“Argh! Cruella—it’s Cruella!” Those shrill cries came from a large, white, fluffy Purrsilla, Catmmando Tom’s lady friend in his cartoon adventures. She rushed toward me in a blind panic. The plush tail that towered above her head was pinned to her body, making it easier to maneuver through the crowd quickly. That’s a no-no for anyone playing the role since the luxurious tail is Purrsilla’s most attractive feature. Apart from the gorgeous green, heavily-lashed cat eyes, anyway. Under normal circumstances, a park ranger would have taken her aside. Today everyone was distracted. Including me, given the shocking claim Purrsilla was making as she skittered my way.
I snagged her before she could run headlong into a throng of guests. “Whoa, Purrsilla, slow down!” I didn’t exactly grab her by the scruff of her neck, but close. It took some doing to hang on to her. I’m strong, thanks to regular workouts. She was terrified, and her first inclination was to swat at me with a big paw—also a no-no in the associate handbook for those charged with bringing Marvelous Marley World’s beloved character to life. “Stop, Purrsilla. Take a deep breath, and, please, lower your voice.”
She let go of her tail which almost whopped me in the face as it sprang back into place. Then she buried her big cat head into her oversized paws. I tried patting her on the back, hoping to calm her. “She’s okay, folks. Sorry for the trouble.” That dispersed the crowd that had gathered. Still hanging onto her, I walked Purrsilla toward the doors that led backstage. Doug and that man in the brown suit were eying me. I waved off Doug. “Purrsilla’s just fine,” I called out loud enough for Doug and anyone else still standing around to hear. Doug waved in return. “Who’s inside there?” I whispered. Calling her Purrsilla wasn’t going to cut it if I wanted to reach the human having a meltdown. I hit a spot on the wall, and those hidden doors opened. Once we were underground, Purrsilla removed the top of her costume. “I’m so...” she hiccupped, “sorry. It was horrible. I lost it. Cruella’s dead!”
The young woman who still had not told me her name reached out and grabbed me with those paws and sobbed on my shoulder. “Are you talking about Mallory Marley-Marston?” I felt a shimmy of fear run down my spine. Someone we know, Doug had said. “Yes. We called her Cruella de Vil. I know we shouldn’t have done that, but it fit. She was a mean person—always giving my friends who work in Snappy Treats a hard time. Nothing was ever good enough for that hag! They just hated her, and so did I,” she gasped. “Oh no! I don’t mean we hated her enough to do that to her—kill her! Who could do that to anyone?” “It’s going to be all right. Uh, I’m sorry, I still don’t know your name.” “Debbie. Debbie Dinsmore.” “Don’t worry, Debbie.”
I looked around to make sure we were alone, lowered my voice to a conspiratorial level. “A lot of us called her Cruella.” Or worse, I thought. Debbie let out a huge sigh of relief. “I’m sorry you had to see her... had to see anyone in that condition. You need to put your feet up in the break room. Calm your nerves and then go home.” “But my shift’s not over for hours. I just came on duty...” Another round of sobbing cut off her words. “No problem. We’re going to shut down much of this area for a while. I’ll fix it with your supervisor, Megan Donnelly, okay?” Debbie nodded in agreement. “Does she know how to reach you later?” “Yes,” Debbie said with a puzzled look on her face. “Good! I’m going to have her call you with a referral for someone to speak to about what you witnessed today.” Her puzzled expression morphed into wariness. “Trust me. It’ll help—I went through something like this myself—years ago. I should have talked to someone right away. The company will pay for it, and we’ll cover a few days paid leave if you want to take it.” She didn’t respond one way or the other.
What had she seen? I uttered a silent prayer that whoever had leaked information about what was going on also hadn’t taken pictures. “I’m calling Megan right now. You have to promise me you’ll calm down and that you’ll see the person Megan finds for you, please?” “Sure. I do need to take the day off. Talking to somebody couldn’t hurt.” She rubbed tears from her face with a paw—no-no number three, but who was counting on a day like today? Megan picked up my call on the first ring. I filled her in on the situation. Not that I knew much myself. I must have conveyed the seriousness of the matter because Megan sprang into action and insisted that Debbie stay with me.
