The Cats that Played the Market (The Cats that . . . Cozy Mystery Book 4) (7 page)

“There was one a second ago. I was sewin’ to beat the band when I heard a clickin’ sound. I turned around and saw one of your cats sittin’ on the chair, pawin’ the mouse thing.”

“Which one?” Katherine asked eagerly, thinking maybe she’d finally find out which feline was surfing the web.

“Mum, which one?” Colleen seconded.

Mrs. Murphy shrugged. “How am I supposed to know? It was a cat. I’ve got me readin’ glasses on. I’m as blind as a bat with distances.”

“Okay, what color was the cat?” Katz prodded.

“Gray, I think.”

Katz and Colleen shared inquisitive glances. “Lilac? It’s possible,” Colleen noted. “I’ve seen her up here before.”

Katherine countered, “I’ve seen
all
of them up here before. This isn’t evidence.”

Looking at the monitor, Colleen said, “This doesn’t make any sense. Why would she surf up a movie review of
Gosford Park
. That’s an old movie.”

Katherine hurried over and glanced at the screen. “The movie’s not that old,” and then to Mum, “No worries. My cats are always stepping on the mouse and conjuring up something.”

Mrs. Murphy answered, “I just didn’t want any harm to come to your stuff. Now I’ve got seven more of these blasted things to sew. My eyes are crossed, and I’m ready to hit me bed for a nap.”

Katherine and Colleen ignored her. “Maybe we should Netflix the movie and watch it tonight. It’s a Robert Altman film.”

“I’ve seen it,” Colleen said. “I’ll give you a short review: weekend party at an upper-class estate in 1932. Head of the household is murdered. The police are baffled by whodunit.”

Katherine laughed, “Cheater! You just read the review. That’s what it says.”

“Girls!” Mrs. Murphy said. “Snap out of it! Colleen, you can cut, and Katz can pin. Get busy!”

Colleen winked, then said to her mum. “All right, hand me the scissors.”

Katherine said, “Let me finish in the kitchen, then I’ll be right back.” When she walked in the room, two very guilty brown-masked Siamese flew out. Abra was clutching a cookie in her jaws. Scout had one too.” “Dammit!” she said, turning the oven off and then chasing after the feline thieves.

Mrs. Murphy and Colleen were laughing. Colleen pointed, “They went that way.”

The front doorbell rang its festive greeting.

“I’ll get it,” Katherine said, dashing out of the room.

Opening the door, Katherine saw a woman in her twenties with long, blond hair and blue eyes. She was very sun-tanned and had a beautiful smile.

“Hi, I’m Emily,” the girl said.

“Robbie called and said you were coming. I’ll show you the living room, where the portraits are.”

Emily brought in a large hard-shell camera case and a tripod. Lilac and Abby seemed to be very interested and followed them into the living room.

Katherine said, “If you need anything, I’m in the back room.”

It had only been a few minutes when Emily came back and said to Katherine, “I can’t get a good shot of your great uncle’s portrait.”

“Why’s that?” Katherine asked.

“Your cat — the one with the gray face and ears — waits for me to set up the shot, then zooms up to the fireplace mantel and pushes the portrait so it’s crooked.”

Colleen put her hand over her mouth and suppressed a giggle.

Katherine moved away from the cozy she was pinning and followed Emily back to the living room. Emily’s camera case was turned upside down, with various lenses and gadgets spilling out on the floor. Lilac and Abby sat on their window valance perch, eyeing the two humans with looks of complete innocence on their faces. Katherine knew better. One of them had rifled the case.

Katherine explained, “I’m sorry, but my cat is too high for me to get without setting up a ladder. Maybe if I stay in the room you can get your shot. If it looks like she’s going to jump down, I’ll try to distract her.”

Emily stooped down and righted the camera case. She began shoving the spilled items back into it. There was something missing, because she crawled around the floor looking under furniture.

“Has something gone missing?” Katherine asked.

“Ah, yes,” Emily said, getting up. “It’s not important. I think maybe I’d left it at home, and it wasn’t in the case after all.”

