"That's what I was asking myself," he admitted. "Until it came to our attention that her neighbor had threatened her cat. It's well known how much she dotes on that animal.”
“Nonsense. Why would he threaten Cosmo?"
"It seems your aunt's cat has been trespassing, and I'm sorry to say this, but he killed a few protected birds in her neighbor’s yard. Jake Gee was very keen on protecting wildlife and nature."
"So was my aunt. And I have never heard anything as absurd as this. That cat has never caught anything apart from a couple of fallen leaves that he chases once in a blue moon." Right on cue, Cosmo did his best to appear fluffy and harmless.
"I know it's hard to believe that your kitty has done something wrong or that old friends might have had a serious falling out over this kind of incident, but it happens. And it wouldn't be the first time that something starts with a clash over values and ends with a murder."
"Who told you about Cosmo killing birds?" I asked.
"I'm not at liberty to say, Ms. Merriweather, but believe me, we have our sources. Reliable ones."
Absurd.
"I'm sorry," he said again, as if that would make anything better.
"So am I." I managed a wan smile.
The only thing keeping me upright was the idea of him eating humble pie and publicly apologizing—not only to my late aunt but also to Cosmo.
I shot the cat a sidelong glance.
He cleaned his paws, the very picture of innocence.
"Is that all, or do you have any questions for me?" I asked. My voice shook. I wasn't acting.
"That’s all for now," he said. "I don't have to remind you—"
"Don't leave town?" I asked. "I thought that was only for suspects. And you told me that you ruled me out. I assume you've ruled out all the heirs—"
I bit my tongue. I had decided to leave that to Nick. So why did I blurt it out?
He gave me an inscrutable look. "Goodbye, Ms Merriweather."
With him safely gone, I grabbed Cosmo and lifted him.
"Hey!" he complained. "Put me down."
"Only if you look me in the eye and tell me that you have not been chasing birds."
Did he look shifty?
"Tell me," I demanded.
"Of course I haven't," he said. "Who do you think I am? What I find interesting is that somebody has been trashing my reputation to give Violet a motive for murder."
"What's so interesting about that? I mean, somebody's also been trashing her reputation."
"Yes. But who knew they would have her body tested?"
"I still can't follow."
"If this foul rumor about me is even newer than the one about your aunt—then it's been the murderer again."
Or an accomplice. Because Pamela, as far as we know, hasn’t set foot into town yet. My mind whirled. “What about Jimmy’s famous son? He’d been so keen on getting Sam into this place, offering his help again and again. What if he and Pamela have been in cahoots the whole time and they want to plant more evidence against my aunt?” I warmed to the theme. It made sense, and it would fit with rumors spreading while she isn’t around. The two of them could easily have worked together.
I grabbed the Ziploc bag. "Are you OK if I leave you here for a while?"
