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

found her straightforward and open.
    “Exactly what did he say?” I asked.
    Diesel had been sitting next to me but the obvious distress in Lisa’s voice caused him to move to her side and bump his head against her leg. She smiled down at him and rubbed his head. “Thank you, sweet boy. You are just the kind of tonic I need right now.” She raised her head to look at me while she continued to stroke the cat.
    “He called me to his office this morning to discuss the preliminary budget I’d turned in for the coming fiscal year,” she said. “At first everything seemed fine, then suddenly he started questioning me on some of the line items from the current year’s budget. He seemed particularly interested in the travel budget.” She frowned. “It’s been cut repeatedly the last few years, but we still have some money for a couple of us to attend meetings. I went to a meeting back in the fall in San Francisco for a committee I’m on, and he peppered me with questions about it.” She paused for another sip of her drink. “I answered him as best I could, though he didn’t seem really interested in my answers. Then all of a sudden, he said, ‘So if I got in touch with other members of the committee, they’ll say you actually attended the sessions?’”
    I felt her distress level rise with every word, and so did Diesel. He began an anxious warbling, but Lisa appeared not to hear. When she broke off, he butted his head against her leg, and she focused on him with an apologetic glance. “I didn’t mean to upset him, Charlie. I’m so sorry.”
    “It’s okay,” I said. “He’s simply worried because he knows you’re upset. It’s all right, Diesel. Lisa is going to be fine.”
    Lisa continued to stroke him while I considered what to say in response to her encounter with Oscar.
    “I can’t reveal the details, but I heard a similar story earlier today involving Oscar.” I smiled at her. “In that instance, too, he chose as his target someone who is honest to a fault. I have no idea what he thinks to gain by behavior like this, but my advice to you is to go to HR and file a complaint. He is creating a hostile work environment, and that constitutes harassment.”
    “I considered that.” Lisa sighed. “But frankly the thought of it makes me feel like throwing up. Now that I know he’s pulled the same thing on someone else, though, I know I really need to do it. Is this other person going to file a complaint?”
    “Yes, and this person has been with the college for a little over thirty years. She has a lot of credibility, as do you. You have an excellent record, as far as I’m aware. Don’t let him continue to get away with this kind of nastiness.” I considered telling her about my own issue with Oscar but decided that it would sound slightly frivolous when compared to her situation.
    Lisa nodded. “Thank you, Charlie. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate you letting me vent and giving me good advice.” She grinned suddenly. “I wish you would apply for the director’s job. You’d be terrific to work for.”
    As always, my first reaction to such praise was embarrassment. I struggled to speak for a moment. “Thank you, Lisa. I’m touched by your kind regard and your faith in my abilities. But my days of being in charge of a library are done.”
    “I can’t blame you for not wanting to take it on,” Lisa said. “It’s bound to be full of headaches and politics.”
    “True,” I said. “I had enough of both during my years as a branch manager at the public library in Houston.”
    Diesel seemed to be satisfied that Lisa was okay. He moved away from her and back beside my chair. He stretched and ended up with his head against one of the chair legs.
    “Our loss.” Lisa stood. “Thanks again for the tea and sympathy, so to speak. I’d better get home and let my dogs out for a run in the backyard.”
    Diesel and I escorted her to the door and let her out. She turned to wave as she headed