Part 15
(Just so I don't lose track of where I am in the story! MOL)
Fuskerton Grange had officially descended into chaos.
The once-elegant engagement party was now a crime scene, with uniformed officers stationed around the gardens, their flashlights cutting through the smoke-filled air, and one or two looking for a hosepipe to extinguish the flames
Guests huddled together, whispering in frantic tones, tails twitching, ears flattened. Nobody had expected murder, least of all Prudence, who sat stiffly at the edge of the marquee, staring into the distance, her paws trembling.
I barely had time to process the madness before an officer approached.
“Mam,” he said, flipping open his notepad. “Might we have a moment?”
Behind him, more officers combed the gardens, their boots crunching over gravel paths, while others pulled the dead lawyer from the pond and zipped him into a body bag.
The sight sent a cold shiver down my spine.
Hissy exhaled slowly beside me. “Cod help us all.”
I forced my expression into neutral politeness, nodding at the officer. “Of course, officer.”
“We’ve been informed that mew and your associate were seen near the gardens before the incident occurred,” he continued, scanning his notes. “Can mew tell us why mew were there?”
I hesitated, not because I didn’t know what to say, but because the truth was dangerous.
If I told the police about Clawdia, who was standing right next to me. There was no guarantee they’d believe me, not without physical proof beyond the hidden document we’d just uncovered.
Clawdia was watching with eyes narrowed, waiting to make the next move, with calculated coldness.
If I revealed too much too soon, she’d find a way to cover her tracks. I had to play this carefully.
“We were in the gardens following a lead regarding the estate,” I said carefully. “We happened upon the commotion just before the summerhouse caught fire.”
The officer raised an eyebrow. “A lead regarding the estate?”
Willie stepped forward, the document missing; I assumed she had hidden it on her purrson. Her voice was measured but urgent. “It’s about ownership rights,” she said smoothly. “I can provide documentation if necessary.”
Before the officer could press further, a shout echoed across the courtyard.
“There’s been a break-in, the study door’s been forced open!”
Heads whipped toward the estate, just in time to see Muskulls disappearing into the shadows.
He was making his move.
I grabbed Hissy's paw tightly. “Willie, now’s our chance!”
And before the officers could divert their attention back to us, we ran.
We burst through the courtyard, dodging confused guests and scrambling over upturned tables.
Muskulls was moving fast, his broad frame slipping through the dimly lit hallway toward the study, the heart of Fuskerton Grange.
“We have to stop him before he...” I began, but a loud crash from inside the study cut me off.
We froze.
The doors had been forced open, splintered wood littering the floor. Inside, Muskulls was rifling through scattered drawers on the floor, his movements desperate, his usually smug demeanour replaced with frantic urgency.
Willie gripped my arm. “He’s looking for something else!”
Hissy narrowed her eyes. “We have the document proving Prudence is the rightful heir, but what if there’s more?”
I stepped forward, heart pounding. “Only one way to find out.”
Just as Muskulls searched through strewn papers littering the floor, I lunged.
My paws collided with his, and we both stumbled backwards, knocking over a heavy lamp.
“Give it up, Muskulls,” I hissed, claws digging into the edge of the desk as I steadied myself. “Mew can’t run from this forever.”
His eyes flashed dangerously.
“Mew don’t get it, do mew?” he growled, voice low. “Clawdia never just wanted the estate. She wanted what’s buried beneath it.”
My breath hitched.
“Buried?” Hissy echoed.
Muskulls laughed, a dry, humourless sound. “Mew think this is about gold-digging? About fancy houses? It’s about power. And if mew’re standing in the way, mew better be prepared to lose.”
Then, before I could react. Muskulls flipped the desk over, sending more papers flying, slamming a bookshelf behind him, blocking the exit.
Smoke still curled in the distance from the fire. The police were preoccupied, and now we were trapped with a dangerous mancat who had nothing left to lose.
“Muskulls, think carefully about this,” Willie warned, bracing herself.
But Muskulls?
He wasn’t thinking anymore.
He was acting.
And that meant we had seconds before everything spiralled even further out of control.
>^.^<
Until next week's cataclysmic episode, when mew won't believe what happened next; seriously, who knew a simple plan to save Melvyn could have unravelled a mystery like this?!!
Snowballs, Fluff, and Murder
A group of friends at odds.
A cold case suddenly heating up amidst the chill.
Tablerock, Texas is not a town accustomed to blizzards. But as a once-in-a-lifetime freeze buries the town under piles of snow and ice, life grinds to a frosty halt. For Ellie and Evie Rockwell it means being snowed in at the Silver Circle Cat Rescue with their circle of friends—all of whom are feeling the chill in more ways than one.
Loved history too; still do.
ReplyDeleteAm always looking stuff up: who was the architect to that building, why is that city called XYX, where did this or that happen...oh yeah, full of questions!
I'm sorry you got booted from the catservatory and hope Muskulls got his comeuppance.
ReplyDeleteShopping is a necessary evil in my book.
The book review sounds fabulous and thank you for joining Feline Friday!
It is hot here too, but not quite as hot as you .SW rarely reaches the extreme temperatures. That Muskulls is really evil, and so is Clawdia! I can't wait for next week.
ReplyDeleteI avoid shopping too and get everything delivered in.
That sounds like another good book. I have read Honey, hairballs and murder and bought book 1 and 3 but not got around to reading them yet. They will probably join me out on the balcony for my cruise next month.
Wow, lots of excitement in the Prudence story! Love the picture of Amber, and the book sounds intriguing!
ReplyDeleteAmber you and Polar Bear look quite cozy. The heats turning up here and a polar bear would melt. What's with the Willie again this week! Look furward to next addition.
ReplyDeleteHappy Friday to all you cute kitties, and what an exciting tale! And thank you for joining in on the Friendly Fill-Ins challenge! I really relate to your answers. I also quite dislike shopping, and this summer I'm juggling lots of outdoor chores as well as trying to finish writing a book. And Greek and Roman history has always been some of my favorite about which to learn. Purrs, and have a wonderful weekend!
ReplyDeleteYou're much better off staying where it's cool, Amber. That book sounds wonderful. I would love to read about a blizzard in this heat.
ReplyDeleteThose were really good answers and such a fun review sweet Amber. That book cover is really cool.
ReplyDeleteAmber, you are so beautiful. I love the photo of you, but sorry the PA made you move locations. Excellent review. I love snow, sounds like a good one. And the story about Prudence keeps getting better every week. Thank you to the PA for participating in the fill-ins, great answers. I hope she can find a way to complete her to-do list for the summer. XO
ReplyDeleteIt's pretty warm in our little corner of France too, and we've been told to expect 34° today. Our cat run faces north, though, so it remains shady and relatively cool (and it's pretty overgrown!).
ReplyDeletePurrs,
The Chans
Can't wait until next week 🙀 another great book review x😽🐈⬛🐈🐾💕
ReplyDelete