Free Web NovelChapter 106: Chapter 106: Renee Jennings Is Such a Glutton
After hearing what Renee said, Crow concluded, "You really like animals, don’t you?"
"Yes." Renee nodded, her eyes filled with sincerity. "I really want to help Baldy. His parents are gone, and if his grandfather leaves him too, he’ll be devastated."
"You’re right." Crow recalled Baldy the Owl’s wretched state from last night. "He’ll go mad."
Renee said, "Please, let me help him."
Crow hesitated. "You know his family was harmed by humans, so he despises them. I’m not sure he’ll be willing to accept your help."
"Please, ask him for me. Not all humans would harm an owl," Renee explained gently. "In our country, owls are a Class II protected species. Far more people want to help them than harm them. Please, ask Baldy to give us one more chance."
Crow could sense Renee’s sincerity. "I’ll do my best to convince him. Will you wait for me here?"
Renee was about to say yes when she heard a GRUMBLE from behind her.
Kyle Morgan was hungry.
She glanced at the time—it was nearly two in the afternoon.
Renee said, "We need to find a place to eat first, then we’ll come back and find you. If you get here before us, please wait."
Crow nodded. "Alright."
Renee and the others watched Crow leave, then headed toward the villa’s main gate where their car was parked.
"Renee, you said Baldy’s parents were gone. Don’t tell me his parents were..." Sawyer trailed off. fɾēewebnσveℓ.com
Renee knew what she meant and sighed. "Crow said Baldy’s parents were both killed by humans, and his grandfather was injured, too."
A wave of sadness suddenly washed over Sawyer.
Kyle Morgan sighed, too. "It’s not just about crows and owls. Sometimes, I hate people, too."
"Some of them don’t even deserve to be called human," Sawyer lamented. "They’re more terrifying than demons!"
They talked as they walked. Kyle Morgan, who was leading the way, stopped short and frowned. "That middle-aged woman is back, and she’s changed her clothes."
Hearing this, Renee glanced at the adjacent building and whispered, "This is her house."
"Oh, I see." Sawyer nodded slightly. "Her house is that big, and she’s still wandering around outside all day?"
Seeing them approach, the middle-aged woman, now dressed in casual sportswear, smiled and went to greet them. "Hello, are you all done with your business?"
"More or less," Renee replied nonchalantly.
The middle-aged woman said gently, "I was waiting here specifically for you. I had the chef prepare some desserts. If you don’t mind, please come in and try some."
Sawyer answered silently in her head: ’I do mind.’
"That’s very kind of you." Renee was about to politely decline the offer when she suddenly heard a voice.
"Grace Sullivan, you wretched woman, where did you go hide? I couldn’t find you and I was so scared! She’s no good at all!"
Renee casually glanced toward the source of the voice. It was the curly-haired cat the middle-aged woman had been holding that morning.
It was tearing around the garden, looking agitated.
"What’s your cat’s name?" she asked curiously.
The middle-aged woman hesitated. "His name is... Mean."
"Gene?" Renee raised an eyebrow. "Is he a boy?"
The middle-aged woman replied, "I guess."
’She guesses?’
Renee arched a brow. "Is Gene your cat?"
"He is," the middle-aged woman nodded.
Renee smiled. "I love cats, too. I have two of my own at home."
When Sawyer and Kyle Morgan heard her striking up a conversation with the woman, they couldn’t help but exchange a slightly worried glance.
’Why is she getting so chummy with her?’
’We’re supposed to be on a case!’
Just as the two of them were debating whether to remind her, Renee went and accepted the woman’s invitation for dessert.
Sawyer and Kyle Morgan exchanged a look of utter shock.
’What is she playing at?’
’We have to get back to meet Crow soon!’
Kyle Morgan pulled out his phone and sent a text to Henry Stark: [Chief, you won’t believe Renee. That middle-aged woman you both met yesterday invited her for dessert, and she actually accepted!]
He was in luck; Henry Stark replied almost immediately: [Just follow her lead and keep your mouth shut.]
Kyle Morgan: [Roger that.]
He quickened his pace to catch up.
Renee walked beside the middle-aged woman, smiling brightly. "My name is Blueberry. I don’t believe I caught your name."
"What a coincidence. I’m Mae Sullivan," the woman said, looking surprised.
’She says she’s Mae Sullivan, but the cat called her Grace Sullivan.’
"It really is a coincidence." Renee’s smile grew even wider. "Then I’ll call you Sister Mae."
To the left side of the garden was a stone table laden with an assortment of baked desserts and a cup of coffee.
"What would you all like to drink?" Mae Sullivan gestured for them to sit, asking with a smile, "Coffee or tea?"
"Tea would be lovely," Renee said. "Do you have any green tea?"
Kyle Morgan gave Sawyer an almost imperceptible raise of his eyebrows.
’She’s actually placing an order!’
Mae Sullivan’s expression flickered for a moment before she put on an apologetic look. "I’m sorry, we don’t have that particular tea at home. I’m not fond of it myself. Would black tea be alright?"
"That’s fine, too," Renee said with a smile. "Thank you."
"It’s no trouble at all." Mae Sullivan’s gentle smile returned. "You’re police officers. You sacrifice so much to maintain peace and order. It’s my honor to be able to offer you tea."
"You’re too kind," Kyle Morgan said flatly. "We’re just doing our job."
Renee looked at the curly-haired cat hiding among the flowerbeds, her bright eyes filled with curiosity. "May I go play with him? I’ve heard this breed is very expensive. I’ve never seen one up close before."
"Of course," Mae Sullivan said generously. "If you like him, you can take him home with you."
"Really?" Renee’s face lit up with delighted surprise.
Mae Sullivan nodded. "Of course."
"Oh, I couldn’t possibly," Renee said demurely. "He must have been very expensive. I’ll be happy just to play with him for a little while."
With that, she stood up and walked toward the curly-haired cat.
Mae Sullivan stared at her retreating back, the smile in her eyes instantly vanishing.
Kyle Morgan noticed the way Mae Sullivan was looking at Renee, and his brow furrowed. That strange feeling crept up on him again.
Mae Sullivan quickly looked away. Noticing that Kyle Morgan was watching her, she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and said gently, "One moment I’m offering the cat to Blueberry, and the next I’m already regretting it."
"That’s normal," Kyle Morgan said. "You get attached when you raise a pet. It’s only natural to be reluctant. Don’t worry, she won’t actually take your cat. She’ll just pet him a bit at most."
Mae Sullivan smiled, then added, "You two have been in the area for a couple of days now. Is it for a major case? You’ve been so busy you haven’t even eaten yet. That must be hard."
Kyle Morgan replied, "It’s not an especially important case, but when something happens, we have to deal with it."
"Does it have to do with the fields?" Mae Sullivan asked. "I saw you all examining the land."
Kyle Morgan stared at her for a few seconds, then grinned. "No. But, I’ll let you in on a little secret... some classified documents were lost in this area."
