Рита Браун: The Litter Of The Law

“Buddy usually does the right thing.” Harry stroked Mrs. Murphy’s soft fur. “I do think the animals should get something.”

“I’ll work on it.” Cooper smiled.

“You know what surprised me the most?” Harry suddenly said. “Neil and Wesley are Lutherans. Really.”

Fair burst out laughing. “Honey, I’m certain Lutherans have committed heinous crimes in the past.”

The humans laughed, then Pewter piped up, “Murphy, see if you can get them to understand you don’t want a medal. Tuna! We want tuna and catnip.”

“Or bones,” Tucker remarked.

“Tuna is better. You can eat tuna. Bones you just chew.”

“Pewter, who says I’m going to share?” Mrs. Murphy replied.

“Of course you will, because I am your very best friend.” Pewter purred this with uncommon sweetness.

The tiger cat and corgi just looked at each other.

Finally, Mrs. Murphy said, “If you promise to help Mom and Tazio fulfill Hester’s dream, save the schoolhouses and the land, I will share lots.”

Without hesitation, Pewter passionately agreed. “Of course I will. You know very well Mom can’t do anything without me.”

Dear Reader,

The Monacan Indian Nation celebrates an annual powwow usually during high spring. Kathleen King, a friend made way-back-when through basset hunting, often attends. The dancing, food, storytelling, paintings, carvings, baskets, and more underscore this old culture that has survived despite all.

Thanks to Kathleen and her research, I became interested. The federal government’s refusal to acknowledge the Virginia tribes took me by surprise. Then I got mad. Perhaps you will, too.

Many nations on earth have subjugated others at one time in their history and often with astonishing brutality. Each government, each nation, has to study its errors and learn from it all, and redress the sorrows where possible.

As Americans we are in a better position than most to do this. We live and work in the light of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights.

Let’s live up to them.

Always and Ever,

Dear Reader,

While it is true that Kathleen King provided much information, I really did all the work.

Yours,

Dear Reader,

Liar!

The true artist,

To Whom It May Concern,

Cats are crazy.

Yours,

For

Kathleen King

Who knows the past is always with us.

Books by Rita Mae Brown & Sneaky Pie Brown

WISH YOU WERE HERE • REST IN PIECES • MURDER AT MONTICELLO

PAY DIRT • MURDER, SHE MEOWED • MURDER ON THE PROWL

CAT ON THE SCENT

SNEAKY PIE’S COOKBOOK FOR MYSTERY LOVERS

PAWING THROUGH THE PAST • CLAWS AND EFFECT

CATCH AS CAT CAN • THE TAIL OF THE TIP-OFF

WHISKER OF EVIL • CAT’S EYEWITNESS • SOUR PUSS

PUSS ’N CAHOOTS • THE PURRFECT MURDER • SANTA CLAWED

CAT OF THE CENTURY • HISS OF DEATH • THE BIG CAT NAP

SNEAKY PIE FOR PRESIDENT • THE LITTER OF THE LAW

Books by Rita Mae Brown featuring “Sister” Jane Arnold

OUTFOXED • HOTSPUR • FULL CRY • THE HUNT BALL

THE HOUNDS AND THE FURY • THE TELL-TALE HORSE

HOUNDED TO DEATH • FOX TRACKS

The Mags Rogers Books

MURDER UNLEASHED • A NOSE FOR JUSTICE

Books by Rita Mae Brown

ANIMAL MAGNETISM: MY LIFE WITH CREATURES GREAT AND SMALL

THE HAND THAT CRADLES THE ROCK

SONGS TO A HANDSOME WOMAN • THE PLAIN BROWN RAPPER

RUBYFRUIT JUNGLE • IN HER DAY • SIX OF ONE

SOUTHERN DISCOMFORT • SUDDEN DEATH • HIGH HEARTS

STARTED FROM SCRATCH: A DIFFERENT KIND OF WRITER’S MANUAL

BINGO • VENUS ENVY

DOLLEY: A NOVEL OF DOLLEY MADISON IN LOVE AND WAR

RIDING SHOTGUN • RITA WILL: MEMOIR OF A LITERARY RABBLE-ROUSER

LOOSE LIPS • ALMA MATER • SAND CASTLE

About the Authors

RITA MAE BROWN has written many bestsellers and received two Emmy nominations. In addition to the Mrs. Murphy series, she has authored A Nose for Justice and Murder Unleashed , the first two mysteries in a new dog series, and the Sister Jane foxhunting series, as well as many other acclaimed books. She and Sneaky Pie live with several other rescued animals.

SNEAKY PIE BROWN, a tiger cat rescue, has written many mysteries—witness the list at the front of this novel. Having to share credit with the above-named human is a small irritant, but she manages it. Anything is better than typing, which is what “Big Brown” does for the series. Sneaky calls her human that name behind her back, after the wonderful Thoroughbred racehorse. As her human is rather small, it brings giggles among the other animals. Sneaky’s main character—Mrs. Murphy, a tiger cat—is a bit sweeter than Miss Pie, who can be caustic.

www.ritamaebrown.com