think,Ē my companion said with a groan.

ďItís not just that I think Breanneís hiding something,Ē I explained. ďI mean, why would Michelle kill her own parents? And wouldnít Yo-Yo have recognized his own sister?Ē

ďI donít know,Ē Charles answered coolly. ďBut youíre the one who insisted we come out here. Remember?Ē

ďOnly so we can eliminate Michelle and see if she has any direct proof that points to Breanne,Ē I reminded him. Yes, Iíd vowed not to jump to conclusions after my wrong assumptions nearly got me killed on the last case, but this was different. Yo-Yo had more or less identified Breanne already, and she was still the only person in the whole world he seemed to dislike. That had to be more than a simple coincidence.

Charles seemed far less convinced.ďWell, I guess weíll see,Ē he said with a shrug.

ďYeah, I guess we will.Ē

Neither of us said anything more as we waited for Nan to return, although I sent out a quiet prayer that sheíd have a ready and willing partner to help us finish our investigation once and for all.

Time was ticking away fast.

Chapter Sixteen

Nan reappeared about fifteen minutes later. At her side stood a fiery-haired, freckle-faced girl wearing pajama pants that had been liberally patterned with smiling cartoon tacos.

ďHello, darlings,Ē Nan sang out proudly. ďThis is Mitch Hayes.Ē

ďYeah. Nobodyís called me Michelle from grade school,Ē the college student explained before plopping a kiss right on Yo-Yoís fuzzy head. The little dog looked as if he were floating on a cloud as Mitch hugged and doted on him.

ďThanks for coming out to talk to us,Ē Charles said. He rose and offered his hand to Mitch, and she struggled to adjust the terrier in her arms to accept his greeting, leading to a rather awkward introduction.

ďWhy werenít you answering any calls?Ē I demanded. Maybe I was being a tad rude, but none of us had time to waste if we wanted to meet my motherís deadline for clearing Brock.

The girl shrugged.ďI dropped my phone in a toilet a couple weeks ago and havenít felt the need to replace it since Iím pretty much always on my computer or tablet, anyway.Ē

ďBut why not return any of the many, many calls from people trying to get in touch with you?Ē Charles asked, crooking his eyebrow.

ďI was sick of people calling to make themselves feel better about offering condolences while only making me feel worse with the constant reminders that my parents are dead.Ē She buried her face in the Yorkieís fur and mumbled, ďMaybe I donít want to talk about the fact my parents were murdered in cold blood.Ē

Nan placed an arm around Mitch and pulled her in close.ďYou two can stop with the third degree now. Mitch doesnít have to help us, but sheís kindly agreed to anyhow.Ē

ďThank you, Mitch,Ē I said, offering a smile I hoped would get through to her. ďWe do really appreciate it.Ē

She kicked at the ground and kept her eyes focused there.ďSo you really think this Brock guy is innocent?Ē

I placed a gentle hand on her shoulder and waited for her to look up at me.ďWe know he is.Ē

She shivered beneath my hand and her face took on a new pallor.ďThat means the person who killed my parents is still out there.Ē

I let go of her shoulder and grabbed my shoulder instead.ďYeah.Ē

ďTell me what you need me to do.Ē Mitch set her mouth in a determined line, her brows furrowed in anger.

ďOver here.Ē Charles cleared his throat and motioned for everyone to sit on a nearby retaining wall. ďWe need you to tell us anything that could help us identify the real killer.Ē

Poor Mitch looked a bit lost.ďBut you have my statement, right? I already told the cops everything I could think of.Ē

ďWe do, but do you mind if we ask you a few more questions in light of recent things weíve learned?Ē Charles asked, reaching into his bag. I seriously hoped he didnít plan to pull out the crime scene photos right now. Mitch shouldnít have to see that.

Even before Charles could find what he was searching for, a sudden burst of tears fell from the girlís bright blue eyes.

ďOh for goodnessís sake, you two. Slow down a bit. Canít you see this is hard on her?Ē Nan grumbled, pressing the girlís head into her shoulder. ďYou just go ahead and cry all the tears you need to cry. Thatís right. Nan is here for you now.Ē

Yo-Yo whined and licked his sisterís face, offering a hesitant tail wag.

As I watched them and tried to come up with a new way to approach questioning Mitch, Octo-Cat pawed at my shoulder.

ďExcuse me,Ē he said, shocking me with his sudden politeness. ďDum-DuóI mean,the dog says he remembers who hurt his owners now. Also, he says he thinks his humans might even be dead.Ē

ďHe remembers?Ē I asked, not even caring when Mitch lifted her head to study us curiously. ďI thought he said it was too dark to see.Ē

ďYes, but he smelled everything just fine, and apparently remembers who it was now,Ē Octo-Cat explained slowly.

Yo-Yo fixed his eyes on me and gave an urgent bark.

ďSo, yeah.Ē Octo-Cat dropped his voice to a hissy whisper and leaned in close. ďCan I finally just tell him already?Ē

ďTell him what? OhÖĒ That his owners are dead. Yo-Yo still didnít know for sure. I nodded my agreement. ďYeah, I think itís time.Ē

Octo-Cat spoke to Yo-Yo calmly and much kinder than he ever had before. When heíd said all he needed to say, I waited for the inevitable high-pitched screeching and crazy escape attempts from Yo-Yo, but he just let out a soft whimper and snuggled in closer to Mitch.

ďWhy isnít he freaking out?Ē I asked my cat.

Octo-Cat had something akin to respect written across his face. I couldnít be one-hundred percent sure, since Iíd never seen him make that expression before and it didnít seem likely Iíd ever see it again, either.

ďHe wants to be strong for his human,Ē he told me.

I brought a hand to my chest and said,ďAwww, thatís so sweet.Ē

Octo-Cat shrugged his little kitty shoulders.ďYeah, dogs might not be the smartest, but they are loyal. I guess thatís their one redeeming quality.Ē

Yo-Yo licked Mitch a few more times, then untangled himself from her arms and came to sit right next to me. He let out a string of four or five barks, keeping his eyes trained on me the whole time he spoke.

ďHe didnít see much, but he remembers her smell now,Ē Octo-Cat said. He lifted a paw to his mouth, but then thought better of beginning a new grooming session at this key investigative moment and dropped his paw back to the ground.

ďHer, right.Ē So far everything was lining up with what Charles and I already knewóor at least theorizedóand things werenít looking very good for our realtor friend. ďWho was it?Ē

Sure enough, Octo-Cat confirmed my suspicions with what he said next.ďHe says it was the lady selling the house.Ē

ďBreanne, I knew it!Ē I shouted before turning to Charles. ďGive me that picture of Breanne from her flyer, please.Ē

He stared at me wordlessly for a moment before finally reaching into his messenger bag and retrieving the requested photo.

ďIs this her?Ē I asked, holding the paper up to Yo-Yo.

He let out a bark that quickly turned into a growl.

ďSee!Ē I said, shoving the paper back at Charles. ďYou let your crush on Breanne blind you to the truth. It was her this whole time.Ē

Octo-Cat pawed me again. This time with a bit of claw.

ďOuch!Ē I cried. ďWhat now?Ē

ďThatís not what he said,Ē he told me with a smug smirk.

Not Breanne? How could that possibly be? We already knew it wasnít Mitch. Glendale wasnít very big. How many five foot seven redheaded killers could we possibly have in our small town?

I widened my eyes at him, waiting.

ďHe said it wasnít the lady on the paper,Ē Octo-Cat explained, visibly losing patience with each word. ďIt was the other one.Ē

ďWhat?Ē I asked as my heart crashed to my feet. ďAll this just to find out it really was Brock all along?Ē

Octo-Cat turned to the terrier, and the two spoke quietly back and forth for a couple minutes before he looked back to me.

ďNot the man,Ē he said. ďThe other lady.Ē

ďCharles,Ē I said, reaching out my hand. ďGive me a photo of Brock to show Yo-Yo.Ē

Mitch, whoíd kept quiet during this whole exchange until now, piped up. Her eyes were wide and unblinking as she asked, ďAre you actually talking with that cat?Ē

ďIt gets less weird the more youíre around it,Ē Nan explained with a kind chuckle.

ďLooks like the catís out of the bag,Ē Charles added with a laugh that was way too generous for his bad joke.

I didnít have the time to worry about some college student learning my secret. I was so close to figuring this out, and just in the nick of time, too. We only had about ten hours before my momís story would run. Maybeójust maybeóit would actually be enough.

Charles held up the picture of Brock, and Yo-Yo made a high-pitched yipping noise.

ďNot him,Ē Octo-Cat translated.

ďThen who does he mean when he says itís the other one?Ē I complained. Something just wasnít clicking. Maybe Yo-Yo wasnít the key to solving the case, after all.

ďBrockis the other one,Ē I insisted, speaking to Octo-Cat but keeping my gaze on Yo-Yo as I did so. ďWho else there?Ē

ďIím calling Breanne,Ē Charles announced already mid-dial.

ďGive me that,Ē I said, yanking his cell phone right out of his hand.

ďHello?Ē Breanne answered full of an energy and friendliness I certainly hadnít heard from her before.

I caught the eye of each of my companions and raised a finger to my lips to let them know they needed to be quiet.ďHello, Breanne. Itís me, Angie Russo, the paralegal on your brotherís case.Ē

ďI thought I told you I didnít want you working on it anymore,Ē she growled, every ounce of kindness having evaporated within a split second.

ďIím off the case after today,Ē I explained quickly. ďBut Charles asked me to drive up to Michelle Hayesís school and see if I could find her. She only had a few minutes before her class started, but she told me the realtor did it.Ē

Yeah, like I was about to confess my strange abilities to someone who already hated me.

ďImpossible,Ē Breanne spat back. ďI didnít do it, and neither did my brother. Itís awfully funny that sheís blaming me now when she swore she didnít have a clue in her statement to the police.Ē

I made a tight fist and then let it go, bracing myself for what came next.ďIf you didnít, then who did? I mean, who else could she possibly mean?Ē

Breanne made a series of infuriated noises that started with a huff and ended with a yell.ďThatís it! Iím definitely calling Mr. Thompson to file an official complaint.Ē

ďPlease just answer the question,Ē I insisted, praying she wouldnít hang up on me before offering anything good.

ďThe realtor,Ē Breanne yelled. ďThat could mean absolutely anybody. Do you know there are more than three-thousand realtors licensed just in the state of Maine? It could have been any of the ones who showed up at the open house or had a showing before that, or even the one who was helping them to buy their new house. Anyone could have had access to the lockbox. Anyone could have killed them.Ē

ďWait,Ē I said. My breathing hitched, and I shook from the sudden excitement of my realization. ďGo back.Ē

ďAnyone could have access. The fact you insist on blaming me when Iím the one payingóĒ

As much as I knew she liked yelling at me, I had to cut Breanne off in order to keep her focused.ďNot that. Before,Ē I begged.

ďDespite your fondness for blaming me, Michelle could have literally been talking about any other realtor. If she had some insider information, then why hasnít she shared before now?Ē

ďForget about that for now,Ē I said. ďYou mentioned another realtor. Youíre not the one helping buy their new house?Ē

Breanne drew in a sharp breath. Maybe she was finally beginning to understand now.ďNo. I mean, I wanted to, but they already had someone picked out before they came to me to list their house.Ē

ďDo you know who that other realtor was?Ē I asked, then held my breath as I waited.

Her answer would determine everything.

Chapter Seventeen

All eyes watched me as I waited for Breanneís answer to come through the line. Even my heart seemed to beat more quietly for fear of missing a single word.

ďI donít understand why this is important,Ē the realtor grumbled, disappointing us all.

Charles grabbed the phone from my hands and practically shouted into the speaker.ďBreanne, itís Charles. We think the other realtor is the key to clearing your brother. Can you tell us who it is?Ē

I followed after Charles as he paced a small path, making sure I remained close enough to hear both sides of the conversation.

Surprisingly, Breanne seemed just as irritated with Charles as she had been with me.ďReally?Ē she shot back sarcastically. ďBecause a couple seconds ago your assistant accused me of killing the Hayeses.Ē

Charles shot daggers in my direction but kept his voice even for Breanneís benefit. ďI promise thatís not what she was doing. She justÖ has a hard time expressing herself clearly sometimes.Ē

ďI want her off my case,Ē Breanne reminded him with a heavy sigh. ďAnd you should really consider getting yourself a new assistant, anyway.Ē

Charlesís voice became small. ďCould you please justóĒ

ďOh for Peteís sake!Ē Nan shouted, yanking the phone away from Charles and delivering it to Mitch, who stared down at it in confusion.

ďGo ahead, honey,Ē Nan coaxed. ďTell her who you are what you want.Ē

ďHi, this is Michelle Hayes,Ē the girl sputtered into the phone.

Everyone grew silent again as we watched to find out what would happen next.

ďWould you please tell me the name of the realtor helping my parents buy their new house?Ē Mitch asked, her voice shaky. I couldnít tell whether the fresh tears in her voice were authentic or for added dramatic effect, but I hoped they would work on the coarse woman on the other end of the line.

Of course, the phone had gotten too far away for me to clearly hear Breanneís response, but Mitch nodded along as the realtor said whatever she needed to say.

ďPlease,Ē the girl said next, her voice cracking on that solitary word. ďI just want to find out who killed my parents and make sure theyíre punished for it. Can you help?Ē

She listened some more, nodded a bunch, then turned to the rest of us and flashed a thumbs up sign before saying,ďGreat. Thank you so much for your helpÖ Yes, weíll definitely do thatÖ Bye.Ē

ďWell?Ē Nan practically shouted, ready to explode with excitement.

Mitch looked quite pleased with herself as she handed my phone back to me.ďShe says she doesnít know off hand, but the info will be in the realtor database. Sheís looking it up now and will text the info to Charles. She said, um, that she prefers not to deal with the assistant anymore.Ē

Of course.I was beginning to think Breanneís problem with me was much bigger than just me drawing on some walls, but honestly, it didnít really matter. Not when we still had a double murder to solve.

Charles shot me a sympathetic look as he reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone. At that same moment, a new text notification flashed across the screen.ďSandra Lynn of Lighthouse Realty& Brokerage. Anyone recognize that name?Ē he asked, glancing toward each of us in turn.

We all shook our heads and waited as Charles returned his attention to the phone.

ďHold on,Ē he said, squinting down at the phone. The clouds had just cleared, sending a direct beam of brightness down onto the campus. It was almost as if God Himself wanted to spotlight the importance of this moment.

ďBreanne just sent a link,Ē Charles explained as his fingers swept across the phone.

I slid close to him and stared at his slowly loading web browser. When the site finally did load, I recognized the woman splashed across its front page almost immediately. There she stood in front of a spiraled black and white lighthouse with her wavy red hair blowing softly in the breeze as she smiled and held up a giant, hulkingSOLD sign.

ďIs that the woman we ran into at the Little Dog Diner?Ē Charles asked. ďThe one who wanted our table?Ē

I blinked hard and looked again. Yes, that was her, too. The diner wasnít the place I first remembered seeing her, though. ďShe was at the Printing Company when Nan and I went to investigate. She said she was hoping to pick up an order before they closed for the evening. She was the reason I couldnít do any snooping around the storefront.Ē

Understanding lit in Charlesís eyes. ďSo that means she would have known at least Bill already, if not Ruth, too,Ē he surmised.

Iíd only ever rented, but something about that didnít make sense to me. ďBut if they were close enough to have her buy their new house, why wouldnít they have hired her to sell their existing one, too?Ē

Charles shrugged.ďPeople donít always use the same realtor for both transactions, but I do find it weird she wasnít brought into the investigation before.Ē

ďIt says here sheís based out of Misty Harbor, which would explain why we saw her at the diner,Ē I pointed out. ďThatís in Misty Harbor, too.Ē

Charles worried his lip, then asked,ďShould we call her?Ē

ďAnd let her know weíre coming? Heck no!Ē Nan broke in, then once again stole the phone from Charles. ďGive me that,Ē she said with a huff, then marched right up to Yo-Yo and held the device in front of his face.

The dog immediately growled and snapped at the air.

Nan had to jump back to avoid getting bitten.

Octo-Cat trotted over to my side.ďHe saysóĒ

ďYeah, I donít think we need that one translated,Ē I said with a giant smile. Weíd done it. Weíd really done it. And just in time, too.

ďLetís go get our perp,Ē Nan said, already marching back toward the parking lot. She paused a moment to call over her shoulder, ďYou coming, Mitch?Ē

The girl hopped off the half wall.ďLetís do this!Ē

And just like that, we were all running back to the caróCharles, me, Nan, Mitch, Octo-Cat, and Yo-Yoówhich we reached in record time for such a motley crew.

ďIt all lines up,Ē I said between heavy breaths while my fingers fumbled with the seatbeltís clasp. ďSandra looks enough like Breanne that it confused Yo-Yo. Theyíre also both realtors who were working with the Hayeses, which would have only added to his confusion.Ē

ďPlus, all humans look the same,Ē Octo-Cat pointed out.

ďAnd that,Ē I said with a freeing laugh. Oh my gosh, we had done it. ďNow we just had to prove it in a way that would hold up in court, and Brock will be a free man.Ē

ďYou leave that to me,Ē Nan said, cracking her knuckles on each hand as if readying for war.

ďNo way!Ē Charles answered for me. ďYouíve already done more than enough.Ē

ďHold on,Ē I said calmly, doing my best to be the voice of reason. ďWe have a long drive ahead of us. Maybe we can reconsider all the facts we already know about the case in light of this new information and try to figure out what possible motive Sandra Lynn could have had forÖĒ I stopped, remembering Mitch with was us now. ďWell, you know.Ē

ďSure,Ē Charles answered, sending a sly grin in my direction. ďJust so long as everyone stays awake this time.Ē

ďHardy harhar,Ē I shot back. ďThis isnít a time for making jokes. Itís a time for finding answers.Ē

ďLetís get you caught up, Mitch,Ē Nan mumbled from the backseat, then placed a hand on the side of Charlesís seat and mine. ďWhereís that briefcase of yours?Ē

ďI have it here,Ē I said, reaching down to grab it from my footwell. ďGive me a minute to do someÖ um, tidying up, and then itís all yours.Ē I grabbed each of the photos and the written reports describing the crime scene and stashed them in the glove box, then handed Charlesís bag back to Nan.

Nan began to explain what we already knew to her rapt audience of one.

ďSo are we done now?Ē Octo-Cat asked from the cushion on my lap. ďCase closed?Ē

ďWeíre almost there,Ē I assured him with a gentle pat on his head.

ďHow do we go from almost to all the way?Ē he asked with a growl. I tried not to take it personally since I knew how much he hated car rides, and I hadnít thought to bring him any Benadryl for our return trip home.

ďI need to go home and sleep for the next six or seven days at least,Ē he informed me with a weary sigh.

ďBased on what Yo-Yoís told us, we have a very strong case against Sandra Lynn,Ē I explained. ďThe only problem is that wonít be enough for the other humans.Ē

ďBecause heís a dog?Ē Octo-Cat asked.

I rolled my eyes.ďI think you know why. Donít be such a smart aleck.Ē

ďSo what now?Ē he insisted.

ďNow we need to find evidence theyíll accept without questioning our sanity in the process. So we already have the answer. Now we need to work backward to find the clues that support that answer. Make sense?Ē

ďYeah, but it sure seems like a lot of work.Ē Octo-Catís posture grew more rigid as Charles took a sharp turn. ďYou know you have another option. Right?Ē

ďOh, really, and whatís that?Ē I challenged, placing a hand on his back to help steady him.

He flicked his tail with one giant movement before revealing,ďGet a confession.Duh.Ē

Finally, all the TV heíd been watching lately seemed to have paid off. I was very glad heíd graduated fromDora the Explorer toLaw& Order, which was no doubt what inspired this little nugget of wisdom.

Charles turned to study me briefly before training his eyes back on the road.ďWhat did he say?Ē

Well, this created quite the conundrum. While I didnít want to lie to Charles, I also knew he wouldnít be a big fan of the forced confession plan.

On my last case, Iíd headed into trouble all my own and just barely managed to escape with my life. Well, this time I definitely wouldnít be making the same mistake.

Nope.

This time, Iíd be sure to bring the cat with me when I marched straight into Sandra Lynnís office and demanded an explanation.

Chapter Eighteen

By the time we got back to Glendale, the noon sun already hung high in the sky. Nan invited everyone over to her house for lunch while they once again reviewed the evidence, this time trying to prove what Yo-Yo had revealed to us that morning.

I excused myself from the shindig by providing the very valid excuse of needing to take Octo-Cat home to use his litter box. They didnít need to know what I had planned after that quick pit stop.

ďOkay, so what now?Ē Octo-Cat asked after visiting his little kitty box and wiping his paws off on the new mat Iíd purchased expressly for his use.

ďWhat do you mean?Ē I asked, searching the fridge for some food I could quickly inhale to calm my growling stomach.

He regarded me with a piteous look.ďWhat do you mean Ďwhat do I mean?íI mean weíre going to get that confession, right? I assumed we didnít talk about it in the car because you didnít want Upchuck to know the planónot because youíd given up on it already.Ē

While he made his harangue, I found an old but not yet expired package of string cheese shoved into the back of my vegetable drawer and grabbed a couple of pieces to tide me over. After tearing into the first with great aplomb, I peeled off a thick piece and shoved it in my mouth.

Then I attempted to answer my catís concerns by saying, ďOf course weíre going to get the confession. I figured we could start with me pretending to be an interested client, and you hiding in your wicker bag.Ē

Octo-Cat wrinkled his nose.ďI hate that bag.Ē

ďGot any other ideas?Ē I challenged, putting another thick string of cheese into my mouth.

He paced back and forth on the table in frustration as he talked.ďI do have ideas, but none that donít put at least one of my lives at risk. Iíd be willing to make that sacrifice for the team, but something tells me you wouldnít.Ē

ďI only have one life, remember?Ē I probably should have been insulted that he kept forgettingóor at least completely disregardingóthis very important fact, but right then I was too keyed up to care.

ďAhh, yes.Ē Octo-Cat plopped his rear down and shook his head. ďSo fragile.Ē

I inhaled the final stringy thing from my first cheese and opened the second package, rolling my eyes as I did.ďFine, Iím fragile, but I still think putting you in the bag for half an hour is preferable to the possibility of me dying. Donít you?Ē

Octo-Cat responded by lifting a rear leg over his head and licking his kitty bits.

ďUm, excuse me? Iím talking to you!Ē Suddenly I had less of an appetite.

ďWhat? Iím still thinking. Give me a minute here,Ē he mumbled while continued to groom himself. It was so nice to see that protecting my life held comparable importance to avoiding a perfectly normal smelling wicker bag. That whole superior sense of smell was a total excuse, and I knew it. The snobby cat claimed it stunk mostly because he hated that Iíd picked it up at a charity thrift store.

ďFine,Ē he said at last, dropping his leg back to the floor. ďIíll get in the bag, but you owe me.Ē

ďI already owe you from the harness,Ē I pointed out, regretting my big mouth instantly. I shoved another bite of string cheese in with the hope it would keep me from saying something else Iíd come to regret.

What could only be described as an evil smile crept across his furry face.ďYes,Ē he answered with a malicious laugh. ďAnd the size of that favor just grew. Keep going, sweetheart. Daddy needs a newÖ well, everything.Ē

Uck.I didnít know whether to me more afraid of the threat or disgusted by the manner in which heíd made it. I gulped down my anxiety and with it the too-large piece of unchewed cheese. It only took a millisecond to realize I was choking on the stupid thing.

Octo-Cat sat by and watched as I gestured wildly to my throat. He didnít so much as move a paw as I coughed and pounded on my chest, finally dislodging the misplaced morsel.

ďWhat would you have done if I died?Ē I demanded, my voice hoarse. ďI was choking, and you didnít even try to help!Ē

He yawned.ďOh, is that what that display was all about? I thought you were just stalling for time. You know, if we donít hurry, Upchuck and the gang will come looking for us. Is that what you want?Ē

Ugh. I hated that he was right even more than I hated the complete lack of sympathy.

ďFine, letís go,Ē I said after filling up my water bottle at the sink.

Octo-Cat followed me hesitantly.ďNo harness this time?Ē

ďNope,Ē I said, grabbing my prize from the coat closet and holding up for him to see. I looked forward to knowing he would suffer just a little bit. Such was the nature of our relationship. ďBag instead.Ē

He raised his paw in a gesture I hadnít seen from him before. He must have learned that from one of his many kidsí TV shows. ďUm, I have a question.Ē

I raised my eyebrows and motioned for him to go ahead.

ďWhat is my role in all of this?Ē

ďIf anything bad happens, use your iPad to call for help. And if anything really bad happens, use your claws and attack. Can you do that for me?Ē

He nodded.ďAs long as you remember to bring my iPad.Ē

I groaned and traced back to the bedroom to retrieve his favorite toy.ďGood?Ē I asked, tucking it into the rear pocket of the bag. This was such an odd way to prepare for what could be a risky situation, but it was a fair representation of what my life looked like now.

ďOne more thing,Ē I told him as we made our way to the car. ďIím calling my mom.Ē

ďWhy? Arenít I enough for you?Ē

ďTrust me,Ē I said with a laugh. ďYouíre more than enough most days, but I did promise my mom a scoop. And Iím going to make sure we get it.Ē

He still appeared confused.ďWonít she try to stop you? Isnít that why you didnít let Charles or Nan know?Ē

ďYes, thatís why I didnít tell them, but Mom doesnít worry the same way they do. She understands the need to do whatever it takes to get the story.Ē

Octo-Cat climbed onto my lap and dug his claws into my thigh as I started the engine.ďItís your life,Ē he said.

What a great attitude for a wingman. If the time really did come to save my life, I hoped he would take the necessary actions. I felt less sure, though, after the brief choking incident.

I couldnít focus on that right now. I needed to save an innocent man from spending the rest of his life in prison. Last time Iíd gotten caught because I hadnít realized I was walking into a dangerous situation. This time I knew and was prepared, too.

After buckling my seatbelt, I connected Octo-Catís iPad to the carís Bluetooth and placed a voice-only FaceTime call to my mom.

She answered so fast, I didnít even hear it ring. ďHey, Angie. Any luck today?Ē

ďAs a matter of fact,Ē I announced, speaking loudly to make sure she could hear me over the sound of the carís engine. ďIím on my way to Misty Harbor now. Think you can join me with a film crew?Ē

ďIt may take a little bit to get everyone together. Weíre not used to breaking news in Glendale. But I will be there as fast as I can. Any particular place?Ē

ďLighthouse Realty& Brokerage,Ē I told her, rattling off the address.

ďIím impressed. Howíd you find out who really did it?Ē she asked.

My daughterly heart swelled with pride, but still, I hesitated. She didnít know the truth about my abilities yet, and this didnít seem like the right time or the right method by which to tell her.

ďItís a long story. Letís get it on camera,Ē I said, knowing full well I would never, ever reveal my quirky powers on the local news. It would be hard enough just to tell Mom, but I knew that Iíd be doing just that before the day was through.

ďThereís my smart daughter. That associate degree in communications really paid off. I still think you should go back for journalism. Weíd make a great team, you and me.Ē

ďIíll think about it, Mom,Ē I said, knowing full well the newsroom held zero appeal to me. Iíd hate to be in direct competition with my ambitious mom, and Iíd hate even more to have to work at her side every day. We definitely loved each other, but mostly in small doses.

She chuckled good-naturedly.ďI know what that means, but youíre right. Letís just focus on the story in front of us for now.Ē

There was still one more thing I needed to say, and it was the hardest part.ďMom?Ē

ďYeah?Ē

ďIf you get a call from me within the next hour, even ifóespecially ifóIím not talking on the other end of the line, call the cops. Okay?Ē

She sucked in air through her teeth then asked,ďAre you doing something dangerous?Ē

I sure hoped not.

ďNo. Itís just a precaution,Ē I lied. Of course, I knew that Sandra had killed beforeótwice!óand that there was no guarantee she wouldnít turn on me once she found out Iíd uncovered and planned to expose her crimes.

ďI guess itís always good to have a backup plan,Ē Mom said resignedly. ďIíll be up there soon.Ē

ďOkay,Ē I responded. ďCall me when you get there. My phone may be off, but Iíll call back as soon as I can. And Mom?Ē

ďYeah?Ē

ďI love you.Ē

ďLove you, too.Ē

I took a deep breath and turned to Octo-Cat.ďThere,Ē I said. ďNow my momís cell is the last number in your call history. Call her if thereís any trouble, okay?Ē

His face looked grim. Whether he was finally beginning to see just how dangerous this situation could be for me or simply upset about the car ride, I couldnít say for sure.

The only thing I could say for sure was that we were going to catch a killer today.No matter what.

Chapter Nineteen

ďItís go time,Ē I muttered from the front seat of my car, which now sat parked in the small lot outside Lighthouse Realty& Brokerage. My hands shook as I grabbed my striped wicker bag from the passenger seat floor well and held it open for Octo-Cat to climb inside.

He growled but otherwise complied without too much complaint.

ďRemember, your iPad is tucked into the back pocket,Ē I informed him. ďIíll keep your bag on my lap. If thereís an emergency, jump out and knock the bag off my lap. That should make the iPad fall out onto the floor so you can use it.Ē

ďUnderstood,Ē he said. ďBut what if it ends up upside down?Ē

ďLetís pray it doesnít,Ē I said, wishing I would have seen this flaw in my plan earlier. But we were here now, and I had to take action.

ďJust put it in the bag next to me,Ē he said, popping his head out of the bag to study me.

ďBut you donít like things touching you,Ē I pointed out.

ďItís an inconvenience, yes. But it would be much more inconvenient if you died and I had to train another human on my likes and dislikes.Ē

ďAww, so you do love me, after all!Ē I cooed, slipping the iPad out of the back pocket and into the main compartment of the bag.

ďEnough with the mushy stuff. Get in there and catch the bad guy,Ē he said, lowering himself back into position.

Right. I took another deep breath and clambered out of the car, adjusting the bag carefully over my shoulder as I approached the front door. Hopefully Sandra would be in. I hadnít called ahead, preferring to play things by ear. Yes, I didnít have much of a plan, but hoped the acting genes in my family would come in handy.

When I pushed through the glass door, a little bell chimed to announce my arrival. The office smelled pleasant like warm vanilla, and the waiting area was flanked with two overstuffed couches and an inviting array of magazines. It even had a mini cooler filled with bottled water, several kinds of soda, and coffee shots.

Seeing that no one was waiting at the front desk, I took the opportunity to snag one of the cold coffee shots. Maybe I could buy these for myself at home. I popped the can open and took an appreciative swig, downing the entire thing in three big gulps.

Liquid courage?

I sure hoped so.

ďHello, and welcome to Lighthouse Realty& Brokerage,Ē a womanís voice greeted me from across the room. ďHow can we help you?Ē

I glanced over and immediately recognized Sandra Lynn with her unmistakable curly red hair and that huge smile that I now knew hid dark secrets. I grabbed the straps on my bag, needing the connection to Octo-Cat to keep my wits about me and stay on task.

ďGood afternoon,Ē I said with what I hoped was a pleasant smile. ďIím here because Iíd like to buy a house.Ē

Sandra laughed, and the sound was startlingly shrill. I wonder if I would have been so put off by it without the knowledge of her after-hours criminal activity.ďWell, I can certainly help with that. Why donít you come on back to my office?Ē She began taking sure, steady strides down the hall, and I followed after.

ďYouíre in luck,Ē she prattled on over her shoulder as we walked. ďUsually walkins have to deal with one of our junior agents, but I just so happened to have a cancellation this afternoon. As the owner of this realty and the most experienced agent, Iíll make sure you have the house of your dreams in no time at all.Ē

She simpered at me as she stopped and waited for me to enter the small, dimly lit office ahead of her.

ďThat is lucky,Ē I said with a polite smile of my own.

ďWhatís your name, dear? And will this be your first time purchasing?Ē Sandra took a seat behind her desk and leaned forward slightly as we spoke.

ďIím Angela,Ē I said, reaching forward to shake her hand. It wasnít quite a lie, but it wasnít quite the truth. Nobody called me Angela except Octo-Catóand even then he only did it on occasion. ďYes, itís my first time,Ē I finished.

ďWell, let me give you a run-down of the basics,Ē Sandra said, launching into a lengthy monologue that gave me time to search the office with my eyes. Nothing stood out as being particularly incriminating, but I hadnít exactly expected to find a bloody hammer sitting on top of her desk, either.

Sandra finished her speech and waited for me to say something, but I hadnít been paying close enough attention to figure out what.

ďWhat are you looking for, dear?Ē she repeated. Her smile faltered somewhat as she waited for me to keep up my end of the exchange.

ďUmÖĒ I thought back to all the mental gymnastics Charles, Nan, Mitch, and I had done of the car ride home to Glendale. They all centered around the question:What reason could a realtor possibly have to kill her clients? Money seemed the safest bet. I didnít understand what all that entailed but decided to broach the subject delicately.

ďIíd really like a nice three bedroom, but Iím worried I may not have enough money to make my dream house a reality.Ē

She frowned briefly before shaking her head and bringing back the smile.ďThatís okay. We can work around it. Whatís your credit like?Ē

ďItís pretty bad.Ē Unfortunately, that part wasnít a lie.

She pressed her coral-colored lips together in a flat line.ďHmm.Ē

ďIs there anything you can do to help?Ē I asked, calling up my best impression of a desperate aspiring homeowner.

Sandra stiffened, taking a moment before answering.ďThere are government programs that may be able to help get you into a house. Your interest rate probably wonít be that good, but thatís the case for a lot of first-time buyers.Ē

ďOkay,Ē I said helplessly.

ďWhy did you decide to buy now if money is so tight?Ē she asked.

I had to think fast to avoid suspicion, so I said the first thing that popped into my head.ďWell, with my current rental, it feels like me and my cat are living on top of each other. We need some more space. Oh, and I have a dog, too. A Yorkie.Ē

She blanched at this and swallowed before letting that shrill laugh loose again.ďSounds like you have your hands fall,Ē she said.

Iím not sure if I imagined it, but she definitely faltered upon the mention of ďmyĒ Yorkie. If I could push this topic a little further, maybe I could unsettle her enough to trick her into a confession.

ďAre you a dog person?Ē I asked, hugging my bag tight on my lap to reassure Octo-Cat, who no doubt hated not being able to join this particular conversation. After all, one of his favorite pastimes since meeting Yo-Yo was pointing out how superior cats are to dogs.

ďI watched a dog for a friend once,Ē Sandra answered, turning away from me to organize some papers. ďIím not sure Iím cut out for a dog companion myself, but since you are, letís get you a place with a fenced-in yard.Ē She handed me a printed-out list triumphantly.

I puzzled over her words while pretending to review the listing. Watched a dog for a friend? Was she talking about Yo-Yo? Is that why heíd disappeared for a few weeks before turning back up at the Hayesís door where Charles then found him? And, if so, why hadnít Yo-Yo told us?

I thought his traumatic memory loss had been resolved once we reunited him with Mitch, but perhaps heíd still chosen to forget some of the other details that werenít directly pertinent to remembering whoíd done it.

ďIím not sure this one is for me,Ē I said, pushing the listing back across the desk. ďThank you, though.Ē

ďHave you done any shopping around online? Those listings arenít always the most up to date, but if you have an idea of what you like, it could help me to refine our search.Ē

She was very good at staying right on topic and pushing me closer to buying with each comment. It would take something major to knock her off her game. Luckily, I still had an ace up my sleeve.

ďActuallyÖĒ I said, trying to still my shaking hands by hugging the wicker bag tighter to my chest. ďThere is a place I like out in Glendale. Itís above my price range, but Iím hoping we might be able to get a good deal.Ē

ďIím happy to negotiate with the homeowners to see what we can do,Ē Sandra said with an ingratiating smile. ďIs that the house you want? Are you ready to start putting together an offer?Ē

ďWell, it is a really nice house. I guess we could try,Ē I said, feigning hesitation.

She nodded enthusiastically. Iím sure it must be nice to make a big commission with hardly any work at all. She probably looked at me and saw a giant, sparkling dollar sign now. ďFabulous. Do you have the address?Ē

I pulled out my phone and pretended to search for information before rattling off the Hayesís address, which I already happened to know by heart.

Sandra didnít say anything in responseójust sat there starting at me, so I added, ďLike I said, Iím hoping we can get a good deal, because two people were murdered there.Ē

ďI donít think thatís the house for you, dear,Ē the realtor spat out at last.

ďWhy not?Ē I argued. ďItís in a great location and has plenty of space for me and my pets. Canít we at least put in an offer and see?Ē

ďIíd really urge you to consider a property with a less sordid history,Ē she said, turning back to her files and pulling out another listing, seemingly at random. ďThis looks nice. How about this one?Ē

I didnít even look down at the paper. Keeping my eyes glued to hers, I licked my lips and said, ďYou said we could put in an offer, and thatís what I want to do. Can we get started please?Ē

She shook her head.ďI probably shouldnít be saying this, because it makes me look a little, well, like Iím not all thereÖĒ Sandra paused to laugh, but I kept my face neutral, waiting.

ďBut that place you mentioned?Ē she continued. ďItís very, very haunted.Ē

ďOh? Just a sec.Ē I placed my bag on the floor right in front of her oversized desk so that she wouldnít be able to see what I was doing unless she chose to stand up. I grabbed the iPad and motioned for Octo-Cat to creep out as well. Once both were settled on the floor and I confirmed that the tabby was indeed placing a call to my mom, I straightened back in my chair and returned my focus to an increasingly nervous-looking Sandra.

ďItís haunted, huh?Ē I asked, shaking my head. ďWell, how about that?Ē

She nodded eagerly; relief flashed across her face.ďI know some people donít believe in ghosts and all, but they are there and very angry. Itís best not to get involved with that mess.Ē

ďWow. Hmm,Ē I said, pretending to think this over carefully but only to buy us a little more time. If Octo-Cat could get Mom on the line before I showed my hand, sheíd be able to hear what happened next. I heard a little murmur sound from the floor. That had to be her.

ďWhat was that?Ē Sandra asked, shifting her gaze around the room to find the source of the speaker.

ďWait. I have a question,Ē I blurted out to draw her attention back to me. ďYou say the ghosts are angry. Is that because you murdered them?Ē

Chapter Twenty

ďWhy, Iíve never been so insulted in all my life. Go! Get out of my office!Ē the realtor cried. All traces of her earlier smile completely wiped clean from her face, which now pinched in rage. Sandra popped to her feet so quickly, I instantly recoiled in fear.

And, in my attempt to stumble to a standing position, I stepped on Octo-Catís tail.

He let out a terrible yowl and jumped onto the desk between us, hissing up a storm.

ďWhat? Where did he come from?Ē Sandra demanded, turning redder and redder as each moment passed.

ďWhy donít you answer my question first,Ē I shouted at her. ďI know you killed the Hayeses, and I can prove it!Ē

ďYou canít prove anything,Ē she spat. ďNow get out of here!Ē

I crossed my arms over my chest and stared straight into her eyes, hoping she couldnít see how afraid I was in that moment. ďIím not going anywhere until you admit what you did.Ē

ďI didnít do anything,Ē she said, taking care to enunciate each word, but I was not convinced.

ďYou killed the Hayeses in cold blood. You bashed out their brains with a hammer and framed the handyman,Ē I said. ďHey, if I agree to work with you, will you kill me, too?Ē

Sandra let out an enormous huff and lunged for me, but I was too fast for her.

I ran out of her office and back into the main waiting area.ďHelp!Ē

ďNo one else is here,Ē Sandra told me, approaching slowly, deliberately.

I saw my chance, so I took it. Squeezing past her down the hall, I bolted back into her office and locked the door behind me.

ďYouíre going to regret that!Ē she screamed, pounding furiously on the door.

I tuned her out and began pulling open drawers and cabinets in search of evidence.ďHelp me find proof!Ē I told Octo-Cat, who sat licking his wounded tail.

Soon we were both tearing through the office.

Surely something had to be here.

ďI called your mother just like you said,Ē my tabby informed me.

ďIím calling the police!Ē Sandra screamed from the hallway.

ďGood, that will make it easier for them to arrest you!Ē I shouted back, calling her bluff while shooting the cat an appreciative smile.

ďThanks for your help,Ē I told him. ďYou did good.Ē

We searched frantically for another couple moments, my desperation growing by the second.

ďWhatís this? The words look familiar,Ē Octo-Cat said, nudging a pile of mail from on top of the filing cabinet until it fell and scattered to the floor. He still didnít know how to read, but he was beginning to recognize familiar patterns of numbers and letters.

Sure enough, I combed through the pile and found a sealed envelope addressed to Charles at the firm.

ďOh! Think you can get away with blackmailing my colleague, do you?Ē I called to Sandra, waving the letter around wildly even though she couldnít see it. ďBut why threaten him when you know perfectly well that Brock Calhoun didnít kill Bill and Ruth Hayes?Ē

She didnít come back at me with an angry retort. In fact, Sandra said nothing at all as the entire office fell silent. The only sound in my ears was my own blood as it flew through my veins at a rapid tempo. My heart went crazy as I sent up a silent prayer that Sandra hadnít someone gotten her hands ona gun or some other weapon she could use to attack me through the closed door.

A moment later, the front door burst open, sending the greeting bell into a violent jangle.

ďLaura Lee, Channel 7 News. Do you care to tell our viewers whatís going on here?Ē my motherís voice rang out, loud and clear, and I could just picture her there with her probing microphone that she swung around like a sword when she was really on the warpath. I imagined now would be one ofthose times.

Feeling safe enough to exit now that I had backup, I swung the door open and stepped back into the main area just in time to see Sandra Lynn make a run for it.

ďMom! Stop her!Ē I screamed as I began to run after the fugitive. I had absolutely no idea what I would do if I caught her, but I at least had to try.

ďWait here,Ē my mom said, dropping her mic and wrapping her arms around me. Her cameraman gave chase, but his gait was mired by the giant apparatus on his shoulder.

I watched through the glass door as a police car squealed to a stop and two armed officers jumped onto the scene.

ďIíve got her!Ē Charles called from somewhere I couldnít see.

My mom let go, and I raced outside to extend my view. Sure enough, Charles stood with the very distraught murderess in his embrace.

ďYou donít have any evidence!Ē she screamed.

ďActually, I have this,Ē I said, waving the envelope in the air. ďIt was in her outgoing mail,Ē I explained, handing it to the nearest officer.

ďThreatening letters, huh?Ē the officer said with a smirk after scanning the letter. ďThanks for this,Ē he told me as he slipped it into his pocket. ďBut the mass collusion and double homicide should be more than enough to put this one away for a long time.Ē

ďI have rights!Ē Sandra shouted pathetically.

ďThatís right,Ē the other officer said. ďLet me read them to you now. You have the right to remain silentÖĒ

Charles ambled over to me with a bit of limp, which made me think Sandra put up some kind of fight when he subdued her.ďAre you okay?Ē he asked, checking me over.

ďIím fine.Ē

Once he realized that was true, his handsome features contorted in an angry mask.ďWhy did you come out here on your own?Ē

ďI had to find a way to prove Brockís innocence, and this seemed like the most surefire way.Ē

ďWell, it was the most ridiculous way,Ē Charles said. ďThe most unsafe way, too.Ē

I shook my head, going back over what the officer had said.ďDid you find another way to prove she did it?Ē

He ran a hand through his hair and sighed.ďYes, and if you would have come back to the house, I couldíve told you that in person.Ē

ďHow?Ē I insisted. I still couldnít figure out why the realtor had turned on her clients, and that was driving me crazy.

ďMitch,Ē Charles said simply. ďShe set everything in motion by texting a few key people during our drive.Ē

ďBut she said her phoneóĒ

ďShe used Nanís,Ē he cut me off. ďAnyway, you were on the right track with the Bayside Printing Company, but you didnít have the right access. Billís former employer, Mr. Weber, was able to do a system restore to recover previously deleted files. Once he knew to examine Lighthouse Realty& Brokerageís past jobs and records in particular, he found exactly what he was looking for.Ē

I was so happy weíd found the answer, but it still didnít make sense to me. ďWhich was?Ē

ďThe motive,Ē Charles said with a winning smile. ďIt was small and easy to miss, but on her latest print job, Sandra provided one page too many.Ē

ďMeaning?Ē I asked, motioning for him to hurry up and answer the question that had plagued me all week long.

ďMeaning she gave Bill a financial document, which showed some illegal activity involving false documentation and offshore accounts,Ē he explained.

ďAnd so she killed him over that?Ē I asked. ďBecause she was worried heíd turn her in?Ē

ďHe blackmailed me!Ē Sandra screamed. ďHe said since I already knew how to skirt the rules that it shouldnít be a big deal to get him a new house free of charge, the selfish jerk! I didnít just have half a million to throw around. What was I supposed to do?Ē

ďNot steal in the first place,Ē one of the officers said as he pushed her head down and shoved her in the back of the cruiser.

ďYeah, and you definitely shouldnít have killed him or anybody else,Ē the other said.

ďWell, there you have it,Ē my mom announced, coming to stand between me and Charles. ďBrock Calhoun is innocent, and the real murderer has now been apprehended. And you saw it all unfold live, only on Channel 7.Ē

As my mother began to interview Charles, I quietly slipped out of the frame and went to retrieve my cat and his iPad from inside the brokerage.

I found Octo-Cat curled up on Sandraís desk chair. Somehow heíd actually managed to fall asleep despite all that excitement.

ďHey.Ē I nudged him awake gently. ďWe did it.Ē

He blinked up at me, yawned, and then said,ďGreat. So what now?Ē

ďHow about a lobster roll from the Little Dog Diner?Ē

[ ŗūÚŤŪÍŗ: img_3]

Charles joined us for lobster rolls and he even paid for everyone, including Mitch, Nan, and Yo-Yo who all joined us shortly after Sandraís arrest. I let him recount all the gritty details while I focused on the delicious meal before me.

Toward the end of his explanation, Nan hit me on the back of the head, almost causing me to choke again.

ďWhat?Ē I cried, my mouth still stuffed with food.

ďIf you do something that stupid again, Iím going to kill you,Ē she said, fixing me with a scowl.

ďSorry,Ē I muttered. ďDoes Brock know yet?Ē I asked in an effort to change the subject to happier outcomes.

Charles licked a bit of mayo from his thumb.ďTheyíre processing him for release now. Heíll be a free man by nightfall.Ē

This news made me so happy I couldnít help but smile as I devoured a second lobster roll.

Mitch finished eating first, then picked Yo-Yo up and sat him on her lap. That reminded me of something that still didnít sit well with me.

ďWhen I was talking with Sandra,Ē I said, waiting for a beat to make sure everyone was listening, ďshe mentioned dog-sitting for a friend once. Do you think itís possible she meant Yo-Yo?Ē

ďDo you really think she stole him, kept him hostage for a few weeks, and then let him go? That seems kind of improbable,Ē Charles said. ďWhat reason would she have for doing that?Ē

ďLetís ask the dog,Ē Octo-Cat said before taking a giant hunk of shrimp into his mouth.

ďWould you?Ē I said, adding ďpleaseĒ when he didnít immediately comply.

ďWhatísó?Ē Charles began, but I shushed him while I waited for the animals to finish their exchange.

ďAffirmative,Ē Octo-Cat said a moment later. ďShe took him that night when he wouldnít stop barking, but he got away and came home. It took him a while to find his way back from Misty Harbor, but he was determined to get home, no matter what.Ē

I quickly relayed this information to the rest of the group.

ďSo, why didnít she kill him, too?Ē Charles asked, stating the obvious.

ďI guess even evil has its limits,Ē Nan said with a pert nod.

ďHe says heís sorry for not remembering everything sooner,Ē Octo-Cat informed me. ďAnd he said thank you for helping his family.Ē

ďWhatís going to happen to Yo-Yo now?Ē I asked the others.

ďCharles is helping me petition the school to keep him with me on campus as an emotional support animal,Ē Mitch answered with a sad smile. ďI just couldnít imagine losing him again. Heís the only family I have left now.Ē

ďAnd until then, heíll stay with me,Ē Charles said. ďBut we should have no problem getting our petition approved, in light ofÖĒ His voice trailed off, but Mitch picked up the thread for him.

ďMy parents being recently murdered.Ē

ďWhat a day,Ē Nan said with a giant sigh. ďLetís take a break before investigating our next big case, if thatís okay with you,Ē she said, turning to me.

ďWhat makes you think there will be a next case?Ē I asked, surprised.

ďBecause, my darling, you might not always go about things in the safest way, but I think youíve finally found your true calling.Ē

ďWhich is?Ē

ďYouíre the best private eye in all of Maine,Ē she said with a proud smile.

ďIíll drink to that,Ē Charles said, raising his glass of soda.

ďMe too,Ē Mitch said.

Thatís when Mom came swooping into the restaurant to join us. ďIím here!Ē she cried. ďWhat did I miss?Ē

ďNothing,Ē Nan said, sending a wink my way. ďNothing at all.Ē

Well, I guess I could tell Mom later. Iíd had more than enough excitement that night already.

Octo-Cat nudged me with his paw.ďNow that thatís over with, Iím ready to collect on my favor.Ē

Mom was busy giving her order to the waitress, so I bent down and quietly hissed,ďWhat is it?Ē

ďI want you to buy me a house,Ē he said with a Cheshire grin.

ďA house!Ē I exploded.

He nodded excitedly.ďAnd not just any house.My house. I want to go home.Ē

My jaw hung open as I searched for the appropriate response. Nothing came to me, though.

ďDonít worry, youíre coming, too,Ē Octo-Cat added in a futile effort to answer my objections. Heíd learned a lot about human society latelyóIíd give him thatóbut there were certain things that still went way over his head, money being a prime example.

ďYou want me to just buy Ethelís house?Ē I hissed again. ď Thereís no way I can afford that huge place.Ē

ďWeíll figure out the details later,Ē he assured me, returning his attention to his meal.

When I glanced back at my human dining companions, I saw Mom staring at me with a look I instantly recognized.

She knew.

3. HAIRLESS HARASSMENT

Chapter One

Hi, Iím Angie Russo, and my pet cat never ever stops talking. Not just mews and meows, but actual words that I can understand. So far, Iím the only one who seems to have this ability, and I still have absolutely no idea why.

It all started when I got zapped by a faulty coffee maker at the law firm where I work as a paralegal. Since then, Octo-Cat and I have used our special connection to solve two murder investigations together. Yeah, even I have to admit, we make a pretty great team.

Only a few weeks have passed since our super sleuthing earned the local handyman Brock Calhoun aget-out-of-jail-free card. And already my feline sidekick is begging for another case. Apparently, napping and complaining all day isnít an exciting enough life for him now.

All my life Iíve been on the search for that one amazing talent that would make me special and give me purpose. My nan starred on Broadway in her prime, and my parents both work for the local news station and love what they do.

They were all so sure of their talents early in life, but Iíve really struggled to pinpoint mine. I couldnít even figure out my passion well enough to nail down a bachelorís degree, racking up seven associate degrees instead.

I definitely never expected to find my true calling as a paralegal, especially considering how much Iíve always hated lawyers. But now that I have Octo-Cat and my special ability, I find that working at the offices of Thompson, Longfellow& Associates provides the perfect way to use my newfound abilities for goodóespecially considering that the newest partner knows all about my ability to speak to animals.

Oh, yeah! Charles didnít get fired. Instead, he got promoted. I was so proud of him that I even suggested we go back to the Little Dog Diner in Misty Harbor to celebrate with the worldís best lobster rolls. He told me it would have to be some other time, though, because he already had plans with his new girlfriend, Breanne Calhoun.

Yeah, I donít get that, either.

The news that heíd started dating the cold and snippy realtor weíd very recently suspected of murder was enough to extinguish my crush on Charles once and for all, though. Iíve also decided that the next time Octo-Cat refers to him as ďUpchuck,Ē Iím not going to correct him.

The thought of him and Breanne together makes me sick, too.

Itís for the best, though, I suppose. I really need to focus on understanding my new pet-whispering abilities, and Octo-Cat and I both need to get better at investigating cases without raising the communityís suspicions. That pretty much means I have no time left for love or infatuation or whatever it was I once felt for Charles.

Anyway, who needs a boyfriend when you have a talking cat?

Not me. Well, at least not for right now.

Lately Iíve been spending a lot more time with my mom. Ever since she helped us catch the real murderer in our latest case, sheís been on this kind of career high. She got the exclusive scoop and even managed to record our showdown with the murderer live and on camera. The feature was picked up all over the nation, and she and my dad have received job offers from clear across the country.

The latest was from San Antonio, I think.

Sheís not saying yes to any of them, though. At least, not unless I agree to move with them, too. But I would never leave Nan, and Nan would never leave Blueberry Bay.

So weíre all staying put exactly where we are.

Sure, if enough people learn my secret, I probably will have to leave eventually. Right now, a total of five people knowóNan and my parents, who I told on purpose, along with Charles Longfellow, III and a college student named Mitch, who both figured it out by accident. Hopefully I can keep that number from growing any larger, but it seems like several people are on the verge of figuring things out already.

And that definitely worries me.

Especially since my mom just invited me to help her with her newest investigative journalism assignmentÖ

[ ŗūÚŤŪÍŗ: img_3]

Iíd finally switched to a part-time schedule at the firm, and today was one of my days off. And by off, I meant I got to stay home and pack up my tiny rental house under the supervision of one very demanding tabby.

Not only did I have to discard a number of my belongings that he found to be inadequate, but he was also the reason I had to move in the first place. Granted, Iím the one who said Iíd owe him a big favor if he allowed me to put him in a harness to take him outside. I hadnít counted on that favor amounting to more than six-thousand square feet, though.

As it turned out, the favor he wanted was for me to purchase the old manor house he had lived in with Ethel Fulton before she was murdered and, through a truly unbelievable series of events, he came to live with me. Now a twelve-dollar harness was costing me the better part of my five-thousand-dollar monthly stipend, and Iíd learned to be more careful about promising my kitty companion open-ended favors.

Yes, my former boss, Richard Fulton, did offer me a generous break on the price. Also, there were fewer interested parties once the greater populace found that the former homeowner had been murdered, but stillóstill!óowning Fulton Manor would require a pretty penny from me not just to keep up with the mortgage, but also to carry out the many repairs that seemed to be more or less essential for safety purposes.

At least thatís what the home inspector said.

Hardly any time has passed at all, and yet somehow the sale is final and the house is ready for me and Octo-Cat to move in. Itís funny how bureaucracy can either slow things way down or speed them way up depending what side you approach the red tape from. Around Blueberry Bay, the Fultons owned the spool from which the red tape was unraveled, which meant I bought myself a manor house with very little effort on my part.

Nan, who adores both me and my cat in equal measure, decided to help out, too. Even though sheíd owned her little Cape Cod style home for more than thirty-five years, she decided it was time to sell and move in with me at my new Eastern seaboard mansion.

ďThe difference is,Ē she explained, ďthis time Iíll be living with you and not the other way around.Ē That was how she justified kicking me out of her house less than a year ago, only to move in with me now.

Honestly, Iím more than a little thrilled to have an added buffer when it comes to Octo-Cat. I love him more than anything, but he also infuriates me on a regular basis, constantly finding new and exciting ways to push the poorly constructed boundaries Iíve tried to erect.

And so all of us are moving in this weekend, even though Nan hasnít even had an offer on her house yet. Breanne says it will be easier to sell without a current resident. Yes, I couldnít believe Nan hired Calhoun Realty to list her house, either. She and I needed to have a serious talk about family loyalty.

But first we had to survive the big move.

ďSomeone just pulled up outside,Ē Octo-Cat informed me, hopping onto the end of the bed where the better part of my wardrobe was laid out for evaluation. I took packing as a good opportunity to downsize, even though my living space would increase nearly ten times.

A moment later an urgent knock sounded on the front door and my momís voice called out, ďAngie? Angie, are you here?Ē

ďComing!Ē I yelled, letting the half-full box in my arms fall to the floor.

I flipped the deadbolt and my mom immediately pushed her way inside.ďYouíll never guess what happened!Ē she told me, reaching into my closet and grabbing one of my jackets, which she thrust at me excitedly.

ďWhat?Ē I asked, still a bit sleepy and not quite ready for this level of enthusiasm.

She followed me into the kitchen where I grabbed a can of Diet Mountain Dew and flipped the tab. It was my latest attempt at a suitable coffee replacement, and so far, so good.

ďLou Harlow was murdered!Ē she squealed with delight.

ďUm, Mom. How about a little less bliss over someone dying, please?Ē Lou Harlow wasnít just some random local, either. As one of the two senators appointed to represent the great state of Maine, she was one of the most famous people to reside in our little corner of Blueberry Bay.

And now she was dead. And for some reason, my mother was terribly excited about it.

ďIím sorry. I know itís sad she died and everything, but guess whoís been asked to cover it?Ē She bit her lower lip and pointed both thumbs toward her chest while widening her eyes to a comical degree.

ďCongrats,Ē I murmured, still feeling icky about her reaction to this whole thing.

ďThank you,Ē she said with an airy smile. ďTurns out I did such a great job covering the Hayes murders, the station would like me to do another investigative piece.Ē

ďIím really happy for you, Mom.Ē And I was. Sheíd worked hard to get here, and at last everything was coming upÖ bodies in the morgue, I guess.

ďGood, because I need you to do it with me.Ē

ďWhat? No, no, no, no.Ē Yeah, Iíd done the legwork to find the Hayesís real killer and clear Brock Calhounís name, but that didnít mean I wanted to jump straight into another murder investigation, especially one as prominent as this one would no doubt prove to be.

ďAngie, I donít really think you have a choice.Ē

I groaned and shook my head.ďOh, yeah, because thatís the way to win me over.Ē

ďThe senator was killed in her home,Ē she revealed. ďDo you know where that home is?Ē

ďSomewhere in Glendale?Ē I guessed with a sigh.

ďNot just somewhere,Ē my mom corrected with a new light dancing in her hazel eyes. ďRight next door to your new house.Ē

Chapter Two

Well, this was exactlynot what I needed on moving day. My new home had already been tainted by murder, and now the place next door had become an active crime scene as well.

My mom stared at me with wide, sparkling eyes.ďWell?Ē She nudged me with her elbow as if we were doing something as harmless as discussing reality TV gossip. This wasnít reality TV, though. It was actually real life.My life.

ďI know that look,Ē Octo-Cat proclaimed from his seat beside me. ďItís the same one you get right before you decide to do something stupid.Ē

ďWell, good luck on the investigation,Ē I mumbled, hoping to silence them both so I could get back to packing.

It didnít work.

My mom grabbed both my wrists and attempted to drag me from my chair.ďCome with me. I need you,Ē she whined, drawing out each word dramatically. No wonder sheíd become Blueberry Bayís go-to newswoman. Even I found myself both wanting and dreading to know what would happen next.

I yanked my arms away and wrapped them around my waist defensively.ďIn case you forgot, itís my moving day, and I still have lots to do before the movers get here in a few hours.Ē

Mom balked at this excuse as she moved behind my chair and put a hand on each of my shoulders, causing me to flinch.ďA few hours? Why, thatís way more than enough time to take a quick glance. Besides, arenít you curious?Ē

I bit my lip and tried really hard not to say anything. The truth was I had, in fact, begun to enjoy the thrill of the investigation. And despite my better judgment and bigger priorities, I was definitely intrigued by the newest murder in town having happened right next door to my new place.

A fresh corpse next door. What a housewarming gift!

Seeing that she had me on the hook, Mom began to reel me in. She put her face beside mine and tipped my chair back.ďTell you what. How about you come with me now and, after we take a quick look-see, Iíll come back to help you finish packing. Deal?Ē

I groaned and pressed my forehead to the table. The chairís front legs landed back on the floor with a jarring thud. ďDeal,Ē I murmured into the cold wood.

ďRight back into the thick of it. Why am I not surprised?Ē Octo-Cat commented drolly before trotting off without so much as a glance my way.

ďYay!Ē My mom clapped her hands several times and began to yank on my arm again. Sometimes I felt like the most grown-up person in my entire family, which was saying something since Mom was in her early fifties and Nan had already hightailed it well past seventy.

ďLetís go,Ē Mom said, tugging at my arm once again. This time I got up and followed. ďIíll fill you in on what I know on our drive over.Ē

True to her word, the moment the car doors closed beside us, my mom jammed her key in the ignition and started to talk.ďI know you were never interested in politics too much, but Lou Harlow was a four-term senator. She won every term by a huge landslide and was probably going to be reelected the next time, too. Everyone around here loved her, which makes her death all the more shocking.Ē

I chewed on my thumbnail as she spoke, a bad habit that had gotten more and more out of control lately.

My mom swatted me with one of her perfectly manicured hands.ďStop that. Itís gross!Ē

ďSorry,Ē I muttered, running my index finger across my jagged thumbnail as I switched my focus back to the matter at hand. ďSo, a political rival wanted her seat and it was easier to murder her than to try to win fair and square?Ē

ďMaybe,Ē my mom said, bringing both hands back to the steering wheel now that sheíd decided she didnít need to hit me a second time. ďWeíll definitely work that angle and see what we come up with.Ē

I sensed abut.When Mom didnít provide it, I decided to give her the lead in. ďBut?Ē

ďWhy kill her at home when she spends most of her time in Washington?Ē she asked as if I might actually have the answer.

I shrugged.ďMaybe it was more convenient.Ē

ďItís too obvious, though. Donít you think?Ē She frowned as she considered this.

ďWell, maybe our killer isnít very smart. How did the senator die, anyway?Ē In my experience, killers usually were pretty smart, actually. Smart, but vain. Combine those two traits with their lack of a moral compass, and it often spelled troubleóboth for their victims and for me, the fiery upstart who did my best to help bring them to justice.

Well, lately, at least.

Would I continue chasing killers around Blueberry Bay forever?

Only time would tell, but I had a sneaking suspicion that the answer just might be a resoundingOh, heck yeah!

Mom pulled up to a stop sign and switched on her blinker, then turned to look at me. Once again, her expression was filled with utter joy as she revealed,ďSomebody pushed her down the stairs!Ē

Oh, for the love ofÖ

ďThen how do they know it wasnít just some stupid accident?Ē It looked like we might have both gotten ahead of ourselves, and here I was considering myself the sleuth of the centuryóat least as far as Glendale, Maine was concerned.

Mom seemed flustered.ďThey? Whoís they? We are the ones investigating this, and we donít know for sure, but we definitely suspect foul play.Ē

I bit my tongue to keep from mentioning that the police were still the true detectives here and that I was too new to the case to be a part of her royalwe. It seemed I still had to learn this lesson for myself, too.

Shaking off my disappointment, I turned my head to watch the scenery flying past my window. Greenery stretched as far as the eye could seeótrees, flowers, grass, everywhere life. Well, except at Lou Harlowís manor house.

Gulls drifted on the breeze, reminding me that gorgeous Blueberry Bay was just beyond the horizon. We lived so close to the ocean that the air always tasted slightly of salt. My new house sat so close to the shoreline, in fact, that I could walk there in ten minutes flat.

ďI really wish people would stop turning up dead around here,Ē I told my mom with a sigh. We were a small town to begin with. If the murders continued at their current clip, weíd be down half our population by the end of next year.

ďDonít you think itís just a little bit exciting?Ē my mom said as she navigated us down the private drive that served all the most elite homes in Glendaleóincluding now, rather inexplicably,mine.

I understood where my mom was coming from, though. For years, sheíd wasted her journalistic talents on puff pieces and human interest stories. This new dastardly turn of events in our small town made for big news and a far more interesting job for her.

Still, people were dying, and that was definitely a problem.

I was saved from answering her question by the appearance of red and blue flashing lights on the top of the hill. My mom drove one turnoff past my new house and pulled right up to the late Lou Harlowís estate. Cops were everywhere, definitely more than technically worked for our sleepy little town. It seemed as if the whole county had arrivedówhether to help investigate or merely to gawk remained to be seen.

A few officers stood by the entryway chatting over takeout coffees. Others paraded around the property talking into their radios and trying to look important. Somebody else worked on stretching that jarring yellow crime scene tape around the porch.

I hated it. I hated it so much. The good senator deserved better than this. We all did.

Mom pulled straight up behind the nearest cop car and shut of the engine.ďReady?Ē she asked with a quick glance my way before charging out of the car and right over to the group of officers who had gathered by the house.

ďQuite the scene youíve got here,Ē she said jovially while I struggled to catch up. Even though I was taller than my mom and should have had a quicker stride, sheíd always buzzed around like a hummingbird, sometimes moving so fast you could scarcely keep track.

ďYeah, and itís a private one at that,Ē a county officer informed us both, making a little shooing gesture with her hand.

ďLaura Lee, Channel 7 News,Ē Mom answered proudly, shoving a hand forward in greeting.

The officer sneered and refused to take the proffered hand.ďOh, then we definitely donít want you here.Ē

One of our local boys spotted us from across the yard and shouted,ďItís okay. Sheís with us.Ē Officer Bouchard jogged over to join us. ďSheís got the needed clearance,Ē he told the others.

ďThank you,Ē my mom said, simpering at the county officer who had tried to deny our access. ďNow, be a dear and catch us up, please.Ē

I sighed and made a mental note thatHow to Win Friends& Influence Peoplewould be the perfect gift for my mom on the next holiday that required such things.

ďOfficer Raines?Ē my mom read from the angry lady copís badge. ďI just want to help.Ē

ďLike heck you do,Ē the other one spat back.

I tried to block their bickering out as I studied the massive stone fa?ade before us. Just like my new houseóFulton Manoróthis one was at least five-thousand square feet and probably about as old as the state of Maine itself. Gorgeous bay windows stuck out at odd intervals around the second floor in what appeared to be a recent remodeling job. I wondered if you could see the ocean from up there. Whatever the case, they seemed like nice little nooks to hang out with a good book. Maybe I could add a window seat as part of my own remodel as well.

Iíd almost fully immersed myself in this bookworm fantasy of mine when a flash of something caught my eye. I squinted to try to make out what was up there, but was met only with the fluttering of drapes. Whoever or whatever was looking out upon the chaotic scene below had now disappeared.

I left mom to continue her battle with Officer Raines and inched slowly toward the entry. Her preferred method of investigation may have been talking, but Iíd always preferred to jump straight in with both feet and see what I could discover.

At least if I found trouble waiting for me on the inside, I knew there were a dozen-odd officers loitering nearby. Any of them could offer up some help in a pinch.

See?

I had nothing to worry about as I tiptoed right into the middle of this fresh crime scene.

Chapter Three

Despite the flurry of activity outside, the inside of the manor house sat emptyóeerily so. As soon as I entered, I came face to face with the grand staircase. It had been cordoned off and the area was already scrubbed clean, though the recent disturbance was obvious.

One of the lower steps had caved in on itself, calling into question the soundness of the entire structure. A few feet from the landing, the body position had been marked in a shining white outline.The poor senator.Sheíd been a huge force in life, but the outline marking her death seemed impossibly small.

As much as my mother assumed I didnít know about the political scene or about current events in general, Iíd actually voted for the senator in her two most recent elections. Sheíd fought hard to protect the natural beauty of our great country and the citizens within it. Even though I liked to think of myself as non-partisan, Iagreed with Senator Lou Harlowís stances more often than not.

Plus, from the few televised interviews or online news articles Iíd managed to catch, I liked her. She reminded me of Nan, but in a tailored pant suit instead of a flowy silk kimono.

Sheíd done so much tireless work on behalf of the people, and now one of those people had killed her. I bowed my head and said a quick prayer, hoping that her death had happened quickly and without pain, and that the killer would soon be brought to justice.

Iíd been around murder a lot lately, but somehow this one felt more personal. Lou Harlow wasnít a stranger. She was someone Iíd seen on the TV, the Internet, and even the odd newspaper that still found its way into the firm where I worked.

ďThere you are,Ē Mom shouted after me, disturbing the sanctity of the moment as she flew in through the open front door.

I kept my eyes fixed straight ahead. Was there some important clue Iíd missed because emotions were clouding my judgment with this one?

ďSuch a shame,Ē Mom clucked, finally showing a blessed bit of remorse.

We stood side by side, studying the scene. A glint of yellowish green at the top of the stairs drew my eye and I stepped forward to get a better look.

ďWhat is it? What do you see?Ē Mom asked in an excited whisper.

I still hadnít figured out what was up there, but I pointed anyway.

We both craned our heads and shifted our angles until finally I saw a scary, mummy-looking face watching me from above.ďItís some kind of animal, I think.Ē Although it looked like none Iíd ever come across before. Maybe in a zoo, but in the wilds of coastal Maine? I think not.

ďThe senator did have two pet cats,Ē Mom pointed out, still struggling and twisting in an effort to discern the animal for herself.

ďWhateverís up there, Iím not really sure itís a cat.Ē I took another step forward, bending my neck straight back to achieve a fresh perspective. All that did was hurt me, though. ďUgh. I wish it wasnít so dark in here,Ē I moaned.

Mom lifted her phone high and then snapped a picture of the area using her flash. The burst of light was more than enough to fully illuminate that same little animal that had first caught my eye. A second larger one of the same kind also sat farther back away from the bannister. They still looked like something that had come straight out of a horror movie, but now at least I could clearly tell they were cats.

Cats with no fur and lots of wrinkles.Eww.

I shuddered as I pictured Octo-Cat shorn down in a similar fashion, and that particular mental image was even scarier than the two odd Sphynxes sitting before me.

Mom showed me the picture sheíd managed to get on her phone. ďTheyíre hairless cats,Ē she said matter-of-factly.

I shivered again.ďWhy would anyone want a cat without hair?Ē

ďAllergies? Attention?Ē Mom guessed and offered me a casual shrug. ďCould have been either with the Senator.Ē

A growl sounded above, and I swear the little hairs on the back of my neck shot straight up. I was a newly branded cat person, so why did these two freak me out so much? Was it that they were hairless or that they were staked out at a murder scene? Both?

After another emphatic growl, the larger of the two cats appeared at the top of the stairs, peering down at us like a dissatisfied overlord. Or a prison guard. Or a killer.

ďHi,Ē I said, even though I knew he couldnít understand me without Octo-Cat here to translate.

He opened his mouth wide, then let out a terrible hiss before turning tail and stalking off with the smaller cat in pursuit.

ďI am officially terrified of those things,Ē I said.

Mom shoved her phone back into her bag and turned to me with that same excited expression sheíd worn most of the morning. ďKnow what Iím thinking?Ē

ďIím not sure I want to know,Ē I admitted. I should have been at home packing the last of my boxes for the big move, not shaking in my flip flops at the sight of these two bizarre felines. There was absolutely no reason this little investigation of ours couldnít have waited.

Mom grabbed my hand and gave it a squeeze. Obviously, we were not thinking the same thing here.ďIím thinking,Ē she revealed with a happy squeal, ďthat this looks like a job for Pet Whisperer, P.I.Ē

ďPet Whisperer? P.I.?Ē I shook my head and tried very hard not to roll my eyes. Of course, sheíd given me a special headline-worthy moniker. Sheíd probably already written and rewritten my featured story in her head several times over.

ďThatís your new name,Ē she said, squeezing my hand again. ďDo you like it?Ē

ďUm, Iím fine just being Angie.ĒMust not encourage this. I wanted my special ability to remain a secret, not become front page news.

ďNot for you,Ē Mom said with a sigh. ďFor your business.Ē

ďI donít have a business,Ē I pointed out. I still didnít like where she was headed with all of this.

ďWrong again,Ē she crooned. ďYouíre already doing the work. You might as well hang out your sign and get paid for it.Ē

ďInteresting idea, but I donít want people to know I can talk to animals,Ē I reminded her. Besides, I still had my part-time salary from the law firm and my full-time stipend for being Octo-Catís official guardian and the overseer of his trust fund.

ďEveryone will think itís a gimmick,Ē Mom countered with a wink. ďBut only weíll know the truth. Besides, it will give you an excuse to bring your cat with you while investigating, which is what you need anyway, right? I mean, if heíd been here this morning, we could have cracked the whole case wide open by now. Those cats definitely know what happened. I just know it.Ē

ďWhy do you have to be so excited about this?Ē I asked, resigned to the fact that I was apparently opening a business nowóand, worse still, that my cat would be my new business partner.

ďThatís branding, baby,Ē Mom answered with a glamorous flip of her hair.

Oh, brother. Or ratheróoh, mother.

I took a couple big steps back, careful not to upset the crime scene as I walked away from the crazy lady who just so happened to be my mother. Turning to the door now, I said,ďOkay, great. So, Iím just going to go make sure the police know the cats are up there. With the stairs cordoned off, it might not be easy to get them down.Ē

Mom followed after me as I returned to the bright world outside. I squinted from the sudden onslaught of sunniness and swept my eyes over the premises in search of the one officer I knew well enough to approach. Once my eyes adjusted to the light again, I spotted Officer Bouchard at the edge of the property examining a small copse of evergreens at the edge of a much larger deciduous forest that divided Harlowís property from mine.

I jogged over to him, knowing my mom would have no trouble keeping up if she wanted to.

ďDid you know there are cats inside?Ē I asked him, embarrassed by the fact my breaths came out labored from that short burst of exercise.

ďThat would be Jacques and Jillianne,Ē he said with a chuckle. ďUgly little things, arenít they?Ē

ďTheyíreÖ cute. Um, in a different way,Ē I insisted. In avery different way. Still, even though Iíd just had the same thought myself, I suddenly felt defensive on their behalf.

My mom joined us then, having chosen to stroll elegantly across the field rather than run like I did. I guess it was now part of her persona or something.The news waits for no man,sheíd often told me, but for a woman, it just might.

Officer Bouchard smiled kindly at Mom.ďYeah. The senator picked them up from a breeder in France, thus the fancy names. Theyíre slippery little buggers, too. Iíve been trying to catch them all morning, but so far, no luck. Figure with the next of kin on the way, the cats can be his problem when he gets here.Ē

ďNext of kin?Ē Mom inserted herself between me and him. Sheíd already pulled out her phone and started the recording app, which she now held up to him like a microphone. ďAnd who might that be?Ē

Officer Bouchard stared at the phone, then cleared his throat and answered in a crisp, clear voice,ďHer son, Matthew Harlow. Lives in Chicago. Should be here by nightfall.Ē

ďAnd who do you think killed Lou Harlow?Ē Mom asked, pressing the phone even closer to his face.

He sighed and pushed her hand aside.ďI think itís too soon to say. We havenít even ruled out the possibility of it being an accident yet.Ē

Until today, Iíd only seen one crime scene beforeóBill and Ruth Hayes, who were murdered in their own home. I saw it long after the fact, but Iíd had the same feeling today as Iíd had then.

Call it my gut.

Call it intuition.

Or maybe even just a lucky guess.

Whatever the case, I knew it had been no accident that killed Lou Harlow. Someone had wanted her dead and decided to take matters into his or her own hands.

Now we just had to figure out who.

The Pet Whisperer P.I. was officially on the case.

Chapter Four

As promised, Mom stuck around to help me finish my packing and, as much as it pained me to admit, I almost wished she wouldnít have. For starters, she had an opinion oneverything.

Iím not exaggerating either.Everything.

As she picked up each of my possessions one by one, she frowned and turned them over in her hands. Apparently she believed that if she studied my things from all angles, they might suddenly transform into something that would match her expectations.

Growing up, I had often wondered if she felt the same way about me, but now I knew better. Mom was a nice lady and I know she loved me as best she could, but she had most definitely not been cut from the divine maternal cloth.

ďDo you really need to take this with you?Ē she asked me now. ďI can get you a newer one. A better one.Ē

After about an hour of this same conversation over and over again, sheíd basically promised to buy me a new life as part of my housewarming gift. I know our tastes didnít match upóMom was far more sophisticated than Iíd ever beóbut still, it would have been nice for her to give it a rest.

The other problem I had just then was that I desperately wanted to discuss the crime scene and those weird Sphynx cats with Octo-Cat. Yes, even though Mom knew I could talk to him, it still felt weird to carry on a conversation right there in front of her.

Our tastes werenít the only thing that differed. Mom was all cold, hard facts and evidence. Sheíd ask a million and one questions, including many I wouldnít know how to answer. Namely,how come you two can talk to each other?

I still had no idea why Octo-Cat and I had formed this connection or even really how it worked. One day Iíd love to figure all that out, but I was too busy with my move at present to sit around and speculate all the many possibilities with my mom.

ďYou know,Ē Mom said as she studied the plates and bowls stacked in one of my kitchen cupboards. ďYouíre going to be living in a manor house now. A lot of your things donít really match that aesthetic. It may be jarring for visitors.Ē

ďItís fine, Mom,Ē I said, nudging her out of the way with my hip and packing away the offensive dishes myself. ďI donít really plan on having a lot of visitors, and Iím not really the hoity-toity type. You know that about me.Ē

She stepped to the side and opened another cabinet.ďMaybe thereís a middle ground here,Ē she insisted. ďNan has a nice set of dinnerware. You could throw yours out and stick with hers instead. Oh! Or you could donate yours. You love those charity shops, right?Ē

ďMaybe,Ē I said to acknowledge the topic so that we could both move on. I did like the thrift shops, but I much preferred buying from them over donating my own things.

Mom frowned, and I hugged one of my cheery red plates to my chest. I liked my plates, and I liked my life, too. Why couldnít Mom just accept that she and I were never going to see eye to eye on certain issues? So what if most of the things in my kitchen came from the dollar store? They all worked just as well as the things Mom bought for a hundred times the price at her fancy chain boutiques.

ďOh, I like these,Ē she said, staring into the next cupboard over as she grabbed a floral-patterned Lenox teacup and studied it with wide eyes.

ďI donít want her messing with my stuff,Ē Octo-Cat informed me, hopping up onto the counter and giving Mom such a startle, she dropped the much admired teacup right onto the ground.

The three of us watched what followed in slow motion, but it was already, regrettably too late. The delicate cup burst into smithereens and Octo-Cat let out an ear-piercing cry.ďMy Evian vessel!Ē

Mom took a step back.ďIím so sorry,Ē she told me, and I could tell she genuinely meant it. Maybe she picked at me not to be mean, but just because she sometimes had a hard time thinking of other things to discuss. Maybe that was why she got so excited over sharing the Lou Harlow murder investigation with me.

ďIíll get you a new set, I promise,Ē she said, blinking back tears. Suddenly, I felt like the absolute worst daughter in the world. Why did I have such difficulty spending more than a few minutes at a time in my momís company? Iíd need to try harder.

Of course, I didnít have the heart to tell her that this particular set was irreplaceable. Theyíd belonged to Octo-Catís previous owner, the late Ethel Fulton, and they were one of the few things he still had left of her. Granted, weíd soon be moving into her mostly furnished manor home, but still. This teaset had been special to Octo-Cat. It was the only way heíd take his food or water, and now that he was down a cup, Iíd have to increase my dish-washing schedule to boot.

ďLook,Ē I said, trying to be as gentle as possible. ďI think I can handle things from here. Why donít you go see what else you can find out about the Harlow murder?Ē

She twisted her hands anxiously.ďAre you sure?Ē Despite her hesitation, I could tell she was just as eager to go as I was to have her leave.

Did I feel guilty?Sure.Iíd probably never stop feeling guilty when it came to my strained relationship with her and Dad.

Still, Mom and I had always gotten along best in brief bursts. I loved that we were becoming closer these last few weeks, but we needed more time to navigate our new relationshipóand this really wasnít the best day for us to put in the work, as calloused as that sounded even to my own ear.

It just couldnít be a priority with all the other things I needed to do.

I side-stepped the broken teacup and gave my mom a tight hug.ďIím sure. I can tell youíre dying to get back on the case. Iíll be fine here.Ē

Mom sighed happily.ďMmm,you know me so well,Ē she said before quickly gathering her things and racing toward the door. ďIíll text with any updates. Bye!Ē

And just like that, she was gone again.

Octo-Cat resumed his agonized mewling. Even though we could understand each other, sometimes he still reverted to the classic cat soundsóusually in periods of intense emotionólike now.

ďIím sorry,Ē I told him, carefully stroking his head. I hoped it would offer comfort and also that the kindly gesture would not result in me getting bitten, but you kind of never knew with Octo-Cat.

ďItís like Ethel just died all over again,Ē he told me. His ears twitched then fell flat against his head. His tail swished back and forth like a metronome. His eyes grew so wide and dark that I was sure he would have cried, were such a trait in his biology.

ďIím really sorry,Ē I told him again, unsure of what else I could do.

He stared at the tiny fragments of Lenox that lay scattered across the kitchen floor. Whites, pinks, gold-trimmed, all nothing more than broken pieces of the life heíd once known. Great. Now I was tearing up, too.

ďIíll just go get the broom,Ē I mumbled, not wanting him to see how moved I now was on his behalf.

But before I could turn away, Octo-Cat shot out in front of me and screamed,ďNo!Ē

My heartbeat ratcheted up a few notches, thumping wildly as I wondered what crazy thing my cat might do next.ďWhoa, what happened?Ē

ďIím just not ready yet,Ē he informed me. ďI need some time with it first.Ē

ďWith the broken teacup?Ē I asked gently. Heíd gotten better at detecting sarcasm and punished me whenever he heard it in my voice or saw it on my face. He was allowed to talk to me however he pleased, of course, but I had to maintain the utmost respect at all times.

Even times like this.

Octo-Cat sniffed and lifted his nose high as he did whenever he wanted to appear superior.ďYes,Ē he answered simply.

ďUnfortunately, we donít really have time.Ē I kept my face placid, understanding. ďThe movers will be here in an hour or so. And we canít keep stepping around the mess. Itís dangerous. One of us could cut a foot on those sharp shards.Ē

He let out a mournful meow, then turned away.ďDo as you must.Ē

I resumed my journey to get the broom and dustpan, feeling like the worst cat owner in the world. That made me the worst daughter and the worst cat owner all within the span of about ten minutes. My stock would not be rising anytime soon.

