The Mysteries of Max: Books 25-27

Chapter 38

“Follow the herder,” said Odelia with a frown as she read from the letter that had been dropped in her mailbox the night before.

“And who did you say posted that letter?” asked her mother as she poured more coffee for all those present.

No official invitations had gone out, but it had clearly been everyone’s opinion that a family meeting was in order, so everyone had gathered in Odelia’s mom and dad’s backyard for a family breakfast.

First Odelia had dropped by, holding up the letter, followed by Chase, once the latter had finished his morning gymnastics routine. Gran had been there of course, still grumpy after having been arrested the night before while on a stakeout at Quintin Gardner’s house, and then Uncle Alec and Charlene had also come round, eager to discuss that exact stakeout with the rest of the family.

So now they were all seated around the garden table that usually served as the backdrop for Dad’s famous barbecues, enjoying breakfast and discussing the state of affairs.

“According to… a witness,” said Odelia with a quick glance in Charlene’s direction, “it was that security guard who works for Bobby Garibaldi, of all people. His name is Bruno.”

“What witness was this?” asked Charlene as she took a sip of coffee.

Odelia glanced in the direction of her mother. Charlene was now the only person around the table who wasn’t aware of their big secret: that the women in the Poole family had the unique ability to be able to communicate with their cats.

“That’s not important,” said Mom, with an airy wave. “What’s important is this letter, and what it means.”

“You could always go and talk to the guy,” Chase suggested. “And ask him straight out what he’s playing at.”

“He’ll probably deny the whole thing, though,” said Uncle Alec.

“Follow the herders,” Gran mused. “Usually it’s follow the herd, right? It has got to have something to do with that goatherd you smashed,” she added, addressing Dad.

“I didn’t smash that thing,” said Dad, indignant. “Your cats did.”

“My cats did no such thing,” said Gran snippily.

“What were you doing snooping around Mr. Gardner’s house last night, Gran?” asked Odelia, curious.

“For the umpteenth time, I wasn’t snooping,” said Gran. “I was on a stakeout with Scarlett.”

“Staking out who?” asked Charlene.

“Marcia Gardner. I got this hunch she’s involved in this whole thing somehow, so—”

“Didn’t Chase specifically tell you that you were to leave the Gardner family alone from now on?” asked Uncle Alec.

Gran shrugged. “If I have to listen to your neighborhood-watch-hating deputy every time he gets a bee in his bonnet…”

“I don’t hate the watch, Grandma,” said Chase, causing the old lady’s face to pucker up even more.

“Look, the only reason I went on that stakeout was to show you once and for all that the watch is a force to be reckoned with. Not just a bunch of old kooks messing around.”

“I never said—”

“The girl that was found—there’s absolutely no connection to the Gardners?” asked Charlene, who was looking very pretty this morning, Odelia thought, with her curly blond tresses and a prim blush on her cheeks.

She was happy to see that the couple had resolved their differences and were back together again.

“I interviewed the manager of that fitness club yesterday,” said Uncle Alec, applying a thick layer of butter to his bagel, “and showed him pictures of the entire Gardner family. No dice. And none of the Gardners are members at the club either. I also talked to the girl’s mother, and here is where it gets interesting.” He shifted in his chair. “She claims that her daughter supplemented her income by giving private lessons to select clients. Unfortunately she didn’t know who these clients were—nothing was official.”

“What I find curious is what Marcia Gardner was doing at her brother’s house in the middle of the night,” said Chase.

“Probably discussing this succession business we’ve been hearing so much about,” said Uncle Alec.

“What did you do with that goatherd, Mom?” asked Odelia now.

“I didn’t throw it away if that’s what you think,” said Mom. “It’s in your father’s old office, waiting for him to glue it back together.” She gave her husband a pointed look, causing the latter to slightly wilt.

“I was going to do it this weekend,” he murmured.

“So the security guard for Garibo Enterprises keeps sending you mysterious letters,” said Charlene, summing things up, “the Gardners are locked in a succession battle, a girl was found dead who bears a striking resemblance to a woman who went missing twenty years ago… I really can’t make heads nor tails of this whole business.”

“All I know is that a murder was committed, and I’m going to find out who did it,” said Uncle Alec. “All the rest… is just noise as far as I’m concerned. Stuff designed to distract us.”

But this noise, Odelia thought, was what made the whole thing so fascinating—and so difficult to figure out.

She glanced down at her cats, who were lazily lounging underneath her chair.

“Max,” she whispered when Charlene wasn’t looking, “how would you feel about an assignment?”

“Sure,” said the large blorange cat. “What do you want me to do?”

She quickly glanced in Charlene’s direction, but the Mayor was too busy talking to Uncle Alec, giving her opinion on the case.

“I want to pay another visit to Bobby Garibaldi—this time without subterfuge. And I want you and Dooley to join me.”

“Sure thing,” said Max, and she tickled his fuzzy neck in gratitude.

She rejoined the conversation, and discovered that the atmosphere had turned a little acrimonious.

“You disparaged my watch!” Gran was saying, pointing an accusatory finger at Chase.

“I did no such thing!” said Chase.

“I said it was war, and I meant it. Which is why Scarlett and I will do whatever it takes to find Vicky Gardner, and prove to you once and for all that the watch can run rings around your police department. Rings, I tell you!”

Chase let out a curt bark of laughter and shook his head.

“And now he’s laughing in my face!” said Gran, throwing up her arms.

“I think Chase is simply relieved that you’re not actually waging war against him, Gran,” said Odelia.

“What do you mean?” asked the old lady with a frown.

“When you said it was war, he thought you might sneak into our bedroom at night and murder him in his bed.”

Now it was Gran’s turn to laugh an incredulous laugh. “Me? Murder your fiancé? Are you nuts? I’m the most peace-loving woman on the planet. I abhor violence. I detest it. I’m the kindest, sweetest soul on the face of the earth!”

Now they were all laughing, much to Gran’s indignation. Even Max and Dooley were giggling, and Brutus and Harriet, who’d been sleeping under Gran’s chair.

“Ma, you’re a sweetheart, don’t get me wrong,” said Uncle Alec, “but peace-loving and non-violent? I don’t think so.”

“This is too much,” said Gran, and got up and threw down her napkin. She darted angry glances at all those present. “You mark my words—my watch is going to solve this case. And you’ll all eat crow!”

And then she was off.

“Just promise me you won’t get yourself arrested again!” Uncle Alec yelled after her.

“Oh, go to hell!” Gran yelled back.

And then the most peace-loving woman on the planet slammed the screen door—hard.