“I think I’ll make some more coffee,” sang out Olivia. She gave Gary a swift poke in the ribs. “I need some help.”
“You do?” At her look, he nodded and gave me a wide grin. “Oh, yeah. You do. We’ll be back soon, Shell, but don’t worry, not too soon.”
They vanished into the kitchen and I motioned for Josh to sit down. “Pay them no mind,” I said. “They’re just a little tired.”
Josh set the flowers on the coffee table. “And how are you feeling?”
“A little bit foolish, but otherwise fine.”
He crossed his arms over his chest and gave me a stern look. “That certainly was foolish of you, to go off like that without notifying anyone.”
“I know, but I wasn’t thinking. Once I found out about the busts, and Mrs. Miller made that ID, I knew where the murder weapon had to be, and the only thing I could think of was getting to it before the killer had a chance to get rid of it.” I shot him a sheepish grin. “Next time I’ll be more careful.”
Both his eyebrows rose. “Next time? Don’t tell me you’re thinking of joining the detective squad now?”
“Oh, heck no,” I said quickly. “I’ve got lots to keep me busy. See!” I flipped through the paper until I came to the advertisement section. I pointed to the half-page ad at the top:
Grand Reopening. Urban Tails Pet Shop.
Let Us Cater to All Your Pet Needs.
Josh’s eyes twinkled. “So it’s definite.”
I nodded. “I found the original artwork for the very first sign in my aunt’s files, so I put it in right before my little break-in. I figured one way or the other, I’d waited long enough. I’ve even hired live entertainment. One of the acts is a fortune-telling parrot.”
Josh burst out laughing. “That’s different.”
I beamed. “I can’t wait. It’s going to be a gala, all-day affair. I think after all this, it’s just what the doctor ordered.”
Josh rubbed at his chin. “I can see I’m going to have to take the day off. No doubt Sue will want to go, and she’ll need me to mind Secondhand Sue’s.”
“No doubt. I do hope you’ll find time to stop by, though. There will be human entertainment too, and raffles, and prizes, and refreshments . . .”
He held up his hand. “You don’t have to sell me on the idea. I’ll definitely find time to stop by. I always did like that store.” He paused. “Your friend Gary. Will he be helping you with the business?”
“Gary?” I rolled my eyes. “Lord, no. Gary behind a counter? That would surely be a recipe for disaster. He’d probably give the entire store away, when he wasn’t regaling customers with stories about show business, that is. He did volunteer to help me with the technical end, redoing the store’s website, though. And interviewing clerks.”
“Okay then. Sounds like you’ve got everything well under control.” Josh rose. “I should go and let you get your rest. I just wanted to stop by and make sure you were all right.”
Purrday and Kahlua both looked up at Josh. “Merow,” they said in unison.
Josh wiggled one eyebrow. “I see you’re in good hands here. And I don’t mean Gary’s.”
Purrday and Kahlua both jumped up on the couch, one on either side of me. I chuckled. “I think you mean I’m in good paws. I definitely agree.”
Josh turned toward the door, abruptly whirled back to face me. “I hear the theater got that film of Vertigo fixed, so if you’re up to it tomorrow night, maybe we could take it in, get a light supper afterward?”
I smiled at him. “That sounds nice.”
“Good.” He hesitated, then leaned over, brushed my cheek lightly with his lips. “I’ll call you tomorrow. Take care, Shell.”
I couldn’t contain the goofy grin that stretched from ear to ear long after Josh had shut the door behind him. Kahlua snuggled into my hip, closed both eyes. A few minutes later I heard her light snoring. I glanced over at Purrday, who was watching me intently with his good eye.
“What do you think, Purrday?” I asked the cat. “It’s a date, right? Blink if you think it’s a date.”
Purrday blinked his good eye.
“Aha, I knew it.”
Then he blinked again.
“What?”
And yet again.
I shook my finger at him. “You’re messing with my head, aren’t you?”
He lifted his chin. “Merow.”
Gary came back into the room and looked around. “Where’s the good detective?”
“He left, but we’re going to that Jimmy Stewart double feature tomorrow night.”
Gary flopped onto the love seat. “Olivia and I may join you.” As I turned to give him a death stare, he sank back into the cushions. “Or maybe not.”
I chuckled. “Not that I haven’t enjoyed your little visit, but when were you planning on heading back to LA? I’m sure Max is missing you.”
“I did promise to help you out, remember? Redesign your store website, interview potential employees.”
“I know, and I appreciate it, but I guess I feel guilty. I feel like I’m keeping you from going back.”
He was silent for several seconds, then he stretched his long legs out in front of him and laced his hands behind his neck. “Well, that’s the thing. LA is going to have to miss me a while longer, I’m afraid.”
I narrowed my eyes at him. “I’m sorry? What did you say?”
“I was going to wait until you were a little more recovered to tell you this, but I’ve enjoyed my stay here so much, I’ve decided to extend it a bit.”
My eyes narrowed. “A bit?”
“Okay, for a while. Olivia has offered to help me find an apartment in town.”
I swung my feet off the couch and stared at him. “You’re kidding! Why on earth would you want to stay in Fox Hollow?”
“Why, to help you, of course.”
“I don’t need that much help. I just need a running start.”
Gary scratched at his head. “Okay, you got me. I got to thinking you have the right idea about a quieter life. I’m thinking of starting my own business.”
“Your own business?” Well, it could be worse. He could have wanted to work in my pet store. “Doing what exactly? Web designing? Plumbing?”
“Not exactly.” He stood up and fanned his hands. “How does Gary Presser, PI sound?”
I shook my head. “Awful.”
“Ah, you’ll get used to it. It’s only a thought. I haven’t made a final decision yet.” He leaned over and chucked me under the chin. “No matter what, though, just think of it, Shell. You and me together again. The bad guys don’t stand a chance.”
He meandered back in the direction of the kitchen. I looked at the cats. Kahlua was still sleeping. That cat could probably sleep through Armageddon. Purrday, however, was giving me his undivided attention. We’d see who got extra treats tonight.
“Well, fabulous. I’ve got to get Urban Tails up and running, Gary’s sticking around to do God knows what, and I have a date with Josh. Looks like things are back to what passes for normal in my life. What do you say to that, Purrday?”
Purrday stared back at me for nearly a full second.
Then he closed his good eye in a slow, deliberate wink. Once.
Books by T. C. LoTempio
Nick and Nora Mysteries
Meow If It’s Murder
Claws for Alarm
Crime and Catnip
Hiss H for Homicide
Urban Tails Pet Shop Mysteries
The Time for Murder Is Meow
Killers of a Feather (coming soon!)
Cat Rescue Mysteries
Purr M for Murder
Death by a Whisker
About the Author
While Toni LoTempio does not commit—or solve—murders in real life, she has no trouble doing it on paper. Her lifelong love of mysteries began early on when she was introduced to her first Nancy Drew mystery at age ten—The Secret in the Old Attic. She and her cat pen the Urban Tails Pet Sh
op Mysteries, the Nick and Nora Mysteries, and the Cat Rescue Mysteries. Catch up with them at Rocco’s blog, catsbooksmorecats.blogspot.com, or her website, tclotempio.net.
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