Sam and Dee piled into the car with the two cats and the sheriff drove as quick as lightening to Matthew’s fancy home overlooking the sea. It was a huge modern home that he had had specially constructed with floor to ceiling windows that looked over the ocean.
Matthew greeted them at the door with a wide smile. Dee felt that familiar weak-at-the-knees feeling but quickly dismissed it. She realized that Matthew was really good at making people like him. Perhaps too good.
“What can I do for you fine folk?” he asked jovially.
“We’d just like to have a little chat,” the sheriff answered, pushing by him. The cats ran in after.
They all settled on sleek gray sofas arranged artfully in front of the dramatic view. “Can I get you anything?” Matt asked, unruffled by their intrusion.
“I think we’re fine. Son, Dee and Sam here picked up Jacob Miller last night. He was intoxicated and he left his phone by accident in their possession. There were a long series of threatening messages left by a person who seems to have knowledge of his family’s financial system and the first name of his mother. What I didn’t know was that you are in fact Jacob Miller’s stepbrother, correct?”
Matt paled slightly. “We are,” he replied stiffly. “But we don’t really talk.”
“Son, I have to say this looks bad for you,” the sheriff said. “Without Misty in the picture, you would be poised to take over the Brown business. There’s a huge amount of money at stake. Did you or did you not ask Jacob Miller to help you kill Misty?”
Matt stood up. “This is ridiculous. Get out of my house. I will not have you accusing me of these outlandish things. Speak to the Browns and they’ll tell you I’d never do a thing like that.”
The sheriff stood up too. “From what I could tell Sarah was shocked by the messages sent to Jacob and not unconvinced that you could be involved.”
Matt’s face went bright red. “Get out of my house!” he yelled and started pushing the sheriff out the door.
“I’ll have to arrest you just for assaulting a police officer,” Daniels yelled. But he had a tough time of it because Matt was much younger and stronger. The two men grappled. Just then, Joe sprinted from his corner and made a dash at Matt’s feet. The man lost his balance and tripped, allowing the sheriff to clap a pair of handcuffs on.
Joe himself had gained so much velocity that he almost crashed right into the wall, except that Clem, who had dashed out after him, got in the way and slowed him down. The two tumbled along the floor but then got up, unhurt.
Dee and Sam collected the cats and watched as the sheriff took off with Matt in the car. “Guess we’re going to have to find our own way home,” Sam commented.
“Well let’s do it soon,” Dee replied. “After the night we’ve had I’m ready to sleep for a year.”
Chapter 15
Sam brought over two steaming mugs to their favorite table at the Cove Café. Deirdre was already nestled into a floral upholstered chair. There was a big slice of carrot cake on the wicker table between them. Sam handed her a pumpkin latte and she inhaled deeply the scent of cloves and cinnamon.
“Mmm,” she breathed. “What a perfect way to spend a Sunday afternoon.”
It had been two weeks since Matthew had been taken in for questioning. Since that time, they’d been able to find Matt’s burner cell and match it to the messages that Jake had received. Matt had been charged and was facing trial in the coming months.
“Have you spoken to Sarah?” Sam asked.
“Briefly. They’re both devastated that Matthew would take Misty from them. They paid and treated him well. I suppose he was just more ambitious than anyone knew. Or jealous of Misty for inheriting something he felt she didn’t deserve and that he wanted so badly. It’s a terrible situation.”
Sam nodded. “And Jake?”
“Sheriff Davis called me yesterday to say that if he testifies against Matt he’ll get a more lenient sentence. I think he’s going to cooperate. But it doesn’t look good that he didn’t come forward sooner. He could have sought police protection.”
“Maybe he really did want the money, for his mom or even for himself. Who knows?”
“Indeed.” Dee took a long comforting sip of her latte. “Oh, that’s perfect. Now that it’s properly fall all I want are hot drinks by the fire. And no more heartbreaking cases like the one we just solved.”
“Oh so we solved it this time?” Sam teased. “We’re a team now?”
Dee flushed. “I suppose so.”
“Well I certainly hope we’re done being mad at each other. I don’t like being at odds with you.”
“No, me neither. I’m sorry I was being a bit batty. I have no right to be jealous or to accuse you of not taking me seriously. You’re a good friend and I think I take advantage of that sometimes,” Dee admitted, cheeks burning.
Sam sighed. “I don’t mind so much if you’re jealous. After all, I wouldn’t want another guy to be friends with you.”
Dee laughed. “Now you’re the jealous one.”
Sam looked at her straight-on. “And I always will be. You don’t think I take you seriously, Deirdre Clark? No, my dear, I take you very seriously indeed.”
THE END
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Other books by Nancy C. Davis:
Deirdre the Cat lady sleuth
Cat Sleuth: A Pattie Lansbury MysteryMurder and a Song
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