Nozy Cat 1

by Lyn Key

  “To tell the truth, I’d forgotten about it until you just mentioned it.” Travis smiled. “Why hasn’t Nozy Cat spilled it to Hope? She’s his owner.”

  “He’s been postponing it until he feels she’s ready to accept it. Hope is more high strung and skeptical than most folks are.”

  “I’ve also noticed that about her. I’m sorry you fretted. At any rate, Nozy Cat is Hope’s responsibility and not ours.”

  Peggy Sue wagged her head. “I’ve got a sneaky feeling we’re all going to be hit with the trouble coming down the road.”

  “What trouble is that, Peggy Sue?”

  “I don’t want to speculate what it might be. It’s just going to be bad.”

  “When you and Hope are together, you get each other too worked up,” Travis said. “Turn the volume back up. We’re missing the funny part of Barney Miller.”

  Peggy Sue also took back up her knitting project, but she didn’t feel much like chuckling as Travis did from watching the TV sitcom.

  ***

  “I knew something was wrong,” Peggy Sue said at the front counter of the bookshop the next morning. “The premonition hit me while I was driving here from the dentist’s office. I didn’t think I’d be so long, but my dentist is away on an Alaskan cruise, and I got stuck with Doctor Slowpoke. I thought he’d dozed off while he picked and poked at my teeth for cavities. Who is the dead man?”

  “Hugo Spangler,” Hope replied.

  “Poor Hugo.” Peggy Sue shook her head. “Where?”

  “He lay over in the poetry section.”

  “Really? I never knew Hugo read poetry. Did Nozy Cat tell you?”

  “Yes, he did, and I also found out he speaks English if he feels like he has something to say. I wish you’d told me he can.”

  “I’m sorry, Hope, but I promised Nozy Cat I wouldn’t say anything to you.”

  “Just forget about it because we face a bigger problem.”

  “How do you mean? We’re back in business selling books.”

  “We have the dead man.”

  “Not anymore we don’t. Hugo poked into the bookshop after you opened it. Then he died. You notified the proper folks. End of story. Did Hugo suffer a fatal heart attack?”

  Nozy Cat jumped up on the countertop and sat down. No, somebody murdered Hugo and left his dead body in here during the night. That’s why the police had to get involved.

  “Murder? Police?” Peggy Sue’s eyes widened like the ripples on the pond surface stirred by a tossed-in pebble. “I figured Hugo had a bad ticker that ticked its last tick, and he keeled over dead. That’s all it was.”

  “Sorry. I thought you understood me,” Hope said.

  “Could you be mistaken?” Peggy Sue asked.

  “I wish I were, but the police ruled it a homicide, and I don’t think you can appeal their decision,” Hope replied.

  “Who’d want to do in poor Hugo?” Peggy Sue asked.

  Hope shrugged. “So the murder mystery begins,” she said.

  “I can see a dead body in a billiards parlor or loan’s shark office but not in a used bookshop,” Peggy Sue said. “How did Hugo’s dead body get in here last night?”

  “The police asked me the same question,” Hope replied.

  “And…?” Peggy Sue asked.

  “And I responded I’d no idea under the sun,” Hope replied. “What else could I say?”

  “Did they believe you?” Peggy Sue asked.

  “The detective—Sergeant Trogg is the same one who still hasn’t solved J.D.’s case—gave me the squinty eye the entire time we spoke,” Hope replied.

  J.D. was Hope’s late husband killed in a hit-and-run accident.

  Never trust a squinty-eyed, lazy cop. They always look for taking the easy way out. Sergeant Trogg wants to find a fall gal, and Hope fits the bill. I’d stake my next meal on he aims to try and prove she’s Hugo’s killer.

  Hope laughed her jittery laugh. “I hardly think the situation is as dire as you’re making it.”

  Both Nozy Cat and Peggy Sue arched their eyebrows at Hope.

  “Are you sure about that?” Peggy Sue asked. “What Nozy Cat just said makes a lot of sense if you think about it.”

  He’s building a criminal case as we speak to charge Hope Jones and let’s not forget Peggy Sue Roswell for the murder of Hugo Spangler.

  Peggy Sue startled. “Hey, wait a minute. How did I get dragged into this fray? I haven’t met or spoken to Sergeant Trogg, and I was in the dentist’s chair when Hugo’s dead body came to light.”

