Free Cats in Cahoots (A Klepto Cat Mystery Book 18) by Patricia Fry Page A

the toddler.
    “Who wants theirs á la mode?” Savannah asked. “Bri, want to take orders for coffee and tea?”
    “Yup,” she answered, then called, “Hey Sis, can I light these candles?”
    Iris lifted from her chair and stretched. “Yeah, let’s do. We can have some atmosphere with our dessert. Okay, Savannah?”
    “Okay, I guess. Just don’t forget to blow them out before bedtime,” she called from the kitchen.
    Gladys returned just as Savannah finished serving the pie. “Here’s your piece, Mom. And we fixed you a cup of tea, is that okay?”
    “Perfect. Thank you.”
    “Good pie,” Craig said, scooping up the last bite with his fork.
    “Sure is, Vannie,” Margaret agreed.
    Placing her coffee mug on a coaster, Iris chimed in. “That’s another recipe I’d like to have.” She grinned. “Along with some of those delicious peaches off your tree when your crop comes in.”
    “You got it,” Savannah said, smiling across at her friend.
    When Savannah started to clear the dessert plates, Iris quickly stood. “Let me.”
    “I’ll help,” Margaret offered.
    Brianna collected empty coffee and tea cups and followed the others into the kitchen. “Sis, give me the flashlight,” she said, “and I’ll take the trash to the big barrel so it isn’t attacked by wild animals tonight.”
    Savannah reached for the light. “Good idea.”
    “I’ll carry it,” Iris offered, taking the flashlight and trailing after Brianna.
    The women had been gone for just a few minutes when Iris rushed in through the side kitchen door, sounding out of breath. “Craig, come quick.”
    “What’s wrong?” Savannah asked, watching Craig follow Iris into the night. When no one responded, she stepped out onto the porch, Max on her heels. Margaret and Gladys stood at the large window, fearful about what they might see.
    “Shhh,” Iris shushed, slowing before they rounded the side of the house. Suddenly she stopped, Craig ran into her, and Savannah and Max caught up to them.
    “What is it?” Savannah whispered.
    Iris put her hand up to silence her.
    “He’s gone,” Brianna hissed.
    “What was it?” Savannah asked.
    “Some guy who scared me out of my wits.”
    “What was he doing?” Craig asked.
    Iris responded. “He seemed to be hiding, don’t you think, Brianna?”
    “Yeah, probably. Maybe he was picking something from your garden.”
    “Darned kids,” Savannah said under her breath.
    “He wasn’t no kid,” Iris insisted.
    Brianna shook her head. “No, he was bigger than those kids next door. Tall and lanky. He looked kind of clumsy when he scampered away.”
    “Hmmm. Could be that uncle I saw over at the Crane’s,” Savannah said quietly. “Did he take anything?”
    “I don’t know. Better look at your garden and see if anything’s missing.”
    “Are you sure he’s gone?” Craig asked, shining the light out over the orchard.
    “I’m pretty sure,” Brianna said. “He sprinted in that direction and disappeared.”
    “Well, let’s take a look around, then,” Craig suggested. “Savannah, do you notice anything missing?”
    “Um, it’s hard to tell. But wait, yeah, looks like someone picked carrots. Maybe Antonio took some home.” She turned and listened for a moment. “Do you hear that?”
    “What?”
    “That haunting sound. It seems to be coming from the Crane’s house.”
    “Yeah, what is that?” Craig asked, creasing his brow. “A whine from a saw? Is Mr. Crane a builder or carpenter?”
    “He’s a minister—a tattooed minister.”
    “But he could do carpenter work as a hobby like Michael does,” Max suggested.
    Brianna shivered. “Sounds to me like an animal.”
    “That’s what I thought the first time I heard it,” Savannah revealed.
    “Or a baby,” Iris said. “Oh, it stopped.”
    Savannah rubbed her upper arms. “Well, it’s chilly out here. Let’s go inside, shall we?”
    “So what was it?” Margaret asked when the others returned to the kitchen.
    “It’s