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| Miles! |
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| Ella! |
“Jack, there’s been a murder!” Jack and I had been sitting on my patio, taking in the view of the Pacific Ocean when my phone rang. Summer was well on its way, here, on the Southern California Coast in June. Still, a chill hung in the air as the sun sank toward the horizon. The chill I felt wasn’t entirely due to the weather. Before I could say more, Jack jumped to his feet and pulled his phone out of the pocket of his jeans. “I don’t see a message. Why would someone from the department call me on your landline?”
“They didn’t. The murder’s not here. It’s on a beach somewhere in North Carolina near where Jennifer Dodson’s daughter has been going to school. Someone attacked Meredith on the beach.” “No! Are you saying someone murdered Jennifer’s kid?”
“No, Meredith’s not dead, but a man stabbed her, and she’s recovering in the hospital. Jennifer flew out there a couple of days ago. She didn’t call me until she was sure Meredith was going to be alright. There have been a series of attacks at the beach—all women. Meredith was fortunate, apparently, since she lived through the assault. Another woman attacked in a separate incident died. The next night a third attack occurred. Kat Benson, a graduate student in art history at UNC Chapel Hill, attends the same school where Meredith’s enrolled. She’s not dead, but not doing well.”
“Did Meredith know both other women?” I could tell I had triggered Jack’s detective side and had set his inquisitive mind in motion. “Kat yes, but not the woman murdered on the first night—Jenna somebody—I don’t remember her last name. Kat was a graduate assistant for an undergrad art history course Meredith took. I guess they hit it off and became friends. Meredith was distraught when the police questioned her and grew even more upset when told someone had attacked her friend, too. Meredith’s scared.”
“Who could blame her? It’s hard to feel safe when something horrific like that happens.” “The police have the attacker, but Jennifer’s not convinced it’s safe for Meredith, either, so she plans to bring her home as soon as she can. I hate to change our plans for the weekend, Jack, but I’m going to visit Jennifer and Meredith when they get home. Jennifer seems to think it would be good for me to be there because…” It’s as though something suddenly swallowed me up and I couldn’t finish that sentence. “Because you went through something similar at Meredith’s age. What exactly, I don’t know, do I? Every time the subject comes up, you slip away, then go silent. It’s like a ghost story. Only the ghost is the part of you that steals away to Corsario Cove whenever something sets off your memories of that event. You’re otherwise one of the smartest, most with-it women I’ve ever met, and yet you carry this secret around with you like Marley’s chain. Not your boss Marley, but that ghost in the Dickens Christmas story. I… I’m going to shut up. We’ve been through this before, and I don’t want to make you feel worse since you’re obviously upset. When you’re ready to talk, I’m here.”
“I am having this déjà vu experience. I don’t always know what will trigger it, but news about a murder on the beach has set it off, big time.” I stared at the new man in my life, trying to figure out why I couldn’t say more. Jack Wheeler’s the first man I’ve been this close to in years. No, make it decades. I’m not talking about a mere flirtation with the handsome homicide detective—a Jim Rockford lookalike. Not a fling, either. There had been other men since that horrendous incident in Corsario Cove changed my life forever. Since then, I had learned that attraction may be instantaneous, but not love. None of the men I met after losing Danny had me contemplating love and marriage—until Jack. The more I thought about making a serious commitment, though, the more all the old memories hounded me.
“I want to tell you what happened. I should have done it already. It’s just...” Jack took a step forward and pulled me into his arms. “You’re trembling. Maybe I should go with you this weekend. I like your friend Jennifer. She’s been on my side when it comes to getting you to take me—us—seriously.” How would it feel to show up in Corsario Cove with a new man? I mused, considering his offer. I had grown up there. In San Albinus, actually, a small town not far from Corsario Cove on California’s Central Coast. Before I was twenty, I had gone off to college, not far away, at UC Santa Cruz. That’s where I met the love of my life. Corsario Cove is where I lost him. I had already told Jack that much. I settled into his arms. “Jennifer’s an incurable romantic. She fancies herself to be quite a matchmaker, too. A skill she claims she’s honed matching clients to their dream vacations if you can believe that! As far as she’s concerned, you’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me.” Could be, she’s right, I thought. I liked the feeling of his arms around me. He smelled terrific, too—clean and fresh like the outdoors. No discernible scent of anything artificial, like soap or cologne. Honest and direct, like the man. I leaned into him as the chill fled, replaced by the now familiar sensation I often experienced around Jack. Snap, crackle, pop—a series of enticing feelings that were hard to describe.
