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“I don’t know, Odelia,” said Max, usually the cats’ spokesperson. “We just feel we could have done so much more, if only those silly crooks hadn’t interfered.”

“Yeah, we’re thinking about giving it another shot,” said Harriet. “Return to the hotel and give those rooms another once-over.”

“We never got the chance to search them properly,” Brutus agreed.

“And maybe this time the rooms won’t be burgled,” said Dooley. “Unless that’s a regular thing at the Hampton Cove Star.”

Odelia laughed.“I don’t think it’s a regular thing, Dooley. But I also don’t think it’s a good idea to go back there now. The Weskits and Charlie will be in their rooms, and they’ll notice the addition of four cats to their household. Besides, you had that chat with Cleo, didn’t you? And she told you how she feels about Laron Weskit’s involvement.”

“Still, we’ve only scratched the surface,” said Max.

“Yeah, we let you down, Odelia,” said Harriet. “First with that silly show we gave, and then with that half-assed search. We haven’t given you our best yet in this investigation, and we really want to make it up to you somehow.”

She thought about that.“I’m not sure what else you can do. You’ve talked to Chickie’s pets, you’ve talked to Laron Weskit’s cat, I don’t think there’s a lot more you can do at this point.” Nor, she felt, could she. She felt oddly stymied in this investigation. As if she was going around in circles and getting nowhere fast. And now this latest drama with Gran on top of everything else. She was losing her touch, and the fact that her cats had struck out only added to her general feeling of malaise.

“Let’s not think about it anymore tonight,” she said. “Let’s all have a good night’s sleep and I’m sure in the morning fresh ideas will come to us.”

She got up, and headed into the house. Chase was cooking, which she found adorable. His specialty was spaghetti bolognese, though he was really outdoing himself now by going for a nice creamy lasagna.“Is it true that cats love lasagna?” he asked as he admired his own creation, then placed it in the oven.

“No, I think that’s just a myth created by Jim Davis.”

“Jim Davis?”

“The creator of Garfield.”

“Okay. Well, I made extra, so if Max or the others fancy lasagna, there’s plenty.”

She took a seat on one of the high kitchen stools.“Do you think I’m losing my touch?”

“Losing your touch?” He walked around the kitchen counter and held out his hands. “Come here.” They hugged and kissed, and she found him looking at her as if she were the dish of lasagna. “Um, no. In my expert opinion you haven’t lost your touch, babe.”

When she slapped him lightly on the chest, he laughed heartily.

“You know what I mean. I just feel I’m not getting anywhere with this investigation. As if I’m flailing around with no idea what the heck I’m doing.”

“It’s still early days. It could take weeks to figure out what exactly happened this morning. I’m going back there tomorrow first thing and have another chat with Tyson. I asked him to collect all the CCTV footage shot since last night, through the morning, and I’m going to watch it to see if there’s any red flags. Maybe you can join me?”

“Watch security footage all day? No, thank you. I’d prefer to finally go and talk to Laron Weskit and the others.”

“Oh, hasn’t your uncle told you? The Mayor has extended his embargo. There will be no interviews of the Weskits or Dieber and Jamie for at least another day.”

“What? But he can’t do that!” She’d slipped off her stool and threw up her hands in dismay. “They’re important witnesses in a murder inquiry. Doesn’t that take precedence over the Mayor’s political games?”

“He argued they’ve been through enough, what with the burglary and all, and doesn’t want them ‘badgered’ by the police—his words, not mine. He says that he talked to Laron about the whole Chickie thing and Laron assured him he’s got nothing to do with that, and that he and his wife are as shocked and devastated as everyone else.”

“Applesauce! Theyhave to talk to the police.”

“And sooner or later they will,” Chase assured her. “They’re not off the hook, Odelia.”

“Yeah, but who knows what evidence they’ve been able to make disappear. Plus, they’ve had ample time to coordinate their stories, so whatever they’ll tell you and Uncle Alec will just be the rehearsed story they want you to believe. The story they probably concocted with their legal team, to stay out of trouble as much as possible.”

“Alec told me to back off. He doesn’t want to go against the Mayor’s wishes.”

“God, this is making me sick.”

“Listen,” said Chase, placing plates and cutlery on placemats. “Vesta is working with Laron and his team now, right? Can’t you ask her to snoop around? Ask some questions?”

Odelia stared at her boyfriend.“That’s brilliant!”

“Hey, I have my moments,” said Chase with a grin.

But then Odelia’s face fell. “I’ll bet Gran won’t talk to me, though. She’s very upset.”