The Cat, the Vagabond and the Victim by Leann Sweeney

Author:Leann Sweeney [Sweeney, Leann]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Mystery
Goodreads: 16065110
Publisher: NAL
Published: 2014-08-05T00:00:00+00:00

Eighteen

“And exactly who are you?” Millicent said—sounding much less haughty than Ida Lynn had when she’d asked the same question earlier.

But Ida Lynn practically dissected Emily with her scowl. “Keep your mouth shut, Millicent. She’s the press.” The amount of loathing she added to that last word was remarkable. I wondered if Ida Lynn had done any acting.

“Do Wayne and LouAnn know the three of you are talking about them behind their backs? Because I couldn’t help but overhear.” Emily’s tone sounded innocent enough, sweet almost, but there was no doubt in my mind she wanted to stir the pot by mentioning the relatives.

I stood, lifting Emily by her elbow. “You promised to wait on this and let me be the go-between. Now, stand behind your word and please leave these ladies alone.”

Emily shrugged off my grip and nodded at Millicent. “I didn’t promise her anything.”

“Do I have to call Deputy Carson to send an officer?” I hadn’t intended to raise my voice, but Emily Nguyen was wearing on my last nerve. She kept showing up everywhere I went.

A restaurant employee with the name tag PAUL had apparently been hovering nearby and overheard me say the word officer. He rushed to our table. “Is there a problem?”

“Nope,” Emily said quickly. “I was just leaving. But I’ll be seeing all three of you soon, I’m sure.” She pointed at Millicent. “Especially you. Love that color dress with your eyes, by the way.”

She hurried out the door with Paul making certain she got to her car. I eased back into my chair.

Turned out the restaurant gave us a free cheesecake dessert for the “upset” Emily caused. The food was delicious—I had chicken and dumplings—but Emily’s unexpected arrival shut both women down. I didn’t learn another thing about anyone in the family, including Mr. Jeffrey. Millicent and Ida Lynn created tag-team deflection of my every question.

When dinner ended and I was finally on my way home, I reflected on my earlier thought that once upon a time those two had been as close as sisters. Yup, decades ago, they’d no doubt survived interrogation by suspicious parents on more than one occasion.

This conclusion made me more determined to find out just what other events might have happened over the years—especially Ida Lynn and Millicent’s estrangement—and why the disruption in their relationships lasted so long. Two men were dead, after all—and one or all of these relatives knew things they weren’t saying.

Three happy kitties greeted me when I arrived home, putting my thoughts of family secrets aside. But when I realized I didn’t see Clyde sitting at the back door waiting along with Syrah, Merlot and Chablis, I panicked.

I ran into the living room and switched the television screen to my monitoring channel. Clyde wore his GPS collar. I could find him. After all, he hadn’t been gone that long and—

I felt a nudge against my calf and a sleepy-eyed Clyde offered up one of his deep-throated meows. I knelt and petted both his cheeks with the backs of my hands, and he began to purr.

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