The Cats that Played the Market (The Cats that . . . Cozy Mystery Book 4) (15 page)

“Will do. Katz, listen, as soon as I can, I’ll bring Colleen to the hospital. Jake’s in good hands. The trauma center is the best in the state.”

Tears started streaming down Katherine’s face. “Thank you,” she choked.

Chapter Nine

Jake’s mom and dad — Johnny and Cora — drove up to the mansion in their extended cab pickup. Katherine was waiting for them on the front step — shivering. She’d forgotten her coat. It seemed like an eternity before they got there. Daryl had already taken the cats to the bungalow and had just returned to take Mrs. Murphy and Colleen there, as well. He shouted from his car, “Everything’s okay.” Katherine shouted back, “Thanks!” She was impatient to get to the hospital. Johnny got out and opened the passenger door. Katherine stepped up, slid over and sat down. She said hello to Jake’s mom, but Cora didn’t answer. She sat up front with a box of Kleenex on her lap. Johnny got back in and pulled out onto Lincoln Street.

“I’m so sorry it took us so long, but we were half-way to the city when we got the call,” Johnny apologized. “Jake was just at our house.”

Cora began crying. “We were planning our Christmas dinner . . . ” her voice trailed off into silence.

Johnny finished, “Every Christmas, the Cokenbergers get together for dinner and afterward exchange gifts. Jake asked if it was okay if he brought you, and we said of course. It would be our pleasure.”

Katherine said, “How sweet! I’d love to go.”

Cora said sadly, “In the past, Jake always brought Victoria, but when she passed away, he just went to pieces. He adored her.” Victoria was Jake’s wife, who died from cancer. Katherine suspected Cora and Victoria had been very close.

“My son thinks the world of you,” Johnny countered. “He talks about you all the time.”

Katherine didn’t answer. She didn’t want to engage in any conversation. She just wanted to quietly look out at the snowy landscape. Her head was still throbbing from the loud gunshots. Her mind was racing with dozens of tumbling, disorganized thoughts, but one thought was like a steady drumbeat beneath the mental noise.
I’ve just killed someone
, she thought.

Johnny read her mind. He didn’t talk again until they got to the city. A long line of cars were stalled outside of town. “Damn, Christmas shoppers,” he complained.

Cora scolded, “Watch your mouth.”

The cars began to slowly pull forward.

Cora started crying again. No matter what her husband said to try to console her, it clearly wasn’t working. Once they arrived at the hospital, Johnny let the two women off at the Emergency entrance, then pulled into the parking lot to find a spot. Reuniting in the hospital lobby, the group headed for the front desk, where a busy receptionist directed them to another part of the building. They found the waiting room and walked in. Curiously, Mark Dunn was sitting on one of the chairs against the windowed wall.

When he saw Katherine, he stood up.

“Mark,” she said, surprised. “How did you know?”

“Chief London called. I was filing some papers down at the courthouse when I got the call. I thought you’d like some company.”

“Thank you. That was sweet.”

“Good to see you, Mark,” Johnny said, shaking Mark’s hand.

Cora looked at Mark and Katherine suspiciously, as if they had a thing for each other.

Mark led Katherine to a different part of the waiting room. “Let’s sit here,” he suggested.

People started coming in and swarming around Johnny and Cora. Katherine assumed they were members of Jake’s huge, extended family.

Mark began, “Hasn’t been the best month for either one of us.”

Katherine nodded back at him without speaking.

“I’m so sorry about Jake. He’s a good man,” he said, then whispered, “I regret looking so hard to find you. I’m beginning to think the Colfax fortune is a big curse — ”

“Shhh,” Katherine interrupted. “If you hadn’t have found me, I would have never met Jake. I’m in love with him, Mark.”

“I think the feeling is mutual,” Mark said, taking her hand. “I’m very happy for you.”

“The chief probably also told you I shot Patricia.”

“Yes, he did. I’m sorry, Katz. You did what you had to do. How did she get in? Is there something wrong with the new security system?”

