LITMIR.BIZ

      LYRICAL UNDERGROUND

      Kensington Publishing Corp.

       www.kensingtonbooks.com

      To the extent that the image or images on the cover of this book depict a person or persons, such person or persons are merely models, and are not intended to portray any character or characters featured in the book.

      LYRICAL UNDERGROUND BOOKS are published by

      Kensington Publishing Corp.

      119 West 40th Street

      New York, NY 10018

      Copyright © 2019 by Kathy Krevat

      All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the prior written consent of the Publisher, excepting brief quotes used in reviews.

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      Special book excerpts or customized printings can also be created to fit specific needs. For details, write or phone the office of the Kensington Sales Manager: Kensington Publishing Corp., 119 West 40th Street, New York, NY 10018. Attn. Sales Department. Phone: 1-800-221-2647.

      Lyrical Underground and Lyrical Underground logo Reg. US Pat. & TM Off.

      First Electronic Edition: June 2019

      ISBN-13: 978-1-5161-0300-0 (ebook)

      ISBN-10: 1-5161-0300-9 (ebook)

      First Print Edition: June 2019

      ISBN-13: 978-1-5161-0303-4

      ISBN-10: 1-5161-0303-3

      Printed in the United States of America

      Dedication

      This book is dedicated to my sister, Donna Lowenthal, the rock of our family who cared for our mother for ten years. You are a bright light in the world, always upbeat, giving of your time and energy, and so much fun to be around. Love you!

      Acknowledgments:

      I’d like to thank Jessica Faust, my awesome agent, for making my publishing dreams come true, and Tara Gavin, my wonderful editor, for making this book so much better.

      This book wouldn’t exist without the help of my critique group, the Denny’s Chicks: Barrie Summy and Kelly Hayes. I would not be writing today if it wasn’t for the gentle editing of my first critique group, Betsy, Sandy Levin and the late Elizabeth Skrezyna.

      I can never express the gratitude I feel toward all of the family and friends who support my writing career:

      Lee Hegarty and Don Van Riper, Manny and Sandy Krevat, Donna and Brian Lowenthal, Patty Disandro, Jim Hegarty Jr., Michael and Noelle Hegarty, Jeremy and Joclyn Krevat, Matthew and Madhavi Krevat, James Bedell, Lori and Murray Maloney, Lynne and Tom Freeley, David Kreiss and Nasim Bavar, April Lopez, Lori Morse, Simone Camilleri, Amy Bellefeuille, Sue Britt, Cathie Wier, Joanna Westreich, Susan O’Neill and the rest of the YaYa’s, my Mom’s Night Out group, and my book club.

      A special shout out to Terrie Moran, author of the Read ‘em and Eat mystery series, for her friendship and encouragement, and to Dru Ann Love for her friendship and support of the cozy mystery community.

      Special thanks to the following experts for unselfishly sharing their knowledge:

      Christopher Hamilton, CEO, Hamilton College Consulting – his wonderful company is nothing like the one in this book!

      Andrea Overturn, oboist, and teacher, and Ben Brogadier, oboist and student, who answered many questions about music and shared their passion for playing the oboe.

      Jordan Barrett, hairstylist, Salon Forte, for her salon knowledge.

      Tania Yager (Twisted Heart Puppet Works) and Lynne Jennings, both from the San Diego Guild of Puppetry.

      Jim Hegarty, for website and technical assistance, and for being so cool.

      Katie Smith, NewRoad Foods, for her knowledge of making organic pet food.

      Dr. Susan Levy, for her medical knowledge.

      Judy Twigg, for being a typo-finding guru.

      Any mistakes are my own!

      Mountains of gratitude and love to my brilliant, beautiful and creative daughters, Devyn and Shaina Krevat, and to Lee Krevat, the love of my life!

      Chapter 1

      I gulped down the last of my coffee and dragged myself to the front door for the dreaded morning run, regretting my decision to get in better shape in time for the holidays. And that was before I got knee-capped by the smallest goat I’d ever seen outside of a YouTube video.

      “Wha-ow!” I yelled as the little tyke with a surprisingly hard head made contact and then backed up to take another run at me.

      “Stop it.” I moved a few steps away and put my hand down to fend him off.

      Then I noticed his accomplice, Charlie the rooster, who stared at the doorbell and back at me, as if he understood that something had gone wrong with the normal order of things. He was a Buff Laced Polish rooster, with an elaborate comb full of long feathers that fell in front of his eyes, making him look even more confused.

      Before Charlie belonged to my neighbor, he had been used for psychology experiments. Now he pushed buttons wherever he could find them. One of his favorites was our doorbell, which gave him the reward of hearing a nerve-jangling rendition of “Yankee Doodle Dandy.” Normally, whoever answered the door would walk him down the street back home to his farm.

      The door opening before he rang the doorbell delayed him for just a moment, and then he hopped up on the planter and aimed for the button. I snagged him out of the air in mid leap. “No doorbells this early,” I scolded. “Dad and

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