Free Romeow and Juliet by Kathi Daley Page B

her living room carpet.
    Then the question became, why kill Francine? She was a candidate for the island council, as well as an outspoken opponent of the condo development. Bradford had said he would ‘take care of her.’ Could Francine be the her he was referring to, or was there yet another target in Camden Bradford’s evil plan?
    With Keith out of the way, the council vote on the project would be tied. Whoever took Keith’s place would represent the deciding vote. I figured the person chosen to replace Keith would most likely come from the pool of candidates running for the open position. Like Francine, Maggie was an opponent of the project. The other two candidates, Drake Moore and Porter Wilson, had been vocal in their support of it.
    When I got back to my cabin I was greeted by Romeo, who was sitting on the swing on my front deck.
    “Where have you been, you naughty cat?”
    Romeo began to purr. I tried to be mad but had to smile. I picked him up and then went inside, where I promptly called Finn. When Finn answered I explained what I had seen and what I suspected.
    “Camden Bradford is a well-respected businessman who would have no reason to kill either Keith or Francine,” Finn insisted.
    “Maybe his motive has something to do with the fact that his bank is backing the condo project,” I suggested.
    “It seems unlikely. The bank backs all sorts of business ventures. I doubt Camden Bradford gets emotionally involved with his projects.”
    “So where’s Francine and why was Mr. Bradford at her house?” I asked.
    Finn sighed. “I don’t know. If I stop by to see what I can find out will you go to bed and let me handle it?”
    “Yeah, okay,” I agreed. “And Finn . . .”
    “Yeah?”
    “Be careful.”

Chapter 9
Wednesday, May 20
    The next morning I got up early and made Aunt Maggie a big breakfast in the hope of enticing her to eat. The past few days her appetite had been all but nonexistent. Maggie was known for her sweet tooth, so I decided on homemade waffles with fresh boysenberries.
    “You’re up early,” Maggie commented as she came downstairs dressed for work.
    “I wanted to make you breakfast.”
    “I appreciate that, dear, but I’m really not hungry.”
    “I made waffles.” I took the cover off the stack on the warmer. “With boysenberries and powdered sugar,” I bribed.
    Maggie hesitated. “They do look good. Maybe I’ll try a half.”
    I spooned berries over the freshly grilled waffle and sprinkled it with the sugar, then I set it on the table, along with a big glass of milk.
    “I think I’d like a cup of tea,” Maggie requested.
    I put the water on to boil. Personally, I’m much more of a coffee drinker, but Maggie seems to love her tea, which in my opinion is so bitter as to be unpalatable.
    “I’ve already seen to the cats,” I informed my aunt as I poured the hot water over the tea leaves. “I think the large ragdoll we took in over the winter is ready for a home. I thought I’d ask around. If I don’t find a home for him here I’ll take him to the next auction.”
    “He’s a beautiful cat,” Maggie said as she served herself another half waffle. “I’m sure we won’t have a problem finding him a home. So what are your plans for the day?”
    “I’m going to stop by Francine’s, and then I need to sit down with Danny to go over the reservations for the next few days. I’m having lunch with Tara so we can finalize the reworked proposal for the bank. And I thought I’d stop in at the Bait and Stitch after that. I’d be happy to help Marley, if you want to make it an early day.”
    I poured myself a second cup of coffee and was about to serve Maggie the tea that had been seeping when Romeo jumped up onto the counter and knocked Maggie’s tea to the floor.
    “Romeo,” I yelled as one of Maggie’s favorite cups shattered. “What has gotten into you?”
    Romeo meowed and looked at me as I hurriedly picked up the pieces of broken china before any of the