Card Sharks by Liz Maverick Read Free Book Online Page B

would suffice. What was more, walking a cat would attract more attention than walking a common dog. People would look. More important, men would look.
    Unfortunately, it was a hot July, the rope she was using as a leash looked unnervingly like a noose, and people were crossing the street to avoid her. Skippy finally balked, and Bijoux had to pick him up and put him in her purse. He was clearly not happy, Bijoux was not happy, and within fifteen minutes of walking up the canyon road, sirens began to wail from somewhere on a street below.
    Bijoux pulled out her cell phone.
    â€œHello?”
    â€œMare, it’s me.”
    â€œYou’re breathing funny.”
    â€œI’m panicked.”
    â€œWhat’s wrong?” Marianne asked.
    â€œIs it legal for Animal Control to make a citizen’s arrest?”
    â€œI don’t know.”
    â€œShit, shit, shit!”
    â€œCalm down and tell me exactly what’s happening.”
    Bijoux looked behind her in the direction of the sirens. “I think I’m being tailed by some sort of law enforcement vehicle.”
    â€œHave you done anything wrong?”
    â€œI’m not sure. But I’m sure I look guilty. I’m speed-racing in high heels down a canyon road, talking into my cell phone with a dehydrated Persian cat in my purse.”
    Silence on the other end of the line.
    â€œMarianne, are you still there?” Bijoux asked.
    â€œYes, sorry. I was processing. So this is what it’s come to. Is there anything I can actually do for you?”
    â€œNo, I was just calling to tell you—”
    â€œThat this has got to stop,” Marianne said, punctuating her statement with a massive sigh.
    â€œExactly. Hold on.” Bijoux glanced behind her again. The van was parked, and some sort of uniformed officer was striding in her direction. Sweat was already running in rivulets down her back, but she picked up the pace, stumbled in her heels, then paused long enough to take them off and carry them in one hand.
    Bijoux peeked into the purse, where Skippy stared up at her, looking most displeased. “Almost home, Skippy. Almost there,” she said breathlessly as she headed to her house. Peter was just driving up to the curb. She waved him over and then keyed into the Sterling mansion. She put Skippy down in the sink and turned the water on just as a knock came at the door. “I’ve gotta go, Mare, but let’s get together tonight.”
    â€œCome over whenever.”
    â€œBye.” Bijoux hung up and opened the door. Peter and the officer stood on the doorstep.
    â€œHi,” Bijoux said, attempting to cover her nervousness and hoping to cause a distraction by tossing her hair around a little. “Skippy’s having a drink. I was just taking care of their cat, you see. Everything’s fine.”
    â€œThat’s what I told him,” Peter said, a bemused expression on his face.
    The officer turned to him and said, “So that’s your cat. And you’re okay with . . . this.”
    â€œYeah, everything’s fine. She was taking him for an airing. Everything’s just as it should be.”
    Bijoux looked at him gratefully. The officer shrugged andturned away, shaking his head as he walked back toward his van.
    â€œYou okay?” Peter asked.
    â€œI’m fine. Thanks for asking.”
    â€œHow’s Skippy?”
    â€œJust a little dehydrated, I think. So, Peter . . . is your aunt the litigious sort? Because she should know I’m about as far away from deep pockets as you can get.”
    Peter leaned against the door frame, shaking his head. He started to laugh which made Bijoux start to laugh. “Bijoux,” he said, “you’re one of a kind.”

chapter five
    M arianne opened the door to find Bijoux holding a bulging plastic grocery sack that was clearly stretched beyond reasonable capacity. Bijoux had changed into a black-and-yellow couture