CHAPTER

forty-four

SCOTT’S VOICE SEEMED to come from far away. “I run a business, not a charity. Sorry, Mimi. I can’t be giving away my hard-won money.”

An angry snarl erupted from beside me. Then came a scampering of paws.

The pressure on my neck eased as Scott began bellowing. His face distorted and grew red.

I sank to the floor, clutching at the tight fabric around my neck. Somehow I managed to place my finger between the scarf and my throat. I gulped in a few breaths.

I saw Marshmallow running away from Helen’s father at full tilt. In my cat’s mouth, I spied the heart-shaped bottle of perfume.

Marshmallow dodged Scott and hurried into the kitchen. Nimbus followed close behind, trying to run interference between the two, but Scott didn’t pay the little kitten any attention.

“Here, kitty,” Scott said to Marshmallow. “Give me the perfume.”

Marshmallow let the bottle drop out of his mouth and gave a sharp meow.

Scott didn’t hear Nimbus’s responding mewl as he said, “Good kitty.”

Nimbus darted around Scott’s legs, grabbed the bottle, and leaped like an acrobat on top of the refrigerator. She perched there like a regal princess, peering down on the common peasants below her.

While Scott tried yanking on the fridge to topple it, I managed to loosen the scarf even more so that it didn’t strain against my neck.

Scott grunted as he continued to push and pull against the refrigerator. In the meantime, the blessed sound of nearby sirens could be heard.

He was still battling with the fridge when the police barged in. I saw Detective Brown and caught his eye. He looked relieved to see me.

“Thought you’d be quicker,” I said, my voice strained, as police officers surrounded Scott and detained him.

“You know L.A.,” he said. “Traffic.” A pause. “Are you all right, Mimi?”

I nodded, rubbing my neck gingerly.

Scott struggled against the police holding him. “How did they find out?” He glared at me. “You said you wouldn’t tell.”

I showed him my phone, which I’d used to contact Detective Brown earlier. “You said it all yourself. I didn’t breathe a word to the cops.”

He deflated in the arms of his captors.

Even with the detailed recording, the police took my statement. They also checked my breathing and examined my throat. No damage beyond a red ring around my neck that would fade away in time.

After they’d finished with the documentation, Detective Brown frowned at me. “I got a clear recording of the incriminating conversation, Mimi, but that was a dangerous game you were playing.”

“I had to clear Alice’s name.” I intertwined my index and middle fingers together. “We’re close sisters after all.”

“Still, you risked your life.”

I wandered over to the back door, pulled it open, and let out a sharp whistle. A flurry of pounding steps later, and Marina appeared on the threshold.

“Everything work out?” she said. “I made sure he didn’t run out the back or anything.”

I jerked my thumb over my shoulder.

Marina followed the movement and smiled as she located Scott being held by the cops.

I nodded at Detective Brown. “See, Marina would’ve come running if I’d called.”

“It’s hard to make any noise when you’re being choked,” he said.

Marina’s hand flew to her own throat. “Mimi, did he try to strangle you?”

I then remembered the dangling scarf on my neck and yanked it off. “Here’s his lousy souvenir.”

Detective Brown took it with gloved hands and placed it in an evidence bag. “How did you manage to stop him by the way?”

“My cat got him off me,” I said.

Marshmallow preened himself.

Detective Brown scrunched his forehead. “Does your cat always do that? It’s almost as if he understood your comment.”

“He has impeccable timing,” I said. “In fact, he snagged the perfume bottle so Scott had to chase him and leave me alone.”

“Ah,” Detective Brown said, but then he stepped over to the refrigerator, where Nimbus lay curled up. “But if so, how did this little one end up with the perfume?”

“Marshmallow dropped the bottle, and Nimbus pounced on it. Then she leaped on top of the fridge.”

“And Scott couldn’t reach the incriminating evidence up there.” The detective smiled up at Nimbus. “Smart kitty. Seems like she’s the star for today.”

“Excuse me?” Marshmallow made his eyes appear more slitted. “I hatched this spectacular plan.”

“Come on down, Nimbus,” Detective Brown said, pointing to the floor.

The kitten followed his command and placed the bottle at the cop’s feet.

“You’d sure make a great detective cat,” the cop said as he stored away the perfume in another evidence bag.

“She is available for adoption,” I said.

Detective Brown put away his gloves and stroked Nimbus. She purred up a storm. “I might just take you up on that offer.”

“I knew you’d eventually see the power of pets,” I said with a grin.

Marshmallow rubbed against my leg. “Wow, Detective Brown, an animal lover? Will wonders never cease?”

I nodded and whispered, “And they say cats aren’t magical.”