22

The Exploding Cat

The bomb squad stared down at Chrysanthemum in a study of scowls.

I turned my head and caught a glimpse of the tuxedo-monster mashing a small remote control over and over. Ha! I smiled his way and pushed myself into a sitting position. “It won’t blow up.”

The glares turned my way.

“So, you lied.” Officer Rota stepped around the bomb squad and pulled me to my feet.

Shane pushed his way to my side. “No, there was a bomb. I saw them put it in the cat myself. I was the one who stuffed the animal.” He picked up my hand and grinned down at me. “I’d hazard a guess that Miss Jack here has simply hatched some plan and forgotten to enlighten the rest of us mere mortals.”

“Then by all means, enlighten us.” The scowls were darkening as everyone stared at the dome-shrouded cat.

I knelt by the dome and pointed to Chrysanthemum’s furry nose.

Shane leaned close and then started to laugh. “Is that felt-tipped marker? What did you use on the other cat?”

“White shoe polish.” I gave Shane a quick smile.

He practically beamed.

Officer Rota tapped his fingers against his radio. He did not appear amused.

“It won’t blow up, because this is my cat. The one you kindly did not confiscate.”

“And the exploding cat, exactly which stuffed cat would that be?”

Although my hands felt a little shaky from pent up adrenaline and shock, I smiled. “That cat is in the cave of Aglauros, and I certainly hope it has blown up. The cat-nappers’ secret hideaway will be much easier to find with a bit of smoke and rubble and a stream of fleeing minions.”

“Minions?” Officer Rota shook his head and barked into his radio. After a brief pause, the radio crackled back, and a slow smile spread over his face.

I guess he had believed me long before they spotted the cat at the gala.

The officer had indeed sent his ten men to the caves, just as he’d promised. He saw my grateful look and shook his head. “Don’t thank me; thank your taxidermist here. He managed to give me a call after he stuffed their cat. With two crazy people in one night waxing eloquent about an exploding feline, I thought a bit of an investigation was in order.”

I shivered and looked up at Shane.

He pulled his threadbare flannel out of nowhere and slid it gallantly around my shoulders. How had he gotten it away from the limo driver? It did not match the verdant satin of my glorious gown.

But I pulled the flannel tighter around me and settled my head against his shoulder.

He pulled me close and pressed the softest of kisses against my hair.