Meow Mayhem

by Lickel, Lisa;

  Ripple nodded at Dow and both drew weapons.

  He frowned. “Who’s in there? Who were you talking to? Stay here.”

  Dow eyed me and took up a position at the side of the entry to the living room while he bent low and duck-waddled in.

  I followed, despite the warning, and Dow pulled me back.

  “It’s her computer,” I whispered. “Somebody calling Ivanna.”

  Dow scrunched her brows.

  “Phone app on her computer,” I said, trying not to get too technical about my area of expertise, electronic communications.

  “Oh,” she whispered, cocking her head to listen to Ripple who was attempting to get information from the man on the computer without giving anything else away.

  I would have to do a lot of explaining to a lot of people about a great many things. I shivered at another waft of cool air and turned back to stare absently at Ivanna’s body, keeping a healthy distance.

  Dow sent me a sympathetic glance and stood down from her ready position.

  Jason Clark, the man on the computer, as he finally admitted to Ripple, was poor Ivanna’s fiancé. Former fiancé. Ripple asked Jason questions. What did he know about Ivanna’s schedule today? Where had Jason been all day?

  Even after Ripple convinced him to cooperate, I wondered about the legality of investigation by computer call. Short of the video court appearances from prisoners, such things weren’t always admissible evidence in court. I loved those procedural dramas.

  “Sir, please come to the police station. Officer Dow will meet you there in thirty minutes to take a statement,” Ripple said.

  “Statement about what? That sounds official. What’s going on? Why can’t you tell me now?” Jason asked, agitated all over again.

  I felt sorry for him.

  “Don’t you need to notify next of kin first?” I whispered and received a shush from Dow.

  “It’s bad, isn’t it? I’m calling my attorney,” Jason’s voice said. The rest of his statement faded and squawked, then was gone. Ivanna’s computer probably needed to recharge.

  Ripple reappeared as the front door swung wide to admit emergency medical techs with a stretcher.

  Dow took more photos, then Detective Reyes showed up with a toolbox. He spent a few minutes collecting samples around Ivanna’s body and the doors.

  Eventually Ripple allowed the EMTs to remove Ivanna’s body.

  I glanced at the time on my phone and sighed.

  “In a hurry?” Ripple asked, amusement dripping.

  I drew myself up and acted like the drama queen he assumed I was after I’d previously called to report my friend Donald, the former mayor, had been kidnapped a few months back. Ripple hadn’t believed me at first.

  We had since developed a friendly but professional relationship laced with mutual respect, especially since I’d been correct. Though I sincerely hoped meeting over dead bodies would not become normal routine for us.

  “I planned to meet Adam for supper,” I told him. “The mayor,” I added, mostly for my self-esteem.

  Ripple gestured for me to precede him from the premises. “I’m sorry you found Miss Pressman like this.”

  “Me, too. You think it might be some kind of accident, or natural—”

  “Let’s not speculate. Do you want to give me your statement now? While Officer Dow meets Mr. Clark?”

  Dow brushed past me out of the house. “That might be better. While your memory is fresh.”

  “You’re right.” I twisted my lips and patted at the embarrassing gurgles from my stomach, hunger resurfacing after the fright and sadness of the last hour.

  “Come to my office,” Ripple said. “I’ll order sandwiches.”

  How could I resist?

  We hope you enjoyed this peek at Meow Matrimony. Visit us online or pick up a copy at your favourite retailer, February 2019

  A Devotional Moment

  God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you.

  ~ 2 Thessalonians 1:6

  As Christians we are often troubled by others who seek only to serve themselves, even if it brings harm to others. Many times, these types of people seem to get better pay in jobs, assume higher positions, accumulate wealth, and acquire many friends. Christians wonder if they are doing something wrong because their own hard work and integrity seems not to be wanted or appreciated. But God tells us repeatedly to act righteously and to speak carefully, so that we will not get caught up in worldly things.

  In Meow Mayhem, the protagonist uproots her life to start anew, but finds that troubles she’d assumed were settled have followed her to the new community. Hoping to fit in, she has to gain the trust of all. However, forces of evil are working against her, undermining all the good things that are planned for the community.

  How do you respond when you suffer because of the choices of others? Do you let thoughts of revenge, self-pity or anger consume you? Do you go through the day with an attitude of defeat or do you rest in the peace that surpasses all understanding? Remember, He will take care of all injustices, whether in this world or the next, so free your soul from being troubled! You need do nothing but continue in faith. God is just and fair as well as merciful.

  LORD, HELP ME ALWAYS TO REMEMBER THAT I HAVE SURRENDERED MY LIFE TO YOU, AND SO YOU ARE IN CONTROL. YOU CAN HANDLE ANY TROUBLES THROWN MY WAY; ALL I HAVE TO DO IS HAVE FAITH AND REST IN THE KNOWLEDGE THAT YOU WILL PROTECT ME FROM EVILDOERS AND ALL THE ILLS OF THE WORLD. I GIVE MY WORRIES TO YOU. IN JESUS’ NAME I PRAY, AMEN.

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