When the Cat's Away

by Molly Fitz

  “You’re stressed.”

  “Of course I am! My own niece is sabotaging me.” Margaret looked over her shoulder. She’d raised her voice. The party was still in full swing, but soon, people would know what was happening back here.

  “Why don’t you want your aunt to have the gallery, Nicole?” I asked. “You’ve mentioned a few times that you think it’s too much for her, and you think she should retire. She loves it. Why do you want to take it away from her?”

  She let out an exasperated sigh. “Auntie, this house is worth millions. The paintings are popular now, but what happens when Bellamy’s fifteen minutes is over? The gallery will be empty, like it was before. You’ll lose money, and your retirement won’t be comfortable.”

  “Who said I wanted to retire?”

  “If you sold, you could move back to France with your artist friends and the never have to worry about anything again. You know so much about art, but it’s not the same as being business savvy.”

  “I’ve never cared about such things.”

  “But don’t you want to take care of your family? We’ve had some bad fortune lately with investments, and selling this property could do a lot of good for all of us.”

  “So you thought if you drummed up some controversy and took the painting, you could sell the inventory, and then convince your aunt to sell the house. And you wanted to convince her she was too old to have the gallery by having the painting stolen and dumping a cat at a shelter. Poor old Margaret can’t handle the stress. She can’t even keep a cat. Get the old woman out of the way, no reason for her to be attached to Boston or the house, and be set for life.”

  “That’s not what I said at all,” Nicole challenged. “I’m taking care of my family.”

  “So am I.” Margaret picked up the receiver of the ancient phone hanging on the wall. “And you can tell the police the rest of the story when they get here.”

  Chapter Eleven

  “We missed our dinner reservations,” Brooke said. The gallery party was supposed to end at nine, but no one was leaving when the police showed up and dragged Margaret’s niece out in handcuffs. Martin was still at large, never coming back after he “moved the car.” Rumor had it that she’d been having an affair with the city’s biggest real estate developer, and if I had to guess, he had an eye on building on this very spot.

  Now, we had a reason to celebrate.

  “Good thing, I’m totally stuffed. I’m going to have to spend some serious time on the elliptical tomorrow after all these cheese balls.” Casey put her hand on her stomach. “Addie, I can’t believe you figured out who stole the painting.”

  “I can’t either. I never thought it could actually be Nicole, but now it makes so much sense.” I was still in shock. The police had questioned me, and I’d told them everything I’d told Margaret. Including that Persephone had talked to me. The officer’s eyebrows rose but he’d taken it in stride.

  Maybe I wasn’t the only one who could talk to animals.

  “You thought it was Henry, didn’t you?”

  I looked over at my new friend. He was standing in front of one of the paintings, waving his hands as he told someone all about it. The same way he had for me at the museum. He noticed me and winked.

  “I did. But then I didn’t, because he’s so passionate about art I can’t imagine him ever doing something so disrespectful to a painting. Or to Margaret.”

  “Do you think you’ll go to a Red Sox game with him?” Casey asked.

  “You can totally buy your own tickets now, if you want to.” Brooke stopped the waiter and got us another round of champagne. “What will you do with the reward money?”

  “Margaret hasn’t offered it to me yet.” She’d mentioned that she might not offer a reward. Or was that Nicole? I certainly wouldn’t ask for it. I’d stopped one person from taking advantage of her, and I had no plans of taking Nicole’s place. “But if she gives it to me, I’ll invest in the shelter.”

  “What about getting a place of your own? So you don’t have to deal with your sister anymore?”

  I shrugged. “We’ll see.”

  The crowd was starting to thin, now that the excitement had subsided. Persephone wandered out from the back room and came straight over to us, rubbing against our legs.

  “Here’s our hero!” Casey cooed as she leaned down to pet Persephone. “I wish I could talk to you too. Something tells me you do more than solve crimes.”

  “You did good.” I roughed the fur on the top of her head.

  “You don’t know the last of it,” Persephone said as I picked her up. “Things got so stressful when the police were back there, I managed to cough up a hairball into Nicole’s bag.”

  “Good girl.” That thing would be ripe by the time she finally got the bag back. It was probably being held as evidence.

  “I hope you get lots of tuna. Maybe even some lobster.” Maybe Henry could let me know the name of that food truck he brought me to…

  “Addie, can I talk to you?” Margaret asked.

  The police waved to me on their way out the door. I’d given them my information in case they had any other questions. I didn’t expect to hear from them after I told them the smoking gun came from a cat, but I’d do whatever it took to help out Margaret.

  “Of course.” I followed her to the kitchen, Persephone still in my arms.

  She motioned for me to take a seat. “I can’t thank you enough for what you did tonight.”

  “I didn’t really do anything. I was in the right place at the right time.”

  She waved me off. “You took the disappearance of Bellamy’s painting seriously when no one else did. Nicole had painted me as a dithering old lady to the police, one who’d left the door open and let anyone who paid attention to me come and go. That was one of the reasons I wanted you to meet Henry. I had a feeling she was going to try to pin this on him and I wanted him to have a solid character witness.”

