Read Online How to Paint a Cat (Cats and Curios Mystery) by Rebecca M. Hale - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Rebecca M. Hale
Ads: Link
before I called it in.”
The PM replaced the sheath of papers and began thumbing through the rest of the box’s contents. It was pretty tame stuff, he mused. He noted the personnel files of previous interns who had worked for the outgoing mayor over the years. They were a transient bunch, typically staying no longer than a month or two. He couldn’t imagine any of them having information that needed to be hidden in a secret box.
After a few minutes’ review, he cleared his throat as if he had seen nothing of interest. Then his eyes narrowed on a name printed on the edge of one of the file pockets—this man was not a previous City Hall intern.
“You did the right thing,” he said tensely as he lifted the expandable file from the box. He walked around the partition wall to Spider’s desk, took a seat in the chair, and switched on a nearby lamp.
Flipping through the pages, he pulled out a long A4-sized sheet of paper that had been folded in half. He opened the sheet and held it under the light.
It was a picture of two elderly men standing in front of a brightly colored mural. The men wore loose-fitting coveralls, which appeared to be stained with splatters of paint. Buckets and brushes of various types were spread out across a drop cloth protecting the floor.
The mural covered the wall’s entire length. It depicted an earlier San Francisco street scene, populated with dozens of citizens captured in poses reflecting their daily life and activities. An accident attended by a squad of policemen and a bright red fire truck took up one section, while a number of recognizable landmarks spread across the painted horizon.
The PM examined the details and then refolded the sheet. The janitor watched, eyes widening with curiosity.
The PM stroked his chin for a moment before he spoke.
“Let’s keep this between us for now.”
Refolding the paper, he slipped it back inside the file. With a conspiring nod to the janitor, he tucked the file under his jacket and strode briskly out of the cubicle area.
The Mural
Chapter 14
THE EXERCISE REGIMEN
RUPERT HUDDLED BENEATH the living room couch, where he’d retreated following the earlier diet cat food fiasco. Dark and filled with dust bunnies, the furniture bunker was the perfect place to brood.
The aftertaste from the sample bite of diet cat food still lingered in his mouth. He smacked his lips, trying to rid his taste buds of the displeasing residue.
Oh yes
, Rupert thought bitterly.
I will have my revenge.
Wickedness went against his typically sweet nature, but there would be retribution for this dastardly deed.
His furry brain spun as he considered his options. There were many potential avenues for attack, but he had to plot his course carefully. Patience and cunning would certainly be required.
He spread himself into a full-length arc across the floor, his favorite thinking position. The distance from the tip of his fluffy tail to the paws of his outstretched front legs spanned almost four feet. His furry eyelids squeezed shut for a moment of intense concentration, as he imagined all sorts of maniacal schemes.
But he soon tired from the effort.
It was difficult to be devious on an empty stomach.
• • •
WADDLING FROM UNDER the couch, Rupert blinked in the main room’s brighter light. As he took a seat next to the coffee table, he turned his gaze to the bulge of white fluff that poked out from his round middle.
Where did that come from?
he wondered with concern. There seemed to be a lot more of him than he remembered.
Maybe he
had
put on an ounce or two. Perhaps he could use a little exercise . . .
Slowly, he slid his body into an alert lion’s stance. The ruff of fur around his neck puffed out as he flexed his muscles and extended his nails. His orange ears swiveled mischievously. His tail began to swing back and forth, thumping loudly against the floor with each rotation.
He glanced furtively around the room, tracking the movements of an imaginary
The PM replaced the sheath of papers and began thumbing through the rest of the box’s contents. It was pretty tame stuff, he mused. He noted the personnel files of previous interns who had worked for the outgoing mayor over the years. They were a transient bunch, typically staying no longer than a month or two. He couldn’t imagine any of them having information that needed to be hidden in a secret box.
After a few minutes’ review, he cleared his throat as if he had seen nothing of interest. Then his eyes narrowed on a name printed on the edge of one of the file pockets—this man was not a previous City Hall intern.
“You did the right thing,” he said tensely as he lifted the expandable file from the box. He walked around the partition wall to Spider’s desk, took a seat in the chair, and switched on a nearby lamp.
Flipping through the pages, he pulled out a long A4-sized sheet of paper that had been folded in half. He opened the sheet and held it under the light.
It was a picture of two elderly men standing in front of a brightly colored mural. The men wore loose-fitting coveralls, which appeared to be stained with splatters of paint. Buckets and brushes of various types were spread out across a drop cloth protecting the floor.
The mural covered the wall’s entire length. It depicted an earlier San Francisco street scene, populated with dozens of citizens captured in poses reflecting their daily life and activities. An accident attended by a squad of policemen and a bright red fire truck took up one section, while a number of recognizable landmarks spread across the painted horizon.
The PM examined the details and then refolded the sheet. The janitor watched, eyes widening with curiosity.
The PM stroked his chin for a moment before he spoke.
“Let’s keep this between us for now.”
Refolding the paper, he slipped it back inside the file. With a conspiring nod to the janitor, he tucked the file under his jacket and strode briskly out of the cubicle area.
The Mural
Chapter 14
THE EXERCISE REGIMEN
RUPERT HUDDLED BENEATH the living room couch, where he’d retreated following the earlier diet cat food fiasco. Dark and filled with dust bunnies, the furniture bunker was the perfect place to brood.
The aftertaste from the sample bite of diet cat food still lingered in his mouth. He smacked his lips, trying to rid his taste buds of the displeasing residue.
Oh yes
, Rupert thought bitterly.
I will have my revenge.
Wickedness went against his typically sweet nature, but there would be retribution for this dastardly deed.
His furry brain spun as he considered his options. There were many potential avenues for attack, but he had to plot his course carefully. Patience and cunning would certainly be required.
He spread himself into a full-length arc across the floor, his favorite thinking position. The distance from the tip of his fluffy tail to the paws of his outstretched front legs spanned almost four feet. His furry eyelids squeezed shut for a moment of intense concentration, as he imagined all sorts of maniacal schemes.
But he soon tired from the effort.
It was difficult to be devious on an empty stomach.
• • •
WADDLING FROM UNDER the couch, Rupert blinked in the main room’s brighter light. As he took a seat next to the coffee table, he turned his gaze to the bulge of white fluff that poked out from his round middle.
Where did that come from?
he wondered with concern. There seemed to be a lot more of him than he remembered.
Maybe he
had
put on an ounce or two. Perhaps he could use a little exercise . . .
Slowly, he slid his body into an alert lion’s stance. The ruff of fur around his neck puffed out as he flexed his muscles and extended his nails. His orange ears swiveled mischievously. His tail began to swing back and forth, thumping loudly against the floor with each rotation.
He glanced furtively around the room, tracking the movements of an imaginary
Similar Books
