The Counterfeiter-Catching Cat: A Beatrice Young Cozy Cat Mystery (Beatrice Young Cozy Cat Mysteries Book 1) Read Online Free

answers, doesn’t it?” the sheriff said, rubbing his lined forehead. “Eerie as all get out, too.” He grabbed his wallet and keys off the desk and stood up. “That’s all I got time for right now, Bee. Sorry.”
    “Where’re you going?”
    He sighed. “Paying a visit to Sally Ann White’s house. It’s where Jordan was staying with her daughter, Amy, before he disappeared. Sally was the one who reported him missing on Sunday. I want to do a formal interview and see if Jordan has left any clues behind.”
    Beatrice looked at him meaningfully. “You want to come with me?” the sheriff asked in a tone that could not conceal his annoyance.
    “You bet I do. Hamish has the best nose for clues, better than any dog. If there’s anything to sniff out, he can do it.”
    Roy shook his head in frustration. “Alright, but you and the cats have to go in another car. I don’t want any fur in my truck.”
    Sally Ann White lived in a tiny house with pink plastic siding at the edge of town, not far from the bar where Jordan worked. A chain link fence surrounded a patch of scraggly grass. She appeared at the door in faded jeans with a tired expression on her face. She was in her early forties and though her brown hair looked frazzled from various dye jobs, her hazel eyes were still clear and pretty.
    “Hi folks,” she said, opening the door for them. “Sheriff, glad you caught me on my day off. Nice to see you, Bee.”
    The two of them were acquaintances and always said hi and had a quick chat if they bumped into each other at the post office or grocery store. That wasn’t often, though, because Sally Ann worked long hours as a cleaner at the park.
    Beatrice gave her a quick hug. “Is it alright if my cats come in?”
    “Absolutely. Love the critters.” She picked up Lucky and her eyes widened as she stroked his fur. “He’s just like a little teddy bear!” she cooed. Hamish sat on the floor, staring up at her with jealous narrowed eyes.
    The sheriff and Beatrice sat in her faded living room on a rose-patterned sofa. Framed photos of her daughter covered the walls—Amy in kindergarten missing her front teeth; Amy at prom in a tight pink dress, her hair in corkscrew curls; Amy in her graduation cap looking serious. She was a pretty young woman with long brown hair, hazel eyes, and a smattering of freckles.
    Sally Ann brought in a plate of biscuits and cups of coffee. “Amy’s working today,” she said. “I know she would have wanted to be here if she could. She and Jordan have been together since ninth grade, you know.”
    “We’ll find a time to talk to her,” the sheriff replied, reaching for a biscuit. “For now, tell me: how long’s Jordan been living here?”
    A line appeared between Sally Ann’s eyebrows. “Oh, about four years now. Ever since his Mama kicked him out of the house.”
    The sheriff chewed and swallowed. “Has he changed at all lately? Become different, I mean.”
    “Not really. He’s always been a reckless type. Doesn’t think before he acts. Gets in these rages, smashes stuff, yells. I’ve threatened to kick him out a million times. I don’t know why I haven’t, I guess because Amy’s so attached to him.”
    She sighed and thought for a moment, a chipped mug full of coffee cradled in her hands. “Actually, he’s been in a better mood lately. Not so angry. Acting like life is finally on his side for once. I thought maybe he liked working as a short-order cook at Johnny’s. He’s had a hard time keeping down a job.”
    Beatrice watched Hamish and Lucky meticulously sniff out the room. “Has Amy said anything about why Jordan’s changed?” she asked.
    Sally Ann played with the mug nervously. Her nails were painted a cheery coral color. “No. Actually, she’s been really quiet lately. Almost to the point where I feel like she’s avoiding me. Maybe it’s because of some trouble between us.”
    She cleared her throat. “You see, I had to ask Jordan to move to the basement