Purrfect Alibi (3)

Chapter 16

Chase let himself drop down on his recliner in Chief Alec’s living room. Actually the room was living room, dining room and family room all in one. Being a widower, Alec didn’t need a lot of space. It was surprisingly neat, though, given the fact that it now housed two dudes. And that was what Chase wanted to talk to his boss, mentor and housemate about.

“Want a beer?” asked Alec from the kitchen as he rooted around in the fridge.

“Nah, thanks,” said Chase as he stared before him, going over the events of the evening. First his date with Odelia that had gotten off to such a good start, only to fizzle during dessert, just because some lowlife had decided taking Chris Ackerman’s wallet, phone, watch and money wasn’t enough—he had to take the poor sucker’s life, too.

Chase didn’t doubt for a second that they caught the right guy. So why the Chief would want Odelia’s grandmother to come in tomorrow to sit with the sketch artist he did not know. Tying up loose ends, probably. Creating a solid case against Sasha Drood. Then again, if Grandma Muffin had indeed seen Drood enter the library around the time of the murder, why did she need to work with a sketch artist? There were obviously wheels within wheels at work here, and he thought he saw the hidden hand of Odelia in all of this.

Whenever cats were involved, and weird stuff he couldn’t comprehend, usually Odelia was behind it. He didn’t mind. This was a small town, and small towns worked in strange and wonderful ways. Like the fact that the chief of police would allow his niece to give him a hand investigating a crime. You didn’t see that kind of thing back in New York.

Alec joined him and plunked his rotund frame into his own designated Barcalounger. The two recliners had been set up next to one another in front of the humongous flatscreen, like a matching pair. They practically looked like an old married couple, Chase thought.

“What a day,” said the police chief, blowing out a sigh, then taking a sip of beer.

“At least we got our guy,” said Chase, leaning his head back against the support.

“Let’s not jump to conclusions, Detective Kingsley,” grumbled the Chief. “I’m not convinced he’s not what he says he is: a common robber.”

“Pretty sure he’s our guy,” Chase insisted. He ticked off on his fingers. “We placed him at the scene. He’s obviously a no-good thug who wouldn’t mind adding murder to his rap sheet if it meant he could pocket a small fortune. Nah. He’s our doer. No doubt about it.”

The Chief studied Chase for a moment, then asked, “So how did your date go?”

Chase groaned. “I was just about to pop the question when you called.”

“Sorry about that.”

Chase waved a hand. “Not your fault. She got a call from her mother at the same time I got a call from you. Besides, maybe it’s too soon. Maybe she’s just not ready yet.”

“Or maybe she is, and all you have to do is ask her and she’ll say yes.”

“Your mother just moved out.”

“So? Better strike the iron while it’s hot. Knowing Vesta she and Tex will have another blowup and she’ll move back in with Odelia before the end of the week.” He stabbed a stubby finger in his direction. “You better move quick, son, before that happens.”

Chase thought about this. “So… how should I go about it? Any advice for a desperate man?”

“The woman is crazy about you, son, that’s pretty obvious. So from where I’m sitting you can’t do no wrong.”

Chase had a feeling he could go wrong in about a million different ways. He was fearless as a crime fighter but when it came to wooing Odelia Poole he was as nervous as a first-grader on his first day of school. “Do you think I should talk to Tex first? He is her dad, after all, and I want to do this right.”

The Chief seemed to suppress a quick smile, but agreed this would be a great idea.

“I mean, things are done differently out here in Hampton Cove. Traditional, I mean.”

“You got that right, son. We’re big on tradition out here in the sticks.”

He couldn’t tell whether Alec was making fun of him or not but at least the other man hadn’t shot down his idea about talking to Tex. He made up his mind to do just that the first chance he got. To his recollection he and the good doctor had never had a conversation about Odelia. Now was the time to correct that mistake. If he wanted to become a permanent part of Odelia’s life he needed to create a strong bond with her family—starting with her dad.

“You know? While you’re at it you might want to talk to Vesta, too,” said the Chief.

“Now I know you’re pulling my leg,” he said, and when Alec’s voluminous frame started shaking with rollicking laughter he knew he was right. Soon he was laughing right along with the big guy.

Next Alec would tell him to ask Odelia’s cat for permission, too. Ha ha ha.