“Jennifer is right. I’m your man.” Jack tilted my head up and kissed me. Those sensations reached all the way down to the tips of my toes as I returned that kiss. “I’ll call Jennifer and tell her we’ll both be there for the weekend. She can get us a great deal on rooms at The Sanctuary Resort and Spa. It’s on me, though. I’m sure you didn’t have a weekend getaway figured into your budget.” Homicide detectives don't make much money. Jack’s not the kind of guy who throws money around. Still, the OC, as we refer to Orange County, is not a very affordable place to live. That’s true even in Irvine, away from the chichi Newport Coast where I live. Jack owns a comfy townhouse or will one day when he finishes paying the mortgage. He’s trying to save for retirement, and he has a daughter in college who needs his help. Not that he’s legally obligated to pay child support any longer. “An obligation of the heart, not the divorce decree,” he had said one evening when we were talking about his relationship with his daughter Beth. Jack does okay, but he doesn’t have much left over at the end of the month. So far, we had worked around the difference in our expendable incomes. It wasn’t always easy. Jack isn’t what I’d call macho, but he does have a fierce, independent streak that resists my efforts to subsidize our fun. “I don’t want to tangle with you about money.
I can’t always keep up with what you can afford on the megabucks you get working for the Cat, but I don’t mind paying my fair share. I would like to see where you grew up. In a way, you’re doing me a favor so I’m happy to share the costs.” He let me go, but I stayed close as we talked. Close enough to see the sparks that danced in his dark eyes when he was adamant. I had made up my mind, though, and picked up my argument that I was paying for our trip. “Trust me, The Sanctuary Resort and Spa is outrageous, even at a discount. Let me spend some of that bonus you helped me get by keeping me alive so I could advance my career at the Cat Factory.” That I was now dating a homicide detective had not come about under the most pleasant circumstances. After three months, the hubbub about a Murder at Catmmando Mountain had finally subsided. Finding a high-ranking Marvelous Marley World executive viciously killed in the Arcadia theme park on Valentine’s Day had created a stir. Especially scintillating news when it turned out that the victim was the founder’s daughter. Max Marley had not only built the Arcadia theme park—several theme parks, in fact—but much more. That includes resorts, movies, animated features and shorts, characters and other Marvelous Marley World products. The brilliant, but eccentric man, presides over a multi-billion-dollar entertainment empire. It’s all rooted in the success of a cartoon cat—Catmmando Tom. That’s the reason for our frequent references to working for the Cat at the Cat Factory. The shakeup in Max Marley’s world in the wake of his daughter’s death had been both personal and professional. Max Marley had gone into seclusion and remained there. That action spilled over to the professional side, leaving a gap in leadership at the top where Max had held the reins for nearly four decades as founder of Marvelous Marley World. We did the best we could to move forward in his absence...
“Voila. Time to eat.” As I turned to pull our scallops from the oven, I caught Miles eying Jack. His gaze was fixed on the detective, concentrating as he delivered his best cat version of the Vulcan mind probe. Miles had a single aim in mind, getting the human to carry out his prime directive. FEED THE CAT. It worked. Jack hopped off the bar stool and hollered the magic word. “Treats.” Miles dove off his seat and stood alert, his tail high as a kite as Jack dished up a tablespoon of tuna. It always amazes me how much enjoyment Miles derives from such a small thing. A lesson to his human companions. One of many our furry feline friends teach us—like gratitude for a job well done. Miles stopped, looked up, and blinked at us with what’s darn close to a wink, accompanied by a throaty hurrah. In minutes, we were all settled into the dining room. Jack and I devoured our dinners as Miles lounged near the wall of windows that gave him a view of the veranda. Despite my chef’s training, cooking dinner for others makes me anxious. It had been years since I prepared food in a kitchen at Marvelous Marley World, where I started straight out of culinary school as a chef. To be honest, these days I hardly cook at all. Fresh fruit with yogurt is dinner most nights. Occasionally, I hold a dinner party. That always gives me the jitters, too. I sighed as I finished my food. “The house has outdone itself, tonight. May I tip the chef with a kiss?” Jack asked. I leaned in to collect my gratuity and felt a wave of relief. Not to mention the tantalizing dance of sensations that goes along with one of those kisses.
