Claws for a Cause (A Klepto Cat Mystery Book 15) (16 page)

“That dog won’t hurt him?” Leah asked, as she watched Lucy stretch with her front paws up the post near where Rags sat.

Savannah shook her head. “Those three seem to be pals. We try to discourage Lucy’s visits because we don’t like to see her running loose all over the place—we don’t think it’s safe—but she has a mind of her own and an owner who lets her exert it.”

As they drew near, Leah reached out and petted Lucy. “She’s a pretty dog. And so friendly.” She laughed. “She loves being petted.” Leah then stepped closer to the mare. “She’s a really nice horse. Sweet and gentle.”

“Yes, she is. Did you pick up on all that the night you visited her?”

Leah nodded.

****

Later that morning, Leah emerged from her room carrying her backpack and blankets. She found the Iveys in the living room entertaining Lily.

“Oh, you’re wearing your old clothes,” Savannah noticed.

“Yes, thank you for loaning me some clean ones and for washing these.”

“Leah, please take the clothes with you. You might need a change.”

“Oh, that’s so nice of you.” She hesitated. “Would you do me one more favor?”

“Sure.”

“Drive me over to Juniper Street so I can meet up with my friend and get the key. Then I won’t need to bother you anymore. I’m sure I can sleep at his place tonight.”

“Yes, I’ll do that,” Savannah said. “But both Michael and I strongly urge you to contact your parents, Leah. They love you no matter what and they will love your baby. Please think about it, won’t you?”

“Yeah, I’ll think about it,” Leah said, off-handedly.

Savannah gazed at the younger woman for a moment before saying, “I’ll get my coat.” On her way back to the living room, her phone rang. She edged it out of her back pocket. “Hi Craig.”

“Hi,” he said hesitantly.

“What’s up?”

“Um, have you talked to Colbi?”

She frowned. “No, why?”

“Well, something has happened and I thought you ought to know.”

“What, Craig?” Savannah asked, her voice shaking.

“She’s at the hospital—Damon’s with her…”

“What happened?” Savannah insisted.

“Oh, Colbi’s okay, it’s her brother. He was beaten half to death last night. The man he was with was killed.”

“My God,” Savannah said, covering her mouth with her hand. “Who did it?”

“We don’t know, but we have a few leads.”

“Poor Colbi. You say Damon’s with her?”

“Yes. But she would probably like to see you, if you feel like going over there.”

“I’ll do that. I sure will do that. She must be so upset. Craig, do they think…?”

“They don’t know yet if he’ll make it. He was worked over pretty good, but he does have youth on his side.”

“Thanks for letting me know, Craig. I’ll see you later.”

“What’s wrong?” Michael asked when he saw the look on Savannah’s face.

She eased into a chair, shaking her head slowly. “It’s Harrison. Craig said he was badly beaten last night.” She looked at Michael. “His friend was killed in the attack.”

Just then they heard Leah gasp. When Michael saw her slump, he dashed to break her fall and eased her onto the sofa.

“Harrison,” she said weakly. “Harrison,” she said more loudly. She looked Savannah in the eyes. “He was attacked?”

Savannah glanced at Michael, then at Leah. “You know Harrison Lee?”

Leah nodded. “He’s my friend…the one I told you about. He found the suitcase.” She looked pleadingly at Savannah. “How is he?”

“Pretty badly beaten, from what our friend tells us.”

“I have to see him,” Leah said, trying awkwardly to stand. She grabbed Savannah’s hand. “Could you take me to him?”

Savannah looked at Michael, who shrugged. “Well, yeah, I guess so,” she said. “Are you ready?”

“Yes,” she said, picking up her backpack and heading for the front door.

Savannah turned to Michael. “Craig thinks I should be there for Colbi. Do you mind?’

He shook his head. “No.” He then said, “Why don’t I drive you gals over to Straley?”

Savannah let out a sigh. “Yeah, I’d like that, if you don’t mind.” She kissed Michael on the cheek. “Thank you, hon.” Turning toward the hallway, she said, “I’ll grab a few diapers. Want to put Lily’s coat on her?” Before she reached the nursery, her phone rang again. “Hello Iris,” she answered.

“Hi kiddo, just letting you know I’m home if you want to go to the hospital. I know Craig thought you might. I’ll entertain Lily, if you’d like.”

“Oh, Iris, that would be great. We’re just leaving. Okay if we drop her by now?”

