The Big Cat Nap

The Big Cat Nap Read Online Free PDF

Book: The Big Cat Nap Read Online Free PDF
Author: Rita Mae Brown
the kitchen; all the windows were open, too.
    “Okay. ‘We stayed late at lunch.’ ”She read from her notebook.
    “That’s it?”
    “Every single one of them said just that, followed by, ‘We figured we’d stay a half hour late and make up the time later that day.’ ”
    “Hmm.”
    “They also agreed that Walt left early for lunch and returned to ReNu earlier than the other workers.” She looked up from her reporter’s book.
    “Sounds rehearsed,” said Harry.
    “Well, it’s got me thinking. Usually in a situation like this, someone or another gets all shook up and rattles on. If there’s a group, they speak over one another, contradict one another. It can get emotional.”
    “Well, some did go outside and throw up when they saw the gore.”
    “Did you see them throw up?” Coop put the notebook on the table, grabbed the head of romaine lettuce, and began washing it.
    “Coop, I’m not going outside to watch people puke.”
    “I understand that, but I didn’t see any evidence of lunch.”
    Harry made a face. “You looked.” She stopped, hands idle for a moment. “I used to think I’d make a good detective. You’re proving me wrong.”
    “What you are is a nosy neighbor—a good neighbor, but a nosy one who stumbles on evidence.” Coop elbowed her lightly. “But you see things I don’t. I have to go by the book. You can rely on inspiration.”
    They both laughed at that.
    “Last thing our mother needs to hear,”
Mrs. Murphy said.
“Now she’ll really be nosy.”
    “Odd that humans use that particular word when they have such terrible senses of smell,”
Tucker mused.
    “I gave a call to Susan and then Herb,” said Harry. “To check in. They’re okay.”
    “When I first came to the department, the reverend was driving a big Bronco. They’re so cool. The old Jeep Wagoneers are, too.”
    “Listen to you, and you’re not even a motorhead,” Harry teased her. “Speaking of motorheads, maybe you should go to the drag races. Just a thought.”
    Cooper smiled. “If I don’t, you will.”
    “Ah, come on, Coop. I love cars. Why shouldn’t I go?”
    “Why haven’t you gone before?” Cooper shrewdly asked.
    “I’m so busy with the farm. Get tired at night and the weekends. Fair’s home more now, but he’s not much for any kind of racing.”
    “Odd. You think he’d like horse racing.” Coop waited a moment. “When’s your next checkup?”
    “Next week.”
    “You’ll be fine,” Coop said encouragingly.
    “I think so, but it’s always in the back of my mind that the cancer may do a boomerang on me. Even when I pass the five-year mark, I expect I’ll still wonder. I know, I know, they say they got it all and nothing traveled.” She shrugged.
    “I’d feel the same way. On the other hand, I reckon a scare like that makes you appreciate life more. You don’t sweat the small stuff.”
    “That’s a fact, but, Coop, I’ve been looking out this kitchen window for forty years. Mom and Dad would hold me up or carry me out to the barn when I could hardly walk. For forty years I’ve looked at the Blue Ridge Mountains, heard the red-shouldered hawks, seen the raccoons, the deer, the fox, the bobcats, the dogwoods, redbuds, jack-in-the-pulpits, the wild roses. I’ve always appreciated life. The big difference is, now I know mine can end. Oh, we all know it.” She tapped her head. “But now I really know it.” She tapped her heart.
    “Karma.” Coop wrapped the lettuce in a dish towel.
    “What?”
    “To know that. And for all of us to be here together. I believe it’s karma.”
    “And what about what happened to Walt? Was that karma?” Harry wasn’t looking for an argument, just curious about Coop’s thoughts on the subject.
    “Yes. Had no friends. Family in Iowa. That’s all I’ve found out so far, but, yes, his death is karma.”
    A devilish gleam lit Mrs. Murphy’s gorgeous green eyes.
“Hey, Pewts, that means the blue jay that keeps attacking you, it’s
Read Online Free Pdf

Similar Books

Best Laid Plans

D.P. Prior

Precious Cargo

Sarah Marsh

Mass Effect: The Complete Novels 4-Book Bundle

Drew Karpyshyn, William C. Dietz

Dreamlands

Scott Jäeger

Finding Obscurity

Emma Shade

Raven: Blood Eye

Giles Kristian

Animal Angel

M. J. Wilson

Stuart

Alexander Masters