Purr M for Murder Page 3

“Humph.” Leila snorted. “Then he’d better tell his girlfriend. He’s been going out with Dorrie Cavanaugh for six months now.”

  Kat’s eyebrows bounced upward. “Dorrie Cavanaugh? The judo instructor at Gold’s Gym?”

  Leila’s green eyes sparkled. “The very one, so he’d best behave.”

  I frowned as I surveyed the wine bottle. “Oho, you bought the good stuff. But it’s got a cork. I don’t think we have a corkscrew here.”

  Leila reached into her tote bag and pulled out a corkscrew, which she waggled in the air. “So how are the plans for the cat café event coming along? I’m really looking forward to covering it.”

  I handed her the wine bottle. “We’re looking forward to it too—unless Trowbridge Littleton has something to say about it, that is.”

  Leila shot me a startled glance. “Trowbridge Littleton? King Midas’s evil twin? What does he have to do with it?”

  “We’re not sure yet. We were at Dayna’s café this afternoon, going over the menu, and he came in and tried to make trouble over us having the shelter cats there.”

  “Now why am I not surprised? That man will do anything to cause a scene.” She maneuvered the corkscrew, and we heard a soft pop as the cork came loose. Leila filled the glasses and passed them around. Kat lifted the glass to her lips, tipped her head back, and downed half of the contents in one large gulp. Then she held the glass out to Leila for a refill. “That’s good stuff,” she said, wiping the back of her hand across her lips. “Plus, it’s been a very long day, made longer with this Littleton drama.”

  “Doesn’t surprise me. He probably tied tin cans to cat’s tails when he was a kid.” Leila lifted the lid of the pizza box, and we all inhaled the enticing aroma of sauce, pepperoni, and mozzarella. “He’s always writing to Ed Mortimer, the owner of the Deer Park Herald, about one thing or another. Last week, I believe he was complaining about Buck’s eatery. The aroma from Buck’s garbage was assaulting his senses, or some such nonsense. And the week before, he had it in for Grace Topping.”

  I took a sip of wine and reached for one of the paper plates Kat had set on the table. “Grace Topping? Isn’t she the sweet woman who runs the hat shop?”

  Leila nodded. “Yeah. I saw them last week at the mall. I was waiting in line at the sticky bun place at the food court, and I just happened to glance up. They were over in the far corner, right behind the fountain. Littleton was red as a beet. He had poor Grace pressed up against the far wall by the fountain, and it looked to me as if he was haranguing her about something.”

  Kat frowned. “Are you certain it was Grace? I can’t see her arguing with anyone, let alone Littleton.”

  “Well, I was all the way across the court, but I’m pretty positive it was her. She had on that coral sweater she always wears.” She shook her head. “Grace’s problem is she’s too nice. She just sat there and took whatever he was dishing out. I’d have dumped my lunch all over his head and stormed out.”

  Both Kat and I rolled our eyes, and Kat nudged me. “Remind you of anyone?”

  I wrinkled my nose. “Yeah. Littleton’s a jerk just like Preston.”

  “Wow.” Leila waved her slice of pizza in the air. “I do believe that’s the first time you’ve mentioned your ex’s name since you’ve come back to Deer Park.”

  I bit off a piece and chewed rapidly. “That’s because he’s really not worth mentioning,” I mumbled.

  Kat eyed me. “Honey, you’re not the first girl to be taken in by a smooth-talking guy. It’s just unfortunate that in this instance, he happened to be the son of your boss.” She wiggled a finger at me. “That’s why it doesn’t pay to date coworkers. Or get engaged to ’em.”

  “Ouch,” I said. “It’s my own fault. I should have known better, but—honestly, we seemed so perfect together. We liked the same books, the same movies, the same plays . . . I had absolutely no idea that he was dating my secretary at the same time, until . . .” I left the sentence unfinished, because they both knew full well what had transpired.

  Leila and Kat exchanged a glance, and then Kat cleared her throat. “Well, they’re together now, and I’ve got my sister back, so as far as I’m concerned, everything’s hunky-dory.” She slid her arm around my shoulders. “You know, just because you had one bad apple doesn’t mean the whole barrel’s bad. Who knows? Maybe once the shelter’s back in the black, we can both start having more of a social life?”