“Just a second. My cats sometimes take things and hide them in their favorite chair. Let me look.” Katherine fell to her knees and felt inside the wingback chair. Lilac and Abby craned their necks to see. “I’m not finding anything. If something turns up, I’ll give you a call.”

Emily gave a quick worried look, then looked at her camera’s viewing screen and took the shot without any more shenanigans from Lilac. When finished, she said, “I hope you’ll be pleased with what Robbie has done with your family’s display. It’s super cool.”

“I can’t wait to see it. Are you going to attend the museum opening?”

“Yes, of course, as Robbie’s date. Actually, if you can keep a secret, I think he’s going to announce our engagement. But look surprised when he does,” Emily said happily.

“Where did you two meet?”

“In Hawaii! My mom is a marine biologist and works in Chicago. She had a meeting in Hawaii and took me along. I’m so glad I went because at a cocktail party, I met Robbie. It was love at first sight. I thought he was so funny. He talked me into moving to Indiana.”

Katherine wondered how Emily got a word in edgewise to even flirt with the loquacious Robbie, who was twice her age. Katherine said, “Congratulations. I wish the both of you much happiness.”

After Emily finished putting her camera away, Katherine led her to the door. Scout walked in front of them and arched her back. Her fur was bristled and she gave a low growl. Then, she hopped up and down like a Halloween cat.

“Scout, come here sweetie,” Katherine said, trying to pick up the cat, but she sped off to the dining room.

“That cat is really scary!” Emily said guardedly.

“I’m so sorry. I don’t know what got into her . . . ” Katherine suddenly felt a premonition that something wasn’t quite right. She worried for Emily. Opening the door, she said, “Be careful out there. The roads can be pretty slippery with all this snow.”

“It was awesome to meet you. I’ll see you at the opening.” Emily smiled and walked to her car.

Katherine closed the door and turned to find Scout. She called her name several times, but only Abra came. The Siamese was licking her chops. A small glob of green icing was on her lip. “Hey, my sweet girl. I hope you didn’t eat the entire cookie. Where’s your sister?” Katherine picked her up and wiped off the icing. She held her for a moment. “Raw,” Abra cried uneasily. She carried her to the kitchen where Scout was lapping up a drink of water. She set Abra down next to Scout.

“Magic cat, is something going to happen to Emily?”

Scout continued drinking, then looked up with a drop of water on her nose. “Ma-waugh,” she cried evasively.

“Does that mean yes or no?”

Scout sat up and stood tall on the ceramic-tiled floor. With the grace of a ballerina, she lifted her leg and started cleaning the inside of her toes. Her eyes were deliberately crossed, in a deranged look. She seemed to enjoy darting her pink tongue in and out of her claws.

“Okay, I take that as a no,” Katherine said, walking into the office to resume her sewing endeavor.

Scout continued washing.

Chapter Four

Early Saturday morning, Jake drove to the pink mansion to help Katz, Colleen and Mrs. Murphy move their wares to the Erie annual holiday fundraiser. He drove his dad’s pickup truck with the extended cab. On Katherine’s lap, he placed the cat carrier containing a very happy Siamese. Lilac cried with excitement, knowing she was about to have an adventure. Scout, Abra, Iris and Abby looked outside the parlor window with great disdain. They wanted to go, too, but handling five hyperactive cats was too much. Arriving at the armory, the four got out of the truck and walked to the art deco style building. Jake carried the cat carrier.

Katherine admired, “I love the yellow glazed tiles on the façade and the tiled roof. When was it built?”

Jake answered, “1931. It was financed by WPA funds. It recently received a total rehab. Back in the nineties, it was a complete dump.”

Walking inside, the group removed their coats and hung them on hooks outside the large, open room. Inside, a bank of tables was set up on a gleaming floor made of geometric-patterned tiles. The tall ceiling was curved, exposing the original roof trusses. The room was lined with two-story windows, which admitted a lot of light.

Jake continued, “This used to be the drill hall where troops were trained, but now it’s used by the town for dances, weddings and seasonal events.”

