Free Deadly Diamond: A Murfy the Cat Mystery by Anna Kern Page A

sunglasses.”
    “You said he was driving a dark sedan. Was it gray, brown, black?”
    “It was a dark color is all I can tell you for sure.”
    “Have you given this information to the police?”
    “No, because I can’t swear to what I saw. My wife is right. My distance vision isn’t so good anymore and my close-up vision isn’t any better.” He laughed again.
    “Thanks for the information, Bill, and don’t worry about swearing to what you saw, maybe someone else closer to where the vehicle was parked got a better look.”
    She declined his invitation for coffee, telling him she’d love to meet his wife another day when she wasn’t pressed for time.
    I wondered if anyone else had mentioned the vehicle to the police. Then again, the vehicle may not have been following them at all, simply going in the same direction.

“There are few things in life more heartwarming than to be welcomed by a cat.”
    –– Tay Hohoff

    CHAPTER FIFTEEN: An Impromptu Lunch Invitation

    On Wednesday, shortly after we arrived at the store, Alyx received a mysterious visit from her son, Ethan.
    “Hi, Mom. Can you get away for lunch?”
    “I think so. What’s the special occasion?” she asked suspiciously
    “No special occasion. It’s been a while since I took you to lunch, and I don’t want you to feel like you’re being neglected.”
    “Honey, rest assured, I don’t feel neglected and I’d love to have lunch with you. Will you pick me up or do you want to meet somewhere around eleven-thirty?”
    “I’ll come and get you; that’ll give me a chance to talk to Maggie too. I haven’t seen her for several weeks. Will she be here?”
    “She asked about you the other day. I know she wants to see you. I’ll tell her you’re coming.”
    “Okay, Mom, I’ll see you later.”
    I knew Ethan well enough to know he had something else in mind besides lunch. Ecstatic to see him when he arrived later that morning, Misty and I greeted him with enthusiasm while he waited for Maggie to finish up with a customer, and he reciprocated.
    “Hey, handsome!” Maggie said, giving Ethan a hug. “It’s been a while.”
    “Not my fault. The last time I was here you were off somewhere with George and you couldn’t make it when Mom invited you for dinner at her house.”
    “Yeah, you’re right. It’s great to see you. So, what’s new?”
    While they visited, Alyx concluded her business with a client and I stayed close to Ethan, hoping to increase my chances of tagging along.
    “Another new restaurant recently opened on Pelican Street. They have outside seating and I’m sure it’s all right to bring Murfy. I know he wants to go,” said Ethan, apparently reading my mind.
    Alyx reluctantly agreed. Ethan had traded his expensive SUV for a practical compact with a standard transmission that he said was helping him save money on gas, and he insisted on driving the short distance to the casual Greek restaurant housed in a renovated 1940s two-story building painted a silvery blue and white. Ethan asked for a table on the large outside patio. Everyone ordered the special of the dayand chatted about the changes taking place on Ocean Street.
    Alyx said the downtown renovation effort was finally on the move. Some spaces were still empty though, and there was grumbling from some merchants about neighborhood construction projects that seemed to have no end.
    Ever since Alyx and Maggie had convinced the merchants to stay open later during the week, and had established weekend hours, the area had become more of a focal point for residents and visitors. Monthly events such as a wine festival, a street party on St. Patrick’s Day, the Arts Festival, and the Rum Festival served to make downtown Beachside a fun destination. Alyx was sure that it would all be worth it in the end.
    Their food arrived––some sort of eggplant dish that didn’t look very appetizing to me, maybe because I hate vegetables. The authentic Greek waiter called it moussaka