Claws for a Cause (A Klepto Cat Mystery Book 15) (11 page)

Just as the bus rounded Diamond Head on its way back to their hotel, Savannah took Michael’s hand. “How does it feel to be famous on the island?”

“Me? Famous?” he asked.

“Yes, you have a kitten named after you.”

“Yeah, your name and your memory will live on long after we’re home,” Shelly said.

Michael grinned at the women. “Pretty special, huh?”

“Indeed,” Savannah said, smiling.

****

Three days later, the Ivey party sat on the deck of an ocean-side restaurant with the entire photography group when Shelly said, “I will cherish the pictures I took here, but there’s no way to capture the ambiance, is there?”

Savannah let out a deep sigh and nodded. “But for as long as my memory is intact I’ll always be able to experience it. Those sensory experiences are something you never forget.” She swooned. “It’s been just wonderful. I sure thank you all for letting us tag along.”

Rebecca smiled. “You earned your way, and we’re so glad you could join us.” She stood. “By the way, I want to congratulate the winners of our little island photo competition.” She picked up a piece of paper and announced: “Shelly had, by far—hands down—the best photo of waves at the North Shore.” As the others applauded, Rebecca passed Shelly’s photo around the table. “Pam’s picture of the Tahitian dancers we saw last night was the top action shot. And Savannah—our newest member—got the best scenic shot.” When the applause subsided, Rebecca added, “I’m also passing around Savannah’s close-up photo of an island girl and her kitten. What a great human-interest profile shot,” she said. “If I were you, I’d submit it to the local newspaper or a pet magazine—with the parents’ permission, of course.”

“Thanks,” Savannah said, smiling. “I’ll consider that.” She then turned to Michael and asked quietly, “Did you turn in our key yet?”

He reached into his pocket and pulled it out. “No. Did you leave something in the room?”

She cringed a little. “I think I might have left my phone charger plugged in.” She took the key. “I should change Lily while I’m at it. There might not be another opportunity for a while.” She took the baby out of the highchair, then turned to Gladys. “Mom, do you need to use the room—I have to go back up and get something.”

Gladys thought for a moment and said, “Yes, I’ll go up with you.”

Once the women had turned down the long hallway leading to their suite, Gladys nudged her daughter, who was engaged in conversation with Lily. “Who’s that?” she asked.

“Who?” Savannah asked, looking in the direction Gladys indicated. “That woman who just disappeared down that hallway? Probably a maid.”

“I thought I saw her bothering our luggage.” She looked at Savannah. “I don’t know why they have guests leave their luggage out in the hall for anyone to tamper with—especially since the airlines don’t allow you to lock it.”

“Well, it saves us from having to deal with it.” Savannah looked at her watch and frowned. “They told us it wouldn’t be out there for long—they were supposed to pick it up by six fifteen. What time is it now…” She checked her watch. “…nearly seven. I wonder if they missed ours. I’d better get in touch with Rebecca.”

“Oh wait,” Gladys said, as they continued toward their room, “there’s Dan and Kurt now.”

“Good,” Savannah said. She called out to the two men, “Thanks guys.”

Dan waved. “Sure. Bus leaves in twenty.”

“We’ll be on it.”

The two women watched the men walk away with their bags. When Savannah started to open the door to their room, she noticed something on the floor and picked it up.

“What is it?” Gladys asked.

“It’s a hotel room pad,” she said.

“Wait,” Gladys said. “Let me see. It looked like that girl I saw by our luggage was writing something. Did she leave a note?”

Savannah examined the pad of paper more closely. “If she did, she took it with her.”

“Huh?”

“Someone wrote on this pad and tore off the page. I see a slight indentation, like they wrote with a pen that was running out of ink.” She looked impishly at her mother. “We could do a pencil rub to find out what she wrote.”

Gladys stared at her daughter. “You really do think like an investigator don’t you—just as your friend, Detective Sledge, says?”

“Not really. The pencil rub is elementary. Actually, Brianna taught me how to do it when we were in high school. That’s how she learned to copy your signature for notes when she wanted to skip gym class or something.”

“What?” Gladys said. “I didn’t know about that.”

Savannah grinned and handed Lily to her. “Here, you change the baby and I’ll see if I can read what that girl wrote. I have a mechanical pencil in my purse.”

After a few minutes, Gladys asked, “Well? What does it say? Does it give a clue as to why she was bothering our luggage?”

Savannah frowned. She was silent for a moment, then said quietly, “It’s our address. I can only see part of it, but it looks like it’s our address.”

“Well that’s strange. Do you suppose she took it off your luggage tag?”

“Probably.”

“Why?”

