How would you interpret this sentence? “Very funny. Can you tell me the name of his cat?” “Are his cats also under suspicion?” “The neighbors said they hear him using an obscene word to call the cat.” “I’ve never heard Mr. Shepherd use obscene language against any person. Certainly not his cats.” “Well, they say that he does. They say he uses a very vulgar word to call the cat. They’re concerned for the youngsters. They say the boy comes over here.” How would you interpret this sentence: Certainly not his cats? Does it mean that Shepherd didn’t use an obscene word to call his cat, OR that the cat which he called with an obscene word was not his? PS: The first speaker was from FBI. And the second one was a secretary of a writer. They were talking about the secretary’s boss, the writer. Thanks! And it’s from The Lacuna by Kingsolver.