Due or Die in Cherry Hills by Paige Sleuth

Author:Paige Sleuth
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: cat cozy mystery, murder mystery series, amateur sleuth whodunit, small town women sleuth, humorous mystery novella, light fun summer reads
Publisher: Marla Bradeen
Published: 2020-04-23T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SEVEN

As Kat made her way toward the front of the library, she couldn’t stop pondering over what Amelia had been referring to when she’d told Tiffany she had uncovered something damaging about a local resident. What exactly had she found? And what had she planned to do with the information?

Kat was so lost in thought she plowed right into Troy Wofford at the top of the library stairs.

Luckily she managed to catch herself, as did Troy. “I’m so sorry,” she said. “My mind was miles away.”

Troy stared at her. From the dazed look on his face, Kat gathered she wasn’t the only person who’d had their head in the clouds.

A peal of laughter prompted Kat to look past Troy’s shoulder. Mia and Emme Cauldwell were headed toward them. The little girl couldn’t seem to stop giggling as she skipped her way down the sidewalk.

Kat glanced at Troy, curious whether he and Mia had arranged to meet here. But if the awestruck look on his face was any indication, Mia’s visit was a surprise to him.

Mia stopped at the bottom of the stairs. When her eyes locked with Troy’s her mouth fell open a little before a look of pure pleasure flooded her face. Her smile was so bright Kat had the urge to shield her eyes with one hand.

“Emme,” Mia said, giving the little girl a nudge, “look who’s here.”

Emme didn’t look impressed, although she dutifully trudged up the steps alongside her mother. Her voice was deadpan when she said, “Hi, Mr. W.”

Troy smiled. “Well, hello, Em.”

“My name is Emme.”

“Emme. I apologize. And what brings you here today, Emme?”

Emme kicked at one of the steps. “Mommy said I had to come.”

“I also promised to read you a story and told you we could check out some books while we’re here,” Mia said. “Don’t you want to do that?”

“Mommy said we couldn’t get our books yesterday because a lady died.” Emme looked at Kat. “Is that true?”

All three of the adults grew still. Kat wondered why Emme had directed the question at her. Was it because she figured a stranger had nothing to lose by telling her the truth?

Kat couldn’t bring herself to lie, even if the topic struck her as too grim for a child. “That’s true,” she answered. “A woman did die here yesterday.” She looked at Mia. “I think your mom might have known her?”

Mia touched Emme’s hair. “Emme, honey, why don’t you wait for me inside?”

“Can I pet the skunk cat?” Emme asked.

“Sure, if you can find him.”

“Yay!” Emme looked so enthusiastic she was bouncing up and down like a jackrabbit on a caffeine high.

Troy glanced at Mia. “The skunk cat?”

“You know,” Emme said with a huff. “The cat Ms. Atkinson bought.”

“Emme,” Mia scolded. “That tone is not acceptable. And Ms. Atkinson didn’t buy the cat. She adopted him.”

“Whatever.”

Mia pursed her lips. She looked as if she were about to reprimand Emme again, but the little girl already had the front door halfway open.

As soon as Emme slipped inside, Mia faced Kat.

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