Deadly Diamond: A Murfy the Cat Mystery Read Free

slip of paper and handed it to him.
    “Do you know where it is?” she asked.
    “I know exactly where it is. You want to follow me?”
    “Sure,” she said, “I’ll get Murfy while you load the desk, unless you need help.”
    He winked at Maggie and flexed his arm. “Nothing I can’t handle. Right, Maggie?” She smiled indulgently and followed him.
    Aware of what Alyx expected me to do, I reluctantly stepped into the carrier. I really wasn’t looking forward to meeting this Simon cat. I considered hiding, knowing they’d never find me until I was ready to be found. Although I certainly didn’t need a playmate as I had two felines at home, apparently Simon did. Looking on the bright side, I could play a little rougher with him than with the females at home. A real wrestling match might be fun.
    At Althea’s condominium, Alyx left me in the carrier while George unloaded the desk. The designer in Alyx must have been dismayed to see so many rooms cramped with furniture. Althea told Alyx that she’d downsized through the years, but it didn’t look like it to me.
    Once George settled the desk in its new location in the study, Althea asked if they had time for some refreshments.
    “Something cold would be great,” answered George, wiping his brow with his t-shirt.
    “I have some scones, and I made iced tea. Alyx, would you like hot tea instead?”
    The teapot was already sitting on a silver tray, along with some pretty cups. Alyx said she’d love some.
    Alyx let me out of the carrier and I followed her and George to the small kitchen where Althea had set the table for afternoon tea. I freely explored the area, helping myself to a snack from Simon’s food bowl, followed by a drink from his bowl of fresh water.
    Althea poured a glass of iced tea for George and asked him if making furniture was a hobby or a business.
    “It’s both. I had a small shop in Vermont where I built furniture pieces by special order; now I do it as a hobby.”
    “From what I’ve seen in the store, you do beautiful work. You’re too young for retirement, what made you decide to quit?”
    George crossed and uncrossed his legs. “It’s a long story, so let’s just say mostly because of divorce and all the financial problems that come with it.”
    Alyx then steered the conversation back to small talk and when he left, I finally got to met Simon.
    “Okay, Althea,” said Alyx, “let’s introduce our fur-babies and see how that goes.”
    “All right, dear; should I go get Simon?”
    Alyx hooked the leash to my collar. “No, not yet. I’m going to bring Murfy to him. You don’t think he’ll attack, do you?”
    I knew her concern was more for the other cat getting hurt than for me. Regardless, I was glad to hear Althea say that she didn’t think so.
    “He’s always acted quite the gentleman around other animals in the vet’s waiting room.”
    I couldn’t help the shiver that ruffled my fur at the mention of that word. Surely, there’s no domestic animal alive, no matter how tough, that doesn’t fear the dreaded V word .
    “Well, he’s not tied up, so he has the option to run away if he wants to.”
    Althea opened the laundry room door, and Simon sauntered out. Detecting neither fear nor aggression, Simon, a pleasant enough fellow, moved away to hunch down on all fours, studying me, while I sat politely, studying him.
    Both Alyx and Althea were smiling at the successful encounter. “I think they need to get acquainted.”
    Althea asked Alyx if she wanted another cup of tea. Alyx said yes, went down on one knee, and unhooked my leash.
    Simon bounded away, looking behind his left shoulder, inviting me to follow him, which I did, but stayed close enough to hear the conversation between the two women.
    “Alyx, I’d like to hire you to help me redecorate this room; I know I have far too many things in here. I saw it on your face that you agree.”
    “I can see why you kept them. They are truly outstanding pieces. If you’d