  “I told Sergeant Trogg you were the last person who was in the poetry section when he asked me,” Hope replied.

  “I only saw poetry and no dead bodies,” Peggy Sue said.

  Nozy Cat raised his shoulders as much as a cat is able to shrug. It doesn’t matter one whit. Sergeant Trogg probably has it in for you more than he does for Hope.

  “What am I going to tell Travis when I get home?” Peggy Sue asked.

  Honesty is always the best policy.

  Hope nodded.

  “Then what are we supposed to do next?” Peggy Sue asked.

  Have you ever played the dice game Clue?

  “Hope and I did as kids, but I don’t remember anything about the rules, or how a player goes about winning it,” Peggy Sue replied.

  You’re going to get a crash course in how you play to win it. You and Hope are going to have to put your heads together and suss out who killed Hugo and left his dead body over yonder. Otherwise, Sergeant Trogg will pay us another visit, and it’s Hope and Peggy Sue say hello to Miranda.

  Peggy Sue looked at Hope with a nod. “That’s one savvy cat you have there,” she said. “Be sure to bring him in everyday. We’ll need him.”

  I’ll never steer you wrong or let you down, and you can take that to the bank.

  Hope groaned. “What I found this morning isn’t why I started the bookshop. I just wanted to settle into a second career while I was having a little fun while doing it.”

  You can chuck that quixotic notion out the window. What we face is an old-fashioned homicide mystery, and the stakes for solving it couldn’t be any higher. Luckily, I’m an inquisitive tomcat, and you’re a sharp-eyed pair of snoops.

  “Nozy Cat lays out the most practical way for us to go,” Peggy Sue said. “I’ll only add we have to stay one jump ahead of Sergeant Trogg.”

  “But I don’t want to be a grubby private eye,” Hope said. “I say yuk to ferreting around in people’s affairs and learning their unsavory secrets.” She shuddered in revulsion.

  “Would you prefer instead to be a grubby prison inmate wearing the same outfit and shoes everyday as well as never using any makeup?” Peggy Sue asked.

  Hope peered over Peggy Sue’s shoulder at the coat rack. “Where did I hang up my chianti trench coat?” Hope asked.

  Chapter 3

  Sergeant Trogg used the same squinty eye on Peggy Sue as he’d given Hope on his first visit to the bookshop. While the hunch-backed, wiry man with the crooked teeth, scraggly eyebrows, and beaky nose didn’t outright scare Peggy Sue, she regarded him with cagey wariness. She wasn’t the only one. Nozy Cat hissed like a goose at him before hopping off the front counter and leaving for the back room.

  “I speak to the other partner in crime,” Sergeant Trogg said in his gruff tenor. “How nice it is to meet you, Peggy Sue Roswell.”

  She jumped to their defense. “Hope and I are bookshop partners which isn’t a crime the last time I checked.”

  “I’ve never had much use for books or reading them,” Sergeant Trogg said. “I’d go so far as to say the people who like to read books leave me suspicious, and I generally don’t trust them.”

  “We’ve taken a break from our morning routine to cooperate with you,” Hope said. “Let’s spend our time constructively.”

  “Are you in a hurry to get rid of me?” Sergeant Trogg asked.

  Hope and Peggy Sue let the hanging silence be their response.

  “You
’d better get used to me conducting my investigation around here,” Sergeant Trogg said. “I’ve already noted key details. For instance, your covert surveillance cameras in the ceiling don’t work. Isn’t that convenient for you?”

  “The surveillance cameras haven’t functioned since we signed the lease with our landlord Gus,” Hope said. “We never paid to have them repaired since used books aren’t high on the thieves’ want lists.”

  “Thanks for the tip,” Sergeant Trogg said. “But I already know what robbers like to steal and sell.”

  “When did Hugo die?” Hope asked.

  “Sometime last night is our best estimate at this point,” Sergeant Trogg replied.

  “Then how did he die?” Hope asked.

  “In case you don’t know it, Mrs. Jones, I’m the one who asks the questions around here,” Sergeant Trogg replied.

  “We’d like to get back to our work as you’re doing with yours,” Hope said.