  “I told the police Persephone can talk to me. Not sure they’ll be interested in what else I have to say.”

  “There’s more to life than what we’re told. It’s one of the lessons we learn from art.” She opened a leather-bound checkbook. “How should I make this out?”

  “Make it out to Helping Paws.” We’d be able to place so many more pets and rescue others from higher-risk shelters.

  A lot of money had passed by me when I worked at the brokerage, but it never felt real. This was more money than I’d ever been paid at once, and it felt awesome.

  She shook her head. “I’ll make a sizeable donation to the shelter. I want you to spend some of this money on yourself, Addie. You deserve to celebrate. What do you want?”

  “I…uh…” It had been so long since I thought about what I wanted. “I’m not sure.”

  “Maybe we can do an auction once the stolen painting is recovered, and it will go to your shelter.” Margaret put her hand over mine. “I was reluctant to let go of the painting because I didn’t think anyone could appreciate it more than me. Now I’ve found a way to put it to good use. Bellamy would be proud.”

  “He was lucky to have you.”

  Persephone purred in my lap. “She’s a good human.”

  “He was a wonderful man.” Margaret closed her eyes for a long blink, and I had a feeling Bellamy was right here with us in the gallery that bared his name. The gallery that changed my life. “Speaking of being meant for each other, I think you should keep Purry Pants.”

  “What?” I couldn’t have heard her right.

  “I adore her, but she has a special bond with you. You understand each other.” Margaret rubbed Persephone’s ear. “I bet there’s a cat at your shelter that’s looking for a little old lady to hang out with and a sunny windowsill to sleep in.”

  “I might know a few kitties that fit that description.” I pulled Persephone away from my chest. “Do you want to come home with me? My tuna budget just drastically improved.”

  “I’d love to.”

  “
Persephone approves.”

  “I thought she might,” Margaret said. “I have a feeling the two of you might change the world.”

  Want More?

  We hope you enjoyed Art Heists and Hairballs!

  * * *

  ART HEISTS AND HAIRBALLS! It’s part of the “Spy Kitty in the City” series, which you can keep reading HERE.

  * * *

  If you liked this, then you’ll also love Guard Dogs and Guitars. Addie and Persephone are off to Nashville to help a country music legend find his stolen guitar…but can they convince his grumpy old hound dog to help them solve the crime? Find out when you start reading today!

  * * *

  Learn more about Bailey Booth, her awesome books, and where you can find her at www.BaileyBoothBooks.com.

  Murder in the Cards

  by Morgan Vale

  About this Story

  MURDER IN THE CARDS

  * * *

  A Siamese cat travels aboard a quirky cruise liner

  Looking for a change after her mother's passing, Rose Covington takes a job as the 'ship psychic' on a luxury cruise liner. Sure, she's never told a fortune before, but how hard could it be?

  * * *

  She's about to find out.

  * * *

  When one of her clients mysteriously drops dead, she'll have to use all her intuition -- as well as the help of the ship's cat, Darwin -- to put things right.

  Copyright © 2021 by Morgan Vale.

  * * *

  All rights reserved.

  * * *

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  Chapter One

  My mom, God rest her soul, always said ‘fake it till you make it’. I don’t think this was what she had in mind.

  “I’m sorry, Miss Covington, ship psychic is the only position we have available.” A mousy woman with permed hair looked up at me over her cat-eye glasses. “And that’s only because the last one resigned at the eleventh hour. Normally, I’d have to tell you to take a hike, but…” She took off her glasses and regarded me sternly, her eyes fully meeting mine for the first time. “Well, we really need the help. I told Captain Eckers we don’t need a ship psychic, but he wouldn’t hear of it. Says it brings good luck or something. But do you know how hard it is to fill a position like that?”

  I didn’t, but her demeanor gave me a pretty good idea. “What does a ship psychic do, exactly?” I scrunched up my nose the way I always did when thinking. Since when did cruises have an on-board psychic? I thought all that stuff was made-up. Well, my mom liked it, but we never saw eye to eye on that.

  “It’s more for entertainment than anything,” she brushed off the notion with a flick of her perfectly manicured hand. “Everyone knows there’s no such thing as a real psychic.” Her forehead creased. “Everyone except the Captain, I guess. He’s into all that stuff.”

  I tilted my head. What an odd man. “So he’s the one putting you up to this.” Glancing down at the desk, I noted her name: Rita Willows.

  She nodded, flipping through a stack of papers on her desk. “Sometimes he just won’t listen to reason.” Rolling her eyes, she glanced at me again. “You wouldn’t be interested in helping me out with that, would you?” Rita’s ruby-red lips pulled back into a charming grin. “All you’ll have to do is talk to the guests, make them feel comfortable, act like you can see the future now and then. Really sell them on it. Loretta, the old psychic, mostly did tarot readings, I think.”

