Claws for Alarm Read Online Free PDF

Lord passed out common sense, he gave her a double dose
. She said that—yes, she did.”
    Mention of my mother’s name caused my own eyes to mist a bit. I blinked away the moistness and forced a smile to my lips. “You look tired, Aunt Prudence.”
    â€œIt’s been a long day. Irene tried to get me to relax and take a nap, plied me with chamomile tea, but—” Her shoulders lifted in a shrug. “Hard to relax when you’re worried about a loved one. I don’t know many of the details, but I know Lacey didn’t do what they say she did, Nora.”
    â€œYou don’t have to convince me. I know that, Aunt Prudence. Lacey’s many things, but a murderer isn’t one of them.”
No matter what sort of evidence they may have
, I added silently.
    She wrung her hands in front of her. “My goodness, I’m not thinking straight. You must be exhausted after that drive. I’ll show you to your room, and then we can catch up over a nice cup of coffee.” Her gaze shifted to a point somewhere beyond my left shoulder, and she let out a small squeal. “Nora—is that a cat in your car?”
    I turned. Nick had his portly bod stretched full length against the windshield. “Um, yeah, that’s a cat, all right. Aunt Prudence, meet Nick.”
    Aunt Prudence continued to stare at Nick, who wriggled off the windshield and hopped onto the driver’s seat where he sat, nose pressed against the window, watching us. “He—he’s yours? I’m sorry to sound so surprised, it’s just—you never expressed much interest in pets. Your mother told me about the chameleon.”
    My sigh rippled the crisp night air. “It’s not like I went down to the shelter and deliberately picked him out. To be frank, he picked me. Just wandered into Hot Bread one day, and now . . . I’ve grown fond of the little guy.”
    â€œOh, you don’t have to tell me, dear. I’ve had my share of pets over the years—six dogs, four cats, twelve goldfish, two parakeets, and a parrot. I know all about stray animals choosing owners. He looks handsome. Let’s get a better look.” She waddled over to the passenger side and tapped her fingers against the window. Ever the exhibitionist, Nick lay down on the seat and rolled over on his back, paws in the air, and gave his rotund behind a little wiggle.
    â€œOh, he’s so cute!” Aunt Prudence gushed over her shoulder at me. “I can see how even someone like you not fond of animals would get attached.” She flung open the car door and scooped Nick up into her arms, pressing him against her ample bosom. He gave a contented sigh and let his chin rest on her shoulder. The twenty-plus tonnage must have gotten to her, though, because a few moments later she set him down on the ground at my feet. “What do you feed him? He’s a big boy.”
    â€œOh, you know, the usual. Friskies, Fancy Feast—sometimes Purina.”
    Aunt Prudence’s eyebrows shot up like two rockets. Nick even gave me a look that said,
Liar
. I gulped and added, “To tell you the truth, he’s fonder of human food. I usually let him eat whatever’s left over at the end of the day from our specials.”
    Aunt Prudence clicked her tongue against the roof of her mouth. “That’s not good, Nora. No wonder he’s so . . . plump. But don’t worry”—she waved her hand in the air—“I had the same problem with Gladys. The vet gave me a diet regimen and canned food guaranteed to help your pet maintain a sensible weight. I can give you one or two cans to take home. It will slim him down in no time.”
    Nick looked at Prudence, then at me, and let out a loud, “
Meow
.”
    My aunt reached out and chucked him under the chin. “Vocal, isn’t he? I think it’s cute you named him Nick. I know how you loved those
Thin