“It’s just a movie, Dooley. And Zeke is just an actor playing a part. I’m sure he’s fine.”
But Dooley had stopped listening. “Maybe Kingman was right, and Diego works for the government, and he’s here to kill all of Hampton Cove’s cats. By creating monster fleas! That’s why he was crawling with fleas—because he’s creating a new race of killer fleas!”
And as Grandma turned in for the night, happy with the damage she’d done, and Chase and Odelia moved to the back porch, to canoodle on the porch swing far from Gran’s watchful eye, and Brutus and Harriet moved into the backyard, presumably to do the same, I was stuck with Dooley spouting new and crazy conspiracy theories and other horror stories.
And you know what? I wouldn’t have had it any other way.
This was my family. This was my home. And if this whole episode had taught me one thing it was that the things that don’t kill us make us stronger. Like the fleas. And like Diego. Or even a Deep State conspiracy that engages a Love Symbol in a white limo to harbor and foster giant killer fleas to wipe out all the cats in the country and possibly even the world.
I patted Dooley on the head. “I’m going to sleep now.”
“But the fleas!”
“I don’t care.”
“They’re here!”
“So be it.”
“But Max!”
I yawned. Put down my head. And slept.
Sleep came. And so did dreams. And guess what?
No fleas. Not even teeny-tiny little ones.
The flea episode? Was finally over.
About Nic
Nic Saint is the pen name for writing couple Nick and Nicole Saint. They’ve penned 70+ novels in the romance, cat sleuth, middle grade, suspense, comedy and cozy mystery genres. Nicole has a background in accounting and Nick in political science and before being struck by the writing bug the Saints worked odd jobs around the world (including massage therapist in Mexico, gardener in Italy, restaurant manager in India, and Berlitz teacher in Belgium).
When they’re not writing they enjoy Christmas-themed Hallmark movies (whether it’s Christmas or not), all manner of pastry, comic books, a daily dose of yoga (to limber up those limbs), and spoiling their big red tomcat Tommy.
Also by Nic Saint
The Mysteries of Max
Washington & Jefferson
Alice Whitehouse
Ghosts of London
Between a Ghost and a Spooky Place
Charleneland
Neighborhood Witch Committee
Saffron Diffley
Witchy Fingers
The Mysteries of Bell & Whitehouse
Standalone Novels
The Ghost Who Came in from the Cold
ThrillFix
Short Stories
Felonies and Penalties (Saffron Diffley Short 1)
Purrfect Santa (Mysteries of Max Short 1)
Purrfect Christmas Mystery (Mysteries of Max Short 2)
Purrfect Christmas Miracle (Mysteries of Max Short 3)
Purrfectly Flealess (Mysteries of Max Short 4)
Copyright © 2018 by Nic Saint. All rights reserved.
Published by Puss in Print Publications.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form by any electronic or mechanical means including photocopying, recording, or information storage and retrieval without permission in writing from the author.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.