The Entrepreneur Enigma by Cate Martin

Author:Cate Martin [Martin, Cate]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781958606698
Publisher: Ratatoskr Press

Chapter

Fifteen

Miss Snooty Cat had been moved to one of the spare bedrooms in the middle section halfway up the Tower. Another out-of-season fire was crackling in the fireplace there, bathing the windowless, stone-walled room in warm light. The bed was narrow, but more than large enough for the matagot's form.

It looked like she had shrunk. Even since I had seen her last, she looked smaller.

Houdini was curled up on the seat of a leather club chair that had been pulled close to the bedside. Curled up tight, but not napping. His large brown eyes were open as the Wizard and I came into the room, and he sat up at once when he saw me.

"How is she?" I asked him as I put a hand on his head, stroking around his incongruously droopy ears.

"Not better," he said. "No, I think she is getting worse."

"Worse?" I said, looking with alarm to the Wizard.

"Houdini is right," he said as he examined Miss Snooty Cat's paws and stroked her ears.

"And Barnardo? Have you heard?" I asked, almost choking on the question.

"Barnardo is still in a coma, but his vital signs are strong," the Wizard assured me. "He seems to be improving, even as Miss Snooty Cat is worsening."

"Is there a connection?" I asked.

"Perhaps," the Wizard said. "But more likely it's a matter of body size and dosage."

"The poison was in the cream," Houdini said. "Miss Snooty Cat drank a dishful, while Barnardo only had a sip. And he is so much larger than she is."

"That does seem to be the gist of it," the Wizard said. "But we still have no idea what poison was used."

"I'm working on it," I promised. "In fact, I should probably get back to Barnardo's apartment to see if Liam and Audrey have any more leads."

Houdini made a little squeaking sound, and I looked down at him in surprise. "Are you okay?"

"Yes," he said, ducking his head. "I just… well, I miss you. But I know you have to go. And I have to remain here," he added, lifting his chin as he spoke those words in my mind with the noblest of airs.

"Can I get you anything?" I asked. "Do you need any of your food or anything?"

"No, the Wizard fetched my food already," he said. "He even brought me that book, although I admit I don't have the heart to peruse it."

I looked in the direction he had nodded his head and saw the book Liam had taken, the one about dragons. It was resting on a chest of drawers opposite the foot of the bed.

"It's a very interesting text," the Wizard said. "I've already made copies for my library, as well as for your own use. It will take some time to read through it all, time which we sadly don't have at the moment. But that's the original there, if you need to return it to its owner."

"Thanks, I probably should," I said, picking it up. I looked at Houdini, and he gave me a little nod of permission.

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