Claws for a Cause (A Klepto Cat Mystery Book 15) (13 page)

“Savannah, I am so sorry.”

“Never you mind that. Just go find Damon and let him help you boot your brother out of here, will you?”

“Oh, Savannah, before you go, let me give you your key back.” She picked up her purse.

“Well, I don’t need it now. Remember, I’m going to change the locks.”

Colbi stared at her, then said, “Oh, yeah, right.” She took a second look inside her purse. “What’s this?”

“What?” Savannah asked as she began picking up Lily’s toys.

Colbi pulled her wallet out. “Well, that dirty…”

“What’s wrong?” Savannah asked.

“It looks like someone has messed with my wallet and sure enough, my cash is gone. Savannah, check your purse,” she ordered.

Savannah frowned, unzipped her purse, and pulled out her wallet. “I didn’t have much cash left after our trip. But no, doesn’t look like anything’s missing.”

“So is any other jewelry missing?” Colbi asked.

Savannah held the plastic bag up and viewed the jewelry inside. “It looks like it’s all here, except for that ring…darn it. I’d better call Michael and tell him to look for it at the pawn shop this afternoon.”

Colbi sniffled. “I hope Harrison didn’t give it to his new girlfriend.”

“How much did he take from you?” Savannah asked.

“Oh, plenty enough to impress the lady with a good dinner and a fine bottle of wine…dammit!” Colbi thought for a moment before adding, “You know, I think I might have given Harrison some information I shouldn’t have.”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, we were actually having a real conversation over breakfast one day and he was asking a few questions about people I know—including you. He asked who you had married. That’s how he knew your last name.” She rested her head in her hands. “Darn, I’m so gullible; I thought he was really interested in my friends and in your happiness. Now I know he just wanted the information so he could find your house and rob you.”

“So you will call Damon?” Savannah asked, as she eased Rags’s harness onto him.

“Yes, that’s what I’m going to do right now. Thank you.” She grabbed Lily’s little pink jacket and put it on her, then kissed her on the cheek. “Come back to see me, will you? Aunt Colbi has a very important phone call to make now.”

****

“I have something for you,” Savannah said that evening, handing Michael a key. “I had the locks changed. This key fits them all.”

“Well, I have something for you, too,” Michael said, grinning. He stood and reached into his pocket, saying, “Close your eyes.”

“What is it, Michael?” she asked.

“Just close your eyes and hold out your hand.”

“My ring!” she shouted when she opened her eyes and saw it resting in her palm. “How? Where?”

He cringed. “The pawn shop. When I found it there, I came home and got the certificate for the ring and they released it to me. Deputy Jim got a description of the gal who pawned it and they’re looking for her. They’re pretty sure her ID was phony.”

Savannah tilted her head. “Gal? It was a woman who pawned it? But we found the rest of my jewelry under Harrison’s bed. How do you suppose…?” She grinned. “Oh, maybe he gave it to a woman and she decided to pawn it rather than wear it. That would be a slap in Harrison’s face.”

“Or he had someone else pawn it for him,” Michael suggested. “Poor Colbi. I imagine she’s angry and probably hurt.” He hesitated. “I ran into Damon this morning and he said things aren’t going well between them.”

“I’ll bet they’re making up as we speak,” Savannah said, smiling. “I think this latest activity of Harrison’s sort of turned the tide for Colbi. When I left her, she was ready to throw in the towel and listen to Damon’s wisdom on the issue.” She shuddered. “Sure hope they can get Harrison out without too much effort.”

“I’m glad you had the locks changed, hon.”

“Yeah, when I figured out who took our stuff, I envisioned Harrison selling keys to all his criminal friends.”

“Now that’s a disturbing thought.”

Savannah watched as Michael removed his old key and replaced it with the new one on his key ring. “How do you suppose he got in here without setting off the alarm?” she asked.

“That’s what I’m wondering. Did Colbi or your aunt neglect to set it? Maybe Colbi wrote down the code and her brother found it.”

“Now that makes sense,” Savannah said. “If he went looking for the key, he may have also found the alarm instructions.” She pondered the idea for a moment, then said, “It amazes me how criminal minds work.”

“How’s that?” Michael asked.

“Well, they can create elaborate schemes to steal things and manipulate people—some of them are really smart. But why do they waste that skill and creativity on illegal activities?”

“Maybe it’s the thrill of it all,” he suggested. “They like the challenge of outsmarting others and authorities—they get a high from outfoxing people. Maybe it becomes a habit they can’t break, then they dig themselves in so deep they don’t have many choices left. Who’s going to hire a convicted thief? By the way,” he said, looking into her eyes, “I reported the theft.”

