Chapter 3

Don, perched on the wide leather foot stool, glanced at his friends and scribbled a few words in his notebook. "Okay I think that's about it. I'll add this to my report." He looked from Mac to Stella and back again. He sneezed. "Sorry!"

"How is Mrs Reynolds doing?" asked Stella as she leaned on the back of Mac's leather chair, her hand casually laid just close enough to the back of Mac's head that he could feel her fingers lightly brushing against his hair.

"The cut on her leg needed quite a few stitches so they're keeping her in for a few days. The doctor confirmed Alzheimers. He's going to recommend a course of treatment." Don stared at Stella and Mac strangely. "He's trying to persuade her into a home but she won't go." Don sighed.

"What about the nephew?" asked Mac.

"Well, he seemed genuinely surprised when we told him that Orville White was dead. He said he was so worried about his aunt that, as he thought he had just knocked him out when he pushed him over, he let him be and ran to check the house. When he discovered she was nowhere to be found he didn't think to check to see if Orville was okay. He just rushed off to find his aunt. It seems he saw Stella crossing the demolition site and … er … thought she was his aunt ..." Don looked embarrassed as he tried to stifle a laugh.

Stella was horrified. "He thought I was an 80 year old lady …?" she spluttered. At Mac's snigger, she clipped him lightly with the back of her hand. "It's not funny!"

"He wasn't wearing his glasses and your coat was the same colour as hers." added Don in an effort to sooth Stella's outrage. Mac sniggered again which earned him another clip.

"Ow!" he moaned."I didn't do anything!"

"Speaking of not doing anything … exactly how did you break open your stitches and strain your shoulder?" Don nodded at Mac's freshly bandaged hand and new sling. It was Stella's turn to snigger. Mac merely looked put out but said nothing.

"That was saving a mother and her children!" Stella smiled conspiratorially at Don.

"What?" Don stared at Mac who rolled his eyes and turned to give Stella a famous Taylor glare. However before he could say anything the door-bell rang.

"I'll get it." Stella quickly removed herself from the back of the chair and ran down the steps. Don and Mac cricked their necks in an effort to see. Stella returned with a small, rotund man with a red jovial face.

"Mr Taylor? Jasper Jones – we spoke last night. I've come for the little family." he gushed tapping his hands together excitedly. Stella indicated that she'd get it and disappeared into the kitchen. Don stared at Mac who looked rather embarassed as Mr Jones continued. "Don't worry. We'll take good care of them for you and make sure they go to good homes." By this point, Don was positively confused until Stella returned with a cardboard box. "Oh what little darlings! I'll take good care of you and your little ones,don't you worry. I'll make sure Tabitha gets back to her owner. There, there ..." Mr Jones continued to talk to his charges as Stella ushered him out of the door.

Don's face split into a wide grin as he stared at Mac and then at Stella. "You got him to rescue the cat?"

Stella grinned at Don and winked at Mac. "Oh it was nothing. Mac's a soft sell!" Mac grimaced and buried his head in his hand.

Don chuckled all the way to the door at Mac's discomfort as he grabbed his phone from his pocket. The door hadn't even closed before Mac and Stella could hear "Messer? You're not going to believe this ..." he had to break off as he sneezed again. "Bloody cats!"

Mac sighed heavily as Stella returned to his side. "I'm not going to live this down am I?" he said.

"Probably not!" she laughed "But don't worry. I'll make it up to you."

Mac looked slightly mollified. "Oh yeah! How?" he said with a sly smile and a twinkle in his eyes.

"Mac Taylor!"