In spite of Burt’s insistence that he reward her by taking her out for a meal, she begged off, insisting she was too tired. Even though she heard the disappointment in his voice, she was too exhausted to care. As they strolled side by side back to their respective vehicles, Burt kicked a cardboard box out of his way. And something inside made a noise.
Jonelle stopped and cocked her head. “What’s that?”
“Rats, probably. Let’s get outta here. Those suckers seem to grow larger in the dark.”
The noise sounded again. “No. Doesn’t sound like a rat.”
Taking advantage of the still lit area, Jonelle approached the box and looked inside. A small calico kitten stared back up at her. “Poor thing,” Jonelle said.
“Leave it. Its mama is probably around here somewhere. She’ll be back for it.”
“I guess.” Jonelle walked on a few steps. The kitten cried again.
“I can’t. I can’t leave it here.” She went back and stared into the dilapidated box. “There’s been too much death lately for my taste and this kitten’s chances of surviving out here alone are slim to none.”
Before she slipped her hand around the tiny body, she said, “Listen, cat. I don’t want to leave you here so I’m giving you a short test. I’m gonna pick you up and if you scratch me, you’re facing life out here on your own. Got it?”
“Are you talking to a cat?” Burt asked, his voice full of humor.
Jonelle ignored him, reached inside and picked up the kitten. Instead of scratching her hand, the tiny ball of fur started purring. “Okay,” she said, stroking the small body. “You passed this first test.”
Burt laughed. “I never figured you for a cat lady.”
Jonelle rolled her eyes at him and walked the rest of the way to her car, kitten snug against her chest. “The least I can do is take her to a shelter tomorrow.”
“You want I should give a quick look around, see if there are any more. A bona fide cat lady can’t have just one, you know.”
“Oh shut up.” Jonelle grabbed a cardigan from the Jeep’s back seat, molded it into a nest and settled the kitten on the passenger seat. She blocked off the side next to the door with her tote bag.
She waved goodbye to Burt, who walked off, shaking his head.
Jonelle looked down at her furry companion, curled into a tight ball. “Life sucks sometimes, did you know that kitty? Awful what human beings do to one another.” She touched the tiny body again.
On the way to her condo she stopped at the pet store for supplies, taking the store clerk’s advice to purchase a few cans of kitty formula and a small dropper in case the kitten didn’t know how to lap up the mixture. Returning to her car, there was a momentary sense of panic when she didn’t see it, followed by immense relief when she found the small body burrowed under the sweater. Surprised at the magnitude of her feelings when she thought she’d lost it, Jonelle used her cell phone to call the vet’s office to get the times they’d be open and headed home.
Poor thing’s going to need a checkup.
Acknowledgments
To Editor Amy Harke-Moore, thank you for helping me shape the story. A special thank you goes to all my fellow DreamweaversINK writers. Your invaluable critiques kept the story headed in the right direction.
About The Author
R. Lanier Clemons is an award winning author and active member of Sisters In Crime, International Thriller Writers and the Maryland Writer’s Association. She lives in Maryland with her cat, Lucy and buckskin Connemara/Thoroughbred cross Glendale’s Ramsey.
The Trickster (A Jonelle Sweet Mystery Book 3) Page 28
