Sibling Rivalry (short story) - eBook

Max the cat was living a life of luxury and contentment...until Kerry was murdered.

With Kerry's last will and testament, Max inherits a lot of money and a caretaker, and suddenly the target of a murderer.

Max soon finds himself embroiled in a dangerous and humorous cat-and-mouse game with a killer determined to claim what is rightfully theirs.

If you enjoyed the suspense and comedy of Donald Westlake, you'll love Sibling Rivalry. Buy it now!

Bonus story: Those Kids.

The front door clicked shut and woke me up on the couch. Usually, I sleep next to Kerry’s wide, puffy feet on our bed but playing with that flapping fish toy exhausted me so much that I fell right to sleep on the living room floor afterward.

Peering through the darkness, I watched a tall, dark two-legged cat walk across the room and down the hall. Their weight creaked the hardwood floor. I stretched my arms out and sniffed the air. The two-legged cat smelled like onions and had black fur on his face. Those kinds of cats were usually hairless. It must have been wearing a mask.

The bedroom door down the hall closed. I stepped off the couch and thumped on the floor. Yes, I gained weight since I moved into Kerry’s apartment. Back at the vet office, I was a stunning ten pounds. Long, sleek, muscular. A damn handsome black cat with piercing eyes. Of course, she had to give me a home, food, back rubs, anything I desired, and never knew I desired.

The food did me in. Nothing like what the vet ever gave me or what I could find on the streets. But after a few years, the vet, who for some reason we kept returning to so he could poke me and shine a light in my eyes, said I had gained five pounds. Too much wet food. Poor Kerry fell for his lies. Her eyes widened with fright.

At first, she fed me crunchy food. As good as it was, it never satisfied. I needed the wet stuff. I loved saucy fish and chicken. I screamed at her. I died over and over at dinner time. She tried to ignore me or cuddle me, convince me that it was for my own good. But I was persistent. I turned on the charm. I rolled around on my back and showed her my belly. No one was able to resist my belly fur and nipples. Especially women. Eventually, Kerry fed me a quarter of the can.

The portion satisfied for now but I was determined to eat a whole can a night.

I stopped at the bedroom door, stood on my hind legs, and pawed the top, my nails almost touching the knob. Usually, it opened but not now. I tried again. Even wedged my nose between the door and frame. No go. I screamed out for her to open it.

Something banged on the other side. Kerry screamed as if she saw a mouse or roach. Now, I had to enter. I did not tolerate invaders in my home. The scream died into a dry gargle.

Gargling sounds were not common for her. Like she was trying to breathe through a hairball.

I yowled and scratched, demanding entry.

The door finally opened and a pair of legs rushed out. I dashed out of their way and screamed at them but they tripped on me anyway.

“Mangy cat,” they said with a dark, husky voice.

I hissed and pulled my ears back. They ran down the hall and out of the apartment, slamming the door behind them. Good. I saved them a serious scratching.

I walked into the bedroom and hopped onto Kerry’s bed. She lay on her back, her paws out, her eyes and mouth open. I asked her who was that rude two-legged black cat. She didn’t answer.

I nosed her paw, and tried to get her to pet me. It wouldn’t move. It felt a bit heavy and cold, not as warm as usual.

She smelled different, too. A decay. It reminded me of the dead cats at the vet.

Oh, no. She must be dead, too.

I licked her hand and then cuddled against her hip.

I was going to miss her. She was the best slave. How was I going to replace her? Did I have to sniff out someone new? Leave the apartment? That seemed like a bad idea. I enjoyed looking out the window but it was not a place I wanted to venture in again.

I forced myself not to think about it. I rested my chin on my feet, tucked my tail, and closed my eyes. This would be our last time together. I took full advantage of it.