“Absolutely. See you in a few.”

“Michael, Iris offered to keep Lily. Do you mind swinging by there on our way out of town?”

“No. Let’s go. I’d like to see exactly what’s going on with Harrison and Colbi.”

“Oh, Savannah,” Colbi said when she saw her walk into the lobby of Straley Community Hospital. She rushed to her and fell into her arms, sobbing. “It’s awful. He looks just awful. Who could do such a thing to him—to anyone? No one deserves that.”

“We’re so sorry,” Michael said, rubbing Colbi’s back.

She pulled away and wiped her eyes, acknowledging both Michael and Savannah. “They have him on a ventilator. He’s in a medically induced coma.”

“Can I see him?”

That’s when Colbi noticed the young dark-haired girl standing next to Michael.

“Colbi, this is Leah. She’s a friend of Harrison’s.”

“You,” Colbi said, her face flushing with rage. “He was protecting you!” she shouted. She moved closer and said more quietly, “You caused this. It’s because of you that my brother’s lying there nearly dead.” She reached for the younger woman. “It’s your fault!”

“Now Colbi,” Michael said, pulling her back and holding onto her. “What makes you think Leah had anything to do with this?”

“I know she did,” Colbi said. “That little tramp led my brother on, and she’s the reason he was beaten up.”

“No, you got it all wrong,” Leah said. “I didn’t know anything about this. Harrison offered to find something for me, that’s all. I don’t know why anyone would want to hurt him.” She blinked her eyes. “Do they know who did this to him?”

“No, don’t you?” Colbi snapped.

The younger woman shook her head, tears running down her cheeks.

Just then Damon stepped into the lobby with two cups of coffee in his hands. He took one look at Colbi and quickly moved toward her. “What happened?” he asked, concern in his tone.

“I just met the girl Harrison’s been seeing—the one we believe had something to do with his attack.”

Damon glanced at Leah, who was sobbing quietly into her hands. He set the cups on a nearby table and put his arms around Colbi.

After a few moments, Leah asked, “Did he have a red suitcase with him?”

When Colbi seemed unable or unwilling to respond, Damon said, “Uh, I don’t know about that? Why?”

“He sent me a text saying he found the suitcase we’d been looking for. I was to meet him this morning. I really need that suitcase.”

“The detective’s here,” Michael said when he spotted Craig walking through the doors.

“Good morning…or not,” Craig said. He looked around at the small group gathered in the hospital lobby. Bowing his head slightly, he said, “Hello, Colbi…Leah. Why don’t we all sit down?”

Leah’s eyes widened. “You’re a detective? Did you find the suitcase?”

“Suitcase?”

She nodded. “A red one. Harrison had it.”

“No.” He turned to face her. “Tell me, why do you think Harrison would have that suitcase?”

Leah seemed to withdraw. She glanced around at the others and fidgeted with a button on her jacket.

“Tell him, Leah,” Savannah prompted. “You have to tell him.”

“Well, Harrison found the suitcase last night. He…he texted me saying he had found it.” She began to cry. “Then, I guess someone…”

“I knew you had something to do with it, “Colbi snarled. She started to stand, but Damon pulled her back down onto the sofa next to him.

“Interesting,” Craig said. He then excused himself. When he returned, he reported, “Well, young lady, they told me he didn’t have it with him, but one of the officers remembers seeing a bag matching that description in a Dumpster down the alley a ways.”

“Oh no,” she said, slumping. She then perked up. “Where? Do you know where the alley is?”

He hesitated. “Yes. There’s a deputy retrieving the bag as we speak.”

“Oh good,” Leah said. “Thank you.”

“Now don’t get your hopes up,” Craig cautioned. “If there was something of value in there, it’s probably gone. And we can’t release the satchel to you, anyway. It will be held as evidence.”

Savannah addressed Colbi. “Do you need anything? Will you be staying here? I can feed Dolly and your feral cats, if you want.”

“Oh, Savannah, I don’t know what I’m doing. Can I let you know later?”

“Sure. Just call me if there’s anything you need.”

“Okay.” Colbi looked at Craig and then at the Iveys. “I’m going to go sit with him for a while, if you don’t mind.”

“No, we’re leaving,” Savannah said. “We just wanted to see you and let you know that you…and Harrison…are in our thoughts and prayers.”

“Thank you, dear friend,” Colbi said, hugging Savannah and Michael. She glared at Leah, then turned and walked toward the elevator.

