The Cats that Surfed the Web (8 page)

“Omen?” Katherine said skeptically. “I don’t believe in such nonsense. Maybe Mark was right and we should have flown.”

“Shoulda, coulda,” Colleen laughed. “But we didn’t. At least we’re almost there. That sign a while back said Erie was only nine miles away. What did Mark say when you called him?”

“He said he was relieved that we’d finally made it, and he’s waiting for us at the house.”

“Hey, look,” Colleen said excitedly. “There’s a sign for Erie.”

“Woo hoo! This is the town limit. There’s the Red House restaurant. I had lunch there.”

The cats began meowing loudly. Katherine slowed down and said, “Help me look for Lincoln Street.”

“Jackson Street . . . Washington Street . . .,” Colleen said as they drove by. “Here it is. Turn, turn.”

Katherine split off the highway and began squinting for house numbers. “Look for 512.”

Colleen cupped her face to the passenger side window, “It’s so dark here. I can’t see anything.”

“There it is.” Katherine stepped on the brake and did a complete stop in the middle of the street.

The house loomed like a pink giant. Every light had been turned on in the house, as well as the two outside lampposts. Katherine pulled into the driveway and parked under the covered carport. Mark’s Honda was parked several feet away. The cats became unusually quiet.

“We’re here, kids.”

“Incredible. This house is huge,” Colleen said, gathering her handbag and getting out of the car.

Mark opened the side door and bounded down the steps. “Welcome home,” he said smiling.

“Hello,” Katherine said, as she began to unwedge the carrier from the back seat.

“I’ll help you with that,” he said.

They transported the carrier up the stairs while Colleen held the door. They shuffled inside and positioned the carrier on the floor in the dining room. The cats began to move about anxiously. “Waugh,” Scout protested.

“What beautiful Siamese,” Mark admired.

“We should put them in the room where I’ll be sleeping tonight as soon as possible—wherever that room may be,” Katherine said.

“Patricia made up your great aunt’s room. If you remember from the grand tour, it’s the largest bedroom in the house,” Mark explained. He turned to Colleen and said, “Your room is down the hall.”

“Oh, I’m sorry,” Katherine said. “Mark Dunn, this is my friend, Colleen Murphy.”

“I’m pleased to meet you,” he said, extending his hand.

Colleen shook it. When Mark turned to pick up the cat carrier, she winked her approval to Katherine.

Katherine mouthed the words, “Stop it.”

“I think I can manage this alone,” he said lifting the carrier.

“Waugh,” Scout complained. “Me-Yowl,” Lilac shrieked. “Yowl,” Iris added.

“Scout, stop jumping,” Katherine said, peering through the metal door. “You’re stepping on Iris.” Iris hissed. Scout boxed her on the ears. Lilac hovered in the corner.

Mark walked into the atrium and struggled with the dog carrier. The cats kept shifting from side to side, which made it difficult to hold level. “I lied,” he said, sheepishly. “Do you mind giving me a hand?”

Katherine grabbed the end of the carrier and peered in the cage. “I said stop it,” she reprimanded the cats.

Colleen remained in the atrium, awestruck at the splendor of the house. “This house is a palace!”

“Ms. Murphy,” Katherine called halfway up the stairs. “Don’t you want to see your room?”

Colleen bounced up behind them. “My own room,” she said playfully.

“We’re punch drunk from the drive,” Katherine explained to Mark. “Which way do we go, left or right? This house is so big, I forgot which room was my great aunt’s.”

“First door on the left.”

They carried the cats into the bedroom and set the carrier down on the red Oriental carpet.

“Where’s my room?” Colleen said.

“Fourth door down the hall on the left—at the very end,” Mark said, and then to Katherine, “Listen, I hope you don’t mind, but I set up the cat stuff in here. I assumed you’d want to keep them locked up with you the first night.”

Katherine looked around and observed the litter box in the corner. “Thanks,” she said. Near the armoire were several empty bowls for food, and a bowl of water. She closed the door, bent down, and opened the carrier door. “Come out and see your new home.”

Scout was the first to leap out. She was followed by a reluctant Iris and skittish Lilac. Immediately, the three of them began sniffing various articles in the room. Lilac had found an unappealing odor—undetectable to the human nose—under the nightstand. She scrunched up her face and pulled her lips back to expose her fangs. Iris had discovered an imaginary spot on the rug and was busy burying it with wide sweeps of her paws. Scout had already opened the closet door and was inside investigating.

