The Telltale Turtle (The Pet Psychic Mysteries) Read Online Free PDF

They were married within the week. He was wealthy, fun-loving, and wanted to take her everywhere.
    Unfortunately, he'd died two years later, when a helicopter landed on him as they were about to go to the airport. It was terrible.
    "I don't have a husband," she explained, waiting for Jenny to answer. "I'm a widow."
    "Oh. Sorry. I didn't mean to pry." He glanced around the room again, then eased his long, lean body into the chair by the brickedover fireplace as he continued to stroke the beagle puppy's head. "I jog past here a couple of times a week. I noticed when you moved in two years ago and opened the place. You've done a nice job."
     
    "Thanks" She looked at the ugly green walls. "The outside looks all right, but it's been all we could do to get the equipment we need and keep the animals fed. I'm hoping to do some sprucing up on the interior this year. I couldn't have done it without all the wonderful people who've taken an interest and devoted their time and money to help the animals."
    Jenny finally answered the phone and Mary Catherine told her the problem. She yawned repeatedly and promised to be there as soon as she got dressed. "Why is it an emergency always happens right after I get home? You know I wanted to see Championship wrestling tonight."
    Mary Catherine apologized, thanked her, and hung up. "She's on her way. Can I get you a cup of tea? I know I need some." "
    I wouldn't want to put you to any trouble."
    "Not at all. I'll be right back." She went upstairs and put on some water for tea, but also threw on an ankle-length, deep purple dress, applied a little more lipstick, ran a brush through her hair again, and spritzed on a little Chanel. It might be ridiculous, but there was no point in missing any opportunities. She didn't plan to re-marry, but who knew when husband number five might come her way.
    She poured the fragrant green tea into two cups, then went carefully downstairs again. Baylor had stayed with the man, watching him. He reported that he had gone behind the counter and looked at a few things. Bruno barked from the back, starting a storm of howling from the clinic's other patients.
    Mary Catherine's eyes narrowed farther as she handed Charlie his tea. It was her fault for being so eager to impress him. She'd have to be more careful who she let into the clinic unsupervised. Who was he? What did he want? She wasn't worried about the clinic. Everything was clean and up to code. But he could be a reporter. They were obnoxious at times.
     
    "Thanks." He sipped the tea, patting the beagle's head. "I knew your Aunt Sylvia, you know."
    "Really?" Mary Catherine usually wasn't one to put off saying what needed to be said. But this time she wanted to know why he was really there. She hoped he hadn't hurt the dog to get in there at that hour and see her.
    "Funny, she never mentioned you."
    "We were out of touch for many years because of a stupid feud between her and my mother. I guess she thought of me when she died because she didn't have any other family."
    He lifted one brow. "What about her son?"
    That was a surprise. "I didn't know she had a son" He had to be a reporter. Too bad. He was a distinguished-looking man with his graying brown hair and chestnut eyes. Quite charming. Too charming, she agreed with Baylor who flexed his claws then sat very still, glaring at the man. She almost laughed at her attack cat.
    "I think you should know I'm a private investigator. That's what I do for a living." He pulled out a business card and slid it across the table to her. "One of my clients is Sylvia Caldwell's son."
    "Oh?" She sat opposite him on another lime-green vinyl chair. "Is that why you were rifling through my papers while I was upstairs? If you're here to blackmail me or something, Mr. Dowd, you might as well forget it. I have the legal documentation on this building. I'm sorry Aunt Sylvia didn't have a better relationship with her son. And if you hurt this poor dog to get in here-"
     
    "I wouldn't do