Read PAWSitively Sinister (A Klepto Cat Mystery Book 11) for Free Online Page B

greeting and began passing plates of scrambled eggs, sausage, and toast in her direction.
    “No thanks,” she said, reaching for a bowl of fruit. “I’m… eating light this morning.”
    Savannah studied Ruth. Finally, she asked, “Is everything all right?”
    Ruth took a deep breath and let it out, then looked down at her plate. “I’m not sure.” After a moment, she said, “My sister called last night.” She took on a defensive stance. “How she can afford a cell phone is beyond me, when she cannot afford to get herself into some sort of housing.” She glanced up at Savannah. “She wanted to talk. I think she was… how do you say… strung up… or strung out… on some drug or maybe liquor.” She fidgeted with her napkin. “I don’t really know her—maybe she is that way all the time. Anyway, she is concerned about her friend.” She glanced at Laura and Gail. “… the one who used to live here. She said Miriam has been terribly upset since she came here. She cries a lot and she is drinking more. Mattie said she screams in the night while she is sleeping.”
    Savannah winced. “Nightmares? I can imagine how hard it would be for someone who… lives like she does to remember nice family times in such a beautiful home.”
    Arthur cringed and snickered. “What beautiful home are you talking about, Savannah?” He spoke more quietly. “Maybe she has terrible memories, too. Maybe this place is full of evil.” He thought for a moment, then said, “I’d like to know something about the people who lived here before we did—find out who they were and what skeletons they kept in these closets.”
    Suzette looked at him inquisitively. “Why do you think they had skeletons?”
    “Well, as Detective Craig said once, ‘People with money always have secrets and some of those secrets are dark.’”
    “Maybe some of those secrets are revealed in the documents we found,” Michael said as he stood and pulled his phone out of his pocket. “Now to find a digging machine. Do you know of a rental yard near here?”
    Arthur chuckled. “Rental yard? I was going to buy the machine.”
    Michael looked stunned for a moment, then he started to laugh. “That’s right, buddy, you can afford to buy one, can’t you?” In a more serious tone, he explained, “But if you don’t need one for other jobs, it’s a waste, so why don’t we just rent one for now, okay?”
    Once the two men had stepped outside to make their call, Ruth said, “Savannah, my sister is coming out here this morning as soon as she can get a ride. Will you stay with me?”
    “You want me to be with you when you talk to your sister?”
    Ruth nodded. “If you do not mind. I really would.”
    “Sure. I can do that. Do you know why she’s coming?”
    “Not really. She said she wants to talk to me. I think it’s about her friend Mims.”
    “Mims?” Savannah asked, looking puzzled.
    “Well, Miriam. Mims is her street name or nickname, I suppose.”
    ****
    Two hours later, just after Savannah had bathed and dressed Lily, her cell phone rang. “Savannah, it is Ruth. She is here. I am taking her out on the deck of the empty bungalow—the Lilac Bungalow. Can you meet us there?”
    “Sure,” Savannah said. “I’ll just be a minute.”
    “Hi Lily,” Ruth said, when she saw Savannah approaching with the baby. She hurried over to help lift the stroller onto the spacious deck where she and Mattie had been sitting at an umbrella-shaded table.
    “Thank you,” Savannah said. She then acknowledged Mattie, who was devouring a large deli sandwich and a generous serving of potato chips. “Okay if I join you ladies?” she asked, feeling a little awkward to have intruded.
    “Yes, please do,” Ruth said. “I told Mattie I asked you to be here.” She glanced at her sister. “I wanted you to… get to know her,” she said, stammering slightly.
    “Hell,” Mattie said, “I don’t even know you , Ru-Ru.” She pushed several chips into her mouth