Only the Cat Knows Read Online Free Page A

both loved. I knew she had a full wardrobe of them — I had provided it myself. My early years as an entertainer on the cruise ships plying the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, and even more exotic locations had provided great shopping opportunities and I had stocked up with costumes and kaftans for both of us. Who would have thought that they would come in so useful this far in the future?
    The more businesslike everyday outfits she had chosen for herself were about what I would have expected. Excellent materials, beautifully cut, but in muted colours, designed to be quiet and unobtrusive. Just what I would have chosen myself to dress the act. A good secretary doesn’t outshine her employer’s ladies. Not if she’s wise.
    No, nothing wrong with the costumes in themselves, except … I could feel my frown deepening. Something wasn’t quite right. I walked into the closet for a closer inspection.
    The light didn’t work. I flipped the switch several times before looking up to discover that the bulb was missing. I settled for propping the door open with a stray shoe and looked around.
    At first, nothing to cause disquiet was immediately apparent. Here and there a hanger hung askew, the garment half slipping off it, and there were uneven spaces between the hangers. Not like Nessa.
    Then, as my eyes grew accustomed to the dim light, I noticed the sleeve of a jacket, half inside out, and the lining of a pocket protruding from another jacket.
    Moving forward to investigate, I stumbled over a pile ofshoes in the middle of the floor. I recognized the mate to the one I had propped the door open with. The others were all jumbled together, instead of being lined up in matching pairs as Nessa usually kept them.
    Had Nessa dressed hurriedly that last night, changing whatever she had been wearing for something more suitable for outdoors? And why had she gone out into the cold and darkness where relentless guard dogs patrolled the grounds? Had she been summoned? By whom? And why?
    The whole set-up whispered of haste and urgency. But was it on Nessa’s part — or was there another reason?
    I stepped back into the bedroom, kicking the doorstop shoe into the pile with the others and letting the door close behind me.
    One after the other, I pulled open the dressing-table drawers and looked down into them. Into the uneven heaps that had once been neat tidy piles of Nessa’s underclothes and personal belongings. There was now no doubt about it: the place had been thoroughly, if amateurishly, searched.
    And what about her desk? Surely that would have been a prime target. I turned towards the living room to see — in the cold light of day and the cold knowledge I had gained — just what I might have missed the night before.
    I had forgotten the cat again. She sat beside the door opening into the cloister, staring at me accusingly.
    ‘No, you can’t go out,’ I said. ‘You heard those dogs last night. Some of them might still be around. I’m sure you’re not an outside cat, anyway.’ Nessa would never have allowed her precious pet to run loose in such dangerous territory. What a shame she hadn’t taken the same precaution herself.
    The cat flicked her ears irritably. I wasn’t getting the message. She rose slowly and pointedly began to sniff along the bottom of the door.
    Then I saw it. A small white triangle slipped beneath the door. I stooped and pulled it towards me cautiously.
    Not a message from Beloved, I hoped, although I wouldn’t put it past him. Even more cautiously I opened the envelope — and relaxed.
    Good morning, Vanessa.
    I didn’t want to wake you (Dr Anderson
emphasized
the importance of your getting plenty of rest), so you’ll find brunch just outside.
    We all hope you’ll feel able to join us for dinner this evening. We gather in the library at 6:30 for 7:00.
    If you need anything or have any questions, please contact me at HI on your interior phone.
    Monica
    The cat was dancing with impatience while I read