Savannah grimaced. “I’d say to rob us. It’s obvious that we’re not home.”

“How would she get to your house to rob you?” Gladys asked.

“Ever hear of the phone? She could call someone in Hammond and tell them where we are so they could go to the house and rob us.”

“Oh, Vannie, that’s rather far-fetched.”

“Yeah, I guess so, but I probably won’t relax until I get home this evening. It’s kind of unnerving, don’t you think? Why else would she go to the trouble of writing our address down?”

Late that evening, Michael pulled into their driveway and the weary but happy family exited the SUV.

“That was so much fun,” Savannah said, “and it’s always good to be home, but…”

“But what?” Michael asked.

“Well, we think that Hawaiian girl Mom saw messing with our luggage has our address and I’m kind of worried about what we might find when we go inside.”

“Want me to go in first?” he asked.

“Would you?”

A few minutes later, Michael returned to report, “Everything and everyone looks okay. The alarm was set and the place was locked up. No one without a key and a code could penetrate this old house.”

“Great,” Savannah said. “But why, then…”

Michael yawned. “Oh, hon, let’s not over-think that note you found or you’ll never get any sleep tonight. Come on—let’s put Lily to bed and you can help me unload this stuff.”

****

By nine Sunday morning, Michael had left to check on things at the clinic and Savannah and Gladys had unpacked most of their clothes and started the laundry. They were sitting at the kitchen table with a second cup of coffee when Savannah’s cell phone rang.

“It’s Colbi,” she reported.

Gladys motioned. “Go ahead. I’ll keep an eye on Lillianna.”

“Hi, girlfriend,” Savannah answered. “How did it go with the feeding? Did everyone behave themselves?”

“Oh yes, they were just fine. Your cat is a kick.”

“Which one?”

“Well, all of them, but mostly Rags. What a character.”

“Did he get out of hand—do anything outrageous?” Savannah asked, holding her breath.

“No, not really. He did bring me some of your clothes, though—he had things from your laundry hamper strewn all over the house. Or maybe it was the dog who did it. I’m not sure.”

“Oh lordy. No, that sounds like Rags, I’m afraid. How embarrassing.”

“No problem. Made me laugh.”

“So, how’re things with you, kiddo? I expected to hear from you this week.”

“I didn’t want to bother you while you were on vacation.”

“You’re a good friend, Colbi. I sure did enjoy being away from it all. What a beautiful place. You and Damon must go there for your honeymoon—maybe to one of the less congested islands.” When Savannah became aware of the silence, she asked, “Colbi, is everything all right?”

“Well, not exactly,” she said.

“What happened?”

“Damon isn’t speaking to me. He just doesn’t understand my need to help Harrison—my craving for family ties. He’s my only family, Savannah,” Colbi whined.

“It sounds like you’ve had to make a choice.”

Colbi paused again. “Yeah, I guess I did—at least a temporary choice. I just want to give my brother a chance and try to help him get on the right path. Harrison would do the same for me if the tables were turned.” When Savannah didn’t respond, Colbi asked, rather hesitantly, “Don’t you think he would? Isn’t that what families do for each other?”

“Well, sure, to a degree, I suppose. Colbi, it’s too bad that you felt you had to make such a difficult choice, but I think I can see where Damon’s coming from. He loves you and doesn’t want you to get hurt.”

“Yes, and he can’t understand why I don’t consider
him
family. Why can’t he see the difference? He’s close to his family. Can’t he see that’s what I want, too?”

“Hmmm, you sound like you need a sounding board. How about if I bring Rags over to see Dolly this afternoon and we can talk—or you can talk? What time will you be finished with your work?”

“I’m having an awful time concentrating, actually. But yes, I’d appreciate a sounding board.” She paused, then said, “Savannah, please don’t try to change my mind, because my mind’s made up.”

“That’s not my intention, Colbi—not my intention at all. I’d just like to see you have the best of both worlds—a brother and a fiancé.”

“Yes, that’s what I’d like, too,” Colbi said rather solemnly. She then added, more cheerfully, “See you this afternoon.”

“Yes. ‘Bye, kiddo.”

“How’s Colbi?” Gladys asked when Savannah joined her and Lily in the living room several minutes later.

“Oh, kind of troubled, actually,” Savannah said. “She can’t seem to see that her brother has brought a lot of strife into her life, yet she’s determined to turn him into the brother she desperately wants.” She faced her mother. “So you’re going to Auntie’s and Max’s for a few days before heading home? When are you going over there?”

Gladys handed Lily a block and urged her to put it into a basket with the others, then addressed her daughter’s question, “I think she’s fixing lunch for us—so probably around eleven. I want to repack and get cleaned up. Why? What do you have planned today?”