“Ready for dessert?” “Am I ever. Bring on the mousse.” “Chocolate mousse. You know I have to get my fix.” I admit it. I’m a chocoholic. Jack stood up to help me remove the dirty dishes. As we headed to the kitchen, Miles jumped to his feet and unleashed an earsplitting yowl. “What on earth, Miles? You don’t get dessert; why are you yelling at me?” I looked at Jack. “Have you been slipping him extra treats after dinner?” “Moi? Non. Not after dinner. What is it, Miles?”
I tried to hide my smile realizing that Jack had advanced to the next level of cat ownership. By that, I mean being owned by a cat, the point at which you talk to the cat like it's a person. If Miles intended to respond, he had no chance to do so because my phone pinged to indicate someone sent me a message. Next, Jack’s phone began to ring. We both dashed into the kitchen and grabbed our phones. I froze as I read the message on my phone. ACTIVE SHOOTER. MARVELOUS MARLEY WORLD HEADQUARTERS...
I've escaped into Catmmando Mountain and the Marvelous Marley World for the last several days...and thoroughly enjoying spending time with Miles, a Siamese who was named after Miles Davis...and, later, Ella, who was named after Ella Fitzgerald! These two lovelies have combined into one family after a series of murders brought together Georgie Shaw and Jack Wheeler, a Homicide Detective with the local police department.
Jack quickly made his interest known during the first investigation, while Georgie was noticing him as well, but not so overtly! Georgia is not the traditional "amateur detective" for a cozy series. She is quite adverse to getting involved with the details of murder, staying away from the blood or other things that might get on her clothes (LOL), while relishing the time spent with Jack as each of the murder mysteries are solved... By Book 3, they were a couple and Jack brought Ella into the family, proving just how much he was willing and able to move toward a permanent family arrangement.
Max Marley is the creative genius who has grown richer than rich while working to create theme parks, a music world and so much more. He is known for being eccentric and sometimes going into temper tantrums when he doesn't get his way. Georgie is one of the few people who can think fast enough to quietly discuss options for his consideration during any turmoil. She has been with Marley's for many years and is now in senior management, but had, originally, been a chef in the kitchens--readers who enjoy cooking will be excited to learn that each book contains the recipes and secret tips from Georgie that were served in the various venues happening... Me, I flip through those pages since any chance of my becoming more interested in cooking than in reading, at my age, is about 10M to 1! LOL
Although Miles does not personally become involved with the investigations, it is clear that, through whatever cat magic he may have, he is able to immediately prepare Georgie that a cat-astrophe is on its way in which Georgie was to be pulled into the fray... And speaking of cat-astrophes, these books are full of fun puns regarding the word "cat" or other feline references... A nice break from the sometimes tense actions related to solving the first murder...which sometimes becomes dangerous for those conducting the investigation.
There is sufficient narrative to hook readers into each book's mystery, and sometimes even catches Georgie by surprise. Consider the parallel to the Disney World Enterprise and you can realize just how big--and how many ways, mischief and criminal acts can be conceived and put into action. I gave up trying to work through the mystery in each book, and just spent my time enjoying the characters, including Max and Ella, as well as learning about the various make-believe stars in Marley's World--The Furry Caped Avenger, Catmmando Tom, may be a superhero, but he's also a competitor with Mickey Mouse for who is the biggest and favorite with children who visited each theme park! Me, of course, the "Tom-Cat" is my choice!
This is the first three of a 9-book series, so far... So look for the next three coming! You've just got to start reading cat cozy mysteries, don't you think?!!!
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