When I returned, Octo-Cat still stood frozen in that dramatic pose of his. Normally, his antics bugged me, but at that moment, I truly felt sorry for him and his loss.

ďWould it help if we said a few words?Ē I suggested.

The morose tabby turned his head slightly and peered at me from the corners of his eyes.ďLike a funeral?Ē

ďYeah,Ē I said with a shrug. ďLike a funeral.Ē

He shifted the rest of the way out of his pose and faced me straight on. Already he looked better, like his heart had started to piece itself back together.ďWhere will we bury it?Ē he wanted to know.

ďOh.Umm.ĒI did not have time for this, but he also seemed sincere and in need of closure, so I suggested something I hoped would suit us both.ďWe should bury it tonight at Ethelís.Ē That would buy me the time I needed to pack at least, and hopefully it would make him feel better about this whole episode, too.

ďGreat idea, Angela,Ē Octo-Cat said with one of his hard-earned smiles.

I glowed in the light of his rare and wonderful praise. He was a diva, sure, but it did feel good to make him happy, especially considering that most of the time every little thing I did disappointed him greatly.

ďTonight,Ēhe shouted merrily.ďThat also gives me time to work on what Iíll say.Ē He then trotted off, leaving me to tidy the mess and prepare it for burial.

Ugh. As glad as I was that he felt better, Iíd planned to talk to him about Lou Harlowís murder and the strange cats sheíd left behind.

Well, that would just have to wait.

Why was my to-do list only getting longer the harder I worked today?

Chapter Five

All of Octo-Catís previous sorrow evaporated the moment we pulled into the long, winding driveway of Fulton Manor.

ďHome!Ē he yowled, even being so brave as to detach his claws from my thigh so he could prop himself up and look out the window. ďOh, it feels so good to be home!Ē

I parked and opened my driverís side door, and he immediately jumped over me to get to the ground outside. ďHome!Ē he continued to cry as he rolled back and forth in the grass like a crazy kitty.

I was just about to ask him to rein it in when he raced up the porch steps and through his specialty cat door, which slid open in response to a special signal his collar emitted. All this time Iíd never replaced his collar and heíd never asked me to. He probably always knew weíd end up here someday. After all, heíd engineered the entire thing.

Octo-Cat had clearly found a way to keep himself occupied. Meanwhile, the movers were still packing things up at my old rental, which gave me a little bit of time alone with my new mansion now.

A mansion! And it belonged to me!

Ridiculous.

But, okay, also super cool.

My eyes moved up the three stories all the way to the turret rising up beyond the far side of the roof. Iíd already decided to make my bedroom there in the tippity top tower just like some kind of weirdo modern-day princess. Nan had claimed the master bedroom, which had belonged to Ethel before she died. It was also where she had died, and I just felt icky about being in the same house, let alone the very same bedroom.

Nan simply laughed and said,ďOh, sweetie pie. Death is a part of life.Ē I figured at her advanced age, it must not bother her as much as it did me. Personally, I hoped I never reached the point in life where I was comfortable sleeping in the same spot a dead body had lain only months before.

It was eerie enough moving into a house that had served as the scene of a murder. In fact, I was still working on coming to terms with it. By now, I felt pretty sure my first electric bill would be many hundreds of dollars, seeing as I planned to sleep with every single light on until I no longer felt afraid of my own house.

Had it been my choice, Iíd never have picked a dwelling so grand. But Octo-Cat had insisted upon it. Even Mr. Fultonómy former bossóseemed happy to be unloading the house quickly, even at a substantial loss to himself and the other heirs.

As I watched Octo-Cat run back and forth through the cat door, moaning with delight each and every time, I really did have to admit the place suited him. So what if he was a common housecat? Looks could be deceiving, and his heart was definitely bourgeois to the max.

I left him to his merriment and grabbed one of the lighter boxes from my trunk. Inside, a thin veil of dust clung to almost every possible surface. I probably should have cleaned it out before moving in, but I didnít exactly have the cash to hire someone. Besides, the move had happened so suddenly, I barely had time to pack, let alone do much of anything else.

Weíd get to it. Eventually.

Just add it to the bottom of my never-ending to-do list. Or maybe somewhere in the middle.

My goal was to have the place at least livable before Nan joined us at the end of the month. She needed more time to pack up the entire life sheíd lived in Blueberry Bay as well as all her mementos from her time on Broadway.

I understood that, so I didnít tell her how the thought of sleeping in this giant place alone frightened me to the very core. I had Octo-Cat, who may or may not protect me in the event of danger. A fifty-fifty shot was still better than having zero help, if the need for it were to suddenly occur.

Another unsettling thing?

Fulton Manor and Harlow Manor next door had almost the exact same blueprint. Although they were both built well before the rise of the McMansion, I guess somebody had liked the first so much, theyíd decided to build a second almost exactly like it.

Somehow, I found myself drifting toward the grand staircase time and again. It looked so much like the one next door that it made me shudder each time I passed. I was like a deranged moth drawn right into the middle of the flame.Burn, baby, burn.

ďWhatís wrong with you?Ē my cat asked, eyeing me wearily after his ten-millionth time through the cat door.

I shrugged.ďJust a bit weirded out by the murder next door.Ē

He stopped dead in his tracks, not even putting his front left paw all the way down as he stared at me.ďWait,what?Somebody killed that nice old lady? When?Ē

Oh, that was right. We hadnít gotten the chance to talk yet, given the entire teacup episode. ďThis morning,Ē I told him, watching him carefully to see how heíd react once he had more information. ďOr, probably last night, actually.Ē

He gasped and stomped his paw down onto the hardwood floor.ďAnd you didnít tell me?Ē

ďThere was that whole thing with the teacup, and IÖ Iím sorry.Ē I apologized, knowing that it was the most surefire way to avoid an altercation. Octo-Cat loved fighting and hated losing, which meant I was constantly on the bum end ofthat deal.

He shook his head in dismay and stared at me for an uncomfortably long time before trotting up a few stairs and positioning himself just so.ďGo on. Tell me now,Ē he demanded. ďI need to know exactly what happened.Ē

I felt nervous under the spotlight of his scrutinous gaze but did as I was told. For as much as he was supposed to be my pet, it really felt as if I were the one whoíd been trained. ďThe senator was killed. Someone pushed her down the staircase,Ē I explained.

ďThe staircase!Ē Octo-Cat exclaimed, lifting one paw and then the other while he stared at the stoop beneath him.

I nodded dumbly, unable to form words just then.

ďJacques and Jillianne,Ē he somehow managed to hiss between clenched teeth. ďIíll skin them alive, those good for nothings.Ē He jogged down the steps and was just about to dart out the cat door again before I stopped him.

ďWait!Ē I cried. ďYou know Jacques and Jillianne?Ē I felt so stupid every time I said their Frenchified names. Why did cats need such fancy names? Octo-Cat was bad enough with his eight names, but at least all of them were in English. Wait. They were, right? It was honestly kind of hard to remember, thus his new and improvedóand much, much shorterómoniker.

He sighed but kept his back to me. His tiny kitty shoulders heaved with the weight of his obvious disappointment in me.ďOf course I know them. We used to live next door andówill you look at that?ónow we do again.Ē

ďAre you friends?Ē I asked eagerly, running a half circle around him so that we were once again face to face.

He looked like he was about to sneeze. He didnít. Instead, he said, ďWith those weirdos? No way.Ē

ďI mean, they look a little different, but thatís not a reason toóĒ

ďItís not their looks, Angela. Itís the way they talk.Ē He growled at me, much like the big hairless cat had that morning.

I wasnít sure what game we were playing here, but I hated to be left out. I shook my head and scowled at him. ďYouíre not sounding any less racist here. Or is it breedist? Whatever the case, not a shining moment from you.Ē

He simply chuckled.ďOh, youíll see what I mean. Give it some time. Shouldnít take too long.Ē

He trotted up a few steps and then turned back to me, something I couldnít quite interpret shining in his eyes. ďBy the way,Ē he said as if a sudden thought had just occurred to him.

ďDeath by staircase? Yeah, classic cat move.Ē

ďWhat do youó?Ē I started.

He cut me off with a villainous laugh he liked to trot out whenever he wanted to be particularly theatrical. Apparently, this was one of those blessed times.

ďI mean,Ē he said, between manic gasps for air. ďJacques and Jillianne killed your senator. The cats are guilty. Case closed.Ē He sulked slowly away, still laughing to himself.

I took two giant steps back, feeling like Iíd just looked into the void and saw my death play out before my very eyes. Whatever happened next, Iíd make sure to watch my step when it came to the grand staircase Iíd once considered the crowning feature of my new home.

Octo-Catís laughter echoed through the halls. Why was this so funny to him? Why was he still laughing, and about this?

Apparently, he and my mom shared the same morbid fascination with the senatorís death. Too bad they both talked to me instead of each other.

Itís just his way, I reminded myself.He likes being the center of attention. Heíd never actually hurt you.

But then I thought of all those little old cat ladies who died in the city only to be devoured by their most beloved pets and shuddered againÖ

Well, at least I knew Octo-Cat would only eat Fancy Feast.

Chapter Six

Even though I needed to take some items upstairs, I decided to stick to the main level of the house while the movers hauled all my heaviest belongings in through the front door. Iíd need just a little bit more time to come to grips with what Octo-Cat had just revealed about feline-on-human homicide and the preferred method for it.

Here I hadnít even known such a horror existed.Silly me.

Truth be told, I hadnít brought much from my old place, and so my preliminary unpacking was quick. Since I still felt queasy every time I passed by the staircase, I decided to head outside and take a walk around the property.

Gorgeous, intricately kept flowerbeds surrounded the house on three sides, and the back opened up to a lovely two-tiered deck, complete with a fire pit and twin porch swings. Farther out, a thick forest rimmed the property, giving it all the privacy you could want and more.

Okay, so half my week would probably now be spent on yard maintenance going forward, but even I had to admit it would be time well spent.

A soft rumble in the distance along with a flash of red between the trees caught my eye, and I tromped through the grass to check it out. Apparently, if I angled my head just right, I could see straight through to the late senatorís yard. A bright red sports car had just pulled up the drive, and it was one I recognized instantly. After all, there were only two fancy red sports cars in all of Glendale; Nan drove one while Thompson owned the other.

I watched in horror as my boss, the senior partner at our law firm, Mr. Richard Thompson, clambered out of his car and up the steps toward the house. Uncharacteristically, he came without the briefcase that was usually attached to him like a boxy extension of his left limb. He also appeared nervous as he loosened his tie and glanced around the estate to see if anyone else was nearby. The police had mostly cleared out by thenóor at least taken their get-together elsewhere. And, thank goodness, he didnít know to search for me on the other side of the forest.

I remained rooted to the spot as Officer Bouchard stepped out of the house and strode forward to greet Mr. Thompson. His badge reflected the sunshine like a polished nickel.ďRichard, can I help you with something?Ē

I craned my neck to try to make out Mr. Thompsonís expression, but a low-hanging branch blocked my view.

ďI heard the news,Ē Thompson said. His deep voice projected through the forest. ďThought Iíd stop by to pay my respects.Ē

Officer Bouchard jogged down the steps and motioned for the other man to follow.ďIím sure you donít need me to tell you that this isnít the appropriate time or place.Ē

ďI know,Ē my boss agreed. He seemed unsure of what to do with his hands. ďIt was just soÖ so unexpected.Ē

The policeman sighed and raised one of his arms high to run a hand through his hair.ďYeah, weíre all pretty beat up about this one. It doesnít change the rules, though.Ē

They exchanged a few quiet words that got lost before they reached my ears, and then Mr. Thompson climbed back into his car and left.

ďWhat wasthat about?Ē Octo-Cat asked, choosing that exact moment to rub up against my leg and giving me the fright of my life.

ďI have no idea,Ē I told him honestly, still very much suspicious as to how both me and my firm at large now became tangled up in every single murder around town. Granted, there werenít any murders until Ethel Fulton earlier this yearóor at least none that I knew about.

ďI hope somebody without any pets moves in next,Ē he informed me with a bored yawn as we both stared vacantly through the trees.

This surprised me enough to risk a glance toward him. Itís not like anything was happening at Harlow Manor anymore. Even Officer Bouchard had disappeared from view now.

ďDonít you like other cats?Ē I asked him.

ďInmy territory?Ē He made a sarcasticpsshaw noise.ďIíd much rathernot share, if given the choice. This is my land. These are my trees to climb, and in their branches? Those are my birds to devourÖ or at least deliver to the foot of your bed when youíve been a good human.Ē

I shuddered at the memory of his most recentgift.ďI guess Iíll make sure not to be a good human then.Ē

He nipped at the blades of grass in front of his paws, swallowed a few bites, and then snickered.ďJust for that, now my puke will be green.Ē

ďUm, okay,Ē I said with a shrug. Honestly, his punishments often werenít much worse than his rewards, and this one seemed especially tame.

ďIt will throw off your whole day,Ē he explained with a smirk. His laughter became sinister, and I knew heíd gone full-on into evil genius mode. The only problem with that is our definitions of the wordgenius varied substantially.

When he stopped laughing, he took a deep breath and glanced up at me.ďYou donít get it, do you?Ē he said with a frustrated groan that was also part growl.

I shook my head, just as Officer Bouchard popped into view outside of the Harlow place. Why was he there? What was he doing?

ďYouíll have to clean up green puke,Ē my cat explained between laughs that seemed to be losing their steam. ďNormally, you start your day by cleaning up brown puke. You see? It will make everything different right from the start of your day. You wonít be able to stand it!Ē

ďYou got me,Ē I said with a resigned sigh. It would be better for us both if he thought heíd found a new means of punishing me. He derived such great pleasure from trying out new training techniques, that I didnít have the heart to correct his misunderstandings when it came to what did and didnít work for disciplining humans.

ďGot it out of your system now?Ē I asked, turning back to study him with a skeptical smile.

ďFor now,Ē he answered. ďBut just you wait until tomorrow morning!Ē

ďOkay, great.Ē I glanced back toward Officer Bouchardís immovable form and my curiosity continued to grow. Who would kill a four-term senator when she was so liked by her constituents? Why did the police find it necessary to guard the crime scene? And what, if anything, did her weird, hairless cats have to do with it all?

ďHey, are you busy right now?Ē I asked my cat when I realized he might be able to sneak through the woods for a closer look.

He just turned his nose up and said,ďYes,Ē then turned around with his tail also held high in the air, flashing me an unnecessary view of his kitty butt.

ďWell, thanks for that,Ē I shouted after him.

With one more glance though the trees, I decided to give it a rest. At least for now. Maybe the cops had already identified the culprit and thatís why they were guarding the scene. Even if I had an official title now as part of Momís impromptu branding session this morning, I was still inexperienced and new at this.

The police were the experts, and I had to trust them to do their jobs right. Even as I thought those words, however, I knew it would only be a matter of time before I found myself creeping through those trees to investigate the scene of the murder firsthand.

Chapter Seven

Night was fast approaching by the time the movers left. They not only helped me move my meager belongings in, but they also stayed to help reorganize the existing furniture within the manor and to pack some of the unneeded pieces into their truck for a quick stop off to the local charity shop.

Okay, maybe not so quick, considering they ended up moving more out than they moved in. But I definitely wasnít keeping the bed Ethel had died in, or any of her bedroom set for that matter. I didnít care that Nan was just fine repurposing the furniture for her own use. It creeped me out and I refused to keep any part of it in my home. It was already bad enough that Octo-Cat absolutely refused to part with the formal dining room set that had hosted the poisonous dinner party. I did not need to top that off with my Nan sleeping in some other old ladyís death bed.

ďIím glad theyíre finally gone,Ē Octo-Cat said, standing with his forepaws on the low window frame as he watched the moving truck pull away. ďThey smelled bad, like human body odor.Blech.Ē

I rolled my eyes, but luckily he was too distracted to notice.ďThatís probably because they were moving heavy things for us the better part of the afternoon.Ē

ďStill gross. I have a very delicate olfactory operation up here,Ē he said, twitching his nose demonstratively. Well, I couldnít really argue with him on that point.

ďAre you good?Ē I asked, hoping he would go easy on me, though I half expected him to make me move his belongings from one place to another all night long until he came up with the winning arrangement.

ďIím good,Ē he answered. His complacency gave me a wicked shock to the system. Would living here be like living with a different, less demanding cat? One could only hope.

ďIím ready for the funeral when you are,Ē he said, plopping his butt on the worn oriental rug and staring up at me with large, probing eyes.

The teacupóright. ďOkay, Iíll go get the box,Ē I said, trying to remember if Iíd left it in the car or tucked it away somewhere in the kitchen.

Octo-Cat raced ahead and blocked my path.ďI said when youíre ready.Ē

ďI am ready. We can do it now.ĒAww, he was being so sweet to consider my needs for a change. Maybe the loss of his teacup made him value the friends he had left. Maybe we really had reached a turning point in our relationship.

He shook his head and took on a condescending tone.ďNo, Angela. You arenot.I wasnít going to say anything, because I assumed you already knew, butÖĒ He paused to take a deep, dramatic breath. ďYou smell like human body odor, too.Ē

ÖOr maybe nothing had changed at all.

I threw a hand on each hip and stared down at him.ďSo what? You want me to take a shower first?Ē

ďNot want,Ē he corrected, studying his paw nonchalantly. ďRequire.Ē

I so badly wanted to call this whole ridiculous teacup funeral off, but instead I turned on my heel and headed toward the bathroom. Man, he really did have me trained.

As much as it irritated me to be told what to do by my cat, the hot water did soothe my aching muscles, and I felt more like myself after slipping into my favorite jeans and rejoining Octo-Cat downstairs.

ďReady!Ē I trilled, going once more to retrieve the teacup.

His furry form appeared at the top of the stairs, giving me quite the fright in the process.ďNo,Ē he said simply. ďThis will not do.Ē

ďWhatís wrong now?Ē I asked, tapping my foot impatiently. That was one bit of body language he understood well since he often did the same thing by flicking his tail.

ďIsnít it customary for humans to wear black when attending a funeral?Ē He tilted his head to the side as if it pained him to have to explain such a simple concept to me. After all, I was supposed to be the human expert around here.

ďYeah, butóĒ

He held up a paw to silence me.ďThatís what I thought. So, chop chop, you.Ē

I sighed but went to find the dress I had worn to Ethelís funeral a few months back, anyway. At this point my annoyance was such that my cat was lucky we werenít headed tohis funeral.

Heís grieving. Heís grieving,I reminded myself over and over again. But the truth was, he could be having the best day of his life and would still treat me this way. Most people had a sense of catsí haughtiness and entitlement but didnít know how deep it ran due to their inability to hold a conversation with their beloved animal overlords the way I could. Still, no matter how much he complained, Octo-Cat did forgive me for most of my flaws, so I did my best to put up with his.

The next time I came back down those stairs, I clung tightly to the handrail in case the tabbyís agitation matched my own.

Octo-Cat gave me a purr of approval as he took in my black maxi dress and swept back hair.ďFinally. Now come,Ē he trotted through his electronic cat door and waited on the porch for me to join him. Once outside, I grabbed the tiny makeshift coffinówhich had once been the box for a pair of flipflops Iíd purchased from the discount shoe storeófrom my carís glove box and followed him to the side of the house.

He stopped at the end of a retaining wall that had beautiful pink azaleas spilling over the sides.ďI chose this spot,Ē the cat informed me, ďbecause these remind me of the pretty little flowers that once lined our dearly departed teacup.Ē

When I squinted at the flowers and then down at the remains of the Lenox dishware in my hands, I realized that he was absolutely right. It was really quite sweet that heíd put so much thought into this. I wondered if heíd be so discerning when planning my farewell, should he outlive me. A morbid thought, it was true, but with all the murders around here lately, it was also a valid one.

ďShould I go get a shovel?Ē I asked when he made no move to dig into the soft earth.

ďThat would be for the best, Angela.Ē He bowed his head reverently. Was he praying? If so, what deity did cats pray to? Did he have the same God as me? And how did one send off a soulless object to the great beyond? So many questions when, honestly, Iíd always just assumed my cat worshiped himself and expected me to join his strange religion as well.

I left him to hisÖwhatever he was doing. There would be time for questions later. Now I had to respect the strange ritual I didnít quite understand but knew enough to see it was of vital importance to him.

Luckily, it didnít take me long to find a small hand shovel among the supplies in Ethelís gardening shed. As I jogged back to the scene of our interment, I wondered if Ethel had ever tended to the landscaping herself or if sheíd always hired it out. I also wondered how long it would take for me to learn the specific care for each of the many types of plants that lined the property. Hopefully not so long that I killed some of them in my ineptitude. I really didnít want to have any more funerals for inanimate objects. Sure, plants were technically living, but I still didnít think they deserved to have funerals in their honor. Obviously, the teacup was a special case; I hoped this was obvious to my cat as well.

Returning to him, I settled onto my knees and began to dig in the spot Octo-Cat had pointed out. While I did this, he stood by and started a lengthy eulogy about the life and times of his friend teacup.

ďIt always gave me water when I was thirsty,Ē he moaned. I decided not to point out that this was because he refused to drink from any other vessel.

ďAnd unlike itís brother,Ē Octo-Cat continued. ďIt was never contaminated by letting a fly into my Evian.Ē His voice quivered as he continued, ďNo, siree. It kept the water in and the flies out, just like a good teacup should do. Iíll miss you, teacup. Breakfast just wonít be the same without you. Nor will my dinner.Ē

I worked very hard to keep my face straight, and thank goodness for that, because he turned toward me in complete seriousness and said,ďNow itís your turn to say a few words.Ē

Well, shoot. Why hadnít I prepared anything? I shouldíve seen this coming from miles away. Still at a loss, I said the first thing that came to mind, hoping it would please him. ďIt was a good teacup. Pretty. Matched the others in its set.Ē

ďIt did! It did!Ē Octo-Cat cried, and when he drew quiet again, I heard the unmistakable sound of a crash on the other side of the woods.

ďWhat was that?Ē I whispered to my tabby.

He stood quietly, staring down into the open grave Iíd dug for the teacup and its coffin.

ďDid you hear that crash?Ē I asked again, more frantically this time. What if the murderer was back? What if he was coming for us and we were just sitting right out in the open, unmoving, not even looking?

My palms began to sweat. Thank goodness I was no longer holding onto the teacup, because Iíd have dropped it to a second death.

Octo-Cat kept his eyes cast downward, still serious, still reverent, completely unmoved by my fear.ďI think weíre just about done here,Ē he said sorrowfully. ďAngela, will you please shovel in the dirt?Ē

I nodded and carefully pushed the dirt around the shoe box as Octo-Cat sang a mournful song with no words, only mews. It would have been beautiful, if I wasnít worried that it was leading a killer straight to us. Luckily, he closed his eyes as he sang, which enabled me to glance over my shoulder and keep an eye on the woods.

It took about five minutes to finish his wordless song. Our weird ritual now finished to his apparent satisfaction, he bowed his head one more time and said,ďOkay, time to go play detective,Ē then ran head-long into the woods.

Chapter Eight

I could scarcely keep up as Octo-Cat tore his way through the dense forest. Branches slapped into my chest as I wove my way deeper and deeper. The woods that joined the two properties didnít run more than fifty feet wide at the most, but with no clear path to guide me through, they felt much deeper and darker than they had by the light of the afternoon.

Even treading carefully, I managed to snag my foot on a knotted root, which sent me careening face forward into the dirt. Of course, Iíd needlessly been wearing open-toed dress shoes for the teacup funeral, which made for a particularly painful toe-stubbing experience.

I moaned and rolled over onto my side, clutching my poor injured toes and I searched the darkness for Octo-Cat. Heíd probably made it all the way to Harlow manor by now, which meant I was alone in the creepy forest, sporting an injury that would make it difficult to escape quickly should trouble come calling.

An ominous crunch sounded a few yards away as something took slow, deliberate steps toward me over the bed of dried leaves that clung to the forest floor like a thick carpet.

Please donít be a wolf. Please donít be a wolf,I begged inwardly. Would wolves be brave enough to come so near a residential area? I had no idea, but the forest that linked our houses stretched far and long throughout the posh neighborhood. It was totally possible that some bigger animals had made their homes nearby and had now spotted me as an easy post-supper snack.

ďHello?Ē I called into the darkness, because it felt more terrifying to remain silent. Perhaps Officer Bouchard was still standing guard at Harlow Manor and would come running into the forest to rescue me. Hopefully heíd be at least a touch more careful than I had been.

The crunching leaves silenced, leaving me alone with the eerie howl of the wind sweeping through the trees. Well, I was never ever coming out here at night again. Nope, wouldnít do it, no matter how curious something made me.

And tonight seemed like a really good time to start myďno woods at nightĒ rule, just as soon as I could get out of here.

I shifted onto my back and pulled myself to a seated position. Everything hurt, and Iíd definitely be needing another shower. Thankfully, nothing appeared to be broken, so I pressed my already dirty hands deeper into the dirt and pushed myself to a standing position. My injured side had a hard time taking the weight, so I hobbled like a zombie, moving very slowly through the growth.

Iíd only made it a few feet when the crunching started up again.

I wanted to run but knew attempting to move faster with my injury would only lead to another wipeout. So, I plodded slowly along with some unknown animal following in close pursuit. Iíd reached the halfway point between the senatorís house and mine when I heard Octo-Cat shout, ďOh, if youíre looking for trouble, youíve found it, all right!Ē

ďOcto-Cat?Ē I called, turning behind me to search the trees for his tiny striped body. Iíd never been so happy to hear his demanding, little voice in all my life.

Unfortunately, it wasnít him I found standing before me now. Rather, twin pairs of yellow-green eyes blinked into view, moving closer and closer until we were only a few feet away from each other. The white spots on the smaller cat made him easier to pick out, but the large black Sphynx remained mostly shrouded in theshadows, save for those large, glowing eyes.

Octo-Cat broke through the tangled limbs of the forest a few seconds later and looked me up and down.ďWhat happened to you?Ē

ďI fell,Ē I said flatly, unwilling to take my eyes off our two strange visitors. Although, I supposed these woods belonged to them as much as it did us.

ďDid they trip you?Ē He put himself between me and the other cats and growled, making me feel slightly safer and a lot more loved.

ďI donít think so,Ē I said, searching the forest floor for the nasty root that had caused my fall but coming up short in the expanding darkness.

ďWell, I wouldnít put it past them,Ē he mumbled.

The larger Sphynx stepped forward and let out a string of deep meows.

ďOh, jeez, not this again,Ē my cat hissed in response.

ďWhat did he say?Ē I asked, hobbling over to the nearest tree and extending a hand to rest on its trunk so that I wouldnít be stuck standing on one foot for this entire exchange.

As much as heíd hated working with the traumatized Yorkie on our last case, he seemed even angrier about having to speak to the Sphynxes. Octo-Cat took a deep breath before translating. ďHe said, Ďat night the owl sounds in such a way our curiosity compounds.íĒ

Well, that hadnít been what I expected. ďUm, what?Ē I asked, shifting my weight to give even more of it to the tree.

ďNot what,Ē Octo-Cat corrected with a heavy sigh.ďWho?Ē

ďHuh?Ē I brought my free hand up to scratch at my head, completely baffled now.

He sighed again.ďRemember how I told you I donít like their kind?This is why. Itís not because they look funny. Itís because they talk funny. Everything they say comes out as a riddle. Itís why theyíre called Sphynx cats. Get it now?Ē

ďYou mean like the mythical creature that guarded the secrets of the gods?Ē I found it both crazy and fascinating that an old story I barely remembered actually had bearing on our modern world.

ďOh, it wasnít as selfless as that,Ē Octo-Cat spoke as if heíd personally known the Sphinx of ancient Greek mythology. ďIt was a nasty demon, tormenting everyone just because it could.Ē He spat toward our two hairless visitors and raised the hairs on his back menacingly.

ďWow,Ē I said, hardly above a whisper.

Octo-Cat turned back toward me, somehow even more agitated than before.ďSo now you can see why I wasnít too keen to go chatting these guys up. The big one is Jillianne, by the way, and the little one is Jacques.Ē

ďI know youíre a little uncomfortable right now,Ē I said placatingly. It didnít escape me that each of the three cats had four good, strong legs, and I only had one. Despite his frustration, at least Octo-Cat had stayed by my side. ďBut we could really use their help,Ē I continued. ďCould you please just tell them that Iím their new neighbor and that Iím thrilled to meet them?Ē

ďYou know the ancient Sphinx enjoyed killing people, too?Ē Octo-Cat licked his paw while talking, perhaps because he didnít like sitting in the dirty forest, or perhaps to show off that he had fur while our two conversants did not.

After a little back and forth, he informed me,ďThey say, and I quote,ĎWhether written on note or banner or mat, this is our greeting, to human from cat.íĒ

ďHa, theyíre saying welcome!Ē I cried, having far more fun now than my poor, long-suffering cat. ďHow do they come up with those so fast? They must be geniuses.Ē

Octo-Cat growled. Once again, it seemed, our definitions differed.ďI donít have to sit here and take this, you know. If you want my help, youíll refrain from encouraging their unwieldy behavior.Ē

I thought heíd said they always talked like this, but correcting him now would just send him scampering off toward home, and I still had so much more I needed to find out from our two hairless wonders. ďCan you ask them if they know who killed their owner, please?Ē I said instead.

Octo-Cat kept his eyes firmly on mine, a challenge.ďThis is getting old real fast, so I suggest you think over each question carefully, because I am definitely not doing this all night,Ē he warned.

ďFine, fine,Ē I groused. ďNow, tell me, what did they say?Ē

He pressed his ears back against his skull and shook his head.ďYeah, youíre enjoying this way too much, but Iím telling you right now, we arenot adopting them.Ē

I was just about to yell at Octo-Cat again, when he delivered the next riddle in a bored monotone.ďWhat we say to confirm, even if it makes one squirm.Ē

ďYes!Ē I shouted gleefully.ďThat means yes, right? They know!Ē This case really could be open and shut, seeing as we had two key witnesses right here and more than happy to talk to us.

Octo-Cat let out a dreadful groan, then turned tail and disappeared between the tree branches.

ďHey, wait!Ē I cried, slowly attempting to follow after him. I hoped the Sphynxes would follow, too. I was dying to ask them the next question. It would be the only one we needed to find the murdereróoddly my question would be the same as the answer to their first riddle:Who?As in, who killed the senator? How was Octo-Cat not getting this?

ďThey know who killed the senator,Ē I shouted after him. ďNow you just have to ask one more question and weíll have solved this one in record time!Ē

I couldnít see him anywhere. Had he really just run off and abandoned me? And here I was starting to think he cared. Well, two could play the punishment game, and I suspected Iíd have a much easier time annoying him than he had bugging me.

ďOh, Octo-Cat!Ē I called in one last ditch attempt to lure him in with kindness. ďWhere are you?Ē

Nothing.Even the wind had stopped howling through the trees.

Well, this was just great. Heíd run off and left me injured and alone in a scary forest. UnlessÖ

I turned around to search for the Sphynxes behind me, but instead bumped into a large, barrel-shaped chest. A human chest.

I didnít even bother to look at his face as I twisted around and made an attempt to run. Hurt foot or not, I needed to get back to the relative safety of my house. Needed to get out of these twisted woods now. My very life might just depend on it.

Iíd only made it a single step, when he grabbed my arms and pulled me back into his chest.

ďHey, what are youó?Ē I yelled as I struggled to get away.

He brought one sweaty hand up and clamped it over my mouth before I could finish my cry for help.

Well, this was it. This was how I diedónot on the stairs but lost in the woods just a couple dozen feet away from my new palatial home.

This was not turning out to be a very good moving day.

Not at all.

Chapter Nine

This was it. Fight or flight. Preferably both.

Iíd been detained by a murderer before. Iíd been pitched into the wharf and left for dead. I could survive this. Summoning all my strength, I bit down on the fleshy palm that covered my mouth.

Yes! That did it.

My attacker cried out in pain. He pulled away at once, clutching his injured hand.ďOuch, whatíd you do that for?Ē his voice came out a bit high-pitched for a manónasally, too.

ďHey, youíre the one who attacked me!Ē I corrected, studying his red face and matching red flannel pajama pants. He was far less scary now that I got a good look at him, but it didnít change the fact that he could easily overpower me with his size and strength.

ďWho are you?Ē I demanded. ďWhat are you doing in my woods?Ē He didnít need to know Iíd only just moved in that afternoon. In fact, Iíd probably be safer if he didnít.

At least he had the decency to look properly chastised. Still clutching his wounded hand, he rushed in with an explanation.ďI heard talking, so I came out to see what was going on, and then you ran straight into me.Ē

I scoffed and crossed my arms over my chest. It must be nice to be a man, to be able to wander into the dark woods with no worries for your safety beyond the normal serial killer with a chainsaw type of thing. Then again, I often found myself charging into dangerous situations with little more than my temperamental tabby to back me up. I guess that meant I couldnít judge him too harshly. ďThat still doesnít tell me who you are.Ē

ďIím Matt Harlow,Ē he said, thrusting his uninjured hand toward me in greeting.

ďI bit the first. Do you really want to trust me with the second?Ē I asked, widening my eyes in challenge just like my cat so often did to me. I wouldnít feel safe until we got out of the forest. I was at way too much of a disadvantage here in the dark unknown with a much larger man before meand an injury slowing me down.

Matt jolted back and offered up a nervous laugh. At least he was scared, too.ďGood point,Ē he said. ďSo youíre okay, right?Ē

ďIím fine,Ē I said, even as the throbbing in my toes intensified.

ďThatís all I needed to know.Ē He lifted his arm in a swift wave, then turned back in the direction he came from. ďHave a good night.Ē

I stood watching him go until he ducked out of eyesight, then continued my journey back toward home. So that was Matt Harlow, the senatorís next of kin. Had we met under different circumstances, I could have prodded him for information, see what he knew. As it was, though, Iíd much prefer to wait for the light of day and a reliable cell signal before possibly accusing him of murder.

Okay, so he seemed like a nice enough guyótall, chubby, not unlike a teddy bear, but that didnít change the fact that his inclination upon meeting me had been to grab hold of me and cover my mouth. That was way creepier than those hair-lacking, riddle-smacking cats would ever be.

ďIím home,Ē I called when at last I trudged through the door. Iím not sure why I even bothered announcing myself when clearly my feline roommate wasnít too bothered about my safety.

Octo-Cat intelligently remained hidden. Otherwise, I definitely would have given him a stern talking to about abandoning me in the woods right when the Sphynxes were about to reveal something crucial to our case. Well, if he wanted to hide from me, he could go to bed without dinner for all I cared.

I stomped through the house just to make sure he knew how angry I was with him. On my third pass through the open floor plan of the lower level, I stopped off at the kitchen to plop a fresh serving of Fancy Feast into Octo-Catís bowl. As much as I wanted to teach him a lesson, I also didnít want to have to deal with an entire nightís worth of his yowling.

But I got my jab in anyway, because I served him his least favorite flavoróthe chicken we had only because it was part of the multi-pack I got from our local warehouse club store. Normally I saved up several dozen, then dropped them off as a donation for the local animal shelter, but I figured it would be okay to use one for a very necessary revenge.

Not satisfied, I marched up the stairs to my tower bedroom and wedged the door shut behind me. The cable company would be coming by tomorrow to connect the Internet, so for now I had to depend on my phoneís mobile connection to surf the web before bedtime. Although the pages loaded painfully slow due to our proximity to the woods, I wanted to do some quick research into the senatorís recent activity to see if anything jumped out as a possible clue to her murder.

While I was at it, I looked up Matt Harlow, too. From what I could tell, he was just a normal middle-aged guy from the city whoíd recently gotten divorced and worked a job in sales. Nothing jumped out at me as serial killerish, but it was possible heíd only killed once to date, provided that Louís untimely demise could be pegged squarely on her sonís shoulders.

Honestly, I was stumped here.

An impatient scratching sounded outside my door.

ďGo away!Ē I called, not wanting to deal with my diva cat just then.

Octo-Cat murmured a few soft words to himself that I couldnít discern, although it sounded like he was having some sort of argument. ďIím sorry!Ē he called to me after a slight bit of hesitation.

I was so shocked I dropped my phone onto the bed beside me. I donít think Iíd ever heard that particular combination of words cross his lips.ďYouíll be sorry,Ē sure, but never a genuine, heartfelt apology.

I smiled to myself, ready to milk this moment for all it was worth. Just like Octo-Cat, I had to get my victories somehow.ďWhat was that?Ē I asked, pretending I hadnít heard.

Whether he was here to demand a better flavor of Fancy Feast or because he genuinely felt bad, I didnít know. At least it was something, though.

When his voice came out strained, I could tell this moment was punishment enough.ďYou know what I said. Youíre justóaargh! Iím sorry, all right? Iím sorry!Ē

I raced toward the door as if in slow motion. Honestly, the moment wasnít that different from all those times the heroine runs in slow motion through a field of bright flowers to reach her hero. Yes, I loved my cat, and this moment was special to me, so donít judge.

Swinging the door open, I smiled down at him and said,ďI forgive you.Ē

ďGreat,Ē he said with a sly smile. ďBy the way, thereís some nice green puke waiting for you at the bottom of the stairs.Ē He trotted away, swinging his hips triumphantly. Honestly, I couldnít even remember what the green puke punishment was about, but I had bigger fish to fry.

Leaving my door open in case he wanted to come back for some apology cuddles, I snuggled back on my bed and returned to my research on the late senator and her next of kin.

First I read all the news articles pertaining to her from this past month. That bored me out of my mind, so I shifted my focus to what I personally knew already.

With the notes app on my phone open and ready, I typed in everything Iíd discovered so far:

Served four terms, likely to be reelected.

Died by falling down the stairs.

Bottom stair smashed in.

Mom asked to investigate for the news.

Icky gut feeling at the crime scene.

Two Sphynx cats from breeder in France.

Officer Bouchard stood guard outside for the better part of the day.

Mr. Thompson came to visit and was turned away.

Next of kin is Matt Harlow. He ran into me in the woods and covered my mouth when I tried to scream.

There, that was everything so far, right? If I considered everyone mentioned in the list that meant my first round of suspects included Officer Bouchard, Matt Harlow, Mr. Thompson, my mom, and some cat breeder in France. And, oh yeah, also her two cats. I should have probably added any person who was rumored to be running for the senatorís seat in the next mid-term election, too. We were still more than two years away, which made me think a political opponent was rather unlikely.

That led me back to another very important question: how did the senator know Mr. Thompson? Sure, I could just ask him the next time I showed up at the firm for work, but would he be willing to tell me the truth or just send me further astray?

I Googled for close to an hour, searching for any connection between Harlow and Thompson, but came up short. Since I was still off work for the remainder of the week, I decided to call in a favor from a friend.

ďHello?Ē Charles, the junior partner at our firm and my former crush, answered in a hushed whisper.

ďCharles, I need a favor,Ē I told him.

ďIím at the movies with Breanne. Just a sec.Ē I heard some angry groans from his fellow movie-goers, then a minute later his voice came back loud and strong. ďIn the lobby now. Whatís up?Ē

ďThe senator was murdered today,Ē I told him in case he didnít already know.

But he did. Of course he did.ďThey havenít ruled out the fact it could have been an accident,Ē he corrected.

ďButI have,Ē I said, and he knew better than to argue. ďAnyway, interesting fact: Thompson showed up this afternoon and tried to gain entry to the house, but the cops turned him away.Ē

ďThatís weird. Wait, how do you know that?Ē

ďI live next door now. Remember?Ē I answered matter-of-factly.

ďYou just canít keep away from a good mystery, can you, Russo?Ē he said with a laugh, even though we were talking about a murder here. It made my heart melt for him a little all over again. Seeing as he was spoken for, though, I swallowed back that particular feeling and returned my focus to the facts before us.

ďCan you look into Thompson for me?Ē I asked. ďFind out how he knew the senator? Why he showed up today?Ē

ďWill do,Ē he said. ďThat all?Ē

ďYeah, get back to your date, lover boy.Ē I hoped he couldnít detect the sarcasm in my voice. Whatever the case, he quickly ended the call, leaving me alone in my giant house once againóand possibly with a murderer next door.

Maybe I could convince Nan to move in early? Then I would have a temperamental cat and a feisty old lady to protect me, should trouble come calling.

Chapter Ten

Despite another couple hours spent researching the late senatorís life, history, and political stances, I didnít feel any closer to solving her murder the next morning. Sure, it could have been a big inheritance grab as had been the case with Ethel Fultonís murder, but somehow I doubted it.

As frightening as Iíd found him last night, her polite and pudgy Midwesterner son didnít strike me as a killerójust a bit socially inept. Still, I couldnít rule him out completely. Otherwise Iíd be left primarily with the two cats and possibly my boss as suspects.

Hopefully Charles would be able to find out what I needed to know about Thompson by the end of the day. Iíd been there for him when nobody else was willing to support his ďunwinnableĒ double homicide case. Against all odds, we won that time, and I knew we could win again. There was no case attached, but we at least owed the world the truth about Lou Harlowís death.

After a quick breakfast of dry Cheerios, I pulled back my hair and threw on a bold retro sundress, then climbed into my car. I wanted to solve this thing as quick as possibleónot just for the senator, not just for the world at large, but for myself, too. Sleep had not come easily last night, and I doubted it would again until I knew I was safe in my new home.

ďWhere do you think youíre going?Ē Octo-Cat demanded, jumping on top of my hood and staring daggers at me straight through the windshield.

ďNext door,Ē I informed him. I wasnít risking those woods again, whether or not the sun was now shining brightly. ďNow get off my car so I can start the engine.Ē

ďIím coming, too,Ē he said, then sprinted toward the forest. Not surprising in the least. He had his preferred method of travel, and I had mine.

I navigated down my long, twisting driveway, down a small stretch of road, and then back up Harlow manorís long, twisting driveway. Yeah, once my poor foot made a full recovery, it probably would be faster to traipse through the woods, but sometimes fast wasnít the most important part of getting somewhere.

Like when it came to solving a mystery.

Iíd learned that my first time out of the gate. There Iíd gone, galloping toward that finish line without even taking the proper time to prepare myself for the race. And it had nearly gotten me killed.

Come to think of it, Iíd put myself in mortal danger as part of solving my second case, too. This time Iíd be real glad if bringing Harlowís murderer to justice didnít involve any flirtations with death on my part. It would certainly make me feel more professional if I could solve a crime without endangeringanyoneís life in the process.

Maybe today would be my big dayóan important turning point for Ms. Pet Whisperer P.I. I chuckled at the notion, but admittedly my Momís nickname had started to grow on me.

When I pulled up to the Harlow estate, I was surprised to see no police cars or sports cars in sight. Instead, a rusty old truck sat parked just before the main entrance. The door hung wide open, but I couldnít see anyone insideónot even the esoteric cats that I knew for a fact still lived here.

ďIím here!Ē Octo-Catís muffled cry broke through the woods. ďAnd I come bearing gifts,Ē he added as he appeared carrying a dead rodent in his mouth.

ďGross,Ē I said, already accepting that tomorrow morningís cat puke would be extra disgusting.

ďIs someone there?Ē a deep voice called from within the house.

I hung back near my car and waited for the speaker to emerge onto the porch. When he did, I squealed for joy and ran forward to throw my arms around him.ďBrock! Itís so good to see you out in the wild.Ē I hoped he wasnít offended by my choice of words, but it felt better to not directly mention that the last couple of times Iíd seen him heíd been in either court or prison.

ďAngie, right?Ē he asked, returning my giant grin. ďThanks for helping with my case.Ē

Oops. Of course, he didnít know me as well as I knew him. Iíd spent the better part of an entire week obsessing over his case, whereas heíd only ever seen me for brief periods in the middle of what had to be the most stressful time of his life.

ďHey, any time,Ē I said with a playful fist bump against his shoulder.

ďWell, hopefully never again,Ē Brock corrected with a laugh. ďBut I appreciate the sentiment.Ē

He looked good. Real good. His long, dark hair had been cut into a shorter style with just enough length left to it that someone could run her fingers through it.

What? Me?No.My last crush had ended horriblyówith him dating someone else. And here dear Brock could scarcely remember my name. I didnít need to go fantasizing about the romantic possibilities between us.

Then again, his smile came easy and genuine. I couldnít believe that vile redheaded realtor was his twin sister. Other than their shared last name, they had almost nothing in common. At least not that I could see.

Brock motioned for me to join him in the house, then crouched back down in front of the stairs and returned to work.

Those pants. That shirt. His muscles. And the way he handled that hammerÖGah.

It seemed my crush on Charles Longfellow, III, was all but forgotten. Falsely accused or not, I wondered if Nan would approve of me dating an ex-con. Heck, sheíd probably find it even more exciting than I did.

No, no, no. Bad Angie!I didnít have time to dateóor even to really think about datingówhen there was a murderer on the loose.

ďSo they hired you to fix the stairs?Ē I asked, just so that I had something coherent to say.

His dark, sparkling eyes were so pretty as he turned to study me.ďSure did,Ē he said. ďAnd Iím grateful for it, too. Even though I was acquitted, a lot of people around here still feel weird about hiring me.Ē

ďOh, I could think of a few things for you to do.Ē I grew hypnotized by the swell of his muscles beneath his jeans once more. Wait, had I said that aloud?

ďWhatís that?Ē he asked, turning to me and running a forearm across his head.

ďUhh,Ē I stumbled here, honestly unable to remember what Iíd been thinking. Then it hit me. As handsome as I found the man standing before me, this wasnít about him. It was about my own personal kryptoniteócoffee. Suddenly, I remembered that I hadnít had any caffeine before coming over. No wonder my brain was applesauce. I needed to be way more careful about that going forward.

Pinching the inside of my arm to reinvigorate my senses, I finally smiled and said,ďI have some jobs around my new place if you have the time. I live right next door, actually.Ē

He stood and glanced toward my house as if he could somehow see it through the solid stone walls of Harlow manor.ďYeah, Iíd love that.Ē

Octo-Cat appeared in the doorway with traces of fresh blood on his furry face, but the carcass of his mid-morning snack thankfully nowhere to be seen.ďNo wonder you donít have a boyfriend,Ē he muttered as he set to grooming himself.

Oh my gosh, my game was so bad even my cat could tell. Not a great start to my day. Not at all.

Octo-Catís rude arrival reminded me that I had come for a very specific reason, and that did not include flirting with the help. ďActually, I just stopped by to see Matt Harlow. Is he here?Ē

Brock fished through a container filled with nails until he found the ones he wanted.ďNope, he left almost as soon as I got here. Will reading,Ē he explained, keeping his focus now on his work. ďWant me to tell him you stopped by?Ē

ďSure, thanks.Ē With nothing else to do here, I turned back toward the door, shooting Octo-Cat a dirty look as I passed by him. He still claimed that all humans looked the same, but he had about a ninety percent success rate when it came to discerning a personís gender. I wondered if the Sphynxes had the same shortcomings he did. If theyíd seen the killer but wouldnít be able to identify him.

ďOh, wait. There was something I forgot,Ē Brock called after me.

I turned around so fast, I practically spun in a full circle. My dress twirled around me like some kind of old-timey movie, and Brock chuckled.

ďI just wanted to let you know that we have an official offer on your nanís house. Looks like your new roomie will be joining you in no time.Ē

Oh, yeah. He and his sister were the ones in charge of selling Nanís house. The world did exist outside the two of us and my rude kitty commentator.

ďThanks,Ē I told him. ďThat is good news.Ē

I walked slowly back to my car, careful not to put too much weight on my injured foot. Now that Nan had a buyer for her house, she could join me much sooner than weíd originally anticipated.

I had zero shame in admitting that I was a scared little girl who needed her grandmother to tuck her in at night. At least until Glendaleís newest murderer was caught and reprimanded. Maybe I could invite her over today to celebrate her pending sale and beg her to stay the night.

When she found out I had a mystery right next door, I knew she wouldnít be able to resist.

Chapter Eleven

Sure enough, Nan agreed to stop by later that afternoon toget the goods on our newest investigationóher words, not mine. Maybe I should have called my mom instead, seeing as she was already involved. But Nan had been a ready and willing partner the last time around and I liked her less direct approach when it came to questioning witnesses.

Had Mom not built a career for herself in journalism, I have no doubt that she could have made a fantastic prison guard. Nan, on the other hand, was an actress through and through. Even though her time on Broadway had ended almost fifty years ago, she still liked to don costumes and dive straight into whatever new character we needed to aid our investigations.

Me? I guess I was the brains behind our little operation. Whatever it was. Right now, we were still just impromptu vigilante detectives with a knack for finding both clues and trouble. Of course, if my mom had her way, Iíd soon be hanging out myPrivate Investigator for Hire sign on the front lawn.

Nan was the actress, the good cop. Mom was the dogged reporter, ala bad cop, and I was the one who did all the research and then charged straight into battle without any regard to my own personal safety.

So maybe I wasnít really the brains, after all.

I unpacked some more boxes as I thought this overóas if any of it mattered, as if I were writing a novel or casting a TV show about our exploits. That would be the day! And it would be one both Mom and Nan loved. For now, I just wanted to get my clothes all hung and organized in my new closet.

Iíd chosen the smallest bedroom in the entire manor not just because I loved the idea of living in a tower, but also because it felt more like home. Despite her flair for the dramatic, Nan had raised me to be humble and to find happiness right where I sat, and as such, the whole owning a mansion thing would definitely take some getting used to.

I let out a frustrated sigh when less than half of my wardrobe fit in the tiny tower closet. It may have been comprised mostly of thrift store and charity shop finds, but I loved every single article of clothing I owned and was loathe to part with any of it. They just didnít make clothes like they used to in the eighties and nineties. True, Iíd hardly been alive during those decades, but it didnít mean that I couldnít adore the bold pops of color and fun patterns in the here and now.

ďWho pooped in your litter box?Ē Octo-Cat asked, choosing that exact moment to creep out from underneath my bed. I hadnít even known he was there, the sneak.

ďYou have some really weird sayings,Ē I told him with a frown before returning to the much bigger problem at hand. ďAnd my clothes donít all fit in the closet.Ē

ďFirst of all, so do you.Ē Octo-Cat sucked in a deep breath as he ventured into the closet to check things out. Coming back, he said, ďAnd second, I really donít see why you humans need so many outfits, but you do realize we have six bedrooms in this house, right? Six! Thatís one more than the number of lives I have left, which seems more than enough to me. Just choose one of the other rooms and put your stuff in there.Ē

I shook my head, wondering if I should ask more about how heíd lost his first four lives and what exactly that even meant. As far as I knew, I only had one life to liveóonly one to lose. Thatís why, even though our sleuthing was exciting, it could also prove to be very dangerous.

ďCímon,Ē Octo-Cat said with a breathy exhale. ďI think I know the perfect room for this, if youíll follow me.Ē

I kept hold of the stack of hangers in my hands as I followed him down the spiral staircase and across the second floor of our new home. Well, new for me, at least. My cat had easily settled back in as master of this domain. Iíd never seen him this at ease in my old rental, but then again, it seemed this particular tabby was born for greater things and more extravagant surroundings.

ďThis one,Ē he said, stopping outside a closed door at the end of the hallway and pawing at the light streaming from beneath.

I opened it up and gasped, dropping my pile of hangers to the ground in a clattering mess. Somehow Iíd forgotten about this room entirely. Sure, Iíd toured the house a couple times before signing on the dotted line, but back then I was still enamored of the general luxuriousness that I had a hard time noticing the finer details.

And, oh, this room was fine.

First of all, it had a big window seat like the ones Iíd coveted at Harlow Manor. The gorgeous piece of architecture stretched at least six feet long, which meant I could even nap there if I wanted. Heavy blackout curtains flanked it on either side. They must have been closed the other times Iíd seen this place; that must have been why I didnít remember it. I liked that explanation much better than choosing to believe that I had either overlooked or forgotten such major details.

From the vaulted ceiling hung an antique crystal chandelier, which caught the sunlight and cast tiny rainbows all around the room. Most of the bulbs had burned out, but that didnít lessen its opulence one bit. The honey hardwood floors were scratched up but still sturdy. It wouldnít take too much work to sand them down and polish when I had the cash and the timeóor maybe just the sexy local handymanóto do so.

ďSo, will this work as your new closet?Ē Octo-Cat said, hopping up into the window seat and taking a quick look outside before turning back to me. ďItís small, so I figured youíd like it.Ē

ďCloset?Ē I gasped again. ďNo way! This is going to be my new library.Ē

Iím pretty sure tears had formed in my eyes and were falling down my face and soaking my t-shirt, but I simply did not care. Octo-Cat could make fun of me all he wanted, but Iíd finally found true, unreserved excitement when it came to our new digs.

How could I feel any other way, considering I now slept in a tower like Rapunzel and would have my own personal library like Belle? Iíd stepped into a living fairytale. Sure, it turned into the Haunted Mansion ride when the lights went out, butÖ butÖ

Now I had my own personal library!

A loud rap sounded on the door downstairs, bringing our special moment to an end. Had it not, I could have stood there all day, sketching out plans for what the vacant room would one day soon become.

ďDo we not have a doorbell?Ē I asked Octo-Cat, begrudgingly shutting the door behind me and heading toward the stairs to the first floor.

He shrugged and raced away to find out who had come calling.

As loathe as I was to step out of this beautiful daydream, I figured it might be Nan and she did not like to be kept waiting.

ďHello?Ē a nasal, masculine voice called.

A second series of knocks sounded, a bit more urgent this time.

Instantly, I recognized Matt Harlow as I spied his familiar shape through the stained-glass panes on either side of the front door. I flung the door open and stood blocking the inside. True, I had paid him a visit earlier that day, but I was still incredibly nervous around himóand nervous is exactly how I would remain until I could fully clear him as the killer.

ďHi,Ē he said, tucking one hand in his pocket and using the other to offer me a friendly wave. I wondered if that was the same one Iíd bitten the night before. ďYou stopped by earlier?Ē

I felt in my pocket to make sure I had my phone on me as an added security measure, then stepped back and gestured for him to come inside.ďWould you like to join me for some tea?Ē I asked, seeing as it was the neighborly thing to do.

Octo-Cat ran across the foyer, making terrible, ear-splitting noises.ďToo soon! Too soon!Ē he cried.

ďIs your cat all right?Ē Matt asked, craning his neck to get a better view.

I shrugged.ďEh, heíll be fine. Tea?Ē

ďSure, thank you.Ē A genuine smile stretched right across Mattís face, and for the first time I saw the resemblance he bore to his late mother.

I led him to the formal living room and motioned for him to sit on the old Victorian couch trimmed in dark cherry wood. There were lots of different woods throughout the house, and I wasnít sure whether that was the result of poor planning or a decades-old decorating style I didnít quite understand. Halfway to the kitchen, I turned back, sensing I had the perfect opening to ask Matt a couple very important questions.

ďYou have cats, too. Right?Ē I hoped my eagerness to discuss the Sphynxes wasnít too obvious. Provided Matt wasnít the murderer, I would need him on my side.

He steepled his fingers before him. It seemed he was unsure of what to do with himself while he sat in my house.ďMe? No, but my mom has always had them ever since I can remember.Ē

ďWhatís going to happen to the two that are there now?Ē I asked casually.

He shrugged and tried to get comfortable on the overly firm sofa.ďIím not sure,Ē he admitted. ďTheyíve been hiding from me ever since I arrived. I thought maybe I could take them back home and give them to my kids, that way theyíd be my ex-wifeís problem instead of mine. But I worry those two might give my kids nightmares like the ones I had growing up.Ē

ďNightmares? Why?Ē I asked, even though I already understood. Anything to keep him talking.

ďHave you ever seen a hairless cat?Ē he asked with a shudder. ďIt looks like their brains are on the outside.Ē

I laughed, and so did he. The description was pretty accurate. Even still, Iíd begun to like Jacques and Jillianne now that Iíd gotten the chance to talk with them a bit. Sure, they were a bit different, but they were also really stinking cool. ďYou mentioned having nightmares growing up. Have you always been afraid of cats?Ē

He cleared his throat and coughed into his fist.ďI am not afraid of cats. I used to like them, but then Mom met that breeder in France and since then itís only been the finest purebred Sphynxes for her.Ē

It seemed I had an opportunity here, one that seemed so fortuitous I hadnít thought it could ever happen. ďIf you wanted me to look after them while you decide what to do with them, Iíd be more than happy to help out,Ē I offered with an ingratiating smile.

ďWhat?Ē Octo-Cat demanded, running back through the room and jumping up onto the couch beside Matt.ďYou canít be serious! There is no way Iíll allowóĒ

ďSure,Ē Matt said, interrupting my felineís tirade even though he didnít know it. ďThat would be great. That is, if you donít mind.Ē

ďOh, I donít mind at all,Ē I said with a huge smile, enjoying the expression of horror on my tabbyís face.

ďTraitor,Ē Octo-Cat muttered under his breath.

Matt reached out to pet Octo-Cat but was summarily clawed by my very cranky kitty.ďOuch,Ē he cried. ďAnd that was my good hand, too.Ē

The cat hissed and ran to hide in another room, shouting kitty curses at the top of his lungs.

ďSorry,Ē I said, feeling a swell of embarrassment. I hoped heíd still trust me to watch his motherís cats after seeing how crazily the one under my care behaved.

ďSo, how about that tea?Ē I asked, scurrying away to the kitchen before he had a chance to refuse. This would give me a few private moments to plan my questions. If I asked the right ones, I just might find the missing pieces I needed to solve Lou Harlowís murder once and for all.

Chapter Twelve

I brought Matt a cup of plain Earl Grey teaóno cream, no sugar, no good, really. It would have to do, though, seeing as I hadnít had time to go to the store since moving in yesterday afternoon. Honestly, it was kind of a miracle that I even had this.

ďThanks,Ē he said with a friendly smile, accepting the warm mug and holding it between his hands. ďLook, about last night, I just wanted to apologize forÖ Well, Iím sure you remember.Ē

ďWater under the bridge.Ē I waved off his apology, even though I was happy it had been given. I needed to keep him on my side if I were to learn what he knew about his momís murder.

ďYouíre just being so hospitable and then offering to take the cats, too. I feel really bad about how I acted. Itís justÖĒ He sighed heavily and turned the mug around in his hands so that the artwork faced me. It was mycrazy cat lady mug. Nan had gotten it to celebrate my official adoption of Octo-Cat a few months back, and it had quickly become my favorite.

Matt sighed and cast his eyes toward the floor.ďIt may not be the manliest thing to admit, but I was terrified.Ē

ďItís understandable,Ē I assured him. ďAfter all, someone did just kill your mother.Ē

ďExactly!Ē Matt lifted the tea to his lips, took a small sip, then set it on the coffee table. There werenít any coasters, but the old piece of furniture already had lots of wear, so I figured this wasnít a problem I needed to worry about at this precise moment. ďIím staying in her house, too. Granted, it was my house growing up, but it just gives me the creeps.Ē

ďMy thoughts exactly.Ē I reached forward to offer him a fist bump on the subject of staying in creepy houses. He didnít seem to know what to do with it, so we shook hands instead.

ďSo, you grew up around here?Ē I asked, taking a sip from my own mug. I couldnít stand tea without at least two spoonfuls of sugar mixed in, so Iíd secretly filled mine with plain hot water. At least this way I could accompany Matt, make my questions seem more like a conversation than an interrogation.

ďNot around here.Ē He stopped and shook his head. ďHere. Right next door.Ē

ďIf you donít mind my asking, why did you leave?Ē I was really pleased with how things were going so far. Matt was opening up to me without even the slightest hesitation. How much more would he be willing to tell me before he reached the bottom of that tea cup?

ďLove.Ē Matt snorted and rolled his eyes.ďLot of good that did me.Ē

I winced sympathetically. Even though Iíd never been in anything more than puppy love, I felt for the recent divorcee. Everything must have still been so fresh and new, and now heíd lost his mother on top of it all. ďSo, why donít you come back? Iím assuming your mother left the house to you.Ē

ďShe did, but I donít know.Ē He drummed his fingers on the side of his mug and frowned. ďIt would be hard to live there without constantly thinking of her.Ē

ďWas she a good mom?Ē I asked before taking a casual sip from my mug of hot water.

If Matt thought my questions were coming too fast and close together, he made no indication of it. Rather, he seemed happy to share, or at least happy to have someone to talk to. The poor guy.

ďShe was the best,Ē he said with a nostalgic sigh. ďEverything you read about her in the papers is true, by the way. She really had the kindest heart. Even before she got elected, she was always volunteering somewhere. In fact, we spent more of our Christmases serving up hot meals at the soupkitchen, then opening gifts at home.Ē

ďThatís incredible. Iím sure a lot of people will miss her dearly. I know I will.Ē I already knew this about her, of course, but hearing it from her sonís lips made me that much angrier that someone had brought her life to an early and violent end.

Mattís eyes lit up with true warmth. ďDid you know her well?Ē

I smiled.ďWell, I voted for her every time I was able, and I could always tell she believed the things she said. It was refreshing.Ē

Matt picked his tea up and took a long, slow sip.ďI have no idea who would want to hurt her,Ē he said, shaking his head. ďIt just doesnít make any sense.Ē

ďIt could have been an accident,Ē I pointed out, even though I didnít believe it myself.

ďMaybe,Ē he conceded.

We sat in silence for a few moments. He didnít say anything else, but I could also tell he wasnít ready to go, so I asked another question.

ďWhen I stopped by earlier, you were at the will reading. Did everything go okay there?Ē I thought back to the first and only will reading Iíd attended. It was the same one where Iíd nearly died at the hands of an old coffee maker, where Iíd discovered my powers and met Octo-Cat for the first time. As far as my experience told me, will readings could be a real riot.

ďIt was fine,Ē Matt answered passively. ďNo real surprises. I got the house. My kids both got trusts set up for when they turn eighteen. Most of the rest of it went toward a scholarship fund sheíd talked about setting up for years but had never got the chance to follow through on.Ē

ďA scholarship? Thatís nice,Ē I said, nodding along. ďFor students who want to study politics?Ē

Matt scoffed.ďNo way. Mom always hated politicians. Even more so after she became one. Said they were smart people with good intentions that got twisted along the way. But hers never did. God bless her soul.Ē

ďMay I ask what the scholarship is for?Ē I asked, hoping it wasnít insensitive to track back after his tender words. ďI mean, Iím thinking about going back to school, so maybe Iíll apply for it.Ē I wasnít really considering more school at the moment, but knowing me and my insatiablelove of learning, it was really just a matter of time.

Matt glanced around my swanky manor house, his implication obviousówhy wouldyou need a scholarship? He didnít say that, though. Despite our rough start, I could tell he was kind, exactly the way his mama had raised him to be. ďBiology. Or, more specifically, marine biology,Ē he told me, and it was not the answer Iíd expected.

Seeing the confusion on my face, he jumped in to explain.ďI know, it seems weird for a senator, right? But back in the 70ís, sheíd just had me and my dad wanted her to stay at home to raise me. I guess that never suited her and she divorced him eventually, but before she did, she became involved with the newSave the Whales movement. It gave her that first taste of political activism, and she was hooked.Ē

He paused and took another sip of Earl Grey before continuing.ďItís why she stayed in that big house by herself all these years. She didnít want to leave the ocean and all it meant to her. I guess I take after her a little bit myself because I made sure to get a place that overlooks Lake Michigan back in Chicago. Even now, I canít imagine looking out my window and seeing anything other than water.Ē

ďSo, she wants to continue saving the whales through her scholarship fund,Ē I summarized with a dreamy smile. ďThatís beautiful.Ē

Another knock sounded at the front door, this one fast and light.

ďComing!Ē I yelled, jumping to my feet then squealing with happiness when I saw Nan through the stained glass.

ďOkay, Iím here,Ē she said as she stepped inside. She was wearing bright green galoshes and leggings patterned with rainbows. Up top, she wore an old T-shirt that had lost much of its original color from having gone through so many wash cycles. ďNow catch me up on these riddle-speaking cats.Ē

I turned toward Matt and made a funny face.ďItís this book weíre reading together,Ē I explained quickly. Books really made the best excuses because few people would ask follow-up questions. It was sad but convenient nonetheless. ďAnyway, this is my nan. Nan, this is Matt. Senator Harlow was his mother.Ē

ďOh, you poor dear,Ē Nan said, rushing over to sit beside him and pressing the back of her hand against his forehead. ďHow are you feeling?Ē

ďFine,Ē Matt answered, though it sounded more like a question.

ďI voted for your dear mama each and every time,Ē Nan announced proudly. ďThey didnít come any better than her.Ē

Matt raised his mug.ďIíll drink to that.Ē

I returned to my spot in the wingback chair across from them.ďMatt was just telling me a bit more about his momís legacy. Also, Iíve volunteered to watch the senatorís cats while Matt gets the rest of the estate sorted out.Ē

ďOne can never have too many opinions or too many cats,Ē Nan said with a nod and a chuckle. Neither of these seemed true to me, but I let it pass.

Matt took another long drink of tea, then set his empty cup back on the coffee table.ďI should probably be going,Ē he said, rising to a stand. ďThank you again for the hospitality and the kind words about my mom.Ē

Nan stood, too, and gave him a warm hug. She looked so tiny wrapped around his big, bear-like form. Even so, I could tell he appreciated the gesture.

After Nan let him go, I got up and followed Matt to the door.ďLet me know when you want me to come by for the cats,Ē I said as we lingered at the doorway.

ďOh, right,Ē he said in a way that suggested heíd already forgottenóor was pretending to have forgotten after Octo-Catís little hissy fit from earlier. ďAre you sure it isnít too much of an imposition?Ē

ďIím sure,Ē I said, perhaps too quickly. The truth was I needed those cats. They held the key to busting this murder mystery wide open, and I really wanted to know what they would say. ďIn fact, maybe I should just come with you now? Give them some time to settle in before nightfall.Ē

I couldnít risk him changing his mind, and now that I had Nan here, she could help keep Octo-Cat in a good enough mood to actually be useful. Even though I was supposedly his best friend, he clearly preferred her company to mine. I tried not to let that hurt my feelings.

Mattís brows pinched together as he studied me. ďAre you sure youíre sure?Ē

ďThe more, the merrier!Ē Nan said, slinging an arm around each of our waists and pulling us closer. ďNow letís go get our guests.Ē

Matt didnít say anything more as the three of us exited onto the porch. I searched around but didnít see any extra vehiclesóother than Nanís souped up sports coupeówhich meant Matt must have chosen to walk through the woods to pay me a visit.

And, even though heíd been a perfectly lovely companion for afternoon tea, this realization did not sit well with me. If he felt comfortable traipsing through the woods after our mutual scare last night, might he be willing to come through them again by the cloak of night?

Maybe I wasnít as safe as Iíd hoped after all.

Chapter Thirteen

At the Harlow manor, Matt begged off to take a call, leaving Nana and me to locate and load up the two Sphynx cats. Despite our best efforts to be quick, it still took nearly an hour for us to find Jacques and Jillianne, catch them, and then get them back to my house. Apparently they were every bit as adept at hiding as they were at telling riddles. So that we wouldnít risk them slinking off again, Nan and I carried them straight up to the room I had dubbed my future library and closed the door tightly before letting them out of their carriers.

Iíd also brought Octo-Cat in to join us, and I had the fresh scratches to prove how verynot thrilled he was to be there.

ďI object!Ē he cried, hurling himself at the closed door in protest.

ďOh, hush, or Iíll give you something to object about.Ē I had no idea what that might be, but luckily my mostly empty threat worked.

ďCímere, my sweet kitty!Ē Nan cooed, tapping her fingers on the hardwood floor where we both sat with our legs crossed.

Octo-Cat hated being calledkitty but he loved Nan, so he traipsed over and climbed into her lap. She immediately fussed over him and began to scratch that special spot right beneath his chin. I could see the rage melt right out of him. Thank goodness.

ďLetís make this quick,Ē he said, eyeing me with obvious disappointment. Luckily I was used to his theatrics and his disappointment, so this didnít thwart my plans in the least.

The two Sphynx cats had retreated to the far corner of the room and sat shivering near the central cooling vent. They looked so miserable that I almost felt bad confining them here. Still, they had intel that we needed, and they were the ones whoíd chosen to sit right beside the cold air pouring into the room.

The little one let out a croaky meow, and Octo-Cat sighed. Like heíd suggested, Iíd do my best to make this as quick and painless as possible. If not for him, then at least for our two visitors.

ďLetís go,Ē Nan said, her eyes sparkling with excitement. ďI canít wait to solve some riddles.Ē Iíd already told her everything she needed to know on the phone that morning, and now she was primed and ready to see some action.

ďOkay.Ē I focused my gaze on Octo-Cat, who did not return the eye contact. ďOcto-Cat,Ē I said again to get his attention. ďIf you want this to be quick, you have to pay attention.Ē

He turned toward me with ears back and tail poofed.ďFine. What do you want me to ask the two hairless wonders?Ē

ďAsk them who killed their owner,Ē I said with the same impatient attitude Iíd perfected as a teen.

Nan giggled gleefully, and Octo-Cat remained seated on her lap as he shouted toward the Sphynxes.

They remained in their dark corner, almost as if theyíd been glued there. It took much longer for his back and forth with them than it had with our former terrier witness, and Iíll admit I started to get a bit bored as the minutes passed by without any further answers.

Then, suddenly, Octo-Cat snapped his eyes toward mine, his whiskers twitched, and he did not look happy.ďI knew it!Ē he cried. ďYou thought I was being breedist or whatever, but my first instincts were absolutely right.Ē

ďWhat do you mean?Ē I asked, rubbing my hands on my legs to awaken the sleepy nerve endings.

Nan glanced down at Octo-Cat with the dearest admiration as he revealed,ďThey killed the senator.Ē

ďOh, címon!Ē I shouted. Was he really coming back to me withthis?

He remained steadfast in his insistence of their guilt.ďNo, really. They just admitted it.Ē

ďYeah? Then tell me what they said,Ē I demanded, wishing I didnít have to rely on him to be my translator when there was a clear bias at play here.

ďIt would be a whole lot easier if youíd just take me at my word, you know? But fine.Ē He sighed then recited back their latest riddle.ďĎExcuse us while we provide this breakthrough, for the guilt lies with the ones you see before you.íĒ

He was right, of course. The answer was obvious, butÖ

ďThatís not even really a riddle,Ē I said glumly. ďItís just a rhyme.Ē

ďGood gravy. They just gave you a confession, and itís pretty direct as far as their type goes. What more do you need?Ē

ďAsk again in another way,Ē I demanded, then whispered to Nan to fill her in while Octo-Cat talked with the Sphynxes some more.

Another several minutes passed before Octo-Cat addressed me again.ďWell, Angela. They said,ĎYou didnít believe us the first time, but you already know who committed the crime.íĒ

Octo-Cat thumped his tail hard against Nanís leg, and she abruptly stopped petting him. ďGood enough for you now?Ē he demanded with wide eyes.

ďNot quite,Ē I answered to his great dissatisfaction. ďThey say we already know, but I have a whole list of suspects. It could be Mr. Thompson or Matt or even Officer Bouchard.Ē

ďOr it could be the two freakazoids who literally just confessed to murder,Ē he spat, shooting them a cold look, which he followed up with a hiss.

ďWhat do you think, Nan?Ē I asked after relaying the latest clue.

ďPhooey,Ē she moaned, rubbing her temples in little circles. ďI was never very good at riddles. Either of you could be right with your interpretations.Ē

I chewed on my bottom lip while thinking about what to do next.ďOkay, how about this?Ē I said, waiting for Octo-Catís attention to snap back to me. ďAsk them how they killed her. Not how she died, howthey killed her.Ē

ďWe already know that,Ē he said, condescension dripping from each syllable.

I shook my fist at him and growled, which was enough to get him to cooperate for a little bit longer.

When he returned to me with their message, he stated it plainly with no commentary.ďĎUp it goes and at the same time down, it is here that the answerís found.íĒ

ďStairs,Ē I said, recognizing a version of this riddle from my school days. ďOkay, so that waswhere. I still need to knowhow.Ē

He batted a paw in my direction.ďYouíre insufferable. You know that?Ē

I could tell his patience hung on by a single frayed threadómine did, tooóbut we werenít done yet. ďOh my gosh, please just ask them already!Ē I exploded. Iíd wrongly assumed that his fondness for the senator would make him more cooperative this time around. Then again, this whole time heíd been certain that heíd already single-handedly solved the case. Who needed facts and testimonies when you have an ego the size of our entire home state?

Octo-Cat groaned and said,ďYou owe me. You owe meso bigfor this.Ē

ďBigger than the mansion you requested after that last favor?Ē I shot back, refusing to be bested by a catÖ again.

He rolled his eyes but revealed the Sphinxesí next riddle despite his protests.ďĎSure of foot and light of heart, this is how she fell apart.íĒ

ďNow I feel like theyíre just volleying my question back at me. This is going to take forever,Ē I whined, resettling myself on the uncomfortable floor. I couldnít wait to fill this room with comfortable furniture and wall-to-wall shelves of books. I would have sat in the window seat for this exercise had Nan not settled on the floor first. Seeing as I was more than forty-five years younger than her, I shouldnít have been having this hard a time.

She reached forward and put her hand on my knee.ďHoney dear, if you trust your cat, just let him do all the talking. It seems that might be easier for everyone involved.Ē

If I trusted him. That was a hugeif. Colossal.

Octo-Cat had clearly made up his mind before heíd heard even a single detail about Harlowís death. But still, I couldnít deny that the Sphynxes did seem to be confessing to the crime in their own special round-about way.

ďYouíre right,Ē I told Nan with a small smile, and then to Octo-Cat, ďYou donít need to translate for me. Just talk with them and then catch me up later.Ē

He eyed me wearily, then hopped out of Nanís lap and joined our two hairless witnesses in the corner. After several minutes of mixed meows, he trotted back and took up his spot in Nanís lap once more.

ďThey did it. They killed her by tripping her when she was on the stairs. They are sorry and say they feel really bad about it. As much as I despise them, it doesnít seem like they did it on purpose, but who knows?Ē

ďThanks,Ē I murmured. I felt a little better, seeing as heíd conceded one point. Earlier he had been certain that they murdered their own in cold blood. Now he was saying that they did it accidentally. Could this whole investigation really been all for naught? Were my instincts that wrong? I was supposed to be getting better with each case, not worse.

Just then, the phone in my pocket buzzed. I fished it out and read the new text message from Mom that popped up on my screen:

Police ruled Hís death an accident. Iím coming over.

Well, that answered that.

I passed my phone to Nan so she could see the message, too.

ďYou donít really believe that, dear,Ē she informed me, setting Octo-Cat to the side so she could push herself up from the floor in one smooth, fluid movement.

I struggled to a stand with far less grace.ďI donít know what to believe any more,Ē I admitted. The last couple days had passed in a dizzying whirl, from moving to snooping and everything in between. Both my mind and my body were exhausted. Was it possible I was seeing clues where none existed?

One look at Nan told me she hadnít given up on this yet.

And that was enough for me to keep going, too.

Chapter Fourteen

Mom arrived about ten minutes later. That was the thing with small towns like Glendaleóit never took long to get where you were going. I was a bit removed from the main village action, now that I lived on the swanky East side, but everything remained incredibly close and the traffic was generally light.

Nan pranced through the foyer to let her in, a fact which Mom did not seem happy about.

ďAngie?Ē she asked, charging into the living room where she found me sitting with my smart phone. ďWhatís she doing here?Ē

Not her politest moment, but my mom and Nan also preferred each other in small doses. Apparently personality types in my family skipped a generation, so if I ever had a daughter of my own, Iíd find myself with a little girl who was both too garrulous and too ambitious for her own good. Nan and I had gotten the weirdo gene, and that suited me just fine.

ďWe were discussing the senatorís death,Ē I answered, hating the way the corners of my motherís mouth dipped even further.

ďI thought we were working on the case together?Ē she said, her usual confidence strained. She glanced back toward the door as if debating whether she should make a run for it.

ďWe were,Ē I said gently, hating that Iíd hurt her feelings yet again. ďI mean, we are, butÖĒ

Nan breezed past Mom and plopped down onto the couch.ďOh, come off it now, Laura Jean. Weíre all in this together. Right?Ē She patted the seat beside her and motioned for Mom to join us.

ďRight,Ē I said, offering my mom a quick hug to lift her spirits. ďBesides Nan hasnít been here long. Right?Ē

ďRight,Ē Nan answered with a wink that I doubt my mother missed.Sigh.

ďWell,Ē Mom said, shaking her head and tilting it to either sideóa nervous tic sheíd picked up during my toddler years, or so Iíd heard. ďAs long as Iím still part of the club, I have some news to share.Ē

She reached into her purse and pulled out a notepad.ďFirst off, the death was ruled an accident. They think she may have had too much to drink at a charity fundraiser and then tripped and fell down the stairs.Ē

Tripped over her cats, I thought, but didnít say anything. I still wasnít ready to talk to Octo-Cat in front of my mom and didnít want to invite questions that would require either doing so or telling herno when her feelings were already very clearly hurt.

ďThe next of kin came in last night,Ē Mom continued. ďMatthew Harlow, a divorced salesman from Chicago.Ē

I nodded along mutely.

ďThe county has assigned a police detail to guard the place whenever heís not at home,Ē Mom continued.

ďA police detail. Why?Ē I remembered seeing Officer Bouchard there yesterday afternoon and how unsettling Iíd found it. Nobody had been there this morning, though, when I stopped by. Well, except for Brock the handyman.

She set her notepad down and fixed her eyes on me.ďBecause the senator was such a prominent person in the area, theyíre worried that people might come by to loot or take souvenirs. It certainly doesnít help that she has one of the nicest homes in all of Glendale.Ē

Mom widened her eyes at me.And so do you, her body language yelled loud and clear.

ďSo, what now?Ē I asked, that familiar sense of disappointment creeping up on me again. I should have been happy that the death was solved, but something still didnít feel right. ďCase closed?Ē

ďHa!Ē Mom shouted.ďHardly! They can call it an accident all they want, but I know something fishy is going on here.Ē

I grinned and gave Mom a high five. I was so glad we agreed on this vital point.

ďAnd when the cops wonít do their duty, it becomes the reporterís responsibility to find the truth. Right, dear?Ē Nan said with a placating smile.

ďRight,Ē Mom said, although she seemed less sure of herself now.

ďI agree,Ē I said, grabbing my phone and handing it to Mom. ďThese are my notes. Granted, I have a few things to add after talking with Matt this afternoon.Ē

ďYou met Matt? Without me?Ē Mom shook her head and kept her focus on the phone, but I could tell it really hurt her feelings.

ďIím sorry, Mom.Ē And I meant it. I needed to try harder, now that the two of us had started spending more time together, now that we shared this interest. ďIt wasnít exactly planned.Ē

ďShe ran into him in the forest last night,Ē Nan said, leaning forward and clasping her hands together.

ďNan,Ē I cried.ďWould you please just stop helping?Ē

I caught my mom up on all that she had missed in the past day and a half.ďSorry for not calling sooner. Itís just been one thing after the next,Ē I said when Iíd finished.

ďThanks for filling me in,Ē she said a bit too cordially for my liking. ďBut I should probably be off. Bye, Mom,Ē she told Nan, who remained seated in her chair as I walked my mother to the door and said goodbye.

ďWhy do you do that?Ē I asked my grandmother when I returned. ďYou know it bugs her.Ē

ďThatís why I do it,Ē Nan said with a chuckle.

I placed both hands on my hips and stared down at her.

ďWhat? She does the same thing to you!Ē Nan insisted, and she was right about that.

ďMaybe letís all work a little harder on getting along.Ē I fell back into my chair with a sigh. ďI mean, weíre all grown-ups here.Ē

ďAs you wish.Ē

ďGreat.Ē Now, that Nan was properly chastised, this brought us to our next matter at hand. ďSo, will you please stay the night?Ē

A naughty expression crossed Nanís face as she laughed and asked. ďTo protect you from the monsters under your bed?Ē

I just glared at her, refusing to play these games.ďYou know why.Ē

ďI do,Ē she said, nodding thoughtfully and appearing completely somber as she did. ďI just had to get one last jab out of my system. I promise Iíll play nice from now on.Ē

ďAnd youíll stay?Ē I asked, making no attempt to hide how important this was to me.

Nan nodded.ďIíll stay.Ē

I let out a giant sigh of relief just as Octo-Cat returned from wherever heíd been during my motherís visit. I assumed this was because he still hadnít forgiven her for the teacup incident yesterday.

ďUm, hello there. Hi. What are we going to do about the two murderers you invited to live with us?Ē he demanded, nodding his head toward the upstairs.

ďOh, Jacques and Jillianne!Ē I cried. ďI guess I should let them out of the library now.Huh?Ē

He took several steps back and squinted angrily, not unlike the expression Iíd expect him to make if I ever dared punish him by spritzing him with a water bottle. That is something I would never in a million years do, thoughóespecially now that I knew he could murder me with ease, should the inclination arise.

ďAbsolutely not,Ē he said emphatically.

ďBut you said it was an accident,Ē I reminded him, making slow work of rising to my poor, tired feet.

Octo-Cat flicked his tail so crazily that it looked like one of those giant, wavy armed blow up guys outside of an auto dealership.ďYeah, and do you want them accidentally killing you? You only have one life, right?Ē

ďOkay, you have a point.Ē Iíd give him that. As much as I felt for the two Sphynxes, I really didnít feel like dying today.

Nan watched with amusement as my cat and I talked, even though she only understood one side of the conversation.ďIf those two Sphynxes are staying in there, we should probably take them food and water. And a kitty box,Ē she added.

ďGood point.Ē They were our guests. The least I could do was make them a bit more comfortable. ďOcto-Cat, where did we put your spare litter box?Ē

ďOh, no. No way. No how. You have absolutely got to be kidding me. You give them my litter box, and Iíll make extra sure I use your bed for all my kitty business going forward.Ē Well, that wasnít what I wanted, but it also felt wholly unnecessary to need to head to the store to buy new supplies when we had everything we needed right here.

