A Cat's Garden of Secrets by Diamond Jacqueline

Author:Diamond, Jacqueline
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: K. Loren Wilson
Published: 2023-12-27T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

“How did you two pests get in here?” demanded Dalva’s strident voice as she stared down her long nose at us.

I bristled. These haughty Selekt ladies had barged right into the library’s inner room as if they owned the place. Never mind that they had temporary authority here.

From what I’d overheard at the book club meeting, I recalled a suitable rebuke, and spoke in a haughty tone. “A little courtesy would be appropriate.”

To my surprise, the taller woman chuckled. On her shoulders, the white cat stirred, then settled again. “You are correct. My sister was rude.”

“I was not!” Dalva squawked.

“Yes, you were.” To me, the other woman said, “Miss Vevoda, I presume? I’m Dr. Barbora Maxcell, Loobly’s veterinarian. Also, I was a close friend of Karolina’s.”

And maybe the one who poisoned her? Well, since I’d brought up the issue of good manners, it would be wrong to blurt that out. Besides, as I’d told Detective Kouzel, there was no shortage of suspects.

“Yes, I’m Duchess Vevoda.” Using my full name didn’t substitute for my lack of a long aristocratic neck, but it bolstered my confidence. Which needed a boost since, as Priti had mentioned, this vet was related by marriage to the Koncil president. Belatedly, I added, “It’s nice to meet you,” although it wasn’t.

“You could take a lesson in proper behavior from her,” Barbora told the shorter Dalva. Priti had explained that the sisters didn’t get along, and it showed.

Dalva pointed to a bulge in my pocket. “You have a key. How did you get that?”

None of your business. Reining in my irritation, I said, “My lawyer gave it to me at my grandmother’s request.”

Priti hugged the injured book. “You damaged this. Dumped the precious tome on the floor and left it there.”

It might have been my imagination, but I felt disapproval radiating toward Dalva from the books crowding the walls. In the glass cases, I could almost hear the illuminated manuscripts rustling angrily.

With a frown, Barbora again turned on her sister. “Shame on you. The Vevoda Books of Knowledge and all its contents are a sacred trust.”

“I have the right to investigate.”

“Had the right,” said her sister. I braced for whatever came next, presumably a threat to lock us all up. Instead, she smiled at me. “In response to requests, the Koncil has decided to reopen the library under the supervision of Miss Priti Volk.”

“Thank you for bringing the news.” I struggled to sound gracious. Although the library rightfully belonged to me, handing it to my cousin was a step in the right direction. Plus, having helped manage it for the past few years, she knew far more about it than I did.

Priti extended her hand toward Dalva, palm up. “The key, please.”

“You already have one.”

“That key belongs to Chess Vevoda.” My cousin’s voice trembled only slightly. I admired her courage in facing up to the woman. Unlike me, Priti had grown up in a culture where the Selekt were regarded with something close to awe.

“Miss Volk is correct,” Barbora said.

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