Kitten Kaboodle (Zoe Donovan Mystery Book 20) Read Online Free PDF

Hank Donovan, replied. “Have you checked with the county to see if there were prior complaints?”
    “Actually, I haven’t. It seems, though, that if there had been, that fact would have come to light when Aspen asked them to investigate a few months ago.”
    “Maybe. It wouldn’t hurt to ask, though.”
    “Yeah, I will. Did any of you actually know Edna Leech? She lived outside the town limits, but Ashton Falls is still the closest town to her property. She must have come here for groceries and other supplies.”
    “I remember her coming into Donovan’s a few times, but we didn’t really talk,” Dad said, mentioning the general store he owned and operated. “I didn’t realize who she was or that she was farming cats until after you became involved, and I’m pretty sure she hadn’t been in since.”
    “Have you spoken to Scott?” Hazel asked. “If you have a barn full of cats sooner or later you’re going to need the vet.”
    When I’d had Scott over to look at the kittens I hadn’t mentioned where I’d gotten them, and he hadn’t asked. I foster puppies and kittens in my home on a regular basis, so there was no reason for him to inquire.
    “I haven’t asked him specifically about Edna or her operation yet, but I’ll stop by his place this afternoon.”
    After the meeting Ellie and I stopped by my house to check on the kittens and make sure Nona was behaving herself as she had promised. Other than the fact that she not only had all six kittens but one of my cats, Spade, and Alex’s cat, Sasha, on the sofa with her, she was doing exactly what she’d promised to. I’d warned Nona about leaving the kittens unattended because my other cat, Marlow, was a bit of a grouch. My dog, Charlie, Ellie, and I headed over to the elementary school, where we hoped to find Aspen. School was still out for the summer, but Nona had informed me that Aspen had been spending a lot of time getting her kindergarten room ready for the new school year. I took a chance that she’d be in her classroom, and luckily, I was right.
    “Zoe, how are you? Is Nona with you?” Aspen greeted me.
    “No, Nona’s at home watching her shows. Have you talked to her since yesterday?”
    Aspen turned back toward the bulletin board she’d been working on. “No. She came by and we chatted while I cleaned up. I had a planning meeting with the rest of the staff at two, so she left, and I haven’t spoken to her since. Why? Is something wrong?”
    I found it suspicious that Aspen had turned so her back was to me as she spoke, but I realized she’d been at the school all afternoon the previous day, so she couldn’t have stolen the kittens or killed Edna. The thing that bothered me more than Aspen’s diverted gaze was the fact that Nona had told me that she’d been with Aspen until her date at four, which had clearly been a lie. I had to wonder why.
    I explained about Edna’s death and Nona’s arrest. Aspen seemed to be shocked and dismayed and promised to help in any way she could with both Nona’s defense and rehoming the cats when the time came.
    “I know you’ve been actively protesting the kitten mill for months now. Can you think of anyone you might have met along the way who would want Edna dead?” I asked. “Maybe a fellow protestor?”
    “There are a lot of people who’re upset about Edna’s operation,” Aspen shared. “She’d been very verbal in her defense of what she was doing and her allegation that what we were doing should be illegal. Several of the staunchest supporters of our cause had had words with her during our protests, but I can’t think of anyone who specifically comes to mind.”
    “Okay. Well, thanks. If you think of anything let me know.”
    “I will.”
    “I guess you can check her off your list,” Ellie said when we left the campus. “It sounds like Aspen was at the school all afternoon.”
    “Yeah.” I frowned.
    “Something wrong?”
    “No, nothing’s wrong.” I don’t know why I