Belinda Brown was tall for an ocelot and very beautiful, with elegant clothes and expensive jewelry, but she had a discontented look that seemed to permeate her entire personality. "I really don't know what I can tell you. First my husband decided he didn't want me anymore, then Mr Cooper got himself killed after promising to take Claret for every penny he has."
"I doubt Mr Cooper was murdered just to annoy you," said Nick blandly.
Belinda sighed. "No, I suppose not. Still, it's disappointing. Mr Cooper sounded so excited when he called me."
"What did he call you about?" asked Judy.
"He said a number I found panned out. A number on Claret's desk." The ocelot assumed a virtuous expression. "I wasn't snooping, you understand. I was just straightening things up. And I found this number and gave it to Mr Cooper."
"A phone number?" asked the bunny.
"No." Belinda thought a moment. "It was a long number. Like on a credit card."
"Bank account," said Nick.
"Maybe." The ocelot's eyes narrowed. "Mr Cooper said I was going to walk away a very rich animal."
"I don't suppose you have a copy of that number?" asked Judy.
"Let me look. I did write it down, I'm just not sure which purse I put it in. I'll call you if I find it."
Judy smiled. "We don't mind waiting."
"Oh, it's going to take a while." The ocelot fiddled with her diamond bracelet. "I have about a hundred purses. Claret gave them to me. He's always giving me expensive gifts. Like this bracelet." She held out her arm. "He just sent it over this morning."
Nick and Judy exchanged a puzzled glance and the fox asked, "Why would he give you a diamond bracelet when he's divorcing you?"
"Oh, didn't I mention it?" Belinda stroked the diamonds. "He's not divorcing me. This bracelet is a getting-back-together present."
The fox and the bunny were silent for a moment after this statement, then Judy took out a card. "Give us a call when you find that number."
She left with Nick, shaking her head. "I don't understand these animals, Nick. It's like they live on a different planet. Not-getting-a-divorce diamond bracelets, a hundred purses...between me, my mother, and all my sisters, we don't have that many purses." She paused, then said thoughtfully, "Maybe you were right."
"Of course I was," said Nick promptly. "What was I right about?"
Judy gave him a look. "About being willing to kill over money. If that number is a bank account, and Claret Simpleson has money hidden away, money that Mr Cooper found…"
"Simpleson might have killed him to keep his secret." The fox took out his phone. "Let's see if we can get an appointment to talk to him today." His eyes twinkled. "He might just fit us into his busy schedule if he thinks we're on the trail of his hidden money."