The compound lights gleamed around the lagoon, but they were soft, and shadows from the foliage edging the path and beachfront fell heavily all around her. She took no notice of them. They were gathered in the family room, where the wide-screen television was showing something done by the History Channel. Kaitlin, Lenore, Michael, and Josh were there, all engrossed in the show. But when Kit entered, carrying her dead pet, Michael instantly turned the volume down and sprang to his feet. “Kit! What happened? He didn’t wander off the property and get hit, did he?” She shook her head, tears in her eyes, staring at them all. “There’s nothing wrong with him at all,” she began. “Dead does seem to be wrong,” Kaitlin told her drolly. She flashed the woman a furious glance. “He hasn’t been hit by anything. There’s not a mark on him. He’s just dead and stiff. I’d say he’d been poisoned.” “Good heavens, dear! Are you suggesting that one of us would poison your cat?”
