The Cat, the Wife and the Weapon: A Cats in Trouble Mystery by Leann Sweeney Read Free Book Online Page A

name, too.”
    “Okay, good. We’re gonna get your headache fixed up.” He cupped Finn’s elbow to help him up, but Yoshi, who had been sitting quietly, growled.
    Finn patted the dog’s head. “It’s okay, boy. He’s good.”
    Yoshi seemed to settle with Finn’s touch and I held my hand out to the dog palm down. He sniffed at it briefly and I could see his small, muscular body relax even more. In a gentle tone, I said, “It’ll be fine, Yoshi. You can come, too.”
    He stared at me and cocked his head. If dogs could smile, I’d just seen it happen.
    I picked up the leash, deciding to handle Yoshi so Tom could help Finn. Just as I did, the sound of a cell phone playing the William Tell Overture blared from its spot on the end table beside the sofa.
    Bob answered, remained quiet for a few seconds and then said, “Our missing man is right here. Talk to him yourself.” He held the phone out to Tom. “Deputy Candace Carson wants to speak to you in the worst way. Seems you’ve got every hot woman in town on your roster and I must say, your deputy friend is smokin’.”
    Tom walked over and snatched the phone from Bob, his patience close to completely evaporated. “Tom here,” he said abruptly.
    He listened intently and his expression grew troubled. I saw him glance at the backpack before he said, “Yes, I know him. You want me to come to the scene and confirm?” A few more seconds passed and he said, “I’m on my way.” He clicked off the phone and handed it back to Bob.
    “What’s happening?” I asked.
    Tom glanced down at Finn, who was now leaning back against the cushions looking groggier than ever. Yoshi’s head rested in his lap. Tom took my arm and turned us away from Finn. “Can I ask a huge favor?” he whispered.
    “Whatever you need,” I said.
    “Get Finn medical help. I don’t care how; just get him checked out. If you can avoid giving his name, that’s good, but I know you have to do this your way.”
    “Sure. But what did Candace want?”
    Tom stared at the floor. “She found my phone. Nolan had it.”
    “Okay,” I said slowly. “But you said something about identifying someone?”
    “Nolan wrecked my car,” Tom said.
    “Oh boy. Not good about your car, but it could be good in another way. They can arrest him for kidnapping and assaulting you. They can—”
    “Damn hard to arrest a dead man.”

Six
     
    Tom took off immediately in his work van without a word to Bob, the obviously unwelcome brother who showed no inclination to follow Tom’s earlier instructions to leave the premises.
    As I helped Finn to his feet, I looked over at Bob and said, “If a woman named Hilary calls or comes by, I don’t think Tom would appreciate you telling her anything.”
    Bob smiled. He always seemed to be smiling and it was getting on my last nerve.
    He said, “I know Hilary. I won’t say anything about her kid being here.”
    Finn peered at Bob. “Who are you?”
    “You and I met once or twice a long time ago, Finn,” he said. “I won’t hold it against you that you don’t remember me. Go with the nice lady and get yourself fixed up.”
    Bob knows Finn and Hilary. Makes sense, since Tom was married to Hilary. How much more of Tom’s past will spill out before the end of this very long day? Seems like years since I came back to town earlier today.
    Making sense of Tom’s relationships with his family could wait. Right now, I had to help Finn. I took Yoshi by the leash and cupped the kid’s elbow with my other hand.
    Bob held up the backpack. “Don’t forget this,” he said. “I saw a few treats for the dog in there.”
    I grabbed it on our way out and slipped it over one shoulder. Even with the gun gone, the pack was still heavy. Seemed as if Finn brought along everything important to him when he made the journey here.
    The night was unpleasantly cold, the first bite of winter snapping at us as I urged Finn into the backseat where he could lie down. I always have at least one