The Whole Cat and Caboodle: Second Chance Cat Mystery (22 page)

Sam had saved a big table for us at the back of the pub and we crowded around it to celebrate: Rose and Mr. P.; Liz and Avery, even though it was a school night; Charlotte; Maddie, of course; Mac; Jess, who had called Sam and organized the spontaneous celebration; Nick and even Elvis, riding in style in Rose’s canvas tote bag. We’d invited Michelle but she had paperwork to do. “Thank you for believing me,” I’d said to her as we stood in the shop parking lot.

“Thank you for trusting me,” she’d replied.

Sam brought a bottle of sparkling cider to the table and handed it to Jess. “I don’t think this bunch needs any alcohol,” he said.

He laid a hand on my shoulder. “I’m glad you’re safe,” he said. “Don’t ever do something this stupid again.”

I rested my cheek against his hand for a moment. “Don’t worry, Sam,” I said. “My detective days are over.”

“I can’t believe Elvis came in and dropped a dead mouse on that woman’s foot,” Jess said as she poured the cider.

“Oh, I can,” Rose said. “Elvis is a very intelligent cat. And technically it wasn’t dead.”

He poked his head out of the bag and looked at us all, clearly happy about the praise.

“I can’t believe I let you talk me into bringing him,” I said. “What if the health inspector finds out about this?”

“I don’t see a cat,” Liz said. “Does anyone else?”

“Not me,” Avery said with a grin.

“All I see is family,” Charlotte said.

I looked around the table. That was what I saw, too. Family. A bit of an odd one, but family nonetheless.

“Are you glad you came back?” Nick said quietly. He was sitting to my right.

I nodded. “Yes, I am. What about you?”

He looked at me and smiled. “Very glad,” he said.

Jess stood up and raised her glass. “A toast, everyone,” she said. “To Sarah and Elvis for catching Arthur Fenety’s killer.”

We clinked glasses and took a drink.

“So, are you going to make another career change and become a full-time investigator?” Nick teased, his brown eyes sparkling.

I shook my head. “No. This was my first and last time playing detective.”

Rose came around the side of the table, bent down and put her arms around my neck. “I’m so glad you’re all right, sweetie,” she said. “We won’t let this happen next time.”

Nick looked at me. I looked at Rose. “Next time?” I said.

Rose nodded. “Don’t worry.” She reached into the pocket of her sweater. “Our business cards came,” she said. “With all the excitement I forgot to show them to you.”

She handed me a cream-colored rectangle with black printing. It said
C
HARLOTTE’S
A
NGELS
in cursive, with
DISCREET INVESTIGATIONS
underneath.

Rose beamed at me. “We’ve decided to open up a business. Isn’t this going to be fun?”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Sofie Ryan
is a writer and mixed-media artist who loves to repurpose things in her life and her art. She also writes the national bestselling Magical Cats mysteries under the name Sofie Kelly.