Masquerade Murder at the Castle: A Kitty McCray Cozy Mystery by Avery Kent

Author:Avery Kent [Kent, Avery]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: anonymous
Published: 2024-10-29T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 18

Kitty stood to one side while Haddock hovered around the crime scene investigator who was bagging up the mask. He had been irate that no one had inspected the corridor thoroughly enough to spot it and had, instead, been discovered by a cat.

“A cat, Dodds!” Haddock’s face took on an unusual hue. “A cat! Not one of my officers, not the crime scene team. No, a cat!”

“Don’t take offense, Mittens,” Richard whispered to the cat still clutched in Kitty’s arms. Mittens seemed to take no offense. She twitched her tail a little and snuggled into Kitty, ignoring the beet-colored Dodds and the equally crimson Haddock.

“Inspector?”

“What?” Haddock rounded on the crime scene officer and then took a deep breath. “What is it, Karl?” he asked as he tried to smile a little.

“Well, if you hadn’t guessed, it’s very similar to the ones we found before.”

“Similar?” Haddock asked. “Not the same.”

“I’d have to run a few tests to be sure, but no, I don’t think they’re made by the same manufacturer. In fact, I’d go out on a limb and say I’m pretty sure of it. They are close, though; I’d say someone made a very good copy. Same sort of crystals and backing. The fastening is a little different, and I don’t see a manufacturer’s mark,” Karl described.

“I see,” Haddock nodded. “That was clear on the others, was it?”

Karl nodded. “Yes. On the inside, all the rest had the initials JKR, but there’s nothing on this one. Maybe someone couldn’t afford to have one of those special ones and made this themselves.”

Haddock nodded. “Yes, but everyone claimed to have a mask, which means this was an extra beyond what was required.” He nodded. “Thank you, Karl. Let me know what you find.”

Karl nodded. “Oh, and inspector…” Haddock turned back to him. “The crime scene team didn’t check the corridor, just the ballroom, for your report.” Haddock’s eyes narrowed, and Karl hurried away down the stairs.

“Right. Dodds, get the car,” Haddock instructed.

“Where are we going, sir?” Dodds asked.

“To see an old lady about a mask,” Haddock replied while nodding at Kitty before heading to the stairs.

Richard, Kitty, and Ken Koda stood on the landing together, watching the policemen rush away down the steps.

“You think someone couldn’t afford a mask, made one, and then got gifted one from Warren or Alice?” Richard asked.

“Or someone brought that mask in order to murder Warren Willington, a disguise for a disguise,” Kitty reminded him.

“Total premeditation,” Richard replied.

“Wait, what?” Ken asked.

“Mr. Koda, do you have that tape ready yet?” Kitty asked.

Ken nodded. “Yeah, I was looking for you when I went out before and stumbled onto Miss Mittens,” he said, smiling at the cat. “I can show it to you now if you like?”

“Very much,” she replied, glancing at Mittens in her arms.

“She can come too,” Ken said with a smile. “I won’t rat her out to the front of house lady.”

Kitty smiled. She and Richard followed Ken through the doorway to the guest rooms. They

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