“Well, I’m going over to Colbi’s later. I want to bathe Lily and put her down for a nap while I straighten up a little around here and finish the laundry. I also want to make arrangements to get Peaches home from the boarding stables. She’ll probably need some exercise, unless Bonnie had time to ride her.”

“You have a busy day planned. I should be out of your hair soon.”

Savannah hugged her mother. “Oh, Mom, I’m going to miss you.” She looked at Lily. “She’s going to miss you. I wish you’d consider moving up here closer to your grandchildren.”

“Grandchildren?”

“Well, yes; Adam’s only an hour away and Michael and I do plan to have more children. You’d be close to your sister and Brianna’s only an hour away in the other direction.”

“Oh, that reminds me,” Gladys said, “Brianna’s taking a day or two off this week and Maggie and I thought we’d do a family meal.”

“Super! We can do it here.”

“I’ll suggest that to Maggie and Max and see what they think.”

Savannah smiled. “Good,” she said, picking Lily up and lifting her high into the air. “Now let’s get you a bath. Want a bath?”

Lily waved one hand toward her grandmother, saying, “’Bye-bye…bath.”

“’Bye, sweet thing,” Gladys said, smiling.

Fifteen minutes later, Savannah walked with Lily into the master bedroom. “Mommy needs to finish unpacking. Want to help Mommy?” Handing her a shoe, she said, “Here, you can put this shoe in the closet, okay?”

Lily looked at the shoe, then pointed toward the closet.

“Yes,” Savannah coaxed, “can you put the shoe in the closet?”

Lily smiled up at her mother, then ran to the closet with the shoe and tossed it inside. She squatted and studied the shoes for a moment, then turned toward Savannah. “Shoe,” she said, pointing.

“Yes, shoe. Want to put this shoe in the closet?” Savannah asked, holding out the mate to the first shoe.

Lily looked at the matching shoe in the closet, picked it up and ran with it to Savannah. Dropping the first shoe, she took the second one and toddled off with it to the closet, tossing it at the other shoes. She then came back and got the first shoe, running to the closet with it and throwing it in.

When Savannah saw her sit down and start moving the shoes around, she smiled and began a task of her own. “Okay, you work with the shoes and I’ll put my jewelry away,” she said, carrying a travel pouch containing some of her favorite pieces to her jewelry box on their large dresser. Before removing the earrings and necklaces from the pouch, she looked at Lily again. “Hmmm, silly girl, trying on Mommy’s and Daddy’s shoes, are you?” She then glanced at the emerald-green sweater she’d laid out to wear. “Now where are those green earrings Aunt Colbi gave Mommy?” she muttered, looking through one of the drawers in the teakwood jewelry box. “They’ll go perfectly with this sweater.” When Rags walked into the room and stretched with his paws up alongside Savannah’s leg, she petted him with one hand and said, “…yes, purrfect, huh Ragsie?”

“Who are you talking to in here?” Gladys asked, peering in through the bedroom doorway.

Savannah laughed. “Just my children—the regular one and the furry one.”

“What’s she doing?” Gladys asked, smiling toward Lily.

“Oh, I gave her a job; she’s supposed to be putting away my shoes. Now she’s playing Cinderella.”

“Cute. Well, you two have fun. I’m going to Maggie’s and Max’s. We’ll talk later about the family gathering, okay?”

“Sure,” Savannah said, still poking around in her jewelry box. “Wait,” she called. “Mom, do you remember seeing those emerald-green earrings I wear with this sweater—you know, they’re kind of a teardrop shape.”

“Did you wear them on our trip?” Gladys asked.

“No.” She emptied the pouch and pored through the contents. “Not here. Wait!” she shouted. “Something’s wrong.”

“What, dear?” Gladys asked, entering the room.

“My diamond earrings aren’t here, either—those Dad gave me when I graduated from high school.” She opened another drawer. “My garnet ring—oh no—the anniversary ring Michael gave me last year. Where is it?” She began pulling out drawer after drawer in the jewelry box. “I know I left those rings in that top drawer.” She peered at her mother. “My gold necklace isn’t here, either.”

“Maybe Michael hid all that stuff before we left. Does he do that when you travel?” Gladys asked. “Your father used to do that.”

“I’ve never known him to, but I’ll sure check with him. Let’s hope he did it this time.”

“Well, I’m leaving, honey,” Gladys said. “See you later. Come by if you’re out and about.” She went to Lily, who was playing with a bow on one of Savannah’s shoes. “’Bye sweetie,” she said, kissing the baby on top of her head.

“Shoe,” Lily said, holding up a sandal.

“Yes, shoe. Grammy’s going now. Love you. ‘Bye.”