  I set the glass down. “Preston hadn’t been supportive of me and my job for a while, and I knew we were drifting apart. I was just too lazy—and scared—to do anything about it. He found someone who suits him better, and I’ve got a whole new life.” I snagged another slice of pizza and decided to change the subject. “You know, I never got a good look at that clipboard Littleton had tucked so carefully under his arm. I wonder what was on it.”

  “A petition to picket the shelter event, no doubt,” Kat said, not even bothering to hide the bitterness in her tone.

  “Maybe,” said Leila.

  I saw the expression on my friend’s face and said, “You’re hiding something, Leels. What is it you’re afraid to tell us?”

  Leila stretched her long legs out in front of her. “I don’t know anything for certain,” she said slowly, “but I heard Lola Whittier at the information desk talking to someone on the phone. I’m pretty sure it was Littleton. She was advising him on the correct way to file a petition.”

  Kat snapped her fingers in the air. “I knew it. He’s trying to stop that event.”

  Leila squirmed in her chair. “It might be more than that. I’ve heard rumors—mind you, just rumors—that Littleton wants to get the shelter closed down permanently.”

  Kat and I exchanged a swift glance. “Maybe it’s not the ravings of a lunatic after all,” I murmured.

  Leila shot me a sharp glance. “What on earth are you talking about?”

  I plucked the letter from the desk and handed it to her. She read it through once, and then a second time, before handing it back to me with a scowl marring her lovely features. “He doesn’t come right out and say it,” she said, “but the implication is there. He thinks Deer Park would be better off without the shelter.”

  I took the letter and threw it on the coffee table. “Well, he can imply that all he wants, but he’d never get away with closing us down. He wouldn’t get any signatures . . .” I paused as I caught sight of the stricken look on Kat’s face. “Would he?”

  Kat worried her lower lip. Once again, her gaze skittered away from mine. “You wouldn’t think so, but Littleton’s a bully. He browbeats people until they bend to his will, like he tried to do to us today. And some of these people are easily led.”

  “Say he did succeed. What would happen to the animals that are there now?”

  “They’d be farmed out to other shelters.” Kat ran a hand through her hair. “The big problem with that, though, is most shelters are overcrowded. Also, most of them don’t have a no-kill policy like we do.”

  “So what you’re saying, basically, is that if other shelters are too crowded to take our animals, they’ll get put down?”

  Kat hesitated, then gave a curt nod. “Unfortunately, that’s exactly what I’m saying.”

  Leila reached for another slice of pizza. “What sort of person wants to close a place where defenseless animals can have a home until some kind human adopts them? Or deliberately make it so innocent ones are killed? Looks to me like Littleton is giving the Grinch a real run for his money.” She paused. “Speaking of cute animals, I saw a real handsome cat nosing around outside when I came in.”

  “Big fellow? Orange and white?” Kat asked.

  Leila nodded. “Is he one of yours?”

  Kat nodded. “That would be Toby. Maybe he’s wandering back in.” She glanced over at me. “You’d like to meet him, wouldn’t you, Syd? I’ll be right back.” She turned and hurried across the hall to the cattery.

  I nudged Leila with my elbow. “Kat seems to think Toby and I would make the
perfect couple.”

  Leila let out a laugh. “Well, maybe you would. He’s got to be a damn sight better than Preston.”

  I leaned back and laced my hands behind my neck. “No arguments there.”

  “You know, if you want to get a cat, Syd, I really don’t mind. Cats are a lot easier to have as pets than dogs, especially for a working gal. They pretty much take care of themselves.”

  I looked pointedly at my friend’s outfit. “They also shed. Sometimes a lot.”

  Leila brushed at the hem of her skirt. “As long as you vacuum up the pet hair, I can buy a lint brush.”

  I placed my hand over my heart in an exaggerated gesture. “Awww . . . you’d do that for me?”

  “Of course. What are besties for? Besides, when I have to cover something, I usually take my good clothes to the office to change.”

  I chuckled. “Your generosity overwhelms me, but I haven’t even met the cat yet. Maybe I won’t like him or he won’t like me.”

  Leila snorted. “Who are you kidding? You love all animals. Remember the chameleon you had in fifth grade?”

  My lips twisted into a grin. “Kammy the chameleon. I sure do. He was a great pet.”

