SHORT FICTION

Friday, 15 March 2019

SWEET SHOP-CHAPTER 9

Hello, here is the next installment of the cat cozy. Hope you enjoy!


Chapter 9

 

Gingersnap crouched down as James confronted him. “You will leave here now. We have not touched anything of yours. As you can see, everything over on your side is burnt to the ground. Maybe you should talk to your friend Mr. Grant!”

Mr. Fifer backed down and almost fell back at James’s words. But quickly regained himself. “I’ve seen all kinds of tracks over there. And there are things missing.”

Gingersnap could see James eye Mr. Fifer carefully like was some kind of unknown bug. “What kind of missing things? Like a certain kind of box perhaps?”

Mr. Fifer’s eyes went wide and suddenly he was stammering. “I have no idea what you are talking about…boxes? I’m talking about my tools.”

“I bet you are. Why didn’t you get them after the fire?”

“I was injured, you know.”

“You look healed now.”

Mr. Fifer growled. “I will be back and when I do…you better be ready.”

James towered over him. “I will be waiting.”

Mr. Fifer backed down almost cowering. Gingersnap didn’t think he looked too dangerous. His skinny little body huddled near the entrance ready to run thought Gingersnap.

Finally he took off and out the door in one big hurry. Sophie came out then and looked at James who just shook his head. “These old men!”

Sophie shook her head. “These old men are up to something.” She crossed her arms. “What I’m thinking is, one of them double crossed the other and now one is out to take that money that was stuffed in the recycle bin.”

“Well,” said James. “The culprit will be back tonight to get it, I imagine. The police can nab which ever one it is and then this whole thing will be over.”

Sophie let her arms drop and let out an exasperated breath. “I would hope so. I will be glad when the new dress shop is going up.”

“Will be nice,” agreed James. “But with everything going on, I hope your friend wasn’t bamboozled for the money.”

Sophie gasped. “Oh I hope not. This is turning into a royal mess. I must talk to the officer and make sure they get the pair of them.”

James nodded. “Yes, let’s hope they get both of them.”

Gingersnap came down the rest of the way then and they both looked down at him as he rubbed up against Sophie. “Hey there buddy. I’ll get your supper.”

Gingersnap purred in delight. While he was eating he watched James finish off a cake. Next he moved on to some cupcakes to decorate. James glanced over at him. “Nice huh boy? I should make some with cats on them. Think that would be okay?”

Gingersnap let out a purr. James smiled. “I thought so.”

He liked that James was now in a better mood and not yelling anymore. He was also hoping that the pair of them would be nabbed tonight.

Both James and Sophie had finished up their orders and were closing up shop. Gingersnap always did his little rounds around the place and then back upstairs to rest on the bed again.

Sophie followed him up the stairs. “Boy Gingersnap, I’m so tired. After all this with that box full of fake money and being stuffed in the recycle bin? I have had enough. I think I will join you for a nap.”

Gingersnap hopped up and started kneading the comforter. Sophie grabbed her favorite blanket and wrapped herself up and laid beside Gingersnap. It wasn’t long and they were both snoozing.

Time had slipped by faster than Gingersnap had thought. When he woke the sun had gone down. Sophie was curled up in a ball. All he could see was her light brown hair sticking out. Then a rattling sound made his ears perk. He got up and looked around the room but nothing. Then it got louder. It sounded like metal getting banged about.

It wasn’t upstairs so he padded downstairs. He knew right away where the sound came from. It was the recycle bin. The thief was back!
 
TIP JAR:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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