Free Murder Most Fowl by Edith Maxwell

so close to one before and hoped they wouldn’t get nasty. Her parents had ridden camels, a relative of llamas, in West Africa and had said they could be mean. But she had to find a way to reach Katie. And if it meant sitting here a few feet away from a big cud-chewing animal, so be it.
    Katie nodded without speaking.
    â€œDo you come here a lot? Do they have names?” Cam asked.
    â€œYeah. Paloma’s that one. Carlos is there, and Francisco is the dark one. Javiera is the little guy.”
    â€œThis is a peaceful spot.”
    The sad-eyed white llama named Paloma chewed in a figure-eight pattern as it watched Cam. Javiera extended its long neck until its face was inches from Cam’s, way too close for her comfort, so she scooted back a little.
    Katie let out a long breath through her lips, facing Cam at last. “I know I have to go back. I’m only postponing it.”
    â€œWhy?”
    â€œI did something really stupid last night. I never should have gone to Laitinen’s with those idiots. They talked me into helping with their action,” she said, surrounding the last word with finger quotes. “But Wayne is a good farmer, and it was just stupid. At least I kept them from shooing all the hens outside.” She rolled her eyes. “Those guys don’t know anything about animals. They thought four hundred hens would want to go wild and roost in the trees. Ridiculous.”
    â€œAlexandra told me Detective Pappas wants to speak with you. Do you know why?”
    Katie sighed again. “I have an idea why. I went back to the farm this morning.”
    Cam stared at her. No wonder Pete wanted to talk with Katie.
    â€œI felt bad about the vandalism, and wanted to apologize to Mr. Laitinen. But that pesticide guy was there—”
    â€œPaul Underwood?”
    â€œYeah. He saw me and, I don’t know, I freaked out and left before I saw Mr. Laitinen. And then when I heard on the news that he was dead, I had to get away. I seem to screw up everything I do lately.”
    â€œListen, why don’t you come home with me. We’ll have a bite to eat, and I’ll call Pete, I mean Detective Pappas. You didn’t do anything wrong besides the vandalism.” Cam stood and extended a hand to Katie. When she didn’t take it, Cam said, “Come on. It’s getting dark and cold. We’ll throw your bike in the back of my truck. And call Alexandra so she stops worrying about you.”
    Two of the llamas rose, too, and took a step toward Cam.
    Katie crossed her legs again and stood in one fluid motion. She stroked each llama on the nose, murmuring soft words, then straightened and faced Cam. “Let’s go. Time I faced the facts.”
    Â 
    Cam pulled into the Food Mart parking lot and turned off the truck. “I need to pick up a few things for dinner. Want to come in?” She looked at Katie in the passenger seat.
    â€œI guess.” Katie reached for the door handle.
    â€œI’ll bet you’re a vegetarian.”
    â€œBut not a vegan.”
    â€œMe, I eat everything.” Cam held up a hand when Katie started to speak. “But I try to mostly eat meat from Tender-crop Farm, so I know it was raised running around in the fresh air and treated well.” She glanced at Katie. “And Laitinen’s chicken, of course.”
    â€œLook, I said I was sorry.” Katie’s nostrils flared. “You don’t have to keep rubbing it in.” She wrenched open the truck door and slid out.
    Cam leaned across the seat. “I need to call Detective Pappas. He’ll want to know where you are. I’ll see you in there.” The door slammed on her last word.
    By the time Cam got into the small grocery store, she spied Katie’s hat heading toward the wine aisle. Good. They both could use a glass, although if Katie had to talk with Pete soon, maybe that wasn’t the best of ideas. He’d thanked her for the call and said