Lily was too busy to respond and Savannah was now on the phone, so Gladys left with a quick wave.

“Michael, sorry to bother you, but I just need to know—did you hide some of my jewelry? There seem to be pieces missing. Call me when you get a chance.” Shortly, her cell phone rang. “Hi, hon,” she said. “Sorry to interrupt your day, but some of my jewelry seems to be missing and I wondered if you put them someplace when we left Monday.”

“No. Why would I do that?”

“To hide it from burglars, of course.”

“Well, I didn’t. Is anything else missing, Savannah? The computer?”

“Let me go see,” she said, first glancing at Lily to make sure she was still occupied, then walking down the hallway into the office. After looking around, she reported, “The computer’s here.”

“So nothing else is missing?” he asked.

Returning to the bedroom, she said, “I don’t know. Not that I’ve noticed.” She glanced at Lily again, then began searching around the room. “Oh!” she shouted. “The coin jar—it’s gone. Michael, we’ve been robbed.” She hesitated, then said, “But how would someone get in without a key? You said everything was locked up when we got home.”

“Did your aunt or Colbi neglect to set the alarm one day? I wonder if the system is faulty. Do you see any sign of someone breaking in?”

“They were supposed to set the alarm,” she said. “I showed them how. I’ll ask them.”

After a pause, Michael said, “Well, it appears that someone wanted just what they could carry and easily pawn. But who, and how did they get in? You talk to your aunt and Colbi and I’ll check the pawn shop on my way home, okay?”

“Yes. Gosh, I sure don’t want to lose that jewelry—it’s all sentimental stuff and my diamond earrings are probably worth two thousand dollars now.”

Michael was quiet before saying, “Well, I suggest you look around some more for those things and if you can’t find them, go ahead and make a report with the sheriff’s office. It’ll be embarrassing, though, if they eventually show up somewhere in the house.” He then remembered something. “Savannah, check Rags’s stash.”

“Oh my gosh, I didn’t think of that. But, Michael, I doubt this is his doing; he doesn’t know which pieces are most valuable. Plus, he can’t open the drawers to my jewelry box.” “Hmmm. I’ll be home soon and see if I can find any sign of a break-in.” He was quiet for a moment, then asked, “Savannah, you don’t suppose Colbi…”

“Michael, what are you saying? Of course I don’t think Colbi took my jewelry. That’s absurd. Hey, Lily’s throwing shoes at Buffy, I’d better go rescue her.”

“Yeah. Let me know if you discover anything else missing, will you?”

****

Later that afternoon, Savannah arrived at Colbi’s with Lily in her arms and Rags on his leash.

“Oh, Lily, come to Aunt Colbi, you angel girl,” Colbi said upon answering the door.

The baby seemed happy to fall into Colbi’s arms. “Ki-ki,” she said, pointing at Rags.

“Yes, I see you brought your kitty, didn’t you?”

“Sorry I’m late,” Savannah said as she placed Lily’s diaper bag on the sofa and reached down to unfasten Rags’s harness. “We ran into a bit of a problem at home this morning and that threw my whole day off.” Before she could continue, Dolly ran into the room toward Rags, who strained against his leash. “Just a minute Rags,” she said while removing the harness. “There you go. You’re free. Now stay out of trouble,” Savannah called after the cat.

“How are you?” Colbi asked the baby as she danced around the room with her in her arms. “I missed you. You were gone a long time.”

“’Bye-bye,” Lily said.

“Yes, you went ‘bye-bye and left Aunt Colbi all alone.”

Lily laughed out loud when Colbi spun around with her. “I bought you something,” Colbi said to the baby. Placing Lily on the floor, she reached into a box and pulled out a musical toy. Lily’s eyes lit up as Colbi showed her how to play with it and both women laughed when Lily began bouncing to the musical sounds.

“I see she learned the hula,” Colbi said, laughing.

“I think that’s more of a Tahitian move,” Savannah said. “Colbi, how sweet of you to think of her. She loves anything that makes music. Drives me crazy hearing some of those ditties over and over every day, but she loves them. Thank you.” She looked at Colbi sheepishly. “Can she leave it here for when she visits?”

“Absolutely,” Colbi said. “So how was the trip?”

“Marvelous. We had such a great time and Lily was good. She seemed to enjoy it all, and so did Mom. It was a neat group of people, but we didn’t have to stay together all the time, or anything. We did a lot of exploring on our own. Each day we had a photography challenge. We’d shoot flowers or architecture. One day we took a bus out to the North Shore, where they get those really big waves. I got some good shots of hot-dog surfers. Yeah, it was just great. I could live there. Ever been to the islands?”