Killer Chameleon Read Online Free Page A

three hundred pounds, fifty more than her nonpregnant state, and Cholly, short and squat, resembled a walnut-hued Danny DeVito with a perpetually puzzled expression. I shuddered to think what their baby would look like.
    â€œHey, Miz Warren,” Neva greeted me. Then, glaring down at him, she propped her fists on her hips and sniffed audibly. “I can still smell it. Told you that cheap cleaning stuff was no good. Swear to God, if I ever find out who did this . . .”
    â€œCholly,” I said, “whatever you’re using, it’s made things worse. The odor’s stronger now than when I left this morning.”
    â€œThat’s ’cause it’s fresh,” Neva said, scowling. “Somebody did it again, only this time it’s cat shit. And this time Cholly stepped in it, not me.”
    â€œIn my new Nikes, too,” he grumbled. “Probably ruined ’em.”
    â€œCat?” That made no sense. The only cat in the building was a memory, a sweet eighteen-year-old tabby who’d been put to sleep during the summer. “Did Bill get a new one?”
    â€œNo. He ain’t got over putting down Whiskers yet.” Neva patted her stomach absentmindedly. “Somebody did this on purpose. Can you imagine? Raiding a litter box and leaving it here just to be mean. That’s another reason we need one of them closed-circuit cameras. We gotta nip this in the bud.”
    â€œBud, my foot.” Cholly stood up. “This here done bloomed and died. I’d figure one of Miz Harley’s grandkids did it, ’cept they’re allergic to cats. Dogs too. Can’t think of anybody else ornery enough to pull something like this twice.”
    To be honest, I couldn’t either. Granted, Cholly and Neva, as representatives of management and sticklers for the rules when it suited them, could be a pain in the rear on occasion, but they took their positions seriously and looked after the property as if it was their own. Neva especially knew her business along with everyone else’s, a fact some tenants found annoying. I wondered if perhaps she might have poked her nose too far into someone’s affairs, because this latest trick was an especially nasty one. Exposure to cat feces could put her pregnancy at risk if she came into direct contact with it. I wasn’t sure she knew it.
    â€œWell, that’s that then,” she said, arms akimbo again. “Management ain’t gonna like it, but we gotta get the whole carpet replaced.”
    â€œThe sooner the better,” I said. “Until they do, put our welcome mat over it. It won’t help the smell, but it’s better than nothing. You didn’t handle the stuff yourself, did you, Neva?”
    â€œAnd risk getting that there toxoplasmosis?” she asked, surprising me. “No way. In fact, maybe I ought to wear one of those mask things until we get the new carpeting. And the welcome mat’s a good idea. You sure Miz Holloway won’t mind?”
    â€œPositive,” I said, making a mental note to buy one to replace Janeece’s, since it was her property I was being so generous with. I nudged it across to Cholly, who positioned it in front of their door.
    â€œLooks nice,” he pronounced. “Thanks, Miz Warren. By the way, we signed for a couple of deliveries for you.”
    â€œSure did.” Neva hurried back into the apartment and returned with two large boxes. “Must be wedding presents. One from Bloomingdale’s. Don’t know about the other. They ain’t heavy, just bulky,” she said, placing them in my arms. “Got mail for you too.” She disappeared and came back with several envelopes and my Essence magazine.
    Since my hands were full, she tucked them under my arm, then prodded the sole of her husband’s shoe with a wide, bunny-slippered toe. “Get on in here. I need a back rub before you go caulk the tub in two-ten.”
    Cholly