Killer Blonde by Elaine Viets

Harry Potter character! What kind of name is that? He used me. He changed his name to Barrymore.”
    And painted himself with the dull green patina of old money, Helen thought.
    â€œCustody cases are always difficult,” Nancie said. “But despite your differences, you and Mort worked out an agreement for Justine.”
    â€œWe did it for the emotional well-being of our child,” Trish said. “Justine has a brilliant future as a show cat. She’s a pedigreed Chartreux. They’re known for their smoky gray fur and copper eyes.
    â€œHere. See for yourself.” She produced a photo from a slim black clutch. The kitten was a fluffy gray cloud with eyes like new pennies.
    â€œThat’s January’s Jubilee Justine,” Trish said.
    â€œShe’s beautiful,” Helen said, though she felt disloyal. She knew Thumbs, her big-pawed white and gray cat, wouldn’t really mind if she admired another cat.
    â€œBig name for a little cat,” Phil said.
    â€œShe was born in a
J
year,” Trish said. “Chartreux have their own naming system. Their names must start with a particular letter of the alphabet, depending on the year they were born. I’m lucky 2014 is a
J
year. I would have hated it if she’d been born last year. I don’t like the
I
names nearly as much.”
    â€œSo, Mort didn’t return your cat on time,” Phil said, steering her back to the story. “Did you call him when he didn’t show up?”
    â€œI gave him ten minutes’ grace time,” Trish said, “in case he was caught in traffic. Then I called his landline and his cell phone. He didn’t pick up. I called every ten minutes until nine o’clock. Then I called the police. They were no help at all. That’s when I called Nancie and she contacted you.”
    â€œDo you think Mort left town with Justine?” Helen asked.
    â€œNo,” Trish said. “Our baby doesn’t like to fly and long car trips upset her tummy.”
    â€œHow do you transport your cat?” Helen asked. “In a pet carrier?”
    â€œWe each have a baby coach,” she said, producing a soft-sided carrier that looked like a small black school bus with clear mesh windows and jeweled headlights. “I brought it for you. She won’t go anywhere unless she’s in her bus.”
    She handed the bejeweled bus to Phil, who handled it like a live snake. Helen hid a smile.
    â€œContinuity is so important to help Justine transition,” Trish said. “We each have a zen cat tower for her to relax in.”
    â€œWhat’s that?” Helen said.
    â€œIt’s a graceful mahogany tower, six feet tall with three levels,” Trish said, “plus a sisal scratching pad and a hideaway. It has washable suede cushions.
    â€œJustine has the same toys, dishes and food at both places so she will always feel at home. We explained that Mommy and Daddy still love her, but we can’t live together anymore. She seems to be coping well.
    â€œWe know we’re not the only couple in this situation. Britney Spears and K-Fed and Jennifer Love Hewitt and Ross McCall fought over their fur babies.”
    â€œSo did another Barrymore,” Helen said. “I read that Drew Barrymore and Tom Green had a custody dispute over their Labrador.”
    â€œThose Barrymores are no relation. They’re
actors.
” Trish spit out the word.
    â€œI guess if you don’t have children, you have to fight about the pets,” Phil said.
    â€œTell that to Jon and Kate Gosselin,” Nancie said. “The reality-show stars had eight kids and still fought over their dogs.”
    â€œPlease, please bring my baby home,” Trish said. “And, if it’s possible, try to keep our names out of the media.”
    â€œWe’ll do our best,” Helen said.
    â€œHere are the keys to the house where Mort is living and the alarm code,” Trish said. “He