The Purrfect Lie (Klepto Cat Mystery Book 12) by Patricia Fry Page A

impish smile pasted on her face. “Well, we have legs, ladies. Let’s use ‘em.”
    “You got that right, Maggie,” Colbi said, gazing at Iris’s and Savannah’s long legs.
    “So who’s in?” Margaret asked, looking around at the others. “Vannie, I know you’ll be here, right?”
    Savannah glanced away, grimaced, then said rather meekly, “I suppose.”
    Margaret wrote something on a note pad. “I’ll put you down as a firm yes.”
    “If Savannah’s going to be here, I’ll come. Could be fun,” Iris said, winking.
    Colbi cringed a little. “Okay, count me in, I guess.”
    “Good,” Margaret said. “I’ll contact Brianna. I’m sure she’ll want to be involved.”
    “When?” Colbi asked.
    Margaret looked briefly at Savannah. “Let’s wait until after the baby’s birthday party, shall we?”
    Savannah let out a sigh. “That would be great. Thank you.” She looked around at the others and asked, “Did you all get your invitations?”
    Everyone chimed in, “Sure did.”
    “So cute.”
    “Can’t wait.”
    Iris smiled. “We’ll be there with bells on.” She then asked, “Hey, did Craig tell you he made some progress in the child-abduction case?”
    Margaret shook her head. “I didn’t know our favorite detective was on the case, did you, Savannah?”
    “No,” she said. “I’ve been busy with party plans. Haven’t talked to him in ages. What did he find out?”
    “Well, he located the people who ran a nursery here on this property, Ferne and Randolph Greene. Ferne Greene says…”
    Suddenly Iris heard giggling. She looked around the room at the others. “What’s so funny?” she asked suspiciously.
    “Oh nothing,” Colbi said, sitting back in her chair, hands in her lap, trying not to laugh. When Iris continued to stare at her, Colbi said, “Well, the name Ferne Greene just struck me funny.” When Iris didn’t respond, Colbi said, “Ferne Greene owned a nursery…ferns belong in a nursery and they’re green…I thought it was rather humorous,” she said, trying to contain her giggles.
    “You and your word fetish,” Iris said, teasing her.
    “Can’t help it,” she said unapologetically. “Go on.” Still trying to stifle her giggles, Colbi then exclaimed, “Hey, you could be in a nursery, Iris!”
    Everyone joined Colbi in laughter. They laughed even harder when Colbi got so tickled she began laughing uncontrollably. Restraining herself a little, she said, “So could Lily,” before bursting out laughing again.
    “Well, at least we have real names,” Iris said, “not something someone made up.”
    Suddenly, Colbi stopped laughing. “Made up?” she said. “What are you talking about? Haven’t you heard of Colby, Texas and Colby, Kansas, Colby Wisconsin and…and…and…” she said, excitedly, “Colby Nolan, the cat that earned an MBA degree at Trinity Southern University?”
    “What?” Margaret said, furrowing her brow.
    Iris attempted to squelch a chuckle, saying, “No, Colbi, I haven’t heard of any of those places.” She narrowed her eyes. “A cat earned an MBA degree?”
    Colbi nodded. “Sure did.” She leaned toward Iris. “Okay, now we’re ready to hear what Craig said, Ms. Flower…I mean, Iris,” she said, smiling.
    “You’re too much,” Iris said, good-naturedly. “How does my son put up with you?” She paused, then asked, “Okay, where was I?”
    “He found Ferne, the nursery lady.”
    “Oh yes, she said there was a man living in the basement here for four or five years around the turn of the century. He did light work at the nursery for his room and board. I don’t remember what his name was, but they think it was an alias. Anyway, he died right there down in your basement apartment, Maggie.”
    “Ewww,” Margaret said.
    “Do they know if he had any children?” Savannah asked.
    Iris pondered the question. “That, I don’t know,” she said. “You’ll have to ask Craig.”
    ****
    “So when’s everyone arriving for the