Free Requiem Murder [Book 2 of the Katherine Miller Mysteries] by Janet Lane-Walters Page A

due at noon. I lifted the cat and carried him downstairs. Maria had agreed to keep him for the afternoon.
    I trudged across the lawn and rang the bell. Maria answered. Robespierre leaped from my arms and trotted upstairs.
    Maria smiled. “Mrs. Miller, you must come and see. El nino sleeps but soon he will wake."
    In the nursery Robespierre sat on the floor in front of the crib. As soon as Carlos stirred, the cat began to talk. The baby gurgled and Robespierre answered.
    "That's the most I've ever heard him talk."
    "They do this much. Paul laugh when he hear them. Soon he will come home for lunch and there will be much laughter. I wish you could be here to see."
    "I'm having a guest so today's not a good time."
    "We will have the lunch or dinner soon. I will tell you when."
    At home I put the finishing touches on lunch. Today I was serving open face turkey and ham sandwiches with a piquant cheddar sauce, salad and fudge brownie ice cream balls.
    Roger was prompt. As we ate, we talked about the weather, the arrival of autumn and the town. There were no openings for the subjects that troubled me and I didn't want to be rude.
    After lunch, we went to the living room. I opened the desk and spread my copy of Mozart's Requiem. Roger sat at the piano. As we reviewed the score and marked dynamics, he played segments to illustrate his intentions. His musicality seduced me from thoughts of other matters.
    "I'd like you to start sitting in on rehearsals soon,” he said.
    How long could I postpone becoming part of the erratic emotions of the group? “Mid-October should be soon enough. You'll have time to beat your interpretation into their vocal cords."
    He laughed. “I'll give you a reprieve, but you're right that I'll need to smooth the rough spots. They are an excellent group."
    "What about the soloists?"
    "I'm working privately with them. They'll be ready by rehearsal week."
    Though I wanted to ask about Judith's progress, I refrained, especially since my inclination would be to tell him to find someone else. If he reduced the emotional flatness of her voice, he'd be a miracle worker.
    * * * *
    When Beth arrived to pick me up for my first rehearsal of the Mozart, the sparkle that had been missing from her eyes for weeks had returned. She wore jeans and a white sweater that made her look like a teenager.
    "You look happy."
    "I guess I am.” She smiled.
    "Just guess."
    "Roger stopped by last evening to borrow my car, except he didn't. He stayed for dinner and after Robby went to bed, we talked. He apologized for his neglect and explained what had happened. Since Judith is one of the soloists, he has to keep her happy. To do that he had to spend some time with the Simpsons."
    "There are other altos in the choir who are more capable than Judith of making the concert a success."
    "Then why did he pick her? We all know what a purist he is."
    "To keep her from making trouble is my guess. If he spends time with her, maybe he'll diffuse her attacks on his virtue."
    Beth laughed. “Sometimes you're wicked. He said she called him after the picnic. He didn't tell me what she said, but I think he's afraid of her."
    "Maybe, maybe not.” I shook my head. “I'm beginning to see him as her male counterpart."
    Her eyes widened. “How can you say that? He's a special person and wonderful. He stayed after Robby went to bed and...well...I think I'm in love."
    I waited until she parked the car in front of the church. “Don't just think. Be careful and be sure."
    "I will."
    As we walked toward the church, we heard Judith before we saw her. “Come on, Shadow. You're mine. No one else cares."
    We rounded the corner and watched Judith's attempts to entice the cat from its hiding place. Our arrival startled her and she dropped the food she held. The cat darted from the hedges, grabbed the morsel and vanished before Judith could act.
    She glared. “Look what you did. I nearly had him.” She laughed. “I was taking him to rehearsal. Wouldn't Roger