  “Remember when your cousin Fred tried to flush him down the toilet?”

  “Oh yeah. He might have succeeded if Kat hadn’t caught him. Boy, did she give him what for! Even back then, she was a champion for animals.”

  We were still enjoying a chuckle over my first foray as a pet owner when Kat came back into the room. She shook her head. “Well, if it was Toby, he’s apparently not ready to return. His cage is still empty.” She sat down and picked up her wineglass. “Where were we?”

  Leila shot her a mischievous grin. “Just discussing pets, past and present. I told Syd she could get a cat if she wanted.” She held up her hand and made a crossing motion over her heart. “I promise not to flush it down the toilet.”

  “Down the toilet? What brought that—oh, right. Kammy!”

  We all laughed, and then I picked up my glass and raised it high in the air. “I’ve made an executive decision. Littleton isn’t going to get away with ruining our event or closing us down. Tomorrow I’m going to go over to his store and try to reason with the man.”

  Kat reached out and plucked at my sleeve. “Oh no. That would be a mistake. Just . . . just let it go.”

  “I can’t do that. You just said some of these people are easily maneuvered. What if he manages to convince them the event is a bad idea or, worse yet, that Deer Park would be better off without an animal shelter?” I gave my head a toss, causing wisps of brown hair to fly into my eyes. I brushed them back with the tips of my fingers. “This venture could be the break we’re looking for. I’m not about to let him ruin it.”

  “Say,” Leila interrupted. “You all might be panicking for nothing. After all, I’m not 100 percent certain that it was Littleton Lola was talking to.”

  I arched a brow. “Maybe, but having a talk with him certainly can’t hurt. Sometimes it pays to be proactive.”

  “You really think you can reason with him?”

  I swallowed. “I’m certainly going to try. I mean, it’s not as if I haven’t had to plead my case with a difficult client before. I did lots of that back in New York, and I usually won.”

  Kat and Leila looked at each other. Leila shrugged, and Kat let out a long sigh. “I still don’t think it’s a good idea, but I know you once you get your mind set on something. Just promise me that if he starts to get ugly or insulting, you’ll walk away.”

  I knew how my sister hated confrontation. “Sure,” I said, deliberately crossing my fingers behind my back. “Promise.”

  Kat eyed me. “I know you’ve got your fingers crossed.”

  I stuck my tongue out at her. “What, you’ve got Superman’s X-ray vision now?”

  “That’s something that would certainly come in handy,” chuckled Leila, “especially when Bobby Warren delivers something from UPS. Doesn’t he look hot in those shorts?”

  Kat’s cheeks flushed a delicate shade of pink. “I wouldn’t know,” she murmured. She turned her gaze back to me. “If you’re determined to go through with this, then I’m going with you,” she announced.

  I frowned. “That’s not necessary.”

  “Oh yes it is. I don’t feel like getting a call from the police that you’ve been arrested for disturbing the peace or, worse yet, assault.”

  “Oh, puh-leaze!” I rolled my eyes. “What do you think I’m going to do, go over there and beat the guy to a pulp?”

  “No, but I wouldn’t put it past him to try to have you arrested.”

  “Uh, excuse me. I’m not the one who went toe to toe with him this afternoon—you were.”

  “True. He ticked off my temper when he started berating Sissy.”

  “Right. So what makes you think he won’t say something to tick you off tomorrow?”

  “He probably will,” Kat admitted. “But losing it won’t get us anywhere with him.” She raised her hand and laid it across her heart. “I promise that tomorrow I will be calm and cool as a cucumber—the voice of reason.”

  “Uh-huh. I still don’t think the two of us should go. He might think we’re ganging up on him.”

  “Maybe, but he might listen more to me. He wrote me that letter, remember? I’m the one who’s in charge of the shelter, not you.”

  I threw up both hands. “Fine. But I want to get to him early—before anyone has a chance to put him in a worse mood than he’s usually in.”

  Kat’s jaw thrust forward stubbornly. “We’ll have to get up uber-early, then. I understand Littleton usually gets to his store around six AM.”

  I wrinkled my nose. “So early? People buy art at six AM? I thought his shop opened at eleven.”

  “He probably wants to get away from his wife,” offered Leila. “She’s always in the gym by seven AM.”

  I looked at her. “He’s married?”