“Well, yeah, you had to in order to get the ring back, right?”

“Yes. Now that we know who took the stuff, we need to report that information, too.”

“Aw Michael, I hate to do that to Colbi,” Savannah whined.

“I think it’s the right thing to do, hon. We aren’t helping Colbi by supporting her illusions about her brother, now are we?”

Savannah jumped a little. “Is that the doorbell?” she asked, glancing up at the clock. “Gosh, who could that be?”

“A burglar wondering why his key doesn’t work?” Michael joked.

Savannah sneered playfully at him, then headed toward the front door. When she opened it, she was surprised to see Mr. Fenton standing there.

“Is Michael Ivey here?” he asked, appearing rather agitated.

“Yes, I’ll get him,” Savannah said, not sure whether to invite the man in or not.

“Oh, hello Mr. Fenton,” Michael said as he walked up behind Savannah. “May I help you?”

“No, but maybe you can help Lucy.”

“Who?” Michael asked.

“My dog. She seems to have gotten herself in the line of some buckshot—probably meant for that wolf folks have been seeing around here.”

“Where is she?” Michael asked.

“In my truck. I can meet you at your office.”

“Let me take a look at her,” he said, grabbing a jacket and stepping outside. When he returned to the house, he told Savannah, “I’m going to the clinic—that poor dog got quite a wad of buckshot in her. It may take a while to clean her up.” He hesitated, then said disgustedly, “I wonder if it was Parsons out rabble-rousing again.” He kissed her quickly and said, “See you later.”

****

“That was some homecoming, huh?” Savannah said to Michael over dinner the next evening. “A burglary and then a late-night surgery. So glad Lucy’s going to be okay.”

“Well, she won’t be if Fenton continues to let her roam like that. She’s so darned wolf-like that she has ranchers running scared for their livestock. Someone needs to educate the local ranchers and small livestock owners about what a wolf actually looks like—that this is a dog, not a wolf.”

“Could she be bothering livestock?”

“I don’t know. I guess it’s possible, but usually, when it’s dogs, it’s a pack of them—at least two. A dog doesn’t often attack livestock on its own.” He turned to her. “Anyway, we’ve seen her in our yard. She doesn’t bother Peaches.”

Savannah shook her head. “No. Remember what Adam said last time he was here—that Lucy and Peaches seem to be playmates. Besides, Rags doesn’t react when she’s out there, other than to just watch her through the window. How about if I take a picture of Lucy and deliver posters to everyone around here, letting them know she’s a dog and harmless.”

“That would be great. I could post them at the clinic and we should also post them at the local animal shelter and feed stores.”

“Is she still at the clinic? I can stop by tomorrow and photograph her.” She then turned toward the dining room. “That’s my phone,” she said, going to where it was charging. “Hi Colbi. How are you?”

“Pretty good.” She hesitated, then said, sounding a little excited, “Savannah, I called our relatives.”

“Your relatives?”

“Yeah, the circus guy and the horse rancher in Arizona.”

“Oh—what did you find out?”

“Plenty! Oh my gosh, Savannah, those people are nuts—in a fun way. Roberta seemed thrilled to know about us—Harrison and me. Her brother happened to be there when I called. He has traveled all over the world with different circuses and carnivals and has so many stories to tell. He’s actually become a storyteller and attends storytelling conventions. Ever hear of storytelling conventions?”

“Yes, actually. They have one in Haley every spring. I want to take Lily to one when she’s a little older.”

“Roberta wants us to come and visit her ranch. She loves cats, too, and does some rescuing, so we really had fun sharing our cat stories. She shows her horses and sometimes travels up this way for shows. We may get together soon—in person.”

“So they didn’t know about you and Harrison?”

“Well, she said we’ve been mentioned over the years and there are photographs of us when we were very young. But after the brotherly falling out, there was no more mention of us, so they sort of forgot they had cousins.”

“They do sound interesting. When do you think you’ll get to meet them?”

“Possibly next week.”

“Really, that soon?”

“What about Harrison?” Savannah asked. “Is he interested in meeting them?”

“Yeah, he said he is, why?”

“I don’t know, I just can’t imagine him sitting down and chatting with people over coffee.”

Colbi hesitated. “Yeah, you may be right. He doesn’t have much of a capacity for small talk, does it? He’s kind of antsy or he’s sleeping.” She took a breath. “Well, whether he’s interested or not, I’m curious. I’d like to meet these people. They are my kin, after all.”

Once she’d ended the call, and had begun preparing Lily for bed, Savannah’s phone rang again. “Michael, do you want to get that?” she said with a sigh.