Michelle Pike bustled over, “Katz, hey!” She extended her hand to Mrs. Murphy, “You must be Colleen’s mom. “I’m Michelle. I’m so pleased to meet you. Hi, Colleen. Hope you’re enjoying your visit. Hey, Jake. Is this the cat?” she said, peering in and admiring Lilac.

“Me-yowl” was Lilac’s loud reply.

“Follow me, gang,” she directed. “I’ll show you where your table is.”

The group followed Michelle. Each table was decorated with a holiday-themed tablecloth. Katherine admired the many vendors displaying their wares: homemade candles, soaps, and decorated Christmas ornaments.

Katherine’s table was at the end of the row. She placed her box of cookies on top, while Mrs. Murphy spread out her cat cozy blankets. Jake set the cat carrier in the middle. Colleen complained there wasn’t a third chair, so she and Michelle went off to look for one. Mrs. Murphy sat down and opened the money box.

In the center of the large room, against one of the long walls, was a platform/stage with a microphone stand. In front was an elaborately decorated long table with a red velvet skirt. It was covered with cakes — every conceivable kind of fancy cake. Katherine moved over to it. Her eyes grew big as they darted from cake to cake, examining each with awe.

On the table was a three-tiered coconut cake, a log cabin made from Twinkies, a Santa Claus sheet cake, a snowman covered with shredded coconut, several chocolate cakes, and a detailed Victorian Queen Anne gingerbread house iced with pink frosting.

Jake came over. “That looks like your house.”

Katherine scrutinized it. “The detailing is very good, but I’m not liking the grim reaper figurine in the front door.”

“You’re kidding me,” Jake said looking. When he saw it, he chuckled. “Looks like something from a Halloween miniature set.”

Katherine drummed her fingers on the table. “The murder house!” She gazed around the room and when she didn’t see anyone looking, she removed a graham cracker door, put the figurine inside, and then put the door back. “Solved,” she giggled.

“You’re lucky a cake Nazi didn’t see you, or you’d be in a heap of trouble,” Jake advised, then asked, “What do you think of this cake?” He pointed at a giant cone of chocolate set on a bank of red icing.

“It looks like a volcano. It’s even got chocolate spouting out of the top of it.”

Jake smiled. “That’s my mom’s cake. It’s her famous volcano cake. She bakes one every year. That’s an official chocolate pump. Liquid magma.”

Katherine said, “Cool! I don’t see any prices on these cakes.”

“People come from miles around to bid on them. This is how the event makes most of its money.”

“Bid?” Katherine questioned. “I don’t get it.”

“It’s a cake auction! There’s even an auctioneer. It starts promptly at noon. Word of advice — things could get ugly, but in a good way,” Jake grinned. “Hey listen, sweet pea, I’m off now. I’ll be back at high noon.”

“Seriously, you’re coming back for the cake auction?” Katherine asked, surprised.

“I wouldn’t miss it for the world. Because,” he began, then lowered his voice. “See that flowerpot behind the volcano?”

“Yeah?”

“Inside that ordinary clay pot is the most
delicious
white chocolate cake you’ve ever tasted.”

Katherine rolled her eyes and pinched him affectionately on the arm. “Okay, I won’t tell anyone you’re going to bid on that cake. But here’s a little ditty about Jack and Diane. I know who made
said
cake.”

“Oh, really?” he asked. “And who baked
said
cake?”

“That’s for me to know and you to find out.”

“Okay, savvy girl, I look forward to finding out. See you later,” Jake said, leaving, enjoying the playful banter. Katherine followed him with her eyes and saw him stop and talk to his mother, Cora, who was standing in the entryway. Jake saw Katz looking, so he pointed at his mom. Katherine waved. Cora waved back.

One of the Sanders boys — the one with the irritating hyena laugh — walked in. Bobby took the shortest route to the cake registration table where there were two chairs but no occupants. Elizabeth “Lizard” Brentwood slowly walked to the table and took her seat. Son Robbie took the second chair. A colorful banner attached to the table announced “Cake Auction 2014.”

Bobby Sanders was carrying some sort of sheet cake. He carefully set it down on the table and began to fill out an entry form. Katherine moved over to look at the cake. She smiled at Lizard and Robbie.