The Telltale Turtle (The Pet Psychic Mysteries) Read Free Page B

are. But it was clear to me he was in pain and needed help. I'm a pet psychic."
    "Pet psychic?"
    She handed him her card. "I do a syndicated radio talk show called Mary Catherine Roberts, The Pet Psychic, at Lite 102.5. I've been on television a few times. Life magazine did a story on me once. I've helped people all across the world with their pets. I lived in California for a while with my second late husband. I worked with several famous movie stars there, although I'm not at liberty to divulge their names. It can be as simple as two dogs fighting because one of the dogs has taken a favorite toy of the other dog. Once he agrees to give it back, everything is fine. Or it can be very complicated. Once-"
    "You talk to animals." Abraham scribbled something in his notebook, not concealing his urge to laugh.
    She frowned. This wasn't going very well at all. "I know it can be hard to understand, Detective, but I assure you I'm legitimate. I've helped thousands of people with their pet problems. I communicate with animals that need to express something to their owners. It can be about what they're eating, behavior problems, illness. Or in this case, something more tragic."
    "And people pay you to do this?"
     
    "Yes, they do." He'd touched on her sore point. Why was it people thought the worst of someone who made money using their gifts? "But I also run a free clinic where we take in hurt and stray animals and find homes for them. I like to help wherever possible. It's my calling."
    "Of course." He smiled at her. "Will you excuse me a moment?"
    She watched him speak to the detective at the door. The two men looked at her, then glanced away quickly. She sighed. This was much simpler in Los Angeles. And if George Wilson, her second late husband, hadn't died, she'd still be there with him. He should have told her he was allergic to bees. They shouldn't have been walking through the garden. Unfortunately, she'd never had much luck communicating with insects.
    Detective Abraham came back to her. "We'd like you to come with us to the station and make a statement, ma'am, if you wouldn't mind."
    Mary Catherine wished she could hear what he was thinking. He probably thought she was a flake or worse. She didn't like using parlor tricks to impress people, although she did it when it was necessary. What was he up to? "All right. But I hope this won't take long."
    "It shouldn't take too long, ma'am." He put his hand under her arm to help her to her feet. "Just a few questions."
    As she was gathering her knitting together, Colin walked into the house. "Aunt Ferndelle? Aunt Ferndelle?"
    "She's not here." Abraham stood in front of Mary Catherine, long legs spread wide like a pirate on the deck of a ship. "And you are-?"
     
    "Colin Jamison. What's happened? Why are you all here? Where's my aunt?"
    Detective Abraham explained that a woman was found dead in the sitting room. Colin sat down hard in one of the upholstered chairs. "I can't believe this! She can't be dead."
    Baylor brushed against Mary Catherine's leg and she nodded. "You're too suspicious. Besides, there's no reason to think this wasn't an accident."
    A small cry from her purse had a different view. Tommy was sure there was more than one person present when he fell on the floor. There were loud words. One person fell down and stayed on the floor. It was the human who'd taken him from his home in the creek.
    Mary Catherine put her hand to her head. Listening to the turtle's random thoughts gave her a headache. "You might be right to be suspicious, Baylor. We have to tell the detective about this!"

    But no one would listen to her. They took her to the police station, gave her a can of Coke and she waited for three hours in a small gray room before she talked to someone again.
    Detective Angellus finally came in and sat down with her at the rickety old table. "I have to tell you, Mrs. Roberts. You pretty much freaked out my partner. The first thing he checked when we got back was to see