I sighed and asked a question I was almost certain I would regret.ďWhat do you want me to do?Ē

ďI want you to send them home. I donít like having them here.Ē He remained tense, standing between me and the stairs.

ďBut donít you want to find out who killed the senator?Ē I asked, taking several steps closer.

ďUh, hello? We know who killed the senator.Ē

I thought about this. Perhaps there was still a way I could get through to him.ďThen shouldnít we keep them locked up until they canÖ um, stand trial?Ē I was reaching, I knew. I had no idea what animals normally did to mete out justice, but I knew Octo-Cat was a big fan of legal television shows. Hopefully appealing to his fondness for all things crime and punishment would convince him to start seeing things my way.

ďOh, Angela, youíre absolutely right,Ē he ground out, as if this possibility shocked him to the core. ďIíll go stand guard.Ē

ďHeís going to keep watch,Ē I explained to Nan, wondering how Iíd just managed to add kitty prison warden to my resume and if it would ever even come in handy.

Well, at least Octo-Cat was occupied.

For now.

Chapter Fifteen

I slept better with Nan staying the night. I still locked the door to my tower, but at least we were making progress in turning the giant manor house into a home. Soon my boxes would all be unpacked, Nan would officially move in with all the colorful old knick knacks that reminded me of growing up, and weíd hopefully catch Harlowís killer, too.

Lately, that was the stuff of dreamsóor at least my deranged ones.

Feeling wonderfully rested, I awoke the next morning to the most glorious smell in all of human history.

Coffee!

Taking the stairs two at a time, I bolted toward the kitchen. There, I found my dear, sweet, beautiful Nan standing with a polka-dotted apron tied around her teeny waist and a giant, steaming pot of coffee in her hand.

ďGood morning,Ē she trilled.

Iíd have given her the hug to end all hugs if I wasnít worried that doing so might spill the coffee. In my huge rush to get everything moved in time, I hadnít even thought of what having Nan as my roommate would mean. So what if I was terrified of coffee makers after my near death experience? I still longed for that delicious, life-giving brew, and now, thanks to Nan, I would actually have it.

ďThank you, thank you, thank you,Ē I cried as she grabbed my freshly washedcrazy cat lady mug and poured me a cup.ďWhereíd we get the coffee maker, anyway?Ē I asked, after that first glorious sip of heaven on my tongue.

ďI brought it with me,Ē she explained, bending down to check on whatever she had in the oven. I hadnít initially smelled anything over the intoxicating aroma of the coffee, but now that Iíd adjusted a bit, the scent of banana bread became unmistakable.

ďYouíre still afraid of coffee makers, right?Ē Nan turned back to me with a bright smile. Sheíd always been a morning person. Me, not so much.

I nodded anyway, too deliriously happy to be embarrassed as I took another gratifying sip.

ďWell, then I guess Iíll just have to be in charge of breakfast from here on out,Ē she declared as she continued to move about the kitchen like she owned the place. I guess, in a way, she now did.

ďHey,Ē I said after Iíd consumed enough caffeine to perk up my brain. ďWhere did you sleep last night?Ē Iíd had Ethelís old bedroom set hauled away, and Nan hadnít officially moved in yet, which meant her bedroom set wasnít here yet, either.

ďI roomed with our two hairless visitors,Ē she said her eyes aglow as she squeezed my bicep. ďThat window seat was so comfy.Ē

ďNan,Ē I scolded. ďYouíre not supposed to sleep there.Ē

She brushed off my concern by waving a dish towel in my direction.ďI slept perfectly well, thank you.Ē

ďRegardless, I should probably call someone to at least get your bed moved here.Ē I drained the rest of my coffee as I thought.

Seeing Iíd finished, Nan immediately plucked the mug from my hands and topped it off.

ďOh, I could ask Brock,Ē I realized as my brain continued to wake up. ďHeís already planning tp come by today to offer me some quotes on a few rennos around here. Iím sure heíd be happy to haul whatever you need over in that truck of his.Ē

Suddenly, I remembered another thing we hadnít yet discussed. ďWhen I ran into him yesterday, he said you had an offer on your house?Ē

Nan gloated at this news.ďThatís right. And I bet youíll never guess who.Ē

Normally I didnít like guessing games, but I was still so happy from the coffee that I became a willing participant. ďMom and Dad?Ē

ďHa!Like theyíd ever leave their place by the bay. Guess again.Ē She wiped at the counter distractedly as she watched me try to puzzle out an answer.

ďIs it somebody I went to school with?Ē I guessed. I couldnít think of anyone I knew in town who was looking for a new place, so I was completely stumped here.

Nan smiled and shook her head.ďNope, but it is someone we both know. Someone whoís quite handsome.Ē

I leaned back against the counter, mug still in hand.ďHmm.ĒNan was a shameless flirt and found half our town handsome by my most recent tally. I knew her latest crush was on the much younger Officer Bouchard, but he didnít strike me as the type to appreciate a retro, cozy Cape Cod in a landlocked neighborhood.

Unable to control her excitement anymore, Nan burst out with her big reveal.ďWhy, itís our very own Charles!Ē

I laughed at her joke, but Nan just kept staring at me with that earnest look in her eyes.ďWait. Youíre serious?Ē I squeaked.

She bobbed her head enthusiastically and did a happy, little twirl.ďDead serious. He said it was time he put down some roots now that heíd made partner.Ē

ďNan, thatís wonderful!Ē I cried, dancing with her now. ďSince weíre all friends, you may even be able to visit your old house from time to time.Ē

ďOh, Iím counting on it,Ē she said, her eyes glinting with untold mischief as she transitioned into a fast foxtrot that I had no hopes of replicating. ďA happy ending for everyone.Ē

A gentle rap sounded on the front door, drawing both of our attention.

ďIíll get it,Ē I told Nan, placing a hand on her shoulder as she stilled her movements. ďYou stay with the banana bread. I want a piece as soon as itís out of the oven.Ē

ďRoger that,Ē she said, offering me a salute for reasons I didnít understand. Then again, if I understood even half of Nanís schemes, I counted it a good day. So far we were off to a great start.

I padded toward the foyer with bare feet, messy bed-head, and a half-full mug of coffee. When I spied who was on the other side of the stained-glass windows, my heart screeched to a stop. Okay, not really, but it may as well have, given the absolute shock and horror I felt in that moment.

Brock saw me before I was able to duck out of view and gave a friendly wave. There would be no retreating now.Oh, poop.

I turned my back and wiped the sleep from my eyes, then put on my best closed-mouth smile and opened the door.ďGood morning.Ē

ďI hope itís not too early,Ē he said, looking me up and down as he assessed my hot pink pajama pants and spaghetti string tank top.

ďNope, youíre right on time. Come on in. Nan!Ē I called back toward the kitchen. ďBrockís here and weíre going upstairs.Ē

ďOkay, boss!Ē she shouted back.

Brock frowned and pressed his hand to the stair bannister, stopping in place.ďYeah, about thatÖ Could you please not call me Brock anymore?Ē

This surprised me so much I forgot about my desire to keep my mouth closed until Iíd had the chance to brush. ďWhat? Why not? Isnít it your name?Ē

He sucked air through his teeth before saying,ďIt is, but that name is so associated with the trial now, I kind of cringe every time I hear it.Ē

That definitely made sense. The man had been accused of a double homicide, and for months everyone in Glendale was convinced of his guilt. I didnít blame him for wanting some way to mark a fresh start.

ďOh, of course. What should I call you instead?Ē I asked with another closed-mouth smile.

He let out a giant sigh of relief.ďHow about Cal? Short for Calhoun, so itís still my name, but itís not tainted like the longer version.Ē

ďYouíve got it, Cal,Ē I said, then made a dorky, little clicking noise and pointed my finger at him like a fake gun. Really not cool.

He seemed to find it endearing, though, because he laughed.ďThank you, Ang.Ē

We headed upstairs to the room that served as both my future home library and the makeshift kitty prison. Octo-Cat stood stationed outside the door, appearing as if he hadnít slept a wink all night. That would be like eschewing sleep for several days, had he been human. I shuddered to think at just how cranky he would be until our Sphynx visitors were releasedóor at least transferred to another prison.

ďGo get some sleep, you,Ē I told him in a cutesy voice, the kind a normal cat owner might use when talking to a normal cat.

He yawned and stumbled off.

After entering carefully to make sure no Sphynxes escaped in the process, I turned to Brock and explained,ďThis is my favorite room in the whole house. I want to build shelves right onto the walls, spruce up the floors, add some more lighting, and turn it into a library. What do you think?Ē

ďThis is the perfect place for that,Ē he said, turning in a slow circle in the center of the room. ďHey, arenít those the senatorís cats?Ē he asked upon spotting Jacques and Jillianne shivering in their favorite icy corner.

ďItís a long story,Ē I said, moving back toward the door. ďCould you maybe grab some measurements for me real quick? Iíll be back in five.Ē

Once he agreed, I latched the door behind me and then raced to the bathroom to run a brush through my hair and a toothbrush through my mouth. I also splashed some cold water on my face, but decided doing anything more would probably be overkill.

ďIt shouldnít be too much for me to do the work youíre looking for,Ē Brockóoops,Calósaid when I returned. Heíd been standing by the window seat that looked out onto the beautifully landscaped backyard. You could just barely see the ocean beyond the tips of the trees, and it was a lovely sight to behold.

ďThatís great,Ē I said, joining him at the window and feeling a little shiver of excitement overtake me. Even with caffeine rushing through my system, I still found myself a bit tongue-tied with this gorgeous man so near. ďHow much, and when can you get started?Ē

Cal told me a figure that made me a little sick to my stomach until he explained that this would include the custom-built shelving I needed to line my walls. After that, it seemed like a steal. I couldnít believe that this prince would be building me my fantasy library.

Dreams really did come true.

We shook on it, and then he said,ďItís early enough that I can actually get started today. Like I said, not a lot of folks are lining up to hire me, given my recent history.Ē

ďYouíve got yourself a deal, Cal Calhoun,Ē I said with a huge smile, thrilled that weíd be spending more time together. Partially because heíd be nearby in case of danger, and partially because I most definitely had the hots for him now. ďNan and I will both be around unpacking some boxes today. Just holler if you need anything.Ē

ďWill do.Ē

ďOh, and Cal?Ē I had to keep saying his new name to get used to it. The more I said it, the more I liked it. It was uncomplicated and appealing, just like the man himself.

ďYeah?Ē He removed the measuring tape heíd brought with him and let its long yellow tongue snap back into place.

ďDo mind the Sphynxes. Theyíre slippery little buggers,Ē I said, parroting the words Officer Bouchard had said to me just a couple days ago.

And with that, I slipped out of the room and ran up to my tower to find the perfect outfit for casually running into my new crush later that day.

Chapter Sixteen

My phone started ringing aggressively while I was mid-shampoo. I shut the water off, grabbed my towel, and jumped out just in time to catch Charles before his call got routed to voicemail for a second time.

ďHello?Ē I asked, dripping onto the cold tile floor. I pushed open the old window with a creak. At least that would let some warmth in here.

ďAngie, itís me,Ē Charles said as if he somehow didnít know that caller ID existed and was standard on all phones these days.

ďWhatís up?Ē I asked, hugging my towel tighter around myself. Of course weíd be having this conversation while I was wet and naked. Knowing my luck, Iíd slip on one of the many puddles forming below me, hit my head, get knocked unconscious, and then BrockóI mean, Calówould have to bust through the door to save me. Maybe Iíd even wake up with a second secret super power while I was at it.

Okay, now I was wet, naked, and in a panic. I carefully lowered myself to sit on the edge of the tub while Charles explained the reason for his call. At least, if I fell from here, Iíd have a shorter way to go before hitting the floor.

ďSorry I didnít call back yesterday.Ē I heard the unmistakable sound of a door shutting on his end of the call. He paused before explaining further, ďThompson took a couple days off for bereavement.Ē

ďFor the senator?Ē I asked, not expecting this news about my workaholic boss.

ďYup,Ē he said, sounding every bit as surprised as I felt. ďApparently the two of them were closer than any of us knew.Ē

I gasped, almost losing my balance and scrambling not to fall.ďWere they having an affair?Ē

ďOh, címon,Ē Charles ground out. ďThompson and Harlow, really?Ē

ďWell, anythingís possible,Ē I mumbled defensively.

ďThatís not what was going on,Ē he said with obvious irritation.

That didnít stop me from continuing my line of questioning. He had information, and I needed to know it sooner rather than later. ďThen what was?Ē I demanded.

ďGet this,Ē Charles said, and I could just picture him smiling as he paced around his office. He so loved revealing shocking twists, the smoking gun. I wondered if that was what we had here now. ďHarlow was planning on stepping down. She was grooming Thompson to run for election as her hand-picked successor.Ē

ďThompson?Ē I exclaimed. ďBut heís awful with people.Ē Not only did he insist on calling everyone by their last names, but he often openly criticized me and the other people at the firm. I knew it was all to protect our stellar reputation, but still. The thought of him as an elected politician representing my state made my stomach churn.

ďMaybe,Ē Charles said, apparently unwilling to badmouth the senior partner the way I was. ďBut thereís no denying heís smart and, believe it or not, he and Harlow share a lot of the same political views, too.Ē

ďLike what?Ē I cried, still unable to believe what heíd just revealed.

ďTheyíve been friends for a long time. In fact, they met more than thirty-five years ago when they were both doing grassroots work for theSave the Whales movement. Thompson said those were some of the best years of his life.Ē

There was thatSave the Whales thing again. Could it be important? Important enough to cost the good senator her life? And, if so, did that mean Thompson might be targeted next?

ďCharles?Ē I said, knowing I could trust him with this. ďDo you think the senator might have been murdered for something to do with her environmental activism?Ē

ďThen or now?Ē he countered, and I could tell that big, beautiful brain of his was already thinking hard.

ďEither,Ē I said. ďIs there anything you know that could give some insight into why somebody might have wanted her dead?Ē

He sighed.ďYou know the police ruled her death an accident.Ē

ďYeah, but I doubt you buy that, either.Ē

ďIt is suspicious.Ē He thought for a moment before saying more. ďHow closely do you follow national politics?Ē

ďNot very,Ē I admitted. ďI did some Googling on the senator and any recent pieces mentioning her, but nothing jumped out at me.Ē

He chuckled.ďWell, hereís a quick recap. Last week it was announced that a major oil company had petitioned to put in an access pipeline. Itís a new proposal, but people are worried about it. Most of it would run right through our state, even cutting off the corner of one of our national parks.Ē

That sounded awful. I loved my home state for its natural beauty and proximity to the ocean just as much as the senator had. Some giant oil operation would take part of that away, and for what?

ďI can see why the senator wouldnít have wanted that, given her deep love for the environment,Ē I told Charles.

ďItís still got a while before it goes to vote, but Big Oil is lobbying hard to make it a reality. Their argument is that it would create jobs and bring us another much-needed local energy source, thus lessening our dependence on foreign oil.Ē He explained everything pedantically without a hint of how he felt about the proposal. Seeing as he was a recent transplant from California, I found myself wondering whether Charles sided with Big Oil or the national parks. I knew where I stood.

ďBut the senator wouldnít have been okay with the destruction of one of our national parks, I take it.Ē

ďShe definitely wouldnít have been, though itís only about five-thousand acres and the pipeline proposal includes building a new protected park farther upstate.Ē Was he playing devilís advocate for the sake of argument, or did he truly believe the pipeline was anything other than a disaster waiting to happen?

I grew frustrated and let out a massive groan.ďWhatís the point of protecting it, though, if anyone with enough money can destroy it on a whim?Ē

ďI see what youíre saying, Angie. I do.Ē Charles sighed and paused for a moment. ďBut you have to understand, our checks and balances are put in place for a reason, and they work, too. Itís not a whim. If the pipeline is going to get approved, a majority of the senate needs to vote in itsfavor. And, as you know, Harlow was just one out of a hundred.Ē

I ran my fingers over the soft edges of the towel. My skin was quickly moving toward dry as this conversation carried on, but my hair was still a shampoo-y mess.ďSo then why would the murderer single out Harlow?Ē I asked.

Charlesís voice grew quieter, leading me to believe someone might be passing outside his door and that, for whatever his reasons, he wanted to keep this conversation private. ďLet me once again remind you that we donít know whether there was any foul play involved, but if there was, then thereíd be a lot of reasons one might single out Harlow.Ē

Oh, this was getting good. Maybe Charles had the smoking gun after all.ďSuch as?Ē I asked, my curiosity reaching a fever pitch.

ďFor one, as one of the two senators representing the state where the proposed pipeline would be built, her opinions hold a little more sway,Ē he started, paused, then raised his voice back to its normal volume. ďAdd to that the fact she was a mostly conservative politician who could be pretty much guaranteed to vote with the Democrats on any issue that even touches the environment. With a split senate like we have, she could very well end up the deciding vote when the issue goes to vote. Or at least, she could have been.Ē

A knock sounded on the other end of the line.

ďJust a sec!Ē Charles shouted, then said to me, ďI need to go.Ē

ďThanks, Charles,Ē I said. ďThis has been hugely helpful and given me lots to think about.Ē

ďAngie, wait.Ē He paused. When he spoke again, his voice sounded lower and far more serious than before. ďPlease be careful. If youíre right and thereís some huge political conspiracy underfoot, then you could find yourself next on the hitmanís list. Let it go. Iím begging you. Let the authorities deal with whatever did or didnít happen. Okay?Ē

ďOkay,Ē I said agreeably, crossing my fingers just in case. I didnít want to worry Charles, but at the same time, I was so close to having this thing solved it just didnít make sense to back out now. ďThanks for the call. Bye.Ē

I hung up before he could offer any further argument, finished my shower, got dressed, and went to find Nan.

With any luck, weíd have this case wrapped by nightfall.

And maybe for once, luck might actually be on my side.

Chapter Seventeen

For the better part of that afternoon, I thought about all the locals who might benefit from that proposed pipeline. How much did one need to get out of the situation to consider murder a viable option?

I suppose someone unemployed could want a job bad enough to take such drastic measures, especially if he had a family to provide for. But the proposal was still very new, which meant the news hadnít stretched too far about what could be coming our way. Even though I didnít follow current events as much as I probably should, I still learned about most major stories via my various social media accounts.

This one hadnít made the rounds yet. At least not within my network.

Harlowís murderer had to be somebody on the inside. Someone who paid close attention to the news, or made it even.

Pondering this further, I put a call in to my mom. Unfortunately, it went straight to voicemail.Boo.

I spent some quiet time researching on my laptop but continually came up short. Iíd talk to Nan about my conversation with Charles soon, but she had a hard time keeping quiet when she got excited. Her voice would echo like crazy through this giant house, and with Cal still here working in the library, our talk would just have to wait.

After another hour passed, I tried calling Mom again. She would never give up on a story before it reached its satisfying conclusion and, seeing as she was the one who reported the news, she most definitely would know more about the pipeline and even its possible beneficiaries.

Still no luck.Grr.She must have her phone turned off, which was almost never the case with her. Maybe she and Dad had decided to catch a matinee at the new movie theater the next town over.

Agitated and unable to sit and wait any longer, I decided to go see how things were going in the library. Maybe I could find a nice way to send Cal home early so that I could talk my recent finding over with Nan.

ďKnock, knock,Ē I called before pushing my way inside.

The room had grown chilly, and I wrapped my arms around myself as I stepped into the library. Glendale had reached that special time of year where the days were sunny and warm, but both morning and evening temperatures dipped uncomfortably low. The libraryís large bay window hung open, its sheer drapery fluttering inward.

Cal wasnít there, and neither were the two Sphynxes.

Oh no.This was not good at all.

I raced down the stairs, searching for somebody, anybody.

Cal stood outside, loading up his truck.ďIíll be back tomorrow if thatís okay,Ē he said before taking in my panicked expression. ďUh, is that not okay?Ē

ďDid you leave the window open up there?Ē I demanded. My voice came out crazed and shrill, which I hated. ďThe cats are gone.Ē

He pushed the door on his truck bed up and gave me a pained look.ďShoot. Iím sorry. Let me help you find them.Ē

Not able to wait any longer, I raced around the perimeter of my yard, hoping to find our two missing house guests while Cal searched closer to the house. He must have informed Nan at some point, because she came outside to help, too.

ďI didnít leave the window open,Ē he said when our paths crossed again. ďI did open it briefly to air out some of the dust, but I kept my eyes on the cats the whole time. When I shut it again, they were still in the room.Ē

ďI believe you,Ē I said, but that didnít lessen my worry any. What would Matt say when he found out the cats Iíd begged to babysit were now runaways? Whether or not he wanted to keep them, he most definitely would not be pleased that Iíd managed to lose one of the last reminders of his mother.

I peered into the forest uneasily. Would I have to brave those woods again? Would Octo-Cat be willing to help? And just where was he anyway?

I spotted a little red sports car in front of the Harlow place. It seemed Thompson was over for a visit with Matt. Hopefully that would keep him occupied long enough for me to safely recover the missing cats. We looked for another half hour, but by that time, dusk had begun to settle in.

ďIím really sorry again,Ē Cal said when we still hadnít made any progress. ďIs it still okay for me to come back tomorrow?Ē

ďOf course. And seriously, donít worry about it. I know this wasnít your fault,Ē I assured him.

He nodded grimly, then ambled over to his truck and sputtered off.

ďIím going to go start on supper,Ē Nan announced, giving me a sympathetic pat on the shoulder. ďDonít worry, dear. Iím sure theyíll show up soon.Ē

I worried my lip while taking another loop around the property. Why were these Sphynxes so good at hiding? And why wasnít Octo-Cat here to help?

Giving up at last, I trudged up the stairs and went to investigate the upper floors of the house. Maybe they hadnít gotten outside at all. It was possible they were just tucked into some other cold corner, shivering with abandon. Seriously, what was up with their desire to be cold all the time?

The house itself had dropped a few degrees since my last pass through. Much to my chagrin, I found that Iíd left the bathroom window wide open following my chat with Charles. I eased it shut again, finally deciding Iíd earned a break. I could search again later with fresh eyes. First, I just needed to sit a while.

As I approached the stairs, a shadow shifted at the end of the hallway. I squinted for a closer look, wondering if at last Iíd found the Sphynxes, and just as I was about to give up the search, too. Unfortunately, it wasnít the catsójust my poor, overworked imagination. Keeping my eyes on the beautiful stained-glass windows in the foyer below, I stepped down and directly onto Octo-Cat, who hadnít been there evena second earlier when Iíd glanced down to ensure I had a clear path.

He let out a terrible, twisted yowl, and I quickly adjusted my weight to avoid hurting him any further. This adjustment caused me to lose my balance and tumble down several steps before catching myself halfway down.

ďYou tried to kill me!Ē I shouted, clutching my throbbing head. Iíd hit itóIíd hiteverythingóon the way down. ďYou really tried to kill me!Ē

Octo-Cat widened his eyes in horror.ďIt was an accident,Ē he insisted, hobbling down for a closer look. I could tell he was hurting, too, but heíd live.

Me? Iíd almost been murdered by my cat, and I had no idea why.

Nan came rushing in.ďAngie, goodness! Is everything all right?Ē

ďOcto-Cat tried to kill me,Ē I screamed again. How could this be real?

ďNo, Angela, no!Ē he continued, not even flicking his tail or making any of his usual irritated gestures. ďIt was an accident. There was a shiny red dot. I didnít mean toóĒ

Suddenly, the front door burst open. My mom stood there, backlit by the setting sun, her hair wild with twigs sticking out of it at odd angles.ďGet in the car now!Ē she told me. ďMom, your keys!Ē she told Nan.

ďI didnít do it! I didnít do it!Ē Octo-Cat cried, but I could deal with him later. I ran down the steps as fast as I could and hopped in the passengerís side seat of Nanís sexy red sports coupe.

ďWhatís happening?Ē I cried as Mom joined me and jammed the keys in the ignition.

The engine roared to life and she pushed the car into high gear, creating a giant cloud of dust behind us. We took off so fast, the momentum whipped me back against the seat hard. My head began to throb again, but the physical pain was nothing next to the morbid curiosity I had for whatever came next.

ďMom!Ē I shouted, holding on tight to the dashboard as we flew down my driveway and turned onto the road ahead. ďWhat is happening?Ē

ďI saw who tried to kill you,Ē she said, and for the first time I noticed she was panting with exhaustion. ďI was in the woods and came running the second I saw him slip out of your window. He killed Harlow, and now he was trying to kill you. My little girl! If I catch him before the cops do,heís dead.Ē

ďMom!Ē I screamed again just to ensure I could be heard over the roar of the engine. She made another sharp turn, and Nanís hot little ride fishtailed onto the main road that ran through Glendale. ďWho? Who tried to kill me?Ē

She gripped the steering wheel so tight her knuckles turned white, but she only gunned the gas pedal even harder. We crossed the train tracks, and Mom practically lost control of the vehicle. Still, we were moving forward at speeds faster than any car should even be able to drive.

ďCímon, címon,Ē she muttered, her jaw set in a determined line.

Sirens wailed behind us, and I recognized one of the county patrol cars as it pulled up behind us and quickly gained speed.

ďMom!Ē I cried. I still didnít know what was happening, but it felt like Iíd been saved by one murder plot only to wind up right in another one. ďStop! The police are behind us!Ē

ďGood,Ē she said, taking another deep breath as she accelerated even faster. The speedometer edged dangerously close to the one-hundred and sixty miles per hour mark. How was this possible? Why were we even doing this?

Panic gripped me hard as we continued our wild ride. Oh my gosh, someone had tried to kill me, and now I was going to die at the hands of my motherís crazy driving!

ďWhere would he go?Ē Mom shouted at me. ďWhere would he go next?Ē

ďWho?Ē I screamed again. I still didnít understand anything.

ďYour boss,Ē she ground out, changing lanes with abandon. ďRichard Thompson.Ē

Chapter Eighteen

My mind reeled while my body slammed against the car door and my seatbelt dug into my chest. Did my mom really think that my boss had tried to kill me? That couldnít be possible. Octo-Cat had tripped me. Iíd never even seen Thompson that day.

ďMom,Ē I said, hyperventilating. ďIím not sure what you saw, but Thompson was never at my house.Ē

ďYes, he was,Ē she shouted, taking another sharp turn.

We were going toward the law firm, I realized then. The cop car stayed right on our tail. I turned back and saw Officer Rainesís determined face as she pursued us. She and Mom had already gotten off on the wrong foot, and this impromptu high-speed chase pretty much ensured theyíd never be on friendly terms, no matter what happened next.

ďI donít know how he got in,Ē Mom continued. ďBut he climbed out through the window.Ē

ďWhen?Ē I pleaded, still not understanding. How could any of this be real?

ďAbout two minutes before I made it to your door,Ē she said, slowing slightly as we passed by the law firm. Thompsonís car was not there.

That timing Mom reported lined up pretty well with my fall, butÖ

ďThere werenít any cars. I didnít see or hear anyone leave before us,Ē I insisted. Even if Thompson had somehow managed to get in and out of my house without being detected, he hadnít gone anywhere in that little red sports car of his. The irony didnít escape me that the pursuant and the pursuer had the exact same type of vehicle. What a chase this would have been, had Thompson actually been a part of it.

ďOf course,Ē Mom yelled, twisting the car in an action movie-like U-turn. ďHeís still on foot! We have to get back! Your nan!Ē

Fear gripped every fiber of my being as I thought of my poor, vulnerable grandmother all alone with a killer. She was tough, but that was all attitude. If he came at her physically, she wouldnít stand a chance.

The sirens whooped behind us.ďPull your vehicle to the side of the road,Ē Officer Raines commanded over the loud speaker.

ďCímon, Mom,Ē I said, still clutching tight to the dashboard. ďGet us back to Nan!Ē

I had no idea where my mom had acquired her wicked stunt driving skills, but she got us back to the manor house in record time, which was saying a lot considering how quickly weíd initially peeled away.

As soon as the scar skidded to a stop, I jumped out and raced toward the house, stumbling on the porch stairs as I went.ďNan!Ē I cried. ďPlease be okay!Ē

Nan appeared in the open doorway wearing her polka-dotted apron and drying her hands on a dish towel.ďOf course Iím all right, dear. Just finishing up dinner. Did you and your mother have fun on that high-speed chase of yours?Ē

I hugged her tight but was quickly pulled back by one very angry Officer Raines. Somehow, she already had Mom cuffed and face down in the dirt.ďStop!Ē I screamed. ďWe arenít the bad guys!Ē

Officer Raines slapped a pair of cuffs on me anyway and began to cite my Miranda Rights.

Mom struggled on the ground.ďHeís still here somewhere. He tried to kill my daughter!Ē

The lady cop did not seem amused.ďLikely story,Ē she mumbled.

But Nan poked her hard on the shoulder, causing us all to gasp.ďYou listen here, missy! If my daughter says thereís a killer on the loose, then you better believe thereís a killer loose. So what if she went a little over the speed limit? Is that as bad as having a murderer on the loose?Ē

Officer Raines laughed sarcastically.ďA little!Try one hundred and twelve at least.Ē

ďI had to get your attention somehow,Ē Mom groaned, trying desperately to flip herself over.

ďWell, you got it,Ē the officer said, grinding her hand into my shoulder as she forced me down the porch steps. ďMy attention and a one-way trip straight to county jail.Ē

No, no, no. This was all wrong. I hadnít had time to finish putting together the clues to figure out why Thompson would want to murder Harlow and then me. But I trusted my mom. If she said she saw him, then he was probably still here somewhere.

ďThompson!Ē I shouted, trying and failing to get away from my captor. ďWe know youíre out there.Ē

ďStop deflecting,Ē the officer spat. Why wouldnít she just listen to us? If she hauled Mom and me away, then Nan would be in definite danger and Thompson would most likely never be brought to justice.

Officer Raines pushed me toward her cruiser with Nan hitting her every step of the way.ďYou let my granddaughter go!Ē

This was all going very wrong very fast. There was only one person left to turn to now. Well, not person exactlyÖ

ďOcto-Cat!Ē I screamed, craning my neck over my shoulder to glance back toward the house. ďHelp us!Ē

Right on cue, my dear, sweet tabby came running through his special electronic door flap and looked up at me with shaking eyes.ďAngela, Iíd never, ever hurt you.Ē

ďI know,Ē I said tenderly, which was difficult considering I was still in police custody. ďHelp us. Help us catch Thompson. Heís the killer, not the cats.Ē

Officer Raines regarded me with a piteous look.ďYou might be able to get off on an insanity plea,Ē she said, and clearly this dissatisfied her greatly.

Octo-Cat ran into the yard and started shouting at the top of his lungs. We all watched as he cried,ďJacques! Jillianne! Now is the time! Let us bring your humanís killer to justice! Do as cats do! Do it now!Ē

I donít know whether he actually knew where theyíd been hiding, but a moment later a terrible growl sounded on the roof, followed by a hiss, and…

Thompson staggered into view, away from the spot heíd been hiding in behind the turret. My turret!

ďThere he is!Ē I shouted to Officer Raines, twisting violently to force her to look.

ďSir,Ē the cop shouted, spotting him at once. ďWhy are you trespassing here?Ē

ďOh, um,Ē My boss sputtered, running hands over his suit jacket. His face had fresh blood dripping down the side, and I instantly recognized the work of one ticked-off kittyómaybe two.

Thompson reached beneath his jacket, then pulled out a gleaming pistol. For the third time within a span of fifteen minutes, I was at risk of dying. What a day this was.

ďSir! Drop the weapon!Ē Officer Raines yelled, pushing me to the ground presumably for my safety.

Octo-Cat sprinted over to me and began to lick the dirt away from my cheek with his sandpaper tongue.ďIím so sorry, Angela. To think, I was used like that. I would never hurt you. Youíre my human, and I love you.Ē

ďI know,Ē I said, wishing I wasnít cuffed so that I could stroke his soft, fluffy head. ďI love you, too.Ē

A terrible scream ripped us apart. I looked just in time to see Thompson hit the ground. His leg twisted at an unseemly angle following his two-story fall, and he cried out in tremendous pain.

Rolling onto my side, I looked up and saw the previously missing Jacques and Jillianne sitting at the edge of the roof licking their hairless paws happily. And suddenly it all clicked into place. I still didnít know why heíd done it, but Thompson had used the Sphynxes to trip the senator the same way heíd used Octo-Cat to trip me, the intelligent jerk. No wonder the poor, distraught cats had confessed to the crime.

Octo-Cat glanced toward Jacques and Jillianne on the roof and cried in delight.ďThey did as cats do!Ē he enthused, rushing toward Thompsonís prostrate form.

What happened next wasnít pretty. He walked right onto Thompsonís back and popped a squat. A wet spot quickly darkened the light suit jacket, and the unmistakable smell of ammonia mixed with the fresh evening air..

ďThatís for trying to kill my human!Ē he yelled, proceeding to scratch Thompson with his hind legs in a fury.

Nan laughed and clapped her hands together. Honestly, Iíd have done the same if I wasnít cuffed at that particular moment. ďWonderful,Ē she squealed.

ďOfficer Raines,Ē I mumbled, my face squashed to the ground. ďThat man broke into my house and tried to kill me. Weíre pretty sure heís also the one who killed Senator Harlow and tried to make it look like an accident.Ē

Thompson just moaned in agony.

ďYouíre lucky a fall like that didnít snap your neck,Ē the policewoman said, taking the cuffs off me and my mom, then going over to snap a pair on Thompson. ďOr maybe not, seeing as youíre going to have a lot of explaining to do once we get you to the station.Ē

She forced him onto his feet, and he cried out in pain again.

ďServes you right!Ē Nan shouted as Officer Raines stuffed him in the back of her cruiser and fled into the night.

So, now that we knew whodunnit, it was time to figure out whyÖ

Chapter Nineteen

Mom, Nan, and I gathered around the formal dining table, the same table that had been used to serve the poisonous meal that caused the late owner of this estate to lose her life. I tried not to think about that too much, though, as I dug into the delicious and hard-earned meal before me.

Despite our posh surroundings, we were eating tuna noodle casserole with a Vienna sausage and breadcrumb topping.

ďI canít believe Mr. Thompson killed his friend. I canít believe he tried to killme,Ē I said, shaking my head sadly.

Octo-Cat sat beside me slurping a fresh dish of cream. He lifted his head, burped, and smiled at me unapologetically. It was amazing how quickly things reverted to normal around here.

ďWell, you said he wasnít a very good boss,Ē Nan pointed out, stabbing a mini sausage and taking a bite out of it, extreme bliss apparent on her face.

ďNot a good boss and murderer seem miles apart to me,Ē Mom pointed out. Sheíd found an old bottle of pinot noir in the cellar and was now taking generous sips from an overfull wine glass.

ďYou solved it,Ē I said, giving her my best, most daughterly smile. ďYouíre the one who figured everything out. How?Ē

She hesitated for a moment, took another drink, and then said,ďWell, it wasnít easy, but I knew when the death had been ruled an accident that it just couldnít be the truth. Since you and Nan seemed to have formed your own investigative club, I decided to stake out the forest and watch. Itís what any good journalist in my position would do.Ē

ďAnd then you saw Thompson creeping around,Ē I provided.

ďYes. It was especially suspicious when I saw him climbing out of a second-story window. Invited guests just donít do that.Ē She took another slow sip and sighed. ďI still donít know why, though.Ē

ďHarlow was planning to retire. She was grooming him for her spot,Ē I revealed. ďCharles told me earlier today.Ē

ďHey, you never told me that!Ē Nan protested, setting her fork down and pressing a napkin to her lips.

ďI didnít tell either of you. I didnít get the chance.Ē

ďSo, it seems,Ē Mom said, rubbing her finger around the top of her wine glass as she spoke. ďThat Charles tipped off Thompson, which is why he came sneaking around here.Ē

ďCharles would never put me in danger,Ē I argued, dread pooling in my stomach once again.

ďNot knowingly,Ē Nan agreed. ďDo you think he was tricked?Ē

ďIt was my fault,Ē I mumbled, seeing now what had happened. ďI asked Charles to talk to him about why heíd visited the crime scene on day one.Ē

ďAnd that conversation was enough for him to know that you were on to him,Ē Nan said with a scowl. ďI never did much care for that man.Ē

ďYou also never met him,Ē I pointed out, loving how ready and willing both my mom and my nan were to come to my defense.

ďThey were friends,Ē Mom said after a few silent moments passed. ďHe killed a friend. For what, power?Ē

ďI honestly donít know,Ē I said. ďMaybe Officers Raines and Bouchard will be able to get it out of him, though.Ē

ďI really hope weíve seen the last murder in Glendale for many years to come,Ē Nan added with a sigh.

ďI donít,Ē Mom said, raising her glass. When Nan and I both turned to her aghast, she said, ďWhat? It makes for good news.Ē

ďIím with her,Ē Octo-Cat said from his spot beside me. ďIíve never had this much fun in all my lives.Ē

We finished supper and mom went home. I realized too late that Cal hadnít gotten the chance to deliver Nanís bed, but she seemed nonplussed by this.

ďI like sleeping in the window seat,Ē she said. ďItís like an adventure.Ē

I rolled my eyes but headed to bed all the same.

Octo-Cat followed a few paces behind me.ďAngela?Ē he asked. ďAre we okay?Ē

We both got into my bed, and I stroked his back.ďOf course weíre okay. It wasnít your fault.Ē

He hung his head and moved out of my reach.ďI should have tried harder. I should have helped more with the Sphynxes.Ē

ďYes, you should have,Ē I agreed, unwilling to waver on this one specific truth. ďBut we canít change the past. Only try to do better tomorrow.Ē

Octo-Cat purred and rolled onto his back.ďYou may pet my belly now,Ē he informed me.

I hesitated with my fingers hanging about an inch from his furry underside.ďDo you promise not to bite me?Ē

ďI promise not to bite you ever again,Ē he said. Well, that was an empty promise, if Iíd ever heard one. No matter how euphoric and in love with me he felt now, tomorrow would come and Iíd no doubt find myself on his bad side once more. I didnít doubt his intentions, though.

For tonight, I decided to relax a little and let myself enjoy his unexpected kindness. I petted him for a while longer, until my phone buzzed beside us.

ďJust a sec,Ē I said, shifting the call to speaker. ďHello?Ē

ďItís Charles,Ē my friend said, out of breath.

A huge smile stretched across my face.ďI know.Ē

ďIíll leave you to your boyfriend,Ē Octo-Cat announced, trotting out of my room and off into some other part of the house. I was happy Charles couldnít understand him, especially since he was still very much in a relationship with Breanne Calhoun and I still didnít know what would come ofmy new crush on her twin brother, Cal.

ďI heard what happened with Thompson,Ē he said. His voice cracked, and it sounded as if he might be crying. ďThe police came by to question me tonight. They thought since I was his partner, I might have been involved.Ē

ďThey know you werenít, right?Ē I ground out, absolutely unwilling to let Charles take the fall for this. He was only involved in the first place because I asked for his help.

ďItís my fault he came after you.Ē His voice cracked again. ďIf anything had happened to you, AngieóĒ

ďStop. Nothing happened. Iím fine. What about you? Did the police clear you yet?Ē

ďNot officially, but Iím sure itís just a matter of time.Ē

ďIím still trying to figure out why Thompson would have killed his friend.Ē I began chewing on my thumbnails again. Luckily, Charles couldnít see my disgusting habit and Mom wasnít here to swat me over it.

ďI donít think he meant to,Ē Charles answered. ďMy guess is he just wanted to hurt her enough to get her to step down early so he could take her place.Ē

ďBut why?Ē

ďHopefully heíll confess whatever his motives were, but Iím willing to guess he and Harlow disagreed when it came to the proposed pipeline. They both loved the environment, but Thompson may have been more willing to bend his ethics for the right price.Ē

ďThatís awful,Ē I spat, then wiped my mouth with the back side of my arm.

ďYeah, it is,Ē Charles agreed. ďBut you promise youíre okay?Ē

ďI promise,Ē I assured him. ďHey, I hear congrats are in order. You bought Nanís house.Ē

He laughed.ďOh, that. Yeah, I have fond memories of our time working the Calhoun case there together.Ē

ďGood night, Charles,Ē I said with a huge smile on my face. Maybe I still had a chance with Charles after all.

ďYou done?Ē Octo-Cat asked, standing just outside the open door.

ďYeah. Do I get more cuddles now?Ē I asked, patting the bed beside me.

He glowered at me.ďAngela, not in front of company!Ē He stepped aside to reveal Jacques and Jillianne who also stood waiting in the hall. They couldnít understand me like Octo-Cat could, but apparently that was beside the point.

ďSorry,Ē I mumbled and sat up in bed. ďCímon in.Ē

All three cats entered and found comfy spots on top of my comforter.

I waited for Octo-Cat to explain what was going on, and after a short awkward silence, he did.ďI know you still have questions about what happened, so I went and found these two and brought them here for you.Ē

ďBut you hate the Sphynxes,Ē I whispered, covering my mouth just in case they could somehow read my lips.

Octo-Cat shrugged.ďTheyíre annoying, but also kind of cool. Did you see the way they knocked that guy right off the roof? It was awesome.Ē

I laughed and reached forward to touch the small Sphynx, Jacques. His bare skin was surprisingly softónot slippery and cold like I expected.

Jillianne came forward to request pets, too, but Octo-Cat hopped onto my lap and meowed a warning.ďPaws off my human!Ē he shouted.

I just laughed again. I loved when Octo-Cat took pride in our relationship. Since he had no problem insulting me freely, I knew his compliments also came straight from the heart.

ďOkay,Ē he said once theyíd both retreated to the end of the bed. ďWhat do you want to know?Ē

ďYou mentioned a red dot when youóI mean, when I fell. Did they see a red dot, too?Ē

The cats exchanged meows back and forth, and for once I just sat back and enjoyed the spectacle. A few minutes later, Octo-Cat had his report.ďYes, a shiny red dot. The laser pointer.Ē

ďIf you know itís a laser pointer, then why do you chase it?Ē I asked him.

He turned toward the Sphynxes, but I interrupted.ďNo, Iím asking you that.Ē

ďItís not a decision we make to chase the shiny red dot,Ē he told me gravely. ďSome things just are. Like how the sun rises, the rooster crows, the cat also chases the shiny red dot.Ē

ďWhoís talking in riddles now?Ē I asked with a smirk. ďThat was incredibly poetic.Ē

He rolled his eyes.ďDo you want me to help you or not?Ē

ďYes, please.Ē I gave him an apologetic pat on the head. ďWould you please ask why they always sat in that cold corner?Ē

ďOh, I already know that, too,Ē Octo-Cat said. ďThey were punishing themselves.Ē

ďPunishing themselves?Ē I asked, feeling so sorry for those poor hairless kitties.

He nodded.ďCats love warmth, and these guys need it even more than the rest of us. They felt so bad about killing their human, they decided to punish themselves for it.Ē

ďDo they know itís not their fault?Ē

He shook his head.ďIím not sure. I tried explaining it to them, but theyíre still pretty upset.Ē

ďAww, poor things,Ē I cooed, shifting myself to the end of the bed so I could pet them again.

ďAngela, we are not keeping them,Ē Octo-Cat warned.

ďThatís okay,Ē I said with a smile, giving him another soothing pet. ďI already have the perfect cat, and besides, I think I already know the perfect person to take them in.Ē

Chapter Twenty

Itís been a couple weeks since Nan, Octo-Cat, and I moved into our new home, and now it really does feel like home. The best partówell, other than us all being together, of courseóis the new home library Cal made just for me. I moved my desk in there and now spend hours, reading, researching, or just browsing social media. I try to stay better informed about current events now that current events almost got me killed.

Mom couldnít be prouder.

My former boss, Mr. Thompson, pled guilty to manslaughter. As Charles had suspected, he never meant to kill the late senator Lou Harlowójust rough her up a bit. He confessed to tampering with the stairs and slipping something into her drink at the charity fundraiser that night. And, yes, heíd used her own cats against her. By means of a shiny red dot, Jacques and Jillianne ended up becoming a deadly murder weapon. Thompson hadmeant for the entire thing to look like an accident, but he hadnít counted on me and my team of super sleuths getting involved.

He claims he hadnít tried to killme, eitheróonly give me a frightóbut I was not buying it. He didnít need to convince me, though. He didnít really need to convince anyone, because heíd already been disbarred and would never ever get the chance to serve in the Senate. Now it was merely a question of how much jail time he would get.I hoped it would be a lot.

Jacques and Jillianne finally seem to have forgiven themselves, and though they missed their former owner dearly, they now have a really good cat dad. It wasnít Matt who adopted them both, but rather Charles Longfellow, III. I knew heíd been lonely ever since Yo-Yo the Yorkie moved out and, seeing as he was putting down roots, two kitty roommates seemed the perfect way to make a house a home.

He didnít even find them creepy. I guess being from California meant he could handle a lot of weird things without so much as batting an eye.

The senatorís son, Matt, decided to stay in Blueberry Bay, too. He said he wanted to continue his motherís legacy and is currently battling his ex for summer custody of their two kids. He hopes to give them the kind of dreamy, ocean-side childhood he had growing up. He makes a nice neighbor now that Iímnot afraid of him anymore, although he does plan on selling and moving into some place smaller so he has more money to contribute to the Lou Harlow Scholarship Fund.

The late senator left her mark on Washington, too. While Matt was sorting through her things, he found a mostly finished proposal for a new wind turbine farm, right here in the great state of Maine. She hadnít gotten the chance to present it to her Senate committee yet, but Matt is making sure it gets into the right hands.

So, everythingís getting wrapped up nicely. Not exactly with a bow, butÖ you take what you can get.

Now we just had one major matter left to handle, and that would happen today. My new doorbell chimed, playing a cute old-timey jingle that Nan picked out from the huge list of options.

ďComing!Ē I cried racing down the stairs and flinging open the door.

Mom looked nervous, but I wasnít. I gave her a tight squeeze and then led her up to my new library.

She gasped at the big reveal.ďOh, Angie. Itís a dream.Ē

I motioned for her to take a seat at the window. Iíd already opened it wide to let the balmy spring air circulate through the room. This room was no longer a prison, but rather a sanctuary.

ďIt is,Ē I agreed with a blissful sigh. ďBut thatís not why I invited you here today.Ē

ďOh?Ē Mom folded her hands in her lap and waited.

ďThereís someone I want you to meet.Octo-Cat!ĒI hollered, and seconds later my kitty partner in crime came running to join us.

Mom laughed.ďI already know Octo-Cat,Ē she said, reaching out to stroke his soft, striped head.

I smiled and shook my head.ďNot like I do. Do you want to talk to him?Ē

Her brows pinched together, and her eyes darted from me to Octo-Cat and back again.ďHow?Ē

ďThrough me.Ē I put my hand on top of hers, and her eyes lit up with true mirth.

ďReally?Ē

ďReally.Ē I squeezed her hands and let go.

Mom couldnít hide her excitement even if sheíd tried. ďI have so many questions! How does it work? Can you understand other animals, too? Can he understand me? How does the coffee maker factor into all of this?Ē

I laughed again. Momís face fell, but I wrapped an arm around her to show her that it was okay.

ďThose are all good questions,Ē I said. ďLetís take them one at a time.Ē

4. DOG-EARED DELINQUENT

Chapter One

Hi, Iím Angie Russo, and my life is way harder than youíd expect for someone who lives in an old East Coast mansion. Well, itís not really my houseó more like my catís. After all, itís his trust fund that pays the bills.

It may seem like Iíve won the lottery but think again. Times are tricky when you have a talking cat bossing you around day-in and day-out.

Yeah, I said it.

My cat can talk.

As in, we communicate, have conversations, understand each other. Iím not sure how or why our strange connection works, only that it does. And as much as I wished I knew more, sometimes you just have to accept things at face value. It all happened so fast, too. I went to work unable to talk to animals, got zapped by a faulty coffee maker, got knocked unconscious, and when I woke up againóbada bing, bada boom!ónow Iím talking kitty.

Iíve decided to think of it as a stroke of fate, because it really does feel like Octo-Cat and I were meant to find each other. In the past six months alone, weíve worked together to solve three separate murder investigations. I guess thatís why Iím considering my momís advice and officially looking into starting a business. Sheís dubbed me Pet Whisperer P.I.ónot because I want anyone else to know about my strange abilities, but because we needed some kind of excuse for me to take Octo-Cat around on my sleuthing calls.

After all, I wouldnít be much of a Sherlock without my Watson. Okay,Iím probably the Watson in our relationship. If youíve ever been owned by a cat, then you should understand.

Regardless, Iíll be the first to admit that my whole life changed for the better once Octo-Cat became a part of it. Before then, I was just drifting from one thing to the next. Iíd already racked up seven associate degrees, due to my unwillingness to commit to any one major long enough to secure a bachelorís.

I guess you could say nothing ever felt quite like the perfect fit, but I kept trying anyway. I knew that somewhere out there my dream job was waitingÖ even if I didnít quite know what it was yet.

You see, greatness kind of runs in my family, and for the longest time Iíd worried that particular trait had skipped right past me without a second thought.

My nan had followed her dreams to become a Broadway star back in her glory days, and my mom was the most respected news anchor in all of Blueberry Bay. My dad lived his dream, too, by doing the sports report on the same channel that featured Mom.

Now at last, after so much yearning, so much searching, wishing, and praying, Iíve found the career path that fits me like a gloveóand thatís private investigating. So what if Iím not getting paid for it yet? I probably could if I threw everything I had at getting my P.I. business up and off the ground.

But Iím scared of letting down the good people of Longfellow, Peters,& Associates. Oh, thatís right. My favorite frenemy Bethany is the newest partner, and I am so proud of her. Between her and Charles, I know the firm is in the best possible hands, but quitting to pursue self-employment?

Thatís downright terrifying.

True, Iím only part-time at the moment, but the twenty hours per week I put in are really well spent. I know Iím making a difference, and yetÖ

Aargh. Iíve never had this much trouble quitting a job before. Why canít I just hand in my two weeksí notice and say, ďSee ya around?Ē

Maybe part of me still longs for the chance to see where Charles and I could take our relationship, provided heís willing to ditch his annoying realtor girlfriend. Or maybe I donít want to leave Bethany behind when weíve worked so hard to overcome our differences.

Itís also likely that Iím afraid of spending all day and all night at home with my crabby tabby for company. Nan lives with us now, too, but Octo-Cat reserves all his whining just for me. I mean, I guess it makes sense, seeing as Iím the one who understands him.

At the end of the day, life sometimes requires hard decisions.

Historically, Iím not so great at making them.

If I just give it a few more weeks, maybe the right answer will fall into my lap. Yeah, I like that idea.

Until that happens, though, Iíll just continue to wait and pray I get the courage to ask for what I really need. First, Iíll have to make sure itís actually what I want, and thenÖ

Watch out, world! Iím Angie Russo, and Iím coming for you.

[ ŗūÚŤŪÍŗ: img_3]

ďI come bearing muffins!Ē I cried as I bounded into the firm ten minutes late that morning. I still had a hard time calculating my new commute, but I hoped that Nanís homemade baked goods would more than make up for my tardiness.

ďAhem,Ē somebody cleared his throat from the desk near the door.My desk.

I whipped around so fast, I fumbled my beautiful basket of muffins and dropped them straight onto the floor. All of Nanís hard work was ruined in an instant. It was a good thing she enjoyed baking so much and probably already had another fresh batch ready and waiting at home.

ďLet me help you,Ē the stranger said, rushing over to offer assistance I most definitely didnít need. I watched him from the corner of my eye, still refusing to acknowledge this interloperís presence. From what I could discern, he was tall and gangly, with white-blond hair and thick, emo glasses.

ďOh, good,Ē Bethany said, clasping her hands together as she strode toward us both with a smile. ďYouíve met Peter.Ē

ďPeter?Ē I asked with a frown as the new guy stuck his hand out toward me in greeting. Looking at him straight on now, I saw he wore his dress shirt open with a t-shirt underneath that readAwake? Yes. Ready to do this? Ha, ha, ha!Charming. The disturbing top half was paired with wrinkly cargo khakis on bottom. Fulton and Thompsonnever would have let this fly in their days. Yeah, I knew the firm was mostly better off without them, but still couldnít we at least try to look like professionals here?

ďYouíre Angie, right?Ē Peter asked, grabbing one of the muffins that had touched the floor and shoving it into his mouth with wide eyes.ďMmm,Ēhe said pointing at it.ďSo good.Ē

I disliked this guy more and more by the moment, but Bethany seemed so excited to introduce us that I forced a smile and shook his hand despite my better judgement.

ďPeterís our new intern,Ē she explained. ďHeís going to help you manage your workload.Ē

ďI donít need help managing my workload,Ē I shot back, recoiling from Peterís grasp when he wouldnít let my hand go after the normal, polite period of time for a greeting.

Bethany frowned.ďNot exactly true. Itís been harder for all of us since you switched to part-time, but itís okay, because Peter is the perfect person to step in and smooth things out.Ē

Yeah, me going part-time was the problem, and not the revolving door of partners weíd seen so far this year.

ďWhat exactly are his qualifications?Ē I asked, regarding him coldly.

Peter popped the remains of that precious blueberry muffin into his mouth and mumbled,ďIím her cousin, and I work for minimum wage.Ē

Bethany shot him a dirty look, finally showing me that he bugged her, too. That at least made me feel a little better about all this.ďReally, Peter. You need to stop being so liberal about sharing your salary.Ē

ďSorry,Ē he muttered with a shrug that suggested he really couldnít care less about it.

Why was he here? I may not be the best paralegal in the world, but I was miles better than this guy. He probably didnít even have his degree. This was all wrong. I couldnít quite say why exactly, only that I hated everything about this Peter guy.

ďWait,Ē I said, realizing something. ďYour name is Peter Peters? You sound like a super hero.Ē

ďOr a super villain,Ē he countered with another shrug and a strange, new smile.

ďAnyway,Ē Bethany said, glancing at her feet to make sure no errant muffin crumbs had attached themselves to her shiny patent pumps. ďThis is Peterís first day, which is why I asked him to come in a bit early. Can you help get him set up? Show him the ropes?Ē

ďWhat kind of ropes?Ē I demanded. I didnít normally start my work day by playing babysitter to some annoying nepotistic hire.

No, right now, I was supposed to be in Bethanyís office while she safely brewed me a cup of delicious, lifesaving coffee. There was no way Iíd touch another coffee maker as long as I lived, but I still enjoyed the extra jolt it gave me when someone else was willing to brave the brew master.

ďJust the stuff you normally do,Ē Bethany answered with a dismissive gesture, already turning to take her leave. ďIf either of you need me, Iíll be in my office. I have client meetings most of the morning, but should be free around lunch time.Ē

ďOkay, bye,Ē I said, turning to my new charge, resigned that I would have pretty much the worst work half-day ever.

He smiled after his cousin.ďToo-da-loo!Ē he called, waggling his fingers, then turned to me. ďOkay, so Iím ready to learn how to be you when I grow up,Ē he announced.

He did not just say that!

Well, so much for turning in my notice. There was no way I could leave the firm with this bumbling oaf of a paralegal. If only we could cue a makeover montage in real life. Iíd choose one of my favorite upbeat 80ís pop jams, spend a few minutes reforming him, then call it done and move on. Real life never worked fast enough.

ďLetís go set up your email,Ē I said with a sigh, leading him back to my desk that we now seemed to be expected to share.

ďCool, cool. And when do I get my company-issued iPhone?Ē He bobbed his head, following after me like a lost little duckling.

ďWhat? Why would we give you an iPhone?Ē

ďUh, hello. FaceTime.Ē He twisted his hands and formed a rectangle about the size of a smartphone then looked at me through the gap.

And just like that, he went from simply irritating to downright terrifying. FaceTime was the same app I used to call my cat from work. Our senior partner, Charles, had found out when he was still brand new to the firm and bribed me to help him defend a client. Was it just a coincidence that this Peter Peters had alluded to it now?

Or did he know something that could get us both into very big trouble?

Oh, I did not like this. I did not like it one bit.

Chapter Two

Unfortunately, the day only got worse as it went on. Peter met me with snark, indifference, or outright creepiness at every turn and quickly proved that he had zero of the necessary experience to do this jobómy job. In fact, Peter grated on my nerves so much that I decided to go right over Bethanyís head and appeal to our senior partner, Charles Longfellow, III. Surely he would see that hiring this guy was the worst kind of mistake?

Of course, things between Charles and me continued to be quite complicated. To start, I kind of, sort of, may have had some unresolved romantic feelings for him. Weíd become close friends in the months since heíd joined the firm. It had all started when he discovered my ability to speak with Octo-Cat and then blackmailed me in order to help his client, Brock Calhoun the, umÖ other guy I kind of, sort of, may have had a bit of a crush on these days.

Still, despite the slight blackmailing, Charles was a consummate professional. Itís how heíd managed to rise through the ranks at the firm so fast, and it was why I trusted him to do the right thing when it came to Peter. After finding a spot where his calendar was open, I barged straight into his officeóso upset that I forgot to knock.

Oh, I wish I would have taken a quick second to knock!

ďAngie,Ē he said with a start, then cleared his throat and straightened his tie. It was the same tie Nan had bought him as a housewarming gift a month or so backódark red silk with an intricate white paw print pattern that somehow managed to look both classy and kitschy at the exact same time.

His girlfriend, Breanne, untangled herself from his arms and glanced over her shoulder with a smirk. Her bottle-red hair clashed with Charlesís tie, and everything else about her clashed with the rest of him, too. Of all the people in Blueberry Bay, I still couldnít believe heíd chosen to dateher. Theyíd been wrapped around each other for months now, and I was beginning to suspect they may end up walking down an aisle before too long.

Granted, I hadnít known Charles much longer myself, but I still thought that he and I would have made a much better coupleóa much more logical one, too. As each day passed, it looked less and less like Iíd get my chance to find out what could be there.Stupid Breanne.

ďIíll see you tonight. Okay, babe?Ē Charles said after several awkward moments passed between the three of us.

ďIíll be waiting,Ē Breanne gloated as she accepted his kiss, then sauntered past me, hips swinging. Have I mentioned how much I actively loathed her? Because it was a lot.

Charles sighed and sunk down into his leather desk chair.ďWhatís up, Angie?Ē

ďSorry to interrupt,Ē I answered, rubbing my index finger on my thumb to try and loosen a hangnail Iíd been fighting all morning. It was a bad habit of mineóa nervous habit. Seeing Charles and Breanneís disgusting canoodling had knocked the speech Iíd prepared clear out of my brain.

Guess I would just be speaking from my heart.

I closed the door behind me, then came closer and took a seat in one of the two visitor chairs angled across from his desk.ďItís about the new person Bethany hired.Ē

ďPeter Peters?Ē Charles asked with a slight snort. ďWhat about him?Ē

ďI donít like him,Ē I said plainly, hoping Charles would understand without me having to go into more detail. ďAnd I donít want him here.Ē

Charles sighed.ďHe didnít make the best first impression on me, either. But, unfortunately, we do need the help.Ē

ďCanít we find somebody else?Ē I whined, not caring how pathetic it made me sound. Charles needed to understand that this was so much more than bad first impressions.

Charles pinched his brow and fixed me with an exasperated stare.ďPeople arenít exactly lining up to work here given, umÖ our recent history.Ē

Oh, right. The small fact that the other partners continued to leave under less than savory circumstances. All the extra clout weíd picked up after our near-impossible win on the Calhoun case had quickly dropped by the wayside whenÖ

Never mind, best to focus on our current problems instead of dwelling on the past.

ďIf weíre really that spent, I could come back full time for a while.Ē I enunciated each word while keeping careful eye contact. ďJust until we find someone better than Peter, I mean.Ē

Charles shook his head again.ďI wish I could, but Bethany is my partner. We make decisions together now. If you just give Peter a chance, Iím sure heíll grow on you.Ē

I rose to my feet and put my hands palm down on his desk, then leaned in as close as I dared. I wanted to slap him and kiss him in equal measure.Stupid Charles.

ďI think he knows about me. About what I can do.Ē I widened my eyes, refusing to so much as even blink until I was sure he understood.

ďAbout you and,Ē He gulped before continuing. ďAnimals?Ē When I nodded, Charles leaned back and let out a slow breath. ďWell, thatís not good.Ē

I straightened to my full height once more. Whether or not we had a romantic connection, Charles and I had always seen eye to eye. I knew heíd get it. I knew heíd find a way to protect me.

That is, until he saidÖ

ďBut itís also not possible. Iím sure itís all in your head.Ē

ďAll in my head?Ē I demanded, throwing a hand on each of my hips. ďYou canít be serious!Ē

He glanced toward the far corner of the room instead of looking at me.ďWhat do you want me to do, Angie? Fire him based on a suspicion? One that has nothing to do with what we actually do here, by the way.Ē

I threw myself into his line of his vision. I was not just some problem that could be ignored. I was a real person and had a problem that demanded a satisfactory conclusion.ďYes, thatís exactly what I want you to do,Ē I practically shouted.

He cleared his throat again and shifted his gaze toward his keyboard on the desk.ďSorry, thatís something I just canít do. Not without a valid reason to let him go.Ē

I crossed my arms over my chest defensively and charged back toward to door. There were many things I wanted to say and doóchief among them quitting on the spotóbut I simply walked out without another word.

I had to stop fast to avoid running straight into Peter who stood right outside Charlesís office door, munching on a granny smith apple. ďTrying to get rid of me?Ē he asked with a neutral expression, keeping his eyes fixed on the fruit in his hand. ďThat doesnít seem very welcoming.Ē

ďWhy are you here?Ē I asked with a deep scowl.

Peter crunched into the apple again, and a spray of juice hit me on the cheek. He reached up with his thumb to wipe it away, but I jerked out of reach.

After swallowing everything down, he smiled and said,ďWhy do you think Iím here? Itís to get close to you, Angie. To uncover your secrets and expose them to the world.Ē

I took a step back, panic settling in my chest like a lead weight. I could scarcely breathe, let alone say anything in response tothat.

Peter closed the distance between us and set a heavy hand on my shoulder. A smile broke out across his face and then he laughed.ďWhoa, you really need to learn how to relax. Did you honestly just buy that garbage?Ē He shook his head as if dealing with an imbecile. ďIím here to make some money and help out my cousin. Okay? I mean, seriously, Angie.Ē He continued to laugh as he breezed his way past me back toward our shared desk.

I stood rooted to the spot as I watched him go. How much had Peter heard of my talk with Charles? And how much did he already know? Moreover, why?

And how?

If he was on to me, there had to be others as well. Maybe Peter was just some kind of henchman and the big bad had yet to reveal himself or his plan. Iíd never hurt anyone, and Iíd become much more careful when it came to concealing my strange ability.

If someone was on to me, then what could I possibly do to keep Octo-Cat and myself safe? And why would they ever want to hurt or scare us as Peterís mannerisms seemed to suggest?

Suddenly, it felt as if nowhere would be safe. That, even if I ran, there were people out there who knew, who would always know.

What was I going to do?

Chapter Three

I couldnít escape the office fast enough that day. Physical distance, however, did little to calm my already frayed nerves. The whole drive home I kept looking over my shoulder, half expecting to see Peter following me in some kind of old junker. I knew I didnít have any real hard and fast proof, but still, something within me screamed that he was out to get me, that we were quickly headed somewhere bad.

Very, very bad.

Sure, he could have been some harmless and ordinary, run-of-the-mill weirdo whose goal was simply to score a few laughs at my expense. He totally could have been. And yetÖ

Ever since Iíd gotten zapped by that old coffee maker and woken up with the ability to speak to Octo-Cat, my intuition had also been dialed up to at least a nine. Iíd been wrong about some things, of course, but that was mostly when I let my personal feelings cloud my judgment. Whenever I stopped and listened to that still small voice, it led me straight to the answer I needed.

And right about now, that tiny voice was practically hoarse from shoutingbeware over and over again the past several hours.

As much as I hated it, this wasnít just about Peter moving in on my job and messing things up at the office. This was about keeping those I loved safeóand that now included the tabby cat whoíd entered my life and turned it upside down again and again. How could someone Iíd only just met already know the one very private thing I hesitated to share with anybody?

How could Peter have possibly figured me out when so few people knew what I could do and most of them were related to me?

I mean, Charles knew, but despite my disappointment in his response today, I trusted him not to tell a soul. Did that mean someone else at work had figured things out? Sometimes I slipped up and talked to my cat around others, but most people wouldnít just jump to the conclusion that we could communicate with each other. The normal thing would be to assume Iíd gone wicked crazy. That didnít bother me since most days I was halfway there already.

I turned onto the secluded driveway that led to my huge manor house in the woods. The summer sun hung high in the sky, and my gardens were in full, beautiful bloom. In a lot of ways my life was pretty perfectógiant estate, wonderful family, cool cat, and a monthly stipend from his trust fund. So, then, why couldnít I just let this thing with Peter go?

ďYou look like youíve had a rough day,Ē Nan said, greeting me at the door when I entered our shared home just in time for a freshly prepared lunch. She and Octo-Cat both waited for me right in the foyer whenever I came home from work. Nan usually had a kind word and a hug. Sometimes, a joke.

Octo-Cat generally had a complaint. Today, he stretched out his toes, showing off his impressive claws, and moaned,ďThe sun is not bright enough today. Itís hard to keep my schedule when my warm spot disappears halfway through the morning.Ē

I shrugged off his concern, especially considering the sky had felt just as bright as ever during my return commute.ďSorry, nothing I can do about that.Ē

Iíd long debated getting him a heat lamp, precisely because of how often I heard this particular complaint, but that kind of felt like rewarding bad behavior. Ah, who was I kidding? It was just a matter of time before Iíd ultimately cave. Heck, maybe Iíd get him one for Christmas. Today, however, I had other things to worry about.

I took a long, appreciative sniff as Nan and I headed for the kitchen. Ever since weíd moved in together a couple of months ago, sheíd taken it upon herself to cook up three square meals per day, finding a passion for the culinary arts a bit late in life but not lacking an ounce of enthusiasm nor, thankfully, talent.

ďFrench onion soup,Ē Nan revealed with sparkling eyes, which seemed to grow as she made this revelation. ďHave a seat and Iíll bring it right out.Ē

I wanted to help, to give her a bit of a break, but she always pushed me right out of the kitchen and told me to hold my horses before they galloped away without me.

ďWhatís got you so down in the dumps?Ē she asked, setting a steaming hot bowl before me, then returning to the kitchen to grab a second for herself. My nan always knew when something wasnít right. She had the gift of intuition, too, but I suspected that came more from being a mother than from a near-fatal run-in with a coffee maker or some other such mildly supernatural experience.

ďThey hired a new intern,Ē I explained, pushing my spoon through the thick layer of perfectly melted cheese and allowing it to fill up with broth, then shoving it appreciatively into my mouth.Mmm.So good.

Nan smiled when she saw how much I enjoyed what sheíd prepared. Rather than taking a bite herself, however, she folded her hands before her and said, ďWell, Iím guessing we donít much care for this new person.Ē That was another thing about my dear, sweet nanóshe always took my side. She didnít even need to hear a single detail before she was ready to jump into the fray and fight for my honor. Heck, just a couple months ago, sheíd hit a police officer multiple times for attempting to cuff me.

ďWe most definitely do not,Ē I answered, preparing a second mouthful of gooey goodness, complete with onion and cheese this time. ďNot only is he creepy, but I also think he knows about me. You know, about what I can do.Ē

Nan shook her head and sucked air in through her teeth.ďWell, thatís not good. Not good at all.Ē Finally, she dug into her soup, choosing to eat one of the broth-saturated croutons first.

ďWhat are we going to do?Ē I asked after giving her a play-by-play of the awful day Iíd had.

ďThat Charles deserves a good scolding,Ē Nan said with a grimace. ďAfter all weíve been through together, he wonít even stand up for whatís right.Ē

I shrugged and let my spoon clatter to the bottom of my bowl.ďI donít know. Maybe Iím just being oversensitive about the entire situation.Ē

ďHey, I didnít raise you to talk like that,Ē Nan shouted so loud and so abruptly, it made me jump with surprise. ďWe donít discount or apologize for our feelings. Weíre not robots. Right?Ē

ďRight,Ē I agreed with a sigh. ďThen what should I do about Peter Peters and all the weirdness?Ē

Octo-Cat hopped up onto the table and strode down the center line. As he did, loose hair floated off his body and a piece or two wound up in my soup. Guess that meant I was done.

ďIf I may,Ē he said grandly, halting right in front of me and gesturing to himself with a paw. ďI believe I have the solution to this problem.Ē

ďHe says he has an idea,Ē I translated for Nan, who smiled and waited for more. She loved watching the two of us talk, even though she needed a bit of help understanding Octo-Catís side of the conversation.

ďNotan idea,Ē he corrected with a huff.ďTheidea.Ē

ďWell, what is it?Ē I asked impatiently. Sometimes his dramatics could be adorable, but this wasnít one of those times. I was far too stressed to sit and watch a show. I needed real-world solutions here delivered in a real-time fashion.

ďYou need to pull a stray cat on this guy,Ē my tabby said plainly.

This, of course, meant nothing to me.ďCome again now. What?Ē

ďA stray cat. Not that Iíve ever been stray.Ē He shuddered and flicked his tail. ďBut Iíve seen enough of them to know their modus operandi. Theyíre free agentsóstraysóand most want to stay that way. But a cat can get real sick of eating trash when Fancy Feast is an option, you know? So, sometimes they have to make their eyes big, raise their tails, and do the pretty meow when a human is nearby. It hurts inside to fake it with a humanóthat much,I do know from experienceóbut itís just a couple moments of cringiness to get a full belly of food. Get it?Ē

I thought about this for a moment, ignoring the fact that heíd probably just insulted me. His cat-based analogies often took me a bit of finagling to truly understand, but they often did offer good and surprisingly relevant advice. I recapped Octo-Catís speech for Nan, who seemed to understand instantly without even awaiting the full translation.

She nodded her approval to Octo-Cat, then turned back to me with a newfound fierceness burning in her eyes.ďOperation: My Enemy is My Friendís an official go,Ē she said in a low, husky voice that I assumed belonged to her tough guy persona.

Still, no matter how much I wanted to find out what Peter knew and, moreover, what he wanted, I wasnít sure I could find a way to fake nice with someone I already despised so much.

Despite Nanís Broadway past, I hadnít inherited even one iota of her acting talent. So then, how was I going to trick Peter into revealing his motives here?

Chapter Four

I wish I would have been surprised when Nan showed up at my work the next day wearing an all-black satin gown and bolero jacket combo. She kind of looked like she was ready to attend an elegant society ball and then rob its hosts on her way out. Sheíd even done her makeup much more heavily than normal to match todayís bold style. Yes, winged liner and a smoky eye currently topped off my grandmotherís day-time look.

I knew she sometimes missed the glory days of singing, dancing, and acting her heart out on the Broadway stage, but sometimes she took her real day-to-day life in Blueberry Bay a bit far. I still fondly remembered how sheíd donned a black and white checked bodysuit to accompany me to my driverís test, or how she wore a cap and gown of her own to my high school graduation. Her wardrobe probably stretched all the way to Narnia for all the crazy outfits she kept hidden away until they were needed.

Was I embarrassed? Nope, not one bit.

I loved my nan and was long past feeling the need to apologize for her eccentricities. They were just as much a part of her as her loving, generous heart, and I wouldnít trade either of those things for the world. Still, I did have to wonder what she had up her sleeveóor rather, her gloved armówith this one.

ďHello, good people of Longfellow, Peters and Associates,Ē Nan declared, strolling into the office like she owned the place. In her hands she clutched a sealed Pyrex dish, which she promptly uncovered to reveal freshly baked apple turnovers.

Of courseóapple because Iíd mentioned the creepy episode with Peter outside of Charlesís office yesterday. What I couldnít tell was whether this whole display was meant as a power play or rather a way to ingratiate herself as part of our so-calledOperation: My Enemy is My Friend.

With Nan, you just never knew what was going on inside that wonderfully whacky brain of hers.

ďHi, Nan,Ē I said, rising from the small corner of the shared desk that Iíd claimed as my own. ďWhat are you doing here?Ē

Peter stayed seated but kept his eyes on us while offering up a cool, casual smile.

ďHello, dear.Ē Nan gave me air kisses instead of a hug, further proving that sheíd decided to play some kind of character role today. Even her voice sounded grander, surer, as it reached to the far edges of the room.

ďWell, of course, you know how Iím planning that fabulous dinner party later this month. Iím testing out some gowns and some recipes ahead of time to lessen the burden of all the choices Iíll have to make as we get closer to the big day.Ē She paused and dipped her head, after tossing me aquick wink. ďNow tell me. How do I look?Ē

She spun in a slow, graceful circle as if there was absolutely nothing for either of us to be embarrassed about. The thing that made her a great actress, I knew, was that she truly lived every single role. Granted, she was simply playing a farcical version of herself today, but that didnít stop her from owning it one hundred percent.

ďYou look beautiful,Ē I said with a big smile. I may not have always agreed with her methods, but I had to admit that no one even came close to the space Nan occupied in my heart.

ďThank you,Ē she said primly. ďAnd, now, how do these taste?Ē she added, shoving the open Pyrex dish into my face with a desperate, needy look.

I plucked one of the desserts from the top of the stack and took a nibble.ďAbsolutely delicious,Ē I answered honestly after swallowing down the perfect mix of sweet and tart. Part of me wished she had discovered this newfound passion for baking when I was younger so I couldíve enjoyed these talents longer. My waistline thought differently, though. Iíd already hadto go up one pants size this month, and I was not keen to go up another.

Nan frowned and her voice dropped into a husky pout.ďOh, but you always say what I want to hear. I need an impartial opinion.Ē She spun around again, this time searching the room as if she didnít know Peter was the only other person around.

ďYou there!Ē she called, erupting into a full, sparkling smile as her eyes landed on a watchful Peter. ďCan I count on you to give me your honest opinion? Thereís a free dessert in it for you, if you agree.Ē

Peter hopped to his feet and sauntered over to join us.ďI was hoping youíd ask.Ē Without waiting for any further invitation, he grabbed two pastries from the stack and ate them in giant, appreciative bites.

ďSo good,Ē he smacked, his mouth still full. ďYou should definitely serve these at your party.Ē

Nan frowned again.ďBut you havenít tried the other options. How do you know for sure that these are the best?Ē

Peter chuckled and took a third apple turnover.ďIf theyíre all this good, then you have nothing to worry about.Ē

Nan placed one gloved hand on Peterís arm and the other on mine. ďOh, I know!Ē Her eyes sparkled with the promise of a new idea, even though I had no doubt sheíd arrived at the firm with this exact script already written and memorized. ďWould you mind stopping by later tonight to try some of the others and offer your expert opinion on which is best?Ē

Peter faltered as he shifted his weight from foot to foot. Today he wore a tight t-shirt that had a bowtie and shirt collar printed onto it. Heíd paired this with dark wash jeans and what I guessed was unintentional bed head. ďOh, I donít know ifóĒ

ďPlease?Ē Nan begged, casting a pathetic shrug his way. ďThis party is so important to me. It might be the last I ever get to throw before God takes me back to the great dinner party in the sky.Ē

Wow, she went there. She really went there.

ďOh, well. Sure, okay,Ē Peter answered with a puzzled gaze that he quickly transitioned into a smile. ďIt would be my pleasure.Ē

Nan perked up instantly.ďLovely. See you tonight, dear. Six oíclock?Ē

This whole time they spoke, Peter simpered at Nan and studiously ignored me. So, he only hated me, it seemed. At least I knew Nan believed me about his antagonism, even if my colleagues didnít.

He nodded now and took another two treats for himself.ďSounds like a plan.Ē

ďExcellent,Ē Nan declared, then pushed the glass dish at Peter. ďWhy donít you keep these to remember me by? Just donít spoil your appetite for tonight.Ē She reached up and pinched his cheek, then to my horror made a kissy face before letting go.

ďWell, my dear,Ē she said, turning back my way. ďThis gown may look divine, but it doesnít quite have the movement I need for an entire evening spent wearing it. Back to the boutique it goes!Ē

I nodded dumbly.

She glanced over my shoulder toward Peter and blew him one last kiss goodbye.ďNow I must be off. Angie has the address. Toodles!Ē And just like that, Nan blew out of the office every bit as quickly as sheíd entered.

I headed back to the desk while Peter slumped down into one of the thick armchairs in our waiting area, helping himself to yet another turnover.ďThat was weird,Ē he said.

I shrugged.ďThat was Nan.Ē

He studied the pastry in his hand, then widened his eyes and shoved it into his mouth.ďSheís fun. I like her.Ē

I shot him a polite, fake smile, then tried to return my focus to work.

Peter, however, seemed in the mood for a chat.ďItís really too bad you donít take after her,Ē he informed me with a sigh. ďWeíd have a much better time at work if you did.Ē

I pretended I hadnít heard him, but he kept talking anyway.

ďYou donít look much like her, either. Maybe you inherited something else from her. You know, besides personality and looks. Maybe some secret trait or talent.Hmm?Ē He chuckled and brushed his sticky fingers against his jeans.ďI guess weíll find out tonight.Ē

Indeed we would. Poor Peter had no idea he was walking straight into a trap. Nan may seem crazy on the surface, but sheís the best sleuth I know. Her interrogation skills are also top-notch.

Not to mention, Octo-Cat and I would also be there and ready to pounce on even the slightest suspicion. It may have been easy for him to pick on me at work, but my house was my fortress and filled with everyone who loved me most. For all his faults, I knew Octo-Cat would also do whatever it took to protect me. Even all these months later, he still found new and terrifying ways to surprise me.

Peter Peters didnít stand a chance.

Chapter Five

Nan put me to work the moment I stepped through the door. She tossed me an apron and declared me in charge of mixing batter and rolling dough, the two tasks that were the most difficult to mess up, I noticed.

ďItís all hands on deck. Only five hours until go time, and we have to make our ruse look believable,Ē she explained with a curt nod. Sheíd changed out of her black satin gown from earlier and was now wearing a dainty crushed velvet number patterned with Chinese dragons. Sheíd replaced her smoky eye with a shimmering gold shadow and had contoured her cheeks like a Kardashian.

ďI expect you to dress up, too, my dear,Ē she explained while studying my unassuming floral dress with its giant, oversized belt and large hoop earrings as if it was the worst outfit anyone on earth had ever cobbled together.

Octo-Cat laughed between licks of his paw.ďBeing a human can be the pits, huh? A cat would neverÖĒ His eyes grew comically wide as his words trailed into oblivion.

I followed his line of sight to where Nan had been rummaging through the junk drawer. She now held out a red bow tie as she moved toward Octo-Cat with a broad, reassuring smile that only seemed to heighten his discomfort.ďYou, too, young man. We must all look our best tonight.Ē

Nan then proceeded to fasten the bowtie to his collar with skilled and gentle fingers, but she may as well have been strangling the cat, given his over-the-top reaction.

ďI am tainted!Ē he cried, shaking and twitching and throwing himself against the tile floor repeatedly. ďDonít you know? I was born with all the clothes Iíll ever need. So why add this? Itís even the same color as that wretched dot! Thatís just taking things too far.Ē

He heaved a giant sigh and fell over on his side when Nan had finished. I had to admit, he looked rather dashing. I did not, however, admit that aloud, or else Iíd end up with cat puke in my bed.

Instead, I simply covered my mouth and tittered softly against my hand.

Nan smiled at our tabby approvingly.ďVery handsome,Ē she said in a way that was reminiscent of how sheíd talked to Peter at the office that morning.

Octo-Cat continued to shriek and toss himself around the kitchen, pausing only briefing to shake his head and whisper,ďEt tu, Nan? I thought you loved me.Ē

ďChin up. It could be worse,Ē I told him as I continued stirring and stirring until my hand cramped from the vigorous, repetitive motion.

ďI donít see how,Ē my cat told me, rolling onto his back and wiggling back and forth in an illfated attempt to shimmy loose of his adornment.

ďWell, for starters, youíre going to have to spend time with Peter tonight. Peterís the worst,Ē I explained with a shudder as I placed the bowl back on the counter and flexed my hand. I would definitely be getting Nan a stand mixer for the next gift-giving holiday. Sure, they cost a lot, but it would be worth it to save my hands, and hers, too.

Nan popped a tray into the oven, but we had so many different dishes underway that I had no idea what was on it.ďNow, Angie,Ē she said, turning back toward me with a wagging finger. ďIfOperation: My Enemy is My Friend is to be a success, you need to commit to character.Ē

ďHey, I never agreed to take on a character and, by the way, neither did he.Ē I tilted my head toward Octo-Cat, who was too busy trying to find a way out of his collar to notice Iíd just stuck up for him.Figured.

Nan tutted.ďIf you donít believe it, then how will our guest?Ē she asked, then grabbed my wrist and pulled me to attention. ďIt is an honor to have Peter with us tonight. Weíre friends, and as such, we tell each other things without hesitation.Ē

ďLike what he knows and how he found out?Ē I said drolly.

ďPrecisely,Ē she said, punctuating the word by jabbing a dripping spatula at my apron. ďBut if you remain hostile, we wonít get anywhere. Can you soften up a little so that we donít have to fall back on plan B please?Ē

ďWhatís plan B?Ē I asked, biting my lip as I waited for the answer.

Nan let out a little laugh.ďWell, weóĒ

ďYou know what? It doesnít matter,Ē I interrupted. It would be easier if I didnít know too much ahead of time. I was a terrible actress, anyway. ďIím in. The sooner we figure out the deal with Peter, the sooner we can be done and rid of him.Ē

ďNow thereís the sweet girl I raised,Ē Nan said with a chuckle, returning to the other side of the kitchen to ice an enormous layered cake.

