The Purrfect Murder

English Civil War and just like what happened here. When people become that irrational, only overwhelming pain brings them back to their senses.”
    He sighed. “I wish you were wrong.”
    “I wish I were, too.” She slipped her arm around his waist. “Hell, we’re killing one another, too. Even though I didn’t see her, the vision of Carla with blood all over her gown—ugh.”
    “Isn’t it odd that humans will kill over an idea or for money?”
Tucker cocked her head to one side.
    “They don’t,”
Pewter swiftly replied.
“That’s the cover for the real reason.”
    “Which is?”
Tucker queried.
    “The pantry. All wars start in the pantry.”
    Conversation stopped as the local news came on and there was Little Mim, mikes thrust in front of her.
    “My opposition to abortion came from my own experience. I don’t regret not sharing that experience. We are all entitled to a private life. Now that mine has been so vilely exposed, I want to go on the record to tell you all, this outing, if you will, and the murder of Dr. Wylde has changed my mind. I will support reproductive control. I will fight this violent fanaticism with all I have in me as Crozet’s vice mayor, and I know I can count on the support of the mayor. I want to say to every woman out there who may be considering a termination, think it over. It’s one of the biggest decisions you will ever make. If there’s any way you can keep the baby, do.”
    She fielded a few more questions, said, “Thank you,” and walked back toward the small city offices to the waiting arms of her husband.
    Big Mim stood next to Jim.
    The newscaster, Dinny Suga, turned to face the camera, then read from a paper handed to her. She looked into the lens and, rephrasing the bulletin, said, “We have a missing-persons report. Mrs. Penelope Lattimore is reported missing by her husband—”
    “What in the hell is going on?” Fair exploded, his voice overriding Suga’s report.
    “I saw Penny this morning. How can she be missing?”
    Fair turned to her. “This morning?”
    “Keswick Country Club. I stopped by.”
    “Harry, usually an adult, unless impaired, has to be missing for at least twenty-four hours before a report is filed. Something is very wrong here.”
    “You mean if Penny’s disappearance made the news, they fear the worst?”
    “Yes. Obviously, we’re supposed to be on the lookout for her, but she’s more than missing, I’m afraid.”

28
    H arry was shocked at Tazio’s appearance when she walked into the area reserved for prison visitors. Unlike big prisons, where people sat on either side of glass, speaking through phones, they sat opposite each other, with a low table between them and a guard at the door.
    “Harry.” Tazio reached across the table and the two women touched hands.
    “Are you all right?”
    “I don’t know. I can’t eat and I can’t sleep.”
    “Is the food that bad?”
    “Too much starch, sugar, and salt. I just can’t stomach it.”
    “Brinkley is fine, but he misses you.”
    Tazio wiped away a tear. “You don’t realize how much you love a dog until you’re separated from him. Brinkley and I are together all day, every day. He’s my shadow, my friend, my best friend, corny as that sounds.”
    “Not to me it doesn’t. Miranda baked gingerbread. The other guard is cutting it up to make sure it doesn’t have a saw in it.” Harry smiled ruefully. “God knows if you’ll get any of it. Smelled so delicious that I almost tore into it myself on the way down here, and you can imagine how undisciplined Pewter was.”
    “I miss them, too.”
    “Out in the truck with the windows cracked, although it’s coolish today, finally. October is one of my favorite months, but Friday isn’t my favorite day.” Harry folded her hands, placing them on top of the table.
    “Sure puts everyone else in a good mood, because at five, they’re off. The weekend starts the minute they leave the job.”
    “You and I don’t have those kind of jobs.”
    “Miss that, too.” She tried to make general conversation. “Why don’t you like Fridays?”
    “Execution day for the better part of European history. Considered the devil’s day.” Harry noted the expression on Tazio’s thinning features. “Maybe I shouldn’t have said that.”
    “I am accused of murder.” She expelled air with force. “I feel like I’m in a bad dream.”
    “Big Mim is raising your bail from friends.”
    She ruefully snorted. “Guess I know