Poisoned in Cherry Hills (Cozy Cat Caper Mystery Book 3)

by Paige Sleuth

  Poisoned in Cherry Hills

  A Cozy Cat Caper Mystery

  Book 3

  Paige Sleuth

  Copyright © 2015 Paige Sleuth

  All rights reserved.

  Published by Paige Sleuth.

  This book or portions of it (excluding brief quotations) may not be reproduced without prior written permission from the publisher/author.

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons (living or dead), actual businesses, or actual events is purely coincidental.

  This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. If this ebook copy was not purchased by or for you, please purchase your own copy before reading. Thank you for respecting this author’s work.

  Table of Contents

  CHAPTER ONE

  CHAPTER TWO

  CHAPTER THREE

  CHAPTER FOUR

  CHAPTER FIVE

  CHAPTER SIX

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  CHAPTER NINE

  CHAPTER TEN

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR

  MURDER IN CHERRY HILLS

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  CHAPTER ONE

  “Those two have trouble written all over them,” Imogene Little said, her mouth pinched as she looked across the adoption room set up as part of the Furry Friends Foster Families benefit dinner.

  Katherine Harper’s gaze followed the direction of Imogene’s. Two twenty-something women, a redhead and a blonde, stood arguing in the cat corner. The redhead leaned in the blonde’s face, her cheeks flushed and her arms jerking about. A tabby in the cage behind her had stretched one paw as far as it would go through the bars in order to swat at her swinging ponytail.

  “I hope their antics don’t get us booted from the Cherry Hills Hotel after they were nice enough to donate space for tonight’s event,” Imogene said. “Then they’ll never want to deal with 4F again.”

  Two chihuahuas circled around the women’s feet, yapping as if to referee the disagreement. The dogs weren’t the only creatures who noticed the tension heating up on the other side of the room. Kat would be surprised if anyone in attendance hadn’t gotten wind of it. Several men in the nearby vicinity had even leaned against the walls as if settling in to watch a choreographed performance put on as part of the night’s entertainment.

  “What are they arguing about?” Kat asked, hoping they were in a bidding war over one of the animals present. Between the dozen or so dogs, twenty cats, and one lone rabbit being showcased this evening, the more people who showed an interest in adopting one of the animals, the more of a success tonight’s event would be.

  Imogene groaned, apparently not sharing Kat’s optimism. “Knowing them, a man.”

  Kat turned toward her. “You know them?”

  Imogene nodded. “Lucy Callahan and Heidi Smith have lived here since they were teenagers. Even then they didn’t get along. They both seem to go for the same type, and inevitably somebody’s heart ends up getting broken.”

  Kat frowned at the mention of men. Sneaking a peek at the wall clock, she wondered where her own date was. Hopefully Andrew Milhone hadn’t gotten caught up at work. Being a police detective, he often kept erratic hours.

  Of course, Kat had to remind herself, calling tonight’s outing a ‘date’ wasn’t entirely accurate. Although she had already elevated it to that level in her mind, she wasn’t sure whether Andrew shared her sentiments. For all she knew, in his mind they were just two childhood friends going out to support the homeless animals of Cherry Hills, Washington. Otherwise, wouldn’t he have called to let her know he’d be running late?

  An angry shout redirected Kat’s attention to the problem developing across the room. “Should we intervene?” she asked Imogene.

  “Other than asking them to leave, I’m not sure what we can do. We might have to let them battle it out for a while longer. But help me monitor the situation. The last thing we need is a brouhaha ruining tonight for everybody else.”

  “I’ll keep an eye on them,” Kat assured her friend.

  “Thank you.” Imogene took a step backward. “Well, I suppose I ought to go circulate like a good hostess. I’ll talk to you later.”

  “Okay.”

  As Imogene wandered off, a large Labrador trotted up to Kat and stuck his head up her dress with enough force to send her wobbling in her stiletto heels. Thankfully, she regained her footing in time to keep from flashing the room, using the dog to steady herself.

