The Purrfect Lie (Klepto Cat Mystery Book 12) by Patricia Fry Page B

smiled. “Yeah, I might do that.” He changed the subject. “Hey, did Maggie tell you what happened at their house last night?”
    “No,” Savannah said. “What?”
    “The cat-pen bandit made another appearance.”
    “Really? No, she didn’t say a word. But I only saw her for a minute this morning. What happened?”
    “Well, they found the gates wide open on two pens. Thankfully, no cats were missing, although, as Max said, they can’t be sure the cats didn’t go out roaming around before climbing back into bed.”
    “Gosh, that’s frightening. This is a pretty good sign that it isn’t a random, accidental oversight, isn’t it?” Savannah said. “Someone is opening those pens on purpose.”
    He nodded.
    “So what is Max going to do?”
    “They’re taking more dire measures to protect the cats. They’re installing cameras and locking the pens, making sure that only key people know the combination in case of emergency.”

Chapter 4
 
    The following morning before leaving for the clinic, Michael joined Savannah and Lily in the bathroom. “Rub-a-dub-dub,” he said, reaching down and tickling the baby under her chin as she sat playing in the tub. He chuckled. “I love to hear her giggle. That’s about my favorite sound in the whole world.” He tickled her again and laughed out loud.
    “Better watch out or you’ll go to work looking like a drowned rat,” Savannah said. “She’s at the top of her game this morning.”
    Just then, Lily picked up a large rubber duck and slammed it against the water.
    “Whoa!” Michael shouted. “You got Daddy.”
    As he dabbed at his face and shirt with a towel, Lily laughed and slammed the duck against the water again and again, shuddering a little each time water drops splashed her in the face.
    “I’d better get out of here before she causes a tsunami,” he said, kissing Savannah. “What are you two doing today?” he asked, stepping back out of the line of water-fire.
    “I think we’ll walk over to Auntie’s and Max’s and see what’s going on. I want to make a date with her to drive to Straley and get the rest of the party goodies.”
    “Do me a favor, will you?”
    “What?” she asked.
    “Take your cat with you.”
    “To Straley?”
    He shook his head. “No, silly; on your walk. I don’t think he’s getting enough exercise. Did you hear him tearing around the bedroom last night and up and down the hall?”
    “No,” she said. “I didn’t hear him. I wonder if he was chasing a mouse or lizard or something.”
    “I think he was just burning energy. You know how he gets kind of antsy this time of year when it’s cool out and we’re inside more.”
    Savannah nodded. “Okay. I’ll take him along,” she agreed.
    ****
    “What a pretty day it is, Lily. Want to go for a walk?” Savannah asked as she strapped the baby into her stroller a few hours later.
    “Ki-ki,” she said, pointing at Rags, who seemed happy to be outside as well.
    “Yes, the kitty’s going for a walk with us. We’ll go see Auntie. Want to see Auntie?”
    Savannah wheeled the stroller into the Sheridans’ driveway just as Margaret stepped out onto the porch. “Hi, you’re just in time to review the video with us.”
    “What video?” Savannah asked.
    “Hi, punkin’,” Margaret said, greeting the baby. “You look so cute in your Hello Kitty outfit. Where’d you get that, Vannie?”
    “At the second-hand children’s store, actually. They have some cute things in her size,” she said while releasing the strap and lifting Lily out of the stroller.
    “Ki-ki,” Lily said, pointing.
    Margaret nodded. “Yes, I see you brought your kitty, didn’t you?” She looked at Savannah, asking, “Why?”
    “Michael said he needs exercise and I couldn’t find a boot camp for cats.”
    “Funny,” Margaret said, grinning. “Yeah, I can just see him in a pole dance class, or maybe Zumba.” That image caused them both to laugh.
    Suddenly, they heard a voice behind