Squirrel Skip Squabble: A Cozy Animal Mystery (Ruff McPaw Mysteries Book 3) by Max Parrott

Author:Max Parrott [Parrott, Max]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-04-26T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 13

Angela stared at the tire, her growing fear numbing her to the spot.

“Angie? You okay?”

William stood up, frowning. She looked up at him, tears gathering in the corners of her eyes.

“Your tires…”

William looked down at the tire, completely confused.

“What about them?”

“They have asymmetric treads,” she replied.

“Yeah… so?”

“Someone broke into Mr. Dean’s place last night,” she explained. “The tire tracks they left look just like your tires.”

William’s face hardened. “Asymmetric tires aren’t that odd, you know. They were on the car when I bought it.”

Angela folded her arms and pursed her lips.

“I don’t know how I’m going to explain this,” she said.

“So, you think I killed Mr. Dean,” William snapped.

“No,” Angela replied. “I know you didn’t, Will, but this isn’t going to look great.”

“So don’t say anything about it,” he replied with a shrug.

“I must. I’m bound by law. You’re still a person of interest in the case.”

William scowled, his expression only softening when Ruff trotted over to him, wagging his tail. He patted the little dog softly on his head.

“I don’t see what the big deal is,” he persisted. “Asymmetric tires aren’t as common, yeah, but people do get them. I haven’t had the money to change to regular tires yet.”

“I know, I believe you, but I need to report this to the chief.”

William started to protest, so she held up a hand.

“I will tell him he is not, under any circumstances, to relay it to the press or anyone else,” she said. “Fair enough?”

William groaned and sat down on the tire. “I guess I have no choice. Man, I will never get a job in this town.”

“You will,” she replied. “Once we clear your name, there won’t be a problem anymore.”

Angela glanced down surreptitiously and noticed, to her relief, that none of William’s tires had mud on them. The tracks in the mud had been deep, and that mud would have stayed on a tire for a couple of days. She made a mental note to tell the chief that little detail.

“I need to go check in with mom and dad,” Angela said. “And then I have to get my squirrel to the vet for his check-up. I’ll report to the chief sometime this afternoon, but don’t let it worry you, Will.”

He grimaced. “How am I supposed to not worry?”

She crouched down next to him and put a hand on his back. “I’ve got this. They can’t do anything without a warrant, and a warrant requires proof beyond any doubt. As far as I know, there isn’t any proof against you.”

William let out a long sigh. “I trust you, Angie. It’s just a little scary, you know?”

“I know. It’ll be all right, you’ll see.”

He smiled briefly up at her, then turned back to his tools.

“I guess I need to finish these brakes. Good luck with your squirrel.”

“Thanks.”

Angela decided not to mention the tires to her parents as she walked inside the house. Her mother couldn’t stand any more strain at this point, and the news would only make her dad worry more.

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