1 A Paw-sible Theory by Anna Kern Page A

to the delivery guy.” Novie shook her head in resignation, “They never get that order right; tell Mike I’ll be there in a few minutes.”
    “I’m sorry, Mr. Hunter. What did you ask me?”
    “I asked how you felt about selling this building.”
    “I inherited this building from my parents and when my husband first mentioned it, I was against it. A few years ago, no one was interested in opening a business here. All the department stores moved to the Mall while others went out of business. In some cases, the owners died and family members weren’t interested in keeping the businesses going. There were just a few die-hard businesses that hung on: the lamp store down the street, the fruit-shipping store, and a few others. After my parents passed away, I decided this was my opportunity to fulfill my dream and theirs. It was a slow start but business has really boomed during the last three years. Anyway, my husband Rupert explained that I could still rent the space and keep the Ocean Street Café since the developer was not going to make any changes to the first floor; I told him I’d consider it. I know he wants me to sell, but I’m still thinking about it. Can you wait a few minutes while I take care of this soda problem?”
    He looked at his watch for confirmation. “Actually, I have what I need for the time being, and I do have another appointment.” He reached out to shake her hand. “Thank you for taking the time to talk to me.” He gave her his business card and told her he’d be in touch.

“As anyone who has ever been around a cat for any length of time well knows cats have enormous patience with the limitations of the human kind.”
    –– Cleveland Amory

    CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE:   The Opportune Time to Act

    I took a shortcut home and when I rounded the corner, I saw David Hunter’s car parked in the convenience store’s parking lot. The clerk inside the store barely glanced at the customers as she rang up their purchases, took their money, and made change. Naturally, I wanted to know why Hunter was sitting in his car, watching the clerk so intently. Hunter waited until the customers had all cleared out before he went in. I followed right behind him, unnoticed. I barely escaped having my tail clipped as the door shut automatically behind me.
    Hunter asked the clerk if she was Sally Wakowycz, introduced himself, and told her why he was there. Sally was willing to answer his questions but didn’t remember seeing Ethan that particular Saturday morning. She told him if it had been busy, she probably wouldn’t have noticed him because as she got older she had to concentrate harder on what she was doing. This last statement was said sotto voce as she looked around to make sure no one else was within hearing range.
    “I’m sorry I wasn’t much help to you. I do remember Ethan––a handsome young man, and always polite. He may have been in the store on that particular day, and I just don’t remember seeing him.”
    Hunter thanked her for her time, gave her his card, picked up a pack of gum, and paid for it with a five-dollar bill. He pocketed the change, and glanced at the receipt before dropping it in the trash can by the door.
    She called out to him as he was halfway out the door, “How about the sales receipt? It has a date and time on it. Would that help?”
    “Only if we can find it.”

    I scooted out of the automatic door which was closing slowly––again behind Hunter––being careful not to let him see me. I took off at a gallop before he left the parking lot, and arrived home at the same time as Maggie, barely making it through the front door before she did. I don’t know how long it was before I heard the doorbell. Maggie let Hunter in, making the usual small talk as she led him to the kitchen.
    “Did you have any trouble finding the house?”
    “No, not at all. I was early and took a short drive around the residential area. I didn’t realize how much has undergone