Free The Telltale Turtle (The Pet Psychic Mysteries) by Jim Lavene;Joyce Lavene Page A

again, wrapping the blanket around him. "I received a death threat. Someone wants to kill me."
    She thought back to the strange phone call she'd received during her last show. "Why would someone want to kill you?"
    "It was the same person who killed Aunt Ferndelle. He claimed he was responsible for my parents' accident too"
    "That sounds like a load of rubbish." Mary Catherine stroked Baylor's soft fur as he considered how many times he'd wanted to scratch Colin for being an annoying suck-up. "I'm sure someone read about what happened in the paper and is having fun with you. People can be very cruel."
    Colin shook his head. "No. This is the real deal. Don't you see? I inherit everything now. Whoever did this wants to take away what's rightfully mine."
    "I hate to pry, but how much money are we talking about? Is it enough to kill someone for or only enough to threaten them?"
    "The estate consists of several properties around the city, including the building I live in. With the money," Colin closed his eyes and counted in his head, "I guess we're talking about ten million dollars."
    Baylor meowed loudly and jumped off of Mary Catherine's lap, landing nicely beside Colin. He rubbed his large orange head against him and purred.
    "He's not going to share it with you," she told the cat. "It's really a mistake to educate an animal. He watches far too many game shows."
    Colin looked at Baylor, who normally hissed and clawed at him. "You mean he likes me now because I have money?"
     
    Mary Catherine watched as Colin put out one hand to stroke Baylor. The cat hissed and bit him. "Apparently, not that much. But I can see where a human with a real understanding of money would think that's enough to kill you."
    Baylor jumped to the back of her chair, expressing his belief that he possessed a very good understanding of money, thanks to Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy. Mary Catherine ignored him and concentrated on Colin.
    "I think that's exactly it. I mean, what else could it be? This man knows how much I'll be worth after Aunt Ferndelle's estate is settled. He wants his share."
    "Did he ask you for money?"
    "Yes! He wants me to sign over everything." Colin got up and started pacing the expensive Persian carpet.
    "That sounds like a plan to me. Who stands to inherit if something happens to you?"
    "I don't know. Probably one of my cousins. As you know, I'm an only child. Aunt Ferndelle didn't have any children. My family isn't terribly prolific. I'm guessing it would be Cousin Bob. He's a lot older than I am. He probably doesn't want to wait for me to die in case he goes first."
    "What about Charlene Tate?"
    "What?" He stopped pacing. "What are you talking about?"
    "I think you know what I'm talking about." Mary Catherine went to put on the kettle for tea as she explained about Tommy telling her about Charlene. "We met her and her poodle, quite by accident, and Tommy believes she was there when your aunt was killed."
     
    "That's not possible." Colin cleared his throat. "She was with me.
    "Tommy already told me you weren't there when your aunt was killed." She nodded toward the turtle that was quiet now in his bowl on the table. "If you're sure she was with you, I guess that clears Charlene. But I wonder how he knew her."
    "What does a turtle know anyway?" Colin surged to his feet. "I believe in you, Mary Catherine, but I don't think he knows what he's talking about."
    "As I explained to another doubting Thomas earlier today," she began, "animals are pretty explicit about humans. They notice things about them we wouldn't notice. He recognized Charlene's voice."
    "That's ridiculous. He's a turtle, for God's sake. You can't even teach a turtle to do tricks."
    The kettle whistled and Mary Catherine turned off the stove. "Tommy knew you weren't there."
    "I guess he does know something." Colin stirred sugar into the cup of tea she put in front of him. "Can he describe what the person looks like who killed Aunt Ferndelle?"
    "I'm afraid not. But he