Suspicions

I looked down at my paws as Sabu outlined the case against Pentu and Kenamon.

“Everyone here knows that Pentu’s family needs money to pay off their debts, ” Sabu said, “and Miu’s told me about the strange way Kenamon behaved in the cave. Plus, one of my cats heard the boy and his father arguing this morning. She didn’t catch everything, but it was about keeping something a secret. ”

Uh-oh. I felt a prickle of worry. “Probably just some family tiff, ” I said to the others. “Let’s not make too much of it. ”

Sabu narrowed his green eyes, but it was Miu who spoke first. “Ra, you have to admit there’s a case to be made against Pentu—and maybe against Kenamon, too. But everybody should remember that we have other suspects as well: Neferhotep, Huya, and the Scribe. ” She turned to her cousin.

“Sabu, what do you know about the Scribe? ”

“Well, there’s no question he went into Thutmose the Second’s tomb, whatever Menwi says, ” Sabu told us. “It’s his job to investigate tomb robberies and file a report. Though whether he filed an honest report is another question. ”

That got Khepri’s attention. “So the Scribe isn’t trustworthy? ”

“I’ve heard he takes bribes sometimes, ” Sabu said. “And people say he and the Vizier are as thick as thieves. ”

“That’s just an expression, ” Khepri protested.

“Maybe not, ” Miu said. “I mean, look at the way they’re running this investigation. The Scribe and the Vizier aren’t exactly knocking themselves out to crack the case. They didn’t want to open the tomb, and they swallowed the whole Anubis story without question. They’re not even trying to find other explanations. ”

“Good point! ” Khepri tapped the ground, as if he were thinking things through.

Not that anything needed thinking through. It was perfectly obvious what had happened.

“They formed a conspiracy, ” I told the others. “They realized it would be easier for two people to rob the tomb. Especially if one of them was in charge of the guards. ”

“Although I think one person could do it, ” Khepri put in, “if he was strong enough. Those blocks were pretty loose. ”

“No, they’re in it together, ” I said. “That’s what my instincts tell me. ”

“I’m not sure I’d go that far, ” Miu said. “We don’t have any evidence—”

I swished my tail. Evidence could come later. “I always said that Vizier was up to no good, didn’t I, Khepri? ”

“I thought you just didn’t like him, ” Khepri said.

“I had my reasons, Khepri. Honestly, a man who treats cats like that is a menace. And the Scribe is no better. But we have them in our sights now. They won’t escape us. ”

“If they’re guilty, ” Khepri put in. “We have other suspects, you know. Weren’t you the one saying it was Neferhotep who was guilty? ”

“I didn’t commit myself, ” I said. “Now that I’ve had time to consider the facts, I think it’s the Scribe and the Vizier. ”

“Well, I’m not committing myself to anything, ” Khepri said. “Not until we have more evidence. ” He thought for a moment. “Sabu, did your cats notice anything else last night? Someone climbing the village wall, for instance? Or walking around where they weren’t supposed to be? ” “No, ” Sabu said. “We asked, but no one saw anything unusual. ”

“It doesn’t help that lots of them were having their own parties last night, ” Miu added. “Or that we had that sandstorm before dawn. It wiped out all the smells, so sniffing around didn’t tell us anything, either. ”

“Too bad. ” Khepri clicked in disappointment. “Well, what about the treasure? The thief must have hidden it somewhere. Let’s look for that. ”

“I’ve already ordered my cats to search for it. ” Sabu sounded very superior. “I told them to make Pentu’s place a priority, but he keeps chasing us away. Suspicious, don’t you think? ”

“Well, the Scribe wouldn’t let me into his house, either, ” I said. “I’d say that’s suspicious, too. ”

“Not when a cat is as dirty as you are, ” Sabu said.

I bristled. “Is it any wonder I’m dirty? This whole village is a mess. ”

“Are you criticizing my home? ” Sabu’s back arched, and his fur went spiky. “I’ve had enough of your insults, you little palace fusspot—”

“How dare you speak to Pharaoh’s Cat like that? ” I said, outraged.

Miu darted between us, and Khepri hopped after her, which I’ll admit was brave of him, since he’s teeny-tiny and Sabu and I were both making ourselves look as scary as possible.

“Cut it out, you two, ” Miu ordered.

“She’s right, ” Khepri agreed. “We need to work as a team. ” Sabu and I slowly stepped back from each other.

“Sabu, how about we go see how the search is going? ” Miu said, coming up beside him. “Ra and Khepri, you can come along, too, and meet some of the cats. ”

Meet Sabu’s gang? “No thanks, ” I said as Sabu rose to go with Miu.

“We’ve got our own leads to pursue. ” “We do? ” said Khepri.

“We do, ” I said to him. “Hold on tight. ”

But when I hopped over the wall, a fierce gray beast careened toward us.

“Jackal! ” I shrieked. Khepri flattened himself in the fur between my ears.

But I was wrong. It wasn’t a jackal. It was something even worse: Boo, the guard dog.

Sleek and eager, he raced up to me, licking his muzzle with his big pink tongue. “Hi there, Pharaoh’s Cat! I’m free now. Want to play? ”

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