  “Sorry ’bout that,” a tall, thin brunette said, pulling on the leash attached to the dog’s collar while trying to maintain her hold on a sparkly clutch bag. She gave the leash another tug, but the dog gave no indication that he’d felt it. “I didn’t expect Champ to be such a handful.”

  “It’s okay,” Kat said, stroking Champ’s head. He gazed adoringly up at her with soulful brown eyes.

  “He looked so despondent in his pen I thought I’d just walk him around for a little while to cheer him up. It turns out he’s walking me more than I am him.”

  Kat tilted her head. “Are you thinking about adopting him?”

  The woman hugged her purse a little tighter. “Oh, I don’t know. It’s such a big commitment, caring for another living creature.”

  “It is,” Kat concurred, “but it can also be very rewarding.”

  The woman regarded her. “Do you have any pets?”

  “Yes, two cats.” Kat couldn’t help but smile as she thought of her beloved tortoiseshells. “They find new ways to amuse me every day.”

  As if he was determined to prove that his entertainment value exceeded anything a cat could provide, Champ sat on his haunches and flapped his front paws, reminding Kat of a seal. Both women laughed as they watched him.

  “Have you ever had a dog before?” Kat asked.

  The woman shook her head, her shoulders sagging a little. “My fiancé never liked animals in the house.”

  Kat didn’t say anything. From the way the woman choked on the word ‘fiancé,’ she figured he was no longer in the picture.

  “I’m Tasha Taylor, by the way,” the woman said.

  “Kat Harper.” Kat reached out to shake Tasha’s hand before remembering she already had her hands full.

  “It’s nice to meet you.” Tasha wedged her clutch under one armpit in order to get a better grip on Champ’s leash. “Maybe I will look into adopting him. Now that I’m all by myself, it makes no sense to live in that big, empty house alone.”

  Kat’s heart warmed at the thought of another animal finding a permanent home. “I’d be happy to help arrange the paperwork if you do decide to take him. I’m one of the 4F board members.”

  “I’ll keep that in mind.”

  A yell drew their attention to the other side of the room. Kat expected to see one of the over-exuberant canines in the center of the commotion, but instead she saw Lucy and Heidi. The redhead had her feet planted in a battle stance, her fists jammed on her hips as she leaned within an inch of the blonde’s face.

  “I wonder what that’s about,” Tasha said.

  Kat suppressed a groan. “Tasha, would you excuse me?”

  Tasha didn’t look at her, her gaze transfixed on the scene across the room. “Sure. It was nice meeting you.”

  Kat threaded her way through the room, squeezing by several dogs and more than several dinner attendees. The dogs jumped at her wi
th enthusiasm, overstimulated by all the activity. The humans in attendance didn’t seem to be much better behaved, Kat observed as she watched the redhead shake her finger in front of the blonde’s nose. Kat held her breath, fully expecting the woman to get one of her knuckles bitten off.

  Fortunately, Kat arrived before the women could escalate to physical violence. “Hi there,” she greeted, pretending she hadn’t just stepped into the middle of a heated argument. “I’m Kat Harper. I don’t believe we’ve met yet.”

  The two women glowered at each other for a moment longer before the blonde broke eye contact. She turned toward Kat, although she didn’t return her smile. “Heidi Smith,” she said.

  The other woman—who could only be Lucy Callahan—sneered. “Take my advice, Kat, and avoid Heidi at all costs.”

  Kat had hoped her mere presence would turn the conversation to more neutral topics, but that apparently had been wishful thinking on her part. “Is there a problem here?” she asked, rotating her gaze between Lucy and Heidi.

  Heidi folded her arms across her chest and jutted her chin in Lucy’s direction. “The only problem is her.”

  Lucy scoffed. “Please. You’re the one who insists on following me around everywhere.” She looked pointedly around the room. “Isn’t there somewhere else you can go stand?”

  “I’m only over here because this is where the cats are,” Heidi replied.

