The Cat, the Sneak and the Secret by Leann Sweeney

Author:Leann Sweeney
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group
Published: 2015-06-23T16:00:00+00:00

Eighteen

When I was feeling down, there was nothing better than coming home to fur friends who greeted me at the door with enthusiasm and of course the expectation that treats would be doled out immediately. But it was also nice to find Finn and Lindsey sitting at the dining room table, apparently having a conversation. They both said hello as I tossed lots of treats on the floor. Even Magpie, who’d been hesitant about treats at first, gobbled up as many as she could.

“You were gone a long time,” Finn said.

“Yes. Things got a little more complicated after you left. But I’m home now and I’m hungry. What about you two? Pizza okay?”

“Sure. Will Dad be home soon?”

I cocked my head, smiled at him. “Your dad probably won’t be here or going home at all tonight. Could you call in a pizza order? Then I’ll fill you in on what’s gone on today.”

After hanging up my coat and bag, I joined them at the table, but I was having a hard time containing the emotions filling me after the events of the day.

Lindsey’s expression turned to concern and then she became guarded. “Is this about my father? Or is it something just between you and Finn? Because I can leave the room.”

“There’s no reason to leave and it’s about the friend who passed—the one I mentioned before,” I reassured her.

“What friend?” Finn’s voice was leaden with dread. “Who are you talking about? Is it Gramps? Did something happen to him and—”

“Sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you. Mike Baca died this morning.”

Finn sat back in the chair, his surprise evident. “But wasn’t he something like forty? That’s young.”

“Doesn’t matter how old he was. He died suddenly and I can’t say anything more. There’s an investigation. They’re calling it a serious incident.”

“An accident? What? Tell me Jillian. You know we have history and I liked that guy.”

When Finn first came to town, he’d spent a little time at Mercy PD explaining his unexpected arrival after crashing Tom’s car.

I said, “What you need to know right now is that the mayor asked Tom to take over as interim police chief. That means he’ll be awfully busy.”

“Okay,” Finn said. “That’s about the only thing you’ve said that makes perfect sense. That’s why he went with Candace to check out that truck.”

“Exactly,” I replied. “He planned to tell you, but it’s been a tough time for everyone—first Lindsey and her family. And now Mike’s death leaving so many unanswered questions.”

Lindsey slumped back in her chair and she spoke in a monotone. “Chief Baca talked to me yesterday, asked me questions about my daddy. He’s always been so nice, but I was a total idiot. Practically cursed him out.” She looked across at me. “I can’t say I’m sorry now. Can’t say I’m sorry to my daddy, either. I don’t deserve to be treated so nice by you two when I’ve been such a bitch to everyone in my life.”

“I understand, Lindsey,” I said. “There’s no need to apologize to us.

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