“Detective,” Leah said before following Michael and Savannah out of the lobby, “do you think I can get what’s mine out of the suitcase before it goes into evidence or is tossed out again?”

Craig rubbed his chin in contemplation.

Pleading, she said, “The only reason he had it was because I asked him to find it. I need what’s in there. Please.”

“Meet me at the sheriff’s office at two this afternoon. We’ll talk about it then, okay?”

She nodded and murmured “Thank you,” before walking away with Savannah and Michael.

****

At one forty-five that afternoon, Savannah drove Leah to the sheriff’s office. “How are you feeling after your rest?” she asked the girl. She chuckled. “You know, you’ve gotten awfully attached to that bed. You’ve spent more time in it than out of it since you’ve been with us.”

“Yes, I guess I have,” she said, grinning a little.

The women remained quiet for a few miles, then Savannah asked, “Leah, do you know who Harrison was with last night? Do you think you knew the guy who was killed?”

“It was probably Moss. That’s who Harrison hung around with mostly. I think Moss recently got back into town from somewhere. They’ve been friends for a long time. He seemed to be the most like Harrison out of all the people I’ve met around here—fun-loving, ready to help.” She shook her head. “Who would want to hurt those two guys? I can’t even imagine.”

“Here we are,” Savannah said, pulling into a parking space. When she saw Leah begin rubbing her bulging stomach and noticed her staring down at it, she asked, “Are you all right?”

Leah sat straighter and took a breath. “The baby’s just kicking, that’s all. Sometimes it’s as if she or he is playing soccer in there.” She opened her door and stepped out of the car.

“Hi Ben,” Savannah greeted as they walked into the office. “This is Leah. We’re supposed to meet Craig here at two.”

“Yeah, Sledge told me to expect you. He got a call and couldn’t make it down here.” He squinted toward the two women. “You’re interested in that suitcase we found in the alley? I don’t know why anyone would want that thing back.”

“Could we see it, please?” the girl asked.

Ben shrugged. “Sure, I guess so,” he said, leaving the room. When he returned, he carried a large plastic garbage bag and placed it on the floor near where the women stood. He gingerly pushed the bag down around the piece of luggage until it was exposed. When he saw the women’s reaction, he said, “Ugly, huh?”

“Ewww,” Leah said. She then gasped. “Oh no!”

“What—isn’t this your bag?”

Leah looked at Savannah for confirmation.

“Actually,” Savannah said, “I believe it is the right bag, but it has sure been through a lot since I last saw it. It’s so dirty.” Waving one hand in front of her face, she added, “And smelly.”

“Well, it came out of the garbage, didn’t it?” Ben confirmed.

The women nodded and Savannah said to the girl, “That big tear…that’s where you put your property, isn’t it?”

Leah stared at the bag and nodded ever so slightly. “Someone took it.” She looked to Savannah for an answer. “But who? Who knew it was even there?”

Savannah looked her in the eyes. “Harrison, for one.”

“But he wouldn’t…” she started.

“How well do you know him?” Savannah asked. “I think you’re aware that he’s been in some trouble over his lifetime and he has a problem with drugs. How do we know he wouldn’t be tempted to take your property?”

“I…I guess you’re right.”

“Well, now let’s get things straight, ladies,” Ben said. “When we found Harrison Lee and Moss Randall, this was not in their possession.”

“Yeah, I heard,” Leah said.

“But it was found not too far from where the attack took place. We picked it up this morning after Detective Sledge asked us to. So are you saying it could be a clue to what happened? Are you saying there was something of value in here and maybe that’s why the two men were attacked?”

“So someone else knew about it,” Leah said quietly.

“Or,” Savannah offered, “there’s still the possibility that Harrison took the item out.”

“Do you mean he planned to rip me off? But then who would beat them up and why?”

“Maybe he took it out for safekeeping.”

“I’ll never believe that he tried to steal it. Maybe he told Moss about it and Moss told someone else.”

Ben thinned his lips. “Well, whatever happened, it sounds like this could be important to the case. Thank you for your input. I’d better find a place for this stinky thing in the evidence room.”

****

Four days later, Savannah got a call from Colbi. “Don’t worry about feeding Dolly this afternoon, Savannah,” she said, sounding rather cheerful.

“Are you coming home?” she asked.

“Yes, Harrison is being released. Oh, Savannah he’s made great strides. He still has a ways to go—a long recovery ahead—but he can come home as long as there’s someone to care for him.”

