1c8c0f371c0d914159db2df0bf94b5c6

“Soul Science is not a startup but a new church. They’ve just set up shop in the old Excelsior building on Tavern Street. So I think it behooves us to pay them a visit and find out more. And when I say us of course I mean you. I tried to make an appointment, but they told me they’re not talking to the media, so…”

“You want me to go in undercover and find out all there is to know about them?”

“Bingo,” he said. “Oh, and you better bring your cats.”

“My cats? Why?”

“The main man, the guru, if you will, apparently has a thing for cats. In fact he’s crazy about the creatures. Which makes you the perfect man for the job. Or woman.”

“Gotcha. My cats and I are happy to accept your mission, dear sir.”

Dan rubbed his face.“Oh, and try to snap a couple of good shots of the leader, will you? On the Soul Science website there’s an old picture, and his face kinda looks familiar.”

“Mysterious.”

“All good cults are.”

“Would you call them a cult?”

“I would—unless you can convince me otherwise.” He tapped the doorframe again. “I know you’ll knock it out of the park, Odelia.”

“We aim to please, sir,” said Odelia and was rewarded with a cheerful beard waggle.

Chapter 3

“A cat guru? Really?” I asked.

I’d frankly never heard of such a thing, and in the course of my lifetime I’d encountered and experienced many a strange phenomenon.

“Well, Master Sharif is more of a co-guru,” said Brutus. “In that he shares guruing duties with his human, who goes by the name of Master Omar. Omar takes care of the humans, while Sharif takes care of their cats.”

“Sounds like a solid business venture.”

“Oh, sure. You should have seen the place last night. Plenty of folks coming to see Omar, and cats to see Sharif. Except for me, since I was just along for the ride. Like a tourist.”

Dooley, who seemed disappointed that no thigh-squeezing was going on at Casa Omar/Sharif, now said,“So what does Harriet see in this guru? Is he very handsome?”

Brutus gave him a reproachful look.“Of course not. Master Sharif only handles cats’ spiritual needs—no hanky-panky involved. If he’d have made so much as a pass at Harriet, I’d have knocked his block off, guru or no guru.”

I would have told him he probably should stop knocking people’s blocks off, as it often gives the wrong impression, but he clearly wasn’t in the right frame of mind for a stern rebuke. So I merely said, “You still haven’t told us why you’re hiding in bushes pshhht’ing at innocent passersby.” Or lyersby, as in our case.

He heaved a deep sigh, and his face sagged a little.“Like I said, Harriet wants to convert me. She wants me to become a member of Sharif’s flock and she’ll stop at nothing until I’ve declared my allegiance and become a Soul Science follower, too.”

“Soul Science?”

“It’s the name of Sharif’s outfit.”

“Has a nice ring to it,” I said. “But they shouldn’t try and push you to join up.” I’m a big believer in allowing every cat to join any creed, religion or other aspiration they choose, as long as no coercion is involved. “Why don’t I tell her to lay off?” I suggested now.

“Wouldn’t do no good,” said Brutus. “She’ll probably try to convert you, too.”

I smiled a complacent little smile.“Let her try.”

“Oh, there you are,” suddenly a voice spoke in our immediate rear, and the cat of the hour suddenly appeared in our midst. Harriet is a gorgeous white Persian, who has been making heads spin and hearts race in our feline community ever since she made her debut.

“Harriet!” said Brutus, suddenly nervous. “We were just—I was just—I was going—”

“Have you ever considered that you’re more than a body with basic needs, Max?” Harriet asked, ignoring Brutus’s inane babbling and directing a stern look at me.

I smiled my coolest smile. This was it. A first attempt to break down my defenses.

“I have not,” I said. “In fact I like my body and my basic needs just the way they are and I see no reason to change a single thing about them. Not one little thing.”

She blinked, but was not deterred.“Eating, sleeping, the occasional bathroom visit… Is that really all you want out of life, Max? Surely there must be more?”

“I like to sleep,” I said, “and eat and take the occasional bathroom break. So what?”

“Have you never felt a deep inner yearning for more? A deep-seated feeling that there’s another dimension out there—a dimension you have yet to fully explore?”

“There is Dyno-Kat,” I conceded.

“Dyno-what?”

“Dyno-Kat is a new brand of kibble, designed to blow your faithful furry friend’s mind,” I explained. “I asked Odelia to buy it for me but she hasn’t gotten round to it yet.”

She tsk-tsked and shook her head like a school teacher when a pupil gives the wrong answer.“Now, now, Max. I know for a fact that you have a soul.”

“I have a soul?” I asked, surprised.

“I’ve seen glimpses of it over the years. Beneath that soft and pudgy exterior there lurks a spiritual heart.”

“I very much doubt it.”

“We all have a soul, only we rarely use it.”