Cat Scratch Cleaver

pulls the box back in her direction. “I didn’t know you were on a first-name basis with the guy.” She pulls a set of chopsticks out of her desk and quickly plucks a s’mores bar out of the box like a chopsticks wielding pro.
I make a face at how effortlessly she managed to pull that off. I’m guessing this isn’t the first time she’s pulled those sticks out to save her manicure.
Fish lands her front paws over the edge of the tote bag and she looks about as adorable as can be. Tell her you can get her the role for a fee. Fish mewls. A plate full of Fancy Beast cat food. Salmon pâté, none of that turkey dinner. I’m a cat, for goodness’ sakes.
Sherlock lets out a chirp of a bark. See if she can throw in a few of those jerky treats Jasper picks up now and again. I’d like to have them as a regular part of my diet.
“I am on a first-name basis with the director,” I say, giving both Fish and Sherlock a wry look before shifting my gaze back to Camila. “In fact, I just had lunch with him this afternoon.” Sort of. “That’s when he seemed to be taken with the idea of a brunette stealing the part.” And I’m pretty sure that’s no lie.
Camila spikes to her feet. “Well, I’m interested. In fact, I’ll stop by the inn tomorrow and let him know myself. Besides, I have some business to conduct.”
Shoot. It seems I’ve opened up a can of Camila-shaped worms. Of course, I did. I shouldn’t expect anything less with her. She’s a barracuda when it comes to trying to steal my man.
A dull laugh bounces through her.
“Oh, Dizzy Bizzy. I don’t have to be a mind reader to know that your paranoia just went up a notch. You think I’m about to swipe Jasper away from that pretty little ring finger of yours that you have him wrapped around?”
I inadvertently twirl my engagement ring in toward my palm. She’s the last person I want gawking at my ring. It bares a hunk of an emerald cut diamond with smaller diamonds dripping down either side. I’ve already told Jasper I’d like to use it as my wedding ring as well. There’s no way I’m taking this off my finger for long.
She leans hard over her desk, and Sherlock whimpers before chasing his tail in a circle.
“Guess what, Bizzy? You’re right.” She bleeds a dark smile. “I got to thinking the other day. What on earth does Dizzy Baker have that I don’t? I’ve got you beat with both my body and my looks.” She points a finger to herself. “I’m halfway decent in the kitchen, and from what I hear, you’re required to have a fire extinguisher nearby.”
She’s not wrong there. Fish yelps and I twist my lips at her.
Camila scowls my way. “He’s settled with you. Face it, Bizzy, you’re ordinary. And a man like Jasper deserves an extraordinary woman.”
Sherlock gives a sharp bark and it sounds like a warning. Nobody talks to my Bizzy like that and gets away with it. Grab her by the chopsticks and demand that she tells you everything she knows about Heather.
Camila snarls over at Sherlock. “Oh hush, you. Nobody asked you anything. A lot of good you and your paw patrol did yesterday protecting Heather Kent from getting slaughtered.” She bares her fangs my way. “Heather was my friend. In fact, I was the one who suggested the inn a few months back when she said they were scouting a location for the grisly climax.”
“You did?” I blink back, surprised. I’ll let her insults slide this once, but only because I plan on shaking as much about Heather from her that I can.
“That’s right. Heather and I went to the same spa right here in Seaview. She’s been renting a place in town. And we became fast friends.”
“Did she tell you she slept with Peter to get the part? Is that what you did to get your bit part, too?”
She sucks in a quick breath before getting right back to scowling.
“Why aren’t I surprised to see you stoop so low?”
Sherlock whines as he wraps himself around my legs. Play nice, Bizzy. She likes to bite. I’ve seen her do it to Jasper.
Ugh. So not what I needed to hear. And now I can’t seem to stop the visual from invading my brain either.
“Wait a minute.” Camila jerks her head back as if I had struck her for seemingly no reason at all. “You’re not here to see Jasper. If you were, you and your menagerie would have crashed into his office by now. You’re here to snoop on me, aren’t you?” She sucks in a quick breath. “You knew I was friends with Heather Kent. I bet Jasper told you, didn’t he?” She makes wild eyes at me and a certain threat is buried in each one.
“Okay, fine. He told me. So what? It’s for the greater good. You said yourself you were friends with the poor girl. Don’t you want her killer brought to justice? Did you see anything last night that seemed suspicious?”
“Just you trying to poison the room with these god-awful desserts.” She lands the box before me with a thump. “And by the way? I finally answered my own question. I finally figured out what Jasper sees in you that he doesn’t see in me.”
“What’s that?” I ask.
Fish straightens. This I gotta hear.
Camila gives a throaty laugh. “It’s that silly P.I. routine that you’re pulling over on him. Jasper is a crime fighter by nature. He craves justice. And for whatever reason, you figured out that’s what revs his engine. Well, guess what, pussycat?” She growls at both Fish and me when she says it. “Two can play at that crime-solving game. I’m not telling you a thing I know about Heather Kent because I’m going to be the one that solves her murder.” She leans in a