by Cy Wyss
“PJ, I can’t tell you. But let me just say your theory is very interesting, and I wouldn’t worry about investigating further.”
“So he was there, and he did shoot his gun.”
“He’s a trigger-happy boy, but you didn’t hear that from me.”
“Hear what?”
Robert smiled. “That’s my girl. Back to Alex and Chip. What happened after Chip fell in the water?”
“Alex went in to try to rescue him. I have footage of them wrestling in the water.”
“Why didn’t you bring that forward?”
“Because it looks like it could go either way. From the context, I know Alex was trying to pull Chip out, and Chip was struggling against him. Then the shot sounded, surprising everyone. Alex dropped Chip, Chip started downstream, and Alex got sucked into the deeper water.”
“I’m surprised Alex wasn’t washed downstream as well. I guess Mutt had something to do with that?”
“I was calling and calling for Mutt. Finally, he showed up, and he went in the water and pulled Alex out. I chased Chip until he washed up on the bank near Constance Norton’s house.”
“I wish you could have called 911. It would have made a difference.”
PJ swallowed. “You’re telling me. I live with that guilt.”
“It’s not your fault you turn into a cat at night. And you weren’t carrying a phone, right?”
“No, and I couldn’t work one even if I was.”
“After Chip washed up, did you see Mrs. Norton roll him back into the water?”
“No. He was on the opposite bank. I tried to cross in the trees overhead but fell in the water. I was washed downstream, hit my head, and woke up the next morning with Bridget poking me. My camera was basically wrecked during the trip through the water. Only small snippets of footage survived, and they weren’t much use.”
Robert shook his head. He ran his fingers through his hair. “Jeez, PJ. We came that close to losing you. What a terrible thought.”
“Yeah. It wasn’t my best moment.”
The two were silent for several minutes, contemplating the swaying foliage and dimming light around them.
“Does Jake still think you’re behind the Stoker Hills thefts?” Robert asked.
PJ snickered. “About that, no. He’s dropped that line of thought.”
“What’s so funny?”
“Basically, I blackmailed him.”
“You what?”
“Well, he doesn’t have any evidence worth mentioning, and I told him a certain video would hit the light if he kept pursuing it.”
“You mean the video you showed me of him being harassed by the squirrels?”
“That’s the one.”
“I’m amazed he dropped it. I would have thought something like that would have made him more stubborn to pursue you.”
“I think the thought of everyone at the station and in the county seeing him the victim of squirrels and a kitten was too much to bear.”
Robert laughed heartily. “That’s funny. At least you’re safe for now.”
“Safe forever—Trent confessed. I guess he got a better deal confessing than when he was keeping his mouth shut and letting Detective Tipton look at me.”
“Good for him. Does it include jail time?”
“No. Some time in juvie hall, but mostly community service. A slap on the wrist, really.”
“Well it’s better than nothing.”
“You know what I think?”
“What?”
“I think he turned state’s evidence on his father’s drug operation. That’s why he’s still walking around instead of being tried as an adult for bringing that package of ingredients to the cook house.”
“Hm. Interesting theory.”
“I know, Robert, you can’t comment on open and active cases. You want to know what else I think?”
“I’m not sure if I do.”
PJ was silent. She stared at Robert with her yellow cat-like eyes. He fidgeted under her stare and at last broke into chuckling. “All right, I do want to hear it. Try me.”
“I think Sheldon Pike isn’t in jail for either the thefts or the drugs because he’s working for you.”
Robert cleared his throat. “No comment.”
“It’s the only thing that makes sense. Otherwise, why wouldn’t he have been arrested along with everyone else during the bust?”
“Who have you told about this theory, PJ?”
“Do you think I’m stupid? No one, of course. I know if he’s one of your operatives, word of this could get him killed.”
Robert nodded. “Just know that there are bigger and badder threats out there that we’re working on, beyond Trent and Sheldon.”
“I know.” PJ patted her brother’s shoulder. “But tell me,” she said, “how did your lie detector test go? I completely forgot to ask you before now.”
“I failed.”
PJ’s mouth dropped open. “No.”
“Yeah, I failed. On one question. They asked if I had knowledge of anything in general that would bear on the Bureau or my work for it. I said no. Of course that was a lie.” He looked at PJ meaningfully.
“I guess your sister turning into a cat definitely has bearing on what the Bureau could do with it if they knew.”
“You would make one killer operative.”
“Well, I kind of am an operative. Just an informal, top-secret one.”
Robert smiled. “Yes, I suppose you are.”
“So what does that mean for your annual report? Are you going to get fired?” PJ sincerely hoped not. She often realized how many privileges she had with respect to law enforcement by having an FBI brother. She would hate to lose them.
“No, I’m okay. Everyone fails a test sooner or later. My work speaks for itself.”
“Whew.”
Robert eyed the setting sun. “When will you shift?”
PJ looked at her watch. “It’s getting to be about that time. Want to watch?”
“Part of me wants to watch. Part of me wants to run away screaming.”
PJ felt the shift coming on. She turned to Robert. Her snout lengthened and her body started to shrink.
“Oh. Wow,” he said.
After the metamorphosis, Robert stared at PJ for quite some time. She cleaned her face and paws carefully, then sniffed magnolia leaves. At last, Robert seemed to recover.
“Want a ride home?” he asked. “Or are you going to walk and explore?”
“Meow,” PJ said.
“Does that mean you do want a ride home?”
“Meow.”
“Want to play some more chess when we get to your trailer?”
“Meow.”
“I can put the coffee on.”
PJ started to purr and rubbed herself against Robert’s legs. He reached down and picked her up carefully. She settled into his arms, and he stroked her back gently.
“Crazy,” he said.
“Meow,” she said.
They gave Chip Greene’s headstone one last glance, then headed off toward Robert’s truck in the direction of the setting sun. The sky was streaked with hot pink, although PJ saw only shades of gray. She shifted in Robert’s arms and said, “Rawr.”
“I know. It’s a beautiful sunset,” Robert said. “Kind of restores your faith in life and the universe, doesn’t it?”
PJ fully agreed.
Table of Contents
Title Page
Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20