“Allow me to unload your car,” Mark offered.

“Thanks,” Katherine said, smiling.

They heard a scream, and then the sound of someone running down the hall.

“Colleen!” Katherine shouted.

Lilac and Iris shot under the bed. Iris growled. Scout dashed out of the closet and hurtled toward the door as Mark yanked it open.

“Oh, no you don’t,” Katherine said, snatching her.

Mark and Katherine rushed into the hall. Colleen was standing near the landing, holding something in her hand.

“Are you okay?” Katherine asked.

“I’m good. I’m sorry I screamed. I thought I’d broken it,” she said, holding up a black instrument.

“Is that your ghost hunting gizmo?”

“Yes, it’s new. The latest model,” she said, excitedly. “It’s a K2 EMF meter. It detects spikes in electromagnetic energy.”

“So what are you doing with it now?” Mark asked, perplexed.

“I thought I saw someone pass by my door.”

Katherine said to Mark, “Is there anyone else in the house?”

“No,” he said firmly. “But I’d better take a look-see to make sure.” He sprinted down the stairs two at a time.

“Was it a man or woman?” Katherine asked.

“Just a dark shape. I had my back turned, rummaging in my bag, when I felt someone looking at me. So I turned around and saw this black shape—like a dark fog. I rushed into the hall but didn’t see anything, so I got my meter out. Katz, for a moment the red light came on.”

“So? What does that mean?”

“It means this house may have a ghost,” Colleen said eagerly.

“Okay, definitely both of us need to sleep,” Katherine suggested.

Mark returned. “I didn’t find anyone downstairs, but let me have a look up here.” He searched four of the five bedrooms, excluding Katherine’s.

“Have all the exterior locks been changed?” she asked.

“Yes. In fact, I want to give you your keys.” He reached in his pocket and pulled out a key ring. “Each key is individually labeled. The writing is small, but readable.”

“Yeah, with an electron microscope,” she said lightly.

“Are you okay?” Mark asked Colleen.

“I’m just tired and seeing things,” Colleen said drowsily. “I’ve got a few bags in the car. I think I’ll fetch them and then call it a night.”

“Good idea,” Katherine said. “Me, too.”

“I’ll help you,” Mark said.

The three went out to the car and unloaded it. After several trips they emptied the car. Colleen went upstairs to her room, while Katherine followed Mark into the kitchen. She saw two food trays on the red Formica and chrome table. “You made food for us? How thoughtful.”

“Just a few things to make sandwiches. Are you hungry?”

“Yes, famished, but I’m too tired to eat.”

“I’d better put it away before it spoils,” he said, putting the sandwich tray into the empty refrigerator.

“What about this tray?” Katherine asked.

“I think we can leave it out. Those are Patricia’s famous poppy-seed muffins.”

“That was very kind of her.”

“I’m so glad you made it safely,” he said, getting serious. “I hope you’ll be very happy.”

“Thanks, I plan on it.”

They both were startled by the sound of a heavy object crashing on the floor above them.

“What room is that?” Katherine asked, dashing into the dining room.

“Sounds like Colleen’s,” Mark said, passing her and bounding up the stairs.

Katherine quickly followed him. “Colleen,” she shouted.

“False alarm,” Colleen said, rounding the corner of the upstairs hallway. In her hand, she was holding the broken base of a hurricane lamp. “I’m so sorry, but I seem to have caught the lamp on my sleeve, and before I could set it right, it fell to the floor. I’m afraid I’ve made a terrible mess. There’s glass all over the floor.”

“You gave us a fright,” Katherine said, holding her heart. “I thought the dark shape had got you,” she teased.

“I’ll take care of it,” Mark said, disappearing into another room, returning with a broom and dustpan.

“‘Tis my mess,” Colleen said firmly, taking the broom from his hands. “But thank you kindly for offering.”

He handed it to her. “It was nice meeting you.” He turned to Katherine. “I’ll be going now.”

“I’ll walk you to the door,” she said.

They walked down the stairs together. In the atrium, he said, “I’ll be by around eleven o’clock to pick you up and go to Dr. Sonny’s to fetch Abigail. I also need you to sign some papers.”

“Papers?” Katherine asked, inquisitively.

“A receipt for the initial distribution of money from Orvenia’s estate.”

“Could we go to a bank, as well?” she asked. “If you have appointments scheduled, I can go on my own.”

