Claws For Concern

Diesel, I noticed, was sitting at the back door, watching it intently. He was waiting for Azalea. He knew what her schedule was and often greeted her when she entered the house. Moments later the door opened, and she walked into the kitchen. Diesel chirped loudly, and Azalea laughed.

“Good morning, Mr. Cat, and how are you?” Azalea set her purse down on the counter while Diesel warbled and meowed to let her know he was starving and surely could eat some bacon. Azalea laughed again. “Good morning, Mr. Charlie. When are you going to feed this poor thing?”

“Good morning, Azalea,” I said. “He knows that when you’re here there could be bacon. You’ve spoiled him.”

“Seems to me you’re the one done all the spoiling,” Azalea said. “Don’t go pushing the blame on me.” She looked down at Diesel. “You hold on, Mr. Cat. At least give me time to cook. You’d be turning your nose up at raw bacon.”

As Azalea set to work getting breakfast ready, I told her that Diesel and I were heading to Tullahoma this morning. “We need to leave around seven thirty.”

“Then I reckon it’ll be toast instead of biscuits this morning,” Azalea said.

“That’s fine,” I replied.

I headed to the den to check e-mail. By the time I was done, breakfast would be ready. Diesel remained in the kitchen. As long as Azalea was frying bacon, he wouldn’t go anywhere.

I read my e-mail, surfed the Internet for a bit, then went back to the kitchen. Breakfast was on the table. Diesel and I ate alone this morning. Haskell was probably out the door before I got up, and Stewart was most likely at the gym.

After a quick trip upstairs to brush my teeth, I was ready to leave. Diesel and I bade Azalea good-bye, and soon we were on the road for Tullahoma.

As I headed out of Athena, I hoped that this day would bring new and helpful information. We needed a break in the case, and we needed it soon.

TWENTY-SEVEN

I accomplished the drive to Tullahoma without incident and, as usual, arrived early—nearly twenty minutes early. Jack’s directions led me easily to the Kountry Kitchen. I pulled into the parking lot and texted Jack that Diesel and I had arrived.

We would wait for him in the car. Since Helen Louise’s bistro was the only restaurant where Diesel was allowed, I had to stay with him. Had the temperature outside been mild, I could have left him in the car for a few minutes. With the late July heat, however, I remained with him, air-conditioning running. I simply couldn’t understand people who left their pets—or children—in hot cars. If they were that ignorant they shouldn’t have pets—or children—at all.

Jack texted back to let me know he was on the way and would arrive soon. Sure enough, only seven minutes later, he pulled into the parking space next to me. As he got out of his car, I rolled down my window to greet him.

“Good morning, Charlie,” he said as he came up to my window. “How are you? And how is Diesel?” He bent to look into the backseat where Diesel sat, nose pressed to the glass.

“Fine,” I said. “Why don’t you join me in the car so we can talk?”

“That won’t be necessary,” Jack said. “Wanda Nell’s boss, Melvin, said we can use his office so Diesel can come inside. There’s a door around on the other side of the building.”

“Sounds good,” I said. “Better than sitting in the car burning gas.” I turned the car off and got out. Jack moved back so I could get Diesel out, too. Diesel wore his harness with a leash attached. He hopped out of the car onto the pavement and we followed Jack.

As we walked I kept an eye out for anything on the paved surface of the parking lot that could harm Diesel’s paws. The temperature wasn’t high enough yet to make it unsafe for Diesel to walk on. I was relieved to see that the owner kept his parking lot clean. We made it around the front of the building and down the side with no problem. Jack opened a door near the middle of the side wall and ushered us inside.

We were standing in a cramped hallway. To the left I could hear the sounds of the kitchen. Diesel detected the smell of bacon, as did I. There were two doors in the inner wall, and Jack opened one of them and motioned for us to enter. The office contained a desk, a couple of chairs, and two filing cabinets. There was room enough for the three of us and maybe one other person. We settled into the chairs, Jack taking the one behind the desk, and Diesel sat on the floor next to me.

That one other person came into the office, an attractive woman about Jack’s age. He got up to give her a quick kiss and then introduced me to his wife, Wanda Nell.

“Nice to meet you, Charlie,” she said. “You, too, Diesel. Aren’t you about the most gorgeous cat I ever saw?” She extended a hand to the cat, and he sniffed it. Then he licked her fingers, and she laughed. “I had a piece of bacon a minute ago.”

“He loves bacon,” I said.

Diesel meowed and looked up at Wanda Nell.

“Sorry, sir, no more bacon.” She patted his head, then scratched it. He purred for her. “I guess I pass the test.”

“You do.” I smiled. “He’s your friend now.”