Six Cats A Slayin'

Once I finished my meal, I called the vet’s office and spoke to the receptionist. I told her what I needed, and she reminded me that Athena had one of those chain pet stores. I had forgotten that, because I never had gone inside it. I thanked her for the information and ended the call. I could make a run by the pet store this afternoon after I finished at the archive.

Before I left to return to work I went to the living room to check on Diesel and the kittens. Diesel blinked sleepily at me as I approached the corral, and he yawned, his tail swishing. I rubbed his head while I took in the scene inside the bookshelves. All the kittens were asleep, snuggled together on one of the two makeshift pet beds I had made for them out of several old quilts.

How tiny and defenseless they looked. I couldn’t imagine how anyone could be cruel enough to harm such innocent little creatures, but sadly I knew it happened every day. I would do what I could to ensure their safety while they were in my care, and I intended to solve the riddle of their appearance on my doorstep. I felt sad for the child who’d had to give them up to protect them. They would all go to good, loving homes, one way or another, if they couldn’t return safely to their original home.

I turned and walked softly back across the hall to the kitchen. “All quiet on the kitten front,” I told Azalea. “At the moment they’re all napping.”

Azalea nodded. “Maybe they’ll sleep for a while now. I have plenty to do before Miss Alex comes by with the baby.” Her face creased in a smile. “That little Rosie is the most precious thing.”

My granddaughter, Charlotte Rose Harris, was now almost two months old, and every time I saw her I wanted to melt into the floor. She had Sean’s dark hair and her mother’s pert nose. She was not a placid child, unlike her cousin Charlie, who was hardly ever fussy. Miss Rosie reminded me greatly of her aunt Laura, who had also been a fractious baby.

“I know Alex and Laura both appreciate you helping look after the babies,” I said. “I’m going to run by the pet store after work, but I should be home by four at the latest to help you.”

Azalea looked at me. “The day I can’t take care of a bitty baby is the day they put me in the old folks’ home. Don’t you rush home on my account. Miss Rosie and I will be fine. Besides, Miss Alex is only going to go get her hair done and do a little shopping.”

I knew better than to argue. “All right. See you later.” I headed to my car. I glanced in the rearview mirror and then into the camera to guide me back toward the street. As I kept close watch on my backward progress, I saw the small figure of a woman walking down the sidewalk across the street.

Something about that woman looked awfully familiar. I stopped the car and turned in the seat to look at her. She turned into the walk at Gerry Albritton’s house and approached the front door.

I shook my head as I recognized the woman.

Melba Gilley, secret agent, was on the hunt for information.

FIVE

When I returned to work I thought about leaving a note on Melba’s desk, asking her to come see me when she got back from her lunch hour. Knowing my friend, however, I figured she would make a beeline for my office the minute she set foot in the building to fill me in on her visit to Gerry Albritton.

I didn’t have long to wait. Barely half an hour passed after I returned to my office before Melba hurried through my door.

“I bet you can’t guess where I’ve just been.” Melba almost skidded to a stop by the chair in front of my desk. She plopped down in the chair and looked at me, her expression smug.

“Gerry Albritton’s house.” I tried not to laugh at her obvious annoyance at my answer.

“How did you know?” She sounded cross.

“I saw you practically running down the sidewalk while I was backing out of my driveway after lunch. Didn’t you see me?” I said, and she shook her head. “I’m surprised you didn’t trip and break a leg, you were going so fast.” I couldn’t help exaggerating because I loved to tease her when she was in one of her snoopy moods.

Melba glowered at me. “I’ve got a good mind not to tell you what I found out.”

I grinned. “You’ll bust a blood vessel if you don’t, and you know it.”

She snorted with laughter. “You’re right about that.”

“So spill, what did you find out?”

Melba hesitated, and I could see that she was choosing her words before she responded. “Nothing concrete,” she said after a moment. “I tried asking her questions, but she deflected them. I even mentioned Billy Albritton, but she pretended not to hear me. I didn’t learn anything much.” She paused and shook her head. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen her before, but there’s something about her that’s so familiar. It’s driving me crazy, but I can’t figure out what it is.”

“Maybe she looks a little like somebody else you know,” I said. “I get those feelings sometimes because of a superficial resemblance. Now you, I’ve always thought, remind me a little bit of Paulette Goddard.”