The Wicked Cat Read Online Free PDF Page A

Jessie licked her fingers and reached for a menu. “I hope this place has some decent food. I’m starving.”
    â€œI’ve never heard Sally mention you before,” Watch said.
    â€œSo?” Jessie said as she studied the menu. “Hey, do you guys know if you can get a fish sandwich this early?”
    â€œI think that’s on the lunch menu,” Adam said. “They just serve breakfast now. You can get eggs and bacon.”
    Jessie wrinkled her nose and her smile faltered. Once more she licked her fingers and then brushed her arms a few times.
    â€œI’m a picky eater,” she said. “Can I just get a bowl of milk?”
    â€œYou mean milk and cereal?” Cindy asked.
    Jessie scowled. “No. I don’t like cereal. I just want a bowl of milk.”
    â€œWhy don’t you get it in a glass?” Watch said.
    â€œFine.” Jessie put down the menu and turned to Adam. “Could you order for me, Adam? I don’t have any money.”
    â€œSure.”
    Adam called the waitress over and asked for a glass of milk. While the woman went for it, Watch studied Jessie.
    â€œWhat’s your last name?” he asked.
    She was offended. “What is this? An interrogation? I’m here to have fun. What do you guys want to do today?”
    They stared uneasily around the table.
    â€œAs we said before we’re still hoping Sally will show up,” Adam said. “Then we’ll decide.”
    â€œBut as I told you she said she won’t be showing up,” Jessie snapped. Then she smiled suddenly, especially at Adam. “Why do you need her to have fun? I can take her place.”
    â€œShe’s our friend,” Cindy said. “We like to include her in whatever we do.”
    Jessie frowned at Cindy. “She’s not your friend. She doesn’t even like you.”
    Cindy was offended. “You don’t know that.”
    â€œYes I do. She told me so.”
    Watch was skeptical. “She just passed you on the street and said, ‘Hi, Jessie. How are you? You know I don’t like Cindy Makey.’ ” Watch paused. “That doesn’t sound like Sally.”
    Jessie spoke in a cold voice. “She told me she wanted to spend more time with her cat.”
    Adam looked at the others. “That sounds right. She said as much when we said goodbye yesterday.”
    â€œShe was just upset,” Cindy said. “She’ll soon get bored with that ugly old cat.”
    Now Jessie was offended. She seemed to be very moody.
    â€œHer cat is not ugly. Why, it is as nice as my cat.”
    â€œYou have a cat, too?” Adam asked.
    â€œYes. It’s waiting outside. I wouldn’t bring it in.”
    â€œSally would,” Cindy muttered.
    Jessie suddenly smiled. “My cat is brown. It won’t cause the troubles Sally’s cat did. It won’t be able to.”
    Once more the gang exchanged looks.
    Cindy asked, “What troubles did her cat cause?”
    â€œWe’ll tell you our theory in a minute,” Watch answered.
    â€œHow did you know Sally’s cat was causing us trouble?” Adam asked.
    Jessie brushed her arms again. “She told me. Hey, where’s my milk?”
    â€œIt’s coming,” Adam said. “It takes a few minutes. Just be patient.”
    Jessie smiled. “You’re kind of cute, Adam. Did anyone ever tell you that?”
    â€œMy m-mother,” Adam stuttered.
    Watch persisted. “So Sally passed you on the street and told you about our troubles with her cat?”
    Jessie was defensive. “I already said that.”
    â€œWhat exactly did she say?” Watch asked.
    â€œThat you thought the cat used magical powers to knock down the tree and set Cindy’s porch on fire,” Jessie explained impatiently.
    Adam frowned. “That doesn’t sound like Sally.”
    â€œWhy do you keep calling me a liar?” Jessie demanded.
    â€œI