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“Nope. You never know, of course. Looks can be deceiving, and even though I’m probably the world’s best judge of character, even I can be deceived, though I doubt it.”

“Tex says he misses you,” I said. “And so do Marge and Odelia.”

“And Chase,” said Brutus.

“Talking about Chase, he recruited me,” said Gran with a smile. “Asked me to snoop around and find out what’s cooking in the Weskits’ kitchen.”

“They have their own kitchen?” asked Dooley, wide-eyed.

“Chase wants me to ask them a couple of questions,” Gran said, petting Dooley on the head. “Act as his eyes and ears because the Mayor has told the police to stand down.”

“Do you miss your family, too, Gran?” asked Harriet now.

“Of course! I miss all of you. And I’m really glad you decided to pay me a visit.”

“So are you going to do what Chase asked you to do?” I asked.

“Sure, why not? But I told him the same thing I just told you: I don’t think Laron is the guy. But of course I can’t prove that until I get to know him a little better. And now that you’re all here, we can work together to prove that my new friends had nothing to do with Chickie Hay’s murder. Can you do that for me?”

“Yes, Gran!” we all spoke in chorus. Though I had no idea what she’d actually asked us to do. Regardless, if there was anything to be found, we’d find it. I was sure of it. Or at least as sure as Gran seemed to be of her boundless talent to entertain Spotify listeners.

We spent the night in Gran’s room, which was spacious and pleasant and warm, and she even ordered room service for us: extra-delicious kibble and extra-yummy soft food.

“You know, Max?” said Dooley as we tucked in, “I think I could get used to this life.”

“What life, Dooley?” I asked as I gobbled up a kernel of kibble.

“The life of the rich and famous,” he said. “Room service at all hours of the day and night, a nice suite to lounge around in, a flock of adoring fans…”

We all pricked up our ears when loud singing came from outside. When Gran opened her window something was thrown in her face. A pair of panties. She stared at it for a moment, then threw them back.“Wrong room!” she yelled, and slammed the window.

“I think those were meant for Charlie,” said Brutus with a laugh.

“Damn cheek,” Grandma grumbled, and decided to call it a night. We all curled up on the huge and comfy bed, and moments later only the sounds of one old lady and four cats snoring softly could be heard.

The next morning, we discovered the pleasures of room service all over again, and once more were pleased with the selection of tasty chicken nuggets at our disposal.

“I’m going downstairs to have breakfast with the others,” said Gran after taking a shower. She was dressed in a nice new dress I’d never seen before. It was short and sexy.

When she caught us all staring at her, she twirled around, and said,“Laron got these for me last night, from the hotel shop. Nice, huh? And Shannon Weskit is taking me shopping later. They want me decked out in a completely fresh set of threads.” She sighed, her eyes shining with delight. “A girl could get used to this life, that’s for sure,” she said, echoing Dooley’s words from the night before.

Before she went down for breakfast, she instructed us to follow her out into the hallway, and stay close to the wall. She then knocked on Laron Weskit’s door, and when he opened we all quickly scooted between his legs and into his room.

“Ready for breakfast, Laron?” we could hear Gran ask, and Laron grumbled something in response. Clearly he was not a morning person.

“Gran is in better shape than this Laron guy!” said Dooley, and we all giggled at that.

We’d immediately streaked underneath the bed, where we now remained hidden until the coast was clear. Finally Laron and Shannon left, and the room was finally ours.

“Hey, intruders,” said suddenly a familiar voice.

When we turned, we found ourselves being addressed by the hairless cat Cleo.

“Cleo!” cried Dooley. “So nice to see you again!”

“Likewise, furball,” said Cleo, obviously in a great mood. “And who are these guys? I briefly saw you last night but we weren’t properly introduced.”

“This is Harriet, and this is Brutus. Harriet and Brutus, meet Cleo, Laron’s cat.”

“Nice to meet you,” said Brutus politely.

“Aren’t you the singer from last night?” Cleo asked Harriet.

Harriet perked up at this.“Did you see my show?”

“I wasn’t lucky enough to catch it live, but Laron and Shannon watched the footage on the big screen after you guys had all left.”

“And? What did you think?” asked Harriet, sounding a little nervous.

“Loved it, sister! And so did Laron and Shannon. They thought you were fantastic!”

“Oh, my,” said Harriet, visibly touched. “Oh, my, oh, my.”

“You’re the real thing, girl,” said Cleo. “And those are not my words but Laron’s. You know he’s a record executive, right? If he says you’ll hit it big, you better pay attention.”

“Did you hear that, Brutus? They loved us! Loved us!”