  “I’m leaving but you can be sure I’ll be back soon,” Sergeant Trogg said. “Don’t get any bright ideas and decide to beat it out of town. I’ll want to keep you within easy reach for when I return to ring you up on homicide charges.”

  Do you see now? What did I tell you? Maybe the next time you’ll listen to me. Nozy Cat had returned to his vantage point on the countertop.

  “Hope and I won’t be going anywhere but home,” Peggy Sue said. “We’re Sweet Springs born, bred, and buttered. We have nothing to hide or feel guilty about as long as you’re willing to let the whole truth come out.”

  Sergeant Trogg smiled in an almost friendly way. “The truth is a funny thing,” he said. “Sometimes it sets you free, and other times it sends you to prison.”

  You’ve said your piece. Now you may leave us alone.

  Sergeant Trogg glared at Nozy Cat. “Isn’t he the same ill-tempered cat who hissed at me earlier?”

  “Nozy Cat is hardly an ill-tempered cat,” Hope replied. “You startled him with your sudden appearance while he was napping in his favorite spot.”

  No, I hissed at him because I don’t like him. Period.

  “See that he behaves the next time I come in here, or I might have to take steps to subdue him,” Sergeant Trogg said. “Just so you know, I’ve got my eyes fixed on the three of you.”

  We have our three pair of eyes fixed on you, as well.

  Sergeant Trogg cocked his head and cupped his hand behind his ear as if to listen in closer. “Did you hear a dim voice like a radio deejay played so low you can barely make out his broadcast?” he asked.

  “I’ve heard only us talking,” Hope replied, narrowing her eyes to warn Nozy Cat he’d better cut out performing his hocus pocus stuff. He just sat there, acting all innocent and everything as he swished his curled tail back and forth.

  “Now it’s stopped and cleared up,” Sergeant Trogg said. “Isn’t that a peculiar thing to encounter while in here?”

  It was just me toying with him. He deserves it after treating us so shabbily. Nobody messes with the friends of Nozy Cat and gets away with it. Let that be a lesson to you, Sergeant Trogg.

  Peggy Sue laughed. “You just heard an echo because I’ve caught them before while I worked back in the bookshelves. You see, bookshops are magical places, Sergeant.”

  “Books! Patooey!” Scrunching up a dour face, Sergeant Trogg didn’t hold back on expressing his negative sentiments. “Who in the world needs them?”

  “I suppose you’d have us burn all the books if you were made king for a day,” Peggy Sue said.

  “Just tell me when and where, and I’ll bring along the lighter fluid and matches,” Sergeant Trogg said.

  “Goodbye, Sergeant Trogg,” Hope said. “Perhaps you’ll bring us some good news the next time you come to visit us.”

  “I wouldn’t be counting on it,” Sergeant Trogg said before he laughed. “Until we meet again,” he said before he strolled out of the bookshop.

  “We have enough problems without him lurking about with his scowls and bluster intimidating our customers,” Peggy Sue said.

  “He intends to keep a close eye on us,” Hope said. “But as Nozy Cat says, we’ll be sure to do the same with him.”

  Nozy Cat hissed at Sergeant Trogg’s departing police car.

  ***

  “Somebody in the know should write The ABCs of Happy Sleuthing to bring the laypersons like us up to speed,” Hope said.

  “How steep can the learning curve be?” Peggy Sue asked. “If Sergeant Trogg can master it, we can do it just as well.”

  “He’s the professional, and we’re the newbies green as grass,” Hope replied.

  “Even so, I bet he’s never watched Death on the Nile and Murder on the Orient Express three times as I’ve done,” Peggy Sue said. “All I’m saying is we shouldn’t be so pessimistic about our chances before we even get started.”

  Hope petted Nozy Cat purring on the countertop. “You’re in charge of the bookshop security. What might you have to say about it?” she asked.

  Have a little more patience, Hope. It’s still the early going, and we’re gathering all the pieces to the jigsaw puzzle. Let’s delve a little more into Hugo Spangler’s life. Did he make any known enemies? Did he associate with any troublemakers?

  “Nozy Cat asks insightful questions,” Hope said.

  “He sounds like a homicide cop,” Peggy Sue said. “Does he watch the TV cop shows like Travis does his every waking moment?”

  “Nozy Cat is too busy eating to watch much TV,” Hope replied.