“I have one appointment in the morning, but after eleven o’clock I’m officially taking the day off. I have a surprise to show you before I leave,” he said changing the subject. “Stay right there.” He opened the pocket doors to the living room, then announced, “Okay, you can come in now.”

Katherine went in and immediately noticed her great aunt’s portrait hanging to the left of the fireplace. “Oh, this is wonderful. Thank you so much.”

“My pleasure. Now, I truly must go.”

“See you tomorrow,” she called after him. She opened the door leading to the covered carport.

“Lock up behind me,” he said as he left.

“Thanks for everything.”

He winked, then hurried down the steps.

Katherine walked from room to room, checking the locks on windows and doors. She left a couple of lamps on downstairs, then went upstairs and did the same.

Colleen came out of the bathroom wearing a red plaid nightgown and green satin slippers. “What do you think of my new pajamas?” she smirked.

Katherine burst out laughing. “You look like a Scottish elf. You didn’t cut yourself on the glass, did you?”

“No. I found a plastic bag in the bathroom closet and put the glass in it. I locked it up in the closet. Don’t let me forget to get rid of it in the morning. I don’t want the cats to get in it.”

“Cats,” Katherine said darting to her room. “They’ve been unusually quiet.” She opened the door to discover three cats curled up together on the bed, cuddled into one breathing fur ball. When she called out good night to Colleen, they didn’t even flinch. “Poor kids,” Katherine said. “Sleep, my darlings.”

She hurriedly got ready for bed. Before slipping under the covers, she placed the alarm clock in the top drawer of the nightstand. She turned off the light and immediately fell into a deep sleep.

Chapter Six

The muffled sound of the alarm clock inside the closed drawer became an integral part of Katherine’s dream. She dreamed she was sleeping in her apartment in Manhattan, and the phone kept ringing. One of the cats had pressed the off switch on the answering machine, so the phone rang for what seemed to be hours. The dream ended abruptly when Iris jumped on Katherine’s chest and growled.

“Okay. Okay,” Katherine said, gently pushing the Siamese off. Iris jumped on the nightstand and growled again.

Katherine got up, opened the drawer, and turned off the alarm.

“Good morning, Iris.”

Iris yowled.

“Where are your sisters? Lilac? Scout?” she called.

The small lump at the foot of the bed began to move forward, tunneling in search of an opening in the feather comforter. Lilac jumped to the floor, yawned, and then did a full body stretch. “Me-yowl,” she said, darting for the open door.

“Scout?” Katherine asked, worried. Iris bounded after Lilac. They thundered down the stairs.

Scout must have opened the door
, Katherine thought.
Scout is running amok in a house that hasn’t been cat-proofed
. She fumbled for her bathrobe and put it on. “Scout,” she called from the top of the stairs.

“She’s down here,” Colleen said.

“Where?” Katherine said, hurrying down the stairs.

“Ah-Choo,” Colleen sneezed, and then added, “We’re in the kitchen having a spot of tea.”

Katherine joined Colleen in the kitchen. “Cats don’t drink tea,” she kidded.

“Here. I’ll pour you some.”

“Thanks. I still don’t see her.”

“Waugh,” Scout said, entering the room.

“Magic cat,” Katherine said.

“Why did you call her that?” Colleen said, setting two cups and saucers on the table.

“Because she’s already figured out how to open the door.”

“What door?”

“My bedroom door.”

Colleen looked guilty and said, “When I got up this morning, Scout was throwing herself against it. I thought she’d hurt herself so I let her out. She’s been prowling about the place ever since.”

“I kind of wanted to keep them locked up the first day in their new environment.”

“Why?” Colleen asked, biting into a muffin, scattering seeds on the table.

“Because this trip has been very stressful for them and I wanted to keep them in one room of the new house for at least a day, then introduce them to the rest of the hous
e
 . . 
.
” Katherine cleared her throat dramatically. “Gradually.”

Lilac chased Iris through the room. They spun their imaginary tires on the ceramic floor, caromed off the doorframe, and ran into the other room. Scout chased after them.

“My philosophy is to go for it,” Colleen laughed.

Katherine studied Colleen for a moment and then said, “In the course of five minutes I’ve watched you devour two muffins. Are you famished?”

“They’re fantastic. I’ve got to have this recipe.”

“Mark said Patricia Marston brought them over. They’re called poppy-seed muffins.”

“Let me get you one.”