“And that’s you?”

“What?”

“You’re going to be his caretaker?”

“Yes. I’m looking forward to it.” Colbi paused. “I remember how close our father and I became while I took care of him. I’m looking forward to getting to know my brother in the same way.”

“So how’s he feeling?” Savannah asked.

“Sore, but in good spirits and his faculties are all intact—that’s what we were most worried about. Broken bones can heal, and he has several of those—nose, ribs, ankle…but I was so worried about that head injury. How someone can be so callous as to do that much damage to another human being is beyond me.”

“Are they any closer to catching the creeps?” Savannah asked.

“I don’t know. Harrison has given them a description and I guess there’s one witness who’s been some help.”

“So, Colbi,” she said more quietly, “what about the drug situation?”

“Oh, you mean Harrison’s habit? So far, so good. He’s had round-the-clock care, so no one has been able to bring him anything. The doctors are pleased and a little surprised that he hasn’t shown signs of withdrawal. And we all hope that doesn’t come about. The doctor told me that sometimes an injury or surgery or something like that will help someone break the addiction cycle. Know what I mean?”

“Yes, I think I do. His lifestyle has changed and will change dramatically, so maybe his habits will, too.”

“Let’s hope and pray,” Colbi said. “By the way, how’s that little girl? Is she still with you?”

“Yes, she is. She’s doing well. Her due date’s getting close now, you know. She’s eager to have the baby, then she wants to go to Frisco and see what she can find out about the money she was hoping to get. Of course, she’s afraid that someone may have taken the key from my suitcase and beaten her to it.”

“Good God, Savannah, she has quite a lot of underground drama surrounding her, doesn’t she? Harrison says she was a cheerleader from Idaho? How’d she get mixed up in all this?”

“From as close as I can tell, strict, rigid parents and a charming Hawaiian man.”

“Oh, bad combination.” After a measure of silence, Colbi said, “Savannah, I mean her no ill will. She seems to care about Harrison. He’s been talking about her. I think he’s been in touch with her by phone.”

“Yes, from what she tells me, they’ve been talking a lot—even late into the night when they both should be sleeping.”

Colbi continued, “I know. Savannah, please tell her she’s welcome in my home anytime she wants to see Harrison.” She hesitated. “I hope she will forgive me.”

“I think she has. I explained how close you and your brother are and how frightened you were. She’s young and naïve, but also harbors some wisdom there—probably some of it she picked up on the streets of Honolulu.”

“Oh, I just saw the doctor go into Harrison’s room—better scoot.”

“Is there anything we can do from this end to prepare for your homecoming?” Savannah asked.

“I think we have it handled. Damon has been wonderful. He’s going to help me move Harrison’s things downstairs. He rented a wheelchair and a few other pieces of equipment we may need, at least for a while. The doctors think he’ll be up on crutches fixing himself a sandwich soon.”

“Well, it’s all good news, Colbi. So glad to hear it. This could just be a major turning point for you and Harrison.”

“I know,” she said, sounding almost giddy. “And guess what else?”

“What?” Savannah couldn’t help but smile at her friend’s glee.

“Klint’s coming to visit him tomorrow.”

“Klint?”

“Our cousin—the circus storyteller,” she said, giggling.

“Oh yes,” Savannah said. “Well, that’ll be entertaining for Harrison.”

As Savannah ended the call, Leah walked into the room. “Dinner’s almost ready,” she said.

“You know, you don’t have to fix us dinner,” Savannah insisted. “You need your rest.”

“Oh, I can’t rest all the time. You’re feeding me so well, I have lots of energy and I feel good. Besides, I want to show my appreciation.” She grinned. “You should feel honored; this is the one and only meal I can cook. My dad taught me how to make it once when my sister and I wanted to surprise our mom on her birthday.”

“What is it?” Savannah asked.

“Pigs in a blanket,” she said proudly, “and a cottage-cheese-and-peaches salad. Sound good?”

“Yummy—and Lily will like it, too.” Before Leah could walk away, Savannah said, “I have some news.”

“Oh?”

“Yes, why don’t you sit down?”

“Oh no, is it bad?”

“No actually not. It’s just that it hurts me to see you standing,” she said, laughing. “I remember how uncomfortable I was toward the end of my pregnancy.”

“What is it?” Leah asked, easing onto the ottoman.

“Harrison is going home this evening—they’re releasing him. Colbi just told me.”