  “Yeah. And Petra is a real stunner. She’s around our age, a former actress and model.”

  “Really? An actress? Was she in anything I’d know?”

  “Doubtful,” Kat laughed, “although I think she did have some minor role on a soap a few years ago. She did mostly modeling—he met her at some sort of show, I think.”

  I twisted my wineglass in my hand. “I wonder what she saw in him.”

  “Isn’t it obvious?” Leila laughed. “His checkbook. Petra’s quite the fashion plate. Only last month, she showed up at the Lamplighter benefit in a Galliano ivory lace sheath that cost over two thousand dollars. A waiter jostled her arm and got red wine all over the front. Fortunately, it was toward the end of the evening.” She let out a low whistle. “Can you imagine that dry cleaning bill?”

  Kat leaned forward a bit in her chair. “She was in Devon McIntyre’s jewelry shop, looking over that new collection of estate jewelry last month. She bought a large yellow diamond ring and put a deposit on matching earrings. I don’t know the exact amount, but it was close to five figures.”

  “No wonder he’s so miserable . . . and cheap.” I gave my sister a sharp look. “How did you find all this out, anyway? You and I don’t run in the same circles as this Petra.”

  “I can guess.” Leila leaned forward eagerly, her eyes twinkling. “Diane Ryan? The girl who replaced Betty Campbell as admin at the police station, right?”

  Kat grinned. “The very same. Diane is Sissy’s next door neighbor, and she’s a big animal lover. Her landlord won’t let her have pets, so she volunteers here two nights a week. And just like Betty before her, she loves a good gossip session.” She leaned forward a bit and dropped her voice to a whisper. “She also told me that Petra’s been rumored to be pretty hot and heavy with one of the trainers at the gym.”

  I drained my glass. “And Littleton’s not jealous?”

  Kat shrugged. “From what I understand, Littleton’s got a roving eye as well. Sounds as if they’ve got—what do they call that again?”

  �
�An open marriage,” Leila supplied.

  I let out a little snort of disgust. “I’ve never understood that term. Why get married in the first place if you’re not going to be true to one another?”

  “Probably because staying married is cheaper than a divorce, or at least it’d be that way for him,” Leila said matter-of-factly. “Petra negotiated a whopper of a premarital agreement for herself. Married or divorced, she makes out like a bandit.”

  “That’s a surprise. Littleton didn’t impress me as the starry-eyed type.”

  “Just goes to show you, you never know. He had blinders on where she was concerned in the beginning. Starry-eyed, like a teenager. And since she didn’t exactly coerce him into signing, he’s got no recourse.”

  “See,” I said, “this is what I missed about Deer Park—the gossip chain.”

  “Why?” Leila said, giving me a look of mock horror. “You mean New York has nothing like that? I find that hard to believe.”

  “Oh, New York had plenty of gossip. But it’s different. I don’t know how to explain it.”

  “I can,” Leila said brightly. “Gossip’s more personalized here—fewer people. It’s a lot easier to know who you’re talking about in a town the size of Deer Park. Our population is forty thousand, and what’s New York City? Six million?”

  “Closer to ten, but who’s counting?”

  “Not me.” Leila reached for the bottle of wine, shook it, and made a face. “Damn, all out. I knew I should have bought two.”

  “Hmm, there might be something in the storeroom,” Kat said. Leila and I both turned to look at her, and she blushed. “Well, once we found out that we could hire Syd as a consultant, we had a little celebration. I’m pretty sure there was at least one bottle left over.”

  “You shelter people will use any excuse to par-tay!” grinned Leila.

  Kat started to rise, but I could see how fatigued she was. I held up my hand. “Hang on. I’ve got it.”

  She flashed me a grateful smile. “Thanks. It should be in the big storage cabinet, top shelf.”

  I walked into the hall and down two doors to the storeroom. I saw the storage cabinet, tucked into the corner right next to the picture window, and made my way over to it. Just as I was about to open the cabinet, I happened to glance over at the window—and I let out a gasp as I saw a gold, furry face pressed there. “Toby?” I murmured. I reached out to touch the window, and as quick as that, the feline face vanished. I reached out, pulled up the window, and leaned out just in time to see a gold-and-white tail disappear into the shrubbery that surrounded the shelter. “Well, Maggie did say they call you the Wanderer,” I murmured.