  Hmm. I remembered some of my mom’s friends coming over for readings on late nights when I was young. She tried to teach me, but I didn’t pay much attention to it. I had other things on my mind back then, and now… Well, things were different now. I remembered some, though, and I was pretty sure I still had a deck at home. Now might be the chance to put those rusty skills to use. “Sure,” I shrugged. “How hard could it be?”

  Rita’s face lit up like a beacon. “You’ll do it?” She blinked a few times and adjusted her glasses. “Really?”

  “Yeah, sure. Sounds like a good getaway, if nothing else.” I snorted, her description of the captain fresh in my mind. “It will, um, be okay with the captain if I’m not a real psychic, right?” I couldn’t believe I was saying this. My cheeks heated and my fingers tingled.

  But hey, sometime’s a girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do. The bills back home weren’t gonna pay themselves, and with my mom gone, everything fell on me. No pressure, right? If all I had to do was entertain the guests with some fake theatrics, it would be easy money.

  Rita’s eyes glittered and she put a finger to her mouth. “I won’t tell if you don’t.”

  “Deal,” I smiled. One handshake later, and I was buried in an endless stack of paperwork.

  “Now just sign here…here…” She pointed out each of the lines with the tip of her pen. “And here…”

  I tried not to think too hard about it as I scribbled my name across the page. It was a job, on a luxury cruise liner no less, and maybe I’d even have a little fun while I was at it. The paycheck would cover the lingering bills, and I could finally start rebuilding my life after my mother’s passing. Maybe this was good for me. Good to get away. Focus on something other than my grief for a while.

  People went on cruises for all sorts of reasons, but for me? It represented a fresh start. A new beginning.

  And if I had to pretend to be a tarot-reading psychic in order to do that, well…that’s just the hand I was dealt.

  I stood in the doorway of the house I’d called home for so many years. Two suitcases sat at my feet along with a backpack on my back. On top of the suitcase sat the stuffed cat I’d had since I was a kid. It was a gift from my mom when I was just a girl, and now…

  I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. The raggedy old cat held so many memories. Not only of my childhood, but of my mother. I’d been by her side until the very end. And now, embarking upon this new chapter of my life, it only felt fitting to bring it with me.

  Was it a bit childish? Maybe. But my heart stuttered like a drum in my chest, and I’d second guessed my decision who knew how many times. Not many people would up and leave their hometown for a job as a fortune teller on a cruise ship. But then again, I wasn’t most people.

  It was time to move on, and the calming sea breeze could be just the healing I needed.

  I arrived at the docks early on the day of the trip. The sun was still taking its time peeking over the horizon, giving the weathered planks a hazy pre-dawn glow. I yawned and adjusted the straps on my backpack.

  Idly wondering if they had coffee on the ship, I pushed open the door to the main office. An empty desk looked back at me.

  “Rose?” Came a voice from behind me. “Is that you?”

  I turned around to see the woman from before waving at me.

  “Oh, hello Rita!” I gave a cheerful wave that belied the nervousness I felt. “Am I late?”

  “No, not at all.” She ushered me away from the door and down the boardwalk. “Early, if anything. But that’s a good sign — means there will be plenty of time for you to get your bearings and get settled in.”

  I yawned again, following her to the edge of the docks. When we passed the large ferry building and the coast sloped inland, I saw it.

  Standing huge and proud at the shore with tiny waves buffeting around it was The Frontier. The letters glimmered proudly on the hull and deck after deck jutted toward the sky. I’d never seen a ship so large up close before. The closest I’d ever gotten was one of those ferries you drive your car onto. This was another story altogether.

  Standing before the giant cruise liner filled me with excitement, but the nervousness also ratcheted up the same amount. This thing was huge. How would I find my way around? What if I got lost?

  Rita must have noticed me starin
g. She let out a small chuckle and patted me on the shoulder. “She’s a beautiful ship, isn’t she?” Seagulls called above us and the spray from the ocean buffeted my face, carried in the sharp breeze. It was now, or never.

  “She is,” I agreed. “She’s just so…big.” I let out a chuckle of my own, knowing how silly it sounded. “I’ve never been on a cruise liner before, you’ll have to forgive me.” Staring at my feet, I hoped she wouldn’t notice the self-conscious flush on my face.

  Rita remained unperturbed. “It’s all right. There’s a first time for everything. Come on, let’s get your luggage loaded up and I’ll show you to the training room.”

  I took one last look behind me at the land, and stepped onto the gangplank toward my new life.

  I really hoped they had coffee onboard.

  The morning orientation took forever. I’m not an impatient woman — at least, I didn’t think I was — but listening to an old man blabber through presentation slides was not my idea of fun. I picked at the muffin they’d offered us for “breakfast” and had long since drained my cardboard cup of coffee.

  Still, things could only go up from here. I squirmed in my seat and watched the clock until they finally let us leave. Next would be the tour, right? I hoped so. After sitting for so long I was more than ready to see all the sights the ship had to offer.