The Big Bag of Infinite Cats by Adam Drake

Author:Adam Drake
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: supernatural, mystery, magic realism, cozy mystery, witches, fantasy, woman sleuth, suspense, cat, cats
Publisher: Adam Drake
Published: 2018-08-21T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER NINE

The Hearts District, one of the poorest areas of town, was filled with dilapidated buildings which stood as a testament to its poverty.

The address Rousset had given took us to its eastern most edge. Any more further and we'd end up in the town dump.

Fairfax parked the buggy in front of the end unit of a cramped row of townhouses. All the curtains were drawn, and windows closed. It may have been my suspicious mind, but that seemed unusual on such a warm day.

“Maybe she's out?” Fairfax said.

“Only one way to be sure, Constable,” I said and got out of the buggy.

A large woman leaned out of a window of the townhouse next to Elicia's. Her long blonde hair wrapped in a bun and with arms like giant hams, pink and sweaty as she stirred a huge bowl of dough.

As we climbed the stairs to the little alcove, which protected the front door from rain, Fairfax tipped his cap to the large woman. “Good afternoon,” he said.

“Afternoon,” she said and watched us intently.

I exchanged a glance with Fairfax who kept his expression neutral. Once we had stepped into the alcove Fairfax knocked on the door. After several minutes, he did so again. I tried peering through the nearest window but the curtains blocked my view.

Still no answer. Fairfax tried the doorknob, but found it locked.

“We should try back later,” I suggested and Fairfax nodded.

As we descended the stairs the large woman in the window said, “Looking for Elicia?”

“Yes, do you know if she is home?” I said.

“I don't think so,” she said. Her stirring never stopped. “Might want to try at her work. It's a bookstore.”

“We did. The owner said Elicia had sent word yesterday morning she had taken ill.”

“Oh, well then, she probably went to be with her sister up in Creekside. She's always going there.”

“When was the last time you saw him?”

The woman screwed her face up. “About two days ago. Didn't look sick to me but what do I know? I'm no doctor.”

I thanked her, and we returned to stand next to the buggy. To Fairfax, I said, “I'd like to get a peek inside.”

Fairfax shrugged. “Afraid kicking the door in might upset the neighbor, and she'd chase us around with a rolling pin. Besides, we can't go in without justification. Calling in sick doesn't cover that, I'm afraid.”

“You're no fun, Fairfax,” I teased. I had a hunch and glanced in my satchel. The clasp was brass.

“Well, now. It appears something is amiss.”

“One of them wants to pop out?” Fairfax said. He looked a little eager.

I glanced up at the building. The woman had gone from her window. “Let's try the door again,” I said and climbed back up the stairs before Fairfax could protest.

Under the alcove, I placed the satchel on the welcome mat at the door. I opened it wide and touched the clasp. The knitting bag wiggled around and a cat's head popped up from it. This one was a light brown color. Its eyes the same as the others, a rainbow spectrum.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.