Octo-Cat flopped onto my feet, rubbing himself all over my socks until they practically changed color from all the shucked off fur.ďIÖ canítÖ breathe,Ē he exclaimed between gasps. ďI think this is how I die!Ē

I bent down to pet him and slipped my fingers beneath his collar to make sure it wasnít suddenly too tight. ďItís just for a little while,Ē I assured him. ďI promise weíll take it off the moment Peter leaves.Ē

He sat up and swished his tail behind him as he thought. A scary smile stretched across his fuzzy little face.ďSo, if he were to leave sooner rather than later, I could have my freedom?Ē

I nodded emphatically. I had no idea how he intended to make that happen, but if agreeing meant heíd try to help tonight, then I was all for making a deal. ďYes, definitely. I donít want him around, either,Ē I reminded my cat.

ďThen our goals align.Ē Octo-Cat returned to all four feet and blinked hard. ďIf youíll excuse me. I need to prepare.Ē

I watched him trot away, then moved to wash my hands in the sink so I could get back to work. Nan didnít need to know about whatever Octo-Cat had planned. In reality, I didnít even know what he had planned, but I had no doubt it would be amusingóif not mortifying. It was starting to feel as if I didnít even need to do anything now that Nan and Octo-Cat both had grand plans of their own.

Once Iíd done all I could to help in the kitchen, Nan ushered me upstairs and informed me that I would be wearing my red party dress with tiny white polka-dots that evening. Well, at least Octo-Cat and I would match for the upcoming festivities.

I bided my time, even going so far as painting my nails a shining ruby red, figuring that Nan would appreciate this small gesture of my commitment to the character. By the time I floated back down the stairs, Peter seemed to have just arrived. He stood inside the foyer with Nan, wearing the exact same outfit heíd had on earlier that day.

ďWell, donít you look quite fetching,Ē Nan said kindly as she studied the faux tux printed on his old T-shirt. ďI love the irony of that ensemble. So clever.Ē

Peter raked a hand through his messy hair and gave her a boyish grin, charmed as anyone who found themselves the subject of Nanís attentions.

Octo-Cat came racing down the stairs as well, a glint of determination shining in his amber eyes.ďThis ends now,Ē he ground out as he passed me.

He walked straight up to Peter and rubbed against his legs while purring. Next, he transitioned to his hind legs and pawed at Peterís knees. He didnít do that for anyone.Not ever.Man, he must have been really desperate to get rid of that bowtie. Iíd definitely have to remember that trick the next time I needed to trick him into doing something.

ďHe likes you,Ē Nan said with a wink. ďWhy donít you pick him up?Ē

ďIím really more of a dog person,Ē Peter said hesitantly.

ďA dog person?Ē Octo-Cat asked in horror.ďBlech. Gag me with a spoon. But, yeah, I can smell that canine stink all over this one. Totally not surprised.Ē

Peter flinched, then cracked his neck on either side.ďShould we go try the desserts? After all, that is why you invited me. Right?Ē

ďYes, dear. Come along.Ē Nan led him toward the dining room while Octo-Cat and I stayed behind in the foyer.

ďWas it just me, orÖ?Ē I began but let my words trail off. Heíd flinched in response to what Octo-Cat had said. I was sure of it, and yetÖ there was no way. It was far too crazy to be believed.

ďHe reacted to me,Ē Octo-Cat agreed. ďI thought so, too.Ē

ďIt was probably just a fluke,Ē I said, keeping my voice low so as not to be overheard by Nan and Peter in the next room.

ďBut if it wasnítÖĒ Octo-Cat shook his head and took a deep breath. ďNow Iím just as curious as you are. Somethingís off about this one, and Iím going to prove it. Címon, Angela.Ē

He trotted off and I trailed helplessly behind, wondering what my cat could possibly have planned now and also wondering if Peter might really be like me. Did he get zapped by that old coffee maker, too?

I desperately hoped Iíd have the answer by the time the evening was through, because if this big production didnít work, we probably wouldnít get another chance.

Peter already seemed on guard that evening. Had he finally realized that we might be on to him just as much as he was on to us? And if he didnít want to be found out, then why was he working so hard to push my buttons?

Was everything in my overworked imagination, or was my entire world about to change?

I honestly didnít know which option I preferredÖ

Chapter Six

Nan looked utterly beguiling in her getup for that evening. Sheíd even woven jade chopsticks through her hair in a fancy upswept hairstyle that complemented her angular bone structure quite nicely.

She often wore Asian-inspired garments, preferring their smooth, flowing lines to the more rigid structure of traditionally Western clothing. Between her style choices and my predilection for all things eighties, we really did make quite the pair.

I preferred eighties fashion simply because it was great fun. Nan, on the other hand, had done a brief tour abroad during the Vietnam Warónot as a soldier, but rather an entertaineróand sheíd fallen in love with everything about that part of the world. Sheíd managed to visit Japan, China, and Thailand over the years, too, and was greatly looking forward to the day when Iíd finally agree to accompany her for an extended visit of all her favorite places. As for me, I wanted to get to know myself a little better before I ventured so far from home. Luckily, I was getting closer and closer to accomplishing just that with each passing day.

As loathe as I was to admit it aloud, Octo-Cat had made a huge difference in my life and had been a huge part of my recent self-discovery. I had a feeling Iíd done the same for him as well. That was the thing about the people you lovedó sometimes they made you crazy, but they would always be there for you in a pinch.

And this thing with Peter was the pinchiest situation weíd encountered yet. With the murders weíd investigated together, we at least knew what we were dealing with, what we were looking for. But with Peter? We now had questions on top of questions. As afraid as I was to discover where the answers may lead us, at least the three of us were firmly in this together.

Nan waited until Peter and I were seated at the table, then disappeared into the kitchen to plate up her sweet creations.

ďNice house,Ē Peter remarked, twiddling his thumbs in front of him. ďHowíd someone like you manage something like this?Ē

ďItís my house,Ē Octo-Cat announced, jumping up onto the table and plopping his rear right in front of Peter. ďAnd I donít think I want you in it.Ē

ďDonít mind him,Ē I said, pretending that everything was as normal as could be. ďHeís just a bit suspicious of new visitors.Ē

ďNice kitty,Ē Peter said, reaching a hand toward the tabby.

ďIf you touch me, I bite you,Ē Octo-Cat informed him with a low growl.

Peter instantly recoiled. Was it because of the growl or the words that preceded it? Hmm.

ďGood human,Ē Octo-Cat said in that condescending way Iíd grown to love. ďIf you poke the tiger, youíre going to lose some fingers. Thatís how the saying goes. Isnít it?Ē He tilted his head to the side and flicked his tail, keeping his unblinking eyes on Peter the whole time.

Peter laughed nervously.ďSo, Angie, how long have you been working ató?Ē

ďDonít talk to her.Ē Octo-Cat hopped back onto his feet and stared Peter down with his ears folded back against his head. ďTalk to me. Who are you, and why are you such a jerk?Huh, big guy? You think itís nice to pick on my human?Ē

Peter leaned back as far as he could in his chair and looked toward me with large, pleading eyes.ďUm, could we maybe put your cat somewhere while Iím here? I think I might be allergic.Ē

ďMore like afraid,Ē Octo-Cat said, then punctuated it with his signature evil laugh. Iíd never seen Peter so shaken. Granted, I hadnít known him very long, but still, it really did seem as if he could understand what my cat was saying to him.

ďOh, donít worry about him. Heís harmless,Ē I said with a dismissive shrug.

Octo-Cat growled again.ďOh, she has no idea just how harmful I can be,Ē he told Peter with a low rumble.

ďWhoís ready for some heavenly confections?Ē Nan sang as she floated back into the dining room with an artfully arranged silver serving platter, completely unaware of what Octo-Cat had been up to during her brief absence.

I widened my eyes as I moved them between Nan and the cat, trying to let her know that this was his show, but she didnít seem to get the hint.

ďBon appetit!Ē she cried, setting the tray between Peter and me.

ďThis looks amazing.Ē Peter wasted no time in grabbing a rich puff pastry dessert and shoving it eagerly into his mouth.

ďYou want to know whatís really amazing?Ē Octo-Cat asked, keeping his eyes trained on Peter. ďMy jokes. Seriously, I dare you not to laugh.Ē

I selected a mini cheesecake bite for myself and smiled as I waited to see what would happen next. Octo-Catís jokes were generally pretty terrible, but Peter didnít strike me as the type with a sophisticated sense of humor anyway.

ďOkay, get this.Ē Octo-Cat sat again, coming right up to the edge of the table so that Peter had to scoot back to avoid touching him. ďWhat do you call a dog with a brain? Anyone? Anyone?Ē He paused and looked around. ďNo, nobody knows. Okay, Iíll tell youóa cat!Ē He whooped and laughed hysterically while Peter attempted to make small talk with Nan.

I watched the whole thing in quiet fascination, smiling to myself as Peter struggled to maintain his composure. He certainly didnít enjoy getting a taste of his own medicine, the poor baby.

Octo-Cat yawned.ďThat one didnít get you.Hmm, okay. Well, I have lots more.Ē He waited for Peter to take another bite before asking, ďWhatís the difference between cat puke and a dog?Ē

Peter seemed to choke a little but recovered quickly.

ďOneís a slimy pile of disgusting excrement, and the otherís cat puke.Ha!ĒOcto-Cat flopped over on his side and rubbed his back on the dining room table the same way he often did in the freshly cut grass outside. This was him luxuriating in the moment. He seemed to love taunting someone who deserved it.

I chuckled quietly, eliciting glances from both Nan and Peter.

ďEverything okay, dear?Ē Nan asked, stopping the small talk sheíd been making with Peter. Iíd been so focused on the tabbyís antics, I didnít even have the faintest idea what theyíd been talking about.

ďYes,Ē I answered quickly. ďI just think itís funny how Octo-Cat invited himself along to the party. He seems to be really taken with you, Peter.Ē

ďYeah, well.Ē He cracked each of his knuckles and looked away.

ďTough crowd,Ē Octo-Cat spat, pacing the length of the table once more. ďGood thing I saved the best for last. Okay, who here knows why dogs canít tell jokes? No one? Itís because they lose their minds whenever someone saysknock, knock!Ē

At this, Peter snorted and then, at last, broke out into a full-fledged laugh.Gotcha.

I jumped to my feet and pointed at him.ďI knew it! I knew you could understand him!Ē

Peter blanched and fumbled the dessert heíd been holding. ďI donít know what youíre talking aboutóĒ

ďOh, can it, honey!Ē Nan shot in. ďThe jig is up.Ē I was pretty sure Nan didnít know what we were talking about, but it felt nice to have another ally on my side. She stood, too, and together we glared at Peter.

ďWho are you, and why are you here?Ē I demanded.

ďYou invited me,Ē he sputtered in equal parts confusion and irritation. ďBut if Iím not welcome anymore, Iíll just go.Ē He pushed his chair back and sped toward the door, but Octo-Cat leapt after him and sunk his claws into Peterís shoulder, hanging on for dear life as the lanky man tried to fight him off.

ďOw, what theÖ?Ē Peter cried as he spun and shook, but still Octo-Cat refused to let go.

ďSay you can hear me,Ē the cat hissed viciously. ďAdmit you understand.Ē

When Peter said nothing, Octo-Cat sunk his claws in even deeper. Telltale droplets of blood appeared on his neck and dampened his shirt.

ďOuch! Fine!Ē Peter shouted. ďI understand you. Now let go.Ē

Octo-Cat hopped down and raced over to Nan, whoíd taken a seat on our old Victorian couch while she watched this entire scene unfold. ďNow thatís the spirit,Ē she told Peter. ďAnd here I was afraid weíd have to tie you up before youíd willingly confess a thing.Ē

ďWhat do you want from me?Ē he asked, wiping at his wounds with a defeated scowl.

I crossed the room and stood before him with my arms folded over my chest.ďWhat doyou want fromme? Youíre the one who started all this.Ē

ďI thought you might be like me,Ē he explained in that whiny, nasally voice Iíd come to hate over the last couple of days. ďAnd, clearly, I was right.Ē

I shook my head, refusing to admit anything.ďSo, why taunt me?Ē

ďWhy not? I was just having a little bit of fun.Ē

ďNeed me to cut him again?Ē Octo-Cat asked, racing over to defend me.

Peter curled into himself defensively.ďPlease, no!Ē

ďYou need to tell me how you knew, and you need to do it now,Ē I yelled, towering over him now.

Peterís voice came out muffled. ďOr what? Youíll sic your cat on me again?Ē

I tilted my head and smiled at Octo-Cat who bounced at my side, ready for more action.

ďActually, thatís exactly what Iíll do,Ē I said, yanking Peterís arms away so that heíd look me in the eye again. ďNow, are you going to talk or what?Ē

Peter shook his head.ďNot here.Ē

I nodded to Octo-Cat, and he took another step toward Peter.ďYou have the right to remain silent,Ē he said. ďAnd I have the right to defend the indefensible.Ē

Indefensible?Ouch. I was pretty sure he was just quoting something heíd seen on his favorite TV show, Law& Order, but still.

ďIíll talk. I will!Ē Peter cried. ďI promise I will. Itís justÖ itís not safe here, okay?Ē

Oh, Peter.How quickly heíd transformed from villain to victim.

ďIf not here, then where?Ē I demanded.

ďIf not today, then when? If not me, then who?Ē Nan chimed in, but was ignored by both of us.

Peter shoved his hand into his pocket and pulled out a black business card printed with silver lettering.ďThis is the address. Iíll see you there Friday night. Around ten?Ē

ďFine,Ē I said, yanking the card from him even though he seemed willing to give it freely. ďAnd until then?Ē

ďJust act normal at work. Not a word, I mean it.Ē His eyes darkened for a moment, but he quickly shrugged it off. ďSo, if we understand each other, then Iím getting the heck out of here. Bye.Ē

I watched in silence as he charged out of the house and sped off into the night.

ďWell, that was interesting,Ē Nan said after emitting a low whistle.

ďDid you translate my jokes for her? They were some of my best yet,Ē Octo-Cat said with another chuckle.

I just shook my head and wondered what Friday night would bring. Iíd never met someone else like me, and frankly, I hated that the first other of my kind had to be someone as vile as Peter Peters. But now I was one step closer to figuring out why I could talk to animals, and maybe if I learned more, I could use my abilities more effectively. I could talk to more animals. I could solve more crimes.

Could Peter really have the answers Iíd been looking for all this time?

Well, Iíd know soon enough.

Chapter Seven

Friday couldnít come fast enough. Now that I knew there might actually be answers, I needed to hear them. My poor, tired mind was in overdrive trying to anticipate what Peter would say when we finally got the chance to talk things out.

Why could I talk to Octo-Cat and only Octo-Cat?

How could a quick zap from a faulty coffee maker land me with paranormal powers when the rest of the world carried on just the same as ever?

And how did Peter Peters factor into all of this?

I looked up the address heíd given me on Google Earth. It belonged to a squat brick building right in the heart of Glendaleís tiny downtown area. Despite having lived in the area for my entire life, Iíd never noticed that building before. Perhaps my eyes had always been drawn to the more colorful, vibrant storefronts,or maybe it was new.

I even drove past one day in search of clues and was disheartened to see a FOR LEASE sign taped inside the darkened window.

Right before I left work Friday, Peter pressed a folded-up Post-it note into my palm without offering a single word about it. I tried to act naturally, but the tiny yellow paper felt like it was burning a hole right through my flesh. Once tucked safely inside my car with the doors locked, I unfolded the note and read the single word that was written there:Claw.

Well, that made absolutely zero sense. I took a picture with my phone and texted it to Nan.Peter just gave this to me.Any idea what it means? I asked.

I waited for a few minutes. When her reply still hadnít come, I tossed the Post-it on my passenger seat and started my journey home. Nan often forgot her phone in various parts of the house and didnít realize it was missing until hours later. I could just ask for her feedback in person. After all, Iíd be there soon enough.

At the stoplight, I glanced toward the note again. Maybe the trick was in how the word had been written rather than in what it said.

Only the note wasnít waiting on the passenger seat where Iíd left it.

I did a quick scan of the floor, assuming it had fallen. No.

I groped under the seat, but the light turned green and the car behind me honked impatiently, forcing me to return my focus to the road.

The remaining minutes of my drive were grueling. Peterís note had to be somewhere. It just had to be. I needed to look harder to find it. Itís not like it could have disappeared into thin air.

Then again, I was now living in a world where it was possible for at least two separate people to talk to animals. My reality had already warped and stretched into a vaguely unrecognizable shape. So, then, why couldnít a tiny piece of paper go poof when no one was looking?

Correction: whenI hadnít been looking. Suddenly, I felt as if a million invisible eyes were staring directly at me, that I was the only one who didnít understand what had happened.

Paranoid. Vulnerable. But not crazy.

At home, I frantically searched the car. Still nothing.

I couldnít believe that Peter was making me wait until ten that night. Why had he even made me wait at all? Was this some kind of trick? Why hadnít I suspected so earlier?

Gullible. Na?ve.

Nan found me less than half an hour into my search.ďLunch is getting cold. Granted, the cold cuts were already cold, butÖĒ She stopped halfway down the porch steps and cocked her head to the side. ďWhat are you doing, dear?Ē

ďLooking for something,Ē I mumbled, sweeping my hand beneath the seat for the one-millionth time. ďDid you get my text?Ē

ďWhat text?Ē she asked in obvious confusion.

I sighed.ďNan, you really need to start keeping your phone on you. What if there was an emergency and I couldnít reach you?Ē

Nan skipped down the rest of the steps and thrust her phone in my face.ďYou mean this old thing? Hasnít left my side all day.Ē

I yanked it away from her and entered the top-secret passcode,1-2-3-4. That was probably another thing I should talk to her about when this whole business with Peter was put to rest.ďLook, I sent you a picture ofÖĒ

I opened her recent texts and saw the conversation weíd had a couple days ago, but nothing since then. The text had sent, right?

ďDear, you donít look so good. Come inside and have something to eat,Ē Nan suggested, as was her way.

But I was a woman on a mission. I brought my phone back out and checked my texts, checked my photo stream, checked the Cloud even.

Any indication that the Post-It note had ever existed had now also vanished into thin air. Why? It just said a single word with no context. Itís not like it was something dangerous.

Wait, whatwas that word again?

It seemed that knowledge, too, had been plucked straight from my brain. I wanted to throw up as the realization hit me.

Nan put a gentle hand on my back and guided me into the house.ďEat,Ē she commanded after pulling out my chair and pushing me down into it.

I did my best, but I just couldnít stop thinking about the note, about Peter, about everything. I couldnít wait any longer for answers. I needed to go now and hope that someone would be around who could explain all of this to me.

ďIím just going to go run a quick errand,Ē I told Nan, not wanting to put her at risk in case we were dealing with something dangerous here.

Octo-Cat, according to his rigorously kept schedule, was now napping in the west wing of the house. That meant I could slip away without having to first explain to him why I preferred he not come.

Seizing my chance, I booked it downtown to the place Iíd been fixated on all week. I hadnít tried to enter before, but now I found parking down the block and marched straight up to the presumably vacant building. A polite knock on the front door produced no results, nor did the frantic pounding that followed. I tried to peer in through the window,but everything appeared empty, dusty, uninhabited.

Was Peter just yanking my chain?

Sending me on a wild goose chase rather than giving me any real answers?

But then why the note?

It had seemed he wanted me to know about his abilityóor at least to know that he knew about mineóbut why?

I groaned in frustration and kicked the edge of the building.

ďCome now, Angela. Try to control yourself,Ē Octo-Cat said, appearing at my feet as if from nowhere. He yawned, then swiped a paw across his forehead.

ďWhere did you come from?Ē I asked, shaking my head in disbelief.

He looked bored with me already.ďThe car. Same as you.Ē

No, something didnít make sense here. ďWeíve never had a drive where you havenít clawed the heck out of my lap,Ē I argued, crossing my arms over my chest and glaring at him. ďHow could you have possibly stowed away undetected?Ē

He shrugged his little striped shoulders.ďYouíre improving your skills. Iím improving mine.Ē

ďWell, thatís just great.Ē And, under normal circumstances, it probably would have been, but I was too frustrated about all the non-answers floating around when it came to Peter, his Post-It, and now this building, too.

I pulled on the door handle, but it didnít budge. With another massive groan, I slapped the edge of the building and bit back a scream. Now my hand and my foot hurt from abusing this stupid brick fa?ade, yet I was no closer to figuring things out than I had been before stupid Peter came to stupid town. Grrr.

Octo-Cat lay on the sidewalk with his face hidden beneath both paws.ďYouíre embarrassing me,Ē he ground out.

Great, great, great.I threw my hands up and charged down the block, back toward my car.

ďWait!Ē he called after me, running a short distance and then stopping at the alley. ďWe can still check the other sides, right?Ē

Darn it, he was right. I took a deep breath, then turned back his way.

Down the alley there was only a single door partially obscured by an overflowing dumpster. I lifted my hand and made a fist, but then hesitated. What would I find inside? Once I knew the truth, there would be no going back. Was I ready for that?Really ready?

ďWell, go ahead and get it over with already,Ē Octo-Cat said gently.

I knocked so lightly, the sound barely even reached my own ears.

But a voice immediately answered from the other side.ďPassword?Ē it demanded.

Password? Peter hadnít said anything aboutÖ

ďClaw,Ē I said before my brain had even finished connecting the dots.

The door opened.

Chapter Eight

The man who opened the door was slight and gangly with a massive array of freckles scattered across his pale face. Definitely not the type one would expect to see in the role of security forÖ

What was this place?

I squinted my eyes and strained to see in the dank lighting. The inside looked very much the same as the outsideóall brick andblah.

ďWho sent you?Ē the bouncer asked, guiding us down the long staircase. His eyes shone a beautiful shade of green Iíd never seen beforeóand not just in nature, but had truly never glimpsed under any context.

ďPeter Peters,Ē I muttered, searching the big, empty space, but seeing nothing beyond the guard in front of me and Octo-Cat at my feet.

The guard shook his head and wrinkled his nose in a way that suggested perhaps he also didnít think much of Peter. ďHeís not due in until later tonight, but go ahead and have a seat if you want. Youíre welcome to have a drink while you wait.Ē

I scanned the room again, wondering how I could have missed something as large as a bar in my previous glance about.ďUm, where?Ē I asked nervously when I was still only met by dust and dirt and cobwebs.

The guard jabbed me in the ribs playfully, but it still hurt.ďHa ha, good one.Ē

I let out an awkward laugh, truly not knowing what I should say next. Should I ask how he knew Peter, or would it be better to inquire about how the door had just magically appeared in the alleyway earlier?

ďWho are you, and what is this place?Ē Octo-Cat asked the guard, shifting his weight from one side to the other, clearly unnerved by the filth of our current surroundings.

Our strange host answered him directly.ďIím Moss OíMalley. Havenít you ever been to the lair before?Ē If youíre keeping count, thatís now at least three of us who could talk to Octo-Cat. I definitely wasnít alone, not anymore.

ďCanít say that we have,Ē I answered for the both of us, pointing at my chest emphatically. ďAt leastI havenít.Ē

ďMe neither,Ē Octo-Cat supplied.

Moss stiffened.ďYou did say Peter sent you, right?Ē

We both nodded, eager to learn more.

ďWhat would that dog want with you two?Ē

I ignored Mossís strange choice of words and also the fact that he seemed to be edging back toward the stairs.

ďThatís personal, IóĒ I began.

ďClearly she can talk to animals, doofus,Ē my very unhelpful tabby interjected. He lived by one simple motto:when in doubt, add an insult.That didnít seem to be a good plan right about now. We were both in over our heads with Moss and his strange lair here.

Mossís attention shot back toward me, and he sniffed. ďBut you donít see the bar over there?Ē He pointed a shaking finger toward the far corner of the room.

I followed with my eyes, but still saw nothing beyond the empty, dirty basement.ďWellóĒ I began.

But before I could come up with a good excuse, Moss pushed me back up the stairs with surprising strength.ďJust forget you ever saw this place, okay?Ē he said after tossing both me and Octo-Cat into the alley. Next he did something strange with the fingers on one hand and then slammed the door shut before either of us could demand an explanation.

Octo-Cat twitched and flicked his tail.ďThat fool manhandled me. My precious coat is a mess!Ē

ďWhat just happened?Ē I asked breathlessly, watching in disbelief as the outline of the door faded into the brick wall right before my eyes.

ďA little help here?Ē Octo-Cat cried, and I crouched down to help straighten his fur.

ďHeÖ he scruffed me,Ē my poor cat sputtered in tears. ďScruffed me!Ē

ďIím so sorry,Ē I whispered, glancing back toward the door but finding that same unforgiving swatch of bricks where it had once been.

ďCan weÖĒ Octo-Cat let his words trail off and then sighed heavily. ďCan we just head home? I need to be in my own environment for a while.Ē

I still didnít know what had just happened. Would it have been different if weíd waited until ten like Peter had asked?

It was tough to say. We may have gotten more answers, but we also might have gotten ambushed. Moss hadnít told us much, but heíd made it clear that he also didnít much care for Peter. Maybe we should initiateOperation: the Enemy of my Enemy is my Friend. If Nan was here, thatís surely what she would suggest.

But how could I get more out of Moss when I had no way of reaching him again? If I came back tomorrow, might I find the door again? Would Moss let me back inside? Or might a different guard welcome us to the lair? Would I be able to pretend I knew and saw everything?

Neither of us said a word on the short drive back home. As soon as I dropped Octo-Cat off at the manor house, I headed back into town to do some more reconnaissance on the mysterious underground lair. On my first drive through downtown, I accidentally passed it and had to turn around and track back.

It seemed a pretty silly mistake, one Iíd probably made due to the fact my mind was still reeling from the earlier encounter with Moss.

I willed my brain to be quiet and focused hard, but still, I somehow managed to pass by it again.

Frustrated, I parked my car on the street in a sloppy parallel job, then went to search on foot.

An hour passed.

Two.

And still I could not find the lair again.

ďIím not crazy,Ē I muttered to myself. ďIím not.Ē

I checked in at home for dinner, then came straight back to town so that I could wait nearby for Peter. He said heíd be here at ten, that we could talk, andómost importantlyóthat heíd have answers.

People passed me on the street, shooting questioning glances my way, but I didnít care. I needed to know what was going on with me, now more than ever.

Nine oíclock came.Just one more hour to go.

Nine thirty.

Nine forty-five.

Ten came and went with no sign of Peter.

At five after, police sirens erupted in the quiet night. They grew louder and louder until the red and blue flashing lights were right upon me.

For a moment, I worried that I was about to be arrested for loitering, but the cop car flew right past me and stopped a couple blocks away. Now I had a choice to makeócontinue to wait for Peter or go investigate.

With one longing glance back toward where the lair should have been, I put my head down and jogged down the street to meet Officer Bouchard as he climbed out of his police cruiser.

ďWhat happened?Ē I cried, short of breath despite the fact Iíd only jogged a couple blocks. If only I could be in as good of shape as Nan. Maybe when this was all said and done, I could ask about accompanying her to that Zumba class she was always raving about.

My friendly neighborhood policeman just shook his head.ďGot called about a robbery in progress, but the door is still locked and thereís no sign of forced entry.Ē

I peered into the lit up storefront, an upscale bridal boutique that folks from all across Blueberry Bay visited when they were ready to tie the knot. Nobody was inside.ďWhere did the robber go?Ē

Officer Bouchard shook his head again and turned to me.ďYouíre on foot. That means you were nearby, right? Did you see anyone? Anyone at all?Ē

ďNo. Sorry.Ē I frowned, wishing I had a different answer for him.

The officer let out a frustrated sigh and raked a hand through his overgrown hair.ďThird time this week weíve had a call like this. The security tapes always show up empty, but sure enough, the registers and safes are cleaned out. Iíd say it was all for showóyou know, insurance fraudóbut it keeps happening. For the life of me, I canít figure out how.Ē

I sucked in a shaky breath, choosing to keep quiet even though I had a sneaking suspicion the lair might somehow be involved with all of this.

I was well past beginning to suspect I wasnít the only one in Glendale with a super power. Yes, Peter I already knew about, but how many others stood hidden in plain sight as they went about their daily lives? My talking to animals was innocent enough, but what could others do? Could they make whole buildings disappear? Commit a burglary without leaving a trace? Murder someone without ever being suspected?

I gulped down the giant lump that had formed in my throat.ďIím sure thereís a perfectly logical explanation,Ē I told Officer Bouchard, praying my words would prove true, but also knowing that they wouldnít.

They couldnít. We were so past normal at this point, we werenít even in the same zip code.

Octo-Cat and I had taken on murderers more than once, but those were just regular, everyday people. Bad people, absolutely. But stillregular.

What would happen when we found this mysterious new breed of magical criminal?

We wouldnít stand a chanceÖ

Chapter Nine

Over the weekend, I spent some time reading news articles and social media posts about the recent rash of burglaries in downtown Glendale. Sure enough, the reports matched up exactly with what Officer Bouchard had told me. I also cruised through downtown a few more times hoping to spot the lair or to run into Moss again. Of course, that plan failed spectacularly.

ďWhy are you so bothered about this?Ē Octo-Cat asked me when we snuggled into bed Sunday night. ďThe building vanished and the mean scruffer guy went with it. Theyíre not here anymore and thusÖĒ He paused for emphasis and licked his chest. ďNot our problem.Ē

Maybe my cat didnít think all these strange goings-on were his problem, but I definitely considered them mine. Nothing bad would happen to him if people found out I could talk to him. I was the one in possible danger here, and it hurt that this failed to concern him.

Rather than sharing my hurt feelings, I decided to take a different approach to get him back on my side.ďArenít you at least a little bit curious about how a whole building could just up and vanish like that? Donít you want to know what happened?Ē

Octo-Cat lifted a leg over his head and began to lick parts that would be better tended to in private.ďCuriosity killed the cat,Ē he mumbled by rote. ďAnd seeing as I only have five lives left, Iíd rather not take too many chances.Ē

It always weirded me out when he talked like this, and given Octo-Catís flair for dramatics, it was hard for me to tell whether he was being serious or not. ďHave you really died four times before?Ē I asked him quizzically. ďI have a hard time believing that.Ē

He lowered his leg, then stretched in a long arc with a satisfied mew.ďIt doesnít matter what you believe. All that matters is whatís the truth. And whether you can do anything about it.Ē

I contemplated this for a few moments. It seemed intelligent, even though it didnít satisfy my intense need to understand. ďThat makes sense,Ē I said at last. ďI know youíre over it and everything, but do you have any idea what happened with the lair on Friday?Ē

ďSure I do.Ē He rolled onto his back and wiggled around a bit. For all his complaints, heíd been doing a lot of that happy rolling about lately.

ďWell,Ē I demanded impatiently. ďAre you going to keep it to yourself or will you just tell me already?Ē

He flopped back onto his side and twisted his mouth in a grimace.ďI can tell you, but youíre probably going to fight me on it.Ē

ďWhy would IóĒ

ďMagic,Ēhe said, cutting me off mid-sentence.

Well, that was a bit surprising, but not altogether unexpected, given recent events.ďMagic? Could you maybe be more specific, please?Ē

ďMmm, no. Probably not.Ē He yawned and offered me a little shrug. ďI donít really know more than that.Ē

Honestly, the fact he knew anything at all surprised me. Now that I knew he had at least some intel, I was dying to hear more. I had to play this carefully, though. If I got too excited, my cat would punish me by simply walking away from the conversation until I got a hold of myself.

ďBut you say magic was involved?Ē I asked without making eye contact as I dragged my fingers across the soft comforter on my lap. ďDoes that mean you believe in magic?Ē

ďPlease refer back to my previous statement about belief versus truth,Ē Octo-Cat answered drolly, then waited while counting under his breath. Was he actually giving me time to revisit our earlier conversation? His arrogance truly knew no bounds.

ďOkay,Ē I said, trying to hide my annoyance. ďPlease continue.Ē

He nodded appreciatively.ďThank you. And, yes, magic is real. Although itís also very rare. And before you can ask, I know because some cats can see the traces it leaves behind. Not me, mind you. Just some other, less cool cats.Ē

Unbelievable.I shook my head and suppressed a sigh.ďSo this whole time youíve known magic is real and youíve never said anything to me? You can spend hours telling me about your napping routine, but never once thought to mention magic?Ē

Octo-Cat stood up and arched his back defensively.ďIf youíll recall, I mentioned magic on our very first meeting. Back when you were still trying to figure out how we can talk to each other. You told me thereís no such thing as magic, and so I dropped it.Ē

I thought back to that day so many months ago, andÖhe was right!He was absolutely, unmistakably right. But heíd never been one to drop anything, so why would he have let something so important slip away?

Octo-Catís golden eyes glinted as he studied me. ďI know what youíre thinking, and the answer isno.I donít think you should mess with this more than you already have. Iíve already gotten scruffed once. What further proof do you need that these guys donít play fair?Ē

ďAm IÖ?Ē I hesitated. This was a hard question to ask, a hard possibility to come to grips with. ďAm I like them?Ē I asked at last, my voice shaking.

Octo-Cat rolled over on the bed and laughed heartily.ďLike them? What do you mean by that? Do you think youíre some kind of wicked witch now just because you can talk to the great Octavius Maxwell Ricardo Edmund Frederick Fulton? Mind you, thatís no small thing, butÖĒ He broke apart in full-on laughter, rolling from side to side in glee.

My patience had more than grown thin by now. Once again, my cat had important information, information that I needed to solve a case. Yes, once again, he was being a brat about sharing it with me.

Finally, he sobered enough to say,ďThereís no such thing as witches or wizards, so drop those fictional stereotypes from your mind. Mmmíkay?Ē

ďButóď

ďBut thereis magic,Ē he stated again. ďI donít know much more, because Iím not someone who has any.Ē

I pointed to myself, jaw hanging open. My lips simply couldnít form the words.

Octo-Cat shook his head. Magic or not, he clearly understood me.ďAnd neither are you. Yeah, somebodyís magical residue probably rubbed off on you or something. Hey, try not to look a gift cat in the mouth.Ē

ďSo, what do I do?Ē I sputtered. My cat had just revealed a whole new hidden world, and my brain was racing a thousand miles an hour to keep up.

Magic was real. Whoíd have ever guessed it? Certainly not me.

ďYou?You do nothing. Me?I do nothing. Just forget we had this talk, okay?Ē He jumped off the bed and left the room, thus ending the conversation. Why was he being so cagey? Did he know more than he was letting on? Would he be willing to talk if I tried bringing up the topic later?

Unfortunately, you just never knew when it came to Octo-Cat.

My only hope now was that Peter would be more forthcoming when I approached him tomorrow at work.

[ ŗūÚŤŪÍŗ: img_3]

Peter beat me to the office the next morning and appeared deeply involved with something on his computer screen when I entered.

ďHey,Ē I said halfheartedly by way of good morning. Something told me Iíd do best to approach him like I would Octo-Cat.Carefully.

ďHey,Ē he mumbled back without so much as a glance my way.

ďWhat happened Friday night?Ē I asked casually as I made my way toward our desk.

Peter burst out of his chair and clapped a hand over my mouth, scaring the wits out of me in the process.ďDonít,Ē he warned before peeling back his fingers one by one. ďJust donít.Ē

ďBut I waited for you,Ē I argued with a steely gaze. He could act weird all he wanted, but I wasnít going to be frightened offóat least not until I finally got the answers heíd been keeping just out of my reach.

He shrugged, returning to his normal disinterested affectations.ďYeah, well, something better came up.Ē

ďOkay,Ē I said slowly, pausing to take a slow, shuddering breath. If I lost my cool, weíd get nowhere. Whatever game Peter was playing, I needed to play it, too. ďCan we try again some other time?Ē I asked sweetly.

ďStop acting like a scorned lover,Ē he spat. ďIt isnít flattering.Ē

ďButóĒ

Peter raised his hand and made the same odd gesture that the bouncer at the lair had made just before the door disappeared. I watched, mesmerized.

It made me feel happyóno, not happy,content.

Good.

Satisfied.

Ahh.

Someone cleared her throat from across the room, and I turned toward Bethany with a goofy smile planted on my face.

ďAngie, a word in my office, please?Ē Despite the kindness of her words, she did not sound happy. Didnít look it, either.

ďWhatís going on with Peter?Ē she demanded after Iíd eased the door shut behind me.

I shrugged. My body still felt light, my mind fuzzy. It took me a little bit to come up with an answer.

Then I remembered.

Peter.I hated that guy.

ďHeís annoying, and I wish you hadnít hired him,Ē I said with a scowl. All my earlier elation was now gone.

Bethany regarded me suspiciously from behind her desk.ďAnything else?Ē

This was it. Someone was finally willing to listen to my misgivings when it came to Peter Peters. Only I couldnít exactly remember what they were.

Bethany tapped her fingers on the desk and raised one perfectly groomed eyebrow.ďWell?Ē

ďNothing specific,Ē I said, wondering why it seemed all my recent memories had fallen clear out of my brain. ďI just donít like him.Ē

A smile washed across her face, replacing the anxiety that had been there only seconds earlier.ďGood,Ē she said, and then, ďThank you, Angie. That will be all.Ē

I had no idea what was going on or why the conversation bothered me so much. Why did my head still feel like it was full of cotton?

Maybe I was coming down with some kind of cold.

Or maybe PeterÖ

No.

No way.

I felt like the answer lay just along the edges of my mind, but no matter how I strained, I couldnít break through the barrier to retrieve it.

Maybe the inevitable had finally occurred.

After months of talking to my cat, Iíd now completely lost my mind once and for all.

Chapter Ten

ďHow was Peter today?Ē Octo-Cat asked over lunch. Normally he slept straight through our afternoon meal, but today Nan had prepared a tiny saucer of clam chowder for him, too, so that he could join us at the table.

My day up until that point had been completely unremarkable, which made it all the more unnerving that my cat seemed to expect me to share some wild, juicy gossip.ďFine,Ē I answered slowly, still not knowing what else he expected me to say. ďWhy are you asking about Peter?Ē

Octo-Cat stopped lapping his soup and stared at me aghast. Droplets of cream clung to his fur, but he didnít seem to noticeóor at least not to mind. ďWhat do you meanwhy? Remember his visit here? Our trip downtown to the lair? Any of that ringing a bell for you?Ē

ďThe lairÖĒ That sounded familiar. Didnít IÖ? ďOh, right!Ē I shouted as it all came rushing back.

ďWhatís the lair?Ē Nan asked from her spot at the head of the table.

ďHow could you forget?Ē Octo-Cat cried as he continued to study me with a worried expression. ďIt was seriously all you could talk about this weekend!Ē

I dipped my spoon into my soup and watched the steam rise before me.ďToday was weird,Ē I said at last. Then to Nan, ďThe lair is what was at the address Peter gave me. Or, at least it was, until it disappeared.Ē

ďAnd you were talking about it all weekend but didnít once mention it to me?Ē She seemed hurt and intrigued in equal measures. It wasnít easy to upset Nan, which meant I felt extra crummy whenever I managed to do so.

ďIím sorry. I didnít think it was safe, but I canít exactly remember why,Ē I tried to explain, but kept coming up short.

ďWow, they really did a number on you,Ē Octo-Cat said with a low growl. ďI didnít think it was worth investigating, but if theyíre working this hard to mess with your memory, maybe it is.Ē

My memory?Is that why my brain had been so fuzzy today? In a way it made sense, but people couldnít really just make someone forgetóat least not outside the movies. ďYou think they wiped my memory?Ē I mumbled as Octo-Catís eyes continued to bore into me.

ďUh, yeah!Ē he cried with an agitated swish of his tail.

ďWhoís they?Ē Nan asked gently.

I looked to Octo-Cat for the answer.

ďMagic folk,Ē he spat in disgust.

ďMagic?Ē I asked with a start. Had we already discussed this? Was I again forgetting something important?

ďMagic!Ē Nan shouted in delight. ďHas magic finally come to Blueberry Bay?Ē

Now we both zeroed in on Nan.ďYou know about magic?Ē I squeaked. Had I been the only one in the dark here?

She laughed it off.ďNo, but Iíd like to. It sounds fun.Ē

ďNo,Ē I snapped at her. ďPlease donít get involved in this one, Nan. Iím begging you.Ē

She crossed her arms over her chest and stared me down.ďFun or not, where you go, I go. This time, it just so happens to be fun. Now catch me up.Ē

Or really, really dangerous, I mentally added as my stomach did an impressive series of somersaults.

Octo-Cat guided me through the events of the past week, both to refresh my stolen memories and so that I could share with Nan. As he recounted each detail, I instantly remembered them in full. How strange that I hadnít been able to recall anything without his guidance.

ďSo,Ē Nan said, rubbing her hands together as she prepared to sum things up. ďPeter can talk to animals, too. Thereís a magic club downtown that can disappear at will, and someone is using magic to rob the shops downtown blind. Is that everything?Ē

ďWhat do you mean is that everything?Ē I asked. Where earlier my brain had felt light and fuzzy, now it felt heavy from the burden of all this information slamming into it at once. ďItís an awful lot all on its own.Ē

Nan stood abruptly and headed toward the foyer.

ďWhere are you going?Ē I sputtered.Dizzy. I needed to lie down, but I also couldnít let Nan walk into a dangerous situation all on her own.

Luckily, the next thing she said was,ďWe need to go shopping.Ē

ďWhat? Why?Ē I rubbed my temples to try to get the blood flowing to my brain again.

Nan appeared completely unbothered by this strange turn of eventsó rather, she appeared to be genuinely excited. ďI donít have any good outfits for a stakeout, and I doubt you do, either.Ē

ďA stakeout?Ē

ďYes, thatís what I said. Now, are you coming or what?Ē

Nan and I went to Target and bought new outfits, complete with nondescript black skull caps for each of us. She even bought Octo-Cat a tiny black bandana, which I knew for a fact he would despise.

The rest of that evening was spent baking and putting together a custom stakeout kit that included board games, blankets, audiobooks, and other random items meant to help pass the time. I mostly just tried to stay out of the way while Nan prepared for our upcoming adventure.

When night fell, she popped onto her feet, narrowed her gaze, and said,ďItís time.Ē

Honestly, between Nanís spy movie obsession and Octo-Catís legal drama TV addiction, I was burnt out on this stakeout before it even began. Hopefully it would actually lead to some helpful new informationóbut I wasnít holding my breath.

ďWeíll take my car,Ē Nan declared. Her little red sports car was less than discreet, but arguing would get me nowhere, seeing as sheíd already committed to whatever role she planned to play tonight. Maybe a silver-haired female James Bond? I guess that made me the bimbo sidekick.

We parked downtown and sipped on matching thermoses filled with hot chocolate. Octo-Cat complained heartily from his place in the tiny, cramped backseat.

ďWatch for anything suspicious,Ē Nan instructed in a cautious whisper, even though no one was around to hear either of us. ďKeep an eye out for anyone nosing around the lair or entering one of the shops after closing time,Ē she further clarified.

ďHow long are we going to stay out here?Ē I asked with a yawn.

ďAs long as it takes,Ē she answered, her jaw set with determination. ďWe can sleep in shifts if we have to.Ē

Well, that didnít sound fun at all. Hopefully our magical crooks would reveal themselves quickly so we could go home and snag a proper nightís sleep.

Time passed slowly as Nan recounted the plots of all her favorite action flicks. Downtown Glendale slowly stilled as the businesses shut down for the night and people headed home. Other than the odd stray dog that galloped past, no one came or went.Nothing happened.

That is, until something did.

A clanging alarm sounded just down the street, and bright lights flooded the darkness. I recognized the jewelry store at once. Nan wasted no time reversing more than a half dozen parking spots bringing us to idle right in front the shop with the triggered security system. Despite the alarms and the lights, I couldnít see anyone inside.

Officer Bouchard showed up a few minutes later, sirens blaring just as they had Friday night.ďYou again,Ē he said upon spotting me.

ďItís a coincidence,Ē I said, putting my hands up in mock surrender. ďI promise.Ē

ďWe were on a stakeout,Ē Nan said, setting her mouth in a firm line.

ďWe just wanted to help,Ē I said quickly. ďSee if we could catch the robber in action.Ē

ďAnd you brought your cat with you?Ē he asked, spying Octo-Cat through the open car window.

ďIím just really attached to him,Ē I said between clenched teeth as Octo-Cat preened in my peripheral vision. ďBut I didnít see who broke in.Ē

ďThe ownerís on the way,Ē Officer Bouchard explained. ďBut I think itís best that you clear out before he gets here.Ē

Nan tapped her temple and smiled up at the handsome policeman.ďSmart,Ē she said. ďWeíre the only witnesses, so naturally heíll suspect us.Ē

I glanced back toward the lair and thought I saw a dark figure disappear around the alley. I wanted to go investigate but couldnít make Officer Bouchard any more suspicious of us than he already was.

As a compromise, I ducked my head back into the car and spoke in a low hush.ďOcto-Cat, I saw someone or something by the lair,Ē I whispered. ďCan you go check it out?Ē

ďOn it,Ē he said, sneaking out through the open window that faced the street.

ďThank you for your time, Officer,Ē Nan cooed, shameless flirt that she was. ďI know youíre very busy and important, and it always feels nice when you take a little extra time out from your day for us.Ē

ďNo more stakeouts,Ē the cop called after her as he walked away. ďYou hear me?Ē

Nan gave a salute, then sank into the driverís seat.

I pressed the button to roll up the front windows and then whispered,ďStall for a few minutes. Octo-Cat is checking something out for us real quick.Ē

Nan made a great show of fumbling her keys and taking inventory of the various supplies and activities sheíd brought for our big stakeout. When at last Octo-Cat climbed back through the window, she gave a friendly wave and then peeled off into the night.

ďWhat was it?Ē I asked my cat.

ďNothing,Ē he said as if he still had a hard time believing it. ďAbsolutely nothing at all.Ē

How could we have missed everything when it had happened right before our eyes?

It seemed the only thing our stakeout had accomplished is making me even more afraid of the magical forces that had taken hold of my hometown.

Chapter Eleven

The next morning I woke up to Nan wearing a velour jogging suit with the wordsassy written across her tush. A matching pink sweatband pushed her gray curls out of her face, and she held a metallic purple water bottle clutched firmly in one hand.

ďThe stakeout continues?Ē I asked, wiping the sleep from my eyes.

She stretched her arms overhead and then bent to touch her toes.ďIím sure I donít know what youíre talking about,Ē she answered with a wink while stretching both arms to one side and then the other. ďIím just headed into town to do a little exercise. Keeps me young and spry.Ē

ďWell, donít forget to take the cat with you,Ē I said, doing my best to hide the smirk that slithered its way across my face. ďHis harness is on one of the hooks in the laundry room.Ē

I finished getting ready for work, and Nan and I had a quick breakfast together before saying goodbye. Octo-Cat, however, flatly refused to speak to meóthe harness being one of the few things in this world he hated more than dogs. His irritation aside, Nan really did need his help on her investigation. A leashed-up cat might make her a bit of an inconspicuous character, but her snooping would have been obvious even without the cranky feline partner. At least now sheíd have a second set of eyes and ears to help her out.

As for me? I had to go all by myself to face Peter yet again.

Fortunately I, too, had an operative planned for that day. It definitely wasnít like me to keep forgetting, so I grabbed the digital voice recorder Nan liked to use to record her monologues, popped in a pair of fresh batteries, and tucked the device into the corner of my bra. Once at work, Iíd turn it on and record everything that happened that day. I mean, nobody couldtamper with my evidence if they didnít know it was there, right?

God bless my giant boobs. Usually they were just a pain in my back, but today theyíd finally serve some kind of actual purpose. Maybe James Bond had more than one reason for keeping all those ample-bosomed sidekicks around, after all.

Whatever happened next, I was ready. We all were.

That morning, Peter arrived at the firm before I did, a fact that didnít quite feel consistent with the rest of his personality, now that I thought about it. I said hello, then slipped into the bathroom to power on my recorder.

ďDid you have a good night?Ē I asked Peter conversationally when I returned to settle into our shared desk.

He groaned and shifted abruptly in his chair to face me.ďI know you saw me, so cut the BS. What part of drop it donít you understand?Ē

ďDrop what?Ē I asked casually. Meanwhile, my heart thrummed inside my chest. Was I close enough to the truth that heíd finally tell me what he knew?

Apparently not, because his expression grew venomous as he said,ďJust back off, all right?Ē

I folded my arms across my chest in defiance and spun toward him in my twirly office chair. Our knees were less than an inch apart as I leaned even closer and captured Peter with my most determined glare.

ďYouíre the one who pushed me first. Why would you do that if you didnít want to talk aboutÖ?Ē I paused for a brief moment before settling on, ďUm, what we have in common.Ē

He curled both hands into fists, and for a second there, I truly thought he might punch me. But then he sighed, released some of the tension, and whispered,ďThis is not the place to have this conversation.Ē

I had him on edge. That had to count for something. Heck, maybe if I pushed a little harder, heíd teeter right over, yelling all his secrets on the way down.

I refused to let him intimidate me. Instead, I jabbed a finger in his chest and ground out,ďMaybe not, but you stood me up last time we tried to meet somewhere else, and Iím done taking chances.Ē

ďI didnít stand you up,Ē he practically shouted, then took a deep breath and worked hard to compose himself once more. ďI didnít stand you up. Youíre the one who broke the deal by showing up early and bringing the cat with you.Ē

The first crack in his composure had appearedópry, pry, pry!

ďYeah, so what?Ē I said, keeping my eyes fierce, determined. ďThereís nothing wrong with my cat.Ē

Peter laughed bitterly, then pulled his shirt aside to show the deep claw marks from Octo-Catís attack last week.

ďFine, okay.Ē I had to fight hard to keep my smirk at bay as I studied the stillred skin. ďSo, letís start again.Ē

ďNo,Ē Peter said, turning his chair away from me and pretending to focus on the computer. I could still see him watching me from the corner of his eye, though.

I reached across and shut off his monitor with a humph.ďYes,Ē I insisted.

ďIf Iíd have known you were this much trouble, I never would haveóĒ He stopped abruptly, catching himself before he could get to the climax of that particular sentence.

ďNever would have what?Ē I demanded, leaning even closer. His cloying cologne filled my nostrils, and we were now so close I could have kissed him if I wanted. Not that Iíd ever want anything more from Peter than a few answers.

ďForget it,Ē he said, his voice shaking as his face began to turn the same shade of red as the claw marks on his chest.

I poked him again, showing him that I couldnít simply be brushed aside with broken promises and non-answers. ďYeah, you tried to make me forget, didnít you? But Iím not as pliable as you think I am.Ē

ďWill you just shut up?Ē Peter squeaked, his eyes widening in obvious terror. After clearing his throat, he leaned in close and whispered in my ear, ďStop prying into my secrets. Otherwise, I might just have to share yours with all of Blueberry Bay. You got me?Ē

I nodded slowly, not knowing whether he was bluffing or dead serious but also preferring not to find out. It didnít matter, though, because he did that wavy finger thing under the desk and suddenly I just didnít care anymore.

It wasnít until I got home that evening that I remembered about the digital recorder Iíd stashed in my bra. Thank goodness for my tendency to whip that thing off the moment I stepped through the door.

ďDid you get some good scoop during your walkabout?Ē I asked Nan when I found her putting the finishing touches on lunch in the kitchen.

She rolled her eyes, but smiled.ďNothing yet, but weíll be back out there tomorrow.Ē

Octo-Cat huffed.ďMaybe she will, but Iím done. Please tell me you got something out of Peter today.Ē He looked up at me with huge pleading eyes, and I wish I had a better answer for him thanI donít remember.

ďI have this recording,Ē I said, holding up the small item Iíd palmed after finding it in my bra.

ďOh, goodie!Ē Nan cried. ďThe perfect dinner theater.Ē She tilted her head to the side and let out a chuckle. ďOnly for lunch.Ē

I laughed, too, and flipped on the recorder, hoping Iíd managed to catch something good. Thankfully, it was only a matter of minutes before Peterís and my conversation from earlier that morning played back through the tiny speaker.

Some of the words were drowned out by the rustle of my shirt fabric, but the message still came through loud and clear. Peter knew that I knew something, and he was terrified of me finding out anything more.

ďAll right,Ē Octo-Cat said following Peterís final whispered threat. ďIím taking the lead on this one.Ē

ďWait. What do you mean?Ē I sputtered. Octo-Cat had never taken the lead before, and the fact he wanted to now scared me worse than anything Iíd seen yet. ďWhatís your plan?Ē

He sat before me on the table, flexing the claws on one of his front paws and staring at them with delight.ďIím sure you already know that cats are great at everything. And, lucky for you, Iím even greater than most cats. But do you know what Iím greatest at?Ē

I shook my head, hoping he would just get on with it. Octo-Cat considered himself the greatest genius and talent of our time, so he could literally be talking about anything right about now.

ďStalking my prey,Ē he answered with a sinister smile. ďI smell a rat, and you better believe Iím going to make him my dinner.Ē

I continued to stare blankly at Octo-Cat, not sure whether he was done or what heíd even meant by the things heíd said so far.

He sighed and rolled his eyes.ďPeter. Iím talking about Peter.Ē

ďYouíre going to eat him?Ē I ground out, trying so hard not to laugh.

ďNo, itís justÖĒ The tabby groaned. ďI was going for a poetic moment there and you kind of ruined it. Can you please get with the program already?Ē

ďYes, sorry,Ē I murmured, then waited as he went through his entire speech again. When he got to the part about smelling a rat and making it his dinner, I brought a hand to my chest and pretended to swoon.

ďMy hero,Ē I said overdramatically.

Octo-Cat smiled proudly.ďAnd donít you forget it.Ē

Oh, of all the things Iíd forgotten lately, this was one thing Iíd never be able to erase from my memoryóno matter how much I might want to.

Whatever his plan, I just hoped that my catómy heroówould be safe.

Chapter Twelve

That evening Octo-Cat sent me out for a bit of last-minute shopping. Heíd requested an Apple Watch, of all things. Now, if you think people can be snobby about their preference for Macs, multiply that by one hundred and youíll have a good sense of how devoted my tabby was to his particular electronics brand of choice.

Sometimes I regretted ever giving him that iPad.

Of course, I had to drive to the next town over to reach the closest big-box electronics store, and I may have gotten laughed at by the employee whoíd been assigned to help me.

ďYou want an Apple Watch for your cat?Ē he asked incredulously for the third time that conversation. Seemed he thought I was too stupid to understand the question.

I decided to offer a bit more of an explanation to help get us past the whole laughing and customer-shaming episode.ďYeah, I need to attach it to his collar so I can track where he goes when heís outside.Ē

ďAnd it has to be Apple?Ē he asked, gasping for air between laughs. ďThere are way cheaper options that are made specifically for pets.Ē

My brow pinched in frustration. Clearly, this man had never been owned by a cat.The poor oaf.

ďMy cat really prefers Apple products whenever possible,Ē I answered quietly, hoping that we wouldnít attract any other clueless employees before my purchase was made. ďCan we please just hurry?Ē

ďYeah, sure. Thereís a slight problem, though.Ē He stopped laughing and offered me a piteous expression. ďThe current generation of Apple Watches have to be tethered to a phone in order to work long range.Ē

ďMeaning?Ē

ďMeaning it wonít work for what you want,Ē he explained somewhat impatiently.

I glanced around the emptying store. Soon closing time would be upon us, which meant I needed to make a relatively quick decision. I could cater to my catís egoóor to his safety. You may think the correct choice would have been obvious, but it was a harder decision than you could possibly imagine.

ďOkay, show me the pet GPS units,Ē I decided aloud.

The worker smirked as he led me over to a glass case at the end of the aisle where weíd been standing this whole time. I chose the one that looked most like it could be an Apple product and pointed to where it sat inside the display case.

ďOoh. Great choice,Ē the worker said with a nod of affirmation. ďItís our best reviewed model.Ē

ďYeah, thatís great,Ē I said dismissively before lowering my voice and saying, ďIíll slip you a twenty if you can help me with something.Ē

He put both hands up and took a giant step back.ďI hope youíre not trying to bribe me so that Iíll steal from my store.Ē He lowered his voice, came back beside me, and leaned in close. ďNot saying I wonít do it. Just that the price has to be right.Ē

ďWhat? No.Ē I searched around for the security cameras, which were of course trained right on us. ďI already told you, my cat is really committed to Apple products. So, do you maybe have a leftover sticker or something we can use to cover up the real logo and replace it with Appleís?Ē

His eyes widened with surprise. Yup, heíd definitely never been owned by a cat. ďUm, maybe,Ē he mumbled as he glanced around for an escape route.

ďListen, I know I sound crazy. I promise Iím not.Ē I smiled, hoping heíd see just how harmless I really was. ďNot that it even really matters,Ē I continued quickly. ďCan you please just help me make this look like an Apple product?Ē

After a little more back and forthóand ultimately raising the bribe to forty dollarsóthe worker agreed to help. By the time I was done, I had a passable new accessory for Octo-Cat that I decided Iíd tell him was the new Apple Pet. I stashed the instruction manual in my glove compartment and tossed the box in the trashcan outside. Iíd just tell him it was the floor model, that weíd gotten the very last one.

Heíd like that, the whole exclusivity of his new toy.

Sure enough, my cat was overjoyed when I presented him with his new collar charm that evening.ďThe Apple Pet. Wow,Ē he cooed. ďItís even more beautiful than I ever could have imagined.Ē

ďAnd youíre one of the very first to get one,Ē I added, ignoring the fact that heíd probably be the only cat ever with this particular Frankenstein of a GPS tracker.

Nan helped us test it out by watching the tracker on her phone while I drove Octo-Cat around for a few minutes. When we returned she showed me the exact path weíd driven mapped out on her phone. It looked like everything was in place for his big solo mission.

ďBe safe,Ē I said the next morning, unable to resist the urge to give him a big hug and a kiss between his ears.

ďAngela, really,Ē he ground out while wriggling free of my arms. ďThe Apple Pet offers the latest state-of-the-art technology. Combine that with my superior intellect, agility, and stamina, and weíll have this case solved by sundown.Ē

I almost felt bad lying to him but knew heíd do better thinking he had Apple on his side. The plan was for him to drive with me to work that morning and then hang around outside the office, hidden among some bushes. Later, heíd slip into Peterís car when he came out at the end of his shift and secretly accompany him to wherever he decided to go that evening.

I personally hoped it would be the lair.

Nan and I both had the app on our phones so that we could follow Octo-Catís location, and Iíd also told him that I would pick him up at midnight, no matter where he was or what was happening at the time. I refused to leave him unassisted for the entire night, especially since Peter appeared more than a little bit unstable judging by all the interactions Iíd had with him so far.

ďAre you sure?Ē I asked him one more time as we pulled into the tiny parking lot outside the firm.

The determination in Octo-Catís gaze didnít waver. ďOf course Iím sure. You need me.Ē

ďYes,Ē I repeated. ďI need you. So, please be careful and make sure you come home safe.Ē

ďAngela, IÖĒ His voice cracked and he bowed his head, then he dragged his sandpaper tongue along my hand in a quick show of affection that practically melted my heart.

ďNothing of this later,Ē he whispered while waiting for me to open the door and set him loose.

I was too stunned to say anything more as I watched him trot away and take cover in the greenery around my office.

After a deep, calming breath, I headed into the office and fought back my urge to start checking the app right away. Nan had eyes on him, too. He would be okay.

Of course, Peter came into work late for the first time since Iíd known him. Those forty-odd minutes of thinking our plan would have to wait another day just about killed me, too. When Peter finally did show up for work, he studiously ignored me, even going so far as to pop some earbuds in as an excuse not to talk to me.

Well, that suited me just fine.

I waited as patiently as I could for my half-shift to end, then raced home and sat with Nan as we both watched the unblinking dot that represented Octo-Catís location on our phones.

ďOh, itís moving!Ē Nan shouted later that afternoon while we were both enjoying a cup of hot tea with homemade cookies to top off the light snack. Sure enough, the little dot had left the office and was now crawling down Main Street.

I glanced at the time displayed on the top of my phone screen.ďBut itís too early,Ē I protested. ďPeter is supposed to work until five.Ē

ďNot today, it seems,Ē Nan said with a halfhearted shrug. Her eyes, however, shone with excitement as she watched the little dot continue its journey.

In fact, we both fell silent as we tracked the dot along the screen. It turned down a series of side roads before finally coming to a stop.

ďZoom in,Ē I told Nan. ďWhat address is that?Ē

She clicked the dot, and the app gave us the exact street and house number.

ďThat must be where he lives,Ē I said, taking a quick picture of the screen in case we needed this information for later. ďGood to know for future.Ē

ďWhat if he just does a Netflix and chill?Ē Nan asked, worry lining her aged forehead.

ďWho told you about Netflix and chill?Ē I asked in horror.

Nan waved a hand dismissively.ďOne of the guys at Bingo. He said itís what all the kids are doing these days. Iím glad youíd rather read than rot your brain with all that TV.Ē

I nodded and hid a smile behind my hand. It was best that Nan stayed innocent as long as I could keep her that way.

Unfortunately, it looked like she was rightóat least when it came to what she assumed sheíd meant earlier. The dot remained idle for hours. Poor Octo-Cat must have been going out of his mind just sitting there and waiting for Peter to do something skeezy.

I yawned more than once, wondering if Nan and I would have to take shifts to watch the unmoving dot until it was finally time to go and retrieve Octo-Cat at midnight.

How unthrilling andóeven worseóunhelpful.

I had all but declared todayís mission a bust, when suddenly the dot began to move again.

Chapter Thirteen

ďTheyíre headed downtown!Ē I shouted, recognizing the path after the dot took a few sharp turns and swung back onto Main Street. I grabbed my phone and rushed toward the door, not even taking the time to slip my feet into my tennis shoes properly.

ďIím coming, too, dear,Ē Nan insisted in that sugar-sweet way of hers as she floated over.

ďNo way,Ē I insisted right back, albeit with far more hostility. ďWe need you at home base in case thereís any trouble. Keep watching that dot!Ē I called over my shoulder as I slammed the door shut behind me and made a beeline straight to my car.

If Peter and Octo-Cat were headed toward the lair, then I wanted to be there, too. I kept my phone hooked in its holster and watched the GPS app the entire time I drove. Luckily, Peter made a pit stop, which meant I miraculously managed to beat him downtown. I parked around the corner and then hid myself beside the dumpster in that same alley I now knew led to the magical lair.

I watched breathlessly as the blinking dot approached my location.

Closer, closerÖ

They should have been right upon me now, but I could see neither Peter nor Octo-Cat. Instead, a humongous pit bull burst into the alley and charged straight toward me. I was so shocked by his sudden arrival that it took me a second to realize his sharp and shiny teeth held something clenched between them.

My cat!

Oh my gosh, this abnormally large dog was carrying Octo-Cat by the scruff of his neck, and he looked mad. Tough, too.

ďPlease, Mr. Dog,Ē I said, my voice squeaking even though I wanted to appear as strong as possible in that moment. ďPlease donít hurt us.Ē

The dog locked eyes with me and growled a warning.

I froze in place the way the Girl Scouts had trained me to do in case of a wild animal attack. Would this dog bite me? Kill me? And why was he still clinging so tight to my cat?

The door to the lair opened and the menacing dog hurled Octo-Cat down the stairway. A sickening crack followed as Octo-Cat hit the ground below.No!

ďGet in there. Now!Ē someone growled at me. The voice sounded like Peterís, but it had to belong to someone else, right? Maybe Moss stood nearby just out of sight.

I still couldnít move, although now I was more afraid for Octo-Cat than for myself. Was he okay after that savage fall? What did the dog want with him? And how did it know about the lair?

ďAngela!Ē Octo-Cat cried from the distance. ďAngela, donít! Itís a trap!Ē

Oh, Octo-Cat! He was okay. I wanted to cry for joy, but I still couldnít move.

ďI said get in there!Ē the voice came again, and then the pit bull head-butted me down the staircase. The door slammed shut and disappeared. Even if I finally got my wits about me, I couldnít have escaped if I wanted to.

The pit bull stood seething with rage at the top of the stairs.ďI knew you would be trouble,Ē he said. This time I knew for sure the voice had come from the dog. It was speaking to me, much in the same way Octo-Cat did. But how? How was I understanding him? And why did he sound so much like Peter?

Octo-Cat lay across the room just a few feet from the far wall. He struggled to stand but fell back on his side with a gasp of pain.

ďThought cats were always supposed to land on their feet?Ē the dog taunted us in Peterís voice once again.

ďThatís a low blow and you know it,Ē Moss said, appearing suddenly from the shadows. ďWhatís got your fur in a twist?Ē

ďCaught one of yours creeping about my territory,Ē the pit bull answered with a nod toward Octo-Cat. ďFigured Iíd bring him here and let you deal with him, seeing as heís one of your kind.Ē

Moss tensed, then narrowed his eyes and stared the dog down.ďIím not doing it this way. Show yourself.Ē

I whipped my face back toward the dog, but not fast enough to see whatever transformation had occurred. Now it was Peter who stood crouched on all fours exactly where the dog had been. My eyes bulged and strained, trying desperately to find a way to explain what theyíd just seen.

ďTake a picture,Ē Peter said with a wry smile. ďIt will last longer.Ē

A picture? That wasnít actually a bad idea. I still had my phone clenched in my hand from tracking the GPS app, so I raised it toward Peter andó

He slapped it right out of my hand.ďSeriously? Ever hear of sarcasm?Ē he demanded, curling his lip in disgust.

ďOkay, enough!Ē Moss cried, yanking me away from Peter with surprising strength and lifting me up high so I dangled right in front of his face.ďYou.Iíve met you before. Didnít you say Peter was the one who invited you here in the first place?Ē

I nodded slowly, not breaking eye contact. Although I was still terrified, I knew I stood a better chance of eliciting sympathy from Moss than from Peter. Could I somehow convince him to let us go without further harm? I had to try.

ďYes, yes!Ē I shouted. ďHe told me to come here last weekend, but then he didnít show up!Ē

Moss sucked air in through his teeth.ďThatís bad form, dog. Really bad form.Ē Turning back to me, he said, ďI thought you were one of us. Why are you hanging out withhim?Ē

ďOne ofÖĒ

ďHeís a cat,Ē Octo-Cat informed me with a wheeze. ďI thought I smelled it on him the first time we met, but I didnít know that people could, couldÖĒ

ďBecome animals?Ē Peter asked, changing into a dog again so quick I still couldnít tell how it was done. He rounded on Octo-Cat and raised his hackles. ďNot so tough now are you, big shot?Ē

ďHey!Ē I cried, straining to break free so I could defend my poor, injured kitty. ďLeave him alone!Ē

Moss groaned and set me back on my feet.ďYou know the lair is neutral territory,Ē he said to Peter. ďSo knock it off already.Ē

When I glanced back toward Moss, heíd transformed into a stunning long-haired cat with those same ethereal green eyes.

ďCan you two please stop doing that?Ē Octo-Cat whimpered from his place on the floor. ďItís making me dizzy.Ē

ďAre you okay?Ē I hurried over to him, then knelt down to lift him into my arms.

Octo-Cat allowed me to cradle him to my chest, which heíd never done before.

ďIím fine,Ē he croaked. ďJust down a life is all.Ē

Seeing the intense worry that, no doubt, filled my expression, he let out a dry chuckle.ďHey, donít look so worried. I still have almost half of them left. Just give me another few seconds here and Iíll be back to fighting form.Ē

ďNo,Ē I whispered, pressing my forehead to his and fighting against the hot tears that threatened to spill. ďNo more fights. This stops now.Ē

ďOr what?Ē Peter asked with a sneer as he observed Octo-Catís and my tender moment with thinly veiled hatred.

ďI said knock it off already!Ē When Moss hissed, it sounded like air being let out of old tires. ďWe agreed to work together when it came to Glendale.Ē

ďThen sheís a threat to us both,Ē Peter spat, human again and with his arms crossed tightly against his chest.

Moss studied me with a frown.ďWell, what do you want me to do about it? Lock her up and let the council decide?Ē

Peter gave one emphatic nod.ďYes, thatís exactly what I want you to do.Ē

ďFine,Ē Moss said, returning to his human form faster than a snap. He picked me up and pushed me into the corner of the room. I tried to charge after him but was stuck behind some kind of invisible barrier.

ďHow do you like the fishbowl?Ē Peter asked with an evil smile I wanted to slap right off his cruel face. If I hadnít liked him before, now I outright hated him. I would never be able to forgive him for hurting my best fur friend.

ďWe still donít know who sent her or why, so maybe we should stop antagonizing her until we get some answers,Ē Moss pointed out, though he sounded unsure of the words even as he spoke them.

ďWhatís going on?Ē I cried, still clutching Octo-Cat tightly to my chest. My tears had broken free now and drove down my cheeks in hot trails.

Moss bit his lip, then turned to Peter.ďWe at least need to remove the glamor if weíre going to hold her here. Too long without it and sheíll go crazy. You know that, Peter.Ē

ďFine.Ē Peter snapped his fingers and that old, dank basement suddenly transformed into a posh underground club. Finally, I could see why they called it the lair. Cherry wood paneling lined the walls and the floor had been laid with marble. Sure enough, Octo-Cat and I were in a fishbowl just asPeter had described. The tiny room that imprisoned us was made of glass on two sides and hard wall on the others.

I jumped back to my feet and pounded on the thick glass.ďLet us out!Ē I screamed.

ďNot a chance,Ē Peter said with a sinister laugh. He was definitely enjoying this way too much. Had this been his plan all along? But why go to such lengths to steal my crummy paralegal job?

ďWe canít let you go just yet. Not until the council decides,Ē Moss said with an apologetic shrug.

Again with the council? Who were they? And what would they decide?

I looked past Moss in a frantic search for some kind of escape route. That was when I realized we had an audience.

Chapter Fourteen

The lair appeared to be a boyís club. I didnít spot a single woman among the spectators, although I supposed any of the many cats or dogs could have been female. I sank down in the corner where the two wood walls joined together and tried not to look intimidated by the nightís bizarre turn of events.

After nursing his wounds a bit longer, Octo-Cat slipped out of my arms and began to pace the length of the glass.ďChin up. Donít let them see you break,Ē he instructed, almost as if heíd been imprisoned before. Iíd definitely be asking about his kittenhood once we were free of this whole mess.

ďWhat happened when you were with Peter?Ē I asked quietly, hoping nobody else would be able to pick up on our whispered conversation.

ďOh, Angela. It was all my fault.Ē He turned to me suddenly, immense sorrow reflecting in his normally steady amber gaze. ďEverything would have been fine, but on the drive downtown, Peter took a turn really fast and I couldnít help it. I-I-I-I yowled!Ē

My cat now blubbered in earnest as if realizing for the first time ever that he wasnít actually perfect.The poor thing. This entire experience had to be as life-altering for him as it was proving to be for me, perhaps even more.

Octo-Cat tried to keep a stiff upper lip as he continued, but broke down at several points in his story.ďHe slammed on the brakes and dragged me out by-by-by my scruff, then threw me in the trunk for the rest of the drive. I m-m-made a plan to leap at him and go for the eyes when we stopped, but it wasnít hi-hi-him that opened the trunk. It was the other him.Ē

The dog. I still couldnít believe Peter could change into that pit bull at will. This was the stuff of fairytales, and honestly, it didnít belong in my picture-perfect little coastal town.

ďDid you learn anything good?Ē I asked as I watched my cat continue to pace back and forth. I hated how worked up he was, but also found myself quite relieved that he was moving and talking like normal again.

ďNot until we got here,Ē Octo-Cat answered with a sigh. ďBut Iím afraid I was so out of sorts after I c-c-crashed down the stairs that I missed most of it. AndÖĒ He sniffed hard, then tried again. ďAnd!Ē

He broke down into incomprehensible sobs once again. His shoulders heaved with distress as he struggledóand failedóto get the words out.

ďItís okay,Ē I cooed, tapping my fingers softly on the ground to call him to me. ďYou can tell me anything. Itís not going to make me love you any less.Ē

Octo-Cat trotted up to my side, then turned his face away and mumbled.ďMy new Apple Pet took a lot of the impact and it-it-it… it shattered, Angela!Ē he finished at last.

ďOh, Octavius,Ē I said, using his full first name to help remind him of who he was. I hated seeing him so broken up like this. ďPlease donít worry about that. In fact, if it makes you feel better, that wasnít an Apple at all.Ē

He turned back toward me, his eyes wide now for a different reasonócomplete and unadulterated horror. ďWhat?Ē he demanded.

Oh, no. I was in such a rush to help him that I hadnít thought about how this particular revelation would impact me. I should have just kept my big mouth shut. I guessed now that the cat was out of the bag, thoughÖ

ďIt wasnít Apple,Ē I said again, trapped by the intense scrutiny of his angry gaze. Now I was the one who had a stutter. ďApple Watches n-n-need to be tethered to a phone to work out of range, and I w-wanted you to be safe, soóĒ

ďAngela!Ē he shouted, then evened his voice out and went into full-fledged lecture mode. I hated lecture mode. It meant that he was too angry to even insult me now. ďIf youíd gotten me an Apple like I requested, none of this would have happened in the first place.Ē

ďThatís not fair,Ē I shot back. The way heíd described being discovered by Peter had absolutely nothing to do with any failings of the GPS.

He pressed his ears back flat against his head and stooped toward the ground.ďI canít believe you let me think thatI could have been the one to mess things up so royally. How could you let me doubt myself like that?Ē

I hung my head, properly chastised.ďIím s-sorry.Ē

ďSorry isnít good enough, Angela,Ē he said with a small tutting noise. ďIf you wouldíve followed my very simple, very clear instructions, we wouldnít be in this mess.Ē

At least as I felt worse, he appeared to feel better and better. Perhaps weíd even each other out. ďFine, itís all my fault. Happy?Ē

Octo-Cat shook his head again, slowly this time.ďI thought Iíd trained you better.Ē

ďYou can catch up on my training later,Ē I promised with a giant, unhappy sigh. ďRight now we need to focus on finding a way out of here.Ē

ďWell, thatís easy,Ē he said with a quick shrug.

I scrambled to my feet.ďGreat! Then tell me.Ē

Octo-Cat deadpanned as he revealed,ďThere isnít one.Ē

ďGreat.Ē I let myself sink back to the floor before realizing that maybe I shouldnít just take his word at face value here. ďWhat makes you so sure thereís no way out?Ē

ďMagic,Ē he answered matter-of-factly.

ďI thought you said you couldnít see magic.Ē

ďI canít, but I think maybe now I can feel it a bit.Ē He flexed a paw demonstratively. ďCanít you?Ē

ďWell, IÖĒ I closed my eyes and focused on my breathing, trying to see if I felt any different than I had before weíd entered the lair. I gave it a good try, but ultimately came up short. ďYeahÖ no,Ē I said pathetically, wondering if my catís newfound ability might be all in his head anyway.

Octo-Cat growled and flicked his tail.ďEven so, we just saw one human turn into a dog and another into a cat. We saw this place appear out of nowhere and then get an insta-makeover from dirty dungeon to swanky night club. I think itís safe to say weíre in magical territory now.Ē

He had a definite point.

ďBut what do they want with us?Ē I mumbled, watching Peter as he laughed and joked with a small group of people Iíd never seen before.

ďI donít know.Ē Octo-Cat was back to pacing while Peter paused and looked toward me, victory dancing across his face.

I refused to let him win, especially since I didnít fully understand the stakes. ďHow did Peter even find out about me in the first place?Ē

ďI also donít know that.Ē

I swallowed hard, then asked the toughest question of all.ďAre they going to kill us?Ē

Octo-Cat paused and looked at me over his shoulder.ďWell, they already killed me once, although I donít think that was intentional.Ē

ďDid you really die back there?Ē

He nodded grimly.ďIt was my fifth time.Ē

ďHow did you die the other four times?Ē I asked, having always wondered about this. If we couldnít break out of our magical prison, then at least we could pass the time learning more about each otherís pasts. It seemed we were always so caught up in our current adventures that we rarely hadtime to stroll down memory lane side-by-side.

Octo-Cat plopped down, facing me, and I could tell I was in for a good story that would hopefully take my mind off our current predicament.ďWell, the first time was at the beach. IóĒ

One of the glass panels slid to the side with a swish, cutting off what I was sure would be a riveting tale. Perhaps Octo-Cat would be willing to tell it to me later.

The cat version of Moss slipped through the opening, and the moment heíd crossed the barrier, the glass wall slammed shut again.

ďWhatís going on?Ē I pleaded, remaining seated so that I was closer to eye level with both cats. ďAre you here to help us?Ē

Moss sat by the glass, leaving a large distance between us.ďI canít say for sure, but maybe.Ē

ďMaybe what? Maybe youíll help us?Ē I crawled over to him on my hands and knees, and laughter rose from outside the fishbowl. I didnít care about our audience, though. I only cared about getting help, and Moss still seemed our best chance at that happening.

ďYes,Ē he answered, looking down his nose at me as I scrambled closer. ďBut first, I have some questions.Ē

ďHeís going to interrogate us,Ē Octo-Cat translated, even though I didnít need the help. ďJust like in the order part ofLaw& Order.Ē

Moss smiled, and that small gesture put me at ease. He really was a very pretty catónot that Iíd ever admit that aloud near Octo-Cat.

ďYeah, well, things work a little different when it comes to the council,Ē he said, still smiling although something in his expression had changed.

ďDifferent how?Ē I asked, raising an eyebrow. Slowly, the fear was returning. What did they have planned for us? And how could we get them to change their minds? I no longer much cared about decoding my abilities. These were the new questions I desperately needed answers to.

Moss chuckled, his green eyes boring into mine.

I paused in my tracks and waited for the big reveal.

Finally, Moss stopped laughing and informed us,ďFor starters, weíre not the good guys.Ē

I gulped hard, but nothing I did made me feel any better.

Weíd been captured, and by a shape-shifting magical gang that seemed to show little regard for the rules.

If we died down here, would anyone ever even know?

I was suddenly so thankful that Octo-Catís tracker had broken. At least I knew now that Nan would be safe.

Even if we werenít.

Chapter Fifteen

ďWho do you work for?Ē Moss demanded, turning back toward me sharply.

A cheer rose up from the club. I blinked in horror as I noticed close to a dozen people and animals crowd in toward the glass, each vying for the best spot.Oh, great.Octo-Cat and I had become the unwitting stars of some kind of twisted, magical reality TV program.

ďWe ainít telling you nothing!Ē Octo-Cat shouted, then spat dramatically on the ground. This antic earned him a few polite chuckles from the audience.

ďActually, thereís nothing to tell, seeing as we donít work for anyone,Ē I explained, quietly willing Octo-Cat to ignore the lure of this momentary fame and let me handle things. ďUnless Longfellow, Peters, and Associates counts,Ē I added with a forced calm.

ďPeters,Ē Moss said, rubbing his chin with a paw. ďInteresting.Ē

ďNotthatPeters,Ē I corrected with a quick glance toward the audience. Peter stood just on the other side of the glass, watching with a disturbing hunger in his eyes. ďBethany Peters. Sheís nice.Ē

ďTheyíre all the same, sweetheart,Ē Moss said with a chuckle. Did he know Bethany? Was Bethanyógaspólike him? How could that even be possible?

And why did it feel like everyone else was playing out some kind of old-timey movie? Even Octo-Cat had stars in his eyes now that he realized we had an audience.

Me? I just wanted to get home safe and put this whole ordeal behind me. If it meant never learning the truth about my abilities, then so be it. Iíd rather be alive than informed.

ďAre you really working with the dogs?Ē Octo-Cat asked, then spit on the ground again. When nobody laughed this time, his expression fell.

ďWill you just stop spitting?Ē I demanded with an exacerbated sigh. Now I was equal parts annoyed and terrified. Iíd much preferred being tied up or held at gunpoint as I had in my previous misadventures. At least then Iíd known what I was up against. Here, everyone was crazy and unpredictable, superpowered and spry.

I definitely didnít like my odds, being that I appeared to be the only semi-sane, semi-normal person around.

ďYou can talk to him,Ē Moss pointed out, narrowing his eyes at me as he tilted his head sideways toward Octo-Cat. We were getting nowhere fast, seeing as Moss wanted to revisit all the previously established facts.

ďYes, but you already knew that,Ē I said, raking my hands through my hair in frustration. ďAlso, why does it even matter? Obviously, everyone here can talk to him, too.Ē

ďWho sent you?Ē Moss demanded yet again.

I glowered at him as I explained,ďYouíve already asked that, and Iíve already explained that nobody sent me. Well, except Peter.Ē

ďAre you a double agent?Ē

A lowooh swept through the crowd. Apparently, this was a very important question. Too bad I didnít have the slightest idea how to answer it.

ďWhat? I really have no idea what youíre talking about.Ē

ďShift,Ē Moss demanded, looking from me to Octo-Cat and back again.

ďUm, we canít.Ē I rolled my eyes to show him how ridiculous I found this whole thing.

Octo-Cat spit on the ground again and said,ďNo can do, fuzz.Ē

Oh, jeez.I had really thought heíd remain silent after his last joke was met with zero applause. I already knew the more he spoke, the longer this would take. Luckily, Moss seemed more interested in me than in my cat.

ďShift,Ē Moss said again, raising a threatening paw with claws fully extended.

I didnít even flinch. ďI told you I canít,Ē I said through gritted teeth.

Moss apparently did not like this answer, because he hurled himself at my face and sunk his claws into my cheek.

Peterís voice rose above the others as pain exploded on my cheek. ďHow do you like it now that the tables are turned?Ē

Blood dribbled down onto my shirt, but I was too scared to focus on the pain.ďYou can torture me all you want, but I donít have a different answer to give you,Ē I said through gritted teeth.

ďNobody attacks my human and lives to tell the tale,Ē Octo-Cat shouted, surging forward to tackle Moss.

ďStop!Ē I screamed at them both. Octo-Cat couldnít take a beating so soon after losing that last life. As noble as I found his choice to defend me, this was one fight I knew heíd lose.

ďJust stop!Ē I begged Moss whose teeth were now at Octo-Catís throat. ďIíll tell you everything I know. Itís not much, but Iíll tell you.Ē

Octo-Cat backed away, hackles fully raised, his tail so poofy he looked more like a long-haired breed than his usual tabby self.

