Recalled in Cherry Hills by Paige Sleuth

Author:Paige Sleuth
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: cat cozy mystery, murder mystery whodunit, animal cozy mystery series, amateur women sleuth novella, feline gumshoe detective, fun cozy mysteries
Publisher: Marla Bradeen
Published: 2020-07-27T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SEVEN

Kat pulled up to the Cherry Hillside Addiction Treatment and Recovery Center at ten minutes before eleven. Nestled close to the woods near the far end of town, the single-story redbrick building seemed so far removed from civilization that Kat wouldn’t have been surprised to spot a herd of elk grazing nearby. It had a peaceful, soothing atmosphere about it that she supposed would be quite conducive to getting one’s life back on track.

She wondered if her mother had ever been admitted to a facility such as this one. Somehow, she had trouble picturing Maybelle Harper in her high heels and full makeup appreciating the serenity of the place. Then again, for all she knew maybe at one time her mother had favored scuffed-up sneakers and nothing more than sunscreen on her face. Perhaps she had cleaned up her appearance at the same time as she’d cleaned up her act.

The possibility really drove home the fact that Kat didn’t know all that much about her mother.

Bea halted just outside the main entrance. “You know, this will be the first time I’ve seen Dr. Papas since I was a resident here. I don’t think she typically treats people who aren’t enrolled in the recovery program.”

Kat shook thoughts of her mother away. She needed to be present for Bea, and right now Bea sounded as if she were having second thoughts about coming here.

“I’m sure she’s happy you reached out when you needed help,” Kat told her.

“You think so?” Bea touched her lip ring with her tongue, her eyes sliding to the door. “I feel really bad taking up her lunch hour. What if she only said I could come to be nice?”

“Bea, would it be so terrible to let somebody do something nice for you? We’re already here. You might as well at least say hi.”

Before Bea could protest, Kat grabbed the door handle. She couldn’t see any point in continuing this debate and besides, it was almost eleven o’clock.

The inside of Cherry Hillside was as calming as the outside. Light blue walls boxed in a spacious lobby complete with potted plants, high ceilings, and a skylight. Kat could even hear a brook babbling softly nearby. She started to look around only to realize the sound must be getting piped through several speakers affixed to the ceiling.

A young African American man sat behind a counter off to the side. He stood up when he spotted them.

“Bea!” he said, a bright smile lighting up his face. “What brings you here today?”

“Hi, J.J.” Bea tried to drag her fingers through her unbrushed hair, a flush staining her cheeks when they snagged on a knot. “I’m here to see Dr. Papas.”

If J.J. thought there was anything odd about a former patient stopping by to see one of the in-house therapists, he didn’t let on. “She’s right over there.”

Kat looked across the lobby to where J.J. pointed. When her gaze landed on two women conversing in the far corner, she had to blink to make sure her eyes weren’t deceiving her.

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