Free The Cats that Stole a Million (The Cats that . . . Cozy Mystery Book 7) by Karen Anne Golden Page B

Avenue.”
    “Cool, but I don’t want to bore you with me. Colleen’s mom said you inherited big bucks, and a mansion. Plus, you married a hunk.”
    “Are you married?  Engaged?  Dating?” Katherine inquired in an effort to divert the mention of inheritance.
    “None of the above.  Single and free, that’s me.”
    “So, if your modeling job is in Chicago, how did you end up at my door in a snow storm?”
    Madison shifted nervously in her seat, then began.  “Because of this wretched weather, my plane was rerouted to Indianapolis.  I didn’t have a clue when the next flight would be.  You know me.  I hate to wait, so I rented that piece of junk out there, and drove.  Thank God for GPS or I’d never have found this place.”
    “You brought your GPS,” Katherine asked in want of something better to say.
    “No, Dummy, it’s built into the car.”
    “Yes, I know, I have one in my new Subaru,” Katherine said, not liking being called dummy as an adult.  It was funny at age ten, but not so much now.
    “A Subaru?  Why aren’t you driving a Mercedes or a Bentley?”
    Katherine answered with an observation, in an attempt to once again steer the conversation away from material things.  “Your blond hair looks nice with your blue eyes.”
    Madison laughed.  “I’ve been a blonde for years.”
    “I’m trying to remember the last time I saw you.  Was it our high school —”
    “Graduation,” Madison finished.  “Remember when I walked up to get my diploma, and my sleeve caught on the hand rail.  I tripped going up the steps and fell into the arms of the principal.”
    Katherine laughed at the memory.  “That’s not as bad as me tripping down the steps.”
    Madison looked at her watch. “How far is Chicago from here?”
    “It’s about a two-hour drive, but in this weather, it will take you longer. Jake is in Chicago this weekend. He drove up yesterday.”
    “Who’s Jake?  Is that your husband?”
    “Yes, Jake Cokenberger.”
    Madison brought her hand up to stifle a laugh.  “Coke and burger. Hee hee!  That’s funny,” she said sarcastically.
    “Cokenberger,” Katherine said, enunciating each syllable.  She was taken aback by her old friend’s abruptness.
    “What’s he doing in Chicago?” Madison asked.
    “He’s delivering a paper — ”
    “You married a truck driver?  I guess it doesn’t really matter these days.  When you’re a millionaire you can marry just about anybody.”
    “Jake doesn’t deliver paper.  He’s a history professor.”  Normally, Katherine would have gone into more detail about what Jake did for a living because she was very proud of him, but Madison’s condescending manner put her off.  She cautiously continued.  “Besides, Madison, what’s wrong with being a truck driver?  They help put food on the table.”
    “Is he a redneck?” Madison asked, getting up and walking over to the parlor window.  She moved the lace panel and looked out.  “Dumb as a rock, but good in bed?”
    Katherine’s face reddened.  “Madison, really?  My husband is not a redneck. People in this part of the globe do not take kindly to being called a redneck.”
    “Oh, don’t get all fired up.  That’s something I specifically remember about you.  You overreact at everything !” She said the last word with exaggerated emphasis.
    Katherine struggled not to reach over and pinch her friend, like she used to when they were in elementary school.  Back in the day, when they wore matching plaid skirts with crisp white blouses, their moms ironed laboriously.  Calming herself, she broached another topic.  “I’m surprised you wear fur.”
    “Why?” Madison asked defensively.
    “Because I distinctly remember you didn’t approve of people who did.”
    “That’s when I was poor.  Now it’s a different story.”
    “You were never poor.”
    “Yes, I was.  Have you forgotten?  You came from a poor home, too.”
    “No, I didn’t.  My parents did