ďExcellent.Ē Moss dragged his claws across the cold marble floor as if to remind me he could still do considerable damage, should we step out of line again. ďNow, which one of you is magical?Ē

ďNeither,Ē I answered, throwing my hands over my face defensively. ďI never even knew magic existed until this week, and I couldnít even talk to him until about six months ago.Ē

Moss came closer and stood on his hind legs. He pressed his front paws against my chest and peered into my face as he asked,ďWhat happened six months ago?Ē

ďI got zapped by a coffee maker,Ē I answered breathlessly. My cheek had begun to throb from his earlier attack. More than mad, it made me scared.

ďAnd when she woke up, we could understand each other,Ē Octo-Cat finished for me.

ďThatís rather anti-climactic,Ē Moss said. His voice now had the slightest hint of a twang. If heíd had an accent before, heíd done a wonderful job hiding it. I wondered if the fact it was coming out meant he was every bit as flustered as I felt.

Perhaps Octo-Cat and I could still win this yet.

ďBut you canít shift?Ē he asked for what felt like the millionth time in the span of just a few minutes.

I shook my head so hard it hurt. How could I make himóand the others who were still watching hungrilyóbelieve me once and for all?ďNo,Ē I said with as much emphasis as I could assign to the short, little word.ďAnd I canít do that memory thingy, either.Ē

ďThe memoryÖ Oh.Ē Moss laughed a full-belly laugh, and the room joined in. ďSo, youíre a normie?Ē he asked at last, wiping tears away as he fought off the final throws of laughter. Octo-Cat had never been able to produce tears on demand. I wondered if Moss could because he was really a human.

ďIf that means a normal, ordinary person, then yes,Ē I told him with a stony gaze.

Moss nodded toward Octo-Cat.ďAnd him?Ē

I nodded again.ďTotally normal.Ē

ďExcuse you,Ē Octo-Cat hissed, stomping over to join us. ďIím anything butóĒ

ďShut up!Ē I shouted at him. This was not the time for that overblown ego of his.

ďWhat are you hiding?Ē Moss demanded, turning toward Octo-Cat but still watching me from his peripheral vision.

ďNothing. I swear.Ē

He studied Octo-Cat for a moment before breaking out in an unfriendly smile.ďAh, I get it,Ē he concluded. ďHeís just your average, everyday cat with an unfailingly high opinion of himself.Ē

I let out a breath I hadnít realized Iíd been holding in. ďYes. Exactly.Ē

ďSo, somehow you got hit with magical resonance,Ē he continued.

I couldnít tell whether it was meant to be a question or not. ďSure?Ē

ďAnd thatís why you donít show up on any of our tracking systems,Ē he continued. ďYouíre a non-magical entity with a single magical ability.Ē

I nodded along. This explanation certainly made sense, seeing as I was sure about only two things hereóone, I wasnít magical, and two, I could talk to Octo-Cat.

A collective gasp sounded from the crowd. Why did they find me so interesting, especially when they could all do such extraordinary things themselves?

ďDoes that happen often?Ē I asked, suddenly desperate to understand more.

Moss shook his head.ďNo, it really doesnít. This started six months ago, you say?Ē

I pumped my head in agreement. Finally, someone would tell me the answers. I could feel them bubbling just beneath the surface. Peter hadnít helped me, but Moss would. I just knew it.

ďThatís worrying,Ē he said.

ďWhy?Ē

ďIf you were a true magical person, you would have been born that way. If you were hit with some magical residue, it should have faded within twenty-four hours.Ē

ďSo, what am I then?Ē I asked as my heart hammered away inside my chest.

ďThat depends,Ē he said with a thoughtful expression.

ďOn?Ē I was so close to begging him for more. Couldnít he see how desperately I needed to know?

ďYour cooperation,Ē he answered with a pensive gaze.

Nobody said anything for a few moments until Peter appeared at the edge of the glass.ďYouíre either big trouble,Ē he said with a scowl.

ďOr our greatest weapon,Ē Moss finished, his eyes now shining with an evil joy.

ďNo, no, no. I donít want to be a weapon,Ē I argued, shuffling backward until my back was flat up against the wall.

ďWhat about me?Ē Octo-Cat asked. ďAm I a weapon, too?Ē

ďYou?Ē Moss laughed and shook his head. ďYouíre just an ordinary, everyday tabby cat.Ē

Chapter Sixteen

Octo-Cat took several steps back until he bumped into the glass.ďNo,Ēhe whispered over and over again.ďNo, itís not possible.Ē

The crowd roared with laughter but, despite their glee, I could tell my cat was hurting. Badly.

ďDonít listen to them,Ē I pleaded, pushing myself to my feet so I could go to him.

He flinched at my touch, then bounded out of reach.ďDonít,Ē Octo-Cat said sadly, refusing to look at me.

ďAlways with the dramatics,Ē Peter said, stalking in on all fours to join us inside the fishbowl. He waved one arm in a circle and the glass turned into a shiny opaque surface, cutting off both the sights and sounds from outside.

ďWeíre alone now,Ē Peter confirmed, sitting down on his haunches. His great tongue lolled from the side of his open maw in clear anticipation.

ďIt would be easier for me to talk to you if you were human,Ē I said, clenching my eyes shut tight as I turned away. A part of me still didnít want to believe that any of this was happening.

ďHave it your way,Ē Peter said coldly.

When I opened my eyes again, both he and Moss had returned to their human forms while Octo-Cat remained turned away and sulking in his corner.

ďNow are you going to cooperate or what?Ē Moss asked, his green eyes taking in my every move.

ďOr would you rather do this the hard way?Ē Peter asked. Apparently, weíd returned to their previous good cop, bad cop routine. But I wouldnít be fooled this time. Moss had already admitted that neither of them was good, and thus it stood to reason that neither of them would help us out of the kindness of their hearts. They wanted something, and I just hoped it wouldnít be too high a price to pay.

I bit down hard on my lip as I watched them watch me. And then I couldnít take the studied silence any longer. A million questions weighed on the tip of my tongue, and I let the first few spill out into the open air. ďWhat do you want from me? And if youíre not the good guys, then who are you? Are you going to let us go?Ē

Peter puckered his lips unattractively and made a condescending tutting noise.ďSo many questions when you wonít even answer our one simple request.Ē

ďCooperate,ĒOcto-Cat murmured from across the room. He had his forehead pressed to the wall as if that was the only way he could remain upright. Iíd never seen him like this. Not even close. At this point, I knew I needed to do or say whatever it took to get us out of here, to get him help.

ďFine,Ē I answered, keeping my gaze on that poor forlorn tabby to remind myself why I was suddenly so willing to assist my enemy. ďWhat do you need from me?Ē

ďMoney,Ē Peter said with a smirk. ďLots of it.Ē

I faltered at this. After all this hocus pocus nonsense, were they really only after my money?ďI-I donít have much at present, but if youíll allow me to make monthly payments, I canóĒ

ďNot from you,Ē Moss amended. ďButrather by way of you.Ē

Thatís when all the pieces began clicking into place. Finally, I could see the picture for what it was. ďThe robberies downtown,Ē I murmured, unsurprised that this gang would stoop so low but somewhat disappointed in myself for not figuring it out sooner.

Peter licked his chops even though he was still in human form.ďThe first several were easy, but the jewelry store has a magic-sensing alarm.Ē

ďThatís why you couldnít get in the other night,Ē I said. And thatís why weíd seen those dogs running back and forth through town during our stakeout. All of it, everything fit together so neatly, and Moss had just delivered the tidying bow.

ďHey, try not to judge us too harshly,Ē the cat shifter said with wide eyes. ďIt was invisible, so we didnít know it was there until it was too late.Ē

Oh, I was judging them all right, just not for this reason.ďHow did you get into the other stores?Ē I asked, emboldened by the thrill of this new information.

ďGlamor,Ē Moss said simply as if this one word answered every question. I thought I recalled reading about glamor in one of the fairy books Iíd enjoyed as a kid, but that was back when I hadnít known that magic could be real, that it could also be dangerous.

It explained so much now that I thought about it, though. How the dingy basement had transformed into our current surroundings, how Peter had tampered with my mind on more than one occasion. Was that how they changed into their animal forms as well?

I wanted to know more, but more than that, I just wanted to be free.

ďI donít see how I can help,Ē I said, raising my fingers to my mouth and chomping at the nails to offer myself some sort of small comfort.

ďWell, that partís easy,Ē Moss said, stretching from side to side. ďWe have the code for the human alarm, and youíre not magic so you wonít trigger the magical one.Ē

ďWonít they catch me on the security camera, though?Ē I wondered aloud.

Moss shook his head.ďNot if you send in the cat.Ē

ďI donít want to steal,Ē I argued. Couldnít they see that I was a good person? That, despite the fact that I may have once absorbed some magical resonance, I was nothing like either of them?

That was when Peter snapped at me, lunging closer.ďDo you want to live?Ē

If Moss hadnít caught his arm and pulled him back, I have no doubt heíd have attacked me.

ďJust do it, Angela,Ē Octo-Cat mumbled into the wall. ďItís too late for me, but you can still save yourself.Ē

Oh. My heart broke for him all over again. He was right. I needed to stop dawdling. I could still save us bothóand I would.

ďWhen?Ē I asked, licking my lips.

A giant smile slithered across Mossís freckled face. ďTonight.Ē

ďAnd then youíll let us go?Ē I asked, watching him closely for any sign that he might be lying.

ďYeah, youíre really of no use to us beyond this one thing,Ē Moss said with a quick, reassuring nod.

ďBut if we run into another magical alarm, we just may call on you again,Ē Peter added afterward.

I crossed my arms over my chest and pouted.ďI donít want to be at your beck and call.Ē

ďDo you want everyone to know your crazy little secret?Ē Peter asked, cracking his knuckles so that I would look at his strong fists.

I bit my lip to keep from speaking. I had wanted to keep my ability a secret, but now it felt like the lesser of two evils. If the only thing Peter had over me was threatening to tell, then maybe I should just tell everyone myself.

ďFine,Ē I said through clenched teeth as I motioned toward Octo-Cat. ďIíll do it, but first he and I need some time alone.Ē

ďSo you can plan your escape? No way.Ē Peter transformed back into the dog and bared his teeth at me.

Moss put his hand on top of the pit bullís head. ďYou go. Iíll stay and supervise.Ē

Peter continued to growl, and Moss smacked him upside the head.ďThey may not be magic, but theyíre still cat people. Itís best I handle this. Now get.Ē

Peter whimpered as he shuffled away with his tail tucked between his legs. I would have laughed at the sight if I hadnít still been so scared.

ďI donít get it,Ē I said to Moss, once the opaque glass closed again. ďIf you hate each other so much, then why do you work together?Ē

He sighed as if he didnít like it much more than I did. ďItís part of the truce that the council enacted many years ago.Ē

ďWho is this council you keep talking about?Ē

ďThe court that governs the magic world,Ē he answered, unbothered by all my questions now that Iíd agreed to help carry out their robbery and Peter had left us on our own.

ďThe good guys?Ē I asked hopefully.

Moss nodded.ďYes, the good guys. Bad guys, too, though. In our world, they work together.Ē

I shook my head, unable to understand.ďBut that doesnít make any sense.Ē

ďMaybe not to you, but if the magical world is to survive, we need perfect balance in all we do. The good with the bad. The light with the dark. The fact with the fiction.Ē

ďThe cat with the dog?Ē I asked, cracking a smile.

ďIndeed,Ē Moss confirmed solemnly.

I thought this over, and it did seem to make sense, even though Moss and Peterís world obviously worked differently from the one I knew. ďCould you maybe give us a few moments to talk this out?Ē

We both watched Octo-Cat who still had his forehead pressed against the cold wood of the wall.

ďHe needs me,Ē I explained, keeping my eyes trained on my depressed feline companion the entire time. ďAnd he also needs a pep talk if you want him to have any part of this.Ē

Moss situated himself in the other corner of the room, then looked to the side and mumbled over his shoulder,ďGo ahead.Ē

I walked over to Octo-Cat and sat down beside him.ďRough day, huh?Ē

He let out one sarcastic laugh, then quickly fell silent again.

ďThey donít know you, Octavius. Not like I do.Ē I begged him to understand, to not let them break him. Heíd been through so much beforeótoo much for this to be the thing that finally brought him down.

ďThey said Iím ordinary,Ē he choked out.

ďTheyíre wrong,Ē I said firmly, stroking my hand across his fur.

ďThey can do such amazing things, things I never even dreamt of before,Ē he explained, still unwilling to meet my eyes.

ďBut you can do pretty amazing things yourself. And without any magic to push you over the top.Ē

Finally, he turned toward me so that his cheek rested against the wall.ďAre you saying their magic is a cheat?Ē

ďYes,Ē I said with a huge smile. I loved when he helped to fill in the blanks for me. I could convince Octo-Cat of anything just so long as I appealed to his special brand of cat logic. I bobbed my head in continued agreement.ďDefinitely.Ē

He sniffed and cautioned a glance toward Moss.ďIf theyíre cheating, then they have to be disqualified.Ē

ďYouíre right,Ē I said. I wasnít sure what game we were talking about but figured it must be the competition for best cat in the room or something. ďThey should totally be disqualified.Ē

At last, a small smile played across his lips.ďAnd if theyíre disqualified, then Iím the winner by default.Ē

ďThe best cat in the entire world!Ē I said without missing a beat.

He stood and pushed himself away from the wall.ďOkay, Angela. Iím on board.Ē

We locked eyes and smiled at each otherópartners, friends, and now co-criminals, it seemed. ďLetís do this,Ē we said in unison.

Chapter Seventeen

We were held in the fishbowl for a couple more hours while everyone waited for peak criminal hours to approach. Nan must have been going crazy with worry. I could only hope weíd be back to her soon.

First, we just had to commit one teensy, little burglary, then Octo-Cat and I would be home free. Once Octo-Cat was feeling like himself again and ready to help, Peter walked us through what he expected of us, step by excruciating step.

Apparently, this plan had been in the works for quite some time. It made me wonder if Peter would have abducted us, had we not followed him downtown to begin with.

The burglary would go down like thisÖ

Iíd enter through the back door with the key theyíd filched and had copied earlier that week. Next, Iíd deactivate the alarm with the code theyíd give me, then open the door for Octo-Cat who would slip in and begin knocking all the jewelry from the cases out onto the floor.

When he gave his signal, I would rush in wearing a crazy green bodysuit that covered everything, including my face, and Octo-Cat would stand guard while I shoved our bounty into the oversized purse the good folks at the lair had provided me with.

Once I returned to the street, one of them would use their glamor to hide me from viewóapparently that was easier to do with me already wearing a walking green screen get-upóand weíd all run back toward our underground hiding spot. As soon as Moss and Peter confirmed that Iíd completed the job to their satisfaction, theyíd wipe our memories and release us back to our ordinary, everyday lives.

This, of course, was provided that everything went perfectly.

And also that Peter wouldnít trick me into helping him again in the future. And, well, I trusted him just about as far as I could throw him.

Oh, how I hated everything about this night.

Mr. Gable, the old man who owned the jewelry store, had always been kind to me whenever Iíd passed him on the street. Heíd even helped to pick out the heart-shaped locket my parents had purchased as a gift for my eighteenth birthday. Whether or not he had the right kind of insurance to deal with getting robbed blind, he still didnít deserve for this to happen.

No one did.

Now, obviously, Mr. Gable had to be magical, too. Otherwise he wouldnít have known to add a magic-seeking alarm to his storeís security system. And that made me wonderÖ could he transform into an animal, too? Use glamor to hide both thoughts and things?

The old shopkeeper had been a part of this town for as long as I could remember, and it unnerved me to think that magic had always been so close by without me ever even suspecting it. So, was he one of the good guys or the bad guys? And did it even matter which side he ascribed to if the two opposing teams always worked together anyway?

I felt so lost in this strange, new world.

I really just wanted to get back to my normal life as soon as possible.

By the time, Moss returned to let us out of the fishbowl, I was ready to do whatever they said if it meant freeing ourselves faster. Octo-Cat was in a better mood now and actually seemed a bit excited about the mission that weíd been forced into carrying out.

ďIíve always suspected they call it cat burglary for a reason,Ē he quipped as Moss joined up with Peter, and together they escorted us toward the jewelry shop.

I wanted to run but knew it would be useless. We didnít have a level playing field here, and the only way I could emerge safely from this situation was to do exactly as I had been told.

ďAre you ready?Ē Moss asked, tightening his hold on my arm as we peered around the corner. ďYou understand the plan?Ē

Peter gripped my other arm just as tightly. I would definitely have bruises the next morning, provided it ever came.ďIf you try any funny stuff, weíll know. And I promise that I will personally make your life a living hell after that.Ē

I nodded glumly.ďUnderstood.Ē I did not doubt the sincerity of that particular statement. Peter had been gunning for me ever since that first awkward morning in the office. Probably even before then, too.

ďThe cat stays with us until youíve deactivated the normie alarm,Ē Moss said. ďGot it?Ē

Octo-Cat struggled underneath Mossís arm but had no words of encouragement to offer me as I readied myself for action.

ďYes, Iíve got it,Ē I said with an angry stare.

Finally, both Moss and Peter let me go and shoved me down the alley.

The little metal key burned in my palm, the only witness to my sad fall from grace. These people had hurt me and my cat. Theyíd hurt others, and still they werenít finished. Theyíd probably never be finished.

Was it really worth continuing that chain of destruction and greed?

And what if I did everything they said, but they kept us prisoner, anyway?

Anything was possible, I supposed. Nothing was guaranteed in life, especially when working hand-in-hand with such unsavory characters. Still, I had to at least try to get myself home in one piece. After all, it wasnít just me they held captive. Octo-Cat was firmly in their clutches as well, and he definitely wouldnít be able to take four more lifetimes of being told he was nothing special.

Iíd reached the door now. This was really happening, and it was happening now. The key slipped seamlessly into the lock, and I sucked in a deep breath as I twisted the knob open. Inside the doorway, the alarm sounded with a warning chirp. I had ten seconds to punch in the correct code, just as Peter had instructed.

I closed my eyes and saw the numbers appear before me. Feeling my way around the pad, I found the first number and pressed it inward.

With another deep breath, I punched the second digit. I opened my eyes again. I could do this. I was doing this. Doing something bad didnít make me a bad person, not when Iíd been threatened and tricked into helping commit this crime.

I was halfway through my first task. Just two more buttons and only a handful of seconds left.

By the time I pressed the third button, my hairline had moistened with sweat. My breathing slowed not because I was calm, but because every single inhalation became more and more difficult to take. My head spun and vision blurred as I regarded the keypad before me.

Only one more digit, then thisóor at leastthis partówould be over.

I raised my index finger, trying not to focus on the way it shook as I moved it toward the array of buttons.

I closed my eyes and pressed it down hardÖ

On the panic button.

An ear-piercing siren sounded overhead, but I made no effort to get away.Let them find me here.

A voice sounded over the speakers, but I was too clammed up to say anything. I only hoped that Moss and Peter hadnít punished Octo-Cat for my insubordination, that he still believed in himself enough to fight back.

It only took minutes for a battle-ready Officer Bouchard to arrive on the scene. When he saw me waiting with my hands held in the sky, he took a step back in surprise.ďAngie. What are you doing here? Did you see who broke in?Ē

I nodded stoically.ďYes, me.Ē

ďYou?Ē He stopped to scratch his head and wrinkled his nose. ďThatís not possible.Ē

ďI willfully entered with this key.Ē I tossed the illegal copy his way.

He pulled it closer with his foot but didnít bend down to pick it up. ďThen why did you hit the panic alarm?Ē

ďI didnít have a choice,Ē I sobbed. ďThey threatened me and my cat.Ē

ďI figured it was something like that,Ē Officer Bouchard said, worry lining his brow. ďPut your hands down. Iím not going to arrest you.Ē

I took a deep breath and let my hands fall to my sides. Tears had snuck up on me again. But I didnít care about me. More than anything, I was desperately worried about Octo-Cat. Had I just signed his death warrant by refusing to play along with the magicfolksí devious scheme?

ďWho made you do this, Angie?Ē the officer asked kindly.

I took a deep breath. This was it. Peter had promised to make my life hell. What he didnít know is that stooping to his insidious level would have done the exact same thing. Iíd never be able to live with myself knowing Iíd done something so wrong. Whether or not he wiped my memory clear, my heart would always know that something was wrong.

This was the time to make sure that the bad guys went down for their crimes. Even if Officer Bouchard didnít understand the full extent of how theyíd carried out the burglaries downtown, I hoped my testimony would be enough to get them arrestedóand punished.

ďPeter Peters and MossÖI donít know his last name,Ē I told him, my voice clear and sure as a bell.

ďItís okay, Angie,Ē he said, placing a comforting hand on my shoulder. ďYouíre safe now.Ē

Maybe I was, but I still had no idea what had happened to my poor cat.

Chapter Eighteen

Officer Bouchard gave me a ride home in his cruiser, seeing as my captors had relieved me of both my phone and my car keys. When we pulled up, Nan raced down the porch steps and pulled me to her chest.

ďI was so worried,Ē she sobbed into my hair, then reared back and hit me on the chest.ďNever, ever do that to me again.Ē

ďThank you, Officer,Ē I said with a small yet appreciative smile, even though inside my heart was still broken. Every minute that ticked away without me knowing the location of my best feline friend only broke it further. It had been nearly an hour since Officer Bouchard found me with my hands up inside of Mr. Gableís shop. After Iíd given him Peterís name, he let me search the downtown area far and wide while he called in the new lead.

Sadly, despite my frantic searching, Octo-Cat was still nowhere to be found.

ďWhereís Octavius?Ē Nan asked, leading me inside with one arm draped across my shoulders.

ďI-I-I donít know,Ē I sputtered.

ďOh, dear,Ē she said, her mouth pressed in a thin line. ďFirst tea, then you can catch me up on everything.Ē

I waited on the couch while Nan tended to the kettle. A short while later, she pressed a mug of hibiscus tea into my waiting hands.

ďFor strength,Ē she said, settling in beside me on the stiff couch. ďNow go ahead whenever youíre ready, dear.Ē

Iíd held back in sharing the full details of my story with Officer Bouchard, but with Nan, I spared no detail. By the time I reached the part where Iíd decided to inform the authorities rather than give in to Peter and Mossís demands, Nan wore a giant grin.

ďIím so proud of you, dear one. You did everything right.Ē She hugged me to her side and pressed a kiss onto my forehead.

ďBut Octo-Cat,Ē I argued, feeling like the worst pet owner in the entire world.

Nan waited for me to look up at her, then said,ďYou and I both know heís no ordinary cat. Heís resourceful and smart, and donít forget that heís also tough as nails.Ē

I sniffed as the one person I loved most in this whole wide world soothed my tears. She would never even dream of lying to me. If she said Octo-Cat was going to be okay, then I knew heíd somehow find a way to get home again. We would find him, or he would find us. I simply couldnít accept any other outcome.

With great difficulty and a good deal of support from my nan, I finally headed to bed. Of course, Nan entered my tower bedroom several times throughout the night, making one ridiculous excuse after the other as to why sheíd stopped in. It made me feel better, though, knowing she was there, that sheíd always be there.

Even if Octo-Cat wasnít.

I hardly slept a wink, thinking every sound I heard might be Octo-Cat coming back to me. By the time the sun rose, Iíd driven myself mad with worry.

A couple hours into the day, Nan came into my room with a mug of coffee and a freshly baked scone and sat beside me petting my hair as she spoke.ďI already called in sick to your work, and I figured since youíre so sleepy, I can be the one to drive us around as we continue the search.Ē

ďThank you, Nan,Ē I managed around a deep yawn. I tried to stand but fell back toward the bed in exhaustion. My limbs simply felt too heavy to move all on my own.

ďSit for a spell,Ē she instructed, tucking me back beneath the covers. ďFinish your breakfast, and while you do that, Iíll start calling around to all the local shelters.Ē

She headed back toward the stairs, but I called for her to stop.

ďStay,ĒI pleaded.ďI donít think I can be alone.Ē

ďAll righty, then.Ē Nan nodded, settled herself at the end of my bed, and whipped out her cellphone. ďWeíll find him,Ē she promised again as she placed a call to the first shelter on her list and waited through the rings.

One by one, the shelters all said they hadnít found our cat yet, but they would call if he turned up. With each failed outreach, my heart splintered even further. I needed to know that he was okay, that my rash decision hadnít cost him everything.

Once Nan had finished calling every shelter in the region, she placed her phone in my hands and said,ďYou should keep mine until you can get a new one. You need it more than I do.Ē

I nodded and finished the coffee with a giant gulp, then tried to stand again. This time I didnít fall. Progress, at least.

ďLetís get out there,Ē I told Nan, reaching for the handrail to guide me safely down the stairs. ďI canít wait another moment.Ē

That was when the phone rang.

In my excitement to answer, I dropped it down the stairs.

Nan raced after it and managed to answer before the caller hung up. She faced me with wide, animated eyes as she spoke.

I stood at the top of the stairs and waited, trying not to get my hopes up too much.

A giant smile filled Nanís face as she said, ďYes, that sounds like our guy. Weíll be there on the first ferry over.Ē

She hung up and held the phone out to me as I raced down the stairs, stumbling as I went but not clumsily enough to fall.ďDid somebody find him?Ē

Nan nodded brightly.ďA small vetís office on Caraway Island of all places.

Caraway Island? How would he have gotten there? I know he wouldnít have braved that kind of swim, and the public ferry stopped running after eight oíclock.

ďSomeone definitely took him out there on purpose,Ē I said through clenched teeth. ďAnd Iím pretty sure I know exactly who did it.Ē

ďOh, dear.Ē Nan hummed a beat, then said, ďWhere are your priorities? First, letís bring our fella home, and then we can make sure those crooks pay.Ē

We had to wait a solid hour for the next ferry, but the trip out to Blueberry Bayís only local island was a quick one at least. The vetís office wasnít hard to find, either.

ďWe scanned his microchip and called right away,Ē one of the techs explained. Thank goodness I had updated the information to include both my number and Nanís after Iíd officially adopted him. Otherwise they would have gotten a dead number that belonged to his dead former owner. I also wondered whether my phone was still active and if the bad guys still had it with them.

ďWhere is he?Ē I asked, glancing around the small office anxiously. ďIs he okay? I canít wait to see him!Ē

Nan and I held hands while the tech returned to the back and then re-entered with a struggling Octo-Cat held in her arms.ďHeís got a bit of an attitude, this one,Ē she said with a laugh.

ďOcto-Cat!Ē I cried with relief. Yes,cried.I was crying yet again, but I was also far too happy to be embarrassed by it.ďI missed you so much!Ē

He let me pick him up and even purred as I cuddled him to my chest.

ďYou had us really worried there, old boy,Ē Nan said, giving him a scratch beneath his chin.

ďMeow,Ē he told her with a loving gaze. Nan always had been one of his favorites.

We thanked the vet and headed back to the parking lot. I couldnít wait to get the full story from Octo-Cat. As soon as we were all safely tucked within Nanís little red sports coupe, I placed him on my lap and said, ďTell us everything!Ē

He didnít answer; instead, he appeared tense as he stretched his head up carefully to peer out the front window.

ďOcto-Cat,Ē I said with a nervous laugh. ďStop being weird. We were so worried about you. Iím sorry about everything that happened, but Iím just so glad youíre okay.Ē

ďMeow,Ēhe said sullenly.

ďHey, I know youíre probably mad at me right now, but please, can you at least tell us what happened after the jewelry shop last night. You know, for Nanís sake?Ē I waited breathlessly. If he wanted to yell kitty curses at me, I would dutifully sit here and take it. After all, this was my fault. I deserved the worst.

Octo-Cat tilted his head to one side and meowed again.

That was when I realized the worst had already happened.

My cat could no longer understand me.

The magical residue that Moss had told me about had finally worn off. Iíd lost the one thing that made me special, and with it, the best friend I had ever had. Something important in me had died, and Iíd need a miracle to get it back.

Surely, there had to be a way.

I couldnít accept any other outcome.

We would fix this, Octo-Cat and me. We would fix everything.

Failure was simply not an option.

Chapter Nineteen

When we made it back home from our trip out to Caraway Island, a familiar Lexus sat waiting for us in the driveway. Iíd seen it pretty much every day for the better part of the year and had no doubt that it belonged to Bethany, my frenemy turned boss.

Iíd really thought weíd made great strides in our relationship. That is, until she hired Peter and refused to listen to any of my concerns.

She sat waiting in one of the rocking chairs Nan had added to the front porch earlier that summer. When we pulled up, she stood but didnít take any strides forward, instead waiting for us to join her on the porch.

ďTake him inside,Ē I told Nan, handing Octo-Cat off to her. I was afraid to leave him alone since weíd picked him up. True, heíd lost his voice and not a limb, but the associated pain cut deeper than I could have ever imagined. I wondered if he knew, too.

ďCome with your nan-nan, you sweet kitty boy,Ē Nan cooed as she disappeared into the house. Although she understood that he and I had lost our special connection, Nan had never been able to talk to him, anyway. As far as their relationship was concerned, everything was perfectly normal. I knew heíd be happy with her. Heíd always held a special place in his heart for Nan.

But without our ability to communicate, would he still hold one for me? I couldnít think like that. Weíd find a way to fix everything. I had to believe in that, had to believe in us.

ďWhat do you want?Ē I asked Bethany with a frown. I was both too exhausted and too devastated to play nice. I was also still more than a little miffed that she had been the one to bring Peter into my world.

ďIím assuming you heard about my cousin,Ē she said, sitting back down and crossing her ankles like some kind of grand duchess.

I joined her by taking a seat in the other rocking chair, mostly because I was too weary to keep standing on my own.ďWhat about him? That he got arrested? Or that heís responsible for the string of burglaries downtown? Oh, maybe you mean the fact that he can turn into a dog!Ē

Bethany sucked air in through her teeth. Her light blonde hair blew gently in the breeze, and she sat with one of her suit jackets draped across her lap, though it was far from chilly. Under any other circumstances, this would have been the perfect summer afternoon. As it was, though, this had become my own personal hell.

Just as Peter had promised if I pulled anything funny.

ďDid you know?Ē I demanded of Bethany. ďDid you know about all of this?Ē

She hung her head and nodded.ďYes, but I never thought he would hurt you, Angie. You have to believe me.Ē

ďI thought we were friends,Ē I said coldly. Her betrayal stung. I couldnít pretend that it hadnít.

ďWe were,Ē she insisted, looking like she wanted to say something more, but stopping herself. She sighed and added, ďStill are, I hope.Ē

I crossed my arms over my chest and refused to answer her either way. So much had already been taken from me that day. As much as I didnít want to lose anything else, I also didnít know if Iíd ever be able to forgive Bethany for the things Peter had done. They never would have happened if she hadnít hired him in the first place or if she would have listened when I shared my concerns.

ďWhy are you here?Ē I demanded, not caring that my voice sounded cold and uncaringóor that she was technically my boss now.

ďTo help,Ē she said softly. ďAnd to explain a few things.Ē

I made a dismissive motion with my hands.ďWell, go ahead and get it over with, then.Ē

ďI hired Peter because I thought having an honest job would help him. I never meant for you to get hurt.Ē She said so quickly it took me a moment to process.ďPlease, if you believe nothing else I say today, believe that.Ē

I considered this but kept quiet, waiting for her to offer more. I wasnít sure any explanation would ever be enough, but at least someone was finally giving me answers without threatening or hurting me in the process.

ďI knew heíd been hanging out with some less than savory characters, but I had no idea just how deeply he was involved. I had hoped it wasnít too late to save him, but apparently I was wrong.Ē Most of the women I knew would cry to gain sympathy, but not Bethany. She remained stoic to the bitter end. Always had.

ďDid you know about the magic?Ē I demanded.

ďYes,Ē she said emphatically. She clenched her eyes shut then admitted,ďBecause I have it, too.Ē

I stared at her with my mouth hanging open rather impolitely. Of course she did. They were cousins, after all.ďDo you use it to rob people, too?Ē I asked with a snort.

ďNo,Ē she insisted, shaking her head. ďI donít use it at all.Ē

ďWhat about the essential oils?Ē I mumbled, thinking back to all of the strangeness Bethany had exhibited since Iíve known her. As far as I knew, she was perfectly normal other than her obsession with mixing and matching scents each morning. ďAre those your potions or brews or whatever?Ē

I laughed bitterly at this, but Bethany remained firm.

ďIím not a witch,Ē she told me. ďMostly because witches arenít real.Ē

ďHow can I believe you, though? Up until a few days ago, I didnít even know that magic was real.Ē I paused a moment to let that sink in. ďWhere does it end? How do I even know whatís real and whatís made up now?Ē

ďYou canít,Ē she said sadly. ďAnd Iím sorry that youíve been pulled into this world. I never wanted that for you.Ē

ďThen what were you doing this whole time?Ē I couldnít take her at face value. Not anymore. Iíd seen too much to ever trust anyone at their word again. ďWere you lying in wait until the timing was right?Ē

She looked truly pained, but only a small part of me cared. Iíd been hurt, too. Burned. Damaged beyond repair.

ďJust trying to live a normal life, the same as you.Ē

ďBut youíre one of them,Ē I reminded her.

ďNot all magic people are bad.Ē

ďPeterís bad.Ē

ďYes,Ē she confirmed with a sigh. ďI wanted more for him, but I was too late to help.Ē

We sat in silence for a few moments as the wind blew the overgrown blades of grass in a wave across my front lawn.

ďHave you ever wondered why you can talk to your cat?Ē Bethany asked, her eyes full of unshed tears. She was still too tough to cry. That was another thing about us that was irreconcilably different.

I cried freely. Why even fight it anymore?ďYou know about that?Ē I asked, too exhausted to be shocked by anything now.

She nodded, then raised the suit jacket from her lap and tossed it to me.ďDo you recognize this?Ē

ďItís one of your ugly blazers.Ē

ďIíll let that slide, because I know youíre hurting right now,Ē she said, waiting.

I fingered the cool fabric, releasing the scents of juniper and lemon into the air.

ďDo you remember wearing it?Ē she pressed again.

I thought back to one of the many times Thompson had forced me to borrow clothes from Bethany to appear more presentable when an important client visited the office.

And that was when the final piece of this weekís horrible puzzle settled into place. ďEthel Fultonís will reading,Ē I said.

ďYes,Ē she said with a nod of affirmation. ďDo you understand what happened now?Ē

ďThe magical residue Moss mentioned. That was from you?Ē

She nodded again.ďIt was in my blazer. The electric shock strengthened it, transferred that energy to you.Ē

ďBut Iím not magical,Ē I said with a huff.

ďNo, not fully. Usually resonance disappears quickly. The fact yours didnít is my fault, Iím afraid.Ē

I turned to her with a hundred questions begging to be let out. A single word escaped my lips.ďWhy?Ē

ďI already told you, I donít practice magic. The energy has nowhere to go. A lot of it has built up over the years, packed in tight. That zap uncoiled all of it and created a reaction.Ē

ďBut I canít mess with peopleís minds or use glamor or change into an animal.Ē I felt so incredibly small and helpless as I reminded her of all the things I couldnít do. Ever since Iíd gained the ability to speak to Octo-Cat, Iíd thought of myself as having superpowers. What a joke. There were real super humans out there in the world, but sadly, I wasnít one of them.

ďYou got a small but powerful dose from that jacket,Ē Bethany explained, watching me carefully. ďThe cat got it, too.Ē

I searched her face while she struggled to find her words.

ďHe was close by and somehow it created a bond between you. I donít know why you only got the one ability or why it hasnít left you yet.Ē

ďOh, but Bethany,Ē I said, once again crying for all Iíd lost. ďIt has. Octo-Cat and IÖ We canít talk anymore.Ē

Then I realized something wonderful.ďCan you fix it? Can you make things how they were again?Ē

Bethany bit her lower lip and sucked a deep breath in through her nostrils.ďI donít use magic,Ē she said again. ďBut for you, Iím willing to try.Ē

Chapter Twenty

ďThe cruel irony is that the less one practices magic, the stronger she becomes,Ē Bethany explained as we settled into my home library side-by-side. Octo-Cat sat on my lap, but Iíd asked Nan to sit this one out. As much as I loved her, I felt this moment needed to be private.

ďItís all part of the great balance,Ē Bethany continued as I stared at the trees swaying in the gentle winds outside. ďIt helps to keep the power-hungry from becoming too powerful. Keeps the magic world hidden and safe.Ē

ďMoss mentioned some of this,Ē I said, nodding along as I recalled my time in the fishbowl.

ďAs I already said outside, the fact that Iím a non-practitioner makes my magic abnormally strong,Ē Bethany continued. ďBut Iím not an expert in harnessing it. I can try to transfer some of it back to you, but it might not work.Ē She swallowed hard. ďYou could also get hurt.Ē

ďItís worth the risk,Ē I said without hesitation, petting Octo-Cat as I spoke. ďIím ready.Ē

ďOur best chance at getting this to work right is to recreate the scene at the will reading as closely as possible. Thatís why I brought you the jacket.Ē She nodded toward the blazer which sat crumpled in my lap, then picked up the reusable cloth shopping bag sheíd brought inside with her.

The moment I saw what came out of that bag, I jumped to my feet in sheer terror.ďKeep that thing away from me!Ē I screamed as I stared at the old office coffee maker, refusing to so much as blink until it was safely put away. It had almost killed me the first time, and I didnít doubt it could finish the job today.

ďWe need to recreate what happened that day,Ē Bethany reminded me. ďIím sorry, but itís the most surefire way to get this to work.Ē

I shivered violently as I regarded the evil appliance. Could I do this? Could I face this deep-seated, albeit very rational, fear and live to tell the tale?

Octo-Cat meowed and rubbed himself against my ankles. When I reached down to pet him, I found that he was purring. He gave me a sandpaper kiss, then jumped back into the window seat and rubbed his head against the coffee maker, keeping his eyes on me the whole time.

I smiled despite my fear.ďIf he believes this will work, then so do I. Um, do you mind if I close my eyes first?Ē

ďDo whatever you need to do,Ē Bethany said, situating the coffee maker near the closest outlet. ďI took the liberty of fraying the power cord some. Thought it might make for an easier electrocution.Ē

Oh, joy.

Octo-Cat mewled again. He believed in me, believed in us. Iíd do anything to protect that even if it meant walking head-first into dangerówhich, apparently, it did.

Bethany put both hands on my shoulders, and I felt a warm, pleasant sensation transfer from her to me through the blazer.ďAre you ready?Ē she asked, pulling her hands away.

I nodded, clenching my eyes tight as she guided me toward the coffeemaking death trap. Octo-Cat stayed at my side every step of the way, and when I couldnít find the cord with my eyes still closed, he pushed my hand in the right direction.

There was only one thing left to do.

With a deep breathóone I hoped wouldnít be my lastóI picked up the power cord and jammed it into the outlet. When the burst of electricity shot through my body, I collapsed and fell unconscious with a smile.

[ ŗūÚŤŪÍŗ: img_3]

ďAngie? Angie? Are you okay?Ē Bethany asked, cradling my head in her lap as I came to.

ďWhat happened?Ē I asked. My mind feltÖ fuzzy.

ďDid it work?Ē she asked excitedly, disregarding my question entirely.

Bethany helped me sit up, and I glanced around the room. We were at my house in the library I had claimed as my own special sanctuary. But why?

Octo-Cat approached me carefully, almost as if he could catch whatever I had.ďYuck,Ē he said. ďYou still smell like that basement.Ē

Tears filled my eyes and suddenly I remembered everything.ďYou can talk,Ē I said, sobbing freely.

Bethany cheered and pumped a fist in the air.

Octo-Cat shook his head in amazement.ďOf course I can talk. Iíve always been able to talk. But now you can listen again. Oh my whiskers, I have so much to tell you.Ē

ďIt worked,Ē I sobbed. ďIím magic again.Ē

Bethany placed a gentle hand on my shoulder.ďI think youíve got it all wrong. Donít you see? Youíre not magic, but the bond you two share is.Ē

ďThis sounds like an episode of theCare Bears,Ē I quipped.

ďMy Little Pony would be the more recent reference,Ē Bethany said with a shrug. ďBut sure, Care Bears, yeah.Ē

I gave her a tight hug despite the fact sarcasm simply dripped off her.ďThank you so much for helping us.Ē

ďHey, donít get too friendly there,Ē Octo-Cat warned as he wrinkled his nose in disgust. ďSheís a dog, too.Ē

ďYouíre a dog? Like Peter?Ē I asked.

She nodded.ďI can become a pit bull. I did it a few times in my school days to scare bullies away.Bully breed, indeed,Ē she said with a dry chuckle.

ďSo what happens now?Ē I wanted to know.

Bethany sighed and looked toward the door.ďUnfortunately, I need to go.Ē

ďOkay, but Iíll see you at work tomorrow, right?Ē

She shook her head.ďI have to leave Glendale, I mean. Now that magic has been exposed, it isnít safe.Ē

Iíd be sad to see Bethany leave but understood her position. ďWhat about Peter and Moss? Are they going, too?Ē

ďPeterís coming with me just as soon as I bail him out. Moss, on the other hand, willÖ Well, heíll be around for a while.Ē

ďWhy? What happened?Ē

ďPeter turned Moss in to the cops so that he could plea out of felony charges.Ē

ďFigures,Ē I scoffed, thinking of neither man-animal fondly now that the worst was over.

ďIím taking him to Georgia. Itís kind of like the magic capital of the world.Ē

ďAtlanta?Ē

ďNo, a much smaller town called Peach Plains.Ē

ďCan you do me a favor before you go?Ē

ďIíll help however I can, but remember, my magic isnít very focused.Ē

ďCan you do that memory thing on me?Ē I begged her to understand. This was the only option for me now.

Bethany stared at me in confusion.ďWhy would you want that?Ē

I shrugged even though Iíd already made up my mind and knew I wouldnít be changing it any time soon. ďI liked the world better when it made more sense. If the magic is leaving, anyway, then I think Iíd rather not remember it.Ē

Bethany thought about this for a second before nodding her agreement.ďBut you do understand that you also wonít remember why you can talk to your cat? And that if anything ever goes wrong again, you wonít know who to turn to for help?Ē

I considered this, but it wasnít enough of an argument to sway me. ďWeíve become good friends. Havenít we, Bethany?Ē

Bethany smiled at me and gave me a quick hug.ďOf course.Ē

ďThen just check in on us every so often. Make sure weíre okay.Ē

ďI can definitely do that,Ē she promised. ďNow, before I try this, youíre sure you want to forget all of it?Ē

ďAll the magic stuff, if youíd please.Ē

Bethany raised one hand and made the whirling hand gesture Iíd seen both Peter and Moss use before. Soon I wouldnít remember any of it.

I watched her fingers dance gracefully before me. Bethany had always been so delicate and dainty. It was pretty hilarious that she could secretly turn into a pit bull. I liked knowing that, even if it wouldnít last much longerÖ

ďThere,Ē Bethany said, blinking at me curiously.ďHow do you feel now?Ē

ďA bit light-headed,Ē I answered, wondering why I suddenly felt so dizzy. ďCan we open up the window and get some air flowing through here?Ē

ďSure,Ē she said, kneeling down on my cushy window seat and cranking the glass open. Funny, I couldnít even remember asking her over, let alone what weíd discussed during our visit so far.

ďAhh, what a beautiful day itís turned out to be,Ē Octo-Cat said, inhaling the sweet summer air.

We both stuck our noses out and took deep, contented breaths. I closed my eyes and let the sun kiss my face. What a perfect day it had been. I couldnít remember much about it, but knew I was happyóand also that I was blessed beyond measure.

ďWhatís that cat doing?Ē someone asked from so close it startled me.

ďDo you think heís going to eat us?Ē another voice wondered aloud.

ďStop asking questions and fly away to safety,Ē a third said.

I opened my eyes just in time to see a trio of gulls launch themselves off the roof.

I desperately wanted to ask Octo-Cat if heíd heard them, too, but Bethany still stood nearby and she didnít know our secret.

I knew one thing for sure, though. Those birds had talkedÖ

And Iíd understood every word theyíd said.

5. THE CAT CAPER

Chapter One

My nameís Angie Russo, and Iím a cat person.

Lately, that is the most important thing about me.

Not that Iím a part-time paralegal and also a part-time private investigator. Not that I live in a giant East Coast manor house or that my quirky nan is one of my best friends. Not even the fact that Iíve managed to rack up seven associate degrees due to my academic indecisiveness.

Nope.

The most important thing about me is definitely the fact that I have a cat.

But heís not just any ordinary feline, mind you.

He talks.A lot.As in hardly ever shuts up.

And if you think your cat is demanding, just imagine what my life looks like.

I have to feed him a particular brand of food in a particular flavor in a particular Lenox dish and at very particular times of the day. He also only drinks Evian. Iíve tried to trick him in the past to save on this ridiculous expense, butóI kid you notóhe knew the difference. And, boy, did I pay for that one.

In all honesty, I can spare the expense, though. You see, my cat also has a trust fundóa big one. His previous owner was murdered, and it was by pure dumb luck that he and I ended up together. That is, if you can call almost dying at the hands of a faulty coffee maker ďluck.Ē

I mean, I do.

I love my life and would change very little about it. I do plan to quit my paralegal gig soon to pursue detective work full-time. Naturally, my cat would be my partner in that operation. He watches so muchLaw& Order that he practically has an honorary degree in criminal justice, and heís got claws that he isnít afraid to use when we find ourselves in a tricky scrape.

Other than his sometimes gratuitous violence and over-the-top television addiction, he has plenty of other unique skills that make him an indispensable partner, too. First, thereís the fact we can communicate. Obviously, no one ever suspects that the curious-looking feline across the way is actually listening in on their conversations.

When you add Nan to the mix with her background in Broadway and knack for creating colorful characters and then flawlessly bringing them to life, we have quite the little operation.

So, go ahead and eat your heart out, Scooby Doo.

If youíre wondering about me and who I am outside of being a cat owner, Iíll make this real simple for you: Iím the Velma of the group. I love researching, learning, wrapping my mind around any and every puzzle that comes our way.

I have a near-photographic memory and a knack for mnemonic devices, but lately my brain has been a tad less reliable than Iíd like.

Usually, I remember everything without fail. Ever since this new guy Peter Peters started working at the law office, though, things have definitely gotten a bit fuzzy. I hated that guy almost instantly, and Iím pretty sure he has something to do with the fog thatís taken up residence in my headÖ But I just canít remember why.

Lucky for me, heíll be leaving the state very soon. Unluckily, heís taking his cousin Bethany, a former partner at the same firm, with him. She was a good friend, and Iíll definitely miss having her around. Still, I get the fact that she needs to be there for her familyóeven if this particular member of her family is the creepiest guy I have ever met.

Honestly, itís probably time for me to quit, anyway. Well, just as soon as I work up the nerve to let down my secret crush by handing in my two weeksí notice. Iíve had the hots for our senior partner, Charles Longfellow, III, ever since he moved here from California and began working his way up the ranksat our firm. Heís only a few years older than me, a legal prodigy and also someone whoís had a few lucky strokes like I haveóso no judgment, please.

Iíd probably have bitten the bullet and asked him out already, but he has a girlfriend now. By the way, I hate her, and not just because sheís standing in the way of what Iím convinced could actually be true love, but because sheís mean and bitter and has never shown me an ounce of kindness in our entire acquaintanceship.

At least sheís not a murderer, although I did suspect her of a double homicide a few months back. We solved that one, though, and got both her and her brother off the hook. We also solved the murder of a prominent senator who used to live right next door.

And as ready as I am to hang up my sign as a full time P.I., Iíd much rather be chasing white-collar criminals around town than the homicidal maniacs Iíve been dealing with as of late. Because thatís the thing about murderers: theyíre dangerous with a capitalD. It stands to reason that eventually one of them is going to want revenge on the crazy girl and her cat that got them arrested in the first place.

I just hope Iím ready when karma comes callingÖ

[ ŗūÚŤŪÍŗ: img_3]

I almost ran straight into Nan when I returned home from work that sunny afternoon.

ďLook what I made for you today in my community art class!Ē she cried, completely unbothered by the fact Iíd almost knocked her into the antique stained-glass windows that flanked either side of our front door.

I took one giant step back and studied the sizable metal sign she held between her aged hands.

ďPet Whisperer, P.I.,Ē I read aloud, then grabbed the thing to take a closer lookóand almost dropped it as soon as the heft transferred to my hands. ďOof, this is really heavy!Ē

Nan shook her head and tutted at me.ďWell, itís not made of paper, dear.Ē

ďWhat kind of art class are you taking, anyway?Ē I said as I appreciated how the various scrap metals had come together to create something new and beautiful.

ďItís a little bit of everythingósculpture, welding, landscapes, still-lifes, nudes.Ē She winked at that last one, and I had no doubt that this meant the nudes her entire reason for signing up in the first place.

ďSounds like a good time,Ē I said with a laugh. My nan was always finding something new and exciting to occupy her time. Apparently, this included advertising my closely kept secret to all of Blueberry Bay.

Nan caught me studying the sign with a nervous expression and explained,ďItís for your business, dear. Seeing as Iím your assistant, I figured Iíd make myself useful.Ē

ďBut we havenít even officially opened yet,Ē I argued. I loved Nan and was excited she wanted to help, but the added pressure didnít make this big career transition any easier on me.

ďYes, you really do need to get on with it already,Ē my grandmother told me as she furrowed her brow in my direction.

I groaned even though she was one-hundred percent right about this.ďOkay, but I donít want people to know I talk to animals, remember?Ē That was the other weird thing about the last couple weeks.

My memory was a bit fuzzy, but also my mind seemed to be more open. I still didnít know how I could talk to Octo-Cat, but lately Iíd been able to hear other animals besides him, too.

First there were the birds on the rooftop, then a curious squirrel in my garden. Iíd even managed to listen in on a great big buck Iíd startled in the woods outside our manor house. My ability to understand other animals was touch and go, and also a brand new complication in my already crazy life.

It had always been Octo-Cat and only Octo-Cat, and I really didnít know how I felt about becoming a full-on Dr. Dolittle these days. If word spread among the animal kingdom that I could understand their needs, would they all start swarming me with their legal problems?

I was way out of my depth here, considering I was just a paralegal and had no great passion for the lawóother than choosing to uphold it most of the time in my day-to-day life.

ďWhereís Octo-Cat?Ē I asked, craning my neck to glance up the grand staircase but not finding him at the top. Normally, he liked hanging out up there this time of day because it was when the skylights dumped lots of warm sunlight in that exact spot.

ďHeís around here somewhere, Iím sure,Ē Nan answered dismissively as she took the sign back from me and studied it with a huge, self-satisfied grin on her face.

ďWhen did you last see him?Ē I asked, checking his other favorite nap spots. Maybe the sun wasnít following its normal, predictable pattern today. Perhaps cloud cover had interfered. I knew my cat well enough to know he hadnít voluntarily changed his routine.

Something was off, and the sooner I figured out what that was, the better Iíd feel going into the rest of the day.

Nan came over and gave my shoulder a little squeeze.ďI watched an episode ofCriminal Intent with him during my mid-morning tea. That was only a little more than two hours ago. Iím sure heís fine, dear.Ē

But I wasnít. Not at all.

Iíd already lost him briefly a couple weeks ago, when heíd ended up on Caraway Island as if by magic. I still had no idea how heíd gotten out there or why I couldnít remember going with Nan to pick him up. All I knew is I needed to find my cat, and I needed to find him now.

ďHelp me look for him. Would you?Ē I asked Nan.

She nodded and tucked the metal sign away in the closet, then together we conducted a thorough search of both the house and the yard.

ďWell, thatís strange,Ē Nan said, scratching her forehead. ďMaybe heís just out for a walk and lost track of time.Ē

Again, this was not how my cat operated. If I so much as tried to sleep in an extra minute, Iíd get an earful about how disappointed he was in me. He did use his cat door as Nan suggested, but he never strayed far.

At least not until today.

A swatch of white appeared at the bottom of the driveway, and I watched as the mail truck grew closer and closer.

ďBeautiful day, isnít it?Ē the mail lady, Julie, trilled as she rummaged through her sack. ďA light load today,Ē she said next as she handed me a stack of mail that had been folded together using a thin rubber band.

ďThank you, Julie!Ē I called after her, biting my lip as I quickly flipped through the junk mail, bills, and solicitations.

But then I found an unfamiliar envelope, one that had no return address and was addressed simply toďOctaviusĒ Fulton.

Yes, to my cat.

I swallowed hard and tore it open without even the slightest momentís hesitationÖ

Chapter Two

The date at the top of the letter had already passed two months ago. Not a good sign. Not good at all.

ďWhat is it?Ē Nan asked as I quickly scanned the legalese before me.

ďItísÖĒ I took a deep, shaky breath in an effort to avoid either screaming or breaking down in tears. ďItís an arbitration notice.Ē

Nanís face loomed closer, concern pinching at the edges of her mouth. ďAn arbitration for what?Ē she huffed with clear outrage.

After a deep, painful swallow, I forced my eyes to focus on the page and read the entire letter from top to bottom before I spoke again.ďThe other beneficiaries of Ethelís will are disputing Octo-Catís inheritance.Ē

ďOh, dear,Ē Nan said with a disappointed shake of her head.

ďIf he wants to contest, he has to appear in court by this Friday. Otherwise his agreement will be implied, and the arbitration will go forward.Ē Even as I spoke the words, I couldnít quite believe them. Why was this happening now? Or ever for that matter? Itís not like the others had gotten cut out of the will. Ethel had loved her cat dearly and wanted to make sure he lived the rest of his days comfortably. Knowing Octo-Cat as I did now, I totally understood. It wasnít exactly cheap to fulfill his demands for Fancy Feast, Evian, fine china, Apple products, andóohóa giant East Coast manor house.

I folded the letter back into thirds and sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose to stave off the rapidly building headache.ďNan, if this goes forward, he could lose his trust fund. We could lose the house. We could even lose him.Ē

I would not cry. Crying wouldnít fix this. It wouldnít bring Octo-Cat home. I needed to suck those tears that threatened to spill back in and approach both situations with a clear head.

Nan placed a hand at the small of my back and guided me back toward the house.ďWell, weíll just have to find him by Friday, then,Ē she ground out. ďFailure is not an option.Ē

My cat had only been missing for a few hours, tops, but already I was terrified for him. Heíd be devastated if he lost his inheritance and I could no longer afford to maintain his lavish lifestyle and expensive tastes. Worse still was the fact that he could be lying hurt in a ditch somewhere, and I didnít even know where to look.

Nan motioned for me to sit on our massively uncomfortable antique Victorian couch.ďYou wait here while I make tea,Ē she instructed softly. ďThe hit of caffeine will help wake up our brains. Weíll solve this. Yes, we will.Ē She hurried out of sight, singing to herself as she went.

That just left me sitting on my own in our large, empty living room. I hated it. Octo-Cat should have been there, complaining about something, questioning my life choices, or telling tasteless jokes that no one else found funny.

While I worked hard not to let fear cloud my normally rational brain, Nan continued to sing loudly from the kitchen. Apparently, sheíd already composed a ballad about our mighty victory over catnappers and arbitrations. I had no idea where she found the energy.

Could a catnapper really be to blame for Octo-Catís sudden disappearance? It was certainly a possibility, given how unlikely it would be for him to wander off on his own. But who would want to take my crabby tabby, and why?

Nanís gray, curly head popped out of the kitchen. ďYoo-hoo, Angie dear!Ē she called, waving at me.

I lifted my head and attempted a smile that wouldnít come.

ďWhy donít you give our good friend Charles a call? May as well update him on the situation and see if he can help.Ē As soon as sheíd said her piece, Nan disappeared from view and the singing started up again.

Charles.Would he know what to do? Nan seemed to think so, and the three of us had made a pretty good team more than once before. At the very least, heíd be able to walk me through this arbitration notice and help me formulate a plan for escaping unscathed.

The phone felt heavy in my hands. Placing this call meant admitting that something was wrong. That Octo-Cat was really missing. Could I maybe pretend for a few blessed minutes that everything was still okay? Would that be selfish of me? Stupid?

ďDonít dilly-dally, dear!Ē Nan trilled from her place in front of the stove, then switched to singing in a different language. I assumed Korean, given her newly discovered K-pop infatuation.

Not even the deepest breath I could muster filled my lungs with the strength I needed to make this call, to speak these dreaded words aloud. But I did it anyway. I did it for Octo-Cat.

ďAngie, everything okay?Ē Charles answered after a couple rings. He was still at the firm, of course. Heíd been putting in long hours ever since Bethany had put in her resignation notice. With her moving away to start a new life in Georgia any day now, that left Charles as the sole partner ata law office that had seen a veritable revolving door of attorneys these past several months.

Hearing his voice so full of concern, of kindness, set off the tears Iíd already been struggling to hold back. ďCharles, heís gone!Ē I cried. ďOcto-Cat is missing, and we canít find him anywhere.Ē

Charles sucked in a deep breath, then said,ďIím sure he just found a great new napping spot and will wander home when his belly starts rumbling.Ē

The way he rushed through this explanation proved that Charles didnít believe those words. And neither did I. We both knew my cat too well to believe he had willingly altered his routine.

ďThereís also this arbitration thing,Ē I added, knowing I should probably re-open the letter and read the exact wording. But I was already far too tired, too emotionally spent to read that horrible thing again.

ďWhat?Ē Charlesís voice came out low, hostile almost. ďWhoís requested an arbitration with you?Ē

ďNot me,Ē I corrected with another deep, weighty sigh. ďOcto-Cat. And itís the other recipients of Ethelís will.Ē

He was silent for a few moments as he contemplated this newest development in the everyday traumas of Angie Russo.ďDonít let that add to your worry,Ē he said at last. ďFor now, just focus on finding Octo-Cat. He canít be far. Besides, we both knew that the will would probably be contested eventually despite Richardís best attempts to prevent that from happening. Youíll have a chance to contest the dispute before the arbitration goes ahead, too.Ē

ďYeah, but the deadlineís Friday,Ē I said glumly. So far, Iíd managed to avoid going to court for any personal matters. The only reason Iíd ever stepped foot in the county court before was to offer on-the-spot assistance for the lawyers from my firm. Usually, Charles.

He balked at this.ďFriday? But thatís nowhere near enough time.Ē

ďYeah, I know.Ē I traced the intricate paisley pattern on the couch with my index finger, letting my vision go blurry but still refusing to let any tears fall. With a sniff, I informed Charles that, ďThe letter has a few different postmarks on it. Looks like it originally went to my old rental and then got turfed back as undeliverable until they finally found my forwarding address.Ē

ďBut they all know exactly where you and Octo-Cat are,Ē he protested. Charles had always been the sort to wear his heart right on his sleeve, and as such, I could tell that heíd become angry.Real angry.

I nodded, even though he wasnít there to read my body language. ďI know that, too.Ē

We both sighed in unison, and then I asked the question that had been plaguing me ever since the letter first arrived.ďDo you think they sent it to the wrong place on purpose?Ē

ďOf course I do,Ē he growled. I could hear something slam down on his end of the line. ďItís still okay. Weíll find Octo-Cat in no time at all. Meanwhile Iíll start putting together your grounds for contesting the arbitration, and weíll show up on Friday ready to kick some serious complainant butt.Ē

ďThank you. You always make me feel better.Ē That was Charles for you. He never hesitated to offer his help when I needed it, and that was a big part of the reason why heíd become my closest friend since he relocated from his home state of California in favor of the scenic Blueberry Bay region of Maine.

ďWant me to stop by after work to help you look for Octo-Cat?Ē he asked me after a brief pause. ďI could finish up early and offer a second set of eyes. Or third, rather, since Iím sure Nanís already on the case.Ē

I let out a weak laugh. He knew us too well.ďActually, I kind of could use a change of scenery. Weíve already been searching for hours, and heís clearly nowhere nearby.Ē

ďWant to come over to my place, then?Ē he asked without even the briefest hesitation.

ďYes, please,Ē I trilled.

Now that Charles was on the case, I knew everything would be okay. I had to believe that, because the alternative simply broke my heart.

If Octo-Cat were here, heíd no doubt yell at me to toughen up and do what needed to be done. And thatís exactly what I would do to bring him back homeóand to make sure we kept him here, right where he belonged.

Chapter Three

Charles invited me to come over for a quick dinner and epic brainstorming session at six thirty that evening. When I showed up at six thirty-three, however, the house stood dark and empty. Assuming heíd gotten delayed at work, I decided to let myself in using the key he kept stashed in the garden around back. At least it was a better hiding place than Nanís preferred placement under the front door mat. Itís a wonder she never got burgled even once in all her seventy-ish years of life.

ďHello!Ē I called as I pushed my way inside, just in case Charles was in the shower or something and hadnít heard me knock.

Nothing.

I shrugged, then made my way to the kitchen. The least I could do is set the table, since I assumed heíd be bringing takeout home with him. Neither of us were great cooks, but thankfully I had my newly awakened culinary genius Nan to make sure I always had something yummy on my plate. It was both a blessing and a curse, considering Iíd grown at least one pants size in the months since sheíd discovered this new passion of hers.

I marched through the house, turning on some lights as I went, knowing Charles preferred to keep the curtains drawn for some odd reason. It still felt incredibly odd, thoughóseeing the house that Iíd grown up in now set with all of Charlesís sparse, manly decorations. Nan had decided to sell her former home and move in with me when I came in possession of the big manor house we both resided in now, which meant putting this one on the market.

It all worked out kind of perfect in the end, considering Charles needed something a bit more permanent than the Cliffside Apartments, where he used to live. Cliffside was also host to a vast percentage of Glendaleís criminalsóor, at least the ones that got caught. Based on my own unique experience as of late, the more money a person had, the more likely they were to kill somebody to protect it.

Some people were just never happy, and I vowed never to let myself become one of them.

Feeling a bit more at home now, I grabbed a pair of plates from the cupboard by the stove, then turned to head back out to the dining room and almost jumped right out of my skin at the horrifying sight before me.

ďOh my gosh,Ē I cried, fumbling the plates in my shock, but thankfully not dropping them. ďYou scared me!Ē

Yes, it seemed I was no longer alone. Charles still hadnít put in an appearance, but his two Sphynx cats had appeared in the doorway and stood contemplating me with twin sets of glowing eyes. How had I forgotten about them?

ďHello, Jacques and Jillianne,Ē I said with a friendly smile. Hopefully, they couldnít see that I was internally screaming at that moment. J and J, as Charles had taken to calling them whenever discussing the cats as a pair, had no hair but lots of wrinkles on their exposed skin. If you try to picture what a brain might look like if it grew four legs, a tail, and a pair of glowing eyes, then youíd have a pretty good idea why I was so startled at the initial sighting of these two.

The larger of the animalsóJillianneóstepped toward me. ďA prince, a princess, and a paralegal walk into a kitchen. Which didnít belong?Ē she said, allowing me to hear one of the famous Sphynx cat riddles firsthand for the very first time. After all, it was only very recently Iíd gained the ability to talk to anyone of fur or feather other than Octo-Cat.

Jillianne flicked her tail and narrowed her eyes when I didnít immediately answer. ďOh,Ē I sputtered, suddenly feeling as if I were a contestant in the final round of Jeopardyóand that Iíd just bid all my money without having the slightest idea what the answer might be. ďIs the answer the paralegal? Um, because Iím here by Charlesís invitation, I swear!Ē

I raised my hand and crossed my heart, hoping it would reassure the suspicious felines. It did not. Little Jacques arched his back and let out a dry, hacking hiss.

I took two giant steps back and put out my hands before me.ďDonít you remember me? I took care of you, whenÖĒ Probably best not to bring up their recent trauma involving the untimely murder of their first owner. ďI helped solve the case and get justice for the Senator. Remember?Ē

ďAngie?Ē Charlesís voice sounded from the other room followed by fast approaching footfalls. ďAre you talking to J and J?Ē he asked when heíd made it to the kitchen. ďI thought you couldnít do that.Ē

Oh, crud.

I crossed my arms and scowled at him.ďHow is it that you are always the one to randomly discover all my secrets? Seriously, how?Ē

ďLucky timing?Ē he offered, lifting Jillianne into his arms and giving her a kiss on her forehead. And let me tell you, that cat went from threatening my life to contentedly purring within a matter of seconds.

I let out a giant, happy sigh. Well, at least I was safe now. I was also never going to let myself into Charlesís house with the spare key ever again.

ďSoÖĒ Charles said, drawing the single syllable into several long beats. His green eyes bore into me, and I found myself trapped in his gaze. ďYou can talk to all animals now? Because this development would have come in handy when we were working the Calhoun case.Ē

ďShut up,Ē I grumbled, trying and failing to look away. Even when he was irritated with me, Charlesís expression still held so much kindness. ďYou still won. And yes. I can talk to other animals now. I have no idea what changed or why, and Iíd prefer to keep it hush-hush for now, please.Ē

ďDo you hear that?Ē he asked the black hairless cat in his arms using an adorable baby voice. ďShe thinks weíre going to share her secret. Yes, she does.Ē

It was strange how hot I found it watching Charles baby and dote on his creepy cat. Obviously, my crush was never going away, no matter how many times I accidentally walked in on him kissing his horrible girlfriend, Breanne. Regardless of his bad taste inÖ well, many things but especially girlfriendsÖ Charles was the best guy I knew. Bar none.

He proved that further by coming in close and rubbing a calming hand on my shoulder.ďWeíre going to find Octo-Cat, and weíre going to dismiss this arbitration. Everything is going to be just fine.Ē

The friction from his touch gave me a little thrill that I quickly worked to stuff down. He was my friend, my boss, the most inappropriate choice possible. Not for me, at least not right now.

I let out a weary sigh. It had been such a long day already.

Charles set Jillianne back onto the floor and searched my face for a moment.ďYou do believe me. Donít you?Ē

ďYes,Ē I said without hesitation. Even though I didnít know what the future might one day hold for the two of us, I knew Charles would take care of everything going wrong in the present. I also knew that one way or another we would all be okay. Unfortunately, I didnít know what it might cost us in the meantime.

ďWhatís the real pot of gold at the end of the rainbow?Ē the smaller spotted cat Jacques asked me from his spot on the kitchen floor. Apparently, he wasnít as good at riddles as his companion, which is why he typically let her speak for the both of them.

Still, I couldnít help but wonder what the answer to this one might be. Was it important? Would it somehow help me find my missing cat?

ďDo you know what the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow really is?Ē I asked Charles as I rolled one of my hangnails beneath my thumbóa disgusting nervous habit Iíd given up on trying to overcome.

He blinked at me a few times, then burst out laughing.ďI donít know. A bowl of cereal. Weird question.Ē

I looked back toward Jacques, but heíd retreated back into the bowels of the house. Was he just messing with me, or had he tried to share something important?

Perhaps Iíd never know.

Chapter Four

ďI hope youíre in the mood for some fried chicken,Ē Charles said at the same moment I spotted the red-and-white containers stacked in the center of the table. ďIt seemed comfort food-y,Ē he added with a grin as the two of us moved into the dining room.

ďIt smells so good,Ē I cooed. Then I remembered the one time Iíd attempted to bring fast food chicken into the house while living with Octo-Cat. Heíd claimed the greasy smell bothered him so much that heíd swatted the still-full bucket off the edge of the table, sending wings, thighs, anddrumsticks cascading across the dusty floor and rendering my dinner plans obsolete.

That guy. He always did love making a scene.

Charles studied me carefully as he scooped a giant heap of mashed potatoes onto his plate.ďWhatís up?Ē he asked softly.

ďJust thinking about him,Ē I admitted, returning to that sad, anxiety-filled place inside of me. ďDo you really think heís okay?Ē

ďAngie, look at me,Ē Charles demanded, his stern expression brooking no argument. ďThat cat of yours could probably survive a nuclear holocaust if he wanted to. You know, heís kind of like a cockroach in that way. Nothing stands in the way of him and what he wants, and I guarantee he wants to get home to you. And he will. Okay?Ē

ďOkay,Ē I mumbled. Should I be offended that he basically just called my cat a cockroach? Octo-Cat certainly wouldnít like that comparison if he were here. But he wasnít here, and I was beginning to worry weíd never find himóespecially not in time to make his court date.

Charles gave me a few minutes alone with my thoughts, but the whole time his gaze didnít waver from my face. ďTell me you believe me,Ē he said at last.

ďYes, yes, I believe you,Ē I hurried to assure him. In some ways I did, but in others? It was hard to keep the faith when I had no idea what we were dealing with. ďItís still hard, though,Ē I added, unable to hide the emotional turmoil that raged on the inside. Had I somehow caused this? If so, I would never forgive myself.

ďEat,Ē Charles commanded, motioning to my plate, where the salty pile of comfort food still sat untouched.

Even though I knew Charles was just trying to help, my stomach churned at the sight of it. I twisted my face into a grimace and leaned away from the table, trying to gain at least a little distance from the nauseating aroma before me.

My thoughts immediately turned back to Octo-Cat.ďDo you think he has access to Evian and Fancy Feast wherever he is? What if heís starving or dying of thirst? What ifó?Ē

ďOkay, thatís it,Ē Charles said firmly as he set his fork down and pushed his plate to the side. ďYouíre officially not allowed to talk until you get something in your stomach.Ē

ďButóď I argued, unsure of how I wanted to finish this particular sentence. Luckily, I didnít have to.

ďBut nothing,Ē Charles huffed, folding his arms in front of him. ďWhile you eat, Iíll do the talking. Got it?Ē

I sat, staring at him with a furrowed brow, which elicited a deep sigh from Charles.

Both his voice and expression softened then.ďCímon. Iím trying to be a good friend here.Ē

Even though my gut still roiled with anxiety, I obediently picked up a chicken leg and smiled at Charles with wide eyes before taking a large, juicy bite. Instead of feeling worse like Iíd feared, something like relief settled over me. Maybe I really was hungry, after all.

ďThank you,Ē he said with a quick nod in my direction. ďNow, we have a couple of big issues to address. Letís start with the arbitration, because Iím assuming it will be easier for you to focus on your dinner while Iím yammering on about the boring stuff.Ē

I gave him a thumbs up and waited to see what heíd say next.

ďLike I said before, we should have Octo-Cat back by then, which means it probably wonít be a problem for us.Ē He held up his hand to silence me before I could even begin to offer another argument.

ďHowever,Ēhe continued emphatically.ďJust to make sure all our bases are covered, Iíll stop by the county court tomorrow to request a continuance. Meanwhile, I shouldnít need much to prepare your argument against the arbitration. Ethel Fulton made her will very clear in regard to how she wanted her assets divided and who she most wanted to see benefited by them. And while she was certainly the most generous with Octo-Cat, she didnít cut any of the family out, either.Ē

He paused to take a quick drink from his glass of tap water. Funny how my cat had more particular tastes than the senior partner at my law firm.ďNow, they might argue that Octo-Cat and his monthly trust fund payments should have remained with one of the members of their family, but that wonít be a problem, either. We have lots of evidence that youíre a fantastic pet owner. Many witnesses who would attest to that fact as well.Ē

I pushed my plate aside, already having eaten all I could stomach for the time being. I did feel better in some ways, but in others nothing had changed. And now my head swam with all the new information Charles had provided about how we were going to fight this arbitration.

ďWell, maybe Iwas a fantastic pet owner,Ē I murmured with a frown. ďBut now my pet either ran away or was stolen right out from under my nose.Ē

Charles waved his fork at me, sending a small lump of mashed potatoes soaring half way across the table. We both stared at the spot where theyíd landed for a moment without saying anything.

ďWeíre going to find him,Ē he promised again. ďAnd you know how youíre going to do it, right?Ē

I lifted my eyes to his with what I assumed must have appeared to be a blank expression, when inside my head was reeling with all the places we had yet to look, all the things that might have possibly gone wrong in the meanwhile.

ďUm, hello!Ē he cried, waving his hand between us with a flourish. ďYou can talk to other animals now. Thatís huge!Ē

ďJ and J werenít exactly thrilled to see me,Ē I hedged. Even though I could talk to other animals, I hadnít done much of that yet. I was still learning, and there was so much I needed to figure out, given that each species seemed to have its own personality, lingo, and set of social guidelines. Heck, I was still figuring out Octo-Cat more and more with each new day, and now I had an entire world of creatures I knew very little about. It wasnít as if I had anyone I could ask for advice on this particular issue, either.

ďNot them,Ē Charles said with a dismissive chuckle, referring to his two moody felines. ďIím sure there are at least a dozen forest animals that regularly hang out in your yard or in the woods by your yard. Maybe one of them saw something.Ē

ďOh my gosh, youíre right,Ē I said, suddenly eager to get home again. Even if I didnít know exactly how to act with them, at least I had my words. At this point Iíd try anythingórisk almost everythingóto find my missing friend again.

Charles simpered at me.ďDo you feel better now?Ē

I knew I wouldnít feel better until I had Octo-Cat safe in my arms again. Granted, he would probably scratch me like crazy, considering how hard I planned to hug his furry little body once I found him again. Even the sting a of fresh wound would be welcome right about now. Anything to prove that my cat was still here and that he didnít blame me for his sudden disappearance.

Actually, even if he did blame me, that would still be okay. Iíd have to work harder to make sure nothing like this ever happened again.

ďThanks for talking me off the ledge,Ē I said as Charles began to clear our plates from the table.

ďNo more ledges for you,Ē he said with a laugh. ďYou hear me?Ē

I knew he was just joking, but still I couldnít promise anything. If Octo-Cat needed me to walk a tightrope a hundred feet off the ground, I would jump at the chance to do it.

Anything to bring my number one guy home safe and soundÖ

Chapter Five

Nan was nowhere to be found when I returned home from Charlesís place. Her little red sports coupe was missing, too, which led me to assume she was out widening our search radius.

Now that the twilight hour had set in, the animals who normally scampered and flittered around my yard had all tucked in for the night. Some of the forest creatures were most definitely nocturnal, but I felt uneasy going into the dark woods without backup. Instead, as much as it pained me, I decided to head to bed early so that I could also wake up early to resume my search.

ďWherever you are,Ē I whispered, hoping somehow, some way Octo-Cat would hear or would at least know I was thinking of him, ďI hope youíre okay.Ē

[ ŗūÚŤŪÍŗ: img_3]

The next morning, I dragged myself out of bed at the first sign of dawn. The animals were up, and I needed to be as well. Nanís little red sports coupe was back in front of the house, but she herself wasnít up yet. She had, however, left a long and very detailed note for me on the kitchen counter:

My dearest dear,

I know you are eager to find our missing buddy, but make sure you grab a bite to eat first. Scones are in the ceramic container on the opposite side of the fridge. I also brought home some of those cold coffees that taste like chalk in case Iím not up early enough to make the brew.

As for the search, here are all the places I checked last nightÖ

What followed was a lengthy list of almost every place in Glendale. No wonder Nan was still in bed. She must have been out all night. Yet still, she hadnít managed to find ďour missing buddy.Ē More and more it was looking like foul play had been involved, and that made finding him all the more urgent. I grabbed one of Nanís scones and a chilled coffee shot from the fridge, planning to eat while I searched the woods.

Or ratherinterrogated the local woodland creatures.

The outside sun was bright and warm like a reassuring hug. Hopefully, the animals would be every bit as accommodating as the weather.

Then we might really get somewhere.

A little chickadee sat on the porch railing, tilting its head to the side as it studied me.

I stopped in my tracks and plastered on my best smile.ďHello, there,Ē I said around a very full mouth of scone.

The short, fat bird quickly became a tall, thin bird as it rose on its tiptoes and stretched its neck high in alarm.ďIt speaks!Ē he cried.

I nodded and swallowed down my food before speaking again.ďMy nameís Angie, and I was wondering if you could help me withóĒ My words fell away once the chickadee flapped its wings furiously and darted away without so much as a backward glance in my direction.

Well, then. It seemed clear I would need to find something a little less skittish than a bird. I already knew from my limited experience that almost everything seemed to set them off and send them flying away. Definitely not the most useful as far as witnesses went.

Leaving the porch behind, I made my way toward the edge of the forest that edged my property on three sides. Once there, I stood stock-still and listened to the morning chorus all around me. Much of it belonged to a cacophony of various birds singing in the trees, but Iíd already decided that Iíd only be questioning them as an absolute last resort.

A chittering sound came from above, and sure enough a hyper brown squirrel jumped from one branch to the next, singing a peppy little tune that seemed to be about all his favorite kinds of nuts.

ďOh, what a beautiful day for eating an acorn,Ē he belted out, then hummed a few beats before continuing his song. ďHey, itís always a great day to enjoy a walnut!Ē

ďHey!Ē I called in his general direction. I didnít know much about squirrels, but they definitely didnít seem to be the shyest of creatures. Perhaps I could use that to my advantage now.

The squirrel immediately stopped singing, stopped moving, stopped everything as he took me in with his shiny, black eyes.

ďI heard you like nuts,Ē I said, formulating my plan right there on the spot. ďBut do you like peanut butter?Ē

He sniffed the air with giant, exaggerated motions. It practically looked as if his nose could fly straight off his face. A second later, he zagged to the side and scampered down to the base of the tree.ďDo-do-do you have peanut butter?Ē

ďThat depends.Ē I crossed my arms and appeared to look both bored and non-threatening.

Luckily, Mr. Squirrel wasnít up on the latest human bribery techniques, because my hesitation to answer his question only made his eagerness grow. ďYou dooooo have peanut butter. Donít you?Ē He closed about half the distance between us and sniffed at the air again.

ďMy nameís Angie. I live in that house back there,Ē I informed him, hooking a thumb over my shoulder in the general direction of the manor house.

The fuzzy rodent before me nodded vigorously.ďIím Maple. I live about three trees back and five to the right.Ē Now that part of the squirrelís energy was being used to nod, its voice came out squeakier but also less hurried. Different. This was the point that I realized Maple was most likely actually a girl.

I didnít know how to politely ask, so I just did my best to avoid any gendered language as our conversation proceeded. ďIím trying to find my friend,Ē I explained. ďIf you can help me with that, then thereís a whole jar of peanut butter in it for you.Ē

Mapleís eyes grew even wider as she scrambled straight up to me and put both of her furry little hands on the toe of my shoe. ďReally? A whole jar?Ē she asked almost reverently, unwilling to take her eyes off me for even a second.

ďYup,Ē I confirmed with an earnest smile. ďBut I need help figuring out where my friendís gone first.Ē

ďDo you mean the other human? Or maybe the cat?Ē Maple reached one small hand up and scratched at her head. ďI donít think thereís anyone else in your drey is there?Ē

ďThe cat,Ē I said with a nod. ďAnd how do you know so much about myÖ drey?Ē I stumbled over the unfamiliar word, assuming this must be what a squirrel called its family.

ďI like to watch you sometimes from my tree,Ē Maple answered unabashedly. ďSometimes I even climb up onto the roof to get a closer look. Youíre a funny trio, you three are.Ē

I couldnít tell whether that was meant as an insult or some kind of strange compliment, so I just said, ďUm, thank you?Ē It was a bit creepy that Maple had made a habit of peeping in on us, but I tried to let that goóespecially if it led to information we could use to recover Octo-Cat.

ďYou are very welcome,Ē the squirrel said, sniffing at the air yet again. ďPeanut butter?Ē

ďFirst cat, then peanut butter,Ē I reminded her.

ďOh, Iím so hungry, just thinking about all that gooey, melty nut butter, but I promise I will try my very best to help!Ē

Clearly, it was going to be difficult to keep my new squirrel friend on task, so Iíd need to be quick and to the point with my questions. First, I needed to give her a little background on the situation.

ďOcto-Cat went missing yesterday during the late morning or very early afternoon,Ē I explained. ďWeíve been looking everywhere but havenít been able to find him. Weíre wondering if maybe someone took him. Did you see anything unusual happening around here at that time?Ē

ďUnusual? Hmmm.Ē Maple grabbed her tail and began to brush through it with her fingers. Her eyes darted from side to side as she thought. ďThe big buck was here. You know the one with lots of pointy parts on his antlers? He was hanging out near the edge of the forest, which I thought was weird since he usually likes to stay hidden. And my friend, Willow, said she saw the old human taking a nap in the sun.Ē

ďNan?Ē That definitely didnít sound like my active, vibrant grandmother, but who else could it be?

ďSure, I guess so.Ē Maple put her hands out to either side in an approximation of a shrug. ďI donít blame him, since sleeping in the sunshine is so nice. The only thing nicer is nutsóespecially peanut butter. Do you still have some you wanted to give me?Ē

ďNanís a she, by the way,Ē I said with a small chuckle. ďDonít worry about it, though. I know it can be hard to tell with humans. And, yes, I have that jar of peanut butter I promised you. But do you think maybe you can help me out with something very important, Maple?Ē

She spun in a slow circle, searching the woods around us. I looked, too, but didnít see or hear any other animals already.

Maple turned back toward me with her mouth ajar.ďDidnít I do that already?Ē

I had to make fast on my peanut butter promise. Otherwise Iíd lose the opportunity to get anything else from my first animal informant. ďYes, which is why Iím giving you the first jar of peanut butter. Iíll give you another if you can ask around the forest and see if you can learn anythingóanything at allóabout what might have happened to my cat.Ē

Maple saluted me, then ran off shouting into the forest. No idea where she learned that particular gesture or how screaming to all the animals at once was going to help anything, but I could at least keep up my end of the promise.

Now I knew that at least some of the animals kept a close eye on my house and family. Did that mean one of them saw what happened yesterday?

I returned home to raid my pantry for a fresh jar of peanut butter, hoping that when I returned, Maple might have more to tell me.

Each moment that passed by without my catís safe return had become agonizing for me, and I wasnít sure I could last another night without knowing he was safe.

Oh, Octo-Cat, where have you gone?