“The problem is there’s a manual override named Mrs. Murphy. Maybe Patricia tried to get inside and it set off the alarm. Mum turned it off and answered the door.”

“Wow, wasn’t a scholarly moment on Mrs. Murphy’s part. I know it’s probably not the time and place,” Mark said hesitantly, “but I’ve been meaning to call you about Robbie Brentwood.”

“What’s up? Maybe it will get my mind off of things for a few minutes.”

“You were right to be suspicious of Robbie. I owe you an apology. I’m sorry I didn’t trust your instincts.”

Katherine didn’t answer. She thought he should have said he
never
trusted her instincts.

Mark continued, “I just found out the FBI was closing in to arrest him. It seems there really wasn’t a specialized mutual fund in New York. It was just a clever Ponzi scheme.”

“I tried to warn you,” Katherine said solemnly. “The pic Colleen took in Manhattan — the one I texted you — had ‘red’ flag written all over it.”

“Dozens of Erie residents were bilked out of their hard-earned savings.”

“How about you? What did you lose?”

“A lot.” Mark looked down at his hands and nervously wrung them.

“I hesitate to ask this question, but did you invest any of my great aunt’s estate money in Robbie’s scheme? Am I poor now?”

“Well, I wouldn’t exactly say you were poor. You still have five million.”

“I take that to mean yes, you did,” she said.

After a long, awkward pause, Mark said, “I don’t have legal access to your great aunt’s money, so the answer is no. The bank’s trust department always controlled investment of the estate assets and believe me, they are very conservative. I didn’t invest any of your soon-to-be inheritance.”

Katherine felt relief. She had plans for the fortune and wanted to spend it to help others.

“But there will be a happy ending to this mess. I think Robbie didn’t know the New York investors were ripping people off. I think he genuinely believed that the mutual fund was the real deal, at least until very recently.”

Katherine rolled her eyes and said, “No way.”

“Robbie deposited nearly all the money from the most recent investors into a separate account, payable to his mother upon his death. The bank notified Elizabeth this morning and she contacted me. She is adamant about returning the money. She’s authorized the bank and me to take care of this. Hopefully, everyone in Erie who invested will be reimbursed. She’s devastated that she lost her son — her only child. And she’s convinced of his innocence.”

“I’m sorry for her loss,” Katherine said. “I won’t feel relieved until Cokey gets his kids’ college fund back. Mark, I hope you get your money back as well.”

A doctor came in and asked for Jake’s parents. Johnny and Cora followed the woman to the door, then surprisingly, Cora stopped and called for Katherine.

Katherine bounced up from her seat and hurried over to them.

The doctor introduced herself, “I’m Dr. Ruby McDermond. Let’s move into a private room so we can talk.” She motioned the three to step into a small, windowless consulting room. She quietly shut the door. Cora looked like she was going to faint, so Katherine moved to her side and took her by the arm.

“Please sit down, Cora,” Katherine said. Johnny pulled out a chair and Cora slid into the seat. Johnny stood behind her with his hands placed reassuringly on her shoulders. Katherine leaned against the wall.

Dr. McDermond began, “The trauma surgery team cleaned up the wound and checked for bullet fragments. The bullet did not hit a major artery and made a clean exit through the shoulder muscle. He’s out of surgery and being taken to the ICU. He’s still in shock, which typically happens in gunshot victims, but he should stabilize soon. I’ll let you know when you can see him.”

“When will that be?” Cora asked. “I need to see him now!”

Dr. McDermond shook her head. “He’s still under the anesthesia. I’ll let you know.” She left the room.

Cora began sobbing again. “Oh, Johnny, how could this happen? He was just at our house. He was so happy. Then, he goes over to
her
house,” she said venomously with an angry side glance at Katherine.

“Cora, stop it. Right now!” Johnny demanded. “Katherine has been through hell. Think of someone else besides yourself for a change.”

Not wanting to hear anything else, Katherine raced out of the room and nearly collided with Colleen, who had just arrived with Daryl.

“Katz! What’s wrong?” Colleen asked.

