The Cats that Stole a Million (The Cats that . . . Cozy Mystery Book 7) Read Online Free Page B

tell the buyer about the haunting, at least if I’m asked.  Do you think it will hurt my chances of selling the house to this buyer?” she asked, already speculating on the answer.
    “Not all people believe in ghosts, so maybe you’ll be lucky, and the new owner will be a skeptic like me.”
    Later, at the pink mansion, sitting in front of her computer, Katherine downloaded the offer and sent it to the printer. 
    Jake stood nearby and removed the sheet of paper.  He stopped reading after the first line.  “Interesting,” he said, handing the document to Katherine.
    Katherine’s read the prospective owner’s name, then her jaw dropped.  “Stephen Sanders?  Stevie wants to buy the house.”
    “Yeah, probably to keep an eye on you,” Jake said suspiciously.
    “Contrary to your opinion of Stevie, which isn’t good, Stevie is not a stalker.  He saved my life. He saved Scout’s life.  I will always be grateful to him for that.”
    “I hope not too grateful,” Jake joked, hiding his true feeling that Stevie might be a threat to his relationship with his new wife.  “Oh, really?  You could have fooled me. Every time I see him drive by in his new truck, he’s practically hanging out the window.”
    “I have no fear of Stevie.  He’s not a stalker.  End of story.”
    Jake threw up his hands in exasperation.  “Okay, case closed.  What did he offer?”
    Katherine read on, and said with a smile.  “Full price.”
    “What bank is going to give him a mortgage with his criminal record?”
    “Jake,” Katherine said, looking up with a disapproving look. 
    “I’m serious.  He just started his electrical business.  The down payment will be at least twenty percent.  Where does he have that kind of money?”
    Katherine read the offer again.  “It’s in cash.  All cash at closing.”
    Jake’s eyes widened and he blurted, “Cash?  I won’t go there.”  He took the document and read it again, this time more thoroughly. “Katz, it’s your house.  Are you going to accept it?”
    “Let me ask the cats. After all, their favorite room in the mansion faces the Foursquare.  But first I’ve got to let them out of their playroom.”  Ever since the explosion, whenever she left the house, Katherine locked the cats in the playroom.  In light of the mansion’s reputation as being a murder house, it was a good idea not to have them running around while she was gone.  Normally, she would hire Elsa the cat wrangler to sit with them, but Elsa wasn’t available.  And today Katherine was only gone for a few hours.
    “I know our cats are extraordinary, but how will they let you know if they approve or not?” Jake inquired.
    “I’m kidding,” she said, amused.  “I’m just stalling for time to consider Stevie’s offer, that’s all.”
    “Good idea.  In the meantime, I’ll let them out.  I’ve got to go upstairs anyway and get out of these wet clothes. I need to put on my snow diggin’ suit.”  Once again Jake lapsed into his country accent.
    Katherine asked, “Do you ever speak that accent with your colleagues?”
    “Hale no, woman. I save that way of talkin’ jess fer you.”
    Katherine giggled.  “Okay, get out of here.”
    “Actually, Mrs. Cokenberger, I’m going outside to do a little more snow shoveling.”  He reached over and pulled Katherine into a kiss.  “I’ll need a kiss for the effort.” 
    Katherine smiled, and watched him leave.  Then she thought, Do I really want Stevie Sanders living next door?  I think he has feelings for me .
    She picked up her cell and called her best friend, Colleen, who lived in an apartment in the nearby city.  “Hey, Carrot Top, do you have a minute?”
    “Sure. What’s up?”
    “I just got an offer on the yellow Foursquare.”
    “Shut the door!  Really?  I thought that would never happen.  Katz, you don’t sound too happy about it.  Seller’s remorse?”
    “I feel guilty about selling a haunted house.”
    “But