No Cats Allowed: A Cat in the Stacks Mystery Read Online Free PDF Page A

the vague statement that I had urgent personal matters that needed my complete attention. In the blank for amount of time requested, I put six months. Surely by then, I hoped, there would be a new library director. The search had started right after Peter Vanderkeller left, and that was a couple of months ago.
    Once the form was done, I attached it to an e-mail message to Oscar Reilly, and I copied Penny Sisson. I clicked on the Send button and stared at the screen for a moment. I had an odd feeling, as if having crossed a personal Rubicon, but I was glad I had done it.
    I set the laptop aside and regarded the dozing cat lying next to me. There were no doubt many who would question my decision, separating myself from a job I loved because of a household pet. Those who would question, however, were not people I particularly cared to know. Diesel was as much a member of my family as my children, their partners, and my own dear friend, Helen Louise Brady.
    The front doorbell chimed, and Diesel perked up at once. He hopped down from the couch and trotted out of the room. I followed more slowly, thanks to legs and a back that stiffened up while I sat on the couch.
    The bell chimed a second time before I could get to the door. “Coming,” I called out loudly. Diesel already waited beside the door. He chirped to let me know he wanted the door open.
    “I know, boy, I know,” I muttered. I unlocked and opened the door.
    Lisa Krause, the head of circulation and reference at the Athena College Library, stood on the doorstep, her expression one of mixed anger and anxiety.
    “Thank goodness you’re home, Charlie,” she said. “I hope you don’t mind my coming by without calling first, but I’m just so upset I had to talk to someone I could trust.”
    “Of course not,” I said. “Come on in.”
    Lisa stepped in far enough for me to close the door, and Diesel warbled for her. Her face cleared a little as she regarded the friendly cat. She rubbed his head for a moment and then began to smile.
    “He really is good at making me feel better.” Lisa took a steadying breath. “I don’t suppose you’d let me borrow him for a couple of days?” She smiled.
    “I’m afraid he’s a noncirculating item most of the time,” I said, and she rolled her eyes at the intentionally bad pun. “Come on in the kitchen, and let me get you something to drink. Tea, coffee, a soft drink? What would you like?”
    “A bottle of bourbon,” Lisa said as she followed me. “But a soft drink will do.”
    “That bad, eh?” I asked as I motioned for her to take a seat at the table.
    “It’s so ridiculous I still can’t believe it happened.” Lisa dropped her purse on the table and plopped into the chair. “I swear, Charlie, if you hear that someone ran down Oscar Reilly in the street, you can bet it was me.”

FIVE
    I couldn’t say that I was surprised by the source of Lisa’s distress. Oscar Reilly appeared to excel at annoying everyone around him—or at least everyone in the Athena College Library. Perhaps he was a joy to work with in his normal role—but I wouldn’t want to bet on that.
    I handed Lisa a cold can and a glass. “I think there might be a few people ahead of you on that.” I sat in my usual spot to her left.
    Lisa offered a wry grin as she popped the top on her can and poured some of the liquid into her glass. “Wouldn’t surprise me if the line stretched halfway around the football stadium.” She set down the can and had a sip of her drink.
    “What did he do to you?”
    Her expression turned grim. “He basically called me a liar. He didn’t come right out and say I was, but he might as well have.” She paused for another sip of her drink. “At first I was so stunnedby it I was absolutely speechless. I’ve been stewing about it most of the day.”
    I didn’t know Lisa anywhere near as well as I knew Melba, but based on my knowledge of her character, I would have said she was not a prevaricator. I had always