Read Online Drape Expectations by Karen Rose Smith - Free Book Online Page B

about it.
    She asked Carstead, “Can I take her—until you know whether her sister wants her or not?”
    Carstead thought about it. “It’s well-known you take care of stray animals in Kismet. I’d just have to call animal control if you don’t take her, and who knows where she’d end up? The thing is, Miss De Luca, what if Alanna’s sister can’t take her? Then what happens?”
    â€œI’ll find her a home, one way or another. I promise.”
    â€œDon’t you already have animals?” he asked.
    Just how much did this detective know about her? “What am I, an urban legend?”
    â€œClose to it. You’ve solved three murders.”
    That had nothing to do with her animals.
    â€œMy cat’s going to be put out. My dog will be curious. But I’ll keep Mirabelle separated to give her some time to adjust to new surroundings before I introduce her to them. After all, maybe Alanna’s sister will want her. What’s her name again?”
    â€œHer name is Twyla. Twyla Horton.”
    Grant and Ace were already getting into Grant’s SUV to drive to the police station.
    Caprice took the carrier from Detective Carstead. “Do you have my number?” As soon as she asked the question, she knew how stupid a question it was. “Of course, you do,” she murmured.
    She thought she saw Carstead’s lips quirk up a bit, and he looked amused for a moment.
    He said, “How is it that when there’s a murder in Kismet, you’re somehow involved?”
    She shrugged. “Kismet’s a small town and I get around.”
    He rolled his eyes at her quick comeback. “I guess you do. Believe me, we have you on our Rolodex and on our computer.”
    After a last glance at the cat carrier, he walked back to the house. As Caprice took Mirabelle to her car and felt the perimeter guarding officer’s eyes on her, she decided that these days Big Brother was watching.
    Grant waved as he drove off and she waved back. He or Ace would let her know what was happening, she felt sure.
    Caprice texted Roz that she was bringing Alanna’s cat home. Roz texted back that she’d take Dylan and Lady to the backyard.
    Mirabelle meowed during a good part of the drive, even though Caprice spoke to her. She knew Persians could be talkative. She wasn’t sure how Lady and Sophia would like that. She did know she was going to settle Mirabelle in her spare room upstairs, until the cat could adjust to being somewhere new. After all, maybe Alanna’s sister would want her. Maybe Ace knew something about Twyla Horton.
    Ace—he was going to be grilled. Detective Jones wouldn’t waste any time if he was on the case, too. Just how much would Grant let Ace say? The bigger question was: Would Ace listen to Grant?
    At her home, Caprice exited the Camaro, then carried Mirabelle to the front door. She knew Lady and Sophia were intelligent and was certain their animal instincts would tell them a new feline was in that spare room when they reached under the door, smelled up the sides, just got any kind of whiff at all.
    Mirabelle looked healthy, but Caprice would still like to have her checked out at Furry Friends Veterinary Clinic. Marcus Reed, her pets’ veterinarian, would give her a true estimation of Mirabelle’s condition. She trusted his advice.
    Sophia, deep in sleep on her cat tree, paid Caprice no mind when she scooted up the stairs. In the spare room, Mirabelle just seemed tired from the whole day’s activities. She jumped up on the single bed and plopped in the middle of the teal blue quilt. She meowed a few times as if to ask guest-type questions: How long can I sleep? Am I safe here? Is it suppertime yet?
    Caprice sat on the bed beside her, stroking her. She’d make sure Mirabelle felt comforted and loved for however long she was here.
    Worried about Ace, she spent a few more minutes with Mirabelle; then she went downstairs