Claws for Alarm Read Online Free Page B

Daniel I called Chantal to fill her in and ask if she could mind Hot Bread tomorrow. I felt bad asking her—it was Friday, and Fridays were always my busiest day. Lunchtime could get a bit hairy, but Chantal was familiar with the store and most of my regular customers and their preferences. Cooking shouldn’t be an issue despite her self-proclaimed lack of prowess in the kitchen—I had detailed descriptions of each and every sandwich on Hot Bread’s menu along with step-by-step prep instructions in a Rolodex in the kitchen, plus I’d already prepared two dozen of each special listed and stored them in the large refrigerator. Mollie Travis, the high school junior who worked part-time, would be there to help out, too. I knew she only had one class on Friday, and she was always willing to put in some extra hours. Chantal agreed quickly, assuring me making a sandwich was a lot easier than boiling water(go figure) and to call if I needed anything at all. I thanked her profusely before hanging up to call Aunt Prudence, who was thrilled when I asked her if it would be all right for me to spend the night. It would be a lot easier going to the St. Leo police station from her house than battling rush-hour traffic from here. I filled her in on a few more of the details Daniel had shared with me but left out the part about Lacey threatening to murder Pitt. Prudence was upset enough, and I just couldn’t take listening to more of her wailing right now—I had to get my own thoughts in order. As I set down the phone, I heard a loud “
Meow
” from across the room. I glanced over and saw Nick, curled on top of the pet carrier I’d bought last week at the Pet Palace.
    â€œSo, what? You want to come with me, eh?” I got up, walked over, and started to scratch him behind his ears. “Well, maybe that’s not such a bad idea. I could use a friendly face around me at Aunt Prudence’s tonight, and it will spare you from Chantal’s clutches. ’Cause if you want to stay here, a little birdie told me modeling more pet collars is on the agenda.”
    Nick’s shoulders hunched in a feline shudder, and I grinned.
    â€œAunt Prudence won’t mind. She’s always had a soft spot for animals—any stray in the neighborhood could always count on a helping hand from her.”
    Nick hopped down from the carrier top and ambled off toward my bedroom, head and tail held high. I gave a soft chuckle and followed him. He lay down on the rug beside my bed and watched with slitted eyes as I hoisted my brand-new hard-backed overnighter out of the closet and laid it on the bed. I tossed underwear, nightshirt, and slippers inside and then crossed to the closet to get something to wear tothe jail the next day. When I turned back I saw Nick’s rotund bottom wiggling underneath my comforter.
    â€œHey,” I said, dropping the navy blue pantsuit I’d chosen and fisting my hands at my sides. “What are you doing under there, Nick? Did you lose one of your toys?”
    â€œ
Er-ewl
,” came the plaintive sound. I bent down and peeped underneath the edge of the comforter. Nick lay there, head resting comfortably on his forepaws. As soon as he caught sight of me he began to purr loudly. He shifted his body to one side, and I caught a flash of something white peeping out from beneath his rotund tummy.
    â€œWhat are you hiding now?” I demanded. I knelt down all the way and reached underneath the bed. I poked my finger at his soft underbelly. “Let me see what you’ve got.”
    He rolled over a bit farther at my prodding (none too agreeably, I might add), and I saw that the “hidden treasure” clutched firmly in his shivs was a sheet of notepaper and a faded photograph. I tickled him on his tummy, and he loosened his grip, purring loudly. I snatched up his “treasure” and rose, perching myself on the edge of the bed. Nick rolled over and narrowed