Katherine pulled up a chair and sat down. “You’re all dressed—hair, make-up. What time did you get up?”

“It was early. I think seven a.m. or so,” Colleen said, pouring the tea. She handed Katherine a muffin.

She took a big bite, “Wow. These are good.”

Colleen burst out laughing.

“What’s so funny?” Katherine asked, spilling a large piece of muffin down her robe.

“You’ve got black seeds stuck in your teeth.”

“Wonderful. I’ll be flashing a big toothy smile to Mark with seeds in my teeth. No thank you,” she said, pushing the muffin aside.

“There’s nothing in the refrigerator except some slices of ham and cheese. We’ve got to get some food.”

“Mark is picking me up at eleven and taking me to pick up Abigail. We can do some serious shopping when I get back.”

“Give me the keys to the car. I’ll pick up th
e
 . . 
.
groceries.” Colleen hurried the last word, then sneezed.

“Are you catching a cold?”

“No, it’s the dust in this place. I don’t know who has been tidying up since the housekeeper has taken ill, but whoever it is, someone needs to explain to them that the vacuum cleaner works much better when it’s plugged in.”

“I’ve noticed this house needs a thorough cleaning,” said Katherine.

“So while you're off with Mr. Dreamboat, I’ll forage for food and tidy up a bit.”

“There’s a grocery store a couple of blocks down the street. I’ll pitch in as soon as I get back. What do you think of Mark?” she asked.

“That’s for me to know and you to find out,” Colleen said evasively. “He seems attracted to you.”

“Think so?” Katherine prodded. “Actually he’s just doing his job. I’m sure he receives fees for managing my great aunt’s estate.”

“Me-yowl,” Lilac said, trotting back into the kitchen.

“Who won the steeplechase?” Katherine asked the frisky cat. Lilac leaped up onto the counter and climbed into the kitchen sink. She began to lick the faucet.

“Yuk,” Colleen grimaced.

“She used to do that at the apartment because there was a constant drip.”

“Since there isn’t a drip here, allow me to find this little one an alternative.” Colleen got up and found a bowl in the cabinet. She filled it with water. Lilac lapped happily.

“Mum would have a fit if she knew I was setting out fine china for a cat,” Colleen observed.

Katherine picked up her saucer and looked at the bottom. “I’m impressed. Haviland,” she said.

“Want to see something interesting?” Colleen asked, opening several overhead cabinet doors. “Haviland china, Tiffany crystal, and a brand-new toaster and blender, still in their original boxes. To me it looks like someone came in and removed all the old stuff and replaced it with new stuff.”

“That’s okay with me,” Katherine said. “Maybe Mrs. Marston was trying to make an impression by putting the old stuff away.”

Colleen shrugged. Scout emitted a loud “waugh” from the other room.

“What are you doing in there?” Katherine called out, getting up and carrying her cup to the next room. Colleen, working on her third muffin, followed her into the room. Scout was busy watching Iris, who had jumped onto an oak roll-top desk and was struggling to keep her balance.

“There’s a lot of space in this room,” Colleen observed. “I think Iris is trying to tell you to use this as your office desk. I think it could be rigged to hold your computer.”

“Yeah, you’re right,” Katherine said, running her hand over the oak desk. “Plus I think there’d be enough room to put my printer.”

“If not, there’s furniture elsewhere in the house you could move in here. You can do that. I mean it’s your furniture, right?” Colleen asked.

“Not yet. Remember the big terms of the will —one year. When I see Mark, I’ll ask him if it’s okay to move the furniture.”

“But this room is virtually empty. I think you can do whatever you like in here. If you’re going to live here for a year, I suggest you
live
here for a year,” she stressed. “Who cares how you rearrange the furniture?”

“Exactly,” Katherine agreed. “What I like about this room is that there are two doors that can be closed off from the rest of the house. If the cats are driving me crazy, I can lock them out. Plus that door,” she said, pointing, “leads to a second-story sun porch. The cats will love it.”

“Wait a minute. There’re four doors in here. Where does this one go?” Colleen asked. She tried to open the door. “It’s locked.”

“That goes to the creepy basement. I insisted that Mark hire a locksmith to put a bolt lock on it.”

“Why?”

“An ounce of prevention keeps the criminals at bay.”

Colleen giggled. Somewhere in the house, a telephone rang. Scout and Lilac scampered out of the room.

“Katz, the phone. Where is it?”

“I think it’s in the atrium.”