  Kat brightened. “Oh, you’re looking to adopt?”

  Heidi nodded. “If I find one that seems like a good fit.”

  Lucy snorted. “She means she wants a black cat to go with her broom and witch’s hat. Halloween is only two months away, you know.”

  Heidi darted Lucy a sharp look through narrowed eyes.

  Kat cleared her throat. “Well, we have almost twenty cats currently up for adoption. Perhaps we could discuss your lifestyle and temperament requirements to find you a good match.”

  “Her lifestyle consists of poaching on other people’s boyfriends,” Lucy piped up. “In fact, I don’t believe you’ve ever managed to snag a man without stealing him from somebody else, have you, Heidi?”

  Heidi ignored her, choosing instead to focus on Kat. “I’d be happy to discuss these animals with you before the night is over. Right now though, I need some fresh air.”

  Kat forced her lips up into a smile. “I understand. Come find me when you’re ready.”

  “Good riddance,” Lucy called out as Heidi walked away.

  Kat watched Heidi retreat, noting the way she kept her shoulders folded inward as if shutting out her surroundings. Kat sensed a sadness about her and found herself torn between going after her to offer some comfort and staying put to keep Lucy from hunting her down and making her life more miserable. She didn’t know which of the women had started tonight’s hostilities or what exactly their man problems were, but, based on the short interaction she’d seen, Lucy seemed to be the instigator.

  When Heidi disappeared from view, Kat twisted back around to give Lucy her full attention. The tabby that had been playing with Lucy’s ponytail earlier reached a paw through the bars again, prompting Kat to smile.

  “It looks like you have an admirer,” she said.

  Lucy visibly perked up, her eyes darting around the room.

  “I mean behind you,” Kat clarified, pointing.

  Lucy rotated around to peer at the tabby, her features softening a fraction. “That one is pretty cute.”

  “All adoption fees are half off tonight,” Kat encouraged.

  Lucy frowned. “I’d really love to take him, but my place doesn’t allow pets.”

  “Oh, that’s too bad.” Kat silently questioned why Lucy was hovering in the cat corner if that were the case. Had she chosen this spot only to pester Heidi?

  “It sucks,” Lucy said. “But I’ve been thinking about moving. Maybe once I’ve found a new place I can come back for him, if he’s still available.”

  Kat’s brain kicked into gear. She was determined to do what she could to find homes for the felines. “My building has vacancies, and they allow pets.”

  Lucy’s eyes brightened. “Really?”

  Kat nodded. “I live in Cherry Hills Commons, and I know of at least three empty units at the moment. If you’re serious about moving, you shouldn’t have any problems renting one of them.”

  Lucy tapped her chin. Any animosity she’d displayed earlier had completely disappeared now. “I’ll have to look into that. What’s the address?”

  Kat gave it to her, then caught the tabby’s eye. She swore the feline winked.

  Kat smiled. With any luck, the tabby would soon have a permanent home.

  She only hoped Lucy was kinder to animals than she had been to Heidi Smith.

  CHAPTER TWO

  “Kat, we have a crisis,” Imogene said, swooping toward Kat not one minute after she’d found her designated seat in the dining area.

  Kat stood up. “What is it?”

  Willow Wu halted right behind Imogene, a pained expression distorting her Asian features. “It’s my fault for seating them together. I didn’t know they had a history between them.”

  Imogene patted her hand. “How could you possibly know? Their bad blood goes back years before you moved to town.”

  “Who are you talking about?” Kat asked.

  “Why, Lucy Callahan and Heidi Smith, of course,” Imogene said, as if they were the only two women with a rivalry in Cherry Hills.

  Willow grimaced. “I ended up assigning them to the same dinner table.”

  Kat’s stomach lurched. She couldn’t imagine Lucy and Heidi’s behavior magically improving over dinner.

  Imogene wrung her hands. “If only we’d noticed before I made the announcement that the dining room was opening up.”

