Read Online The Cat, the Mill and the Murder: A Cats in Trouble Mystery by Leann Sweeney - Free Book Online

it’s a wonderful organization and I’m hoping they’ll step in.”
    Candace glanced up at the clock above the fridge. “Sorry. It’s been hours since you told me about Jeannie.We can’t wait. She’s trespassing and if I know about it and don’t do anything before I call it quits for today, I’m in trouble. Phone your friend Dustin and tell him to meet us at the mill with the keys. We’ve got to talk that woman out of there.”
    I sighed heavily. She was right, of course. “But where will you take her? Not to jail, I hope.”
    Tom stood. “I say she needs to be checked out at a hospital. By then, maybe your contact at UHP will call with a solution. Or Pastor Mitch might take her in. Wish I could go to the mill with you, but I have to meet with Penelope Webber about her security system. At least I can keep one council member busy while y’all work on the problem.”
    Candace stood, apparently ready to roll.
    “Wait,” I said, looking up at both of them. “Pastor Mitch said Jeannie dislikes the police—a lot. Maybe you need to change out of your uniform before we try to convince her of anything.”
    “I will happily do that,” she said. “After you phone Dustin, would you mind calling the Main Street Diner and ordering a bunch of burgers and chili dogs? I’m starving. Then we can meet up at the mill, fill our bellies and bring in a bag of food for Jeannie. She’s more likely to cooperate if she’s not hungry.”
    “Good idea.” I took out my phone and as we all walked out to the waiting area, I asked B.J. to give me the number for the Pink House. I then punched the numbers B.J. gave me into my contact list and couldn’t help but sneak a peek at my cat cam. My three amigos were all sleeping, but they would soon awaken. Dusk and dawn are the most active times of day for felines.
    As we walked toward Tom’s car, I called the new owner of the Pink House, a sweet woman named Laura. Mercy draws a few tourists thanks to plentiful antiques and quaint shops, but nothing like Asheville to the northeast.Most people choose to stay there when visiting the area. But Laura was eager to succeed in the B and B business where others had failed.
    “Hi, Laura. This is Jillian Hart. Is Dustin Gray in his room?”
    “Um, no. That young man has been pacing the floors, goin’ up and down the stairs, waiting for I don’t know what. Let me get him.”
    Soon Dustin was on the line and I explained we wanted him to meet us at the mill so we could talk Jeannie into leaving. “Meet us in thirty minutes. We’re bringing food since—”
    “Oh, Laura made this awesome beef bourguignon for an early supper,” he said. “I’m stuffed. See you there.”
    Beef bourguignon, huh?
I thought, as I climbed in the car beside Tom. I might have to spend the night at the Pink House one of these days just for a decent meal.
    *   *   *
    Tom dropped me at my place. I turned on Animal Planet for the kitties and gave them a quick pet, found a flashlight and then went by the diner to pick up the food. Soon Dustin, Candace and I sat in her RAV4 outside the mill fence and ate. Well, Candace and I ate. Dustin just stared at Candace, his expression similar to one my cats wore when they were fixing on a bird out the window—as if he’d love to pounce but knew he didn’t dare.
    Candace, now dressed in blue jeans and a short down jacket, held a wad of French fries close to her mouth and said, “You should do the talking at first, Jillian. You can get anyone to sing off your song sheet.”
    Puzzled by her remark, I said, “I can?”
    She shoved the French fries in her mouth and chewed a few seconds before saying, “You’re nice. Me? I tend to get a little pushy when I want something done in a hurry.”
    I looked at Dustin and nodded. “She
can
be pushy.”
    He smiled.
    “Any which way,” Candace said, “that woman is coming out of that mill tonight. But I am deferring to you to encourage her to leave. At first.”
    “Promise not to