“What’s an atrium?”

“It’s a room off the front entrance.”

They left the site of Katherine’s future office and headed to the atrium. The phone rang several times before Katherine answered. Iris was sitting next to it, growling.

“Thanks, Iris,” she said, then into the phone, “Hello?”

“Good morning,” Mark said. “I wanted to call to see how you enjoyed the first night in your new house.”

“It was fine, but I can see I need to do a lot of cat-proofing.”

“Or Colleen-proofing,” Marked kidded. “Any more broken lamps?” he laughed.

“At least my cats haven’t broken anything.”

“You’ve just jinxed it,” Colleen said in the background.

“Accidents will happen,” he commented. “I just got a message from Dr. Sonny. He won’t be able to release Abigail until this afternoon. I was wondering if you want to get rid of the paperwork first, get your authorization added to the house expense account, then cruise back to the house to pick up Colleen, so the two of you can join me for lunch?”

“Hold on a second,” Katherine said, covering the phone. She whispered to Colleen, who was now standing nearby. “Mark has invited us to lunch.”

Colleen shook her head. “I’ll fix my own lunch. You two go,” she said.

“Yes, of course, I’d be very pleased to join you for lunch,” Katherine said, “but my friend has other plans.”

“I’ve got another call coming in. I’ll see you at eleven,” he said, hanging up.

“Well, Ms. Murphy,” Katherine said to Colleen, “this is the first time I’ve ever known you to pass up lunch. Are you feeling okay?”

“I’ve really blown my diet eating all those muffins. Besides I have a craving for a baked potato cooked to perfection.”

“How can you go wrong with a baked potato?”

“It must be slow-cooked in the oven for two hours at 325 degrees.”

Katherine rolled her eyes. “On that note, I’m going to get dressed.”

“Don’t forget the teeth,” Colleen teased.

She headed for the main stairs and stopped abruptly on the bottom step. Something had crashed to the floor in the living room. “What now?” she said.

Colleen came into the atrium holding two pieces of a broken
Lladro
Mother and Child figurine; the smaller piece appeared to be Mother’s head. “It wasn’t my fault this time.”

“Oh, no. My mom used to collect these,” exclaimed Katherine. “It looks like the
Peaceful Moment
.”

“More like a headless moment. One of your creatures was racing through the room and knocked it off the shelf.”

Lilac belted out an ear shattering me-yowl and bolted up the stairs, four steps at a time.

“I’ve got to catch her to make sure she doesn’t have any glass in her paws.”

“Cats,” Colleen said ruefully, shaking her head. “And you’re getting another one.”

*  *  *  *

It proved to be a long, tiring day. Mark picked Katherine up promptly and drove her to his office, in one of the Victorian storefronts on Main Street. She admired his antique furniture, particularly the oak Wooten desk, with its many cubbyholes, slots and drawers. She joked that he needed a computer program to keep track of its contents in light of its complicated design. After she signed several receipt forms, Mark handed her an estate check for thirty thousand. She endorsed it and asked if he wouldn’t mind taking her to the bank to set up an account. He joked that although the town had only two traffic lights, it did, however, have more than one bank. He suggested the bank where Katherine’s great aunt had done business for many years.

Katherine was impressed with the friendliness of the town, but felt a little uncomfortable with strangers who either said hello to her on the street, or scrutinized her as if she were from another planet. She confessed to Mark that she could handle the greetings, but the staring routine was giving her a headache. He teased her about being a New Yorker, and she teased him about being a Hoosier. They had a quick lunch at the Red House restaurant on the edge of town, then picked up Abigail the Abyssinian.

The veterinarian’s staff had made a colorful banner that said ‘Abby Goes Home!’ and strung it up in the front waiting room. When Dr. Sonny brought Abby out and placed her in Katherine’s arms, the feline chirped in recognition, which sent Katherine into a cat cooing session lasting a full five minutes. Valerie, the receptionist, had put a green satin ribbon around Abby’s neck, which complimented the ruddy, ticked color of her fur. Dr. Sonny said good-bye to his feline guest of almost two months, and Valerie gave one last pet to the purring Abyssinian.

Katherine placed Abby in the cardboard cat carrier the veterinarian clinic supplied. She was surprised Abby didn't resist, and remarked that the Siamese would have not gone in so willingly. Dr. Sonny suggested that Abigail knew she was going home. Mark, who had stood by quietly, said he thought so, too.