Katherine collected herself. “Jake’s out of surgery and being taken to a room in the ICU.”

Daryl spoke gently. “Katz, I can show you where the ICU waiting room is. It has limited seating, so my big family will have to either hang out here or go home. Give me a second. I need to tell my family this.”

Daryl said, “Listen up, folks. The docs have patched Jake up. He’s in recovery and being moved to the ICU. I think it’s best that everyone go home now.” Jake’s father, Johnny, added, “Thank you for coming. I’ll let you all know more about his condition tomorrow.” Most of the Cokenbergers cleared the room along with Mark Dunn, who nodded at Katherine, “Text me!” he mouthed the words. Grandpa Cokenberger refused to go, “I ain’t goin’ till I hear my grandson is gonna be all right.”

Johnny said to the stubborn grandfather, “Okay, Dad, let’s go to the ICU waiting room.”

Daryl returned to Katz and Colleen and took them both by the arm. He led them to another wing in the hospital.

They walked in silence for a few minutes, then Daryl asked, “Katz, do you know if the bullet was removed?”

Katherine nodded. “The doctors also checked for bullet fragments.”

“That’s good. Now we have to pray he doesn’t get an infection.”

“I know,” Katherine agreed. She turned to Colleen. “Is Mum all right? She was pretty shaken back there.”

Colleen’s face clouded, “Mum is fine once she sobers up. She wants to go home tomorrow. Daryl and I are taking her to the airport. Katz, I called Jacky on the way over here. He’s taking her somewhere in Manhattan for help. This drinking business has to stop.”

“Colleen, I think that’s an excellent plan. Are you flying out, too?”

“I’m staying until Jake gets released from the hospital, and I don’t want to hear any argument about it.”

“Thanks, you’re a dear friend.”

Katherine asked Daryl, “Did my kids give you any trouble when you got them to the bungalow?”

“They were pretty shook up when I got there, but once I let them out in their room, they seemed to be okay.”

“Thank you for taking them over there.”

“You’re welcome,” Daryl said. “Here we are,” he said, pointing to the waiting area. “You two have a seat. I’ll let the nurse at the desk know we’re here.” As Daryl walked out, Johnny, Cora and Grandpa Cokenberger came in. Cora sat as far away from Katherine as she could. In a few minutes, Daryl returned with a cardboard tray with six steaming cups of coffee. He said to Katherine, “Colleen and I plan on camping out here with you. When we find out Jake’s been stabilized, I’ll take the two of you home.”

Katherine managed a smile. “Thank you.”

*              *              *

It was two o’clock in the morning before a nurse came in and said Jake was awake. “Is there a Katherine in the room?” she asked.

Katherine startled, then said, “I’m Katherine.”

“Jake is asking for you. Would you like to follow me?”

Cora jumped out of her seat and ran for the door. “He’s my son. I demand to see him right this minute!” Johnny rushed over and clutched her arm. “Let’s do what Jake wants. Okay?” Cora wrenched her arm back. Her eyes threw a cold dagger at Katherine.

Colleen said under her breath, “Lighten up, lady.”

Katherine got up hesitantly from her seat, then followed the nurse.

“Hi, I’m Jake’s nurse. My name is Ramona. He’s still very groggy, but he’s coherent enough to be asking for you.”

Katherine felt a quick adrenaline rush and then felt faint. She felt as if her legs were going to give out. Slowly, she walked into Jake’s hospital room. She was trembling so much she couldn’t speak. The nurse found her a chair and placed it next to Jake’s bed. She gently sat down.

“Come closer,” he whispered.

Katherine leaned over. A tear slid down her cheek.

“Are you okay?” he asked weakly.

“Yes, but you’re the one who got shot.” Katherine flinched when she saw the bandages covering his wound.

“Are the cats okay?”

“Yes, they’re fine. Daryl took them to the bungalow.”

“What about that Marston woman?” His voice became weaker.

“Jake,” Katherine said, bringing her hand up to stifle a sob. “I shot her.”

“Is she dead?”