34. Katar

"We need to call Detective Carter," Bailey said as we took the tunnel and stairs back to the attic, closing all the doors after passing through them.

"Let's hold off on that." I nudged my head to the door in the attic wall. "Don't tell anyone what we've found. Not yet."

"But it will help clear my name."

"He seems pretty determined to pin this on you. Have you ever considered why?"

She sucked in a breath. "Do you think he could be involved?"

"Hard to say but he's definitely a suspect."

"What are we going to do?" She hugged her arms around her waist and shivered.

I held her until she stopped shaking.

"We'll look around some more," I said, ideas already springing up in my mind. "And when we've finished and if we decide he's not involved, we'll fill him in on what we've found." This was where it mattered that the king had put me in charge of the investigation. If the detective had his say, the case would be closed already.

We went back downstairs and returned the flashlight to my office.

"Ah, there you are," Vera said with a smile, walking in right as we were putting it away. "Tell me what's going on! I've been dying to find out."

Bailey's gaze met mine and she shook her head. "The door didn't go anywhere. Just . . . to another side of the attic."

"Aw," Vera said. "That's disappointing. I thought we had a budding mystery in the library, and we could all be sleuths."

"Not this time."

I could tell by the look in her eyes that Bailey didn't like keeping this from Vera, but everyone was a suspect.

"Well, back to my regular old boring life. At least I have a cat." Vera laughed. "It's four and time for me to leave, but I'm on the schedule for tomorrow morning. I was wondering if I could come in late. I've got a few errands to run and most of the places aren't open until nine."

"Of course," Bailey said. "You know we're flexible."

"Thank you. I'm going to drive over to your place right now and start looking for Mozzie." She held up her phone. "If I see anything or find him, I'll let you know right away."

"Thank you." Bailey sent me a teary look. "I'm worried about him."

"Me, too. I can't imagine where he must've gone."

Vera left, and we went out front, Bailey sitting at the desk to help patrons while I strolled around the library, thinking. I didn't come to any conclusions by the time we'd left, though I had plenty of avenues I wanted to explore in the morning. I'd start with the woods tomorrow during daylight hours.

We went to Bailey's house and went inside.

"I want to look around for Mozzie too," she said, gnawing on her lower lip. "I know Vera's looking but maybe he won't come to her call."

We put on jackets and scoured the area, walking in widening circles, but we found no sign of her pup.

Returning home, we collapsed on the sofa.

That's when we found the envelope on the table with Bailey's name written in block letters. After shooting a shocked look my way, she opened it and pulled out the very brief message.

Be at the park at six tomorrow evening.

Bring the book.

If you go to the cops, I'll hurt the dog.