Free A MEOWvelous Witness (Klepto Cat Mystery Book 17) by Patricia Fry

Savannah’s emotions rising to the surface, he wiped his hands and wrapped her and Lily in a bear hug.
    “They didn’t find Aunt Maggie?” Adam asked. “Where do you think she went?”
    “No one knows, Son,” Michael said. “But there are a lot of people looking for her.”
    “And Rags, too?” he asked.
    Savannah pulled back from Michael, placed the squirming toddler on the floor, and peered at the ten-year-old. “Rags?”
    “Yeah, she took Rags to your picnic. Rags and Dolly. I saw Dolly in her car, waiting for Rags. Dolly looked real excited, too.”
    “Wait,” Savannah said, easing down onto a kitchen chair, her hands on Adam’s arms. “She came and got Rags?”
    He nodded.
    She looked at Michael, then back at Adam. “Why? Do you know why she did that?”
    “She said you wanted to take a special picture with him in it, so she decided to surprise you and bring Rags and Dolly to the picnic. She took both of Rags’s harnesses and leashes so Dolly would have one, too. Didn’t you see them?”
    “No,” Savannah said, her voice filled with emotion. “They never showed up. Michael, why did you let her take him?”
    He shrugged. “I guess I was bathing Lily when she came by. Adam told me about it later.”
    “I can’t believe this. Now Rags is gone, too?” She stood and pulled her phone out of her pocket, saying, “Oh no—Colbi—she must be frantic.” Just as she started to place a call, her phone rang. “Colbi,” she said into the phone. “I was just going to call you.”
    “Harrison said she has Dolly with her,” Colbi wailed. “And Rags. Why do you suppose she decided to take the cats to a picnic, for God’s sake?”
    “I don’t know, Colbi. I guess it was supposed to be a surprise for us.”
    “Now they’re missing. Where are they, Savannah? Where could they be? Oh my gosh, I’m so worried.”
    “I know, hon. Is Damon there with you?”
    “He’ll be here soon. Harrison’s here. He’s heating up some leftovers for supper—but I’m sure I can’t eat. I’m just sick. Well, you know how much I love Dolly.”
    “Yes, I know. I’m so sorry. Well, we all are. Hey, I have a call coming in—it’s Craig. He might have news. I’ll call you right back, okay?”
    “Yes, please do.”
    “Hello Craig, have you found them?”
    “Them?” he asked.
    “Yes, my aunt has Dolly and Rags with her.”
    “What? Why?”
    “It’s a long story. What have you found out?”
    He hesitated. “Not much, I’m afraid. They’re taking search dogs out in the morning and they’ll put up a helicopter to see if they can spot her car. In the meantime, there’s an APB out for her and the car.” He paused. “Honey, it could be that your aunt had some sort of spell and is confused. We’re trying to cover all bases. We will find her. You can be sure of that.”
    “I hope so, Craig.”
    “Savannah, I know this is difficult for you. But you might want to go check on Max. I just talked to him and he’s pretty upset.”
    “Of course he is. Thank you for suggesting that, Craig. I’m afraid I’ve been so caught up in my own grief that I didn’t think about him. I’ll definitely go over there—or see if he wants to come here.” She said more quietly, “Please keep us posted, will you?”
    “Sure will. She’ll turn up—don’t you worry.”
    Before ending the call, Savannah said, “Craig, could I ask you something?”
    “Yeah,” he said cautiously.
    “It’s about Damon.” She hesitated before saying, “I saw him a couple of days ago arguing with a man. I’m…well…I’m a little concerned about what I witnessed. Michael told me about the extortion attempt. I thought maybe I should tell someone what I saw, but I didn’t want to burden Colbi with it.”
    “By all means, Savannah. What did you see?”
    “Well, I went to the newspaper office on an errand and Damon was in the parking lot with a man I’ve never seen before. They were arguing—I mean it was scary. They were both really