Free The Cat Who Wasn't a Dog by Marian Babson Page B

do anything about parking tickets or traffic violations.’
    â€˜Oh, it’s nothing like that! I wouldn’t dream of bothering you about little things like that.’
    â€˜No?’ He paused for thought, then asked uneasily: ‘What did you mean by urgent?’
    â€˜Umm … well … I’m afraid Eddie has been arrested.’
    â€˜Why?’
    â€˜It’s all a terrible mistake. Some busybody saw his taxi – we hired him to take us down to Brighton for the day – and reported him. He had nothing to do with what happened. None of us did.’
    â€˜If it happened in Brighton, it’s way out of my bailiwick.’ Again he sounded relieved. ‘I can’t do anything about it.’
    â€˜I know that. I wouldn’t expect you to. I was just hoping you knew someone down there who could help us. One of your police colleagues. You all know each other, don’t you?’
    â€˜I wouldn’t say that.’ It was clear that he didn’t really want to say anything – except, perhaps, goodbye – but curiosity was getting the better of him. ‘What’s the charge?’
    â€˜Charge?’ Evangeline was stalling for time, as though that might make the explanation easier.
    â€˜The charge.’ It just made Ron more suspicious. ‘Contrary to certain assumptions on the part of the public, the police do not just arrest people on a whim. They usually have good cause. What is it?’
    â€˜Er, actually, I’m afraid there’s more than one,’ Evangeline admitted. ‘The kidnapping part of it is ridiculous. Cecile will tell you that herself – just as soon as she gets over her snit.’

    â€˜Cecile? Savoy? You mean Dame Cecile Savoy is involved in this?’ he groaned.
    â€˜Cecile is the least of it.’ I could hold back no longer.
    â€˜Thank you, Trixie, I needed that.’ His voice was grim. ‘Go on, Evangeline. What else?’
    â€˜We really just stumbled into it – ’
    â€˜And stumbled out.’ I added moral support.
    â€˜Evangeline – ’ It wasn’t appreciated. At least, not by him.
    â€˜We had nothing to do with the arson. The fire had obviously been set and smouldering before we arrived. It just happened to break out while we were there.’
    â€˜Kidnapping … arson …’ Ron was bemused.
    â€˜It had obviously been set to cover up the murder. Eddie discovered the body in the back room just before the fire exploded.’
    I distinctly heard a whimper at the far end of the line.
    â€˜Ron …? Ron …?’ Evangeline called anxiously. ‘Are you still there? You are going to help us, aren’t you? You must know somebody down there we can turn to?’
    There was a long silence.
    â€˜Ron …?’
    â€˜I’m thinking,’ he said. ‘I’m trying to decide who I hate enough.’
    â€˜Oh, Ron!’ Evangeline giggled girlishly with relief. There are moments when even she can tell she may have gone too far. ‘You’re such a tease!’
    â€˜Perhaps Thursby,’ he said.
    â€˜Not until next Thursday? We need someone now!’
    â€˜Not Thursday, Thursby,’ he corrected. ‘When we were rookies there was a rugby game. We were on opposing sides, of course. He wrecked my knee with a dirty tackle. Put me out of action for months. I still get nasty twinges in bad weather. Yes. Definitely Superintendent Hector Thursby I owe him one.’
    Â 
    My weekend case was nearly packed when I looked up and into a pair of accusing eyes.

    â€˜Cho-Cho! I’d almost forgotten you!’ She blinked. That was what she had been afraid of. I was going off and leaving her. But I couldn’t leave her here on her own with no one I would trust to look after her properly.
    â€˜You’ll have to come along with us,’ I told her. ‘I’m sorry. I know I’ve promised you that you’d never have to get