“It’s your mom,” he reported.

“I’m getting Lily ready for bed; would you take a message, please?”

“She wants to come here for dinner tomorrow night,” he announced. “Max is cooking. Or we can gather at Max’s and Maggie’s. They’re okay either way.”

“Oh, let’s have them over here,” she said. “We have more room.”

When he ended the call, Savannah asked, “So what’s the plan?”

“They’re coming over here and bringing chicken and dumplings.”

“Mmm, sounds yummy.”

“Mummy,” Lily said, mimicking her mother.

“Let’s just hope there are no more emergencies tomorrow night.”

“Amen,” Michael said, settling down with his newspaper.

By seven twenty-five the following evening, Savannah, Michael, and several members of her extended family had finished dinner and were visiting over dessert and coffee, when Bud asked, “Dr. Mike, have there been any alleged wolf sightings, lately?”

“Not that I’ve heard of,” he said. “And I haven’t had any casualties of the wolf-panic come into the clinic for a few days, either. What about you?”

Bud shook his head. “No, I think those posters made a difference.” He turned to Savannah. “That was your idea?”

She smiled. “Yeah, as a matter of fact. When I took them around to neighbors, some looked rather shamefaced when they saw Lucy’s picture and the photo of a wolf next to it. They’d seen the dog and had been quick to jump to the wrong conclusion about her.”

Michael added, “I had a talk with Fenton about keeping her closer to home for her safety once she has recuperated. I think he’s a believer now, especially after he saw my bill.”

“Looks like Rags has a bee in his bonnet,” Bud said, chuckling.

Max nodded. “Yeah, he’s on a mission—see that determined look on his face?”

Everyone watched as a grey-and-white streak of fur raced past them into the kitchen.

Meow! Meow!

“What’s wrong with him?” Michael asked.

“Who knows?” Savannah said with a sigh. She then cocked her head. “Is that…?”

“Your horse,” Margaret said. “Sounds like your horse whinnying.”

Savannah quickly headed for the kitchen, where she found Rags on his kitty windowsill perch, dancing around and meowing. She switched on the outside light and peered through the window.

“Who’s that?” Brianna asked, walking up behind her sister.

“What? Where?” Savannah asked.

“I thought I saw someone out there.” She then hissed, “There! See that? Someone’s out near the corral. Your horse is talking to them.”

“Yes, it sounds like friendly talk, doesn’t it?”

“Friendly talk?” Michael repeated when he joined the women and the cat at the window.

“Yeah, nickering, not whinnying,” Savannah explained. “Someone’s out there.”

“So who is it?” he asked, straining to see.

“Can’t tell,” Savannah said. “I can’t see the person now, but it didn’t look like Mr. Parsons.”

“No,” Brianna said, “it looked more like Mrs. Parsons.”

“Do you know Frances Parsons?” Savannah asked.

She shook her head. “No. I mean, it didn’t look like a man. The clothes seemed more flowy than what a man would wear.”

“Flowy?” Savannah said laughing. “Yeah, I guess you’re right. It did look more like a woman than a man.” She squinted. “…someone small, wrapped in a blanket.”

“But what would Mrs. Parsons or any woman be doing out at your corral at night—wrapped in a blanket, for heaven’s sake?” Brianna asked.

Michael let out a sigh. “Maybe I’d better go out and see.”

“I’ll go with you,” Bud offered, after sauntering into the room.

As the two men headed out the door, Savannah grabbed Rags just as he started to jump down from the perch. “No you don’t. They don’t need
your
help.”

“That cat,” Margaret chortled when she joined the two sisters. “He thinks he should be a part of everything that happens around here, doesn’t he?”

“He sure does,” Savannah agreed.

The three of them watched through the window for a few more minutes, then Savannah said, “Here they come—empty handed.”

“Did you expect them to return dragging the woman by her hair or something?” Brianna asked, chuckling.

Savannah smirked at her sister, then asked Michael when he stepped into the house, “Did you see anyone?”

He shook his head.

Bud grinned. “I guess your horse was just lonely. She wanted some petting.”

Brianna frowned. “Awww, poor Peaches, having to stay out there all by herself.”

“Why don’t you get another horse—for Dr. Mike—or a pony for Lily?” Bud suggested.

“Yeah,” Margaret said, “a buddy. Someone who speaks her language.”

Savannah glanced at Michael, who had a slight scowl on his face. He said, “One hay burner’s enough.”

“But she’d be so much happier if she had a friend,” Savannah complained.

He stared at her for a few moments, then took off his jacket and headed for the table. “Let’s finish our dessert, shall we? Anyone need a refill on their wine…coffee?”

