Free Murder in Cherry Hills (A Cozy Cat Caper Mystery Book 1) by Paige Sleuth

wanted to spit. Her eyes darted toward the police officers, and she said, “I want a lawyer.”
    “That’s your right,” Andrew replied. He motioned his supporting officers forward. “Cuff her and read her her rights. I’ll meet you both at the station.”
    One of the officers secured Greta’s wrists behind her back while the other recited her Miranda rights. She went willingly as they led her out of the apartment.
    When Kat and Andrew were alone, she turned to face him. “You caught everything on tape?” she asked.
    He smiled, his dimples indenting his cheeks. “Every last word.”
    Kat felt relief wash over her. “Combined with the earring and the invoices, you should have everything you need to prove her guilt, even if she pleads innocent.”
    “Yep,” Andrew agreed. “But in case I’m wrong, we always have a secret eyewitness that we can trot into the courtroom.”
    Kat grinned. “I thought you said cats couldn’t be eyewitnesses.”
    “I might just have to make an exception for Matilda.”
    As if on cue, Matty ambled down the hallway. She’d been holed up in the bedroom along with the police officers. Kat hadn’t wanted to subject her to another stressful encounter with Greta Opheim.
    Kat’s heart surged with love as the feline approached. She crouched closer to Matty, burying her fingers in the cat’s soft fur. “It looks like your mama’s going to get justice after all, girl.”

CHAPTER ELEVEN
    With Greta Opheim in jail awaiting trial, Kat and Andrew were celebrating over dinner at Jessie’s Diner. Kat had the night off, and Andrew was authorized to use up a few vacation days after closing his first murder case. Kat had already promised Matty that she would return with whatever leftovers she could scrounge up so the feline didn’t have to miss out on this evening’s celebration.
    It was Kat and Andrew’s first meal together since they had run into each other the morning of Mrs. Tinsdale’s murder. As they both munched on their burgers, Kat realized how much she’d missed his easy company. She had yet to meet another human being who made her feel as content as Andrew did.
    “This brings back memories, huh?” Andrew grinned at her as he reached for his strawberry milkshake.
    Kat tried to ignore the fluttering in her stomach inspired by that incredible smile. “It sure does. Only this time we’re fully capable of paying for our milkshakes, thanks to my employee discount.”
    Andrew laughed.
    “Yoo-hoo!”
    Kat paused mid-dunk from dipping a french fry into a dollop of ketchup. Barreling toward them from the restaurant’s front entrance was Imogene Little.
    Imogene flew over to their table and plopped into the booth seat next to Kat without waiting for an invitation. “Kat Harper, I’m tickled to run into you here!”
    Kat smiled. Although she was somewhat disappointed that her and Andrew’s dinner had been interrupted, she was growing quite fond of the Furry Friends Foster Families president.
    “Now that Hilda and Greta are no longer with us, I have a proposition for you,” Imogene continued, not sparing Andrew a cursory glance. Kat wasn’t even sure if she’d noticed him.
    “What’s that?” Kat asked, swishing her french fry back and forth.
    Imogene shifted sideways, imploring Kat with her eyes. “We need somebody to fill in as 4F treasurer. I thought you’d be perfect for the job.”
    “I don’t have any bookkeeping experience,” Kat said.
    Imogene flapped her hand. “Oh, we don’t care about credentials. We just need somebody who cares about animals as much as we do. The treasury part is a small portion of what you’ll do.”
    Kat absorbed Imogene’s offer, her heart beating a little faster at the thought of accepting. She had always wanted to become more involved with animals but had never found the right time or opportunity. Volunteering at 4F would fulfill that desire.
    “I’d love to,” Kat told Imogene.
    Imogene’s eyes brightened. “That’s fantastic!