  That’s why I never miss tuning in to the bass fishing cable channel. Yummy.

  “We’ll chow down soon,” Hope said. “Right now, I’ll put up the Out to Lunch sign, and we’ll go hunt for the pieces to our jigsaw puzzle.”

  Actually, I already found the first piece to our jigsaw puzzle. Nozy Cat tugged out an object with his teeth and placed it on the countertop. Check it out. He nudged the baseball cap with his forepaw.

  “Where did you get the Baltimore Orioles baseball cap?” Hope asked.

  I snatched it from where it lay beside Hugo.

  “You can’t be doing stuff like that,” Hope said. “It’s against the law to tamper with the evidence of a crime. The police could arrest and send you to jail.”

  Nozy Cat rolled his marble blue eyes at her. I’m a talking cat, Hope. No cop in their right mind is going to bother me.

  “The baseball cap looks almost brand new,” Peggy Sue said. “Also, take note of its short brim.”

  So what if it has a short brim?

  “Hugo probably didn’t wear the baseball cap because it’s a woman’s style cap,” Peggy Sue replied. “His killer may’ve dropped it where you found it beside him.”

  “Or perhaps his killer wants to fool us to think he’s a woman,” Hope said.

  Chapter 4

  “Why can’t I cut school, and you come get me?” Stacey asked. “My classes are a joke. I snooze through Algebra, and I don’t care about the dead people we study about in U.S. History. Who cares who the first woman to serve in the President’s Cabinet was?”

  “Who was the first woman Cabinet Secretary?” Hope asked.

  “Francis Perkins was in all of FDR’s terms,” Stacey replied. “I used the historical fact to make my point.”

  Hope flared her eyes at Peggy Sue who drove them down Main Street, and Peggy Sue smiled back in sympathy.

  “You have one week of school left before the summer break begins,” Hope said. “You have to finish out strong, so I can crow about pasting on the ‘My Kid Made the Honor Roll!’ bumper sticker.”

  “Is Peggy Sue there with you? If she is, put her on the phone, please.”

  “Why do you want to bend her ear?” Hope asked.

  “Because she’s a lot more reasonable than you are,” Stacey replied.

  “But she’s not your mother and I am,” Hope said. “I have the final word, so what I say goes.”

  “Can’t you see even a little wiggle room on this?” Stacey
asked.

  “Sorry, but I don’t find even a little bit,” Hope replied. “You’ll stay in school where you belong.”

  Stacey let out a frustrated scream. “I hate you!” she said.

  “Goodbye, my love,” Hope said.

  “Do I detect trouble in the nest?” Peggy Sue asked.

  Hope shrugged with a mother’s sigh. “It’s the same old thing with a headstrong fifteen-year-old who thinks she has the world figured out better than her dense mom ever will.”

  Peggy Sue laughed. “My goddaughter sounds like a chip off the old block. You acted the same rebellious way at her age and younger even. As I recall, Principal Thighpen used to keep a chair in her office with your name embroidered on the back of it.”

  “Let’s keep a lid on my Principal Thighpen tales. I don’t want to give Stace any more ammo to use against me during our arguments.”

  “Today’s kids are growing up in a more complicated and faster paced world than the one we did.”

  Hope nodded. “Growing up isn’t getting any easier. Since Stace will be in class all afternoon, we can snoop without any phone call interruptions from her.”

  “Then let’s snap to it.”

  Nozy Cat rode sitting on the tuffet Peggy Sue had fashioned from a block of Styrofoam to fit over the center console between the front bucket seats where she and Hope sat buckled up. He also liked to watch the vista rolling up outside the windshield. Right now, he focused on the murder case.

  What else do we know about the individual Hugo Spangler?

  “He was a simple man who lived a simple life in a small Virginia town,” Peggy Sue replied.

  That’s an encouraging first stab. What more is there?

  “I used to see him coming and going when I shopped on Main Street, and he reminded me of a young Travis,” Peggy Sue replied.

  Even so, we have to dig deeper to get to the more personal details. Hope, what have you got on him?

  “He was a young bachelor who lived in his late Aunt Valerie’s old Sears house at the end of Mockingbird Lane,” Hope replied. “He was active in the Lions Club and for the most part paid his bills by doing the odd jobs and whatnot around town.”