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“You guys,” she said, “you know I can’t afford that stuff on my measly salary. If you want to have p?t? every day you’re going to have to find yourselves another human. One who’s as rich as John Paul George.”

Dooley and I exchanged a glance again, and we both shrugged.

“Nah, that’s all right,” I said.

“Yeah, I think we’ll stick around,” said Dooley.

“P?t? is great,” I explained.

“But a great human like you is better,” Dooley finished the sentence.

She laughed again.“What a relief. I almost thought I’d have to look for other cats.” She checked on her cake again and shook her head. “I can’t believe I’m baking a cake for Chase Kingsley of all people.”

“Love is in the air,” I sang.

“Everywhere you look around,” Dooley chimed in.

We’d been rehearsing the song during our nocturnal cat choir practice sessions, and it almost sounded like the original. Only a lot more howly.

“Yeah, yeah, don’t rub it in,” she grumbled.

She leaned against the counter, frown firmly in place again.“Follow the money, huh? Who gets to benefit the most from Johnny’s death?”

“Johnny’s family,” I suggested.

“And Jasper,” said Dooley.

“And Bryony Pistol,” said Odelia.

“Huh? Who?” I asked.

“Johnny’s wife. Apparently Johnny never divorced her.”

“I didn’t know Johnny had a wife,” I said.

“Nobody did. Though I’m pretty sure by now my uncle does.”

“We better ask Brutus what he knows,” I said. “He’s been glued to the police station all day. Maybe he picked up something we missed.”

“Let’s ask Harriet,” Dooley suggested. “Brutus won’t tell us a thing.”

“Well, he’s probably right. We wouldn’t tell him anything either.”

“You guys, why don’t you kiss and make up with Brutus already?” asked Odelia. “Hasn’t this feud between you gone on long enough?”

“Why don’t you and Chase kiss and make up?” I threw back.

She blinked.“It’s complicated,” she admitted.

“Well, our relationship with Brutus is complicated too.”

“Very complicated,” Dooley said somberly.

“Why don’t I talk to Chase about Brutus again?” Odelia suggested.

“That would be great,” I said. “Just tell him to get rid of the brute. I’m sure there’s plenty of room at the animal shelter.”

“Or just donate him to charity,” said Dooley, perking up slightly.

She laughed.“I doubt Chase will go for it. But I will talk to him.”

Dooley put his head on his paws again. It was obvious that‘talking to Chase’ wasn’t going to cut it. The guy obviously held no sway over his cat.

Fifteen minutes later, the cake was ready, and Odelia took it out of the oven and walked it across the yard to her parents’ yard. We followed her, even though we should probably have that nap now. But duty called.

Over at Marge and Tex’s, everything was set for dinner, and Uncle Alec and Chase were already chatting up a storm with their hosts. They were all seated out on the deck, where dinner was going to be served. No sense in being cooped up inside when the weather was this nice. Two other guests that had arrived were Brutus and Harriet, who were lying on the porch swing Odelia’s dad had installed a couple of weeks ago. They looked like two lovers in heat, and Dooley muttered, “Max, I can’t do this. I’m going home.”

“No, you’re not,” I said, stopping him with my paw. “The worst thing we can do right now is show Brutus that he’s won. We need to stand firm, Dooley. We need to show he’s just a guest, and we’re masters of our home.”

He sighed.“Why do I have the impression he’s not buying any of that?”

“Because he’s hard of hearing,” I said. “All we need to do is yell harder.”

I walked up to Brutus and Harriet, and jumped up to join them on the love seat. Dooley, meanwhile, decided to remain on the ground, staring up at the three of us gloomily.

“Hey, Brutus,” I said, trying to sound like a master of my own home. “So have you cracked this case yet?”

“Not yet,” he admitted with a smug smile. “But I’m getting there.”

“That’s great,” I said. “So you’re close to catching the killer, huh?”

“I’m almost ready to reveal his identity, yes,” said Brutus.

Harriet, who’d been licking her fur—that kind of snowy white coat takes a lot of licks to keep looking so nice and shiny—sighed wistfully. “Brutus is so clever, Max. He’s listened to all the interviews Chief Alec and Chase did today, and he’s drawn a most fascinating conclusion. He’s really nailed it.”

“You did, huh?” I asked. “Well, to be honest I expected nothing less from you, Brutus. You are a policeman’s cat, after all. A true detective.”

“Glad you’re finally seeing things my way, Maxie, baby,” he sneered.

“Oh, but I certainly do,” I assured him. “It’s just that us country bumpkins need more time to figure things out than you slick city cats.”

“See?” he asked, addressing Harriet. “I told you those two morons would see the light. All right,” he said now. “I don’t see why I can’t tell you. I know for a fact now that there wasn’t just one killer. They were all in it together.”

I raised my eyebrows.“Come again?”

“Don’t you see?” he asked. “All those boy toys—”

“Or toy boys,” Harriet supplied.

“Whatever. They’re all in this together, see?”