At Wick's End - Tim Myers [47]
“That would be lovely,” Mrs. Quimby said. “It will give the princess and me time to commune.”
“Don’t let me keep you,” I said as I led them out the door. “Do you need the litter box?”
“Gracious no, the shop’s got duplicates of everything. Haven’t you been in yet?”
I admitted I hadn’t had the opportunity. “Things have been kind of hectic lately.”
“Oh, you owe yourself a visit. Heather has the most remarkable stock in her inventory.”
“I don’t doubt that for a minute.”
As we split and went in different directions, Esmeralda looked back at me, almost as if to say, ‘so this is how it’s going to be.’ I offered a shrug and a wave. If she was upset about my informal farewell, I couldn’t tell. But then I’d never been able to decipher the motives of any cat I’d known in my entire life.
Cragg, the attorney from upstairs, was in The Crocked Pot when I stopped in to grab a cup of coffee from Millie before heading over to the candle shop.
Cragg said grimly, “Harrison, I’d like a word with you.”
“I need to get to my shop,” I said as I gratefully took the cup Millie offered. She’d already learned my preferences and catered to them without being asked. It felt good being one of her regulars.
“I’ll make it brief,” he said, “but it is important.”
Blast it all, I couldn’t avoid the man, I was his landlord. “What can I do for you?” I asked as politely as I could manage, taking a sip of my coffee.
“I want to apologize for the way I acted before. I can be too aggressive for my own good sometimes, I realize that about myself. I shouldn’t have pushed you like I did.”
“No blood, no foul,” I said. “I’m just sorry I couldn’t help you.”
“I’d like to do more as a way of apologizing,” he said. “Let me think. Is there any legal representation I can handle for you?”
“Nobody’s suing me that I know of,” I said, trying to take some of the somber tone out of the conversation. “At least not yet.”
He thought a moment, then said, “I know, I can draft your new will for you. Now that you’re a man of some substance, you’ll want to make certain things are taken care of if something should happen to you. I’d be honored to tender my services free of charge.”
“I appreciate the offer, but to be honest with you, I don’t know who I’d leave my things to. I’m the last Black left, at least from my particular branch of the family tree.”
The attorney nodded. “If you should change your mind, I’d be delighted to help. The offer has no expiration date.”
I offered my hand. “I appreciate the gesture.”
He nodded and left as I added a little more cream to my coffee.
As I did, I looked up to see Millie smiling at me. “What’s so amusing?” I asked.
“I feel like the Red Queen. I’ve seen two things today I never thought possible, and it’s not even 9 am yet.”
“Okay, I’ll bite. What are they?”
“A lawyer offering something for free, and a lunatic turning him down.”
I grinned at her. “You never know, I might just need him if anybody ever sues me.”
“Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that. I hear you’re cat-sitting,” she added as I was nearly to the door.
“Mrs. Quimby came by, I take it.”
She laughed. “Come on, Harrison, you’re spoiling my reputation as a psychic.”
I said, “I won’t tell a soul,” as I left to open At Wick’s End.
To my surprise, Eve was already there, a good hour before we were due to open.
Now what in the world was she up to?
I unlocked the door, intent on seeing what Eve was doing, when I heard the chime go off above my head. In all honesty, I’d forgotten all about it when I’d decided to slip inside.
Eve looked up at the sound, and was flustered a moment before she could speak.
“Good morning, Harrison,” she said.
“You’re in awfully early,” I replied, trying to keep my voice casual. “Are you trying to show me up?”
She frowned slightly, then said, “I wanted to check on our inventories so I could order before we opened. I hope you don’t mind.”
“No, it’s a great idea. In fact, I’ll give