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

Wow, could I have said that more country?

We pulled three chairs over from a neighboring table, to the dismay of Tori as the other ladies said various forms of hi. I ignored her disgruntled look. Her opinion mattered less after talking with Veronica. I just needed to kill her with kindness for a few more hours. Then I could get home and think everything over.

"We've been up in the rooms for most of the day," Sofia said. "Betty and I took a nap."

"It was much needed rest," Betty said. "Nice to be able to sleep without the stress of the competition."

A few of the other ladies nodded along with her.

"It's some malarkey that we've been stuck here all day," Bethany said. "But I was able to watch a few movies I've been wanting to see."

As they spoke the cats at our feet became restless and walked around the table, weaving in and out of chairs. I could not tell if they were bored or having an impromptu tribe meeting.

"Meeting," Azure transmitted after reading my uncontrollable thoughts.

"Oh, fascinating," I said aloud with a smirk. "Missed y'all at lunch. Guess you were up there until they told us to vacate the rooms?"

"Yeah," Tori spoke up. "We decided it would be better to leave the investigating to the professionals."

"Sending the dragons to eavesdrop on conversations," Azure transmitted in a growl.

As he said it, I noticed the cats disperse from under us one by one to not draw attention to themselves. With all the cats roaming the lobby, it was unlikely anyone would notice a few extra underfoot. We should have thought of that sooner.

"Totally," Skylar said. "Better to disregard a direct order and do what you think is best. So glad Hailey left you in charge."

Oh my, sass. I would be lying if I said I was not proud of Skylar in that moment. She rarely spoke at meetings, but man was she coming out of her shell the more we hung out. I swallowed my smile and glanced around the table to gauge reactions.

A few of the older ladies looked at their feet while Tori's eyes grew wide from the implication. Aubrey cleared her throat behind me, and I heard her shift in her seat. I knew she was feeling like an outsider and hoped she did not mind it getting worse.

"Did y'all figure out who took the trophies?" Elizabeth asked, her tone sounded like she was genuinely curious, but I knew full well she was attempting to defuse the tension. She avoided scenes at all costs.

"We've had a lot of fascinating conversations today," I said and looked Tori in the eyes. "I don't know if y'all have met her, but Veronica runs a little cat group in San Antonio. She had so much advice for me, knowing Tona recently bestowed this group on me, it gave me a lot to think about."

Tori moved to get up from the table, as if going to use the restroom, but thought better of it. I assumed that meant she received a direct order from Butter or worse, Azure. At this rate, the next month was going to be a rocky one for us.

"That's great, dear," Vera said. "So many wonderful people here to talk to. Tona was the life of this show."

All the ladies around the table nodded, and we had a moment of silence for Tona. It was true. Throughout the weekend I heard many marvelous stories of Tona, and her love for the cat show. There was no way I would fill her cat show shoes, but at least I could be the tribe leader she knew I was destined to be.

"It has been so wonderful to talk to all that knew and loved her," I said. "It was almost like she was here with us this weekend."

I wiped a fleck of dust from my eye and smiled at the warm thought of her memories.

Aubrey put her hand on my shoulder and squeezed. "So true."

I patted her hand and relaxed into my chair. These past few months really showed, blood had nothing on family. Genuine family, were the ones you chose and they chose you back.

I refused to waste time airing tribe drama, while everyone was tired and ready to go home. Instead, I sat in silence, thinking of something else to discuss. A few of the other ladies picked up with the conversations they were having prior to sitting down. I was glad for the spotlight to be off us. I let out a breath, only to hear someone shriek from across the lobby.

I sat up and looked around as a familiar voice said, "I found a trophy!"

My eyes landed on Sue, the leader of the Austin tribe. Figures. Everyone quieted, if only for a few seconds, and then picked up into hushed whispers as the coordinators pushed through the crowd to get to her. I searched for the police and sure enough, they were casually making their way over as well.

"Don't hurry or anything," I mumbled. "We've got nothing but time officers."

Aubrey giggled as Skylar said, "Totally, what's with these rent-a-cops?"

"We should have called and asked for new officers," I said.

"William is totally hearing about this nonsense," Aubrey said.

We watched with bated breath, as Linda picked up a vase of flowers off the refreshments table outside the ballroom and examined it. Her eyes bulged as she turned it in her hands. The culprit must have turned the inscription to the back. I swear we were at that table this morning, but who looks at the decorations? What a fail.

Linda cleared her throat and held up the flowers. The room quieted, knowing full well what was coming.

"Ladies and gentlemen, can I have your attention please?" Linda said.

Get to the point, Linda, no one is breathing. Clearly, you have our attention.

"It seems the trophies have been hiding in plain sight. We ask that you all spread out and check all the vases in the hotel.