Read Online The Purrfect Lie (Klepto Cat Mystery Book 12) by Patricia Fry - Free Book Online Page A

now.”
    “It was hard to see what he was doing in that video,” Max said. “But he actually cut the wire mesh.”
    “Yeah,” Margaret said. “He made a hole big enough for even that large Maine coon cat to get through.”
    “But they didn’t escape, huh?” Savannah asked.
    “Nope.”
    Savannah looked from one to the other. “So what are you going to do?”
    Max shook his head slowly, looking defeated. “I just don’t know. I’m afraid we’re going to lose some of the cats and I don’t know what we can do about it.”
    “Have you talked to Deputy Jim?”
    “Pshaw,” Margaret said. “You know how much they care about cats down there at the sheriff’s office. Let Rags bring them a clue and they’ll praise him from kingdom come, but call them about someone trying to let your cats out and they don’t have time for you.” She put her hand on Savannah’s arm. “Vannie, I think we should take things into our own hands.”
    “Now, Maggie,” Max said, “let’s think this through. I’m sure we can resolve the issue.”
    She glared at her husband. “Yeah, what do you want to do, put the cats behind six-foot cement walls? Maybe we could rent Fort Knox for them,” she exaggerated.
    He stared at her for a moment. “I’ll think of something.” He stood and hugged his wife, saying, “Everyone’s okay. No one’s been harmed. Now you and Savannah have a nice visit. I’ll take care of things here.”
    Margaret sniffled, wiped at her eyes, and stood on her tiptoes to give her husband a peck on the cheek.
    Before leaving the room Max smiled at Lily, who was standing next to where Savannah sat. “How are you this morning, you cute thing? Do you have a smile for Uncle Max?”
    “Ki-ki,” the toddler said, pointing.
    Everyone turned and saw Rags and Jack walking into the room, Jack still trying to examine the harness Rags wore. “Yes, there are those old ki-kis, all right.” He squeezed the baby’s arm affectionately, smiled, and walked out toward the cat pens.
    “Want coffee or tea?” Margaret asked. She looked at the baby. “How about you? Want a cookie?”
    “Ki-ki,” she said.
    “Tea sounds nice. I brought Lily a snack,” Savannah said as she pulled a package of baby puffs out of her jacket pocket. She picked up the baby and followed her aunt into the kitchen.
    “Ki-ki,” Lily said, pointing at two black cats curled up in little kitty beds.
    Margaret was quiet while she prepared the tea water and placed a few sugar cookies on a plate. She then turned toward Savannah. “I want to do a stakeout. I want to catch that guy before something awful happens.”
    “A stakeout? Do you mean you and Max?”
    “Um, no, I was thinking more about…”
    Savannah sat rigid in her chair and began shaking her head. “Oh no you don’t. You’re not thinking about…uh-uh, not me. I don’t want any part of that. Why don’t you and Max sit up and watch for him?”
    “Well, as you heard, Max isn’t exactly for it. Anyway,” She said defiantly, “I believe in woman power. I thought…”
    Savannah handed Lily another treat while glancing at her aunt. “I don’t think so…you can count me out of that little plan of yours. No way.” She thinned her lips, saying, “I’ll bet you could hire a security company. One of their guards should be able to catch that guy.”
    “…or gal. Vannie, we don’t even know if it’s a guy, a woman…” She slipped into a chair and pondered her niece’s suggestion. “Security, huh? Now there’s an idea.” Margaret stood when she heard the teakettle whistle, then picked it up, and filled two cups with the hot water. Before she could set the kettle back on the stove, something caught her eye. “What the…” she said.
    When Savannah looked in the direction Margaret stared, she broke out laughing. “Oh my gosh, Rags, what have you been doing?” She turned the baby to face the doorway into the living room. “Look at brother kitty. Doesn’t he look