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Odelia arrived home wearing a deep frown. Writing the article, she’d realized how important it was to catch whoever had killed Chickie that morning, and she felt seriously hampered in her investigation by the Mayor’s veto. She now had a strong suspicion Laron Weskit and the others might skip town tonight after the show, and there was nothing she could do about it. And the more she thought about that contingency the more upset she became. And as she paced her modest home, she suddenly caught sight of Max and Dooley, quietly dozing on the windowsill, and an idea struck her.

She approached her two cats and gently shook Max, then whispered in his ear,“Yoo-hoo, sleepyhead.”

He made the cutest mewling sound, then opened his eyes and sleepily stared at her.

“I want you to go with me tonight to the Hampton Cove Star, Max. There’s a big party and I want you to do some spying for me. Think you’re up for it?”

Max yawned widely and said,“Is that the same party Harriet will sing at?”

“Harriet is going to sing tonight?”

“That’s what she said. Gran is giving her a part of her slot.”

Odelia frowned.“Gran is also going to sing?”

“It would appear so.”

“Huh,” said Odelia. “I didn’t know that.”

“Oh, yeah. It’s going to be a family occasion.”

“Well, so there you go. Another good reason to be my eyes and ears tonight.”

“I want to come and see Harriet, too,” said Dooley, stretching so much he almost dropped from the windowsill. She could just prevent him from toppling into the abyss.

“You can both come,” she assured him. “You’re not going to miss Harriet’s show.”

She thought for a moment.“So, um, I don’t think cats are particularly welcome at this shindig. It’s going to be very posh, with lots of celebrities and local politicians and businesspeople. The Mayor is going to give a speech, and hand the keys to the city to Charlie Dieber, but before that they reserved the stage for local talent—that’s when Dad and Gran and Harriet will perform. And then at the end of the evening Charlie will sing a couple of songs, and a duet with Jamie. So what I need you to do is snoop around Laron’s and Charlie’s rooms. I’m not allowed to talk to them and neither is my uncle or Chase, but that isn’t going to stop me from trying to find out as much about them as I can.”

“We could watch the show from the wings,” Max suggested. “And once Gran and Harriet’s bits are done we could sneak out and go and search those rooms for you.”

It sounded like a plan and she smiled.“You’ve got yourself a deal, buddy.”

“So how are we going to get inside?” asked Max.

“Let me worry about that. Oh, and do you know where Harriet and Brutus are? I want to ask them to join you. Four cats can snoop around a lot more than two.”

“But Harriet will be on stage,” said Dooley.

“I know, I mean when she’s done performing.”

And then she was off, in search of the other two members of her cat menagerie.

The Mayor might have prevented her from gaining access to four potential witnesses or even suspects, but he didn’t know she had four furry secret weapons at her disposal.

She passed through the hedge that connected her backyard to her parents’, and walked into the kitchen. Mom was preparing dinner, looking a little rattled.

“Have you seen Harriet and Brutus?” she asked. “I need to ask them something.”

“Did you know your grandmother has decided to usurp your father?” asked Mom.

“Usurp Dad? What are you talking about?”

“Well, you remember how she said she wants to be the new Beyonc??”

“How could I forget? Is this about Gran performing at tonight’s event?”

“Your dad was supposed to be the local talent. But your gran has usurped him.”

“I’m sure they’ll both get to do a song. So have you seen Harriet and Brutus?”

“But that’s just it. He’s not going to do a song. Gran has taken his place. And I think this time she’s gone too far. She knows how much your father was looking forward to tonight. First she took over his basement for her own rehearsals, and now she’s taking over his gigs. Soon he will have to call it quits, and that would be a real shame.”

“Why don’t I talk to Gran?”

“Yes, please. Talk some sense into her. Make her realize how much pain she’s caused with this latest stunt. Tex is a good man, and all this nonsense is preying on his mind.”

“I’ll talk to her.”

She moved into the living room, where Gran was watchingJeopardy.

“Have you seen Harriet and Brutus, Gran?” she asked.

“They’re around somewhere,” her grandmother grunted, her eyes fixed on the screen. “What is Belgium!”

“Around where? I’ve been looking all over the place.”

“Aren’t they over at yours? They usually hang around your place around this time. Harriet figures this house is too noisy, and she’s taken a sudden dislike toJeopardy for some reason. No idea why. Best show on TV. Who is Cary Grant!”

Odelia took a seat next to her grandmother.“Gran, I need to talk to you.”

“Uh-oh.”

“Yeah. Is it true you took over Dad’s gig at tonight’s event?”

“I did no such thing. Can I help it if the Mayor thinks my act is better suited for an event of this magnitude than your dad’s?”