Paws, Laws, & Santa Claws: A Paranormal Cozy Mystery (Witchy Business Mysteries Book 5) by Maddy Savanna

Author:Maddy Savanna [Savanna, Maddy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: anonymous
Published: 2022-09-26T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter ten

Doors & Decorations

We found nothing. No clues. No fingers. No Studmuffin. Defeated once again. I was beginning to think I’d just have to make the trade—my familiar for the ring—no matter how dire the consequences were.

However, we did find the security room with camera footage and monitors on the top floor of Age Is Just A Number Antiques and Appraisals. We may or may not have borrowed a tape or two. In the wise words of the almighty Cass, “Paws before laws.”

Now, we were headed back to my apartment to regroup and restrategize. It was nearly eight o’clock, four more hours until I rendezvoused with Studmuffin’s catnapper. Was it Parker Lee or someone else? One whisker next to a water bowl and some familiar-looking fur didn’t prove much either way.

As I pulled into Sunray’s parking lot, my cell rang.

“Victoria,” Detective Palmer breathed once I answered. There was a hint of a question mark in his voice. “I should’ve called earlier, but I figured you got held up by the wintery roads. Everything okay?”

“Bernadette’s an all-weather car. She’s doing fine.” Of all the things to ask about, why Bernadette? Unless I’d turned him into a car aficionado when I wasn’t looking?

“Oh, good. So…did I get the time wrong?”

“The time for wha— Ohhhhhhh.” I slapped my hand to my forehead, really hoping I’d just stamped it with Idiot. My face flushed with embarrassment. “Detective, I’m so, so sorry.”

We’d had a date at seven. I was supposed to meet him at the restaurant and was now almost an hour late. I’d been excited and nervous and terrified, but I’d forgotten all about the entire thing.

Cass tilted her head, eying me closely.

“I promise I can explain,” I said, glancing over at Travis as he pulled in next to me in his yellow Mustang.

He grinned and waved, and despite everything, my heart stalled.

A little voice inside my head said, “Oh yes, do explain to the good detective. I’ll get the popcorn.”

I shushed that voice and continued. “Studmuffin’s been catnapped. Yesterday, I got a ransom note. I’m to meet the catnapper at midnight with the Ring of Everlasting Night. I’ve spent most of last night and today looking for him or trying to find a way not to hand over the ring in exchange for him. I’m so sorry, but I forgot about our date.”

Ugh. If I felt any smaller, I’d be stuck to the bottom of my own lava-filled boot.

“I’m the one who’s sorry,” he said gently. “Where are you now?”

“Home,” I said, gazing over at Travis.

His smile was pleasant while he waited in the heat of his car next to us.

“I’ll be there in five.” Detective Palmer hung up.

“A date?” Cass hissed.

“Yeah, one that didn’t happen.”

“What are you going to do?” She gestured broadly, to all of my problems, I supposed.

I switched off Bernadette, my mind already made up. “Be honest with all the men in my life, beg for forgiveness, and get my cat back.”

“Solid plan. I like it.”

“Thanks, Cass.” I reached over and squeezed her bandaged hand.

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