Purrfect Roast: A Dragon Cozy Mystery by Verena DeLuca (the giving tree read aloud TXT) 📗

"What time did you arrive?" Officer Spencer asked, ignoring my statement completely.

"It would have been around seven thirty or eight," Aubrey said.

"Can anyone vouch for you this morning?" Officer Branson asked.

"My husband," Aubrey said. "Sheriff William Brooks."

Yes! Put them in their place. Like the one person who does not own a cat would steal trophies. Are they even trying to investigate?

"Blocking!" Azure transmitted and struggled again to get out of my arms.

"Oh no you don't mister," I said aloud, cuddling him in closer to my body.

The officers looked at each other, and then look back at us, and Officer Spencer said, "What county, if you don't mind me asking."

"Burnet," Aubrey said, and crossed her arms.

Both officers relaxed at this revelation, and Officer Spencer smiled at Aubrey, as if he was finally among friends. Apparently, she should have worn an officer's wife shirt from the word go. I tried my best to not roll my eyes as he continued talking to her.

"If you don't mind, I'd like to ask you a few questions about this morning. I don't want to keep you, but I need to speak with everyone, you know procedure and all."

"No problem at all," Aubrey said.

I refrained from giving her a high-five. Her ability to keep a blank face and look down at the officer was impressive. He must have felt her indifference to his authority because he cleared his throat before continuing.

"Where were you ladies between the hours of six and nine this morning?"

"As soon as I arrived, I met Hailey at the elevator," Aubrey said. "Then we had coffee in the cafe, and went into the ballroom around eight thirty."

"I woke up at about seven forty-five, dressed, and came down the elevator to meet Aubrey," I said.

"I ate breakfast with the rest of our hill country group at around seven thirty, then we all went into the ballroom before eight thirty."

He flipped through his notes. "Oh yes, here's your name. You're with the ladies from Marble Falls?"

"Yes," Skylar said.

"Everything looks to be in order," Officer Spencer said. "Thank you, ladies, for your time."

He went to turn away, but his partner elbowed him and shot him a look. He rolled his eyes and opened his notebook back up.

"During the time you were in the lobby and the ballroom today, did you witness anything suspicious?" Officer Branson asked.

"No," we all chimed at various intervals.

There was no point telling the police about our suspicions. We had no proof and would only make us look more guilty having investigated other people if we started pointing fingers now.

"Very well," Officer Branson said. "If you see anything, let us know."

"Totally," Skylar said. "About how much longer this will take?"

"It will take as long as it takes," Officer Spencer said.

"Okay," I said. "Well, thank you for your efforts."

I shuffled Azure around again and tried to readjust myself into a better position to carry his weight, but it was no use. Looking around the room, it was clear that many cat parents were having the same issue.

He gave me a nod, and it left me wondering if he realized how sarcastic I was being.

"It was great to meet you, Mrs. Brookes," Officer Spencer said, reaching out to shake her hand.

"You too," Aubrey said. "I bet this is the strangest case you've worked, huh?"

"I had no idea cat shows were a thing," Officer Spencer said. "Nothing like what I expected from seeing a dog show, but everyone's got their kinks."

His partner began to say something, but instead chuckled and shook her head.

"Y'all just stay in the hotel," Officer Spencer said. "We'll have this done as soon as possible."

They both turned and went back to their post against the windows, and we headed straight for the cafe on the far side of the hotel.

"Well over half the names have been highlighted," Azure transmitted.

"That's a good sign, right?" I transmitted.

"There were notes next to a few of the people, but I wasn't able to make out what it said."

"Yeah, cops and doctors," I transmitted. "Handwriting isn't really a top priority for them."

"His notes were more illegible than hers," he transmitted with a chuckle.

"I'm still not putting you down," I transmitted.

He grumbled and buried his face into my side.

"Were y'all able to read any of their notes?" I asked.

"Nope," Skylar said. "Didn't seem like they had any leads anyway. Good thing we had Aubrey with us."

I laughed. "Who would have thought, we would need the Sheriff's wife with us today of all days."

"You can keep me on retainer for as little as a hundred dollars a day." Aubrey laughed.

"I hope that's not the friend rate," I said.

"Oh right," Aubrey said. "I'll be by your side for free coffee."

"Perfect," I said with a wink and walked up to the counter to order. "Three large, blended lattes please."

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Sunday, May 17th, 4:15pm

After receiving our drink order we found the table furthest away from the baristas, and other cat owners because Aubrey wanted to go over the facts of the case. Shadow and Azure both agreed to sleep under the table, and not race back to the vendor room as long as we agreed not to get the leashes.

I watched them sleep, pondering over everything that happened, as Aubrey and Skylar discussed random contestants in the lobby, trying to work through who to talk to next. At least the people watching was entertaining. So many of the owners were still trying to wrangle their cats away from the cat's playroom with little luck. The culprit could be anyone, even hotel staff. They could be long gone by now, and the police were keeping us trapped here for no reason.

Why, when it was clear to me that we would not be solving it? At this point, I was only interested in wasting time until either they discovered the culprit, or they let us leave the hotel. I took a long drink of my latte and relaxed into the coffee, filling