Read Catnapped! (A Matchmaker Mystery Book 3) for Free Online Page B

to use the peephole, she raced out, hoping to catch whoever it was. A car’s brake lights flashed, pulling out onto the street. Breaking into a full-out run, she chased after it, but it had disappeared from sight by the time she reached the end of the driveway.
    She slowly walked back to the house, where she spotted Pete crouched down, intently studying something on the ground.
    “What is it?” she asked, fervently hoping it wasn’t a dead cat.
    “A note.”
    “What kind of note?”
    “A ransom note. You were right. Mr. Burberry has been catnapped.”
     

 

Chapter 8
     
    Pete had to admire the young uniformed police officer who was taking Mrs. Michelman’s statement about Mr. Burberry’s disappearance. He doubted Officer Anderson, who looked to be straight out of the police academy, had imagined her career in law enforcement consisting of taking a statement from an eccentric old lady railing about a missing cat. Still, the officer managed to keep a straight face while she jotted down notes.
    “Want to explain why you had her call the cops?” Pete asked as Alyssa showed up at his side in the library.
    “Her property was stolen.”
    “A cat, not diamonds.”
    “You’re the one who pointed out his value,” she replied coolly.
    He glanced quickly at the beauty beside him, her attitude reminding him of Jackson’s concern about freezer burn. “Is that how you’re spinning it to the police?”
    “Spinning what?”
    “That a cop and a former NFL player are just here to guard a cat.”
    “I’m no longer a police officer,” she informed him through gritted teeth. “But I assume you know that. That you know everything.”
    The unexpected anger coming off her in waves made Pete step back a step. “Whoa”.” He held up his hands defensively. “What are you accusing me of?”
    “Snooping. Spying. Invading my privacy.” Her eyes flashed with fury. “What do you call it?”
    “I haven’t. I wouldn’t do that.”
    She glared at him. “You know my middle name, Mr. Hotshot Cyber Sleuth.”
    “A fourth grader could find out that information. That’s not snooping. It’s idle curiosity.”
    She frowned.
    “Look”…” He stepped closer to her, lowering his voice. “I don’t know why you’re no longer a police officer. I’m interested, but I wouldn’t violate someone’s privacy like that. And I certainly wouldn’t do it to someone I hope to get to know better.”
    Her gaze roamed over his face, searching.
    He waited, hoping she’d see the truth.
    “Fine,” she muttered.
    “But if you want to tell me,” he suggested gently, “I’d like to hear.”
    Something flickered in her eyes, and he thought she was going to confide in him, but she shook her head.
    Sensing she wanted to change the subject, he repeated, “I think you may have a tough time convincing the cops that you, a cop, and a former NFL player are just here to guard a cat.”
    “Well, considering we weren’t able to do that,” Alyssa bit out, making it clear her failure irked her, “maybe Brady should have arranged for better help.”
    “I can’t help you if you don’t tell me what’s going on,” Pete said softly, reaching out to touch her shoulder.
    She turned a cold stare on him.
    He dropped his hand, but met her gaze steadily, more than a flicker of annoyance burning in his blood. “Hey, you asked me to come here.”
    He wasn’t sure how long they glared at each before the officer interrupted them. All he knew was that the harder she tried to freeze him out, the angrier he became.
    “She wants to pay the ransom,” the cop said, strolling up to them.
    Alyssa snapped her attention to the young woman. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
    The cop shrugged. “Me neither. But that may be because I’m a dog person. I’ll write this up and you can pick up the report tomorrow.”
    “Okay, thanks. I’ll show you out.” Alyssa led the cop away, leaving Pete alone in the room with Mrs. Michelman.
    “Can I get you