A Mew to a Kill by Leighann Dobbs Page B

work to do, and there would be plenty of nights to spend with Striker.
    We stopped in front of my store. Pandora hissed at us from the other side of the window, then turned her back to us. I glanced inside for toilet paper or some other mess. I didn’t see anything, which, in itself, made me suspicious.
    Striker turned me to face him. I resisted glancing over his shoulder at the dark photography shop across the street.
    “I’m really sorry about tonight.” His gray eyes were meltingly soft but I barely noticed. My entire being was focused on keeping my eyes on his face and not letting them wander across the street.
    “That’s not a big deal. I understand.” Maybe just one little peek. I unobtrusively stood on my tiptoes and tilted my chin up slightly to see over his shoulder.
    “I have night duty tomorrow night, but maybe this weekend we could go on a picnic or something. I heard it was supposed to be nice.”
    “That sounds great.” Hopefully, by then I’d have found out who the killer is.
    Striker’s big hands found their way to my waist and I pulled my attention from the shop to his lips, which were zeroing in on mine. I wondered if I had onion breath. Judging by the way Striker was kissing me, it didn’t matter to him even if I did. I relaxed into the kiss, opening one eye to peek at Paisley’s shop while our lips were busy.
    Striker pulled away. “Well, I guess I better go.”  
    “Right. I’ll just get Pandora and be on my way home.” I made a show of opening the store like I really was going to go straight home.
    “Do you want me to wait for you?” Why did he have to pick now to be chivalrous?  
    I waved him off. “Don’t be silly. I get into my car by myself and find my way home every night.”
    He laughed. “Okay, Chance. That’s what I like about you. You’re independent.” He glanced over his shoulder at Paisley’s. “But remember … no investigating.”
    “I’ll remember.” It wasn’t a lie. I’d promised to remember … not to refrain from investigating. There was a difference.
    I unlocked the door and slipped into the store.
    “ Mew. ” Pandora came over and rubbed against my ankles.  
    “You’re acting awfully nice. What did you get into?” I peered around the store, but didn’t see any damage. Maybe she was giving me a break.
    I checked my cell phone. No text from Pepper yet, so we didn’t have a lead on Opal. I guess we’d have to wait until tomorrow to talk to her.
    I looked around for the tell-tale swirl that would indicate a ghost.  
    “Paisley, are you here?” I called out into the shop. No one answered. It figured—ghosts never came around when you wanted them and I wanted to ask about her brother.  
    My eyes wandered over to Paisley’s shop. It wouldn’t hurt to go over and check that the place was secure, would it? I wouldn’t actually go inside, but if I happened to glance in the window and see something what was the harm in that?
    I checked the street to make sure Striker’s car was really gone and made my way to the door. Pandora was glued to my heels as I opened it.
    “Okay, but be quiet,” I said. I imagined that she nodded her head in understanding.
    Main Street was empty. The shops were closed and there were no cars in sight, so we darted across, slipping into the small space between the photography shop and the butcher next door.  
    “ Merooop, ” Pandora cooed.
    “Shhh…” I walked toward the back of the stores. Better to stay back there than be seen skulking around on Main Street. There was a small parking lot in the back and a dirt road led in from one of the side streets. The back lot was ringed with trees, hiding it from view. Someone could have easily parked here unnoticed and lit the shop on fire.  
    I couldn’t do much more than give the parking lot a quick scan for any obvious clues. I didn’t have the time for an extensive search. I was sure the police would have already scoured it, anyway. I eyed the back of Paisley’s