“I’ll have more coffee,” Gladys said, “and another scoop of Max’s cobbler.” She asked, “So who was out there?”

“Didn’t see anyone or evidence of anyone. Must have been one of those figments,” Michael said.

“Figments?” Margaret questioned.

“You know, a figment of Savannah’s and Brianna’s imagination.”

“Oh, someone was out there, Michael,” Brianna said. “A woman. I’m sure of it.”

****

Three days later, Michael returned home from work to find Savannah reading a story to Lily. “What are you reading?” he asked, picking Lily up and raising her over his head. He laughed when she giggled.

“Her favorite,” Savannah responded. “
Three Little Kittens
.” She stood up and stretched. “How’d your day go?”

“Okay.”

“Anything exciting happen?”

“If you call a visit from the police exciting, then yes.”

“The police came? Why?” she asked.

He put Lily on the floor and watched her push her stroller around for a few moments. “To follow up on some of those dog shootings.”

“People are still shooting at dogs?”

“I guess not. I haven’t seen any more gunshot wounds this week. But some of the dog owners are pressing charges, and the sheriff had some questions—they wanted my expert testimony.” He took off his shoes and slipped on his flip-flops. Looking up at Savannah, he said, “It appears that your posters are helping. Thanks for doing that, hon.”

“Like you said, it’s important to educate people. I’m glad they were effective.”

“Is supper ready?” he asked. “I worked up an appetite today.”

“Sure, go wash up and we’ll eat.”

“So what did you two do today?” he asked as they sat down to a chicken-and-rice casserole and a green salad.

“We met Colbi’s cousins.”

“No kidding. They’re here in Hammond?”

Savannah nodded. “Yeah, Roberta is riding in a show in Santa Barbara this weekend and decided to fly up and meet Colbi and Harrison. The circus cousin flew in as well.”

“So did Harrison meet them? Isn’t he living on the streets again?” he asked.

“I guess not. He’s still using the room at Colbi’s. She says she’s just more cautious about leaving her belongings around and things like that.”

“Oh, so no reconciliation with Damon, huh?”

“I don’t think so. She seems to think she knows what she’s doing.” Savannah heaved a deep sigh. “I sure hope she does.” She took a bite of her casserole then said, “But yeah, Harrison spent some time with their relatives at the diner and I guess charmed them. I saw the cousins later in the day at Colbi’s. Harrison wasn’t there then, but they talked about him a lot—what a handsome guy he is, how friendly and nice he is. I guess they were impressed.”

Michael shook his head disgustedly.

Savannah grinned across at Michael. “The cousins are quite entertaining. Colbi and I were doubled over laughing at some of their stories. They’re both interesting. Klint is evidently trying to get Harrison to join the circus.”

“What?” Michael asked, coughing when he choked on a sip of iced tea.

“Well, actually it’s the carnival circuit. Yeah, Colbi’s all for it.”

“What does Harrison think about that?”

“I don’t know. I’m guessing he might like the adventure and travel part of it, but he doesn’t appear to be much for working.” She giggled a little. “Roberta is tiny like Colbi and her coloring is similar. Those two could actually be mistaken for sisters, only Roberta is more…forceful.”

“Forceful?”

“Yes, she has more confidence about herself, somehow.”

“I guess anyone who trains horses would. It’s not a job for the meek. You have to show the horse who’s boss.”

“Yeah, but Roberta is also a girly-girl like Colbi and the two of them seemed to hit it off…like sisters.”

Just then, the doorbell chimed. “I wonder who that is,” Savannah said. She and Michael exchanged looks. “I hope it’s not Mr. Fenton looking for sweet Lucy.” She stood. “I’d better get it,” When she opened the door, she was surprised to see a young woman standing there. “Hello,” she greeted, glancing around behind her for a clue as to where she might have come from. “May I help you?”

“Mrs. Ivey?” asked the dark-complexioned girl with long dark hair and deep brown eyes.

Savannah nodded.

“I’m Leah.”

Savannah studied the girl’s face. “Do I know you?”

“No…I…” she started to say, when she blinked and slumped a little. She took a breath and brushed her hair away from her forehead. “I’m sorry. I’m not feeling…”

Concerned that the girl was about to faint, Savannah reached for her arm. “Please, won’t you come in out of the cold?” She then called out to Michael.

“What?” he asked as he approached. He studied the woman. “What’s going on?”

“Michael this is Leah. She’s not feeling well,” Savannah said, leading the young woman to the sofa. As she helped her remove her heavy backpack and eased her onto the cushions, the lightweight blanket Leah had wrapped around herself fell to one side. “You’re going to have a baby.” Savannah observed. She glanced at Michael, then back at the young woman. “Not soon, I hope.”