Chapter Six

Even though Iíd barely been out for half an hour, I returned home to find Nan both wide awake and wearing a full face of makeup. She also wore a lace-trimmed blue sundress that hit at the knees, which sheíd paired with hot pink tights and big dangling earrings.

ďHey, good morning. What are you all dressed up for?Ē I asked, eyeing her suspiciously as I clicked the door shut behind me.

ďDressed up?Ē Nan asked with a small frown as she scratched at her collarbone. ďAre you sure? I was worried it makes me look too much like an old fogey.Ē

I widened my eyes and shook my head. Nothing about Nanís ensemble aged her in the slightest, but I also knew better than to argue with her when it came to fashion. We both had a special flair for it but tended to prefer very different styles.

ďThe lace, dear,Ē Nan explained. ďDoesnít it feel a bit old-fashioned to you?Ē

ďI think you look nice,Ē I offered with a smile and shrug as I sat to join her. ďBut I still donít know why youíre all dressed up.Ē

ďOh, yes. Well, that nice young man, Brock, called and said he was coming by to do a bit of work.Ē Nan shimmied her shoulders and giggledóactually giggled.

This was weird. Even for her.

And especially for so early in the morning.

ďHe prefers to be called Cal now,Ē I pointed out. ďYou know, short for Calhoun.Ē

Nan studied her reflection in the antique mirror that hung near the doorway.ďAh, so he does.Ē

ďBut none of this explains why you felt the need to dress allÖĒ I stopped just short of sayingflirty and let out a big gasp. Of course.ďNan, you donít have a new crush, do you?Ē

She waved her hand and rolled her eyes, but the blush that now painted the apples of her cheeks was unmistakable.ďOh, pish posh. I donít think it can be categorized as a crush if I never plan on making a move. Besides, silly, Iíve already decided heís for you.Ē

ďFor me?Ē I shrieked. ďYou canít be serious?Ē

ďHeís single. Youíre single. You get along. I donít see what the problem isÖĒ A wicked smile lit up her face. ďUnless you maybe have romantic inclinations for another fella?Ē

Sure, there was no denying that Cal was an attractive man and somebody I got along well with, too. But to think about dating at a time like this? No way. Not until Octo-Cat was back home, safe and sound.

I groaned and cracked my neck to either side.ďThis is not the 1800s, nor is it the Deep South. We live in twenty-first-century Maine, Nan. And I can find my own boyfriend when Iím ready. Right now, Iím a bit more concerned about finding my missing cat, thank you.Ē

Nan remained completely unperturbed by my protestations.ďStill no reason to pass up a perfectly good opportunity when it just so happens to present itself,Ē she said. ďBesides, you say you can find your own boyfriend, but you havenít. Let your poor old nan help. By the way, is that what youíre planning to wear?Ē

ďThatís it!Ē I shouted, throwing both hands in the air and marching right past her. ďIíll meet Cal outside, and you can make yourself scarce. Preferably by continuing the search for Octo-Cat.Ē Even though I knew it was a touch overdramatic, I slammed the door shut behind me and practically ran straight into the handsome handyman on the other side.

ďOh, sorry,Ē I murmured as I tried to edge my way past him without losing my footing or brushing up against anything I shouldnít. I found myself even more aware of his good looks than normal now, thanks to Nan.

Calís brow furrowed in sympathy. ďIs everything okay?Ē

ďJust peachy,Ē I said, giving the thumbs-up and tossing him a wink for good measure. Ugh, why was I always embarrassing myself?

Cal stretched his hand across the back of his neck and glanced down toward the porch.ďYour nan called me a little bit ago and said you needed help installing a sign for your new business.Ē He glanced up again and his dark eyes locked with mine. ďI didnít know you were starting up your own business. If you need any advice or anything, Iíd be happy to help in whatever way Ican.Ē

Nan had said Cal called himself, but seeing as he had no reason to lie about things, I had to wonder why Nan would have intentionally misled me. What was she playing at, and why now?

ďThanks, Cal. ThatísÖĒ I stopped and cleared my throat, otherwise it felt like I might legitimately stop breathing. ďThatís really nice of you. Iíll definitely let you know if I need any help.Ē

He rocked back and forth on the balls of his feet and glanced awkwardly toward the door before finally asking,ďSo, um, whereís the sign?Ē

ďOh, just a sec. Iíll go in and grab it real quick. Be right back.Ē I raced inside, clicking the door shut behind me so that Cal wouldnít try to follow. The last thing I needed was an added layer of embarrassment from Nan. I was doing a mighty fine job of that myself, thank you. I grabbed the metal sign and stepped back outside, where I handed it to Cal.

He laughed as he studied it.ďIím guessing your nan made this.Ē

ďYup.Ē I stared at the door, praying that Nan wasnít planning on bursting through it anytime soon.

ďSo youíre opening aÖ what exactly?Ē

ďA private investigation firm.Ē I bit my lip while he continued to stare at the sign with a furrowed brow.

ďAnd youíre a pet whisperer now?Ē His eyes snapped up and locked with mine.

I took a step back and forced a laugh.ďItís just a cute name Nan and my mom came up with.Ē

ďSo you donít talk to animals?Ē he asked, raising an eyebrow now. He didnít appear judgmental, just curious. Still. I really would have preferred a different name for my new firm.

I shook my head so hard, I practically got whiplash.ďNo, ha! Donít be silly!Ē

ďToo bad,Ē Cal said after making a gentle clicking noise with his tongue. ďI think it would be interesting to hear what they had to say.Ē

ďYeah,Ē I said with a laugh. ďIím sure it would be. Especially considering my cat turned up missing yesterday, and Iím worried sick about him.Ē

ďOctavius, right?Ē he asked. ďI remember that guy. Do you need any help searching for him? It should only take me a few minutes to hang this sign, and then I have the rest of the day free.Ē

I took a deep breath, suddenly feeling much better about Calís visit. Nan was only trying to help expand our search team. All the flirty stuff was just her way of adding a bit of dramatic flair, but not really the point. ďThank you, BrockóI mean, Cal. That would be really nice, if youíre sure you donít mind.Ē

A curtain rustled in the window, and I saw Nan poke her head into view wearing a giant, naughty grin. I, of course, shot her a death glare. Whether or not her heart was in the right place, sometimes her tongue ran away with her. Sometimes I needed to put my foot down, to remind her that meddling with my life wasnít an appropriateóor appreciatedóhobby.

Less than a minute later, Nan flung the front door open and pushed her way between us on the porch.ďDid I hear youíre going to help us search for our sweet missing kitty?Ē she cooed, batting eyelashes so long I had to wonder if sheíd applied fake lashesóor at least several extra coats of mascara.

ďYes, of course,Ē Cal answered, fixing her with a charming smile. I donít think Iíd ever met a single person who didnít immediately adore my nan. It was kind of like her own personal superpower.

ďOh, goodie,Ē she cried. ďAngie and I need all the help we can get. We are so worried about our little guy.Ē

ďThink nothing of it. Itís my pleasure,Ē Cal assured us both just as another vehicle pulled up the driveway and stopped in front of our manor house.

Well, Nan and I were certainly popular this morning. I, of course, recognized the dusty black sedan right away. Sure enough, Charles parked quickly and then lumbered over to join us on the porch.

ďNan,Ē he cried. ďI came as soon as I got your text. Is everything okay?Ē

Nan floated over to give him a hug hello, smiling at me as she did. Would every eligible bachelor in Blueberry Bay show up at my house this morning? Ugh, I sure hoped not.

Exactly two thoughts flittered through my mind then as the four of us stood awkwardly together on the porch.

One, I definitely regretted teaching my grandmother how to text.

And two, I was going to kill her.

Chapter Seven

Everyone except for Nan seemed a bit uncomfortable during our impromptu porch meeting. This was made incredibly clear by the fact that no one said anything for several moments.

ďAre you okay?Ē Charles finally asked Nan again, seeing as she hadnít given him a clear answer upon his arrival. ďYour text worried me.Ē

ďOh. Iím fine, dear,Ē she responded with a grandmotherly grin. ďIím just so worried about Octo-Cat. You know how it is. He didnít come home last night, and poor Angie is sick with worry, too. We could both really use some help and a friend through this trying time.Ē

Well, that at least was true. I pumped my head in agreement.ďSorry to call you out of work,Ē I muttered by way of apology.

ďThatís okay,Ē Charles said, placing a hand on my shoulder and giving it a quick squeeze. ďThis is important.Ē

Cal shifted his weight between his feet and took a small step back.ďHi, Charles,Ē he muttered.

ďBrock,Ē the other man said, clamping a hand on his shoulder now, too. ďGood to see you, man.Ē

Things seemed more than a little awkward between them, despite the fact that Charles had gotten Cal acquitted of a double murder charge not too long ago and had been dating Calís twin sister for the past several months to boot.

Was the sister thing what made them so tense around each other? And if so, might that mean trouble in paradise? Most importantly, though, why was I so darned happy about that possibility? I needed to quit daydreaming and get back to focusing on finding my lost fur friend.

ďI do have a bit of bad news, unfortunately,Ē Charles said just then, looking from me to Nan and back again. ďI exchanged some emails first thing this morning, and needless to say, we canít get a continuance for the arbitration.Ē

ďWhich means?Ē Nan prompted as she rolled her hand at the wrist impatiently.

Charles sighed.ďWe need to find Octo-Cat and find him fast. Thatís the only way weíll be able to contest, and believe me, youíll want to contest.Ē

ďWait,Ē Cal said as he lifted his hands in apparent confusion. ďThe cat is the one who needs to go to court. Not the two of you?Ē

ďThe cat,Ē Charles informed him, ďis the beneficiary, so yes, he does need to be present.Ē

Cal grabbed my hand and gave it a friendly squeeze, then said,ďDonít worry, Angie. Iím sure weíll find him today, and if we donít, how hard could it be to find a lookalike to take to court in a pinch?Ē

My jaw dropped open, and I was too agitated to speak. I wanted to rip my hand away from anyone who would suggest such an awful solution to our problems.

Then Cal burst out laughing.ďSorry, just trying to lighten the mood with a bit of humor. I guess that joke flopped and flopped bad.Ē

ďIt was a big olí belly flop,Ē Nan told him with a wink. ďWhy donít you come with me, Cal? We can buddy up for the search. Charles, are you fine escorting Angie?Ē

I saved my breath rather than try to explain to Nan that I didnít need an escort for thisóor really anything else. It would be nice to spend some time with Charles, to have a partner in the search, especially since I was now losing hope at a depressingly rapid clip.

ďWe can pick up where we left off last night, or at least by doing what we talked about. Come with me,Ē Charles said, motioning for me to follow him toward the woods.

The woods!

ďJust a second,Ē I called, darting back into the house and straight past Nan and Cal as I dashed toward the pantry. I found an unopened jar of peanut butter and grabbed it for my new squirrel informant, Maple, making sure to hide it from view as I passed Cal. No need to invite any awkward questions if they could just as easily be avoided.

ďHave a craving?Ē Charles asked with a sarcastic smile when I returned to him.

Heat flooded my cheeks, but then I remembered that Charles knew everything, and I had absolutely nothing to be embarrassed about.ďLetís just say I owe a squirrel a favor,Ē I said, making a clicking noise as we fell into step beside one another.

ďA squirrel, huh? Did he have any good leads for you?Ē He asked this as if it were a completely normal and rational development, and I loved him for it.

ďShe, and not really. But Iíve asked her to be my eyes and ears in the forest, provided she stops thinking about peanut butter long enough to pay attention to anything else.Ē

Charles chuckled.ďMaybe we need to find you a different animal helper. Who do you think would be good at playing detective?Ē He raised his hand to his chin and rubbed it while making a funny face. He even took on a fake British accent as he ran through the possibilities.

ďHow about a bird, darling? Or a deer, my dear? Ooh, maybe a mountain lion!Ē He lost his phony accent on that last one, but I was still ridiculously charmed by him.

ďHa, ha,Ē I said, willing my heart to stop beating so hard against my rib cage.

Charles bumped his shoulder into mine and sent that poor, overworked organ of mine galloping off at full speed again.ďNo, really. Who should we be looking for?Ē

ďWell, the birds wonít talk to me. Way too skittish,Ē I informed him, still very much aware of how closely we walked beside each other. ďIím not sure what else is in the forest, and Iíve never talked to any of them before, so I just really donít know.Ē

ďCímon,Ē he said, extending his hand to me as we reached the edge of the tree line. ďLetís go find out.Ē

My pulse quickened as I took his hand. I knew he was just being gentlemanly, but at the same time, Iíd been carrying a bit of a torch for the guy for the past several months. He didnít seem to have the slightest clue I felt how I did, given that he had a girlfriend and I was the one with the ace sleuthing skills.

But still. Still! My heart whomped wildly as I searched the trees and ground for any animal who might be willing to talk to us.

ďLetís go deeper,Ē Charles said, tugging me along.

ďIíve heard there are bears here if we go deep enough.Ē A shiver ran through me as I imagined coming face-to-face with the most fearsome predator in all of Blueberry Bay. For some reason, bears didnít strike me as the type to talk through their problemsóespecially not with a meddlesome human such as myself.

ďI ainít afraid of no bears,Ē Charles said in a sing-song voice. ďBoy Scouts taught me how to take care of that.Ē

I couldnít hold back the laugh that bubbled to the surface. ďRan into lots of bears in California, did you?Ē

ďTons,Ē he confirmed, giving my hand a quick, playful squeeze.

A twig snapped several feet away, and our eyes both zoomed to the location. A light brown doe stood ramrod straight and perfectly still, her dark eyes boring into mine. I could feel her fear, sense the internal debate that raged within her as she tried to decide whether it would be better to stay frozen or make a run for it.

ďWeíre not going to hurt you,Ē I whispered evenly, but that was enough to send her zigzagging through the trees and out of our view.

ďI wonít hurt you!Ē I yelled after her. ďI wonít hurt any of you. Please wonít somebody talk to me?Ē

Another twig snapped nearby. The leaves rustled under the weight of some kind of creature approaching us quickly from behind.

Charles stretched his arms out and blocked me with his body in a move so sudden it almost seemed as if he hadnít needed to think about it at all.

ďAre you sure youíre not afraid of bears?Ē I asked, trying to lighten the mood even though I was still more than a little frightened myself. Iíd been caught off guard in these woods before, and a strange man had grabbed hold of my arms and covered my mouth. Obviously, Iíd lived to tell the tale, but I didnít trust my chances if Charles and I really did run into the infamous Blueberry Bay bears.

Everything fell quiet.

Charles and I both waited in silence.

And then a blur of brown burst into view.

ďIs that my peanut butter?Ē Maple squeaked, jumping from tree to tree in excitement and leaving me to wonder how one little squirrel had managed to make so much noise.

ďYes, itís yours,Ē I said, squatting down to offer the jar. ďBut first I want to know what you found out for me.Ē

Maple bolted toward me, stopping just short of my knees.ďAbout what?Ē

ďUm. About my missing cat?Ē

ďYour cat is missing. Oh, no!Ē

I hoped squirrels werenít good at reading human emotions, because my disappointment was most definitely evident in that moment. Had Maple really forgotten everything weíd talked about already?

ďHere,Ē I said with a sigh as I unscrewed the cap of the peanut butter and handed the jar to the forgetful little squirrel. ďTake it. Itís yours.Ē

Charles and I both watched as Maple pushed the peanut butter onto its side and rolled it away with a series of euphoric squeaks and shouts.

ďCímon,Ē I said. ďI donít think weíre going to find what weíre looking for out here.Ē

I hated to admit defeat, but I also hated wasting time when Octo-Cat needed me. What was the point of explaining the situation to Maple when she would just forget again the second we said goodbye?

Maybe I should try to find that buck. If it meant getting my cat back, then it would be worth the riskÖ

Chapter Eight

ďBack so soon?Ē Nan asked when Charles and I trudged into the house an hour after departing. Even our brief outing, however, had seemed to take forever. Charles had insisted we give our forest investigation a solid effort before calling it a total bust. But even he could see we werenít makingany progress, despite the fact he couldnít talk with the animals himself.

ďYeah,Ē I grumbled, kicking my shoes off by the door. ďWe accomplished absolutely nothing. Howíd you guys fare?Ē

ďI sent Cal home,Ē Nan said with a dramatic sigh, anger flitting across her normally controlled features. ďHe lost at least ten points in my book when he suggested we find an Octo-doppelg?nger. Talk about a terrible idea!Ē

Well, I couldnít disagree with her there. Joke or not, what Cal had said hurt us both, and it would have enraged Octo-Cat had he been around to hear it.

Nan now sat alone in the living room with a giant sheet of poster board sprawled across the floor in front of her. A row of colorful Sharpie markers lay nearby, and she clutched an angry-looking red one tightly in her hand.

ďWhat are you doing?Ē Charles asked, moving in for a closer look.

ďAnd where did you get all these crafting supplies?Ē I added as I trudged along after him.

Nan kept her attention on the spread before her as she explained,ďI always keep a stash nearby. You never know when youíre going to need to papier-m?ch? or pottery wheel your way out of a disaster.Ē

ďOh, yeah. Well, of course,Ē I said, making sure Charles caught my giant eyeroll. I loved Nan dearly, but sometimes her priorities seemed a bit out of whackólike deciding to play matchmaker when we had a missing cat to find.

She lowered the marker to the bright yellow poster board and began to write while she mumbled,ďIím gathering all the facts we have so far in one place and all our suspicions, too. Consider this poster board command central. Now, look here. Red is for the things we know for sure. Blue is for the things we arenít quite sure of yet.Ē

ďAnd black?Ē Charles asked as he reached for the last marker.

ďBlack are ideas weíve already eliminated. Things we know for sure arenít true,Ē Nan said, bobbing her head as she continued to write in large, looping letters, then stopped to yank the Sharpie away from Charles. ďThatís mine, thank you very much.Ē

ďNanÖĒ I warned. Even though she had raised me, sometimes I felt like the mom in our relationship.

Charles just laughed it off. When heíd finished, we both stood in silence watching as Nan completed her project.

ďOkay, kids. Itís time to get serious here,Ē Nan said a few minutes later after sheíd finished making her list and recapped the final marker.

ďWhat do we know so far?Ē I asked. The poster board had remained depressingly light on text, showing just how far we had yet to go.

Nan straightened up tall and folded her hands in her lap.ďOcto-Cat is missing.Fact,Ē she began.ďHe disappeared between the hours of ten and one yesterday.Fact. He may have been taken against his will.Suspicion. A letter also arrived yesterday announcing the arbitration thingy.Fact.It could be related.Suspicion.Ē

ďI donít see any black,Ē I said, doing my best to read Nanís teeny tiny handwriting on the bright poster board but coming up short. ďWhat have we been able to rule out?Ē

ďNothing yet,Ē she announced with a frown. She spun the black marker between her fingers, and I could tell she desperately wanted to use it for something.

ďChin up,Ē Charles said, gracing us both with a mega-watt albeit super-fake smile. ďWeíre making progress. Even if it feels slow.Ē

ďOh, letís make a list of all the places weíve checked,Ē Nan shouted with glee and began to push herself up off the floor.

I placed a hand on her shoulder and shook my head.ďYou already gave that to me this morning with your note. Remember?Ē

ďYes, but itís not on the poster board with all the other case info yet,Ē she moaned.

ďHang tight. Iíll go get it for you.Ē I decided to just go with whatever Nan wanted in this case. At least she was getting us organized. All Iíd done so far was go in circles around the forest, making myself both dizzy and frustrated in the process. I was also down one jar of peanut butter.

After retrieving the note from the kitchen, I read Nan the list of places sheíd checked last night. She chose a green marker to note the places weíd already explored. Finally, the poster board began to look a little fuller, although I suppose that wasnít exactly a good thing. It meant we were running out of options.

ďWeíll find him,Ē Charles assured everyone for what felt like the hundredth time that morning, and while I appreciated his optimism, I also kind of wished heíd just keep quiet already.

ďDid you ask the neighbors?Ē he asked us.

Nan clucked her tongue.ďOf course we asked the neighbors. That was the first thing we did yesterday afternoon.Ē

ďWell, what aboutó?Ē Charles began, but was cut off by the unexpected buzz of our electronic cat door lifting open in the nearby foyer.

Could it really be? Had he come home all on his own?

ďOcto-Cat!Ē I cried, pushing myself to my feet and stumbling as fast as I could toward the door. His cat door had been programmed to open whenever it sensed the little chip on his collar, which meant it could only be Octo-Cat trotting through the door now. I began to cry softly as tears of relief pricked at my eyes.

Maybe he had just stayed out too late, or perhaps heíd strayed too far and then had a hard time finding home again. Oh, he had some major explaining to do, that kitty boy of mine.

I thrust a hand on my hip as I took the last few steps toward the door, ready to go full-on angry pet parent on his furry behind.

I turned the corner, and sure enough, the first thing I saw was that familiar striped tail of his. It seemed puffier than usual, which meant that he was also upset and scared.

Next I spotted a pair of fat gray haunches, which definitely did not match my brown tabbyís fur. Thatís when I realized it wasnít Octo-Cat making his triumphant return. No. Instead, we had an imposter.

But how? How could it have possibly gotten inside without the special collar that interfaced with the pet door?

I was still puzzling over this when the creature turned around and stared at me from deep, masked eyes. A raccoon!

In one hand, he held Octo-Catís broken collar and in the other an empty can of Fancy Feast. Where had this intruder come from, and why did he have my catís things?

ďYou have some serious explaining to do!Ē I shouted, realizing too late that my anger may cause him to flee. Despite my anger and fear in that moment, this raccoon was our best lead. I had to play it nice, even though I wanted to keep screaming until I got the answers I craved.

The raccoon wasnít afraid of me in the slightest. He held tight to both items and then stood on his hind legs, tilting his head to the side as he studied me. ďDid you just talk?Ē he asked with a quizzical expression.

A brief moment of silence passed between us. I could feel Nan and Charles at my back, but neither said anything as the three of us stared the trespasser down.

Suddenly, our raccoon visitor burst out laughing a high-pitched, squeaky giggle that immediately grated on my nerves.ďAww, you can talk! Thatís so cute!Ē

I hated to think what might have happened next had Nan and Charles not each grabbed one of my arms and held me back. It would have been a very low moment, indeed, if Iíd gotten into a fight with a raccoonóespecially since I was pretty sure that I would have lost.

Chapter Nine

I rounded on the beady-eyed intruder. Perhaps I should have been afraid of rabies or some other random infection, but in that moment I was just too angry to care about anything other than finding some answers.ďWhy do you have my catís collar?Ē I demanded, unwilling to back down.

The raccoon bared his teeth, then took far longer than I would have liked in deciding whether he wanted to talk to me or to bite me.

ďOctavius Maxwell Ricardo Edmund Frederick Fulton is his own animal,Ē he said at last, enunciating each word carefully. ďHe canít be owned by you or anyone else.Ē

Whatever answer Iíd expected, it had most definitely not been this. ďYou kn-n-now him?Ē I stuttered, dropping to my knees so that I could look the animal in the eye.

He laughed nervously, all his bluster having disappeared in an instant.ďKnow him? No! I wish I knew him! Even to be standing in his home right now is such a tremendous honor. I canít even begin toóĒ

ďYou broke in,Ē I snapped at him in frustration. ďThereís no honor in that.Ē

The raccoon hung his head and wept. I couldnít tell whether his tears were fake, but this ring-tailed bandit definitely gave both Nan and Octo-Cat a run for their money in the drama department. No matter what I did or where I went, I was always surrounded by thespians.

ďEnough blubbering,Ē I blurted out, more than ready to get on with it. ďTell me who you are and why youíre here. Are you some kind of weird Octo-Cat fanboy?Ē

ďHe prefers his full name, Iíll have you know,Ē the raccoon actually had the audacity to correct me. ďAnd Iím not just some random fanboy.Ē He shook his head adamantly, then bared his teeth again in a creepy smile that sent me stumbling backward to put a bit of distance between us. ďIím his biggest fan. Numero uno, baby!Ē

There werenít many moments in my life when Iíd done an actual facepalm. This, however, was one of them. ďI didnít know house cats could have fans,Ē I admitted, still in utter disbelief.

The raccoon shot forward and positioned his face mere inches from mine as he cried,ďHeís not just any house cat, lady! He is the ultimate in animal sophistication.Ē

Okay, it was probably time to move the discussion to finding out whether he had any leads as to where Octo-Cat had gone, but I desperately needed to know how my cat had landed himself such an enthusiastic follower.ďWhy do you like him so much? How did your, um, fandom get started?Ē

The raccoon stood higher on his haunches and swept his hand in front of his face theatrically.ďIt all started one dark and starry night. I was going about my business as usual, spying on some humans, raiding some trash cans, you know, the works. When lo and behold, I found something new and shiny. It caught my eye right away. Not just because it looked valuable, but because the smellÖ Wow, what an aroma!Ē

He scooped the empty Fancy Feast can heíd brought in with him up from the floor and held it out to me. ďIt was the most succulent delicacy Iíd ever tasted in all my life, and then to find that each day there was more! Wow, I was the luckiest trash panda in all of Blueberry Bay.Ē

I had to fight hard not to explode with laughter.ďDid you just call yourself a traóyou know what? Never mind. Go on.Ē

ďWell, naturally, I needed to learn more about from whence this heavenly food had come. So I started to watch. Observe, if you will. And thatís when I first saw Octavius. Being the intelligent creature that I am, I realized the food was his and that I was feeding off mere scraps. Made me wonderwhat other wonderful things he knew about, so I watched some more. Soon Iím learning about Evian and Apple, sun spots, and a million other amazing things. Naturally when I found his collar here, I knew it was the ultimate king piece for my collection. And in I came to see what else I might find or ifófor the love of the great raccoon in the skyóI might actually get the chance to meet the great Octavius.Ē

ďWhatís your name?Ē I asked skeptically. For the first time since Octo-Cat had gone missing, I was actually glad he wasnít around to hear this. Iíd always assumed his ego couldnít get any largerÖ until now.

The raccoon set the empty can of cat food back onto the floor and attempted to place Octo-Catís collar around his neck. With another off-putting, sharp-toothed smile, he asked, ďWould it be too much to ask you to call me Octavius? If I could pick any name thatís the one Iíd choose. Definitely.Ē

ďYes, definitely way too much.Ē I needed to be firm with this one, else weíd never get anywhere. At least he seemed smart and like heíd remember our conversation after the fact. Perhaps heíd even want to help. ďWhatís your actual name?Ē

He pouted a lower lip and looked down at his feet.ďPringle.Ē

Okay, that was adorable. So why did he seem embarrassed by it?

ďNice to meet you, Pringle. Iím Angie.Ē I reached out and shook his paw, and the raccoon knew just how to return the friendly gesture. He was definitely smart and definitely familiar with human and cat customs alike.

ďSo, Pringle. Howíd you get a name like that?Ē Iíll be the first to admit this little guy had me enamoredóhopeful, too.

ďWell,Angie,Ēhe began with zero hesitation.ďItís a long story, but basically when my mother was carrying me and my littermates, Pringles were her number one favorite trash snack. Me being the first born, Pringle became my name. Hey, actually itís not that long of a story, after all. There you have it. The end.Ē

I allowed myself a small laugh before regaining my composure and sharing a bit of information I knew my new friend would not like.ďOkay, Pringle. Thanks for the back story, but Iíve got bad news. Our dear Octavius has gone missing. Itís been close to twenty-four hours now, and we have no idea where to find him.Ē

The raccoon lifted both of his tiny black hands to his face and gasped.ďOctavius, noooo!Ē he shouted. ďYou were far too young and perfect to meet such an untimely end.Ē Pringle then fell backward in a mock faint, and I wondered if he might also be watching a bit of television on the sly when he spied on us during the day.

ďHey. No, none of that!Ē I cried, nudging him until he sat back up. ďNot dead! Why do you jump straight to dead?Ē

Pringleís eyes widened and began to shine with gaiety. ďThen heís alive! Our dear Octavius is alive!Ē

When I nodded my confirmation, he jumped at least a foot in the air and pumped his fist enthusiastically. What an odd little creature.

ďStop jumping to conclusions and just listen, okay?Ē A smile snaked across my face when I realized exactly how I could get through to the hyperactive raccoon. ďOctavius depends on it. Actually, he depends on you.Ē

ďYou had me at Octavius,Ē he said, taking a bow, although for the life of me, I didnít know why. ďAnd now you have my rapt attention.Ē

I nodded.ďGood. Come meet the rest of the Octavius fan club, and weíll catch you up.Ē

ďIím still the president, because Iím the number one fan,Ē he said, eyeing Charles and Nan with a newfound aggression as we approached.

ďOf course you are,Ē I assured him. ďYou are definitely his biggest fan. I donít think any of us are going to challenge you for that honor.Ē

Pringle smirked as if heíd just won some hugely desirable prize.

Charles waved hello to the newest member of our party. Nan held up her poster board, and I caught the raccoon up on everything we knew so far. Could his passion be the key to cracking this case wide open?

Oh, I sure hoped so.

Chapter Ten

Pringle paced from one side of the living room to the other. Half the time he walked on his hind legs, and the other half he hobbled along on all fours. The entire time, however, he talked and talkedÖ and talked.

I barely had time to translate for Nan and Charles before heíd cut me off to continue with his monologue.

ďWhoever took Octavius, weíre going to make him pay. Weíre going to make him pay big.Ē The raccoon pounded his tiny black fist into his open palm for emphasis. ďI wonít rest until heís brought home safely. I wonít eat a singleóActually, okay, Iím going to have to eat. A raccoonís gotta keep his strength up if heís going to rescue his cat pal from clear and imminent danger.Ē

ďUm, excuse me?Ē I said, raising my hand to draw Pringleís attention my way. ďHave you ever even met Octo-Cat?Ē

The raccoon sighed and heaved his furry shoulders.ďNot yet, but I assume youíll introduce me once heís home again, yeah?Ē His eyes grew wide, and for a brief moment he stopped pacing and started shaking instead. I assumed it was with excitement.

Although I was tempted to reach out and pet him, I didnít know how heíd take to such an intimate gesture. ďI can promise heíd love nothing more than to meet the president of his own personal fan club,Ē I said with a huge grin. ďThank you for being so willing to help us with this.Ē

Pringle stretched on his tiptoes and spread his arms out wide as he boomed,ďOf course. This is what I was put on this earth to do. Octavius is a legend, but heís not yet ready to be a memory. He must live another day to inspire animals both near and far.Ē The raccoon pounded his fist on his chest and then kneeled and bowed his head reverently.

Not knowing what to do, I patted him between the ears and said,ďThank you for your service.Ē

He lifted his head but kept his fist held firmly to his chest.ďIt is an honor to serve him. What is my first assignment?Ē

Uh-oh. Had I just unwittingly knighted a trash panda?

I blinked hard at the creature who remained kneeling before me. This whole scene would have been hilarious if I werenít so worried about Octo-Cat.

Pringle cleared his throat.ďLady Angela, my assignment?Ē

ďOh, oh, yes.Ē It took me a second to snap back to reality. So what if the creature before me was half-medieval knight and half-screaming fanboy? He had pledged his service to finding Octo-Cat. We now shared a passion and a cause. Hope sprung anew as I racked my mind for a list of tasks I couldgive Pringle to keep him busy.

ďI need you to talk with the other animals around the forest. Find out if they saw or heard anything that could be useful. After night falls, come back here and keep an eye on things around the house. If you see anything suspicious, be sure to let us know.Ē

ďOn my honor.Ē Pringle gave me one last lingering look before racing back out through the cat door and, presumably, setting to work.

ďHopefully heíll be more successful than we were,Ē Charles said, reminding me that I wasnít alone. Sometimes when I got deep into a conversation with an animal, I forgot about the humans nearby.

ďIf nothing else, at least it will keep him busy,Ē I said with a shrug.

Nan flipped the poster board over and uncapped a purple marker.ďNow, dear. I know this wonít be easy, but itís time we discussed you a bit more. Or more specifically, who might have it out for you.Ē

A fresh wave of panic bubbled inside me.ďDo you think someone kidnapped Octo-Cat to get back at me?Ē

ďWell, itís not like he had any enemies of his own, so I guess itís a possibility.Ē Charles scooted up to me and wrapped an arm around my shoulder. I laid my head on his chest and tried not to feel as if Iíd somehow signed my best fur friendís death warrant. When it came right down to it, though, we had no proof he would ever come home againóor that he was even still alive.

ďNow, dear. Who hates you most in this world?Ē Nan asked, completely oblivious to the emotional river that raged within me. She was never one to use a gentle word when a stronger one would do.

Hate, wow.There were people out there who actually hated me. That was, indeed, a tough pill to swallow.

ďBut also knows you well enough to know that taking your cat would be a huge punishment,Ē Charles added softly.

ďOh, excellent point,Ē Nan said with a giggle. She spied Charlesís hand on my shoulder and tossed a wink my way, enjoying this whole mess far too much for my liking.

ďHateís a really strong word,Ē I hedged as I shook free of Charlesís arm. Immediately the cold took his place and sent a shiver rushing down my spine.

ďItís a strong feeling, too,Ē Nan agreed. ďI know itís hard to think about, but Iím almost certain the folks you put in prison arenít too happy with you about that.Ē

I got up and walked across the room, then sank down onto the sofa with a groan.ďOkay. First of all, I didnít put them in prison. Their crimes did that. And second, theyírein prison. How could they have possibly taken Octo-Cat even if theyíd wanted to?Ē

ďSheís right,Ē Charles told Nan, and they let out matching sighs. It was eerie how well we all knew each other and had even started to pick up some of each otherís mannerisms. ďWe may be working against a two-man operation here.

ďOr a two-woman gig. Girls can be bad, too, you know.Ē She seemed to take perverse pride in this observation. Now that was a really messed-up form of girl power.

ďThat Peter guy who worked with us briefly certainly didnít like you much,Ē Charles added, referring to Bethanyís creepy cousin who had worked as a paralegal at our firm. Weíd even been forced to share the same desk. I was definitely happy heíd moved down to Georgia, putting a comfortable number of miles between us.

ďYeah, and didnít another fella get fired after you complained about sexual harassment?Ē Nan quickly interjected. ďBrad, was it?Ē

ďYes and yes, but both those guys were skeezy,Ē I whined. Was my proud feminist grandmother really giving me a hard time about standing up against inappropriate advances? Unbelievable.

ďBrad sexually harassed everyone and should have been fired a long time before I finally complained about him. And by the way, Iím not the only one who complained, either. Meanwhile, Peter seemed to have it out for me from day one. Thank goodness theyíre both gone now.Ē

Nan frowned and fiddled some with her markers.ďIím not trying to upset you. Just trying to help bring our buddy home.Ē

ďLook. I can see weíre not really getting anywhere with this line of questioning, so letís back it up,Ē Charles said, jumping graciously to my rescue.

ďYes, and Angie seems quite worked up now, too.Ē Nan came to join me on the couch and placed one aged hand on my knee.

ďItís not fun making a list of people who despise you,Ē I told them both. It seemed like this day just kept getting worse and worse. ďYou should try it and see.Ē

ďOh, nobody dislikes me.Ē Nan fluffed her hair and wiggled in her seat. ďIím just a quirky old grandma.Ē

ďUh-huh.Ē I smirked. At least weíd moved on from compiling our Angieís-worst-enemies list.

Charles came over and sat on my other side.ďMore and more this looks like it must be tied to Ethel Fultonís estate and somebody who was unhappy about how the inheritance was doled out.Ē

ďHeís right,Ē Nan said, leaning back into the hard antique cushion. ďThe timing is too suspect to be anything else.Ē

ďAnd weíre sure he didnít just wander off on his own?Ē Charles raised one eyebrow and waited.

ďNo way,Ē Nan and I cried in unison.

He pressed his lips in a thin line and made aharrumph sound.ďThen that narrows our pool considerably. Since Ethel used our firm for her will, I should be able to get a copy. Youíll have to catch me up on all the key players and what we know about them so far, though, since this all happened before I moved to town.Ē

ďShould we call Officer Bouchard and let him know?Ē Nan asked. Sheíd had a crush on this particular member of local law enforcement for close to a year now. Jeez. Between me and Nan, we were crushing on practically everyone in our small town. Not that either of us ever went out on any dates, but still.

Charles shook his head and frowned.ďLet him know what? Unfortunately we havenít got any proof.Ē

ďYou know what that means, then.Ē Nan pressed down hard on my knee and pushed herself back onto her feet. ďWe need to go find some.Ē

Chapter Eleven

Nan stayed back at the house while Charles and I headed to the law firm so we could grab a copy of Ethelís will along with a list of its beneficiaries.

ďThere are like thirty people on this,Ē I said with a sigh as I ran through the lengthy legal document a second time. ďHow do we know which one took Octo-Cat?Ē

ďLetís make a list of addresses and last known contact info,Ē Charles suggested, pulling up a fresh document on his laptop. ďThen we can probably eliminate anyone out of state and take things from there.Ē

ďIím going to see what I can learn about our suspects on social media, too.Ē I fished my phone out of my pocket and waved it between us with a mischievous grin. ďPeople are amazingly transparent when they think nobody is paying attention. Maybe weíll find out whoís unhappy about the will or having money problems. Someoneís gotta have a clear motive if we dig deep enough.Ē

ďI like how your mind works. Have at it,Ē Charles said before turning his full attention toward his computer.

We passed a few hours in this way. I took a page from Nanís book and placed color-coded marks next to each name on the list of beneficiaries, depending on what we learned about that person and how likely it was they might be our catnapper.

ďThe blue checkmarks are for those people I remember seeing at the will reading,Ē I explained once weíd both completed our research. ďGosh, that feels like it happened forever ago.Ē

My life had changed astronomically since that day. I still remembered coming into the office and getting hounded by Thompson for not having on suitable attire. I borrowed a jacket from my friend Bethany, even though we werenít quite friends yet at that point, then I got electrocuted by the coffee maker, woke up able to speak with Octo-Cat, andóboyóthings really escalated from there.

Now I had a talking cat for my best friend, lived in one of the swankiest manor homes in the entire state, and was on the verge of opening up my own private investigation firm.

That is, once I got up the nerve to hand in my resignation notice to Charles.

I swallowed hard and continued walking him through my list of suspects.ďThe black X means either their profiles are set to private or I couldnít find them. I drew the red circle next to the names of people I thought seemed suspicious or like they could kidnap a cat.Ē

ďBut almost everyone has a red circle,Ē Charles pointed out with a chuckle that sent a knife straight through me.

ďHey, donít laugh. This is serious.Ē I glowered at him until he quieted down.

ďYouíre right. Iím sorry.Ē

ďWhat did you find?Ē I asked, hoping desperately that heíd narrowed down the pool a little better than I had.

ďWell, only a handful live nearby, so theyíre probably our most likely suspects.Ē He turned his computer toward me so I could see the list of names and addresses, which appeared to be organized by distance with those closest to us up at the top.

ďGreat,Ē I said, rising to my feet, ready to go. ďPrint that out for me, and Iíll swing by to check them out now. Wait, actually, Iíll just grab a picture real quick.Ē

I picked up my phone and navigated to my camera app, but Charles pushed his laptop lid down with a click.

ďNo, you wonít,Ē he said, keeping his hand firmly on the laptop as he waited for me to back down. Ugh, he was so irritating sometimes. ďWhoever took Octo-Cat will definitely recognize you and probably Nan, too.Ē

ďSo, what?Ē I demanded, stomping my foot like the overdramatic teenager I once was. ďIím just supposed to do nothing?Ē

A smile lit up his handsome features, putting me at ease.ďI didnít say that. Iíll go and check things out myself.Ē

I couldnít help but smile. I loved how heíd taken real ownership in this case, too. ďGreat, letís go,Ē I said, reaching toward the laptop so I could snag a photo of those addresses.

Charles held up an index finger and wagged it at me.ďNo, Angie. Youíre not coming. Trust me with this, okay? I want him back just as much as you do. Iím not going to mess this up. But I do have a court appointment this afternoon, so Iím not going to be able to check out these leads until after work.Ē

I hung my head and tried really hard not to sigh. I knew he was right, but it didnít make the waiting any easier. ďThank you,Ē I murmured at last with great difficulty.

ďYouíre welcome,Ē Charles said. ďNow, címon, let me take you back home. Maybe Pringle will have discovered something helpful while we were gone.Ē

One could only hopeÖ

[ ŗūÚŤŪÍŗ: img_3]

Of course, Pringle hadnít found anything worthwhile in my absence and neither had Nan.

ďI wonder what Ethel would have thought of all this hullabaloo if she were still alive to see it,Ē Nan drawled over dinner that evening. Sheíd busied herself by cooking up a storm in the kitchen, so dinner was a strange yet satisfying combination of dim sum, gnocchi, and empanadas.

ďYou would never kill me to get to my fortune,Ē Nan asked as she bit into a steamy dumpling and trained a wary eye on me. ďWould you?Ē

I dropped my fork and stared at her, slack-jawed. Luckily, Iíd just swallowed a mouthful of pasta, otherwise it would have fallen straight down onto the table. The things my nan said sometimes!

ďKidding,Ē she sang with a merry little titter. ďStill, though. Poor Ethel. Betrayed by those she loved most, both in life and in death. She only wanted her beloved feline companion to live out the rest of his days in comfort, but that, too, has created difficulty. The old broad just couldnít win.Ē

She shrugged and took another bite, chewing thoughtfully as we sat in silence. I understood why we were talking about the late Ethel Fulton, but it still made me tremendously sadóespecially since in some ways, I was living her life now, or at least in her house. To think, even though Ethel had died with lots of money, it was clear sheíd been missing something important in life.

Like love, family, respect.

Nan said nothing more about it, but the woman Iíd seen only at her funeral last year remained solidly at the front of mind. I owed it to her to make sure her cat maintained his lavish lifestyle, that he was brought home safe and sound. So what if other people didnít exactly understand.

I did, and this was my job. It was also something I cared deeply about and would fight to put right again.

Octo-Cat was coming home, no matter what it took.

Thankfully, updates from Charles started coming in via text shortly after weíd finished dinner. He messaged after each visit he made to one of Ethelís heirs. At first his messages came relatively close together since he was visiting those who lived in our own Glendale, but eventually they became fewer and farther between.

I lay in bed with my phone beside me, eagerly awaiting each one.

Until I fell asleep.

I dreamt of the early days with Octo-Cat, back when we lived in that tiny rental he hated and were still finding our way around each other. I revisited all my favorite memoriesólike giving him his very own iPad and eating grilled shrimp together, the day the paperwork came in and I officially adopted him. Weíd lived through so many important moments together and had so many more that were yet to come.

Weíd caught killers and thieves. We could catch a catnapper, too.

The happy memories quickly gave way to the scary ones. To high-speed car chases and ominous staircases, visiting a friend in maximum security and staring straight into the eyes of someone who wanted me dead.

A bang sounded from across the room, and I jumped into a sitting position before Iíd even had the chance to fully wake up. The image of a shiny pistol flashed behind my eyelids. Iíd been threatened by a gun more than once this past year, andó

BANG!

It was coming from the other side of my closed door.

No, itwas my closed door.

Someone was knocking on it as if their very life depended on me answering and answering fast.

ďNan?Ē I called as I padded hesitantly over.

ďOpen up! Open up!Ē a familiar squeaky voice shouted. ďThereís been a development.Ē

I flung the door open, and in came Pringle.

He clambered right up onto my bed, blinking hard when I flipped the light switch on.ďAhh, Iím blinded by the light,Ē he said, rubbing at his eyes. ďDoesnít that thing have a dimmer?Ē

ďSorry.Ē I switched off the overhead and turned on my bedside lamp. As I came closer, I noticed that he had a piece of white paper with small colorful blocks pasted on one side.

ďWhereíd you get that?Ē I asked, pointing.

ďThatís what Iím trying to tell you. Someone just slipped this under the front door. I came running, but I wasnít fast enough to see the personís face. Definitely a human, though. Definitely a human.Here. Take it.Ē

My hands shook as I took the paper from Pringleís outstretched paws.

ďItís a ransom note,Ē I said in disbelief as I looked over the hasty arrangement of letters that had clearly been cut out from a magazine. ďWhy go to all this trouble? Why not just type what they wanted to say?Ē

ďClearly somebody has a flair for the dramatic,Ē Pringle said, baring his teeth and rolling his eyes. ďSo, whatís it say? Huh? Huh?Ē

I moved the paper closer to the light and read,ďYou donít belong here. Give up the house, or I kill the cat.Ē

I gasped and dropped the letter as if Iíd been burned.

ďNo way, no way, no way!Ē Pringle shouted as he jumped on my bed. ďNobody threatens Octavius and gets away with it. What do we do now?Ē

ďI donít know,Ē I answered with a sob. ďThey didnít give us any directions or tell us a place to send our response.Ē

Iíd give them the house if thatís what it took, but how? I felt more helpless than ever as I stared into Pringleís dark eyes, praying he had the answer.

Chapter Twelve

ďCímon,Ē I told my raccoon accomplice after several moments of tense silence passed between us. ďLetís go get you some Fancy Feast.Ē

I took a picture of the ransom note with my phone and forwarded it to both Charles and Nan, then headed for the pantry to prepare a late-night snack for both me and Pringle. Iíd already made it about halfway down the stairs when I realized he wasnít following me.

Instead, Pringle stood at the top of the narrow stairway with giant, glistening tears in his dark eyes.ďFancy Feast? For me?Ē he crooned.

I smiled at the sweet but bizarre forest creature.ďI can also throw in some Evian if that helps to sweeten the deal.Ē

Pringle scampered down the stairs as fast as his four feet could carry him and attached himself to my leg in what I assumed was a grateful hug.ďThis is the best day of my life,Ē he whispered into my plaid pajama pants. ďThe very best day.Ē

ďJust wait until you meet Octavius,Ē I said with a chuckle, picturing the scene unfoldóthe look of unadulterated joy on Pringleís face, the likely irritation on my catís. ďI have a feeling heís going to love you,Ē I said anyway. It was true; once Octo-Cat got past the raccoonís enthusiasm, heíd love having someone in his life who appreciated him as much as he appreciated himself.

Pringle stopped in his tracks but quickly started moving again. I absolutely loved how easy it was to make his day. Once I prepared a late-night meal of Fancy Feast and Evian for himóserved on disposable dishes rather than Octo-Catís preferred Lenox setóand grabbed a granola bar for myself, I went to wake Nan with news of the ransom note.

Before I could reach her bedroom, however, my cell phone buzzed in my hand. The call came from a number I didnít recognize, which seemed especially odd this late at night.

Could it be the catnapper calling to talk terms? Iíd happily pay whatever he wanted if it meant getting my cat back.

ďHello?Ē I asked, a quiver of anticipation racing through me.

ďAngie, why didnít you call me earlier?Ē The speaker sounded quite angry, so it took me a moment to place her.

ďB-B-Bethany?Ē I stuttered, finally recognizing my friendís voice. ďWhere are you?Ē

ďPeter and I made it down to Georgia earlier tonight, and Charles just called to catch me up on everything that happened since we left. First tell me, are you okay?Ē

ďYeah,Ē I lied for some reason. Iíd grown to love Bethany, even though our relationship hadnít always been an easy one. Still, as much as I trusted her, I didnít want her to know how destroyed I was by this latest turn of events. She didnít know my secret, and I planned to keep it that way.

ďDo you have any idea who could have wanted to take Octo-Cat?Ē I asked, my voice shaking.

Bethany didnít hesitate in her response. ďClearly, this has something to do with Ethelís will. Remember how angry everyone was that he got anything at all, let alone that huge trust fund?Ē

Iíd already been thinking along these same lines myself, but there was a part of it that still made absolutely no sense to me. ďYeah, but that was months ago,Ē I added. ďWhy act on it now?Ē

She hummed a few beats, then asked,ďHow long has it been since you moved into Fulton Manor?Ē

ďA couple months,Ē I mumbled as I slipped one of my fingers into my mouth and began to bite at the scraggly fingernail. ďThink that has something to do with it? I did get this ransom note that specifically mentions it.Ē

ďOf course the house has something to do with it,Ē Bethany exploded after I caught her up. ďThereís one thing that doesnít quite make sense, though. If the catnapping was supposed to keep you from contesting the arbitration, then why send a ransom note at all? I mean, without Octo-Catísmonthly stipend, you wouldnít be able to afford the house and would have to give it up, anyway. Right?Ē

I groaned, suddenly feeling like I might pass out.ďThanks for reminding me of just how much is at stake here. But yes, I canít afford my mansion on a part-time paralegalís salary. This isnít House Hunters.Ē My joke fell on deaf ears.

ďIím thinking,Ē Bethany mumbled without giving me even a pity laugh.

ďLike thinking you might know who did it?Ē I chanced. It killed me that I hadnít been able to figure this out yet. Was I missing something big due to my panic? Could my shrewd and logical friend catch something I hadnít been able to?

ďNot yet,Ē she answered with a sigh. ďBut I do know the Fultons a bit better than you do. I may be able to connect some of the dots if I puzzle over this long enough.Ē

ďAnything you can do would be very helpful,Ē I said politely. ďThank you, Bethany.Ē

ďHey, I owe you one, anyway.Ē Now she let out a little chuckle. I had no idea what she was talking about, though.

ďYou do? Why?Ē

ďUm, never mind,Ē she said with another nervous laugh. ďGotta go. Bye!Ē

Well, that was weird. Bethany was right about one thing, though. The arbitration notice and the ransom note did seem at odds with each other. The note might even establish grounds for delaying the arbitration a bit longer. Could the catnapper mastermind really be so shortsighted?

Charles would know better than me.

I glanced at the tiny digital clock on my phone. It was just past twelve thirty. Since I knew Charles regularly burned the midnight oil, I decided to try giving him a call.

ďHello?Ē a womanís voice answered coldly.

ďOh, um, Breanne?Ē I chanced a guess. It gutted me that she had answered his phone at this hour.

ďWho else would it be? And why are you calling my boyfriend in the middle of the night.Hmm?ĒWell, apparently, it bothered her just as much that I had reason to call so late at night. Charles was my friend before he was ever her boyfriend, though, and I was willing to bet I knew him better and cared for him more.

ďGive me that,Ē I heard Charles say before presumably yanking the phone free of his girlfriendís hands.

ďSorry,Ē I muttered. ďI didnít mean to interrupt anything.Ē

Charles sucked air in through his teeth.ďYouíre not interrupting. Breanne just stopped by to say a quick goodnight since weíre not going to be able to see each other tomorrow.Ē

Yup, uh-huh. Likely story.

Even though I myself was a twenty-eight-year-old virgin, I knew how the world worked. It made me want to throw up everything in my stomach, but still I understood.

ďCharles!Ē Breanne hissed from the other end of the call. ďI havenít got all night to wait around here.Ē

ďIíve gotta go,Ē my friend said, and he even sounded a little sad about it.

ďBye,Ē I whispered after heíd already disconnected the call.

ďHumans are weird,Ē Pringle informed me as he waddled his way over to my side.

ďWe are,Ē I agreed. ďBut raccoons are kind of weird, too.Ē

He laughed and used his hands to groom himself following his decadent feast of canned cat food.ďYouíve got that right.Ē

ďDo you think heís okay out there?Ē I asked, not bothering to clarify who I meant.

ďListen, babe. I canít live in a world that doesnít have my boy Octavius in it. You better believe heís okay and that whoever did this is gonna payóand pay big-time.Ē

I reached over and stroked Pringleís fur. If I closed my eyes, it almost felt like he was my missing friend. Instead of purring, he made a soft chattering noise.

ďYou know,Ē he said after a while. ďIíve been thinking that perhaps we should start planning Octaviusís welcome home party now. That way weíre ready whenever he turns up.Ē

ďThatís a good idea. Why donít you think it over and then get back to me with what we need?Ē

ďIt would be my pleasure.Ē Pringle showed me his toothy, slightly scary smile and then hobbled out through the cat door to begin his preparations.

I clutched the ransom note to my chest and sent up a prayer for Octo-Catís safe return. There were so many peopleóand animalsówho loved him, who missed him, and needed him home.

Chapter Thirteen

I couldnít sleep for the rest of that night. Instead, I hung out in the living room with all the lights off as I watched the yard, hoping our mystery ransom note writer might make a second appearance.

I must have nodded off at some point, because the next thing I knew, Nan was pressing a warm mug of coffee into my hands and telling me toďSit up and catch me up on whatever it is I missed.Ē

ďWhat? Oh.Ē I struggled to straighten myself on the stiff couch, but everything hurt. If the catnapper had made another appearance last night, then Iíd surely missed it. Darn me and my biorhythms.

ďSomeone slipped this under the door,Ē I informed Nan after finding the letter on the floor near my feet and handing it to her.

She clucked her tongue and shook her head.ďWell, someone isnít playing very fair. Are they?Ē

Suddenly, I couldnít keep it in any longer. Iíd tried so hard to be strong, and for what? My stiff upper lip wasnít bringing Octo-Cat home.

And so I cried.

Nan took my coffee mug away and set it on the end table, then wrapped me in a hug and made soft shushing noises.

ďDo you think theyíd really do what theyíre threatening?Ē I sobbed, letting all my worry and anxiety overtake me at last. ďThat theyíd kill Octo-Cat?Ē

Nan stroked my hair as she spoke. Her words came out soft but determined, true.ďIn my many years on this earth, Iíve learned one very important lesson, and Iíve learned it more than once, Iím afraid.Ē

She sucked in a deep breath, and I pulled away from her embrace so we now sat face-to-face.

ďCrazy people will do anything if they think it will help them reach their crazy goals,Ē she said sagely.

This was not the answer Iíd wanted to hear.

Nan reached forward and brushed her wrinkled fingers against my cheek, picking up a tear on one of her fingertips.ďIíve learned another thing, too. People will do anything to save their own hides. And I bet that goes for cats, too. Donít count that cat of ours out yet. Heís a survivor.Ē

ďYeah, and he still has four lives left. At least according to him,Ē I added with a sad chuckle, pressing my face against her soft sweater and allowing it to offer some measure of comfort in this painful moment.

ďThat he does,Ē Nan said as she squeezed me with surprising strength. One day I endeavored to be as fit as my nan. Just maybe not today. ďSo whatís the plan? What do we do next?Ē

Iíd had a lot of time to think about our next steps as I staked out the living room last night. Ultimately, I realized that even if the forest animals didnít know what had happened to Octo-Cat, they might still be our best chance of finding him again. Whoever had taken him probably didnít knowI could speak with animals, so they wouldnít be on the lookout for my special crew of furry helpers.

ďI know that look,Ē Nan said with a huge, relieved grin. ďYou already have it all worked out. So go ahead. Catch your dear old nan up.Ē

ďI havenít worked everything out yet, but I do have a pretty good idea,Ē I said, twisting my back to try to rid it of the kinks Iíd developed last night. ďCímon, Iíll tell you all together.Ē

We both slipped on shoes and charged out of the house toward the forest. Nan didnít even question it. Perhaps a part of her already knew what Iíd decided.

Maple found us as soon as we reached the tree line.ďHey, itís the peanut butter lady!Ē she cried from her perch on a low tree branch. ďHi, peanut butter lady!Ē

I bit my lip and widened my eyes, then exchanged a look with Nan while waiting for Maple to calm down enough to talk to her.

ďHi, Maple,Ē I said with a quick, friendly wave. ďMy nameís Angie by the way. You know, in case you forgot. Have you seen Pringle around this morning?Ē

Her little squirrel nose twitched and then she hopped onto another nearby tree branch.ďPringle!Ē she screamed. ďThe peanut butter lady needs you! Maybe she has more peanut butter to give us.Ē

Maple raced back toward the thick tree trunk and scampered down to the ground at lightning speed.ďDo you have more peanut butter?Ē she asked, pushing both hands down onto my shoe again and again, almost like she was performing CPR on my toes.

ďI might,Ē I answered in a sing-song voice. ďBut first bring me Pringle, please.Ē

ďRoger that!Ē Maple bounded into the woods, leaving me and Nan waiting at the edge of the forest.

ďWhat did that cute critter say?Ē Nan whispered once Maple was out of view.

I chuckled. Despite her faults, Maple was growing on me as well. If she actually managed to carry out this plan and help us get Octo-Cat back, then Iíd make sure I hooked her up with free peanut butter for life. ďShe wants peanut butter,Ē I explained, ďand everything she says pretty much traces back to that one thing.Ē

Nan gasped affectionately.ďOh, then why didnít we bring some with us?Ē

I shook my head and kept my eyes focused on the trees before us.ďBelieve me, Iíve already made that mistake once. As soon as she has her peanut butter, she forgets everything else in the world. I need her to focus long enough to help with our plan. She can have her treat after.Ē

Sure enough, Maple appeared again and zipped past us, running back toward the house.ďBe right back!Ē she cried in an excited squeak.

We watched as Maple approached our front porch and then stopped right in front of it. A big gray fluffball climbed out from underneath and blinked in the sunlight.

ďI didnít realize he lived so close to us,Ē Nan said as we both watched the wily squirrel lead the dazed raccoon over to us.

ďNeither did I,Ē I grumbled. He must have chewed a hole somewhere to get under there, and I was not happy about the unexpected damage to my already hard-to-maintain house.

ďBlessed morning, Lady Angela,Ē Pringle crooned once he and Maple had made their way back to us. So we were still doing the whole medieval thing. Okay.

Even though I preferred reading mysteries and true crime, Iíd worked my way through enough fantasy novels to emulate his grandiose speaking patterns.

ďAnd good morrow to you, Sir Pringle.Ē I paused and gave a quick curtsy. Oh, brother. ďWe come to you today with a most noble quest.Ē

ďWhy is the peanut butter lady talking all funny?Ē Maple squeaked but was quickly shushed by the raccoon who was still doing his best to remain in character.

ďYes. Octavius.Ē Pringle confirmed his understanding with a nod.

ďItís time we brought him home. Are you and your squire up to the task?Ē I shifted my gaze toward Maple. As flighty as the little squirrel had proven to be, I was hoping Pringle could do a good job keeping her in line. Weíd need both animals to carry out my plan.

ďMight I choose my own squire?Ē Pringle asked with a faltering grin. I couldnít say I blamed him. The raccoon appeared to be of near human intelligence, while the squirrelÖ wellÖ She sure was cute!

ďGoodly Maple will serve you well,Ē I said with a curt nod, then brought one hand up to my mouth and whispered, ďBesides, I happen to know sheíll do anything for peanut butter.Ē

The squirrelís ears perked up at this, but she remained blessedly quiet.

Pringle bowed his head, whether in defeat or humble acquiescence I couldnít quite say. But he said, ďThen reveal your plan to us, and we shall make it so.Ē

Okay, it was show time.

Letís hope my harebrained plan was enough to bring our boy home safe.

Chapter Fourteen

Nan and I sat down cross-legged in the grass, and the two animals settled down across from us.

ďOkay, hereís what Iím thinkingÖĒ I said, then launched into a winded explanation of my new plan.

ďOh, we should get a pet GPS tracker,Ē Nan added. ďIíve heard, uh, good things about them.Ē She beamed at me as if Iíd just crowned her Ms. Maine. Weird.

ďSure, we can pick one of those up this afternoon,Ē I conceded. It was a good suggestion, but also pretty high tech for a woman whoíd only just begun to send and receive text messages.

ďAlso get some peanut butter while youíre out,Ē Maple suggested rather unhelpfully.

ďFirst results, then rewards,Ē Pringle scolded his squirrel squire. Yup, this raccoon was definitely a keeper.

I reached out and gave him a high five, and thanks to his constant human surveillance, Pringle knew just what to do. He may have worshipped Octo-Cat, but he clearly knew more than the idol of his affections.

ďThatís right,Ē I said, exchanging my goofy grin for a granite jaw and narrowed eyes. ďNothing is more important than bringing Octo-Cat home. Nothing. Not even peanut butter.Ē

Maple gasped.

Pringle cheered.

Nan looked confused but still quite enthusiastic.ďWhatís my role in all this, dear?Ē she asked, once everyone had quieted again.

This was the tough part. I didnít technically need Nan to carry out my plan, but I knew better than to exclude her.

ďYouíll keep running command central, and you can help me stay awake tonight, too. Also wardrobe. Youíre definitely in charge of wardrobe.Ē

She appeared pleased by this.ďIíll make cocoa and call the guys.Ē

Ugh, not this again. Why couldnít she have become obsessed with my lack of a love life some other time? Itís not as if I were newly single. It had always just been me against the world.

I shook my head emphatically.ďThe guys?No. We donít need Cal and Charles for this.Ē

Nan elbowed me in the ribs.ďTheyíre nice distractions, though. Eh?Ē

I just rolled my eyes rather than dignify her ill-timed matchmaking efforts with a response.ďDoes everyone understand what they need to do?Ē

ďYes,Ē Nan and Pringle said in unison. Both looked ready for action.

Maple, however, raised her tiny brown hand.ďUm, I forgot,Ē she squeaked meekly.

ďItís okay, kid. Come with me and Iíll catch you up.Ē Pringle stood on all fours and motioned for the squirrel to follow him back to his under-porch apartment. It looked like we were done playing knights of the round table nowóand for that, I was very thankful, indeed.

ďI do love a good stakeout,Ē Nan confided in me as we made our way back to the house. ďYou get the GPS tracker, and Iíll head to the supermarket to pick up some snacks and drinks for our little get-together tonight.Ē

I stopped walking and stared at my grandmother.ďAre you really going to invite the guys? This isnít exactly a social event. At least it shouldnít be.Ē

Nan traced her way back to me and wrapped me in a hug.ďI know that, dear, but it helps to have good friends by your side when the going gets tough.Ē

Well, I couldnít exactly argue with her there. ďOkay,Ē I said, hoping I wouldnít be too embarrassed by whatever she had planned for the evening.

Then again, this was Nan we were dealing withÖ

Of course I was going to be embarrassed.

[ ŗūÚŤŪÍŗ: img_3]

Our stakeout party began at ten that night. Pringle had explained the plan to Maple at least a couple dozen times, and theyíd even run test drills both with and without the pet GPS.

Charles and Cal came over right at ten, taking care to hide their vehicles around back. Our entire plan hinged on the ransom note writer coming back that night, and we needed him to assume that the house lay quiet and empty, which meant our party was now taking place in the pitch dark without even a candle to light the room.

We kept our voices low, too, as we whispered and conversed with each other. The whole thing was strangely intimate. We all wore comfortable black sweatsóprovided by Nan, of courseóand sipped warm thermoses of hot cocoaóalso provided by Nan.

ďAre you sure the person is going to come back tonight?Ē Cal asked from my left.

ďHe has to, since he didnít leave any way for Angie to get in touch,Ē Charles answered from my right.

They both sat close enough for me to feel their body heat as it crashed into mine. It didnít escape my notice that these were the two most handsome men I knew nowóor had ever known, really. One had brains for days while the other was all brawn. Both had huge hearts, but there in the dark, without their good looks to distract me, I knew there was only one man my heart craved.

And he was the one who was already taken.

Because thatís how my life worked. Darn.

ďAre you nervous?Ē Charles whispered in my ear.

ďMore excited than nervous,Ē I answered, wondering if he felt little zips of electricity jump between us, too.

His phone buzzed in his pocket. We were so close that I felt the vibrations, too.ďItís Breanne,Ē he said, pushing a button to send the call straight to voicemail.

A small, petty part inside me did a cartwheel. He was choosing me over her. At least for this. At least for right now.

Around eleven thirty, a sound from outside drew everyoneís attention toward the window.

ďShhh,Ē I reminded them all.ďWe have to hang back, stay out of sight, and trust in the plan now.Ē

ďYes, the plan will set us free,Ē Nan whisper-yelled.

Poor Cal still didnít know I could talk to animals. He thought the plan involved high-tech video cameras and a sophisticated booby trap. Little did he know that one nocturnal raccoon was watching carefully from his spot beneath the porch, and one forgetful but lithe squirrel was already equipped with a GPS and ready to hurl herself into our mysterious catnapperís car the moment the raccoon gave the okay.

Sure enough, a few minutes later, Pringle charged through the cat door to alert us that the plan was underway.

ďCímon, Cal. Why donít you help me in the kitchen?Ē Nan guided him away before he could set sights on the newly arrived raccoon visitor holding a second ransom note between his paws.

ďGood work, Pringle.Ē I grabbed the note and patted him on the head, then Charles and I burst out into the night. Weíd already agreed that he would drive, and Iíd navigate by following the tiny tracking dot attached to Maple, who had already stowed away in the car and was now being driven to who knew where.

As curious as I was, I didnít even glance at the new ransom note. Instead, I focused on following that blinking dot, hoping it would take us to Octo-Cat and end this whole terrible ordeal once and for all.

Charles drove effortlessly as I called out each turn. We werenít far behind the catnapper now. Soon the three of us would come face-to-face, and Iíd be able to demand answers to my many, many questions.

ďThis is weird,Ē Charles muttered as we pulled into a sleepy suburb. ďI know someone who lives here.Ē

ďYeah, well, Glendale is a pretty small town. Most of us do,Ē I said, staring at the phone so that I wouldnít miss a single beat.

ďCharles,Ē I shouted in excitement. ďThe dot stopped!Ē

This was it. We were getting our boy back, and we were getting him back now.

ďWhere?Ē he asked, a darkness I didnít understand overtaking his features.

ďJust a few driveways ahead. Looks like itís theóĒ

ďYellow Cape Cod?Ē he asked at the same time he pulled into the driveway and transitioned us to park.

ďYeah, howíd you know?Ē I asked in shock. Was he just a good guesser, oró?

ďThis is Breanneís house,Ē he revealed with a low growl from deep in his throat.

Uh-oh.

Chapter Fifteen

I jumped out of the car before Charles even had time to put it fully in park. I caught up with the redheaded realtor on her porch step and yanked on her purse strap until she was finally forced to turn around and face me.ďWhereís my cat, youÖ? YouÖ YouÖBreanne!Ē

ďDonít touch me,Ē she snapped back, foisting her designer purse from my grip.

Oh, I wanted to do a whole lot more than touch her. I wasnít really a slapper, but I would have happily ground her expensive, showy purse into the mud. I only held back due to the urgent need to get to my cat. Was he inside? Had Breanne had him this whole time? So many questions.

ďWhere is he?Ē I boomed, taking great satisfaction in how rattled my nemesis looked in that moment. If I kept pushing, sheíd crack, easy. ďGive him to me right now and nobody gets hurt.Ē

She took a step back and pressed herself against the door.ďWhat are you talking about?Ē she ground out, looking at me as if Iíd gone crazy even though all of this was most definitely her fault and not mine.

I took a step closer and got right in her face, so close I could smell her cloying lip gloss. Gross.ďDonít play dumb. I know itís you whoís been slipping ransom notes under my door. We followed you here, too. Didnít we, Charles?Ē I turned back toward my friend, who remained standing by his car, seemingly unable to speak.

ďLet me in!Ē I screamed. ďLet me in right now!Ē

But Breanne stood firm with both arms crossed over her chest.ďNo. Go away!Ē

Thankfully, Charles finally snapped out of whatever funk he was in and marched right over, then stepped around us and pushed the door open.

ďHow could you?Ē he asked his horrible, no-good girlfriend, but I didnít stick around to hear her answer.

Once inside, I began to shout for my cat at the top of my lungs. But even after tearing through the entire house, I still couldnít find him. ďOcto-Cat! Octo-Cat! Are you here? Come out! Itís safe!Ē

When no answer came, I rounded on Breanne once more.ďWhere is he? Why did you take him? How could you?Ē

ďI donít have your stupid cat, and I donít owe you anything,Ē she answered with a sniff and looked away, almost as if she might feel a little guilty. Yeah, right. I was most definitely not buying that.

ďI think you owe me some answers, though,Ē Charles interjected. ďDid you really steal Angieís cat and send her threatening letters? Why would you do that?Ē

ďYou both need to calm down,Ē she muttered through clenched teeth. ďI donít have the cat. Okay?Ē

ďSorry. Iím not buying it. You delivered the letters. We caught you in the act,Ē I exploded.

Breanne narrowed her gaze, looking past Charles so she could focus all of her venom and hostility right on me.ďFine. Iíll admit it. That was me. But Iím not the one who wrote them.Ē

ďWho did? Stop stalling, and tell me what you know,Ē I demanded. Why wouldnít she just come out with it already? Itís not like either of us treasured spending time together, and this was serious.

Breanne shook her head.ďI donít know.Ē She took a step back when Charles stepped back so that we now stood side-by-side. Now we were united against her, and that seemed to break her. Apparently, sheíd expected him to take her side in all this.

ďHow could you not know?Ē I couldnít see Charlesís face as he spoke, but his disappointment came out loud and clear. ďWhy would you ever agree to be a part of this? And then to not get all the answers?Ē He cleared his throat before continuing. ďI thought you were smarter than that, Bree. Kinder, too.Ē

ďI didnít,Ē I spat.

Breanne had never liked me, and Iíd never liked her. I wasnít surprised sheíd want to hurt me, but it did startle me that she was involved in this terrible thing. Breanne had absolutely no link to Ethel Fultonís estate, so why would she even get involved in the first place?

ďItís not a big deal,Ē Bree cried. ďSo, seriously, calm down. You know my income has been down ever since my brother was branded a murderer. So when an anonymous client turned up and promised me a big commission in my future plus a generous cash infusion now, how could I say no? Itís not like Iím hurting anyone. We were just trying to spook you out of that house of yours.Ē

ďYou threatened to kill my cat!Ē I shook with rage now that I had someone to blame but still had zero idea where my cat might be.

ďNo, I didnít do that. I didnít write the letters. And seriously, who would kill a cat? Thatís taking things a little too far.Ē She seemed to be losing steam by the minute but still wouldnít admit sheíd done a single thing wrong.

ďBut extortion is just fine,Ē Charles grumbled as he narrowed his eyes at Breanne. ďReally, Bree. I thought I knew you.Ē

ďYou do know me, which is why I thought youíd understand,Ē she pleaded. ďYou know how hard things have been lately.Ē

ďBut youíre working through that,Ē he argued. ďHonest work. Not blackmail and threats.Ē Despite my anger, it struck me as a bit funny that Charles was berating his girlfriend for blackmailing me when heíd done the same thing to get my help on a difficult case. Granted, he never would have actually hurt me. Breanne, on the other handÖ

ďNo,Ē she insisted. ďIím trying to, but not succeeding. And you know why? Everyone thinks my brotherís this monster, even after he was acquitted, and itís all her fault.Ē She raised a shaky finger toward me. If looks could killÖ

Charles tightened his grip on my shoulder.ďShe helped me get him acquitted. How have you conveniently forgotten that little part of the story?Ē

Breanne shrugged.ďHer mother, though. That news anchor woman. Sheís the one who convinced all of Blueberry Bay that Brock was guilty, and even after he was proven innocent, theyíve had a hard time changing their minds. Oh, and donít think Iíve missed the fact that youíre trying to steal my boyfriend right out from under my nose.Ē

ďJeez, what is wrong with you?Ē Charles yelled. ďAngie and I are just friends. And that doesnít even really matter anyway, because you and I are officially through.Ē

ďCharles, baby. Donít be like that,Ē Bree begged, approaching him with hands raised in supplication.

He turned from her and strode toward the front door.ďIíll wait for you in the car,Ē he informed me before disappearing outside.

ďDo you really not know who was sending the letters?Ē I asked gently. As much as I hated Breanne, she had just been dumped and seemed pretty upset by it. Besides, yelling at her wasnít getting any of the answers I needed, but maybe a bit of kindness would.

ďI really donít know,Ē she said with a sniff. ďNow pleaseÖ JustÖ Just go away.Ē

I studied her for a moment before finally turning away and following Charles outside. I found him behind the wheel of his car with this head down and tears spilling down both cheeks.ďAre you okay?Ē

He sat up straighter and cleared his throat.ďI should have known better. Iíve been so stupid.Ē

ďIím sorry,Ē I said, because it seemed like the best response given the situation. ďDo you want to talk about it?Ē

ďHonestly,Ē he said, pulling the car back out of the driveway. ďI kind of want to forget it ever happened. I canít believe I wasted so many months of my life on her.Ē

I found myself torn between wanting to be a good friend to Charles and wanting to screamI told you so from the top of my lungs. Iíd always known Breanne was a bad egg, but Iíd never known just how rotten sheíd become, never would have suspected sheíd go to such drastic lengths to make my life miserable.

ďIím so sorry she did this to you,Ē he said, keeping his eyes glued firmly to the road ahead. ďI wanted to find Octo-Cat before, but now it feels like itís my duty, like somehow this is partially my fault. I know Iím a big part of the reason she hates you, and itís up to me to make things right.Ē

ďCharles, none of this is your fault.Ē

ďIt feels that way, though.Ē

I put a conciliatory hand on his forearm.ďI accept your help, but not because you owe me anything. Thank you for being such a good friend.Ē

We drove back to my house in utter silence. Had Charles meant it when he told Breanne we were only friends? Or had he also been harboring a secret crush on me all these months?

I pushed these questions from my already overcluttered brain. Only one question mattered now, and it needed all our focusÖ

Where was Octo-Cat?

Chapter Sixteen

Back at my house, Nan and Cal were waiting for Charlesís and my return with every light on the main floor at full blast.

Cal popped to his feet when we entered.ďDid you find him?Ē

ďNo,Ē I said, accepting a fresh mug of cocoa from Nan, who was clearly enjoying her role as stakeout hostess.

ďDid you find who was leaving the notes?Ē she asked with large eyes.

ďYeah, we did.Ē I bit my lip, not wanting to be the one to break this news to Breanneís twin brother, especially since sheíd used his unfairly earned bad reputation as an excuse for getting involved in her shady dealings.

ďIt was Breanne,Ē Charles answered for me. His voice brooked no arguments. Iíd never seen him so livid about anything in all the months Iíd known him.

ďYou mean, your girlfriend?Ē Nan looked from one man to the other and frowned. ďAnd your sister?Ē

ďSheís my ex now,Ē Charles said with a sigh.

Nan didnít even try to hide her happiness at this news. She even wrapped an arm around me and squeezed me to her side. ďGood. She wasnít right for you anyway.Ē

I about died when she shot me what she must have assumed was a surreptitious wink.

Charles saw it plain as day, but at least it made him smile.

Cal, however, seemed to be the most upset of everyone.ďWhy would she do something like that?Ē He sank down onto the couch and dragged both hands through his hair. ďOh, wait. Itís because of me. Isnít it?Ē

ďItís not your fault you got framed for murder,Ē I pointed out gently.

ďIt sure feels like it, though.Ē

ďCharles is blaming himself, too,Ē I said. ďBut, believe me, this is nobodyís fault except Breanneís.Ē

ďOkay,Ē Nan shouted, drawing everyoneís attention to her. ďEnough with the pity party. We have work to do.Ē

ďWhat work? We reached a dead end with Breanne. She says she doesnít know who was paying her to drop off the letters.Ē Charles paced around the living room like a caged lion ready to pounce.

ďIím going to go talk to her.Ē Cal rose to his feet and marched toward the front door. ďCall me if you need me.Ē

The door slammed shut, and we all took a collective breath in.

ďCharles, look at me.Ē Nan walked right up to him and stood on her tiptoes in an effort to bring her face closer to his.

He stopped pacing, the pent-up energy visible in the bulging veins that had risen to the surface of his neck and forearms. This was killing him.

ďI know youíre feeling down in the dumps right about now, but you and that woman were never right for each other anyway,Ē Nan said firmly. ďSo, stop mulligrubbing, and fire up that big, beautiful brain of yours again. Weíre going to need it to bring our kitty boy home safely.Ē

ďMaybe we didnít get anywhere with Bree,Ē I told Charles much gentler than Nan had just spoken to him. ďBut that doesnít mean weíre at a dead end, either. We still have the list of beneficiaries from Ethelís will, and you only checked out the local ones, right?Ē

He nodded but said nothing. I briefly wondered whether he was holding back tears or shouts. Maybe both.

After grabbing his hand in mine, I gave it a reassuring squeeze.ďThen I say itís time we take a little road trip. If someone needed to pay Breanne to drop off those letters, chances are they donít live close enough to do it themselves.Ē

ďIíll stay here with the animals in case anything else goes down at mission central,Ē Nan volunteered.

ďCharles?Ē I asked. ďI know youíre having a really hard time with all of this right now, but I could really use a friend by my side. Are you in?Ē

He dropped his gaze toward the floor and nodded as if a hundred-pound weight was pushing down on his neck.ďIím in,Ē he groaned.

I wrapped my arms around Charles and gave him a tight hug.ďThank you,Ē I murmured. ďBut first before we go, we need to make a quick stop off at the twenty-four-hour market and swing back by Breeís real quick, too.Ē

He studied me in horror. It seemed our opinions about Breanne finally matched, although I hated the circumstances. Unfortunately, we didnít have much of a choice as to whether or not to return to her house that night.

ďIím pretty sure we forgot Maple there,Ē I admitted with a flippant shrug, even though I was beating myself up about having left a manóer,a squirrelóbehind on our mission. ďI figure we should come prepared with an apology and peanut butter, thus our other stop. Címon, letís go.Ē

[ ŗūÚŤŪÍŗ: img_3]

Given that our stakeout party had started at ten that night, neither Charles nor I had slept recently. Still, I doubted either of us could have grabbed even a few winks if weíd triedónot with all that was weighing on our minds. Instead, we grabbed a case of the cold espresso drinksóthe ones Nan always said tasted like chalkófrom my fridge and set off on our next great fact-finding adventure.

ďWho should we pay a visit to first?Ē Charles asked once weíd made it to the main road that ran through our tiny town of Glendale.

ďEthelís niece, Anne,Ē I said definitively, pointing to her name on the printout Charles had given me. ďShe gave off definite creepy vibes when last we met.Ē

ďCreepy as in catnapper creepy?Ē Charles asked with a lopsided grin. He adjusted his hands on the wheel and settled back in his seat. Now that weíd rescued Maple from Breanneís house and moved past that portion of our night, he seemed to be returning to his normal relaxed self.

ďCreepy as in she was on my short list of murder suspects creepy.Ē I then filled him in on my various run-ins with the eerie older woman.

ďDefinitely creepy,Ē Charles agreed. ďSo she really broke into Ethelís house?Ē

ďYup, but seeing as Iíd also broken in, I decided to let that one pass.Ē I began to fiddle with a hangnail absentmindedly. Even though Charles and I were back to our usual easy banter, something important had changed. Now I was wondering what every glance, touch, and word meant, whether it might imply that he felt how I did.

I pinched the skin on my wrist to force myself to focus on finding Octo-Cat rather than finding out what Charles may or may not feel for me.

Luckily, he had to keep his focus on driving, which meant he missed all the weirdness I was serving up in the passenger seat beside him.ďBut you said she was there to scout out antiques and other valuables she wanted to keep for herself, right?Ē

ďYeah, and if Octo-Cat and I hadnít showed up to stop her, Iím pretty sure she would have taken it all.Ē

ďThatís what she said.Ē Charles suppressed a boyish chuckle, and I gave him a playful slap over the center console.

ďCímon. Weíre both grown-ups here.Ē

Charles broke out laughing again.

ďIím going to let that go, since itís already been a long night and weíre just getting started,Ē I said graciously. ďAnyway, yeah, my gut says itís Anne. Nobody else really left much of an impression, to be honest.Ē

ďWell, then I guess weíre headed into Boston. At least weíll beat the morning rush.Ē

We both surveyed the darkness ahead as I plugged Anneís address into the GPS on my phone. ďItís almost a four-hour drive,Ē I whined.

ďIt could have been worse,Ē Charles said with a shrug. ďEthel had family as far away as Oregon. Now thereís a drive.Ē

ďWhat do we do if itís not Anne?Ē I wondered aloud. ďWhere do we go next?Ē

He reached for my hand and held it in his.ďWeíre not going to think like that. Just focus on finding Octo-Cat and bringing him home. The in-between details arenít important. And if your gut is saying Anne did it, then thatís what I believe, too.Ē He raised my hand to his lips and gave my knuckles a quick kiss before letting go.

Despite the fact that this small gesture of kindness sent my heart cartwheeling and my stomach loop-de-looping, the feel of his lips on my skin did more than any anti-anxiety pill ever could. Charles believed in this, believed we could do it.

And now so did I.

Chapter Seventeen

I couldnít have slept even if Iíd wanted to. Anticipation at finding my long-lost feline friend gripped one side of me, and excitement for this private time with Charles grabbed hold of the other.

For so long Iíd wished that he would just break up with Breanne already, and now he had. Might he also see that it had always been the two of us who were meant for each other? Iíd tried to put my feelings for Charles aside for months now, but nothing ever worked.

Heíd defended Cal against that double murder charge with everything he had. He accepted my ability to speak with animals and never made me feel weird because of it. Heíd taken in two homeless, traumatized cats after theyíd accidentally killed their owner. Heíd just always been there, always been good and kind.

ďWhat are you thinking about?Ē he asked me now.

I yawned to buy myself some time.ďJust sleepy.Ē

ďYou better not fall asleep on me,Ē he teased. ďYour shift is coming up soon.Ē

ďPull over. Iíll take it now.Ē Driving would be a nice distraction from all the thoughts fighting to take center stage in my mind.

Charles glanced toward me, then back to the road.ďYou sure about that?Ē

ďIím awake, I promise. But if it makes you feel better, Iíll shotgun another one of these coffee things.Ē I picked up one of the small blue and brown cans and gave it a good shake.

ďOkay, but after that youíre cut off.Ē He turned up the music and shuffled through a few songs before landing on one of my favorite í80s hair metal jams.

ďItís a myth, you know,Ē I said while bobbing my head along to the heavy, soul-filling beat.

Charles stopped singing along with the track and risked a quick glance my way.ďWhat is?Ē

I shrugged.ďThat too much caffeine will either stop your heart or make it explode.Ē As it was, my heart was still beating wildly like a caged animal rattling against its bars. No amount of coffee would change that, either.

It was all Charles, my dream guy. Heaven help me.

