Patricia Fry - Klepto Cat 04 - Undercover Cat Read Free

and said, “See what I mean about the stout genes?”
    “Yeah, you are just a skinny minnow in that thing,” he said, dropping his hands and stepping back a pace.
    She scowled up at him. “Skinny minnow?” She shook her head, then wrapped the jacket around her and climbed into the cab of the truck. “Night, Damon. Thanks for the coffee and fries.”
    “Sure,” he said as he closed the truck door. He pulled the collar up on his jacket, put his hands in his pockets, and walked toward his own car.
    As Colbi pulled away from the curb, her thoughts flashed back to her current project. It was the last in her series on kitten mills and cat hoarders. Her boss Sterling Boggs was particularly interested in this column because she promised to expose some of the worst of the worst in the state. She hadn’t even turned over the information she’d gathered to the sheriff’s office yet, but she would before the story broke. These people must be shut down, she thought as she drove the five miles toward her parents’ home, now her house…all six slightly run-down rooms.
    As Colbi turned onto the dirt road leading to her house, she took a deep breath. Finally, the cab of the old pickup was beginning to warm up. She shuddered under her heavy jacket. The truck heater is just one of the things I need to get fixed around here. But finding the time for things like that seems to be harder since I went on the paper full time and got involved with the Cat Alliance. Sure do enjoy the group. It has done me good to get out and meet people. I was so isolated when I was taking care of Dad out here at the place. I miss him terribly, but I do enjoy having a life outside of giving sponge baths, administering medications, and preparing meals.
    What’s that? she wondered as she pulled into the long driveway toward the two-story, wood-frame house. She looked in the rearview mirror. Hmmm, guess it was nothing. Thought I saw a flash of light behind me. She continued driving toward the house and parked next to her own car. Darn, should have turned the porch light on. She smiled. Didn’t know I’d be having a late coffee date and debate with Damon. She turned off the ignition and pulled out the key. She then reached over to pick up her purse and the tote bag containing the material she’d gathered for her story. She had everything in her grasp as she awkwardly turned the door handle and climbed down out of the truck.
    She walked toward the porch, but before she could reach the steps, she became aware that she wasn’t alone. She started to turn toward the sound she heard coming from her left when she felt someone grab her. The tote bag flew from her arms as she struggled to get free, but her assailant was much larger than she was and he easily overtook her by brute strength. Not one to give up easily, she continued to fight, kicking at the legs behind her, wriggling to get free of the grip, and screaming as loudly as she could. Suddenly she felt a damp cloth cover her mouth and nose. There was a pungent smell and then blackness. She wasn’t aware of anything until she woke up in the dark, dank room in what appeared to be a basement.

Chapter Two
    “Jackson, sorry to call you so early, but I’m trying to get in touch with Stanton. Do you know where she is? She’s not answering her phone.”
    “Uh, hi boss. What time is it?”
    “After eight.”
    “In the morning?” Damon raised off his pillow and looked at the clock next to his twin bed.
    “Yeah,” Sterling Boggs responded. “Did you work late again last night?”
    “Yes. And I know that Colbi was on a deadline with you. What happened? Didn’t she meet it? That’s not like her.”
    “No it’s not. Do you know where she lives? Do you think you could find out what’s going on? I need that story.”
    “Uh, sure, boss. I know where she lives. I’ll go out there and check on things. She may have just fallen asleep before getting the story to you.”
    Damon recalled being out at Colbi’s