“Next month, I think,” Leah said.

When she noticed the woman seemed out of breath, Savannah offered, “Let me get you a glass of water.”

“I’ll get it,” Michael said. “You stay with her.”

“Do you live around here?” Savannah asked. “Or are you visiting? I didn’t see a car in the driveway. Did you walk from a neighbor’s?”

Leah shook her head. She hesitated, then said, “I don’t have a place to stay right now.”

“You’re living on the streets?” Savannah asked, disbelieving.

She nodded. “It’s temporary. I…I actually have a place to sleep at night sometimes, but I have to leave before daylight.”

Savannah grimaced. “When was the last time you ate?”

“I had a banana this morning.”

“Good gosh, girl, you need to nourish that baby you’re carrying. Listen, we’re just eating. There’s plenty. I’ll get you a plate.”

“Oh please, you’re so kind. Don’t go to any trouble, really.”

“No trouble,” Savannah said, turning to leave.

In the meantime, Michael handed the woman a tall glass of water. “I’ll get it,” he said, heading back toward the kitchen.

“Here, let’s go into the kitchen, shall we?” Savannah suggested, helping the girl to stand. “You’re freezing. I’m going to get you something warmer to wear.”

“I don’t want to be a bother,” Leah protested.

Savannah grimaced, then ushered the young woman into the kitchen. “You sit here at the table,” she instructed. “I’ll be right back.” When she returned, she said, “Now, give me that blanket and put this on.” She watched as the girl slipped into the heavy sweater.

“This is nice. Thank you,” Leah said, watching as Michael placed a plate in front of her. Then he and Savannah sat down and resumed eating their meal.

Once everyone had finished, Savannah asked. “Feel better?”

Leah nodded.

“Now, may we ask who you are?” Michael said. “What brought you to our door?”

Leah looked at him, then at Savannah. “You have something of mine and I’ve come for it.”

The couple looked at each other. “What do we have?” Michael asked.

“I put it in your suitcase—the red one.” She explained.

Savannah frowned. “Oh? When? Where?”

“In Honolulu at your hotel. I saw your luggage in the hallway and slipped it inside. I wrote down your name and address from the tag. As soon as I could get a flight to Frisco, I came to retrieve it.” She looked from Michael to Savannah. “Can I have it, please?”

Savannah gazed at the girl. “So it was you,” she muttered. She then said, “Well, I don’t know what you could possibly be talking about. I unpacked my luggage and didn’t find anything in there that wasn’t mine.”

“It’s glued into the lining. I was pretty sure you wouldn’t find it. Can you just bring the suitcase to me?”

“What was it you put in there?” Savannah asked.

She looked at Savannah, then Michael. “It’s private. Nothing that concerns you.”

“If it’s in our suitcase, it concerns us,” Michael reasoned.

Leah hesitated before saying impatiently, “Please, can you just bring me the bag and I’ll be on my way.”

“Gosh, young lady,” Michael said, “I don’t know what to tell you. I hope it wasn’t something valuable.”

“Why?” she asked, looking puzzled.

Savannah shook her head slowly. “I’m afraid we threw that suitcase in the trash.”

“What? You’re lying. You found it and kept it, didn’t you?” She stood and glared at Savannah, then Michael. “You’re lying. Where is it? Give it to me; it’s mine!”

“Now wait a minute, there,” Michael said, “my wife is not lying. A wheel broke on the suitcase on our way home and we tossed it. That’s exactly what happened. Now what did you put in there that you couldn’t carry with you on the plane? Drugs? A weapon?”

Leah shook her head. “No. I can’t tell you, but it’s worth a lot. I have to have it. Without it, I don’t know how we’ll survive.” She started to cry. “Without it, I’m still homeless—me and my baby.” Collecting herself, she looked across the table at them. “Hey, when did you toss the bag? Where?”

“Um, yesterday,” Savannah said. “The trash truck came yesterday.”

Leah looked disappointed, then perked up a little and asked, “Where’s your refuse center? Maybe I can find it there.”

“Well, I don’t know about that. I don’t think it’s open to the public,” Michael said.

“Doesn’t matter. If it’s still there, I’ll find it.” She stood. “Hey, I gotta go. I have someone waiting for me.” Her face lit up. “How lucky that I met someone almost as soon as I got here last weekend. He knew how to get out here to your place. He’ll help me look for the bag, I’m sure of it.” She walked into the living room, picked up her backpack, and headed for the door. Suddenly turning, she asked, “Do you know when the last bus leaves this area?”