When the song ended, Charles put away his air keytar and pulled onto the side of the road so we could switch seats.

ďAre you sad?Ē I asked him when a slow jam took over the speakers and he had to put away his air keytar for a second time. ďAbout Breanne?Ē

ďAngry, more like.Ē He flipped through his playlist again, and this time chose something hard, angsty, and most definitely not from my favorite musical era.

ďDo you think youíll forgive her? That the two of you will get back together?Ē I yelled over the shouty, migraine-inducing music.

He took the hint and lowered the volume. His eyes stayed firmly fixed to my profile as he asked,ďDo you think we should?Ē

I felt a flush rise to my cheeks and hoped he didnít notice. ďNo,Ē I answered honestly.

ďYeah. Neither do I,Ē he said, crossing his arms and leaning his face against the cold glass of the window with a sigh. ďWe were never really right for each other anyway.Ē

ďThen whyíd you stay together so long?Ē

Yeah, I was most definitely being nosy, but I also needed to know where things stood, and Charles seemed more than willing to share. Plus we had a lot of time left to kill before we reached Anneís Boston-based bungalow.

ďThatís a good question,Ē he answered after a short pause.

When I glanced over toward him, his eyes were closed, and he wore a subtle smile on his face.ďYou donít have to answer, if you donít want,Ē I offered, hoping like heck he wouldnít accept.

He sighed and shifted in his seat, his brow furrowed in a pained look.ďI think I was just lonely after having moved so far away to start my new life in Blueberry Bay. I was trying to put down roots.Ē

ďLike with the house and the cats,Ē I suggested.See, there are other ways to build a life. No Breanne Calhoun required.

ďYeah, and the firm. I never thought Iíd make senior partner so fast or that weíd have so much turnover with our associates. Itís kept me very busy. Perhaps too busy to really pay attention to what was going on with me and Breanne.Ē

Well, this was a fresh, new perspective.ďWhat do you mean?Ē

ďI guess that it was just easier to keep dating her, to maintain status quo, you know?Ē

ďNo,Ē I answered honestly. ďI really donít.Ē

He took a deep breath and squinted over at me for a moment before pressing his eyelids shut once more.ďI always liked spending time with Breanne. I know she hated you, but she was always nice to me. I enjoyed being with her, and that was the crucial part. I enjoyed it. It was nice. Fine. Not something I craved. I never counted down the hours until I could see her again. I never let it distract mefrom work or anything else I had going on in my life. She filled a hole in my life, but didnít overfill it, I guess.Ē

ďThatís what she said,Ē I muttered when I sensed the mood was getting too serious.

Charles chuckled softly but stayed on topic anyway.ďMaybe I was unfair to her, letting it go on as long as it did. Iíd feel guilty if I werenít so furious about what she did to you.Ē

ďDonít worry about me,Ē I said. ďIíll be just fine.Ē

ďI know you will be. Youíre the strongest person I know,Ē he said softly as another rush of heat flooded my cheeks.

Was now the time I should confess how I felt about him?

It seemed he had just offered me the perfect segue, and this was the first time in our relationship I actually could share my feelings without it getting in the way of a shared case at work or having an angry girlfriend to answer to. We were both free to explore what had been there between us from the very start.

Now was as good a time as there had ever been. I needed to be brave. This was itÖ

ďCharlesÖĒ I mumbled, glancing over toward him. There was so much that needed to be said.

But now wasnít the time, seeing as Charles was fast asleep.

[ ŗūÚŤŪÍŗ: img_3]

Iíd never been great at city driving, but luckily we reached Boston before the sun even had its chance to rise for the day. I woke Charles right around the time the GPS informed me we had five minutes left in our drive.

ďWhyíd you let me sleep so long?Ē he exclaimed with a groan.

ďIt seemed like you needed it,Ē I said with a smile. Iíd been so close to revealing everything, all my secret longings and wishes. Thank goodness he had nodded off and saved meósaved both of usófrom myself. I needed to focus on Octo-Cat right now. We both did.

Charles straightened in his seat and slapped his cheeks a few times to wake himself a bit more.ďSo, whatís the plan?Ē

Luckily, Iíd had a lot of time to think things over as I drove with only Charlesís eclectic playlist to keep me company on the long, lonely road. ďI thought you could be the one to approach her. Make some excuse about the estate and the arbitration. Use a lot of legal terms, and Iím sure she wonít question you.Ē

He nodded, then rubbed the sleep from his eyes.ďOkay. Then what?Ē

ďGet her to invite you inside. Excuse yourself to use the bathroom. Then see if you can find him.Ē

ďThatís all a good plan, butÖĒ He sighed and stretched his legs out in front of him, then turned back toward me. ďDonít you think it will be suspicious that weíre doing all this before six a.m.?Ē

ďYeah, probably,Ē I admitted. It looked like weíd just fallen into a hurry up and wait trap. I hated those.

Charles seemed unbothered by the inconvenient hour. He smiled over at me and asked,ďDonít you think it would be better if we grabbed some breakfast first and then came back at a more reasonable hour so we can sell our story better?Ē

ďYeah, probably,Ē I agreed.

His smile widened, and he pointed at a big, bright sign diner just down the road.ďThen, címon. Letís load up on eggs and bacon. My treat.Ē

I nodded and turned into the parking lot, wishing we would have timed this a little better but happy we were at least making some form of progress.

Charles held open the door for me, which was a small thing but felt monumentally huge.ďLadies first,Ē he said.

And I blushed.

Me and my stupid crush.

Chapter Eighteen

Breakfast was slow, leisurely, and full of unspoken angst on my part. At around seven thirty, Charles handed the waitress his credit card and asked if I was ready to head over to Anneís place.

Oh, was I ever.

ďThanks for the hot meal,Ē I mumbled shyly. ďI needed that.Ē

He looped an arm over my shoulders as we made our way through the mostly empty diner.ďNo thanks needed between friends.Ē

Friends, right.

ďHow do you think Octo-Cat will react once we find him?Ē I asked, once again trying to pull my head back into the game we were actually playing here.

Charles smiled and widened his eyes.ďMy moneyís on one very grateful kitty. There may even be licks and scritches involved.Ē

I giggled as he held the door open for me on the way out.ďIíll take that bet, because Iím pretty sure heís going to demand a proper meal and then chastise us for taking so long to find him.Ē

ďOh, címon,Ē Charles said, joining me in my laughter. ďOf course heís going to be grateful. Why would he complain after all weíve been through?Ē

ďFirst agree to the bet,Ē I insisted, not making eye contact with him as we crossed through the parking lot. ďTwenty bucks?Ē

ďYouíre on.Ē Charles slid behind the steering wheel, and I climbed into the passenger seat. ďNow explain yourself, Russo.Ē

ďLetís just say that Iím the only one who can actually understand him, and wellÖ I might just censor out his catittude when translating for you and Nan.Ē I just couldnít stop smiling. I missed Octo-Cat and his grandiose way of doing absolutely everything.

ďWait!Ē Charles shifted in his seat and faced me head-on. ďHas he been saying awful things about me all this time? And here I had no idea.Ē

I laughed again. It felt so good to laugh. Almost like Octo-Cat was here with us now.ďNot lots of bad things. He does call you UpChuck, though.Ē

ďWhat a bratty cat!Ē Charles cried. ďFirst, letís get him home safe and sound, and then Iím going to come up with an equally disgusting nickname for him.Ē

ďYouíve got it,Ē I said between laughs.

Oh, I couldnít wait to see how this played out.

We reached Anneís bungalow about five minutes later. We were early, but some of the neighbor kids were already milling around at what appeared to be the local bus stop.

ďIíll wait here. You go ahead.Ē I gave Charles a little push, then watched as he marched confidently up to Anneís front door, briefcase in hand. Despite the five oíclock shadow and noticeable bags under his eyes, he certainly looked the part of a lawyer visiting on official estate business.

Letís just hope Anne would buy it.

He pressed the doorbell and waited.

When nothing happened, he pressed again.

ďMaybe itís broken,Ē I texted rather than calling out, just in case Anne remembered me and chose to hide for that reason alone. ďTry knocking.Ē

Charles knocked several times, but nobody came. If Anne was inside, she clearly refused to answer the door.

I scrambled out of the car and joined Charles on the porch.ďOpen up, Anne Fulton!Ē I shouted into the hard wood of the door. ďWe know youíre in there!Ē

ďUm, excuse me,Ē a womanís voice called from the next condo over. ďAre you looking for Anne?Ē

Well, it looked like I wasnít the only one with ace detective skills around here. Charles and I both backed down off the porch and came to join the woman where her yard met up with Anneís.

ďYes,Ē he said with a nod in greeting. ďWeíre from the firm representing her late auntís estate and have some very important developments to discuss.Ē

The woman frowned and shook her head.ďIím so sorry. You just missed her. Well, missed her by a few days actually. Sheís on vacation this week. Iíve been collecting her mail and watering her flowerbeds. Can I take a message for you?Ē

ďThank you, but thatís all right,Ē I said, forcing a smile. It wasnít the neighborís fault that Anne was nowhere to be found. It was, however, her fault that we couldnít break in to explore the premises.

ďDo you know what day she left?Ē Charles asked intelligently.

ďTuesday morning, bright and early.Ē

ďGreat, thanks. Youíve been a huge help,Ē he said with another nod to say goodbye.

I followed him back to the car. Neither of us spoke until the neighbor woman gave us one final wave and walked back into her condo.

ďThe timelines match up perfectly,Ē he said, his hands shaking with excitement. ďAnne left Boston early enough to take Octo-Cat. For all we know, sheís had him this whole time.Ē

ďDo you think sheís hanging out somewhere in Blueberry Bay?Ē

ďCall Nan. Sheíll know what to do on her end. We can discuss the rest on our way back home.Ē

Sure enough, Nan picked up on the first ring, then immediately launched into her plan of attack once Iíd caught her up on what had gone down in Boston. ďIf that wretched womanís staying anywhere near here, Iíll find her. I have the perfect costume for this role.Ē

ďWhat role?Ē I asked.

ďWhy, of the forgetful but well-intentioned elderly aunt, of course. Nobody ever suspects the little old lady, you know. Theyíll hand over her room number in a heartbeat, and when I find her, IíllóĒ

ďYouíll wait for me and Charles,Ē I interrupted. ďPromise me, youíll wait for us.Ē

ďFine. Iíll find her and then Iíll stake things out until the B team can arrive.Ē

ďSo weíre the B team now?Ē I asked with a chuckle.

ďWe canít all be the A team, dear. Now get that man to drive fast, so we can bust in on the bad gal and take back whatís ours.Ē

After hanging up with Nan, I turned to Charles with a giant grin and asked,ďHow fast are you willing to book it back there?Ē

He pressed down a bit harder on the accelerator, and we were off.

[ ŗūÚŤŪÍŗ: img_3]

I felt confident weíd find Octo-Cat before the day was through, but I still had questions. Mainly, if Anne was staying locally, why would she have hired Breanne to hand-deliver her ransom notes? And also, why do all this now when the arbitration for Ethelís estate was already scheduled for tomorrow?

Charles didnít have any good answers, either, which meant the best we could hope for was a crazed confession when we caught Anne red-handed later that morningóor afternoon, depending on the traffic we had to fight coming back home.

We were still a couple hours outside of Glendale when Nan called. I put the phone on speaker so Charles could hear, too.

ďThe eagle is in the nest!Ē she shouted into the phone. ďI repeat, the eagle is in the nest!Ē

ďDoes this mean you found Anne?Ē I asked, hope rising in me like a shiny, Mylar balloon floating toward the ceiling.

Nan giggled.ďOf course we found her. We are the A Team, after all.Ē

I let out a giant, relieved sigh. We were so close to bringing our boy home. Something about what Nan had said didnít quite make sense, though, so I asked, ďAwesome, so I just have two questions. Where are you, and who else is part of that we you just mentioned?Ē

ďUm, just a second, dear.Ē Nanís track pants swished, and a moment later she explained, ďSorry, I wanted to get a bit of privacy for this part. Iím with Cal and his sister.Ē

ďYouíre with Breanne?Ē I growled, immediately tensing up all over again. ďWhy?Ē

ďRelax. I know we hate her, but sheís the one who found out where Anne was staying and led us straight to her.Ē

Charles sent me a panicked glance, and I made a gun out of my thumb and index finger and pointed it at my head with a grimace.

ďAre you ready for the address?Ē Nan asked. Apparently, we were done talking about both Breanne and Anne now.

I agreed. No more talking. It was time for action.

I jotted the address down and made Nan promise to text it over, too. Apparently, Anne had taken a motel room in the nearby town of Cooper Cove. And weíd be there in less than two hours.

ďYou got that twenty bucks ready?Ē I asked Charles. Soon Iíd be collecting on our little bet, but even more importantly, soon Iíd have my cat back and would finally be able to figure out why he was taken in the first place.

This was it. Everything was about to go down.

Anne didnít stand a chance.

I was one angry cat-mama, and I was coming for her.

Chapter Nineteen

Charles and I made it to that dingy motel in Cooper Cove in record time. When we arrived, we found Nan waiting with the Calhoun twins in the parking lot. Nan and Charles sat together in Nanís sports coupe while Breanne sat parked a few spots away, flipping through a giant stack of papers in the driverís seat of her luxury SUV.

The moment Charles and I pulled into that parking lot, everyone scrambled out of their cars and rushed over to join us.

Cal gave me a huge hug.ďWelcome back,Ē he said with a charming grin.

Breanne tried to hug Charles, but he was having none of that.

ďLetís do this!Ē Nan let out a battle cry and led the charge up the outdoor staircase and toward motel room number twenty-six.

The rest of us followed like obedient little ducklings.

We found the room third on the right after exiting the narrow stairway. Charles nudged his way to the front of our pack and banged on the door.ďOpen up,Ē he called, his voice much deeper than usual. Maybe to sound more intimidating. Yeah, because that was the way to get her to voluntarily open the door.

ďAre you sure Anneís even in there?Ē I asked. A frustrating sense of d?j? vu had already begun to set in. What if this was Boston all over again?

ďAnne? No,Ē Nan admitted with a look of determination that didnít waver. ďThe catnapper? Yes.Ē

ďHowÖ?Ē I began. My voice shook just as much as my hands in that moment.

Cal generously explained the situation to Charles and me, who were now both utterly confused.ďSo hang on a sec. Hereís what happened. First off, Breanne felt really bad about her role in all of this, so she agreed to help.Ē

ďItís true. I did.I do.Ē Bree placed a hand on Charlesís arm, but he ripped it away.

ďIíd prefer to hear this from your brother, thank you very much,Ē he grumbled, refusing to even look at his recent ex.

Cal waited until I nodded for him to go ahead.ďWell, um, Bree sent an email since that was the only form of contact she had for the ransom note writer, and basically, well, she said that the plan had worked and that you had agreed to give up the house, Angie.Ē The poor guy seemed so nervous. It was obvious he didnít like being the middleman in this loversí spat, and I couldnít say I blamed him.

When Cal hesitated again, Breanne took over the recap.ďI told the person that I had the preliminary paperwork and that we needed to meet face-to-face in order to move on with the next phase of the plan. About an hour later, I was sent this address and room number.Ē

ďHave you been inside yet?Ē I asked, glancing back toward the closed door.

ďNo, we were waiting for you,Ē Nan said. ďWe wouldnít have solved the case without you.Ē

ďYes, unfortunately, weíve been here for quite a while now,Ē Bree snapped, focusing all her hostility on me now that Charles had made it clear he didnít want to have anything to do with her. ďSo can we please just get this over with already? I have other things to do today, you know.Ē

ďLike delivering more ransom notes?Ē Nan quipped, laughing at her own joke.

It may not have been the most mature decision, but I couldnít resist giving her a high five for that perfect joke.

Bree scowled at both of us, reminding me how serious this situation was.

ďSheís not answering,Ē I muttered, staring at the cheap motel door and wishing I had the power to see right through it. ďWhy is she not answering?Ē

Nan cleared her throat and held up one pointer finger.ďHousekeeping,Ē she called out happily, giving the door an upbeat series of knocks.

The door in front of us remained closed, but the one to the next room opened a crack and a middle-aged man peeked his head out.ďHousekeeping?Ē he asked us with a confused expression.

ďThey just went inside another room. Looks like youíve got a bit of time to make yourself decent,Ē Nan said with a flirtatious wink.

ďWait,Ē I cried just as the door was closing the last bit of the way.

The man nudged it open a few inches and stared at me curiously.

ďDid you happen to run into the woman who was staying in this room? We were supposed to get together today, but sheís not answering.Ē

He shook his head.ďSorry, no. I just got in last night.Ē

Click.The door closed again.

ďOh, this is ridiculous,Ē Breanne groused. ďCímon,Ē she told Cal, grabbing his arm and pulling him along. ďWeíll go check with the front desk. You can all stay here.Ē

Nan, Charles, and I waited in silence. What was left to say? Octo-Cat might be in the room, but he might also not be. It was like Schr?dingerís cat but without the box and hopefully without the dead cat, too.

Thankfully, it only took five minutes for the twins to return.

ďThe occupant checked out,Ē Cal explained with a sad shake of his head. ďAnd we were so close, too. Iím sorry, Angie.Ē

Nan patted Cal on the bicep.ďThatís okay, dear. Did they give us a name?Ē

ďNo, they wouldnít,Ē Bree seethed. ďSome ridiculous code of privacy or something.Ē

Angry tears burned at my eyes and throat.ďNow what?Ē I screamed at the closed door.

Charles and Nan hugged me from either side, which apparently was enough to send Bree tip-tapping out of there on her impossibly high heels.ďItís been swell,Ē she said, waving as she walked away. ďKeep me posted. Or, you know, donít. Whatever.Ē

ďWhat a piece of work, that one. You know I never did much care for her,Ē a smooth, haughty voice informed us from below.

ďNot now, Octo-Cat,Ē I murmured. ďWe have to figure out what weíre going to do next.Ē

WaitÖ Was thatÖ?Oh!

My head snapped up, and I ran to the edge of the outdoor hallway so fast I practically tumbled straight over the edge.

ďWatch it there,Ē Charles cried, looping his arms around my waist and catching me just in time.

But I didnít care about the fact my crush held me tight or that Iíd almost fallen a full story. All I cared about was the blurry, brown-and-black-striped figure that sat in the small courtyard below, regarding me irritably.

ďYou knowÖĒ Octo-Cat said slowly, his way of making sure I understood. ďIíve been gone for three whole days. Thatís three whole days drinking tap water and choking down store brand cat food.Three days without my iPad or cat door. Do you know how much Iíve suffered? Honestly, Angela, what took you so long?Ē

I choked on a sob and jabbed Charles with my elbow.ďGive me twenty bucks,Ē I said, holding out my hand.

ďAre you going to take me home now?Ē Octo-Cat demanded. ďIím not stepping paw on that dirty cement again, and Iíve had more than enough of an adventure for this week, thank you very much.Ē

I wiped my nose on the back of my arm and ran down the stairs. When I reached Octo-Cat, I scooped him up into my arms and squeezed him to my chest.

ďGross!Ē he protested. ďI just finished my mid-day ministrations, and now youíve gone and wiped your germs all on me. Unhand me, you filthy human. Unhand me right now.Ē

I set him back on the grass and laughed like a crazy person. I didnít care what anyone thought. This was one of the very best days of my entire life. Octo-Cat was here, and he was no worse for the wearóno matter whathe claimed. I did wonder, thoughÖ

I stared into his glinting amber eyes as I asked,ďHow are you here on your own? Whereís the person who took you?Ē

My tabby jumped up onto a nearby bench seat and waved his paw around dramatically. Whatever he was about to say, it was sure to be entertaining and to overexaggerate his importance. Ahh, it was so good to have him back.

Octo-Cat smiled as he launched into his harrowing tale.ďWell, she was leaving in a hurry a couple hours back. She tried to take me with her, but I let these babies out, andóĒ

Schwink.His claws popped out in all their menacing glory.

ďLetís just say I won that particular fight.Ē He laughed in that favorite villainous way of his.

ďYou saidshe. Do you know who took you? Was it a woman?Ē

He shrugged his adorable little kitty shoulders.ďIt was definitely a person Iíve seen before. Iím pretty sure it was one of Ethelís relatives, and I am at least sixty percent sure the person was a female.Ē

I patted him between his ears.ďGood work.Ē He still had a hard time telling humans apart, but he was getting better. Slowly but surely, he was getting better, and he was back with me where we belonged.

ďUm, Angie?Ē Charles said, approaching with Nan and Cal at either side. ďWe can still make the arbitration, if you want toóĒ

ďLetís do it,Ē I said.

Now that I had my best friend at my side, there was no way I would let anyone hurt him ever again. We were back together, and thatís how we would stay.

Chapter Twenty

ďI object!Ē Nan cried when the five of us burst into the county court roughly twenty minutes later.

The nearest clerk waved us over to her window behind a thick layer of plexiglass.ďHello, there. What are we objecting to today?Ē

Charles pushed himself in front of Nan.ďHi, yes. Weíre here for the arbitration hearing regarding Ethel Fultonís estate.Ē

The woman nodded her permed head and continued to smile brightly at all of us.ďOh, lots of folks have come in for that one. Room B-2. Youíre right on time. Good luck.Ē

Before we could stop her, Nan ran down the hall and flung open the door to Room B-2.ďI object!Ē she cried.

The rest of us ran after her and popped in a second later.

ďLongfellow,Ē the person who sat at the front of the room said, fixing Charles with a stern look. ďControl your client, and do it now.Ē

We all sat in the back of the room, careful not to make direct eye contact with any of the other heirs. I did a quick scan and saw that Anne was nowhere to be found.

Drats!I still desperately wanted proof that it had been her, and I wanted to make sure she understood the lengths I would go to in order to protect my cat from any future shenanigans on her part.

ďNow,Ē the arbiter said, ďthere have been several challenges to the will of Ethel Fulton, particularly in regards to one Octavius Fulton. Is he here today?Ē

ďYes, your honor.Ē I rose to my feet with my furry friend in my arms, not sure whether I was addressing the arbiter correctly since this was all a huge first for me.

ďLet me guess. Octavius is the cat. Isnít he?Ē the man asked with a bored expression.

ďYes, but Ethel loved him like a son and wanted to make sure he was cared for in the manner to which heíd grown accustomed,Ē Charles explained.

ďI can see that.Ē The arbiter flipped through the copy of the will in front of him and cracked his neck to either side. He glanced up at us again a few minutes later with a tight-lipped smile. ďThere are precedents for this. Ethel could have left the entire state of Maine to her cat for all Icare. Itís not up to the court to question that. So, why are we here?Ē

ďThe house,Ē a scratchy voice wheezed from near the door.

Everyone turned, and I about lost my lunch when I saw who was standing there.

Anne Fulton was every bit as frumpy as I remembered. Her gray hair had been cut short, and her arm was freshly bandaged but still bleeding heavily.

ďIs that your work?Ē I whispered to Octo-Cat.

ďYou bet it is,Ē he answered proudly, then narrowed his gaze on Anne and let out an impressive hiss.

ďThe house wasnít specifically in the will,Ē the arbiter said.

ďMaybe not,Ē Anne said, keeping a great deal of distance between us as she approached the front of the room. ďBut somehow the catís still managed to inherit it.Ē

ďActually, the house is mine,Ē I said.

ďAnd mine,Ē Nan added.

ďMy clients purchased the house from the open market. Their ties to Ethel Fultonís estate are irrelevant,Ē Charles added helpfully.My hero.

ďI agree,Ē the arbiter said. ďAnything else to contest?Ē

Nobody said anything, but Nan wore a giant, sappy grin. Octo-Cat had hopped into her lap, and she was petting him with slow, leisurely strokesójust the way he liked.

ďThen the terms of the will stand as written,Ē the arbiter said. I expected a gavel to bang, but it didnít. Oh, well.

We remained seated until all the Fultons had shuffled out of the room. I was sad to see that my old boss, Richard, hadnít been able to make the trip up from Florida, but happy that this was finally over.

Only Anne remained behind.

ďI know it was you,Ē I hissed.

Octo-Cat backed me up with a hiss of his own, too.

ďWhy did you take my cat?Ē I demanded, gripping the edges of my chair so I wouldnít be tempted to charge straight up to her and give her the beat-down she deserved.

Anne didnít even look sorry. ďThatís my aunt Ethelís cat. He should have stayed in the family after sheíd gone.Ē

ďHim or his trust fund?Ē Nan shot back. ďBecause judging by that open wound on your arm, our dear Octavius doesnít want anything to do with the likes of you.Ē

ďYou canít prove anything,Ē Anne spat. ďAnd you canít do anything, either. So I took a cat for a few days. Itís not like I committed murder.Ē

ďYouíre walking on really shaky ground,Ē Nan warned as Octo-Cat jumped off her lap and trotted over to the villainess of the hour.

ďIím going to get that house,Ē Anne mumbled, then grabbed her injured arm and fled through the door right as Oct-Cat was getting ready to take a fresh swipe.

Nan and I exchanged a quick glance, then she tucked her arm into Calís and said, ďCímon, you handsome thing. I want to thank that kind lady who helped us when we first arrived.Ē

They left through the same door Anne had. Now only Charles, Octo-Cat, and I remained in the arbitration room.

I sighed and laid my head on Charlesís shoulder.

ďIím glad you got him back,Ē he said.

ďMe, too.Ē

ďAre we going home now?Ē Octo-Cat whined, waiting for somebody to open the door for him. ďIím absolutely dying for some Evian.Ē

ďSoon,Ē I said after making a brusque hushing noise.

Charles shook his head.ďIs he seriously complaining again?Ē

ďYup,Ē I answered with a chuckle, pulling myself back into a full seated position.

Charles turned in his seat to face me more directly.ďWell, now that heís back, thereís something Iíve been meaning to say to you for a while now.Ē

I gulped hard as blood rushed through my veins. He had something to say.

Did that meanÖ?

Was he finally going toÖ?

Would weÖ?

He placed a hand on each of my shoulders and tried to hide his widening smile.ďNow I donít want you to take this the wrong way, butÖĒ

ďYes?Ē I asked, lowering my eyelashes to show him I was ready for his kiss. Heck, I was pretty much ready to marry him on the spot, and we were kind of already at the county court. I do. I do!

ďAngie,Ē he said softly, then waited for me to re-open my eyes. ďYouíre fired.Ē

My heart dropped all the way down to the floor. He was supposed to kiss me, not fire me!

Charles pressed his forehead to mine, and his warm breaths landed near my nose.ďI told you not to take it the wrong way. Iím doing you a favor here. Actually, Iím doing both of us a favor.Ē

ďCome again now?Ē I mumbled, wishing I had something more intelligent to say in that moment.

ďIíve known you wanted to quit for weeks now. Maybe months. Whatís stopping you?Ē

ďI didnít want to let you down,Ē I admitted.

He tucked a stray tendril of sandy brown hair behind my ear.ďYou could never let me down, but I donít want you putting your dreams on hold because of me, either.Ē

He was so impossibly close that it made it hard for me to focus. I still wasnít sure exactly what was happening and whether or not I should be happy about it.

ďYouíre a great P.I., and itís time you went into business for yourself. You canít do that if youíre still spending half your days at Longfellow and Associates, soÖ Youíre fired.Ē

ďThank you?Ē I said, guessing at the appropriate response. There may have been precedents regarding Ethelís estate, but what was happening between me and Charles right now was completely and totally new.

He laughed softly.ďDonít thank me. Iím doing this for selfish reasons, too.Ē

ďOh?Ē I asked on a soft exhale. Still so uneasy about how close we were. Still wanting that kiss.

ďYeah, because when I was your boss, I couldnít do this.Ē

I sucked in a deep breath, but before I could let it out, Charlesís lips were on mine. Oh my gosh, I was kissing Charles!

And it was everything Iíd ever dreamed it would be.

ďHumans are disgusting,Ē Octo-Cat complained, taking a swipe at my arm. Thankfully, it was much gentler than the number heíd done on Anne.

Charles laughed as he pulled away.ďLet me guess, he didnít like that.Ē

ďYeah,Ē I admitted. ďBut not because heís jealous, because he thinks itís gross.Ē

Charles rolled his eyes, which just so happened to have happy sparkles in them at the moment.ďWhatever, cat. I know you call me UpChuck behind my back.Ē

ďBoys, boys,Ē I said, smiling so hard that the corners of my mouth hurt. ďYouíre just going to have to find a way to share.Ē

I stood, and Charles immediately laced his fingers between mine, leaving Octo-Cat to follow behind on foot.

ďI canít believe youíre choosing to focus on this needless romance when you should be focused on getting me Evian as soon as humanly possible,Ē my cat grumbled predictably.

I scooped him up in my free arm and held him as we walked out of the courthouse.ďWhen we get home, thereís someone very special I want you to meet.Ē

ďUgh, why? Iím so tired,Ē he whined.

ďHeís the president of your fan club,Ē I revealed, picturing how insanely happy Pringle would be to meet his idol.

ďCan I be the president of your fan club?Ē Charles asked, giving my hand a squeeze.

I pretended to think about this for a moment.ďI donít really need a fan club, but you can be my boyfriend. That is if youóĒ

Charles stopped walking, pulled me close, and kissed me again.

I took that to mean he agreed.

6. CHIHUAHUA CONSPIRACY

Chapter One

Hi, Iím Angie Russo, and this last year has been quite the wild ride for me. Yes, itís been exactly one year since my entire life changed for the better.

Sure, Iíve come face-to-face with a lot of dangerous characters latelyómurderers, kidnappers, creeps, you name itóbut I wouldnít trade my life for anyone elseís.

Hereís the dealÖ It all started at my former job as a paralegal.

A wealthy old woman had just died, and her heirs had gathered at our office for the official will reading. I was instructed to make coffee, and, well, that was the last time I ever attempted such a dangerous feat.

You see, I got electrocuted and knocked unconscious. I woke up with a wicked fear of coffee makersóoh, and also the ability to talk to animals. At first, I could only talk to this one cat named Octavius Maxwell Ricardo Edmund Frederick Fulton. He was one of the primary beneficiaries of his late ownerís estate, and I now call him Octo-Cat for short.

Long story short, he told me the old lady was murdered and begged me to help him catch the killer. We did, and we pretty much became best friends in the process. Now he lives with me, and I oversee his care and also his generous trust fund.

And because I accidentally made an open-ended deal with him when I needed to get him to wear a pet harness, we now reside in his former ownerís exquisite manor house. Yes, a ten-dollar neon green harness ended up costing me a cool million.

At least most of the money was my catís, anyway.

Yeah. A lot has happened over the last year. My cat and I solved three more murders together. He got catnapped. I finally quit my paralegal job so we could open up a private investigation firm together, and oh, yeahÖ I got a boyfriend!

My nan might be even more excited about that one than I am. Sheíd been trying to matchmake me for years, and now that sheís finally succeeded, sheís not quite sure what to do with herself.

Yes, she continues to bake up a storm in the kitchen and take her community art classes, but lately sheís also been flipping through new hobbies like theyíre going out of style. Thereís been flamenco dancing, learning Korean as a second language, even Pok?mon Go. She claims Pikachu understands her on a spiritual level. Personally, I donít get it.

My mom and dad are busy with their jobs as Blueberry Bayís local news anchor and designated sports guy. Nan and I have them over once per week for a nice home-cooked meal. Did I mention my grandmother and I live together?

Itís not weird. Sheís not just the woman who raised me, but sheís also my best friend and the most amazing person I know. She even helps with Octo-Catís lavish demands and rigorous schedule.

And between the two of us, we keep him dining on only the seafood flavors of Fancy Feast and drinking Evian from his favorite Lenox teacup.

Most recently, heís demanded a brand-new iPad Pro. His reasoning? That he needed a professional upgrade to go along with our new business venture. Never mind that he uses his tablet primarily to play various fish tank and koi pond games.

Heís given his old device to the president of his fan club, a raccoon who lives under our front porch. His name is Pringle, and heís a pretty all right guy most of the time. Octo-Cat definitely enjoys having a fanboy to support every single decision he makes, including his regular criticism of me.

Itís true. Octo-Cat complains a lot, but I also know he loves me tons. Thatís why Iím planning a special evening to celebrate our petaversary. Iím not sure he remembers, but after tonight he will.

I canít wait to see the look on his little kitty face when he sees what I have planned for him. Let the games begin!

[ ŗūÚŤŪÍŗ: img_3]

It wasnít easy hiding my party preparations from Octo-Cat, but so far he hadnít managed to catch on. Rather than cooking something myself, I asked Nan to pick up some grilled shrimp and lobster rolls from the Little Dog Diner in Misty Cove. Itís a bit of a drive, but worth every mile.

Nan would be returning any minute, which meant it was time for me to wake the guest of honor. I found him sleeping in his five oíclock sunspot on the western side of the house. ďWakey, wakey!Ē I cried in a sing-song voice he loathed.

ďAngela,Ē he groaned, ďhavenít you ever heard that you should let sleeping cats lie?Ē

ďIím pretty sure the expression isóyou know what? It doesnít matter. Címon, I have a surprise for you.Ē

Whoa, close one. I almost used the word dog in a sentence. That little slipup would have ruined our whole night, but I caught myself just in time.

ďA surprise?Ē he asked, yawning so wide that his whiskers overlapped in front of his nose. ďWhat is it?Ē

ďYouíll see. Címon.Ē I patted my leg and motioned for him to follow.

But he sat his butt back down on the hardwood floor and flicked his tail.ďTell me, or Iím not coming,Ē he demanded.

ďOcto-Cat, canít you justóUgh, fine. Today marks one year since we first met. Do you remember that day?Ē

ďSo you mean itís been one year and one day since Ethel died?Ē he asked, raising his eyebrows and staring me down.

Oh, I didnít think of that. I hoped he wouldnít be too sad to celebrate.

ďIím just giving you a hard time,Ē he said with a cruel laugh, trotting over as he shook his head. ďHappy anniversary, Angela. Iím glad youíre my human.Ē

Footsteps sounded on the porch. I hadnít even heard Nan pull up, but now she was here, and we could officially begin our little party. Iíd asked my boyfriend, Charles, to wait a couple hours before he turned up, since he and Octo-Cat didnít get along particularly well as of late.

I secretly loved that my cat was jealous of my boyfriend but hoped that heíd eventually get over it.

ďNan?Ē I called when Octo-Cat and I reached the bottom of the stairs, but she still hadnít entered. Padding over to the door, I twisted the knob andó

A wagging ball of black fur pounced into the house.

ďIím here! Iím home! Oh, boy. Oh, boy. Oh, boy!Ē the little dog cried, then immediately squatted and peed on the welcome mat.

I turned to Octo-Cat, who stood on the last stair with his back arched and his tail at full-blown puffball status.ďAngela, what is this?Ē he screamed, unwittingly drawing the dogís attention over to him.

ďA cat! A cat! Oh, boy! Oh, boy! Oh, boy!Ē The dog, who upon closer examination appeared to be a Chihuahua, bounded right up to Octo-Cat and pressed his nose to the catís butt.

Octo-Cat hissed, growled, swiped with his claws, and sent the little dog shrieking away.

Yipe! Yipe! Yipe!

ďWhatís all this commotion?Ē Nan asked, charging into the house, spotting the little black dog and scooping the poor, whimpering baby into her arms. ďOkay, fess up. Who hurt my Paisley?Ē

ďNanÖĒ I pinched the bridge of my nose to stave off the rapidly building headache. ďWhy is there a dog in our house?Ē

ďThis is Paisley. Yes, she is,Ē Nan cooed in a baby voice, and the Chihuahua licked her cheek, the horrible, scary cat and the pain heíd inflicted apparently forgotten. ďShe lives here now.Ē

ďOh, heck no!Ē Octo-Cat shouted from his spot on the stairs. ďI thought we were celebrating me tonight, not taking a visit to the ninth circle of hell!Ē

ďNan,Ē I said trying to make peace before everyone lost their cool. ďWe canít have a dog here. Octo-Cat hates dogs.Ē

ďHatesssssss,Ē Octo-Cat hissed, then growled again.

ďHe hates me?Ē the shivering little dog asked. ďHe doesnít even know me. Iím Paisley, and Iím a good girl.Ē

Nan continued to talk in a goochie-goo voice, keeping her eyes glued to the mostly black tricolor Chihuahua in her arms.ďWell, I saw this little girl at the shelter and right away she stole my heart. What was I supposed to do?Ē

She looked up and narrowed her eyes at me.ďWas I supposed to let her stay in that cage all by herself? Or, Heaven forbid, let them put her down when the shelter got too full?Ē She covered Paisleyís oversized ears and frowned at me.

ďNo, I meanÖĒ I sputtered. ďNo, of course you couldnít do that.Ē Ack, I was such a softie.

ďOctavius is just going to have to get used to his new housemate, because Iím not taking her back,Ē Nan said in a way that made it more than clear that this topic was not up for discussion. ďCímon, baby, letís go outside and meet the forest creatures.Ē

Once Nan and Paisley were safely outside, I searched around for Octo-Cat so I could both explain and apologize on Nanís behalf.

But he was nowhere to be found.

Crud, he was never going to forgive me for this one.

Chapter Two

I found Octo-Cat at last in my bedroom, where he was crouched under my bed, his wide amber eyes glowing in the darkness. When I flopped down on my belly to get a closer look, he emitted a low growl that made me jump in my skin.

ďGo away,Ē he added in a rumbly, somewhat terrifying voice.

ďThatís not fair,Ē I enunciated as if scolding a petulant child. ďMight I remind you that I was just as shocked by that as you were.Ē

I searched my brain for the right way to spin things, the way that would make him understand. Unfortunately, all logic tended to go out the window whenever Octo-Cat was unhappyóand todayís unhappiness had already reached a record-breaking level.

With great difficulty, I managed to put a happy-go-lucky smile on my face as I said,ďBut, I mean, if you think about it, it kind of makes sense. Right? We have each other, and now Nan has a best fur friend of her own, too. Isnít that nice?Ē

ďNo,Ē the tabby replied stubbornly and turned his face toward the wall.

I hated that he was this upset, but there was nothing I could do without him being willing to at least meet me partway.ďWill you at least come out for our petaversary?Ē I begged, practically whined.

Octo-Cat turned toward me again; his eyes still held that eerie glow as he considered my request.ďIím not coming out,Ē he said at last. ďBut if you bring my shrimp and my Evian here and promise not to let that dog in, I shall consider sharing the celebratory meal with you in our private quarters.Privately.Ē

I couldnít help but sigh. ďAre you really not going to leave the room at all?Ē

He flicked his tail, waking a cloud of dust and pet hair that rose from the carpet in a sickening flurry. Wow, I really was not a good housekeeper.

If Octo-Cat noticed the filth, he didnít seem to mindónot when he already had much bigger fish to fry. ďNot until that interloper is gone,Ē he informed me with another hiss. ďNeed I remind you that this is MY house?Ē

ďNo, you neednít.Ē It felt strange using Octo-Catís overly refined language, but he often listened better when I did. And right now, I needed him to understand that controlling Nan was every bit as difficult as trying to control him. Both were so stubborn about the things they wanted that we would have no choice but to find some kind of compromise to the Chihuahua situation.

I sighed again.ďHowever, given your stance, it would probably be best if I brought your litter box up here as well. Iíll be back in a little bit.Ē

After pushing myself back into a standing position, I left my tower bedroom, careful to latch the door fully behind me. As much as I didnít want to trap Octo-Cat inside, I was also incredibly worried about what might happen to Paisley if she nosed her way in there. She was half his size at most and clearly didnít have an aggressive bone in her whole body.

My cat on the other hand?

He had a whole skeletonís worth.

I found Nan in the kitchen setting out a pair of dog bone-printed ceramic bowls for Paisley in a spot just to the left of the pantry.ďSorry about Octo-Cat,Ē I muttered, ignoring the fact that he would be upset that the dogís bowls were so near his stash of Fancy Feast.

ďThat cat was mean,Ē the Chihuahua whined as she rubbed at the fresh claw wound on her nose.

ďHe didnít mean to hurt you. Heís just difficult sometimes,Ē I offered with what I hoped was a reassuring smile.

The little dog jumped up and pawed frantically at my leg, wiggling her whole body as she cried,ďHey! Hey! Hey! Did you just talk? Do you know how to talk? Youíre a very good, very smart girl!Ē

I bent down and scooped her up, and Paisley immediately set to licking my face as if it were covered in gravy or bacon grease or some other irresistible treat.ďYes, I can talk to both animals and people,Ē I explained. ďI donít know why, though. Itís kind of just the way things are. Would it be okay if I talked to you?Ē

Paisley wagged her tail so hard her entire body shook, then she broke apart into a shivering fit. Whether she needed a sweater or some anti-anxiety medicine, I couldnít say for sure. The shivering continued as she jumped into an excited monologue. ďIíve always wanted my own humans, and now I even have one that talks! The other dogs back at the shelter wonít believe it! When are they coming for a visit? Or, oh! Maybe they could move in with us, too. Thishouse is plenty big, and there are lots of dogs that need homes.Ē

I laughed at her enthusiasm, even though her reminder of all the homeless pets that had remained behind following Nanís impromptu adoption of Paisley made my heart feel heavy. ďIím sorry, Paisley. I wish I could adopt all your friends, but I already made a promise to take care of my cat the best I can, and he would be very upset if we filled our house up with dogs.Ē

As soon as I set Paisley back on the floor, she curled up against my foot and pouted.ďHeís a very mean kitty.Ē

ďYeah, he kind of is, but heíll grow on you, I promise. And I bet youíll grow on him, too. He just needs time to get used to having you here. Itís a very big change.Ē

ďItís a big change for me, too.Ē The little dog ran in a circle to indicate the giant manor in which she now lived. ďAt the shelter I had to share a cage with two other dogs. It was very crowded. Thatís why I thought we could give some of the others a home, too.Ē

Three to a cage?

I hadnít spent much time at the local animal shelter, but from what I remembered, weíd never had an overcrowding problem in the past. Maybe things had just been a bit different for Paisley than the others due to her extremely small size.

I already felt guilty about not being able to adopt more animals. Thinking of them now all cramped together made me feel that much worse. Maybe a few volunteer shifts or a small donation were in order, both to help them out of a potentially tough spot and to ease my guilty conscience.

ďHey,Ē I said, crouching down so that Paisley and I were at closer to the same level. ďHow would you like to visit the shelter with me tomorrow? You can say hi to your friends, and Iíll see if thereís anything we can do to help them find new homes.Ē

Paisley let out a high-pitched cry and began to shake furiously once again.ďYouíre not making me go back. Are you?Ē the dog yelped. ďBecause Nan said this is my home now.Ē

This poor thing. No wonder Nan had been charmed enough to bring her home.

ďOh, sweetie. I promise I wouldnít do that to you. Nanís right. This is your home now, and nothingís going to change that.Ē

Paisley stood on her hind legs and reached her paws up my leg.ďI love you, new mommy,Ē she said. ďThis is the best day of my entire life.Ē

My heart swelled at the Chihuahuaís confession of love. It had taken me almost dying at the hands of a gun-toting psychopath to get Octo-Cat to even admit he liked me. Yet Paisley had only needed a single short conversation to forge the deepest of bonds. As much as I adored my Octo-Cat, it sure felt nice to be appreciated ratherthan insulted.

Hmmm. Maybe Iím not as much of a cat person as I once thought.

Of course, I immediately felt guilty for thinking that even in passing. It was our petaversary, after all, and Iíd promised my feline overlord freshly grilled shrimp by way of celebration.

It was time to leave Nan and Paisley to celebrate their own adoption day together while I did my best to ease the poor, put-out kitty that sat waiting for me in my bedroom tower.

I closed my eyes tight and wished that one day we could all be one big happy family. I didnít have a candle to blow out and it wasnít anyoneís birthday, but I hoped the special wish magic Iíd grown up believing in could save us now.

Honestly, we were going to need a miracle to get my stubborn cat to change his heart when it came to the poor, shivering dog that needed us.

Just in case, I said a quick prayer, too.

One way or another, we would find a way to all live peacefully together.

After all, we didnít have any other option.

Chapter Three

When I returned to my room with grilled shrimp and Evian for both Octo-Cat and myself, I found him sitting on my pillow flicking his tail pensively.

The moment he saw me, he popped to his feet and began to pace the length of the mattress.ďWell, did you talk some sense into Nan about the unappreciated monstrosity she has wrought on our house? On my house?Ē He didnít even look at me as he spat each word. If he had, Iím sure my face would have given away everything he needed to know.

ďUmm, a little,Ē I hedged, trying hard not to sigh yet again. ďMostly I talked to Paisley, though, and she is really happy to be here.Ē

Octo-Cat stopped pacing and stared at me with open disdain.ďAnd Iíd be really happy for her tonot be here.Ē

I let out a groan and sunk down onto the bed beside him.ďI know change is hard, butóĒ

The tabby diva lifted a paw and shook his head.ďIíll stop you right there. If youíre not for me, then youíre against me. And thusÖĒ He paused and sighed heavily. ďI bid you good night, Angela.Ē

I watched helplessly as he hopped off the bed and crawled back beneath it.ďHey, I didnít ask for any of this, either,Ē I called after him.

But Octo-Cat refused to respond.

ďWe canít just send her back. From what Paisley told me, the shelter is already pretty overcrowded, and thatís not a very nice way for her to have to live, especially when thereís a family who wants her.Ourfamily.Ē

He still said nothing to acknowledge me or my arguments.

ďYou canít just ignore me,Ē I huffed, throwing myself back onto the bed in resignation. ďHow are we supposed to solve our cases if weíre not talking to each other?Ē I asked while studying a smudge on the ceiling.

Octo-Cat didnít answer, which was probably for the best regarding this last point. The truth was even though weíd opened Pet Whisperer P.I. for business more than one week ago, we still had yet to book our first case.

If I could do it all over again, I might have rejected the kooky name that Mom and Nan had saddled us with. Around Blueberry Bay, calling yourself a pet whisperer pretty much guaranteed that folks thought you were crazyóor worse, a fraud.

And I was neither, thank you very much.

Maybe if I started a website or took out an ad, business would pick up a bit. My boyfriend Charles had already offered to refer business from the firm our way when he or one of the associates needed extra help. Iíd originally rejected his offer, preferring to either succeed or fail totally on my own. Now, however, I was starting to wonder if I was being too stupid, too proud. If I could help people, do what I loved, and get paid for it, then who cared how I came about my clients?

ďCan we please talk about this?Ē I begged my still fuming cat.

ďYou already know where I stand on the matter. When you decide to join me, then Iíll decide to talk to you,Ē Octo-Cat mumbled in that horrible patronizing tone I loathed.

ďFine, then you can spend our petaversary alone.Ē Even though I knew he wasnít going to answer me, I still stormed off and slammed the door.

Of course, I hated to leave my kitty companion like that, but being together at that moment was, unfortunately, creating more problems than it was solving. Maybe with a good nightís sleep, weíd be able to start this conversation fresh in the morning.

Maybe.

But until then, I just couldnít take any more fighting.

And so I set his food and water on the floor, went to retrieve his litter box, and then moved my bedding to one of the spare bedrooms so we could both have a bit of time to cool off. Once Iíd settled in, I shot Charles a quick text to let him know not to come over that night and went to bed several hours earlier than Iíd planned.

Happy Petaversary to me!

[ ŗūÚŤŪÍŗ: img_3]

The next morning, I woke up feeling refreshed and much less irritated than Iíd been the night before. The moment I left my temporary quarters, Paisley raced over to lick my ankles and tell me about the great adventures sheíd had touring the estate with Nan.

ďThere are so many great places to pee! So many!Ē she gushed as I reached down to scratch her between her adorable oversized ears. ďI love it here! Itís like a paradise for dogs! I canít believe I get to live here now! I love my new life! I love you!Ē

I chuckled to myself while she zoomed off again. She ran in such fast, tight circles that soon she was almost completely out of breath from the exertion of it all. When Paisley slowed down and approached me again, her tongue lolled from the side of her mouth and she panted heavily, smiling up at me with unmistakable affection.

ďIím glad you like it here,Ē I told her. ďNan and I will do everything we can to make sure you love everything about your new life. Hey, by the way, do you still want to go to the shelter with me for a quick visit today?Ē

ďOh, boy. Oh, boy! Oh, yes! Yes, please!Ē the little dog trilled, running another manic lap before returning to me once more.

I laughed again, something I could tell Iíd be doing lots of now that Paisley was a part of my world. ďI donít think theyíre open yet, but let me check their hours online and find out when they do.Ē

Paisley followed me up the stairs and toward my bedroomóthe bedroom where I just happened to know that one very crabby tabby would still be sitting by his lonesome and bemoaning his bad luck.

I stopped so abruptly that the eager Chihuahua bumped into my lower leg.ďUm, Iím sorry, but Octo-Cat is going to be upset if you come in with me. Would you mind waiting outside for me? I promise to come back very soon.Ē

The little tricolor dog plopped her butt down on the top stair and wagged her tail furiously.ďI will be a good girl and wait, because thatís what you said to do!Ē

Well, that was an entirely different response than I ever would have received from Octo-Cat. Oh, a pet owner could most assuredly get used to this. I wiped my face of the smile that had just spread from cheek to wicked cheek and quietly let myself into my catís self-imposed prison.

ďOctavius?Ē I called out, using his preferred name in the hopes it might earn me some sorely needed brownie points. ďAre you in here?Ē

ďOf course Iím in here, Angela,Ē he growled from beneath the bed. ďBut I also smell that the dog is out there.Ē

ďOh, Paisley? Sheís not coming in. IóĒ

Just then, the door burst open and an exuberant Paisley bounded through the door and rushed straight under the bed.ďI heard you call my name. Iím a good girl. Iím coming to you!Ē she called as she shot past me in her renewed pursuit of her new cat roommate.

ďBetrayal!Ē Octo-Cat cried, shooting past me and bolting down the stairs in a whirlwind of fluff and attitude. ďBetrayal of the highest order!Ē

Even from all the way up here, I heard his electronic cat flap beep and pull open from the foyer.

Paisley at least hadnít given chase. Instead, she stood proudly at my heels, beating a steady drum with her small black tail against the floorboards. ďDid I do good, Mommy?Ē she asked.

I didnít have the heart to tell her no. ďYou did good,Ē I hedged. ďBut next time, wait until I saycome. Can you do that?Ē

ďYes, Mommy. I surely can do that! Youíre my best friend, and I love you!Ē With this said, she began licking my toes and didnít stop for at least three whole minutes.

Okay, fine. So maybe I was starting to find her enthusiasma little annoyingÖ

Chapter Four

Paisley and I trotted into the Glendale Animal Shelter around lunchtime. A pudgy older woman greeted us from behind a battered oak desk tucked into the corner of the entryway at the very moment we arrived.

ďWelcome! Welcome!Ē she crooned. Then, shooting her gaze toward Paisley, she cleared her throat, dropped it a few notes, and said, ďHey, I recognize you, little dog. You arenít bringing her back. Are you? Was something wrong at home?Ē

Paisley scuttled back to cower behind my leg, shivering violently as Iíd already come to realize was her way whenever anything either upset or excited her.

ďNo, of course not!Ē I assured them both. ďWeíre just here for a little visit is all. Actually, is there someone I can speak with about maybe putting in some volunteer hours?Ē

The other womanís entire countenance lit up at this. ďOh, how lovely! Yes, yes, let me just take you back to our Community Outreach Coordinatorís office so the two of you can have a little chat.Ē

I nodded my agreement, then followed her through a set of double doors into the behind-the-scenes area of the shelter.

Paisley pranced alongside me, stopping frequently to sniff at the air or press her quivering nose to the floor.ďIt all smells exactly the same as it did yesterday,Ē she mused. ďOh, can you believe it, Mommy?Ē

I could believe it; I could believe it very easily but chose not to say anything that might dampen the little dogís spirits. Instead, I held my tongue as our guide led us down a long, narrow room filled wall-to-wall on each side with floor-to-ceiling kennels. Sure enough, many of the dogs were housed several to a cage, just as Paisley had described the night before.

ďHey, Chihuahua! What are you doing back in this awful place?Ē a black Labrador mix called after us, then pushed his snout through the metal caging and whined.

ďHaha. Just visiting!Ē Paisley cried happily. ďI have two new humans. This one even talks,Ē she added, referring to me as we continued to follow the front desk volunteer deeper and deeper into the shelter.

ďIt talks?Ē a fluffy little dog asked in a high-pitched voice. ďReally?Ē

ďReally.And itís a girl, so say she. Thatís the polite thing to do.Ē Paisley followed up her answer by nudging my leg with her cold nose. ďHey, Mommy. Say something to our friends!Ē

I coughed and widened my eyes at Paisley, giving my head a subtle shake that I sincerely hoped she would understand. She was still very new to our home and didnít yet seem to understand that I couldnít exactly out my ability in front of unknown humans. Iíd have to explain how everything worked once the two of us had some privacy. Hopefully, she wouldnít be too embarrassed by my unexpected unwillingness to perform my neat human trick for the other shelter dogs.

ďHere we are,Ē our guide said brightly, rescuing me from that disappointed look on my sweet doggoís face. ďYouíll find Mr. Leavitt straight through that door.Ē

ďThank you,Ē I said, reaching out to shake the womanís hand.

ďMy nameís Pearl,Ē she offered with a friendly smile. ďAnd itís my pleasure to assist. Iíll be just up front, should you have any questions for me before you go. Good luck!Ē

I watched Pearl zoom away, somewhat confused by the fact that sheíd wished me good luck. Didnít places like this always need a steady stream of volunteers?

The dogs behind us began to bark in earnest. I tried to understand what they were saying, but too many voices mixed together for me to make out any single thread. Suddenly, I felt very anxious as I raised my fist to knock on the office door before me.

ďCome in,Ē someoneópresumably Mr. Leavittócalled.

I scooped Paisley into my arms, then pushed the door open. At the same exact time, the fluorescent lights overhead flickered on, off, on, and then at last off again. The long room filled with kennels fell completely dark and silent, but the small office before me had a steady stream of sunlight wafting in from the large row of windows along the back wall.

ďHello,Ē I said shyly. ďIf this is a bad time, I can come back later.Ē

The man behind the desk glanced up at me with a welcoming grin. Shockingly, he appeared to be about my ageólate twenties, maybe early thirties. For some reason, Iíd expected someone far older. Maybe it was the fact that the gray-haired woman Iíd just met had chosen to refer to him as a Mr.

He stood and extended a hand in my direction.ďYou mean the lights? Nah, that happens all the time. Come on in all the way, take a seat, and tell me what I can do for you.Ē His blue eyes shone as our hands made contact, and I swear I felt a tiny spark jump from his skin to mine.

I didnít find Mr. Leavitt particularly attractive, but there was something about him that was inescapably alluring. If this whole Community Outreach Coordinator gig fell through, Iím sure heíd have a long and prosperous career in Hollywood, D.C., or even the boardroom. Heíd fit in easily anywherecharisma was valued and rewarded.

ďI know this guy,Ē Paisley said from atop my lap after Iíd taken a moment to get settled in one of the padded chairs opposite Mr. Leavittís desk. ďHeíd play with us sometimes. And he brought lots of people by to visit. Sometimes they would play with us, too.Ē

I patted the dogís head instead of answering her directly. Keeping my hand there, I directed my attention back toward the only other human in the room. ďAs you can see, my Nan and I adopted this sweet little girl from your shelter. And, well, weíre just so happy to have her that I wanted to pay it forward somewhere.Ē

Mr. Leavitt nodded and folded his hands on the desk before him.ďPay it forward? How so?Ē

ďCould you use any volunteers? I kind of have a way with animals.Ē Of course that was the understatement of the year, but there was no way I was telling this guy the truth about my hidden abilities.

ďThatís very kind of you, MissÖ?Ē He paused and flashed me a disarming grin.

ďRusso,Ē I offered, hating that heat was now rising to my cheeks. ďAngie Russo. Hi.Ē

He winked and leaned back in his chair, putting me at ease once more.ďAs I was saying, thatís very kind of you for wanting to help. You probably noticed weíre a bit overcrowded at the moment.Ē

I nodded again.ďYes, thatís why I thought I could help.Ē

The lights flickered again, illuminating a small lamp on the edge of Mr. Leavittís desk. He studied it for a moment, then frowned thoughtfully. ďWeíre just as overcrowded with volunteers as we are animals. But Iím afraid it may not be enough.Ē

My heart dropped straight onto the linoleum floor beneath my chair.ďIs everything okay?Ē I whispered, wishing the sensitive little dog in my lap didnít have to be here for whatever came next in our conversation.

Mr. Leavitt offered an even wider smile than before.ďOf course, everythingís okay. At least it is for now. Just a bit of growing pains, if you will. You see, at present, we have more animals and more staff, but not more money. It makes covering all our expenses a bit tricky, but weíll manage. We always do.Ē

Was I actually being dismissed? Had Mr. Leavitt somehow decided that my help wasnít good enough? That rankled me and suddenly made me desperate to contribute in any way I could.

ďThatís good to hear, but still Iíd like to do something,Ē I argued, giving him my best, most placating smile. ďWould a donation be better than volunteering right now?Ē

He shook his head and let out a low sigh.ďOh, no, no, no. You donít have to do that. I wasnít trying to suggestóĒ

I chuckled as I fished around in my purse for my checkbook. Mr. Leavitt was obviously a proud man, but this was a community shelter, and I was part of said community. I owed it to the animals to make sure they had enough to eat, drink, and keep a roof over their heads.ďI know you werenít, but Iím already here anyway and I want to help,Ē I said with a shrug.

ďWell, if you insist, then it would be wrong of me to say no. Thank you so much for being willing to help these wonderful animals.Ē

Mr. Leavitt told me the information I needed to fill out my check and then accepted it with an outpouring of gratitude.ďYouíre a good woman, Angie Russo. I can tell this little one is very lucky to have landed a place in your home,Ē he said, scratching the mostly black Chihuahua in the center of her forehead.

And for once I didnít argue. Paisley was lucky to have us. I knew that better than ever now that Iíd seen the alternative. Now, if only there was something more I could do to help the others who hadnít yet found their forever homesÖ

Chapter Five

After writing out the check for my donation, Mr. Leavitt showed me around the shelter and detailed how my gift would help the residents there. I left that afternoon about a thousand dollars lighter and feeling fantastic about it.

It was nice to use my money for something good. Not that it wasnít great to keep Octo-Cat stocked on all the specialty water, gourmet cat food, and new Apple technology his little kitty heart desired, but this time I was helping dozens of animals in need rather than catering to the spoiled whims of a single pampered pet.

I couldnít stop smiling the whole way home.

During that drive, Paisley and I also had a little talk about what I could and could not do in front of other people.

ďSo you canít talk to animals when other humans are around?Ē the Chihuahua summed up from her precarious perch on the passenger seat.

ďBingo,Ē I sang with a huge smile of confirmation, then added, ďUnless, of course, itís Nan, Charles, or someone else weíre close to. Got it?Ē

ďGot it,Ē she barked, taking a quick moment to stare at me in admiration before putting her front paws up on the windowsill and basking in the fresh breeze blowing through our tiny vehicle.

Back at home, we found Nan listening to showtunes while slathering a tall layer cake with light pink buttercream.ďIs that the Hamilton soundtrack?Ē I guessed, suppressing a laugh when I drew close enough to hear my seventy-year-old-plus grandmother rapping about the founding of our nation.

ďThat Lin Manuel Miranda is so talented, and so cute, too! If I were thirty-five years younger or he were thirty-five years older, Iíd have a half a mind to take off half his clothes andóĒ

I was quick to shove an index finger in each ear so that I wouldnít have to listen to the rest of that sentence. ďNan, thatís way more than I ever want to hear about that.Ē

She chuckled and shook her head.ďHey, I may be old, but Iím not dead yet!Ē

I simply gave her a hug and changed the topic.ďYeah, um, right. So, uh, anywayÖ Has Octo-Cat come out at all today?Ē

Nan shrugged as she continued work on her towering bubblegum-colored confection.ďNot that Iíve seen. How did things go at the shelter?Ē

A vision of all those poor caged animals sitting in their dark cages flashed through my mind, eliciting a sad sigh.ďI made a donation, but I wish there was something more we could do to help. Itís really crowded in there, and they even lost power while I was visiting.Ē

ďYou donít say,Ē Nan remarked, biting down on her lip and then spinning the cake before her to make sure it had been fully frosted.

ďI wish I hadnít,Ē I admitted. ďWhat brought you into that place to begin with? Did you know they were struggling when you went in to adopt Paisley yesterday?Ē

Nan took off her apron and washed her hands in the kitchen sink, then dried them on an embroidered tea towel.ďI sure didnít, and the lights at least stayed on while I was there, but I did notice the fact that they had more dogs than kennels to put them in.Ē

ďSo what made you decide to adopt a dog yesterday then?Ē I took advantage of her quiet thoughtfulness by grabbing a spoon from the drawer and snagging a spoonful of buttercream to taste.

Nan rolled her eyes playfully and followed me out toward the living room where we both claimed our favorite spots in the large sitting area filled with uncomfortable antique furniture.ďOh, I didnít decide,Ē she revealed once we were both settled in our seats. ďI just did it.Ē

ďYup, that sounds about right,Ē I said with a chuckle. I loved my nan dearly, but it was true that she did first and thought lateróif at all. ďWell, you picked a good one in Paisley. Sheís a real sweet girl.Ē

ďOf course I did. And of course she is,Ē Nan clucked like a proud mother hen. ďWas there ever any doubt?Ē

ďNot at all.Ē

We made some tea, then chatted for a bit about our plans for the week. Nan was hard at work developing new recipes for her upcoming book. It wasnít a cookbook, but rather a memoir that would be enhanced with half a dozen of her favorite custom recipes. She was also working on some kind of secret art project that she planned to convert into the bookís eventual cover, but I wasnít allowed to see that until it was ready.

I had originally planned to work on rustling up some new business for Octo-Catís and my new private investigation firm, but now it seemed Iíd be spending every waking hour serving as mediator for our two pets as they learned to live in harmony.

ďWould you be okay with chicken parmigiana for dinner?Ē Nan asked with a quick glance toward her new Apple Watch. Octo-Catís zeal for all things iTech had spread to me and Nan, too. ďWe have another couple of hours yet, but it wouldnít hurt to thaw the meat a bit first.Ē

As a proud American of half-Italian descent, I was always up for a hearty pasta dishóand everything Nan cooked tasted like Heaven to my untrained taste buds. ďYou know I love your chicken parmigiana,Ē I answered without hesitation as I stretched my arms overhead and let out a happy moan in anticipation of that nightís meal.

A loud crash followed by the sound of something fragile shattering on the ground sent us both scrambling to our feet.

ďWhat was that?Ē Nan shrieked.

ďSounded like it came from the kitchen. Címon.Ē

We both rushed in and found little Paisley sniffing a broken pile of china. No, Lenox! Oh, this was not good!

ďWas that one of Octo-Catís teacups from Ethel?Ē I shouted, a wicked headache already brewing beneath my temples.

Nan bent down and picked up a shard.ďJudging from the floral pattern around the rim, why yes. Yes, it is.Ē

ďDid you do this, Paisley?Ē I asked after kneeling down to speak with the dog at her level. ďDid you accidentally knock this down?Ē

ďNo way. I would never do that!Ē she barked, wagging her tail affectionately. ďI would never break Mommyís or Nanís things.Ē

I believed her. Not just because I knew she wanted to keep us both happy, but also because it didnít seem possible that sheíd be able to jump onto the counter, push off the teacup, and then jump back to the floor without managing to hurt herself.

ďDo you think Octavius broke his own cup in protest?Ē Nan asked, shaking her head in disappointment.

ďIt seems like something he might do, but heís been locked in my bedroom the whole day. Remember?Ē

Nan reached one hand up to scratch her head.ďAre you sure you didnít leave a window open or something?Ē

ďPretty sure,Ē I said, even though I couldnít really be sure of anything at the moment, at least not as far as he was concerned. ďBut letís go check and see if heís still in there.Ē

ďCan I come?Ē Paisley asked, trailing after us excitedly.

ďNo, he doesnítóĒ I began, but then quickly amended my answer. ďYou know what, Paze? Yes. Yes, you can come.Ē

ďOh, joyest of joys!Ē the Chihuahua sang, racing up both flights of stairs as fast as her diminutive paws could carry her.

ďYou do realize that the cat is going to be furious with you,Ē Nan pointed out with a naughty grin.

I shrugged.ďYeah, well, maybe Iím furious with him, too,Ē I muttered, then took a deep breath and pushed the door open.

Chapter Six

We found Octo-Cat sitting on the corner of my bed and staring unhappily into the void. A flurry of striped hairs danced in the sunlight that filtered in through the nearby window. Just looking at the scene made me have to sneezeÖ and so I did.

ďWhy so loud?Ē my cat moaned in response to myachoo, turning toward me with a sneer on his scrunched face.

ďKitty friend!Ē Paisley cried as she charged toward the bed and took a giant leap upward. All that momentum wasnít enough to propel her tiny body onto the mattress, however, and she rammed into the side of the bed head-first.

Matters also werenít helped by Octo-Catís decision to take a clawed swipe at her. ďHey, you punk! Letís get one thing straight. I am not your friend,Ē he growled and flexed his claws, ready to take a fresh shot at the poor, misguided pup.

ďThatís enough, you two!Ē Nan hurried across the room and grabbed an animal with each arm. ďLetís play nice here. After all, weíre a family.Ē

Paisley strained to reach Octo-Cat across the short distance, barking happily as she cried,ďBrother, brother, brother!Ē

Octo-Cat mewled demonically, twisting furiously until he at last wriggled free of Nanís embrace.

As for me? I laughed and laughed hard.

Which only made my cat that much more livid with the lot of us.ďWhy are you bothering me?Ē he whined. ďGo away.Ē

ďWe were wondering if you knew anything about what happened in the kitchen.Ē I studied him carefully for any glint of recognition.

If Octo-Cat knew anything, though, he didnít give it away. His face remained an unreadable maskówell, at least behind the thick layer of disdain. ďWhat happened in the kitchen?Ē he asked with a yawn that smelled like two parts Fancy Feast and one part cat butt.

Oh, boy.

Maybe he actually didnít know. Maybe I was about to break his poor, aggrieved heart all over again. I thought back to the first time one of Ethelís heirloom teacups had broken, remembering his utter despair and the touching funeral that had followed.

ďAre you going to tell him about the broken teacup, or should I?Ē Nan asked me with one raised eyebrow.

So much for putting things delicately.

ďWhat broken teacup?Ē the tabby asked after a sharp gasp, struggling to speak each word with his crackly, suddenly oxygen-starved voice.

ďIím sorry,Ē I said, and I really did mean it. ďIt was one of Ethelís. We were all in the living room, whenóĒ

ďEnough!Ē he shouted, turning on me so quickly, I took a reflexive step backward. ďIt was the dog, and you know it!Ē

I shook my head, unable to tear my eyes away from the enraged feline.ďWe thought that at first, but she canít reach the counters.Ē

Paisley yelped.ďIím sorry about your teacup, brother!Ē

ďYou know, sheís not that much bigger than a rat. It wouldnít be so hard to snap her neck,Ē Octo-Cat said through gritted teeth.

ďThatís a very bad cat!Ē I yelled. ďHow dare you say that about your new sister?Ē

ďShe is not my family, and she never will be. Get her out of here if you know whatís good for herÖ or for you.Ē

Paisley let out an ear-piercing chain of shrieks and wouldnít stop.

ďThere, there, dear one,Ē Nan sang softly while I glared at my cruel cat companion. It was one thing to be upset, but quite another to threaten such violence.

ďStop looking at me like that,Ē he rasped with a weighty flick of his dark tail. ďYouíre the one whoís forcing my paw, and canít you see Iím grieving my poor, sweet teacup here?Ē

Nobody said anything as we all stood around my tower bedroom awkwardly. Paisley at least stopped crying, though.

ďGet out of here! Go! Leave me in peace!Ē the distraught tabby shouted at last.

I knew he was upset, but I still couldnít believe how quickly heíd gone from simply irritated to threatening murder. It was moments like this that made me question whether my life was really better with him in it. Of course, I knew it was silly and that hunting was part of a catís nature, but stillÖ How could he be so cold-blooded about it all?

ďFine. Weíre going,Ē I mumbled, then led Nan and Paisley from the room. ďNext time we see you, I hope youíll be a bit more welcoming.Ē

ďWell, that didnít exactly go as planned,Ē Nan whispered in my ear once weíd shut the door firmly behind our small party.

ďNo, it really didnít.Ē

We trod down the stairs side by side.

Nan carried Paisley in her arms, not unlike a little baby.ďWhat now?Ē she asked.

ďIt looks like weíll be adding to our teacup cemetery in the backyard. Other than that, I donít know. We both know he can hold a grudge for a long time, and we also know that Paisley isnít going anywhere. I guess the only thing we can really do is wait the situation out. And maybe keep a close eye on Paisley while we do.Ē I hadnít repeated Octo-Catís murmured threats to Nan, and I didnít plan to, either.

Nan hummed to herself now as she thought about what we might do next. After a few moments, her face lit up and she said,ďThat may be the only thing we can do about this particular problem, but thereís more than one way toÖ Oh, dear, that is a terrible expression, especially in light of current events. What I mean is thereís more than one problem that needs solving.Ē

ďThe shelter?Ē I asked, my voice cracking on the first syllable of that second word.

My grandmother nodded.ďYou mentioned how much theyíre in dire need, and I just so happen to have some extra money left over from selling the old house to Charles. Perhaps itís time I made a donation of my own.Ē

She was right. Donating had made me feel so much better earlier that day, and at least the shelter wanted to be helped, unlike Octo-Cat.ďHmm.How late do they stay open? Itís almost dinner time now.Ē

This didnít stop Nan, however. ďIíll run down now and give it a try,Ē she said. ďIf theyíre already closed for the day, Iíll head over again first thing in the morning.Ē

I stopped walking and put an arm on Nanís shoulder before she could head down the grand staircase to the main floor. ďOh, no you donít! Thereís no way Iím letting you go on your own. Remember what happened last time you visited the animal shelter unsupervised?Ē

ďOf course I do,Ē Nan said with an impish grin, lifting Paisley in her arms and giving the little dog a kiss on her nose. ďBut was it really so bad? I mean, look at this sweet girl!Ē

ďDepends on who you ask,Ē I said, then motioned back toward my room with a beleaguered sigh.

ďBe right back,Ē Nan informed me as she turned away from the staircase and shot down the hall to her bedroom. ďI need a quick change of costume.Ē

When Nan joined me downstairs a few minutes later, she was wearing a hot pink T-shirt that readDog Mom across the chest. BothOs had been fashioned to look like paw prints.

ďWhen did you have time to get that?Ē I asked with a chuckle.

ďOvernight shipping, dear,Ē was her reply as she rummaged about in the coat closet and extracted a matching pink leash for Paisley along with aÖ

ďA spiked collar? For your five-pound Chihuahua? Really?Ē Now I was laughing in earnest. Just because I was never surprised by my grandmotherís antics didnít mean they werenít hilarious.

Nan lowered herself to the floor and patted her lap.ďWell, why not?Ē she mumbled while she worked on sizing the collar appropriately for Paisleyís thin neck. ďFor all we know, the heart of a warrior beats within this tiny body.Ē

I blew a raspberry.ďUm, I can talk to her. Remember?Ē

ďIím a warrior!Ē the dog exclaimed enthusiastically, lapping up all the attention. ďIím a big, brave dog!Ē

I just shook my head. These two were clearly perfect for each other, and I was so, so happy for them.

Chapter Seven

I felt like the odd one out, given that my two companions had decked themselves out in a vibrant matching shade of pink while I wore a black polka-dotted blouse and flippy yellow skirt. On the way out the door, Nan had decided to pair her T-shirt with silver sling-back kitten heels, and Iíd thrown on my favorite battered combat boots. As usual, we made quite the interesting pair. Throw in the Chihuahua, and we were practically a walking fashion showóor at least a reality TV show.

We reached the shelter a few minutes before six and were greeted with a firmly locked door.

ďCrud,Ē I muttered, rattling the handle just in case.

I looked toward Nan just in time to catch her ducking around the side of the building and out of view.

ďWhat are you doing?Ē I whisper-yelled, chasing after her.

ďWhy, looking for another way in, of course,Ē she said, tapping a long fingernail against the window and then turning to me with a devilish smile.

ďThis isnít one of your spy movies, Nan. We can just come back tomorrow. No need to sneak about. Now címon. Letís go,Ē I hissed as I attempted to yank her back toward the parking lot.

Nan shook me off, then raised a finger to her lips and sank to the ground, motioning for me to get down, too.ďWait. Someoneís in there.Ē

Despite my better judgement, I did as Nan instructed.

We both carefully peeked our heads over the brick ledge and peered through the window. Inside, a thin blonde woman riffled through a tall stack of papers. She muttered something to herself, but I wasnít able to make out the words.

Nan pinched me.ďWill you look at that? I knew there was something fishy going on here.Ē

Sure she did. Really, she just got lucky this time and every other time she wanted to have herself an adventure. These days, Nan was never disappointed when it came to uncovering crime and drama in our once sleepy small town.

We both watched as the blonde woman inside pulled a sheet of paper from the middle of the stack with shaking hands and pushed it through a desktop shredder. For a brief moment, she glanced up as if sensing that someoneóor rather, someonesówas watching her, then cursed under her breath and hurried out of view.

ďCímon,Ē Nan said, duck-walking toward the next window.

I waddled after her, and Paisley pranced after me. What a merry band of spies we made.

We didnít see the girl again until we reached the very end of the building and the room I easily remembered as Mr. Leavittís office. Once there, the blonde pulled open the bottom left drawer of his desk and shoved the remaining papers inside, took another quick look around, and fled.

ďShoot. Is she leaving?Ē I asked, short of breath from the excitement of our discovery coupled with the grueling physical task of the duck-walk. ďSheíll see our car in the parking lot and know that someoneís here.Ē

ďOoh, youíre right.Ē Nan popped up and sprinted back toward the main entrance, beating the blonde girl by a solid thirty seconds.

If she was surprised to see us waiting outside the doors for her, she did a great job hiding it.ďOh, hello. Can I help you?Ē the girl asked.

ďYes, dear. Thank you,Ē Nan answered in her over-the-top grandmother voice that she took on whenever she wanted to appear extra frail or needy. ďIíve come to make a donation, but Iím afraid I may not be in the right place. Is this the Glendale Community Animal Shelter?Ē

The blonde smiled with what appeared to be relief.ďYes, thatís us, but Iím afraid weíre closed now.Ē

ďOh, bother,Ē Nan chirped, sounding far too upbeat given the words sheíd just spoken. ďWell, thatís what I get for nodding off during my stories.Ē

ďAww, itís okay,Ē the girl said, shooting Nan a placating smile. ďWe open again tomorrow at eight. Or, if you prefer, I can take your check now and make sure it gets into the right hands tomorrow.Ē

ďOh, bless you, dear,Ē Nan said with a gracious smile. ďThat would be wonderful. Now whatís your name? I want to make sure I can mention to my followers on the Facebook how helpful you were to me this evening.Ē

ďIím Trish,Ē the girl introduced herself with a laugh. ďAnd thank you. We can use all the volunteers and all the donations we can get.Ē

ďWell, Trish.Ē Nan extracted her checkbook from her purse. ďIt isnít much, seeing as Iím on a fixed income, but I hope it gives you the help you need.Ē

ďNo amount is too small. Believe me. I donít have an extra two pennies to rub together, which is why I donate my time instead,Ē Trish explained as she shifted her weight from one foot to the other.

ďTheyíre very lucky to have you,Ē I said, when Nan didnít.

Trish and I watched in silence as Nan wrote out a check for one hundred dollars and tore it from her checkbook with a flourish.

ďOn behalf of the animals, thank you very, very much for your generosity,Ē the girl said, holding Nanís donation close to her heart.

ďOh, it was nothing,Ē Nan responded with a dismissive wave. ďI just wish it could have been more.Ē

ďEvery small donation makes a huge difference.Ē Trish folded the check in half and stuck it in her front pocket. ďIíll be sure this gets added to our coffers tomorrow. Good night, and thank you again!Ē

We returned her goodbye, waited for Paisley to take a quick potty break, then headed back to the car.

ďWho was that?Ē the little dog asked. ďIíve never seen her before.Ē

ďTrish,Ē I explained. ďSheís one of the volunteers. Are you sure you havenít seen her before? Sheís obviously not new if sheís in charge of closing up.Ē

ďNope, never,Ē Paisley answered without the slightest hesitation. ďShe was really pretty, though. I like her.Ē

ďWait,Ē I said with a creeping grin as I thought of the early days with Octo-Cat back when he was simply upset about me providing him with the wrong brand of bottled water as opposed to threatening to murder a Chihuahua. ďDo you maybe not recognize her because all humans look the same?Ē

Paisleyís long pink tongue lolled from her mouth as she panted in amusement. ďWhy would you say that? Humans donít look the same at all, and you smell very different, too! Nope. I definitely would have remembered seeingóand smellingóher before.Ē

I quickly caught Nan up on the dogís and my little side conversation.

ďHmm,Ē she said with a dramatic huff.ďThatís a bit odd.Ē

ďIt is,Ē I agreed. ďWhat do you think Trish was doing in the shelter all by herself? Does she actually volunteer there, or no? And what did she secretly shred?Ē

ďGood questions,Ē Nan answered as she navigated the roads that would lead us back toward our home. ďOne thingís for sure, Iíll be keeping a close watch on my bank account to see where that check actually ends up.Ē

I nodded to show my agreement.ďSmart.Ē

ďMaybe tomorrow night we can go back and try to break in,Ē she added with a completely serious expression on her wrinkled face.

ďNan,Ē I scolded. ďWeíre trying to stop someone else from breaking the law, not break it ourselves.Ē

ďWell, youíre no fun,Ē she groused.

Maybe I wasnít fun compared to my wild grandmother, but one of us had to be the level-headed one in this investigation.

And with Octo-Cat out of commission, apparently that job would fall to me.

Chapter Eight

We returned home to find my boyfriend Charles waiting on the front porch. As soon as I parked the car, I ran up the short set of steps and straight into his outstretched arms.

ďWhat are you doing here?Ē I asked after a quick peck hello.

ďWell, I missed seeing you yesterday when the petaversary celebration got cancelled. And when we talked earlier today, you just seemed so down. You know I had to come by and cheer up my best girl.Ē His eyes held mine as he spoke, making me feel weak in the knees. Even though weíd been dating for a few weeks now, I still couldnít get over the fact that we were finally together. Iíd crushed on him for so long, and now? He was my honest-to-goodness boyfriendóand a really great one at that.

Once I had my strength back, I pulled away and studied his handsome features.ďYour best girl?Ē I asked with a giggle. ďThat sounds an awful lot like something Nan would say.Ē

ďOkay. Fine,Ē he confessed with a breathy laugh. ďSo maybe she did call and put me up to it, but the important thing is that Iím here now and I have something special planned for us tonight.Ē

I hugged Charles tight and pushed my face into his chest in an attempt to hide my nervous expression. I was still pretty new to this whole relationship thing and terrified Iíd do something to mess it up at any minute. We were especially tricky, too, given that weíd become such good friends before ever getting romantically involved.

Because of our unusual timeline, I feared we were dangerously close to theďI love youĒ stage even though weíd only been dating for a little less than a month. I also feared the ďWill you marry me?Ē stage might quickly follow once the first three little words were out of the bag. And as much as I adored Charles, the thought of becoming somebodyís wifeóof living with anyone other than Nanómade me break out in goose bumps and a cold sweat all at once.

One day at a time, I reminded myself as I so often did. The now was very good indeed, and I needed to take some time to enjoy these early puppy love days of my first real adult relationship.

Swallowing down the last dregs of my anxiety, I asked,ďAm I allowed to know what you have planned, or is it another one of your famous surprises?Ē

Charles kissed my forehead, then released me from his embrace.ďThis time, Iíll tell you,Ē he answered with a smirk. ďBut next time, Iím keeping whatever I plan for us a surprise until the last possible moment.Ē

I nodded, still focused on the now and eager to find out what weíd be doing that night.

Charles put both arms around my waist and pulled me close.ďThereís a new day spa that just opened up on the edge of Dewdrop Springs, and theyíre running a special on coupleís massages. I figured we could go check it out. What do you say?Ē

ďI say,sign me up for that!Ē I squealed and gave a happy little leap into the air. Iíd never had a massage before, but Iíd heard good thingsómostly from my grandmother. Truth be told, the whole idea made me a bit nervous, but I appreciated Charlesís gesture too much to let him in on any of the hesitation or worry swirling through my mind.

ďBye, dear,Ē Nan called after us as Charles led me to his waiting car. ďDonít do anything I wouldnít do!Ē

I laughed so hard at that I almost choked. Nan would do just about anything with hardly a momentís thought first, definitely not the model for chaste behavior. Then again, maybe that was the point she was trying to make here.

ďThanks for getting me out of there,Ē I told my boyfriend as he backed us out of the long driveway.

ďAny time,Ē he promised me with a smile that made me want to kiss him right then and there. ďIs Octo-Cat still pouting about the new arrival?Ē

I sucked air in through my teeth.ďThat would be putting it mildly.Ē

He chuckled at this.ďRemember Yo-Yo?Ē

Ahh, Yo-Yo the Yorkie, the only witness to his ownersí double murder. That was the case where Charles and I had first become good friends, even though the whole thing started with him blackmailing me and threatening to expose my secret to the world.

ďOf course I remember Yo-Yo,Ē I said with a smug grin. ďI also remember how Octo-Cat never quite got used to him for that whole time they were together.Ē

ďThat was only the better part of a week. Paisley will be around for the rest of his life. Even he canít wage his silent protest for that long.Ē

ďOh, ye of little faith,Ē I quipped, then rolled my eyes for good measure.

