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

their tribe leaders. As it has now come to our attention that the majority of the tribes do not care for the show. We leaders have agreed to find a new location for the yearly state meeting. A place that will work as a vacation instead of an obligation for all involved. Thank you for your patience, we will discuss this more at the next meeting. As soon as the police release you, you are free to leave. Have a safe trip home."

"Wait, were you transmitting to the entire tribe?"

"Yes," Azure transmitted. "Each leader is currently explaining the same to their tribemates."

"No wonder it just became eerily quiet in here."

Though an outsider could have interpreted it as everyone trying to hear the conversation between the coordinators and police that was growing louder by the minute.

"You ladies have a great evening," Officer Spencer said. "Come on Branson, let's get out of here. What a trip, bunch of weirdos worried about trophies."

Rude much. Good riddance. Maybe Aubrey should have William file an official complaint. If that was even a thing.

"Attention everyone, can I have your attention," Linda practically yelled while glaring at the back of Officer Spencer's head. "We would like to apologize for the delay in handing out the trophies. With the culprits and the final one being found, we have a few announcements to make."

The lobby had filled up while the dragon announcement was happening, and it looked as if all the participants were now present. I could not even imagine what the normies thought about all the nonsense.

"Annabelle, Blair," Linda said. "Please come forward."

Both girls did not make an effort to move, but as the seconds passed, we turned to stare at them, with the rest of the room trying to figure out where Linda was looking.

"You can't tell me you're bashful now," Linda said. "It wasn't fear that stopped you from stealing from us all. Please come forward and speak to those that you have trapped in this hotel for the day."

Linda was evil, that explained it. Who could be so mad one minute and then be dripping with vile sarcasm the next?

I looked Veronica in the eyes and she rolled hers, then pushed Annabelle forward. "You wanted to get it all out, so let's get this over with."

Annabelle took a short walk of shame over to where Linda was standing, with Blair trailing behind her at a snail's pace. How did these girls not know this was going to be the outcome?

"Annabelle and Blair here have something they would like to tell you all," Linda said.

They both whispered and Linda instructed them to, "Speak up."

"We said we're sorry, alright." Annabelle sighed. "Y'all care about this show too much. It's just a cat show."

A shocked noise wove its way through the room. This girl could not figure out if she wanted to be embarrassed or own her actions.

"We didn't mean to hurt anyone," Blair said with trepidation. "It was just a joke. I'm sorry."

She covered her face and navigated back to a group of ladies that I recognized. San Marcos. Really? That was not even the one the leader was speaking with.

"Oh," Azure transmitted. "I discovered what that was about as well."

"Look at you, running your own investigation," I transmitted as I watched Annabelle come back toward us.

"Well, someone had to," he transmitted.

Linda shook her head as they walked away from her, and cleared her throat before continuing with her announcements, "Both ladies have been banned from future shows indefinitely. If they won anything this year, it has been forfeited, and we have asked that they leave the premises immediately."

"Touche," I transmitted. "So what was it about?"

"Apparently," he transmitted. "Hadley and her dragon built a side business that involved her trading the bare minimum goods with her tribe so they could make a larger profit by selling overpriced wholesale quantities to non-tribe companies. All while starting a multi-level marketing company in secret. They were looking at buying a mansion in San Antonio, hoping to sever from their tribe responsibilities permanently."

"Furthermore," Linda took a sip from a water bottle. "Samantha is passing around lists of the names that did not win in any category. If your name is on that list, you are free to go. Otherwise please line up by the cafe, and Nathan will hand you your box of winnings. Thank you all for your patience. Next year's show will make up for the inconvenience of this event. I promise you that."

She waved at us and headed over to Nathan to help him hand out the boxes that surrounded him.

"Wow," I transmitted. "What is wrong with people?"

"The human condition," he transmitted.

I shook my head and internally chuckled. He would think that.

"What was their specialty?"

"Candles."

"Now what?" Skylar said, interrupting our conversation.

"I guess we need to find a list," Aubrey said.

Before we had time to move Nathan spoke up, "In an effort to hurry this along I am going to call out names. Our big winners today are as follows, In third place, Jerry Avoiuli. He also won four minor divisions trophies."

Cheers sounded from the hotel entrance, and I looked over to see Sue and the rest of the Austin tribe clapping as Jerry's owner took him to retrieve his trophy.

"In second place," Nathan cleared his throat, and looked at Linda, who nodded at him. "Second place was won by Storm Theban."

While I did not know the owner of the cat mentioned, an audible gasp followed by whispers took over Nathan's voice. He waited a few seconds before starting again, to let the crowd get their shock out.

"I apologize for the disorganization. Unfortunately, Storm Theban is owned by Blair Garcia. With the events of this evening, she has forfeited her trophy and title. Linda is currently working on adjusting the boxes to match the new scores. The final standings will be posted to our website by tomorrow evening."

I leaned over to Skylar and Aubrey to whisper, "So the tribe who never wins, placed the year they decide