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ôI think they make a cute couple,ö said Chase. ôAnd who knows? Maybe theyÆll be able to make the foie gras industry more ethical.ö

HeÆd received Abe CornwallÆs final report, which contained one gruesome detail we hadnÆt yet been made privy to. Apparently whoever killed Eric Blandine had shoved a pipe down the manÆs throat and poured the same mixture of corn and fat down his gullet that they used on the ducks to artificially fatten up their livers to unnatural proportions. The mixture had been found in the manÆs stomach as the last meal he digested.

And the tech people had finished examining EricÆs laptop and phone and had found no trace of a message heÆd received setting up his late-night meeting.

ôIt must be the duck people that did this,ö said Odelia. ôIf not Lita, then someone whoÆs part of her outfit.ö

ôMaybe we should talk to your grandmother. SheÆs already part of this group. She might be able to tell us who are some of the more radical elements.ö

ôAccording to Lita and Tobias she and Scarlett are the radical elements,ö said Odelia with a grin.

ôWhy am I not surprised,ö said the cop.

ôSo whatÆs next?ö

ôWe still have to talk to Ebony,ö said Chase, consulting his notebook. ôAnd I just got confirmation from Tobias that heÆs managed to set up an interview with the man himself. Cotton Karat has carved out five minutes of his busy day for us.ö

ôHeÆs home?ö

ôArriving home later today. The interview will take place at the clinic, though.ö

ôThat was a very short stay. So heÆs fully cured of his sex addiction, then?ö

ôI very much doubt it. But heÆs got a press conference at four.ö

ôThat sounds promising.ö

ôIf youÆre a reporter, sure. As a cop? Not so much. Though it might be interesting to keep a close eye on the room. If the killer thought he murdered Cotton, and now all of a sudden that same Cotton turns up alive and well, that must be a great blow.ö

ôYou think the killer will turn up at the press conference?ö asked Odelia.

ôWouldnÆt you?ö

Odelia nodded thoughtfully.ôWhy donÆt you talk to my uncle? Get a couple of cameras covering the room, and officers spread out to listen in on conversations, look at people texting on their phones. Maybe weÆll pick up on something that way.ö

ôGreat idea, babe,ö said Chase, and took out his own phone. ôConsider it done.ö

ôWe can also spread out, Odelia,ö I suggested. ôWe can ask Harriet and Brutus to join us. If we all cover a part of the room, we might be able to glean something important.ö

ôThanks, Max,ö said Odelia, giving me a pat on the head. ôThat would be great.ö

ôDo you really think the killer will turn up?ö asked Dooley.

ôWho knows?ö I said. ôIf Cotton was the intended victim, the killer might want to take another crack at him. And heÆll definitely want to see for himself if the man is still alive.ö

ôI hope theyÆll protect Cotton from now on,ö said Dooley. ôIf the killer tries again, they have to stop him before another man loses his liver.ö He frowned, then directed himself to our human. ôAre you sure that a person actually needs their liver, Odelia? It doesnÆt sound like something important. I mean, people lose their appendix or even a kidney and it doesnÆt make a difference.ö

ôYes, Dooley,ö said Odelia with a patient smile. ôPeople really do need their liver. ItÆs a vital organ.ö

ôOh. Well, too bad.ö

ôTell that to Eric Blandine,ö I muttered, then devoured another helping of kibble. I had the distinct impression that today was going to be a long day.

Chapter 15

IÆd just managed to strengthen the inner cat when Gran came storming into the office, followed by Scarlett and Harriet and Brutus. They all looked a little hot under the collar.

ôWhatÆs all this I hear about you arresting the leading light in duck salvation?ö Gran demanded heatedly.

ôIf youÆre referring to Lita Fiol, sheÆs not under arrest at this moment,ö said Chase, not too bothered by this outburst as evidenced by the leisurely way he was scrolling on his phone. ôShe is, however, a person of interest in our investigation, that much is true.ö

ôA person of interest! SheÆs as white as the driven snow! The girl is a peach!ö

ôSheÆs also the leader of the Duck Liberation Front, and as such the most likely suspect in our case,ö Chase pointed out, looking up from his phone and directing a warning glance at Gran and her cronies.

But if he thought a mere threatening look would silence Gran, he was sorely mistaken. Warning looks only serve to embolden that old lady.ôSheÆs a role model! A paragon of heroism. Setting an example for her generation! If not for her, ducks will continue to be slaughtered by the ravenous bloodlust of the common masses! You should give her a medal, and not that no-good, head butcher Cotton Karat.ö

ôYou do know that this head butcher of yours was himself butchered last night?ö asked Odelia, lifting an eyebrow.

GranÆs mouth opened and closed a few times. ôButchered? What are you talking about?ö