A Whiskers and Words Mystery Collection by Scott Eryn

Author:Scott, Eryn
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Kristopherson Press
Published: 2023-11-18T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 13

Lou was more confused than ever.

She spent the rest of the adoption event in a mild haze, not able to let go of the clues she’d learned during her conversations.

Lou felt badly that she was in such a funk, especially since the adoption event turned out to be such a success. It had even begun snowing again, making everything feel even more magical.

Robert and his kids had adopted Lady and Lord. The teen Lou had seen holding Drumstick had decided to adopt him, a newly married couple had fallen in love with Partridge, and Zeke had created an instant bond with the quiet Milky.

Once they’d ushered out the last customers and locked the door, Olivia came over to help Lou take the collars off the remaining kittens. Noah and Marigold had gone home a few minutes before. Caroline and Bruce were upstairs, getting ready for the gingerbread contest.

“You look like you have a lot on your mind,” Olivia said, running her shoulder into Lou’s.

Lou sighed. “Am I that obvious?”

Olivia snorted. “After talking through book ideas with you for more than a decade, I feel like I can read your mind. I know your sighs, and I can tell when you’re being silent because you’re unhappy and when you’re frustrated.” Olivia examined her hands. “I know I’ve been pushing you beyond your comfort zone by getting involved in this case.”

Lou couldn’t hide her surprise at the turn the conversation had taken.

Olivia held up a hand, stopping Lou from saying anything kind or appeasing. “I told you, I can read you well. I knew you didn’t want me or your parents to get involved. I’m sorry.”

Lou accepted her friend’s apology.

“Do you remember back when I quit the force, after you called me when I sold my first manuscript?” Olivia watched the kittens alongside Lou.

Lou hummed in response. “We met for martinis that neither of us could afford. Me, because I was a lowly admin assistant and you because you had two kids in college.”

Olivia smiled at the shared memory. “I was so ready to be done with the force. I never told you this, but the day you called, I had just gotten back from a homicide scene.” Olivia closed her eyes. “It was awful. Chills me to the bone to this day. I was so happy to be able to write full time and surround myself with fictional crimes instead of real ones.”

Lou’s heart hurt at the story. She knew how difficult it was for Easton sometimes, and Olivia had hinted at the emotional scars she’d picked up over the years on the force.

“But,” Olivia said, wrapping her arms around her torso, “I think I started to miss police work a little this week. When I saw that friend of yours in action … it’s so easy when I’m writing a case. I can see the crime come together in my mind. I can follow the clues my character is going to find. I thought I could do that here.” She swallowed.

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