  Kat had to silently agree as she watched the mob of people filing into the room to locate their table number and place setting. Many of tonight’s guests had already shaken out their cloth napkins or sipped from the water and iced tea glasses set out at every seat.

  “Did Lucy or Heidi come with anybody else?” Kat asked.

  Willow nodded. “Heidi’s here with her sister, Rebecca.”

  “Then why don’t Andrew and I switch places with them?” Kat suggested.

  Imogene grasped Kat’s wrist as if clinging to a lifeline. “Really? You wouldn’t mind?”

  Kat shook her head, wiggling out of Imogene’s grip. “Andrew’s not even here yet, and I haven’t touched my setting. I’ll just flag him over to the right table when he arrives.”

  Imogene rubbed her palms together. “Oh, that would be marvelous! You’re an absolute lifesaver!”

  Kat shrugged, shifting self-consciously as Imogene gazed at her with something approaching hero worship. She really didn’t think her idea was all that novel.

  Imogene touched Willow’s arm. “Why don’t you go intercept Heidi and Rebecca before they settle in? I’ll lead Kat to her new table.”

  Willow nodded and rushed off.

  Imogene shuffled sideways, motioning for Kat to follow. “Come along.”

  They pushed their way through the dining room, stopping only briefly to greet several of the other guests. Imogene seemed to know everyone in the room, which slowed down their progress despite how she tried to deflect all the attempts to engage her in conversation.

  When they’d successfully maneuvered through the crowd, Imogene aimed her finger at one of the tables. “There you are. And, luckily enough, both of the Smiths’ place settings look untouched.”

  Lucy, who was already seated, twisted around. “Imogene, you’re just the person I wanted to see. I need to talk to you about this.” Lucy jabbed a finger at Heidi’s name printed in scrolling font on the place setting to her left.

  “That’s already been taken care of,” Imogene chirped. She rested her hand on Kat’s forearm. “Kat and her date will be switching seats with Becca and Heidi.”

  Lucy exhaled. “Thank goodness. And here I thought I’d have to sit next to that ma
n-stealer all night long. Do you know what the first thing she said to me this evening was?”

  Kat’s heart sank. She had anticipated this evening being filled with pleasant conversation, but apparently that wasn’t going to happen.

  Lucy folded her arms across her chest, her eyes flashing. “She had the nerve to ask where my boyfriend was, like she wanted to rub it in that I didn’t have a date. But I’ll have you know, I chose to come alone tonight. To tell you the truth, I’m sick of men.”

  Imogene inched backward, looking between Kat and Lucy with a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Well, I’ll leave you two alone to get acquainted.”

  Lucy lifted her hand up and waved as Imogene scurried away.

  Kat slipped into the chair originally reserved for Rebecca Smith, leaving the seat between her and Lucy for Andrew. She felt a bit guilty about her plan to use him as a conversational buffer, then exonerated herself with the reminder that he was the one who had opted to show up late.

  But to her dismay, the empty chair between them did nothing to deter Lucy. She leaned across it and said, “Let me tell you about my last boyfriend, Kyle, and how Heidi turned him against me.” She snorted. “You’re going to love this.”

  Kat swallowed and resisted the urge to look at the clock. Next time, she would think twice before she volunteered to switch places with someone else at dinner.

  CHAPTER THREE

  “So, what’d I miss?” Andrew Milhone asked Kat, sliding into the empty seat between her and Lucy.

  Kat groaned. “For starters, a heated debate between your neighbor on the right and Heidi Smith.” She kept her voice low so Lucy couldn’t overhear.

  Andrew stole a glance at Lucy before spinning back around. He hunched closer and adopted Kat’s same conspiratorial tone. “What were they arguing about?”

  “Men.”

  He grinned. “There just aren’t enough of us to go around, huh?”

  Kat made a face. “According to Imogene, they’ve been fighting over guys for years.”

  “In that case, maybe they’ll put on another performance before the night is over.”