We drove for another half hour before reaching our destination. The swanky new spa was part of a run-down strip mall, which didnít inspire much confidence on my part. Once we pushed through the doors, however, we were greeted with a beautiful office space, painted in a tranquil green with a large stone fountain bubbling near the welcome desk. Soft classical music piped through hidden speakers, and the woman waiting to greet us wore all white from head to toe.

Her red hair shone even in the dim lighting, and her pale skin appeared flawless to my untrained eye.ďWelcome to Serenity,Ē she said melodically. ďHow may we improve your world today?Ē

I fought back any number of sarcastic comments that were teetering right on the edge of my tongue and gave this would-be world-improver a tight-lipped smile.

Charles, however, seemed far more in his element. Perhaps because heíd grown up in California. He forged right ahead in the direction of the woman and the desk, grabbing one of my hands and tugging me along as he went. ďWeíre here for a seven oíclock couples massage,Ē he informed her.

ďAhh, last spot of the day. Excellent.Ē She paused for an unnaturally long time before adding, ďYouíll rest well tonight.Ē

Another awkward pause.

Charles and I glanced at each other questioningly, then back toward the woman.

ďStone is just finishing up with his previous appointment, if youíll please have a seat.Ē She floated out from behind the desk and guided us toward a pair of giant exercise balls set around a small area rug.

ďUm, thanks.Ē I sank awkwardly onto the dark green ball, leaving the tan one for Charles.

The welcome desk lady smiled at us for slightly longer than was comfortable, then let herself into the back room, leaving Charles and me by ourselves. Well, Serenity was certainly a strange place, if the greeter was any indication. This made me more nervous than Iíd been before. Of course, Nan would like this whole dog and pony show. She liked everything, the weirder the better. Me? I preferred to stick to what I already knew and loved.

ďYou donít think Stoneís that guyís real name?Ē Charles asked, making a funny face.

I was about to ask him the exact same thing, but instead I hit him playfully and giggled.ďIt all contributes to theambience.Ē I over pronounced that word so much it sounded like it belonged to another language. French, maybe.

ďItís all part of improving our world,Ē he added with a quiet chuckle as he bumped his giant exercise ball seat into mine.

I rolled back to gain some momentum, then nudged his even harder than heíd bumped mine. A flirtatious game of bumper balls followed, each of us making up the rules as we went along.

We didnít even notice at first when the attendant returnedónot until she cleared her throat loudly and stared unforgiving daggers our way.

ďStone is ready for you now,Ē she alerted us, forcing a smile for Charlesís benefit, I would guess.

Just then, the door to the back swung open and a lithe, blonde figure emerged.

ďTrish?Ē I asked, unable to believe Iíd managed to run into the shelter volunteer twice within the span of about an houróespecially considering the distance weíd all had to travel to arrive at the shopping center from Glendale.

Trish blinked over at me, then smiled.ďOh, you came with your mom today to make a donation. Right?Ē she asked sweetly, so sweetly that it seemed very, very fake.

ďMy nan, actually, butóyeahóthat was me.Ē I smiled graciously to show I meant her no harm. ďWhat are you doing here?Ē

ďN-n-nothing,Ē came Trishís shaky reply. ďJust headed home.Ē

And before I could ask anything else, she flew out the door.

Well, so much for making small talk.

Chapter Nine

Iím not exactly sure what Iíd expected from Stone, but it wasnít the new-age Irish lumberjack who greeted us a short while later.

Though he wore all white like the front desk attendant, he had a completely different vibe. A gigantic toothy smile peeked out from behind his thick red beard.ďGood evening,Ē he said as he pushed through the room, his long arms dangling as he moved toward the cabinets that lined the back wall. On his way, he turned up the music track; the soothing sounds of an exotic stringed instrument filled the room, adding to the otherworldliness of this whole experience.

ďIíll return in five minutes to begin your massages.Ē Stone handed us each a fluffy white robe, then left to give me and Charles the chance to change into them privately.

Whoa. Heíd hardly exchanged five words with us before instructing Charles and me to take off our clothes! Itís not that I was a prude, but Iíd always been modest about my body.

Iíd never even been naked in front of Charles before, but thankfully he was a gentleman about the whole thing. He turned his back to me and promised not to look until I told him it was okay. Still, I tore off my clothes and yanked on that thick robe with record speed. The unfamiliar garment seemedto swallow me whole, but at least it was comfortable against my bare skin.

ďYou can turn around now,Ē I called sheepishly. In fact, I felt like a sheep, too, as I stood swaddled in that overly fluffy cotton robe.

And if I was a sheep, then Charles was definitely that cartoon wolf, sizing me up. He let out a low whistle and remarked,ďYou look extra cuddle-able right about now.Ē Closing the short distance between us, he then wrapped his arms around me and swayed to the meditation music in a ridiculously misguided romantic gesture.

ďIím naked under here,Ē I whispered, embarrassment setting in.

He just laughed and continued to dance with me until a soft knock sounded on the door.

ďCome in,Ē Charles called as I clutched my robe even more tightly.

Stone had returned with the front desk attendant in tow.ďThis is my colleague, Harmony. Weíll be massaging you together. Please make yourselves comfortable.Ē

Charles widened his eyes playfully and rubbed his hands together, then made his way to the first of the leather massage tables, slowly lowering himself and lining his face up perfectly with the hole at the top.

ďNow you, Angela,Ē Harmony coaxed. Her voice sounded different than it had upfront. Perhaps it was the different acoustics, or maybe she truly had a different voice for working the front desk versus working on a client. Whatever the case, it seemed mighty weird to me.

Apparently sensing my discomfort, Charles reached out and touched my arm as I passed. He was such a good boyfriend, and so much more cultured than me.

I took in a deep breath, vowing to give this whole experience a fair chance before deciding it wasnít for me. After shooting quick smiles to Stone and Harmony, I at last positioned myself on the tableófar less gracefully than Charles had, but at least the deed was done.

ďLavender for relaxation,Ē Harmony said, spraying something all around the room.

ďOur own proprietary blend,Ē Stone added fondly.

The two took turns speaking to us in quiet, even-tempered voices. Their words blended together perfectly, and I imagined this whole opener had been rehearsed many times to get it just right.

When they had finished, Harmony placed a soft, warm hand on my neck and began to tug gently on my robe.

My heart sped to an uneven gallop. Werenít massages supposed to be calming? Because my anxiety had officially been kicked into overdrive here. ďCan I keep the robe on?Ē I mumbled, hoping it was loud enough for her to hear me.

ďNo,Ē she said in a voice that brooked no argument, lowering the robe farther and farther until at last she stopped at my hips.

ďItís okay, Ange,Ē Charles said from beside me. ďItís normal to be nervous the first time. Just keep talking until you relax.Ē

The first time? Had Charles done this before? Had he done it with his ex, Breanne? Yuck, I sure hoped not.

Still, by the time my masseuse had begun to rub oil into my upper back, Iíd decided to take Charlesís advice. At least talking would make the time go by a bit faster.

ďNice place youíve got here,Ē I mused. ďOf course, I can only see the floor right now, but the stuff I saw when coming inside was nice, too. Haha.Ē

ďRelax,Ē Harmony cooed, sweeping her hands gently along my spine. ďRelax.Ē

That did not help me relax.

ďSo, you guys are new around here? Right? What made you decide to set up shop in Dewdrop Springs? And why is it called Serenity? And are your names really Harmony and Stone?Ē

ďRelax,Ē Harmony said again, a sharp edge working its way into her previously calm voice. What would happen if I didnít relax? Would they call the whole thing off? I didnít want to do that to Charles, especially knowing how hard he worked as the only partner at Glendaleís most infamous law firm.

ďSorry, Iím just nervous.Ē I took several slow, shaky breaths, trying to match my breathing to Harmonyís, hoping thatís what would ultimately help me get into the right headspace for this experience.

ďYouíll enjoy our work more if you let your tension go,Ē Stone suggested rather unhelpfully.

ďThis is her first time,Ē Charles explained. ďCan we all just talk a little to help her ease in?Ē

ďWe wonít be going over the allotted appointment time,Ē Harmony warned. Each time she spoke, her voice lost some of that ethereal quality. I wouldnít be surprised if she worked her way up to screaming at me before long.

ďWe donít need to,Ē Charles was quick to respond. ďBut sheís not going to have a good experience if we donít help her relax.Ē

ďFine,Ē Harmony spat while Stone just chuckled good-naturedly. Of course, I got the ice queen masseur, but I suppose it was better than having the unknown manís hands all over me while I lay there exposed and helpless.

ďWeíre called Serenity because thatís the aura we try to create for all who pass through our doors,Ē Stone said.

ďWhat about Trish?Ē I asked, unable to help myself as I thought back to the startling encounter with the lithe blonde. ďShe didnít seem very serene when she ran out of here in a hurry.Ē

ďWe donít discuss other clients,Ē Harmony said, giving me a little pinch as she did.

ďClients? Was she here to get a massage?Ē I asked innocently.

ďYes,Ē Stone answered definitively. ďYes, she was. And donít worry about her. Her experience definitely wasnít typical. She at least left us with less stress than she brought in with her.Ē

Harmony let out a frustrated groan but said nothing more.

ďWhy is she so stressed?Ē I asked.

Although I certainly hadnít expected an answer, Stone provided one anyway. ďBecause the city cut funding to the animal shelter, and theyíre having a rough time over there.Ē

ďStone,ĒHarmony hissed.ďRemember our code of ethics, please!Ē

Everyone fell silent for a few minutes.

ďHey,Ē Stone said, forgetting to use his soothing meditation voice. Rather than sounding irritated though, he came across more like a friend. ďYou know what helps me when Iím feeling nervous? I like to list all the things Iím grateful for. Letís all take turns as we focus on the positives in our life. Iíll go first. Iím grateful for being able to do what I love for a living.Ē

ďMe, too,Ē Charles piped up.

ďMe, too,Ē I said. ďWell, sort of. I havenít been doing much of it lately, butóĒ

ďNo explanations,Ē Harmony snapped. ďJust state your thought, release it, and move on.Ē

ďFine,Ē I snapped back. ďThen I guess Iím grateful for my cat.Ē

But was I grateful for this experience? Certainly not.

Maybe next time Charles would let me plan date night.

Chapter Ten

ďDid you enjoy your massage?Ē Charles asked after Harmony and Stone left us to change out of our spa robes and back into our street clothes.

ďYes,Ē I said definitively, hoping that he would believe me. I appreciated the gesture but didnít find the actual act of getting touched all over by a stranger very relaxing at all. Iíd much rather pet Octo-Cat or Paisley until all my troubles melted away. Or get in a few snuggles with my boyfriend. Or go on a sugar binge with Nan.

Basically anything other than being poked and prodded by an angry person fake-named Harmony.

ďYouíre such a bad liar,Ē Charles said with a chuckle. ďAnd even though I couldnít see you, I could still tell your wheels were spinning that whole time. You were thinking about the shelter. Werenít you?Ē

Okay, he knew me eerily well, but I guess that was just part of his charm.ďDonít you think itís weird that city hall would cut the shelterís funding when itís already struggling?Ē

ďMaybe the shelter isnít the only thing struggling,Ē Charles suggested. ďThis past year weíve had a pretty high murder per capita. It could be that people are moving away, houses are sitting empty, and the local government has less money to spend overall.Ē

ďMaybe,Ē I agreed halfheartedly. His logic made good sense, but my gut was telling me something else was to blame here. ďBut I donít think thatís it. It seems like something fishy is going on with the shelter in particular.Ē

Charles played right along. He, too, had learned to trust my instincts, and he never made me feel bad about needing to investigateóor obsessively discussóa hunch. ďAnd you think that woman we sawÖ TrishÖ is at the center of it all?Ē

ďOf course I do.Ē I accidentally turned around before Charles had finished getting dressed and caught an eye full of his bare legs and chest. ďOops, sorry.Ē

ďDonít worry about it. Iím not nearly as shy as you are.Ē

I waited for that tell-tale sound of pants zipping up before turning around again.

When I did, Charles greeted me with a grim expression.ďBut I canít help worrying about you. Are you going to at least be careful about inserting yourself into a potentially dangerous situation this time?Ē

I shook my head and let out a sarcastic huff.ďIím always careful.Ē

Charles laughed so hard he had to cough.ďYeah, we both know thatís not true, so letís try again. Can you at least be more cautious than you usually are?Ē

ďFine,Ē I acquiesced and let him wrap his arms around me. ďAlthough you know I no longer work for Longfellow and Associates, which means youíre not my boss anymore, either.Ē

ďYeah, but you mean more than ever to me now. You think Iím only warning you off because Iím your boss? That hurts.Ē

ďNo, Iím sorry. Youíre right. Any other demands, oh great and powerful boyfriend?Ē

ďNow that you mention it.Ē He placed a kiss on my forehead first, then my nose, and finally finished up with a lingering kiss on my mouth. ďI do have one tiny request.Ē

Even before Charles said anything more, I already knew Iíd grant him any wish he wanted. I was a big pile of cotton fluff in his hands.Literally.

ďLet me swing by city hall to see what information I can gather about the budget cuts. Once I do that, youíre free to investigate to your heartís content.Ē

ďFair enough.Ē I pulled his face back down to mine and gave him another enthusiastic kiss.

ďWhat was that for?Ē he asked with a smile once weíd pulled apart.

ďFor trying to make me feel better, and then actually doing it.Ē

ďSo, you mean I shelled out for this fancy coupleís thing when all I had to do was wave my lawyer card around a little?Ē

We both chuckled and then kissed again. Even if I kissed Charles every day for the rest of my life, I doubted Iíd ever grow sick of it, sick of him.

Still, we had things to do, so I reluctantly pushed him away.ďNow turn around and face the wall so I can get dressed in peace,Ē I instructed, happy to put this whole experience behind me and get back to the real world where people went by their given names and spoke in their actual voices.

Buh-bye, Serenity.

Hello, mystery at the shelter.

[ ŗūÚŤŪÍŗ: img_3]

I returned home to what could only be described as a war zone. Nan wore pink camo sweatpants to go with her pinkDog Mom shirt, and even her adorable sidekick Paisley had undergone a costume change. The shaking ball of sleek fur now wore a skull and crossbones tank top with a glittery pink bow affixed to one side of the skull.

Oh, brother.

In the dining room, a giant map of the Blueberry Bay region took up most of our large table. Nan had also brought out a fresh piece of poster board and a rainbow array of all her favorite Sharpies.

ďWhatís going on here?Ē I asked, not entirely sure I wanted to know the answer.

Noticing my arrival at last, Nan marched straight across the room and put a hand on each of my shoulders.ďThe check was cashed,Ē she informed me, eyes flashing with glee.

I frowned. This seemed like a ridiculously over-the-top way to celebrate a check being cashed. Of course, my head was all fuzzy from Harmonyís massage, so maybe my synapses were still slow to fire.

ďAnd you turned our house into a war room, becauseÖ?Ē I asked, anyway.

Nan pointed toward the desktop computer she kept set up in the far corner of the living room for her occasional use and said,ďRemember how you taught me to pay all my bills online?Ē

ďYessss,ĒI answered slowly, not sure I liked where this was going. It was one thing for me to take risks for a case, but I hated the thought of ever putting Nan in harmís way.

ďLook at this.Ē She thrust a piece of computer paper at my chest.

Although the image was grainy, I could clearly make out the scan of Nanís check from earlier that day, along with the sloppy signature and the stamp that read First Bank of Blueberry Bay.

ďCheck out the address,Ē Nan urged me with an eager smile.

ďDewdrop Springs,huh,Ē I read aloud.ďBut why would the Glendale Animal Shelter be cashing checks in Dewdrop Springs?Ē

ďThatís what I was hoping to learn from you. You were just over there, after all.Ē She grabbed the paper back and waited for me to explain everything.

I didnít have the answers she was looking for, but I did have a bit of information that could help us get there. It was my turn to make a big reveal, and I relished it. ďNow that you mention it, Charles and I did run into Trish at the massage place. Do you think sheís the one who cashed the check?Ē

We both studied the messy scrawl of the signature, but it was impossible to decipher without knowing Trishís last name.

ďWeird,Ē I said at last.

ďDefinitely weird,Ē Nan agreed with a nod.

ďSo what is all this about then?Ē I motioned around at the giant mess that had exploded in our normally pristine home during my brief absence.

ďItís easier for me to think with all my supplies close at hand,Ē Nan answered with a shrug.

This made me chuckle.ďAnd what have you thought of?Ē

ďThat we definitely need to be investigating that shelter more for a start,Ē she said without a secondís hesitation.

ďYeah, I kind of have the same feeling, too. Ooh, let me catch you up on what I learned while I was out.Ē

ďExcellent, but first, tea,Ē Nan declared.

She scurried toward the kitchen with a plucky Paisley in tow, then let out a sharp gasp.ďOh, dear. I think weíve had another attack!Ē

I raced after her only to find a pair of coffee mugs shattered against the hard floor.

What in the heck?

Who was breaking all our things?

And how had Nan not heard all this racket from the next room over?

Sigh.

It seemed that we now had more than one mystery to solve.

Chapter Eleven

Despite my niggling dislike of Harmony, even I had to admit sheíd gotten one thing very right: I slept like a log that night. It could have been the massage, or it could have been the fact that Iíd decided to stop tiptoeing around my angry cat and had actually gone to sleep in my own bed when the time came.

I hadnít laid eyes on Octo-Cat before tucking myself in but knew he must still be somewhere in the tower bedroom. Not that I cared all that much at the moment. Honestly, I was so done with this tantrum of his. He could either learn to live with Paisley or he could make himself a prisoner in my bedroom until the very last day of his very last life.

I hoped it wouldnít come to that, but heíd made it quite clear that he wasnít willing to negotiate when it came to our new doggie family member.

Beyond exhausted, I didnít rouse that morning until my angrily ringing cell phone forced me out of bed.

ďUgh, what time is it?Ē I groaned in the general direction of the phone instead of saying hello outright.

Charles laughed on the other end of the line.ďWake up, Sleeping Beauty. Your prince charming has some news!Ē

ďSleeping Beauty has Prince Phillip,Ē I corrected, wiping the sleep from my eyes.

ďAnd you have Prince Charles. Oh,hmm, maybe not.Ē He chuckled to himself, but I was still too groggy to join in.

ďAnyway, Iíve got news,Ē Charles continued. ďAnd itís almost ten oíclock by the way, you should really get up and greet the day.Ē

I groaned again, which only made my boyfriend laugh harder.ďWhatís your news?Ē I asked, searching my nightstand for the gummy multivitamin I took each morning.

ďWell, I started my day at city hall as promised. You can really learn a lot when you know the right people, I might add.Ē He sounded quite proud of himself. Did this mean he had found something good? Something that would help Nan and I figure out what in the heck was going on with that shelter?

ďAnd what did you learn today?Ē I asked with a smirk before popping the sugary vitamins into my mouth.

He sucked air in through his teeth, then explained,ďThat the animal shelter funding hasnít been cut like Stone said. In fact, itís increased year over year beyond inflation.Ē

I yawned and tried my best to refocus. It was way too early for words likeinflation.ďWhich means?Ē I asked, hating how stupid I must sound to Charlesís educated ear. Granted, my seven associate degrees were nothing to shake a stick at, but they still werenít nearly as impressive as his one law degree.

Charles took a deep breath, then revealed,ďIt means that if the shelter has a money problem, itís not due to lack of funding.Ē

ďDo you think someoneís stealing?Ē I asked, unable to think of any other possibility given the way that evidence had been stacking up the past couple of days.

ďStealing from a businessóor in this case a nonprofitóis calledembezzlement.And, yes, it does seem like that might be a possibility here.Ē The fact that Charles had shifted into full-on attorney mode told me that whatever was going on, it was very, very illegal. I sincerely hoped the culprit would not only be caught, but also punished to the fullest extent of the law.

Rage flew through my veins, waking me up better than any form of caffeine ever could.ďBut itís not just money,Ē I argued. ďItís these animalsí lives! Theyíre already three to a cageÖ What happens if the shelter has to be shut down?Ē

ďMaybe another shelter would take them in.Ē Charlesís whispered words betrayed his true beliefs. He felt just as hopeless as I did in this situation, and it didnít do anyone any good skirting around the issue.

ďOr maybe theyíd all be turned loose on the streets. Or worse, eu-eu-euthanized.Ē I shuddered at that last word. It represented one of the most awful things I could imagine. Those poor sweet animals.

ďThatís not going to happen,Ē Charles assured me. His voice came out stronger now, surer.

ďBut how? How can you know that for a fact?Ē Hot tears stung at my eyes, but I refused to let them fall. I needed to stay angry. Angry got things done.

ďBecause I know you, and I know you would never let that happen,Ē my boyfriend told me.

ďI gotta go,Ē I mumbled into the phone, already halfway to my closet and ready to throw some clothes on in a hurry.

ďI know you do,Ē Charles said, and I could hear the smile in his words. ďStay safe and call me if you need anything. Got it?Ē

ďGot it,Ē I said, then pressed to end the call.

Never had I been so determined to solve a caseóand to solve it quickly. Dozens of lives depended on it.

[ ŗūÚŤŪÍŗ: img_3]

By the time Iíd clambered down the stairs in my hastily assembled outfit, Nan was already dressed and waiting for me at the front door. ďFinally,Ē she said with a huff. ďMs. Paisley and I have been waiting all morning.Ē

ďHi, Mommy!Ē Paisley cheered, wiggling her butt in merriment. ďWeíre going for a car ride!Ē

ďTo the shelter?Ē I asked, just to be sure.

ďTo the shelter!Ē Nan called in a rallying battle cry, then flung the front door open so that the three of us could march into battle.

This time, we took Nanís little red sports car instead of my old clunker. ďWe want them to know we have money and that we arenít afraid to use it,Ē Nan offered as an explanation.

ďIs that the whole plan?Ē I wondered aloud. Once again, I was worried that Nan had chosen to view complex problems far too simplistically. The world inside my grandmotherís head and the world as it actually was didnít always line up perfectly. God bless her.

Nan shot me a warning look as she twisted the key in the ignition.ďOf course not!Ē

ďThen fill me in already.Ē

ďYouíll see when we get there,Ē she said with a wink and then pushed down hard on the gas pedal.

Whatever happened next, I was ready for it.

Although I hoped Trish wouldnít be there this morning; otherwise, Nanís whole feeble retiree on a fixed income act from yesterday evening would fall apart the very moment she was spotted pulling up to the shelter in an expensive sports car. It seemed unlikely weíd run into Trish, given that Paisley had sworn up and down that sheíd never seen the mysterious volunteer once in her entire life.

But, still, I had to wonderÖ

We got there quickly, thanks to Nanís penchant for driving at least ten miles above the speed limit wherever she went. And it wasnít Trish, but rather Pearlóthe kindly, older volunteer Iíd met on my own yesterdayówho greeted us upon our arrival.

ďBack so soon?Ē she asked with a warm grin. It took me a moment to realize that her smile wasnít intended for me, but rather Nan.

ďYou know me,Ē my grandmother crooned. ďI just canít stay away.Ē

Turning to her side, Nan motioned toward me but continued to address Pearl.ďThis is my granddaughter, Angie, and of course you already know Ms. Paisley.Ē

Paisley barked in acknowledgement.

I simply nodded and forced a grin.

ďHello, Angie,Ē Pearl said as she regarded me with a blank expression. Did she really not remember meeting me only yesterday? ďNow, what can I do for you, Nan?Ē

I found it downright hilarious that this old woman was calling my grandmotherNanof all things, but I at least managed to keep a straight face throughout their exchange.

Nan brought a hand to her heart and sighed.ďI canít stop thinking about these poor animals and the trouble you folks are having.Ē

ďOh, donít worry about us,Ē Pearl answered with a sad shake of her head. ďWeíll find a way. We always do.Ē

ďSurely, there must be something I can do,Ē Nan pressed.

Pearl rose to her feet and placed a placating hand on Nanís arm. ďI promise weíre doing all we can. Itís just the fundingís been cut, and weíre still trying to find a way to work within our new budgetary constraints.Ē

Nan chewed her lip. Whether she was honestly disheartened or just putting on a good show, even I couldnít say for sure.

ďI understand, I do,Ē she mumbled, ďbutóhey, Iíve got it!Ē

Pearl and I both waited to hear what Nan would say next, and she, of course, kept us waiting to heighten the anticipation.

ďWell? Whatís your big idea then?Ē Pearl prodded.

Nan flashed a toothy grin before revealing her grand idea.ďWhat if I were to put on a big fundraiser to help save the shelter?Ē

ďWeíre not really at the point of needing saving, but your heart is in the right place. Tell you what, Iíll take you to Mr. Leavitt, so the twoóĒ She paused and glanced back toward me with a nervous smile. ďóI mean, the three of you, can discuss this in private.Ē

Nan gave a single affirmative nod.ďThank you, Pearl. That would be lovely.Ē

The other woman smiled and led us toward the door that led deeper into the shelter. As we followed her back through the long room of kennels, Nan reached out and squeezed my hand. I was still flying blind here as far as her plan went, but at least we seemed to be making forward progress.

I only hoped that would continueÖ

Chapter Twelve

Mr. Leavitt welcomed Nan, Paisley, and me into his office with huge smiles for everyone. And unlike Pearl,he remembered meeting me the day before.

ďWelcome back, Angie,Ē he said, clapping a hand on my shoulder as I passed through the door and into his office. ďIím starting to suspect you may be our own personal angel here at the Glendale Community Animal Shelter. You not only wrote us a generous donation of your own, but you came backthe very next day with a new donor. Please, both of you, come right in.Ē

Thatís right. I had given him a check. Had that really been less than twenty-four hours ago? And was it cashed at the same time and place as Nanís donation? So much had happened in that short span, Iíd forgotten to look into it.

ďIím going to do so much more than write a check,Ē Nan told him, lowering herself into one of the chairs opposite Mr. Leavittís desk. ďIím going to put together a fundraiser so lots of people can write checks. How about that?Ē

Mr. Leavittís eyes grew wide with the promise of a large cash infusion. ďWell, now, I love the sound of that,Ē he chortled. ďNow, tell me. How can I offer you my assistance?Ē

ďIím glad you asked,Ē Nan chortled right back. ďI wonít need much, I promise, but Iam going to need some time to get a feel for the facility and the animals who live here. That will help me make sure Iím planning the right type of fundraiser. After all, why throw a bake sale when what you truly need is a gala?Ē

ďToo true, too true,Ē Mr. Leavitt said, bobbing his head as his eyes grew wider still. ďIt would be my privilege to give you a tour of our facilities. If youíll just give me a few moments to finish a few things first, IíllóĒ

ďActually,Ē Nan interrupted. ďIíd much rather walk around by myself, if you donít mind. Iím sure you understand. I need to feel the place out, not listen to a speech about its history.Ē She crossed her legs and sat straighter, spoke more commandingly.

And Mr. Leavitt immediately fell under her spell.ďOh, of course. If you need anythingóĒ

ďThen I know who to come and find. Thank you,Ē Nan finished for him, then rose back to her feet and walked out without waiting for me and Paisley to follow.

I had to power walk to catch up.ďNow what?Ē I whisper-yelled as she strode confidently through the kennels.

ďNow weíre going to chat with some of the animals and see if they know anything.ĒWe. Yeah, right. It was my neck that was on the line here.

ďNan, what if someone catches us?Ē I asked fearfully, silently adding,What if they overhear our suspicions and decide to hurt us to keep us quiet? It had happened before. It could most assuredly happen again. One thing Iíd learned well during all my months of sleuthing is that criminals hated being caught. Obviously.

Nan didnít seem worried in the slightest, however. ďIíll stand guard, and if anyone catches us, you can just pretend you were talking to me or to Paisley,Ē she explained with a no-nonsense expression. ďBut be quick, I doubt weíre going to get another opportunity like this one.Ē

Paisley, right.

I sure missed having Octo-Cat as the Watson to my Sherlock.

The little dog was nice enough, but I still didnít know how much Paisley actually understood about the mystery weíd uncovered.

Guess it was time to find out.

ďHey there, Paisley,Ē I cooed, lifting the dog into my arms. ďWanna help me with a little game?Ē

ďA game!Ē the Chihuahua barked. ďLike fetch? Or keep-away? Or, or chase the cat? Yes! I love those games!Ē

ďNot exactly,Ē I hedged, biting my lip for a moment as I thought. ďThis game is calledDetective. We play by trying to figure out a secret.Ē

Paisley rearranged her face so that one of her lower canines overlapped her upper lip. She looked so stinking cute as she said,ďI donít have any secrets. Can I still play?Ē

ďOf course you can,Ē I assured the tiny black dog. ďIn fact, we already know what the secret is, but we donít know who it belongs to. Do you think you can help me figure that out?Ē

ďI will try my best, Mommy!Ē Paisley promised, shaking with newfound glee.

ďGreat, thatís the spirit!Ē I gave the doggo a wet kiss on her forehead followed by an enthusiastic scratch between the ears. ďOkay, the secret is that someone is stealing money from the shelter, but we donít know who is doing it.Ē

ďWhatís money?Ē Paisley asked, quirking her head to the side in interest.

ďForget the money,Ē I said, backtracking fast. ďWhat I meant to say is that someone at the shelter is being very bad, and itís up to us to figure out who.Ē

ďHmm,Ē Paisley said, her ears twitching like miniature satellite receptors.ďI bet it was a cat!Ē she shouted after a few momentsí thought. ďWhen these things happen, itís usually a cat.Ē

This made me laugh.ďActually, Iím pretty sure a human is to blame this time.Ē

The little dog whimpered.ďBut all the humans here are so nice,Ē she argued. ďThey feed us and walk us and play with us and help us find homes. Nobody is bad, and definitely notvery bad.Ē She actually shuddered at the thought.

Oh, dear sweet Paisley.

She really did see the best in everyone. Even the cat at home whoíd threatened to kill her and the people at the shelter who were stealing resources from the animals in need. As much as I wanted her help, I doubted Iíd get her to see the truth even if it happened to come out and stare straight into her soul.

ďOkay, tell you what,Ē I said, changing tactics. ďYou keep Nan company, and Iíll talk to some of the other animals and see what they have to say. Sound good?Ē

ďOkay, Mommy!Ē Her tail wagged so fast it became a blur. Oh, to be that happy!

I set Paisley down, and she immediately bounded over to Nan and stretched her tiny paws in the air, begging to be picked up and cuddled.ďKeep an eye out,Ē I mumbled, then jogged to the last cage at the very farthest end of the room. Might as well be organized about my investigation.

An enormous wrinkly dog stared up at me with sad eyes. At his side sat a much smaller hound mix whose sole focus was biting and chewing one of his hind feet.

ďHey, there,Ē I cooed, absolutely hating the air of sorrow around this place. These two at least seemed older and wiser than Paisley. Perhaps that would be to my benefit. ďMy name is Angie, and I was hoping you could help me. A very bad human is stealing from the shelter. Any idea who that could be?Ē

ďAll the humans here are nice,Ē the big dog informed me with zero hesitation.

ďYeah,Ē the hound added around a mouthful of foot. ďIf anyone is being bad around here, itís probably a cat.Ē

ďOh, yes. Thanks for your help,Ē I said, forcing a smile. Weíd only just begun and already it was abundantly clear that I wouldnít be able to learn much from the dogs here. Still, I spoke to several more before finally giving up and heading to speak with the cats as suggested.

The cat area of the shelter was much smaller and offered no privacy, which wasnít a problem since every set of kitty eyes and ears fixed on me from the very moment I entered.

ďHi,Ē I said nervously, even though I fancied myself a cat person. I loved Octo-Cat when he wasnít being needlessly cruel and dramatic, but the thought of twenty of him in one place scared the living daylights out of me. ďMy name is Angie, and Iím trying to find a very bad human who worksat the shelter. Do you knowó?Ē

ďDarling,Ē a flat-faced fluffball drawled, cutting off my question at the quick. ďLook around. All humans are bad.Ē

ďTheyíd descend into chaos without us cats around to keep an eye on things,Ē an orange tabby with an angry face insisted.

No wonder cats and dogs disliked each other so much. They were as different as two creatures could come. Still, at least they didnít blindly trust everyoneís motives. Maybe theyíd be able to offer some kind of clue if I asked my questions right.

I cleared my throat and tried again.ďIs there one human thatís worse than the rest? Maybe someone who is stealing money from the shelter?Ē

ďThatís like asking if thereís one blade of grass thatís greener than the rest,Ē the flat-faced cat spoke again. ďThere are just so many of them, and theyíre all green besides.Ē

The other caged felines meowed their agreement, and I officially gave up on finding any leads via the shelter animals.

It was time to do things a little differently.

Unfortunately, I didnít have any idea how.

Chapter Thirteen

Octo-Cat sat waiting for us in the living room when Nan and I returned home. Iíd left the bedroom door open before we headed out just in case he might want a change of scenery, but I hadnít exactly expected him to take advantage of it.

Luckily, Paisley was already tucked securely into Nanís arms, so she couldnít be tempted to make a run for the ornery feline. Couldnít Octo-Cat see how much she already loved him? How much she wanted to be his friend?

Judging by the tabbyís furrowed brow and tense posture, that was a hard no.

ďWell, look what the cat dragged out,Ē I quipped, part relieved to see him and part worried about what he might demand next.

ďHardy har har,Ē he said dryly and then, ďI see youíre still playing house with that imposter.Ē

Well, as it turned out, weíd made no progress at all. ďYou saw right. Now donít you think itís time for you to stop your pouting and rejoin the living?Ē

Had I made a mistake by kowtowing to his demands about the Fancy Feast and the Evian and the exquisite manor house? It had been easy to do regarding mere things, but now another life was involved. I refused to send Paisley back to that overcrowded shelter, especially when its future was so uncertain.

I knew it wouldnít be so easy, but still my heart ached when Octo-Cat responded with, ďBad things happen when good cats remain silent.Ē

ďBut thatís exactly what youíre doing!Ē I argued. ďGiving me the silent treatment. Havenít you had enough?Ē

ďHavenítyou had enough?Ē he shot back in a deep, ominous voice. Something told me there was no right answer here.

ďMr. Octopus Cat,Ē Paisley squeaked, drawing both of our attention to her big black eyes and tiny pink mouth. ďI know you donít like me, but I promise Iíll do anything to make things right. I want to be friends.Ē

ďAww, how could you say no to this face?Ē I cooed, scratching Paisley under her tiny, quivering chin.

Her whole body squirmed in response, and Nan had to make quick adjustments to avoid dropping her.

ďEasily,Ē Octo-Cat spat, unmoved by the show of love. ďVery easily, indeed.Ē

ďAre they finally playing nice?Ē Nan asked, a hopeful sparkle in her eyes.

ďUm, not exactly,Ē I answered with a sigh. ďBut this is progress, nonetheless.Ē

ďSay, dog,Ē my cat lisped, rising to all four paws. ďWill you really do anything to make me happy?Ē

ďOh, yes!Ē Paisley cried, her shaking thus renewed. ďYes, I will do anything!Ē

I waited in silence for the big reveal. Would Octo-Catís demand be one we could meet? Iíd do almost anything to bring peace to our divided house.

The catís large, amber eyes narrowed, and he spoke very, very slowly. ďThen run far, far away and donít ever come back.Ē

The Chihuahua whimpered, which made our evil feline overlord laugh.ďDo I really have to, Mommy?Ē Paisley asked, a pathetic whine lacing each of her words.

Oh, that cat! He made me so angry sometimes!

ďNo, of course not. Heís just being mean!Ē I scowled at my unruly pet, but he didnít look the least big apologetic.

ďHey, I know what I want.Ē Octo-Cat flicked his tail in one direction and then the other. ďAnd also what I donít want. The dog needs to go.Ē

ďHush up, Octo-Cat. Youíve been outvoted,Ē Nan said, even though she couldnít understand any part of the conversation other than mine.

Paisley wriggled and licked Nanís hands, whether to derive comfort or to agree with what had been said in her defense, I couldnít be sure.

ďUnbelievable,Ēmy cat mumbled as he hopped to the floor and skulked out of view. A few moments later, we heard his electronic cat flap lift open and admit him into the outside world.

ďAnd stay out until youíve had an attitude adjustment!Ē I shouted after him.

ďDonít worry about him, you sweet girl.Ē Nan kissed the Chihuahuaís head and then set her on the floor. ďLetís go make ourselves some lunch. Huh?Ē

We all moved to the kitchen, where Nan took out three chicken breasts to grill on the stovetop and I began working on the fixings for a Caesar salad.ďIím making one for Paisley, too,Ē she explained with a grin.

Oh, the little dog would definitely love that.

Weíd almost finished our lunch preparations when a loud crash sounded from the foyer. I glanced toward my feet and found that Paisley had left us some time ago.

ďWhy does everything keep breaking around here?Ē Nan grumbled as she removed her pan from the burner and marched out to locate the source of the disturbance.

I spotted the mess before she did. One of Ethel Fultonís antique Tiffany lamps lay in pieces by the entryway. A priceless heirloom.Great.

Paisley stood beside the mess, howling.ďIím so sorry,Ē she cried. ďI donít know how it happened. I was just minding my own business, andócrash!Ē

ďItís okay, sweetie. We know you didnít mean to,Ē I coaxed as Nan began to sweep up the mess.

ďUnbelievable,Ē Octo-Cat mumbled and then ran up the grand staircase, presumably back to his self-imposed prison in my bedroom tower.

Funny, I hadnít heard the electronic pet door buzz open even though we were standing directly beside it.

[ ŗūÚŤŪÍŗ: img_3]

ďCan you watch Paisley for me this afternoon?Ē Nan asked once the three of us had finished our mid-day meal. ďIíd bring her with me, but I have a lot of errands to run and donít want her to get lost underfoot.Ē

ďSure,Ē I answered absentmindedly while logging into the bankís mobile app on my phone. I had to click around a bit to find exactly what I was looking for. When I did, I handed the phone to Nan and asked, ďHey, is this address the same as the one on the check you had cashed?Ē

Nan studied the tiny screen for a moment, then handed the phone back my way and rummaged around her desk until she found the printout sheíd made the night before. ďThe very same,Ē she said, holding the paper beside the phone screen so the two of us could compare.

I glanced between them a few more times, feeling more and more confident that weíd made a match with each new look. ďThe signatureís a little different on this one, but it looks like it belongs to the same person. I think maybe it starts with aD or anO. Hard to say for sure.Ē

ďBut thatís not how you spell Trish,Ē Nan said with a sigh.

ďNo, itís not,Ē I agreed, feeling more confused than ever as I logged out of the app and set my cell phone back on the table.

ďIíll think on it while Iím out,Ē my grandmother promised.

ďWhere are you going, by the way?Ē Iíd only half paid attention when she said she was leaving and was curious now that sheíd brought it up again.

ďTo begin work on the charity fundraiser for the shelter, of course. Iíve decided to go with a gala. That will bring all the key players out better than any bake sale or car wash ever could.Ē

ďGood thinking.Ē Or was it? I hated contradicting her, but had she really thought this whole thing through before deciding to jump into action?

ďNan, a gala takes a lot of prep work, though. What if itís too late for the shelter by the time youíve finished the planning?Ē

She waved her hand dismissively.ďStop being such a negative Nancy. You know better than to doubt your nan. Now, you two be good. Iíll be back in time to rustle up some dinner. Ciao.Ē

And just like that, she was into her shoes and out the door. Man, she moved fast. I often felt like a slouch next to my fit and active grandmother. Maybe one day Iíd actually do something about itóbut today was not that day.

ďWhat would you like to do this afternoon?Ē I asked, searching the floor for Paisley. Normally, she clung to the closest human like a bur, but at the moment, I couldnít spot her anywhere.

ďPaisley!Ē I called. ďCímere, girl.Ē

ďI donít wanna,Ē came the muffled reply.

It took a few minutes, but I finally found her hiding under our antique Victorian loveseat.ďWhy so sad, sweetie pie?Ē I sat down on the hard, uncomfortable floor and waited for her to show herself.

ďThe cat doesnít like me,Ē she sniffed while remaining firmly in place beneath the old couch.

ďOh, donít worry about him. He doesnít really like anyone.Ē

ďHe doesnít like mea lot, though. And at the shelter, I couldnít help you win Detective. And now Nan left and didnít want to take me with her. What if she never comes back?Ē

The poor dear! I hated that she felt this way and that there was very little I could do about it.

ďPaze, please donít cry. You did a great job helping with Detective, andóheyóthe gameís not over yet. We still have time to win. And I promise Nan will come back just as soon as she finishes her errands. We all love you very much.Ē

ďEven Octopus Cat?Ē she asked, raising her head slightly.

ďEven Octo-Cat,Ē I assured her with a chuckle. ďHe just doesnít know it yet.Ē

Chapter Fourteen

Seeing as both Paisley and I could use a change of scenery, I leashed her up and drove us downtown to enjoy a bit of window-shopping.

ďHave you been here before?Ē I asked my doggie companion as the two of us strolled down the narrow sidewalks that flanked the commercial heart of our small seaside town.

ďNope,Ē Paisley answered, then stopped to squat beside a young tree that had just begun to change colors for the fall. ďBut I like it very much. So many excellent smells!Ē

Although I was sure our definition ofexcellent varied substantially, I smiled and nodded my agreement. Paisley was happy again, and thatís what mattered most.

ďWhich smell is your favorite?Ē I asked conversationally.

ďOh, definitely all the pee!Ē she squealed, happier than a pig in number two as she enjoyed the apparently intoxicating aroma of number one.

I didnít ask any more questions after that. Instead, the two of us continued on our way, stopping frequently to allow the Chihuahua to sniff anything that caught her fancy.

ďOh, hello there, Angie!Ē Mr. Gable, the owner of the nearby jewelry store, called from the spot where he was idling with a steaming mug of coffee. The old man had become something of an institution here in Glendale, and it was no wonder heíd recently been voted head of the downtown council.

ďHello, Mr. Gable,Ē I called, quickening my pace to join him.

ďAnd who might this little fella be?Ē The smiling, white-haired man carefully lowered himself to the ground and let Paisley sniff his hands. His coffee, too.

ďThis is Paisley,Ē I announced proudly. ďNanís and my newest addition.Ē

He laughed good-naturedly.ďOh, I bet the cat doesnít much care for that.Ē

ďYou bet right,Ē I answered with a laugh. Hopefully, Mr. Gableís well-meaning comment wouldnít turn the dog into a nervous, shaking mess all over again.

In the end, she appeared too taken by the kindness of this new friend to worry about the unkindness of the hostile feline back home.

Mr. Gable and I chatted amiably for a few minutes about the upcoming holiday spectacular. We were a good three months off, but it was widely known that the downtown businesses started planning on December 26 of the previous year. The yearly festival got bigger and grander with each run, and I couldnít wait to see how it would look this Christmas.

Mr. Gable, however, refused to give anything away.ďItís better as a surprise,Ē he promised with a Santa-like wink.

Just as I was about to press a little harder for details, an unexpected movement down the street caught my eye. Mind you, we were in downtown Glendale, which meant lots of people, dogs, and vehicles came and wentóeven in the middle of the day.

Somehow, though, I knew the sudden pale blur wasnít a part of all that. I guess you could say my kitty sense was tingling.

Paisley felt it, too, because she nudged my foot with her nose and said,ďItís that nice lady we smelled the other day. Remember at the shelter?Ē

And she was right. Suspicious Trish had made yet another appearance in my life, and I wanted to know why.

ďWell, nice chatting,Ē I told Mr. Gable with a brief wave goodbye. ďWeíll see you soon.Ē

I picked up Paisley, even though I knew sheíd probably rather walk, and hurried back in the direction from which weíd come. I needed her close so that I could whisper to her about what would happen next.

ďWe have to be very, very quiet,Ē I told the little dog, channeling my inner Elmer Fudd. We werenít hunting wabbits, though, we were stalking suspectsóand that was way more dangerous.

ďIf we can stay quiet and hidden long enough, I think we might just win Detective,Ē I promised with a quick grin.

Paisley gasped but said nothing in response. Good dog.

Trish cut through an alley, and I raced faster to catch up, making sure I remained far enough behind to avoid letting her spot me. She stopped in a parking lot and stood, waiting.

Paisley and I hid ourselves behind a nearby dumpster. Neither of us spoke a word.

Then I spotted it, a giant, beat-up Cadillac crunching onto the gravel lot. The driver was most definitely male, but I couldnít make out much more than his wispy frame and deep voice. He and Trish spoke for a few minutes and then he hopped out of the car and popped the trunk open.

Inside, the spacious trunk was filled to the brim with pet supplies, still in their packaging. If the mysterious man was here to make a donation to the shelter, he was sure acting shifty about it.

I didnít have long to puzzle over this, because the very next thing I knew, Trish had pulled a wad of bills from her front pocket and handed it to the driver.

And that was more than enough to make me finally spring to action. First, I grabbed my phone and zoomed in on the license plate, so Iíd have it for later. Then I placed a call to my good friend Officer Bouchard and told him he needed to come down straight away.

ďDid we win Detective?Ē Paisley asked, staring up at me with glistening dark eyes.

ďYeah, I think we did,Ē I told her, offering an enthusiastic petting for the job well done. ďBut we need to be quiet just a little longer before we can know for sure.Ē

We watched as Trish and the man had some kind of argument, and then he drove off with both the cash and the pet supplies. Trish groaned and stalked back toward the alleyway, where Paisley and I still stood crouched behind the dumpster.

Uh-oh.

I needed to think fast, so I set my dog on the ground and cried,ďOh my gosh, Paisley! There you are! Iíve been looking everywhere for you!Ē

ďYes, Iím right here, Mommy!Ē the little dog barked, not quite catching on to the ruse.

Trish walked by us without so much as a nod of recognition, so I called after her.ďHey, Trish. Is that you? Three times in less than twenty-four hours! What are the chances?Ē

She grimaced but stopped moving at least.ďIím sorry, I canít really hang around and talk. Nice to see you, though.Ē Without waiting for my response, she quickened her pace again and continued down the alley.

Oh, no you donít. Youíre not getting away that easily.

She must have had an awful lot on her mind, because Paisley and I easily trailed her without her discovering us. She moved fast, and I wished for the second time that day that I was in better shape. Somehow I managed to keep up, though, as Trish led us to a second parking lot on the other side of downtown Glendale where the same man from before sat waiting in his idling car.

ďBingo,Ē I whispered, then sent a quick text to Officer Bouchard to let him know weíd relocated to the north parking lot.

Trish unlocked a dirty white sedan and popped its trunk, then together she and the man began to move the contents of his vehicle into hers. Theyíd managed to clear about half of the goods by the time Officer Bouchardís police cruiser joined us on the scene.

My excitement mounted. My cop friend had made it on time, and now this was it. Somebody was going to be in big trouble.

Chapter Fifteen

The man pushed his trunk closed, but not fast enough to escape the notice of the officer whoíd just arrived on the scene.

I took this as my cue to come out of hiding. This time there hadnít been a dumpster, so Iíd had to resort to pressing myself flat against the brick wall in the alley. I strode into the parking lot with confidence I didnít quite feelóand wouldnít until I knew for sure weíd caught the crook who was embezzling money from the animal shelter.

Officer Bouchard saw me first and reached his hand overhead in a wave.

Both Trish and her accomplice spun in my direction, and the moment she spotted me, her eyes filled with disdain.ďYou followed me!Ē she cried.

ďNow, now,Ē Officer Bouchard said peaceably. ďWe donít want any more trouble than is already here. Go ahead and open up the trunk, young man.Ē

I was close enough now to make out our mystery manís features. He was tall and lanky with light skin and even lighter hair. As far as I knew, Iíd never seen him before in my entire life.

ďHey, wait just a minute,Ē Trish argued, pointing a shaky finger my way. ďShe followed me. Isnít stalking, like, illegal?Ē

ďNotlike illegal. It is illegal, but something tells me thereís something even more illegal in that there trunk, and that Ms. Russo was just doing her civic duty by calling it in and keeping an eye on you until I could show up to officially handle things. Now open that trunk.Ē

Trishís accomplice did as he was told, once again revealing the trunk filled with brand-new pet supplies.

ďAnd that one, too, please.Ē The cop pointed to Trishís filthy white car and waited until she complied with his order.

ďWell, well, well,Ē Officer Bouchard said with a chuckle. ďThese wouldnít happen to be the pet supplies a shop in Dewdrop Springs reported missing earlier today.Ē He raised an eyebrow and glanced at the younger blond man. ďOr would they?Ē

ďWhatever, man. Iím just the go-between. Sheís the mastermind.Ē

If he was sorry, he didnít look it. I had to wonder if perhaps this man was from out of town, if heíd thought no one would notice some missing pet supplies. Apparently he hadnít counted on the fact that everyone notices everything in a small town like ours.

Trish stamped her foot on the ground.ďHow dare you try to pin this all on me!Ē

ďEnough bickering,Ē the officer warned. ďWhoís stealing and why?Ē

ďI didnít steal anything,Ē Trish ground out. ďI bought these supplies fair and square.Ē

The policeman crossed his arms and stared down the bridge of his nose at both culprits.ďWell, Iím not buying it, little miss. Why buy pet supplies from the back of some guyís trunk when itís just as easy to go to the store and purchase them there? You know, like youíre supposed to?Ē

ďHe was giving them to us at a discount. We needed the savings. The shelter isnít doing so good, andÖ And I was just trying to help the animals!Ē

ďLetís go,Ē Officer Bouchard said, uncrossing his arms and making a sweeping gesture toward his waiting car. ďIíd love to hear more about this down at the station. And youíre both invited.Ē

Trish scowled at me as Officer Bouchard nudged her toward the police cruiser. He hadnít cuffed either her or the man with the trunk full of stolen goods, but he had called for backup to come clear the scene while he dealt with the suspects.

ďThanks, Russo,Ē he said, returning to my side. ďBut Iíve gotta ask, what made you decide to follow her?Ē

I quickly caught him up on Nanís and my suspicions, ending with a dramatic, ďAnd she doesnít even actually work there. At least I think she doesnít.Ē

ďOh, you and your nan. One of these days we should formally hire you to work for the county. I can promise you this, though. Weíre going to find out whatís going on at that shelter. Stealing from animals in need is a level of despicable I donít like seeing in our town. Both of my cats were adopted from that very shelter, come to think of it.Ē

ďOfficer Bouchard,Ē I said with a grin, bumping my shoulder into his. ďI had no idea you were a cat person.Ē

He put his tough cop face back on and sniffed.ďYeah, well, donít let word get around. I already get more than my fair share of guff from the other guys at the station.Ē

ďYour secretís safe with me,Ē I promised, loving this new detail about him. I was a cat person, too, after all. Well, most days at least.

ďIíve got things from here,Ē he informed me. ďNow go try to enjoy the rest of your day.Ē The cop gave me a firm nod, which I took to mean I was formally dismissed from the investigation. Hopefully, the county would be able to finish strong from here, which meant Nan and I could focus on our little mystery at home. Namely, why so many fragile things kept breaking.

ďDid we win?Ē Paisley asked as the two of us headed back down the alleyway.

ďYes, the bad guys have been caught, and all is right with the world again,Ē I assured her. I missed having Octo-Catís assistance, but Paisley hadnít been such a bad crime-solving companion this time around. With time, she could learn. The three of us could work togetherÖ That is, if Octo-Cat ever got over his ridiculous aversion to dogs.

Then Paisley asked a question I hadnít been expecting. ďThey seemed really nice to me. How do you know that theyíre bad?Ē

ďBecause they did bad things,Ē I answered simply, honestly.

She appeared to think about this for a moment, then asked,ďSo if I do bad things, am I bad?Ē

ďNo, thatís not the same.Ē

ďWhy not?Ē Paisleyís ears lowered, giving her an even more puppy-ish appearance than usual.

Clearly, I had a choice to make. I could let the Chihuahua keep believing the best of everyone, or I could destroy her innocence by explaining how mean the world could be sometimes.

At the end of the day, I liked my new dog daughter exactly as she was, so I said,ďYou know what, Paze? Youíre right. It was just a game. Now letís go see if Nanís back home yet, huh?Ē

ďOh, yes! Weíve been apart forever! I miss her so much!Ē Paisley cried, our deeper conversation about ethics and morals all but forgotten.

Maybe it was time for me to go back to Blueberry Bay Community College and grab an eighth associate degree. This time in Philosophy. Next time Paisley hit me over the head with questions like this, I wanted to be ready.

I sent Nan a quick text to let her know we were on our way home and to ask if she could meet us there, then I let my sweet little dog take all the time she needed enjoying her scenic scenting tour through downtown.

And she made sure to tell me each time she found a new one, too. Especially if it was pee.

Dogs were so weird.

Chapter Sixteen

Nan beat me and Paisley home, which was probably a good thing considering what we found when we got there.

ďThereís poop everywhere!Ē I cried with a disgusted groan.

ďYou should have seen this place before I started cleaning up.Ē Nan squirted another shot of all-natural cleaner on the rug and gave the smelly stain a good, solid scrub.

ďThis is gross.Ē I crossed my arms and surveyed the damage with a frown. ďDo you even think it will come all the way out of the area rug? This was original with the house.Ē

Nan paused and studied me with a furrowed brow.ďWhat worries me more is that one of the animals has to be very sick to make such a huge mess.Ē

Paisley kneaded her front paws against my leg and begged for me to pick her up.ďIt wasnít me,Ē she said in a soft, sad voice. ďHonest.Ē

ďIt couldnít have been Paisley,Ē I relayed to Nan, setting the dog back down and then slipping on a pair of thick yellow rubber gloves to help clean up the mess. ďShe was with me the whole time you were out, and this mess wasnít here when we left for our walk earlier.Ē

ďEven still.Ē Nan moved to another spot on the carpet and scrubbed vigorously. ďWe should take both of them to the vet. Maybe sheíll have some tips on helping them adjust to their new living arrangements.Ē

ďBut Paisley isnít the problem,Ē I reminded her. ďOcto-Cat is just being stubborn.Ē

ďWell, we have to do something.Ē Nan frowned at the spot and sprayed some more cleaner. ďWhat if Octavius isnít just being mean for meannessís sake? What if heís seriously ill?Ē

That thought hadnít occurred to me before, but now that Nan had mentioned the possibility, it was all I could think about. As much as Octo-Cat had irritated me the last few days, he was still my best friend and I couldnít picture life without him.

ďI grabbed a doodie sample before I started cleaning up, so the doc will have that to test. Iíve already called and let her know weíll be coming in shortly.Ē

ďThen letís go,Ē I said, peeling my gloves off, then picking my purse back up from the coffee table. ďWe can clean the rest of this up after.Ē

Nan followed suit.ďIíll wash up real quick, then grab the sample and get Paisley and myself settled in your car. You go on upstairs and get Octavius.Ē

Right.

My cat didnít like car rides under the best of circumstances, but now that he was sick and expected to take todayís ride with his sworn nemesis, it would be downright impossible to convince him to come willingly.

I briefly considered my options as I jogged upstairs to collect him. I could try asking nicely, but that would alert him to my intentions and ultimately make catching him so much harder after he refused to come peacefully. I could also try forcing him into his walking harness, but I knew well enough from experience that this was more of a two-person job. That left only one option, and it was the one I knew he would hate most of all: the cat carrier.

I hadnít ever used it before, but the very fact I kept it in the house for emergencies was a constant source of discontent for Octo-Cat.

Well, at least weíd finally have the chance to make use of the thing.

I grabbed the greatly despised carrier from storage and blew off the thin coat of dust that had settled on top of its plastic shell. Climbing the stairs to my tower just as quietly as I could, I let myself into the bedroom while attempting to hide the bulky carrier behind me.

It didnít work.

ďI see you,Ē my cat hissed from beneath the bed. ďAnd whatever you want from me, the answer is an emphatic no.Ē

ďIím sorry about this,Ē I answered, pulling my bedframe away from the wall with a series of grunts and tugs. ďBut I canít let you waste away in here any longer, especially seeing as youíre sick.Ē

Octo-Cat moved with the bed, remaining dead center, which made him incredibly difficult to reach. Even when I dropped to my belly and extended my arms at full length, my fingertips just barely brushed the tip of his tail.

ďIím not going, and you canít make me.Ē

Ugh. Why did he have to be so difficult?

I didnít want to manhandle him given his upset belly, but bribing him to come out wasnít exactly a possibility either. Some things about our relationship were easier because of our ability to talk to each other, while others were infinitely more difficult. This was one of those infinitely more difficult things.

Think, Angie. Think!

And then I had an idea that I was about ninety percent certain would work. I moved to my desk and grabbed the small keychain I kept in my top drawer in case of an emergency, then I gathered my comforter from the bed and bundled it up in my arms. Holding tight to the wad of blanket with one hand, I used the other to activate the keychain light.

And the red dot came to life on the carpet before me.

One of our past acquaintances had used the power of the red dot to trick two unwitting cats into doing something very bad. At the time, Octo-Cat had explained to me that while most cats logically knew the dot was just a result of a laser pointer, they also couldnít resist pouncing whenever that little sucker made an appearance.

Thatís precisely what I was counting on now.

The dot danced when I wiggled my handóand when I flicked my wrist, it jerked wildly to the side.

This sent Octo-Cat shooting out from beneath the bed at lightning speed.

Thankfully, I was just fast enough to toss the blanket on top of him as an impromptu net, andógotcha!

He was captured and spitting mad about it, too.ďI will never forget this betrayal, Angela. Never. Not in all my lives.Ē

ďIím sorry,Ē I muttered again, picking up the blanket with him in it and then releasing him into the plastic carrier.

There.

Iíd done it, and by some miracle neither of us had managed to get hurt in the process.

ďDonít worry,Ē I cooed softly even though my breathing was now labored from this whole debacle. ďWeíre going to get you all patched up at the vet. Youíll be feeling like yourself in no time at all.Ē

ďBut Iím not sick,Ē he argued before coughing up a hairball right inside the carrier.

Chapter Seventeen

Our usual veterinarian wasnít at the office that day, but the newest member of her practice was able to squeeze us in for an emergency visit. From the looks of her smooth skin and perky posture, Dr. Britt Lowe had only finished veterinary school quite recently. If her supposed lack of experience caused me to worry, though,her friendly demeanor and knowledgeable speech instantly put me back at ease.

ďOn the phone you said one of the animalsóprobably the catóis experiencing a bout of diarrhea. Anything else to add?Ē she asked looking from her chart to the place where Nan and I sat in twin bucket seats inside the cramped exam room.

Octo-Cat growled in the carrier that Iíd set on the floor beside me.

ďOh, he does not sound happy,Ē Dr. Lowe added with a frown. ďDo you mind if we take him out while we talk? When animals get this worked up, itís best to get things over with as quickly as possible. Poor guy.Ē

ďSure, if thatís how you want to do it.Ē I lifted the carrier onto the metal table between us, then allowed the vet to open the latch.

Octo-Cat immediately tried to make a run for it, but she caught him without much trouble and used her hold on the angry feline to examine his eyes and teeth.

ďThereís a good man,Ē she said soothingly. My guess is the only reason she managed to avoid getting bit was the fact she hadnít referred to him as kitty. Something about the vetís skilled hands calmed him a bit. Perhaps he knew that she was on his side in all this. That she just wanted him to be happy and feel better.

Not that I didnít want those same things, butÖ

Dr. Lowe set him on the table, keeping one hand on Octo-Catís back as she motioned for me to join her. ďNow hold on tight to him. Most cats donít like this next part.Ē

Before I could ask any questions, she stuck a thermometer up his backside.

Octo-Catís eyes widened to a comical size, but he didnít make a single peep until sheíd finished. ďI feel so violated,Ē he moaned.

ďYou can let him go now,Ē the vet informed me, and as soon as I did, Octo-Cat hurled himself back in the carrier he had loathed only minutes before.

Dr. Lowe frowned.ďHis temperature is normal, and he seems very healthy. Are you sure it wasnít the dog who made the mess?Ē

ďWeíre sure,Ē Nan piped up. ďBut I did bring a sample in case it helps.Ē She handed Paisley off to me and then fished around in the disposable shopping bag sheíd brought with her until she found the triple-bagged fecal sample.

ďOh, dear,Ē the veterinarian said with a laugh. ďI think I see the problem.Ē

ďDonít you need to test it first?Ē I asked, unable to see what was so funny about this disgusting situation.

ďNo, I donít think I do. Thatís not cat feces. Itís not dog, either.Ē

ďI told you Iím not sick,Ē Octo-Cat pouted from inside his carrier.

ďThen what is it?Ē I asked, completely at a loss for ideas.

Dr. Lowe held the sample up to the light, and we all stared at it as she explained,ďThis definitely came from a wild animal. Judging from the size, Iíd guess a raccoon.Ē

Raccoon!

Now it all finally came into focus. Octo-Cat had been able to be in two places at once by employing the help of his biggest fan, the raccoon that lived under our porch. His name was Pringle, and he worshipped the ground my spoiled cat walked on.

ďCould you maybe give us a moment?Ē Nan asked politely. It seemed she too had figured out exactly who was to blame for all the strange happenings around our house as of late.

ďOf course.Ē Dr. Lowe nodded, then let herself out through the back door.

Once we were alone again, I bent forward so I could look Octo-Cat straight in the eye.ďPlease tell me you didnít really hire your raccoon fanboy to frame Paisley for your bad behavior.Ē

ďI didnít,Ē he said, but even he didnít seem to believe it.

Placing both hands on my hips, I narrowed my gaze and waited.

My cat came to the edge of the carrier and laid back down with a sigh.ďFirst off, hire would imply that I paid him. He did it for free. Secondly, itís not my bad behavior. I didnít do anything.Ē

ďBut youíre the mastermind,Ē I pointed out.

And then it occurred to meÖ ďWhy would you break your own teacup?Ē

He let out another heavy sigh.ďPringle isnít the best at following instructions. He grabbed the wrong cup by accident. Believe me, Iím quite upset over it. We havenít even had the funeral yet.Ē

ďHow could we have when youíve been either hiding or scheming all day?Ē I asked, shaking my head with fury.

ďYou make a decent point,Ē Octo-Cat conceded. ďBut my point also remains. I donít want the dog to live with us.Ē

ďWhy not?Ē I demanded.

ďI donít like dogs,Ē he groused.

Oh, no. He was not pulling this one again. If he really hated Paisley, then he needed to be able to tell me why. I doubted he could, and I was more than ready to call him on that bluff.

ďBut why donít you like her, specifically?Ē I asked, raising an eyebrow in suspicion.

ďBecause sheís a dog. Duh.Ē

ďMommy, can I try talking to him?Ē Paisley asked from my arms. She was so light Iíd almost forgotten I was holding her.

At the Chihuahuaís request, I gently set her on the exam table so she and Octo-Cat could sit face-to-face. It struck me then that sheíd never once had this kind of opportunity with him. The cat had always yelled, complained, and then run away to hide. But would he actually have a conversation with her now thathe was stuck inside this tiny room?

ďHello, Octopus Cat,Ē Paisley began with a reverential dip of her head.

ďMy name is not Octopus Cat,Ē the tabby growled. For a moment I worried that he would take another swipe at her, but he kept his claws under control.

Brave little Paisley either didnít know that she was talking to an animal on edge or she was ready for whatever consequences she reaped as a result of this conversation. ďOh, then it seems I might have misheard,Ē she said, blinking slowly. ďWhat is your name?Ē

ďMy nameóand you better remember this, because Iím only going to say it onceóis Octavius Maxwell Ricardo Edmund Frederick Fulton Russo, Esq. P.I.Ē He rolled each of the Rs as if doing so were required to pronounce the monstrous moniker properly.

I put a hand over my mouth to keep from laughing. Every time Octo-Cat gave out his full name, he added something to it. I was starting to doubt heíd ever been given any middle names at all.

ďItís very nice to meet you, Octavius Maxwell Ricardo Edmund Frederick Fulton Russo, Esq. P.I.Ē The Chihuahua said, carefully mimicking the catís pronunciation and causing my mouth to fall open in shock. Iíd known this cat for over a year and still didnít have all his names memorized. Had the young dog really picked the entire train wreck of a name up after hearing it just once?

ďMy name is Paisley Lee,Ē she informed him with another slight bow of her head. ďWhen Nan adopted me, she gave me her last name, so I guess we arenít really brother and sister. Iím sorry if my calling you brother upset you. I know now that I was wrong.Ē

ďItís all right,Ē Octo-Cat mumbled, obviously charmed by the little dogís impeccable manners even though he most certainly wished that he wasnít.

ďI really would like us to be friends, but if you donít want that, I understand,Ē Paisley squeaked. Tears lined each of her large black eyes, but she continued on bravely. ďI will try my very best not to chase you anymore or to make you unhappy in any way, but please can I stay? This is my family now, too.Ē

ďI guess that would be okay with me,Ē Octo-Cat said and then retreated deeper into his carrier.

The conversation had reached its natural end, and somehow everyone had managed to survive.

We really were going to be all right, after all.

Chapter Eighteen

True to his halfhearted words, Octo-Cat quit hiding in my bedroom non-stop and started to rethread his life with ours. He didnít even leave the room when Paisley entered anymore, which I considered a huge step in the right direction.

Paisley adopted the practice of not speaking to him unless he spoke first, and occasionally he actually would initiate a brief conversation with her.

Several days passed, each better than the last.

Now that weíd solved the mystery of the broken household items and both pets were on their way toward forming a lasting friendship, my thoughts returned to Trish.

The county police had found enough evidence to charge her with Class C Theft after a bank teller in Dewdrop Springs identified Trish as the person who had cashed Nanís and my donation checks the week before. Sheíd then used that money to purchase several hundred dollars in stolen pet supplies. Together, the stolen cash and goods tallied up to just over one-thousand dollars, which marked her actions as a felony in our great state of Maine. She was still awaiting her trial at the moment, but Charles had informed me that the punishment could be both a hefty fine and possible jail time.

I still remembered how kind she had been to Nan and me outside the shelter when we first met her and how sheíd mentioned not having much money herself. But was she really the type to steal from animals in order to line her own pockets? And if so, then why did she use the cashed checks to purchase supplies for them?

Something wasnít sitting right about the whole situation, but I couldnít quite figure out what. At a loss for answers, I let my questions about Trish and the embezzlement at the animal shelter simmer at the back of my mind as I worked on building a website for Octo-Catís and my new P.I. company. Eventuallyweíd have customers, and I wanted to be ready to wow them when they finally came calling.

Maybe someday soon, heíd agree to let Paisley join the investigative team. I, for one, knew the little dog would love the chance to playóand winóDetective again.

That morning, Paisley decided to celebrate her new kind of sort of friendship with Octo-Cat by bringing him a present. Weíd just finished tea when the little dog skittered in through the electronic pet door. Her collar was now outfitted with a coded chip, too, which meant she could come and go as she pleasedójust like her new hero, Octo-Cat.

Our raccoon friend Pringle, on the other hand, had been given a massive lecture and a warning that we were to never, ever see him in the house again, no matter what Octo-Cat said was or wasnít okay.

ďHey, girl,Ē Nan called when she saw the dogís small, dark form traipse through the foyer. ďWhat have you got there?Ē

Sure enough, Paisley had something large stuffed inside her mouth, which she brought straight to Octo-Cat and laid at his paws, her tail a waggly blur of joy. Thank goodness, the tabby had been laying on the floor rather than the couch, because the gift in question was a very large and slightly bloody mouse.

Dead, of course.

Octo-Cat studied the corpse before him, then looked back up at Paisley. His eyes softened as he asked,ďFor me?Ē

She blinked and shivered and wagged.ďCats like mice. Right?Ē

I think Octo-Cat surprised us all with his genuinely large smile.

ďYes, and the deader the better. Good job, kiddo.Ē

The sight made me want to throw up, but I felt too happy to let my roiling stomach stand in the way of this important bonding moment.ďYou know cats are supposed to be the ones to catch mice,Ē I informed them both.

ďThatís old-fashioned thinking,Ē Octo-Cat protested. ďBesides, she caught this mouse for me, which kind of means Iím the one who did it, anyway.Ē

Paisley beat her tail against the ground, hanging on every word that spilled forth from Octo-Catís lips.

ďNice try,Ē I said with a sarcastic chuckle. ďBut you canít just take credit for someone elseísÖĒ My words trailed off, and I looked toward Nan.

ďWhat is it, dear?Ē she asked, then took another sip of tea.

ďTrish,Ē I said, thinking back to how sure I had been that weíd caught the bad guy and put the mystery at the shelter to rest. Too sure. The evidence was too neatly wrapped up in a nice little bow.

ďWhat about her?Ē Nan said as the animals continued to share their gross bonding moment separate from us.

ďWell, what if she wasnít the one stealing money? What if someone else was doing it but let her take the fall?Ē

ďYou think she was framed?Ē

Nanís even tone bothered me. Did she really not believe that I was on to something here?

ďIím not sure, but itís a possibility. All the evidence was too neatly stacked against her,Ē I explained, using the same wild hand gestures my Italian-American father often used while trying to make a point. ďEither sheís a terrible criminal, or sheís not one at all.Ē

ďInteresting,Ē Nan said and dipped a cream-filled cookie into her tea.

ďThink about it. She was the one sneaking around after closing time. Sheís the one who shredded that paper. I saw her in Dewdrop Springs the same night our checks were cashed there, and she wasnít exactly subtle about buying those stolen pet supplies in broad daylight.Ē

ďBut didnít she also tell those massage people that the shelter had its funding cut?Ē Nan pointed out as she stared deep into her teacup. ďCharles checked and said that wasnít true.Ē

ďYesóbut oh! When we went back to the shelter the next day, that old woman, Pearl, also said the funding had been cut.Ē

ďWho you calling old?Ē Nanís voice finally picked up some passion. ďSheís at least fifteen years younger than me.Ē

ďSorry, Nan,Ē I muttered. ďBut how well do you know Pearl? She seemed to know you quite well but couldnít remember me.Ē

ďShe was in my community art class over the summer. Remember that?Ē She finished her tea and set the cup and saucer on the coffee table, then leaned back in her chair.

ďWould you say sheís the type to steal money from the animal shelter and then lie about it to others?Ē

ďCertainly not. She was always on and on about her volunteer work with the shelter. She loves those animals as if they were her own.Ē

ďThen who else would have the means, opportunity, and motive to take that money?Ē

ďTrish did mention being short on cash when we bumped into her outside the shelter,Ē Nan reasoned. ďThen again, money is its own motive, whether you have it or not.Ē

ďIt has to be somebody inside. Somebody with access to the finances.Ē I picked at a hangnail as I thought, a bad habit Iíd thought Iíd seen the last of. Apparently not.

ďAnd somebody who could weave a narrative about funding cuts that others would willingly believe.Ē Nan nodded and bit her lip. What a pair we made.

We both thought a little while longer, and then suddenly we had it.

ďMr. Leavitt!Ē we cried in unison, turning toward each other in excitement.

ďOh, he is going down,Ē Nan promised the universe.

ďWe need to get him to confess somehow,Ē I said, because apparently it was up to me to state the obvious here. ďAny ideas?Ē

ďExcuse me,Ē Octo-Cat said, still beaming proudly from behind his unsettling gift. I hadnít even realized he was paying attention. ďI think I might have an idea,Ē he said and then let out a contented chuckle.

He was back, baby!

Chapter Nineteen

One week laterÖ

My mom held a microphone to Nanís face, beaming at her with daughterly pride. ďAnd to think, it only took you two weeks to plan this gorgeous affair.Ē

My grandmother wore her hair in a French twist and sported a bold red lip. Sheíd even commissioned a special gown to wear to the gala. Silver beaded pawprints lined the neck and sleeves of her pink satin dress, creating a stunning effect.

Despite the quick event planning turn-around, it seemed all of Glendale had shown up to support Nanís fundraiser for the Community Animal Shelter. Half the people from our neighboring towns, too. My mother and her cameraman had also shown up to film a human-interest piece for the local news.

Yeah, it was a pretty big deal.

While Mom interviewed Nan, I did another round through the house. Yes, weíd decided to use our own home as the location for the event tonight. Mr. Gables from the downtown council also helped to secure a series of large, impressive-looking tents, which weíd set up outside to expand the venueís workable space.

The charity gala included a catered dinner, silent auction, and the chance for attendees to write generous checks to support our shelter. Weíd arranged to have all the VIP players inside the house so that it would be easier to keep an eye on them. If all went according to plan, weíd be able to oust a weasel before the night was through.

Iíd chosen to wear a little black dress, so I could sneak around if it became necessary. A hands-free communications device had also been tucked into my ear so that Octo-Cat and I could keep each other updated throughout the evening. As long as I made it look like I was discussing something related to the gala, then I could speak freely and without question.

Weíd blocked off the upstairs to discourage guests from exploring the upper floors and also to help hide Octo-Cat where he sat perched near the spindles that lined the hallway. His job was to watch the guests below and report what he saw via our FaceTime voice call.

Heíd actually been the one to come up with the idea for tonightís ambush. Nan and I had just seen to the details. Paisley, too, by keeping everyoneís spirits up with her constant optimism and kindness.

She believed the bad guy would be caught and that we would all win Detective once and for all.

And I chose to believe that, too.

ďThe eagle has landed,Ē Octo-Cat rasped in my ear. Heíd been joining Nan for her spy movie marathons lately and had picked up the lingo quickly. Since no one could understand him but me, I preferred he speak plainlyóbut I guessed whatever made this fun for him was okay by me.

I turned toward the foyer just in time to see our target, the shelterís Community Outreach Coordinator, Mr. Leavitt, enter my home. He wore a very becoming black tux and an enormous grin that stretched from cheek to cheek.

ďHello, stranger,Ē I said after I made my way over to him, hating the taste of those flirtatious words in my mouth. My heart belonged to Charles and Charles alone, but still I needed to get our prime suspect to play straight into my hands and was willing to do whatever it took.

Well, within reason, that is.

ďYou and your grandmother have really outdone yourselves,Ē he exclaimed as I led him toward the cash bar weíd set up in the dining room. ďThis place looks fabulous!Ē

ďIt doesnít just look fabulous. Itis fabulous,Ē I responded right on cue. Nan and I had practiced my role in this charade many times, and while I didnít have an exact script, I knew all the points I was expected to hit as quickly and naturally as possible.

ďWeíve already raised over twenty thousand dollars just from the table reservations alone. By the time the silent auctions and donations come in, we could be over one hundred thousand. Not bad for one nightís work, huh?Ē

There, Iíd said all the most important things. Nan would be so proud if she were here to witness my debut performance.

Mr. Leavittís eyes widened with poorly concealed avarice. If heíd been carrying a drink, I imagine he may have choked on it. Instead, he merely stuttered his next words. ďO-o-one hundred thousand dollars? You donít say.Ē

ďOh, but I do.Ē I placed a delicate hand on his shoulder and laughed. ďIt turns out people are very generous when it comes to saving the animals.Ē

ďYes, Iíve always thought so.Ē

The bartender handed him a glass of white wine and refilled my seltzer and lime. I wasnít much of a drinker under normal circumstances, but tonight I needed all my wits about me. I also needed to redirect Mr. Leavitt to the foyer so that Octo-Cat could keep an eye on things as they went down.

ďExcuse me for just a moment,Ē I said, drawing my phone out of my strapless clutch and pushing send on the message that I had already composed earlier that evening.

Smiling up at Mr. Leavitt, I said,ďThere. Now that thatís done, letís enjoy the party. I have so many people Iíd like to introduce you to. Did you know Nan was a famous Broadway actress back in her glory days? She has many wealthy friends from her time in the city, and several of them came out to support heróto support the shelterótonight.Ē

ďFantastic,Ē Mr. Leavitt said and took another sip from his glass.

A loud tapping followed by a burst of microphone interference filled the room, causing everyone to fall silent.

ďExcuse me, excuse me, ladies and gentlemen,Ē Nan cried into the mic. ďI just wanted to say a huge thanks to a donor who asked to remain anonymous. She just gave us a fifty-thousand-dollar donation, single-handedly putting us over our fundraising goal for the evening. Thanks to her big heart,the shelter can stay open for another two full years and we can help all of Glendaleís stray pets find their forever homes.Ē

Everyone clapped politely. Some even gasped in awe.

What an amazingly generous giftÖ had it been real.

ďOh, this night has already exceeded our wildest expectations,Ē I gushed to Mr. Leavitt, continuing the carefully planned facade. ďNan and I had hoped our little gala would be a success, but we had no idea it would raiseso muchmoney.Ē

Nan snaked through the crowd and joined the two of us in the foyer.ďMr. Leavitt,Ē she enthused. ďI wanted to hand you this check personally. A fifty-thousand-dollar donation. Can you believe it?Ē She pressed the check into his hand, which was my signal.

ďA problem with the vegetarian dinner option?Ē I shrieked into my headpiece. ďNo, no, no. We canít have that, especially not at a fundraiser for animals. Iíll be right there.Ē

I pressed my Bluetooth device to imitate ending a call and then turned toward Nan with a panicked expression.ďCímon, I think this one might require both of us. It was nice seeing you again, Mr. Leavitt. Enjoy the rest of your evening.Ē

ďItís all you, bud,Ē I mumbled into the headpiece as Nan and I rushed outside. ďOperation Red Dot is in full swing.Ē

Chapter Twenty

As much as Octo-Cat had hated being tricked by the red dot when I had to capture him for our vet visit, that little moment of treachery served as the entire basis for our plan to catch Mr. Leavitt red-dot-handed.

ďItís not about the red dot,Ē Octo-Cat had waxed philosophically. ďItís about what the red dotrepresents.Ē

Heíd gone on to explain that, for cats, the red dot itself is irresistible and basically impossible to ignore. My cat then urged us to find Mr. Leavittís red dot, and by that time Nan had already said it best:Money is its own motive, whether you have it or not.

From there, we flew full force into planning the charity gala and, with it, our master plan. So, the fifty-thousand-dollar donation was a total fraud. We had fake checks printed with a fake name and fake address and even a made-up account number, counting on our bad guy to do the bad thing and steal it.

Officer Bouchard had gone undercover in plain clothes to stake out the bank in Dewdrop Springs. At the end of the day, Mr. Leavitt had a decision to make. He could either continue to slowly embezzle funds from the failing animal shelter, or he could grab the big check and make a run for it. Our hope was that the fifty-thousand-dollar carrotóor red dot, using Octo-Catís preferred analogyówas enough to encourage him to do the latter.

ďHeís leaving! Heís leaving!Ē Octo-Cat cried inside my ear while I pretended to be busy examining a tray of broccoli florets.

ďText him,Ē I told Nan, who had a text to Officer Bouchard ready to go on her phone. As much as I hated being left out of the action, my role in this ambush had officially ended.

ďGood work, Octavius,Ē I said before removing my headpiece. After that, I pulled my phone out of my clutch and sent a quick text to Charles.

May I have this dance?

He found me a short while later, and together we swayed on my front lawn until the stars came outÖ

Actually, that would have been incredibly romantic, but we did have to face one minor distraction first.

ďHeís got him.Ē I heard Nanís words only moments before I felt her arms wrap around me from behind. She joined Charles and me in our dance as she whispered in my ear. ďThat fool went to the same exact bank as before. Turns out it had been him the whole time, except for the last two checks, of course. Iíll tell you more when I know more.Ē She gave me a kiss on the cheek and then wandered off.

ďYour nan just pinched my butt,Ē Charles told me with a laugh.

ďNanís gotta Nan,Ē I responded, rolling my eyes. She and I could have a talk about boundaries later. Right now I wanted to enjoy my evening held tightly in Charlesís strong arms.

ďHowíd you know it wasnít Trish?Ē he asked me.

ďIt was too perfect,Ē I murmured, ready to put this whole thing behind me and enjoy the rest of the gala as best I could.

ďKind of like you,Ē he said, giving me a quick kiss on the cheek.

ďYeah, sure,Ē I joked, but snuggled closer to him all the same. If he wanted to believe I was perfect, then I refused to stop him.

[ ŗūÚŤŪÍŗ: img_3]

It was Harmony of all people who finally gave the info that would solve the case. Remember that mean masseuse? Yeah, her.

Turns out Trish had visited Serenity day spa because Stoneówhose real name was Declanóalso worked at the Dewdrop Springs branch of the First Bank of Blueberry Bay. Heíd helped Mr. Leavitt cash his stolen checks and then frame Trish for it.

And Harmonyówhose real name was truly and legitimately Harmonyóheard enough to testify against him. From there, he cracked wide open and confessed everything.

Paisley hadnít seen Trish before because Trish didnít technically work for the shelter. The sweet but forgetful front desk attendant Pearl was her grandmother, and for weeks Mr. Leavitt had been threatening to let her go due to her age and the suspicion she had early onset dementia. Heíd used that threatalong with a few carefully constructed lies to con Trish into carrying out his dirty work.

And when he sensed me and Nan hot on his tail, he set Trish up to take the fall for all of it. Heíd sent her to cash the checks with Stone. Heíd also sent her to buy the stolen supplies, instructing his lackey to purposefully end up in the wrong lot and force her to walk all about town with the hopes someone would discover her suspicious behavior.

And, yeah, Iíd played right into his hand.

If it werenít for my pets and that disgusting dead mouse, I may have never realized that weíd accused the wrong person.

Luckily, my petswere gross, and Mr. Leavittówhose first name is Alex, by the wayówould be going away for a long, long time. Now someone who really believes in the animal shelterís mission will be taking over as the Community Outreach Coordinator.

Pearl.

A doctor quickly dismissed the dementia diagnosis and ruled her completely in good health and of sound mind. So now, she runs things, and her devoted granddaughter Trish has taken over as the first face you see when entering the facility.

Nan and I, for our part, plan to continue organizing fundraisers to help the shelter get back on its feet.

So I guess you can say we all lived happily ever after.

Well, until the next case anywayÖ

Content

Молли Фитц Kitty Confidential. Terrier Transgressions. Hairless Harassment. Dog-Eared Delinquent. The Cat Caper. Chihuahua Conspiracy