Purrfect Roast: A Dragon Cozy Mystery Verena DeLuca (summer reading list .txt) 📖

"I would kill for a cup of coffee," I said. "But I would settle for a deck of cards. Anything to pass the time."

"Seriously!" Aubrey said. "How long can it take for the cops to show up?"

Skylar stood and stretched. "Seems off that they aren't here yet. Had to have been a cruiser in close proximity to us. This is South Austin."

"If they're coming," I pointed out. "Maybe the theft of a cat show's trophies is too small potatoes for the Austin Police."

"That's rude," Aubrey said, placing her hands on her hips.

Skylar however, giggled and sing-song whispered, "Po-ta-to! Boil it, smash it, stick it in a stew."

I could not help but giggle with her while Aubrey gave her a strange look and continued speaking about the severity of the situation, causing us to burst into a full-blown giggle fit.

"Y'all deserve to know who did this and have it made right. Even if I think it's a little silly, that doesn't mean it shouldn't be treated with respect."

It was official, Aubrey cared more about the missing trophies than I did.

"There is nothing funny about this," Aubrey said. "And nothing to do with potatoes."

"Aubrey is going to have herself a purebred kitten by Christmas," Skylar said between giggles.

"No kidding," I said, trying my best to control myself. "Wouldn't have pegged you for the cat show savior type."

"Nope." Aubrey shook her head. "Already have two heathens at home. Don't need a third to clean up after."

We laughed. That would be a sight, Aubrey sucked into the cat show circuit. Too bad dragon protectors were spinsters. Moms would make the most loving protectors.

Wait, a minute.

"You're a mom," I pointed out. "Don't you keep entertainment tricks in your purse?"

"Sure." She pulled out a pen and paper.

"Draw me a puppy," she said in her most patronizing voice possible.

Skylar laughed and shook her head, while monitoring the room.

I laughed. "Can't draw without my coffee."

"If ever," Azure transmitted along with the sound of laughter.

"Whatever," I transmitted, looking around the ballroom for the third time. "You know what, I think a tribe is missing. There are only four large groups in this room."

"You're right," Azure transmitted. "Tribe Theban of the San Marcos area isn't down here."

He got up from the cat pile and came to sit at attention on my lap.

"Wonder what that means," I transmitted.

"Nothing good," Azure transmitted.

CHAPTER FOUR

Sunday, May 17th, 10:15 AM

"I tried to reach out to their leader," Azure transmitted. "No response."

"I've counted the groups multiple times, and they aren't here," I transmitted. "Does that mean they are guilty?"

"Best not jump to conclusions," he transmitted. "There are a few tribes that don't attempt to place in the show. I've never paid attention enough to the drama, but it is possible they never attend the awards."

"I think there's a group of ladies from San Marcos missing," I said.

"Oh, really?" Skylar asked.

"Looks that way," I said. "I was just running through all the groups we've met, matching them up to the ones in here. Pretty sure they said they drove up from San Marcos."

I was direct enough for Skylar, but couldn't tell if Aubrey followed. Had I known there was going to be a scandal I would have prepared better, or not invited Aubrey at all.

"I guess that solves the question of who," Skylar said.

"Yeah," Aubrey said. "Why else would they be missing on trophy day."

Before I formulated a response, the front doors opened, and two officers entered heading toward Linda. Their body language indicated they would rather be anywhere else. The slow pace and lack of eye contact with the room set my nerves on edge. They must have drawn the short stick and were forced to take the call. No wonder they took their sweat-tea time to get here.

"Two police?" Aubrey asked. "There are over one hundred suspects here, and they only sent two police?"

"That's what I was thinking." I laughed. "This is going to take all day!"

"If we miss out on the bats, I am going to be livid," Skylar said.

"No kidding," I said.

"Ladies, Ladies," Linda announced, "and gentlemen. These officers are going to be investigating . . ."

The officers shrugged, not a care in the world for what Linda was telling the room. That was the last sign I needed. There was no way they had any intention of solving the case. They would do the bare minimum, check their boxes, and go home.

So ridiculous.

"Momentarily, you'll be free to leave the room," Linda continued. "But you're not allowed to leave the hotel until we resolve this matter."

Aubrey was right, it's just a cat show, and aside from the competitors, no one else in the city cared what happened here. Did the coordinators even have the authority to make us stay?

The male officer leaned to his partner and whispered in her ear, and she struggled not to break into a smile. Her partner no doubt whispered some sarcastic comment about not bothering with a petty theft of cat trophies.

"Wow." Aubrey crossed her arms. Her anger was simmering. I knew that look all too well, someone was about to lecture. "Rude. Like, they could be at a call in the heat right now. But no, here they are, basking in the AC, snickering about a theft. Real professional."

She rolled her eyes, Skylar and I stayed focused on the stage. I was not about to poke the bear.

"At least there's a silver lining, right?" Skylar asked.

"I was about to lose my mind sitting here without coffee," I said.

"Totally," she said. "What's the plan, besides coffee?"

"The show's vendors have agreed to stay open today while this is all sorted out," Linda continued. "Please take a few minutes to stop by each and thank them for their support."

The six other tribe ladies—realizing that I was back—moved closer to hear what I had to say about the situation. I glanced around the group, pausing at each of them to take in their facial expressions. Mostly, everyone seemed to be wary