Catnapped (A Klepto Cat Mystery) by Patricia Fry Read Free Book Online Page A

say that. People sometimes feel bad leaving their cats alone all day while they’re at work. They may be too tired at night to give their cats the play workout they should be getting when they’ve been cooped up all day. So they bring kitty here where they have stimulation, activity, and company. Charlotte loves to play with the cats, and the owners get a better night’s sleep when some of their more rambunctious kitties have played all day.” Dora laughed.
    Savannah noticed a kitty bed in pink and black cat-paw print fabric in a corner of the room. A tabby was curled up inside. “That is an absolutely adorable little bed.”
    “Oh, I make those and sell them at bazaars and flea markets. My grandson is getting me set up to sell them on the Internet. I also make kitty toys, like these kickers,” she said as she picked up a tightly stuffed fabric toy. She tossed it in the direction of a half-grown tuxedo cat and he grabbed it, wrapped his paws around it and began kicking it with his back paws.
    Everyone laughed.
    Just then a dark long-haired tabby strolled over to Savannah and began sniffing her shoes. “Oh, that’s Tuffy,” Dora said. “His sister Taffy is the tabby in the bed over there. They’re boarders. The kitty up on the pedestal,” she said motioning toward a large wooden cat tree, “is Spunky. He’s one of mine. He’s sixteen now—doesn’t look it, does he? And Golden Boy is the pretty yellow fellow under the table in the corner. There’s Ruthie.” She pointed to a striking white cat. “Notice her odd eyes—one green and one blue.”
    “They are wonderful,” Margaret said. “Beautiful and so well-cared for.”
    “I just love cats. I need a little money to supplement my income in order to care for my own cats, so I offer these kitty items and services which means I get to know even more cats.” Her eyes danced as she spoke. “I work with the local shelter to find homes for those that are adoptable. That’s satisfying and also sad.” She lowered her head and said rather solemnly, “I get attached, you know.”
    Margaret sat silent for a few moments observing Dora carefully, and then she asked, “Are you aware that someone has been stealing cats from people’s yards over in the new tracts near the old dump?”
    “What? I didn’t know about that,” Dora said. “I don’t get out much. Right out of their yards?” And then she frowned. “There isn’t any dog-fighting going on is there?”
    “It doesn’t seem as though there is,” Margaret said.
    “Some sort of witchcraft rituals?” she offered.
    “Gosh, we hope not. You haven’t had any problems over here, have you?”
    Dora shook her head slowly. “Not that I know of.” She looked up at Margaret. “I think I would have heard something at the shelter if there was a problem here.”
    Savannah stood up and walked toward the door. “I’ll bring that other bag of kibbles in.”
    Margaret took that as a cue. She reached for her crutches and put them in position to raise herself up off the chair. “You’d think this would get easier. But my muscles just get sorer and sorer—right here, mostly.” She indicated across her abdomen. “And in this one poor leg that has to take all the weight.” She looked over at Dora and said, “If I’d known I was going to break my foot, I would have lost some pounds, that’s for sure.”
    “Oh Auntie, you look great,” Savannah said. “Just stay there for a moment. I’ll be right back to help you up.”
    “Oh, so you’re related?” Dora asked after watching Savannah close the door behind her.
    “Yes, Savannah’s my niece,” Margaret explained. “She’s here from Los Angeles helping me get around.”
    Dora tilted her head a little and smiled at Margaret. “How nice.” And then she said, “You ladies have been so kind.”
    “Dora, it’s been a pleasure. Thank you so much for introducing us to your kitties. They are really wonderful. And the snickerdoodles…