PAWSitively Sinister (A Klepto Cat Mystery Book 11) Read Online Free Page A

gun?”
    “Yes, with bullets. Isn’t that how cowboy bandits break into strongboxes they steal from the stagecoaches? They shoot the lock off,” she said, gesturing.
    Savannah chuckled. “Indeed, they do.” She eased back down into the deck chair and motioned toward another one—a casual invitation that Suzette accepted. “So you’re on winter break?” Savannah asked.
    “Yes, an opportune time to be with Arthur and help him out a little.”
    “Are you enjoying your studies?”
    “Immensely,” Suzette said. She leaned in to speak confidentially to Savannah. “Although, I must say I’m kind of distracted now that Arthur and I have started dating for real.”
    Savannah smiled. “For real?”
    “Well, yeah. Before, we just texted, emailed, and talked on the phone. I didn’t think he… you know, cared about me in the same way I care about him.”
    “Oh?” Savannah said, tilting her head, her straight blond-highlighted hair brushing across one shoulder.
    “He was kinda… distant, even though he seemed to enjoy our conversations as much as I did. He was guarded.” She narrowed her eyes. “Know what I mean?”
    Savannah nodded. “Yes, I think I do.”
    She faced Savannah. “Hey, it was you who turned the tide, you know.”
    Savannah looked surprised.
    “You told Arthur to follow his heart sooner rather than later.” She put one hand on Savannah’s knee and smiled. “Thank you so much for that. He said you suggested that he should not wait to have the reconstructive surgery before telling me how he felt.”
    “Yes, I did tell him that. I knew he felt deeply about you, and I didn’t want him to miss a chance… for the two of you to find out if there is a… ”
    “Love connection?” Suzette smiled. “Oh yes, I’ve been in love with Arthur since I met him in the burn center nearly eight years ago. Sure, we were only ten—well, I was a ripe old eleven. He may not even know it, but he helped me so much when we were there at the center together.”
    “He was dealing with a lot in his life then, too,” Savannah said, “so I’m sure it was mutual.”
    “Yes, I guess it was.” She looked in Arthur’s direction. “Savannah, I’m so in love with him.”
    Savannah smiled widely and patted Suzette’s hand. “I’m awfully glad to hear that.”
    “And we have such similar goals—but then, we kind of grew up together—know what I mean? Neither of us had much reference to the world—we both had been kept hidden. Well, for me, I had overprotective relatives who all jumped in to help raise me after I lost my parents in that car accident.” She thinned her lips. “We did a lot of exploration of our inner selves over the years—Arthur and I. But we’re just now learning about the world around us. And we’re getting the most amazing help from the most amazing people.” She smiled into Savannah’s eyes. “… like you and your family.”
    “Awww, what a nice thing to say. Thank you. I can see that Arthur has made some excellent choices—you being among them.”
    Suzette blinked her brown eyes. “Thanks. It means a lot.” She glanced at Arthur again and said, “Hey look! I think they got it open. Let’s go check it out.”
    “Okay,” Savannah said, taking Rags’s leash as he stepped out of the stroller basket. They followed behind Suzette.
    “Ma-ma?” Lily said, turning in the stroller and seeing that Suzette was pushing her.
    “Here I am, honey,” Savannah said, walking up next to the baby and gently running her hand over her soft curls.
    “What did you find?” Suzette asked, as they approached the men.
    “Don’t know,” Arthur said, looking puzzled.
    The women moved closer and peered at what had been exposed. “What’s in it?” Savannah asked. “The missing books of the Bible?”
    Suzette grabbed Savannah’s arm to get her attention, “I told them I thought it was someone’s ashes.”
    Savannah shuddered a little. She peered at the incinerator. “Do you think they used