I finished my toast, eyeing Pandora who was lounging lazily on the sofa in the living room. It was probably best for me to leave her here, since I’d be in and out of the shop all day.

I opened the drawer where I kept the catnip and Pandora immediately jerked her head up, her eyes slitting open and zoning in on the drawer. She leaped down from the couch and padded over.

I took a pinch of dried herbs out of the catnip bag and sprinkled it on the floor. She sniffed, then made a gleeful meow and threw herself on her back, rubbing and rolling in the pile of herbs.

I stuffed one of her favorite toys full of the catnip and threw it. She sprang up, pouncing sideways and sliding into the wall, then scurried over to the toy, grabbing it in her mouth, tossing it in the air and catching it.

Satisfied that she was happily distracted, I grabbed the Bates’ photo album and made a run for the Jeep.

***

I got to the bookstore late and the regulars were waiting for me outside. I let them in and we had the usual conversation. Bing stayed behind when Hattie, Cordelia and Josiah got up to leave.

“I was wondering if you’ve gotten any good books in.” Bing craned his neck to look behind the counter where I usually stacked the new books. “I’m starting up a collection of old leather-bounds. The older the better.”

“Well, I got some books from Barry and there were a few old ones in there.” I pointed toward the aisle where I kept the older books. “All my older ones would be over there.”

“Great.” Bing headed in that direction. He was an avid reader and liked to compile collections of antiques and then, eventually, sell them off. I guess it was an interesting way to make money out of a hobby.

The morning was filled with a whirlwind of customers and Bing must have left without a purchase as I never saw him again. I was distracted, waiting on customers and anxious to close up for lunch and get out to the Bates mansion.

I took the opportunity of the lunchtime lull to close up shop so I could take the photo album up to the Bates’. We didn’t have drive-thru’s in Mystic Notch, so I had to settle for eating a packet of cheese crackers that I picked up at the gas station.

I was just finishing the last one when I pulled into the Bates’ crushed gravel driveway. The crackers settled like lead in my stomach as I looked at the foreboding mansion, remembering how Derek had rushed me out the last time I was there.

Maybe I wouldn’t be welcome?