Defy Death: Riley Malloy Thriller, Book 2 by Judith A. Barrett

Author:Judith A. Barrett [Barrett, Judith A.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Wobbly Creek LLC
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWELVE

The sheriff walked into his office and cleared his throat. “Riley, tell us about your Marcy theory and Marcy’s cousin, then y’all can finish your weekend vacation.”

Ben sat next to Riley with his arm around her as she spoke.

“Everything happened after Marcy left Princess at my house on Monday,” she said. “Marcy was murdered in Pomeroy Monday night, then I was attacked early Wednesday morning. After my attackers came to the shack on their assignment to see if they could find any sign of my body, they drove away, and I thought I heard two cracks. I couldn’t tell if the cracks were gunfire because I was exhausted, wet, and cold. It could have been a hallucination, but on Friday, Eli Reeves told me two men were shot on Wednesday near Little River, and I got a strange call earlier this morning.” Riley told them about cousin Luanne’s call.

“So, Luanne didn’t know anything about this cat that was supposedly hers, but she was definitely interested in the carrier.” Ben peered at the sheriff.

The sheriff acknowledged Ben with a slight nod. “Thank you; you two can go on. I’ll meet you at the cabin later. I want to ask Marc about the shooting at Little River.”

Riley and Ben headed to the door.

“I’ll follow you, Riley,” Ben said.

After Riley and Ben parked at the cabin, Toby bounded into the tall grass and flushed a quail who pretended to be in distress. Toby ran to the shed then raced around the yard before he dashed to the front door and yipped.

“We actually were not gone all that long, Toby, but I’m glad everything is okay,” Riley said.

“Where’s Princess?” Ben asked.

Princess pranced from behind the shed, head-bumped Ben’s leg, and purred.

“I missed you too, Princess,” Ben said.

When they were inside, Ben picked up the carrier, and Princess hissed.

“We need to check it,” Riley said. “You can pick one out yourself at the farm store if Ben tears it up.”

Princess flicked her tail and leapt onto the sofa while Ben placed the carrier on the dining table.

Riley joined Ben at the table. “Okay. You have permission to dismantle the carrier.”

Ben pulled out his pocket knife to remove the cover from the bottom cushion, but after he examined the seam, he said, “Well, I’ll be dogged. The cover has a hidden zipper, which actually makes sense.” He pulled his exam gloves out of the small case on his utility belt.

When he peered inside, he said, “There seem to be two parts: a sealed bag with beads or something in it like a beanbag-type cushion and a foam one. I think the cushioning comes out, so we can get a better look.”

After he carefully removed the beanbag cushion, he said, “This may have been added later. I would have expected more room inside the cover.”

Princess hissed, and Toby barked when Ben pulled out the sealed bag.

“What’s wrong with you?” Ben asked over the din.

Riley raised her eyebrows. “They want you to put the cushion back.”

Ben shrugged, but after he shoved it back inside the cover, Toby and Princess settled down.

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