Catnapped (A Klepto Cat Mystery) (18 page)

“Found what?”

“Possibly a clue as to how Grandpa died.”

“Okaayyyy,” Margaret said with a suspicious tone.

“You know that old hollowed-out tree behind the barn where we liked to play?”

“Yes, it’s still there. Why?”

“Well, we were playing cops-and-robbers or some such game using the tree as one of our hideouts and we found something. It was in a crevice in the tree stump.”

“What, Vannie? What?” Margaret was listening intently, eager to hear more.

“A red-and-white cigarette box full of cigarette butts.” Savannah hesitated before going on. “Now, I read a lot of detective stories then, and I figured out that someone had sat there waiting for Grandpa Forster to go into the barn and then he knocked him out and burned the barn down around him.”

Margaret stared at her niece for a moment and then shook her head slowly back and forth saying, “You have some imagination, Savannah.”

“Does this look like imagination?” She dug around in her purse for a few seconds and then pulled out a plastic bag containing a dirty, partially disintegrated cigarette package. “I took Rags for a walk around the property yesterday and found this right where we kids buried it some twenty years ago.”

Margaret stared at the bag and its contents and then asked slowly and quietly, “Why did you hide it if you thought it was a clue?”

“Because we weren’t allowed to go near the barn. And when I asked questions about the fire, I was told to go out and play. As far as we kids were concerned, we would be in trouble if we even spoke of the incident, let alone show someone a clue we found so close to the barn,” she explained.

Margaret sat silent, staring at her cup, thinking over what her niece had just revealed. Finally she spoke as if measuring her words, “Oddly enough, I thought about Joe when Grandpa died.” She looked up at Savannah. “But I knew he was in jail. I’d read that he had been involved with a gang that was stealing farm machinery and selling the parts.”

“When was he sentenced?”

“He’d been in for several months by then. His sentence was two years, I believe.”

“His whereabouts at that time might be important,” Savannah said. “Is it something we can check on?”

Margaret shrugged. “Yes, I can probably get the information from Jim. I want to talk to him, anyway.” She thought for a moment and then said, “You know, that’s just plain creepy to think that Joe might have killed his uncle. Why would he do it? Jed was the only one who gave him handouts.”

“Where’s Joe now?” Savannah asked.

“He’s in a mental institution. There was an incident where he got himself arrested for something quite serious, as I recall—he was doing some work for a woman over in the next county. He wanted an advance on his pay—probably for drugs or something—and she refused to give it to him, so he beat her up. Her little dog tried to protect her and he killed the dog. It was determined that he was unfit to stand trial, so they put him away in an institution. He’s still there, as far as I know.”

***

Savannah climbed behind the wheel of the Jeep, wrapped her hair in a knot, and turned the key. “Well, it’s been another full day,” she said. “Where to now, Auntie?”

“Home, James.”

Deputy Jim had come through for Margaret. He was able to confirm that Joe Forster was out on the street the night his great-uncle burned to death in the fire. This information, along with Savannah’s evidence, would surely cause authorities to reopen the case. The only problem was in determining when the package of cigarette butts was left behind. Since Joe was an occasional visitor to the Forster home, the defense would surely argue that it could have been left there sometime earlier.

As for the license plate number on the truck that Betty and Gil followed, Jim discovered which trucking company it was registered to and promised to follow up with some questions. Jim had told Margaret, however, “It’s likely that someone took the truck without permission or the company rented it out for a job and the name on the paperwork is phony.”

The most successful stop of the day was at animal regulations. Director, Bobbi Curtain confirmed that, indeed, they had received reports of missing horses. And neighbors in the foothills area had issued complaints about the condition of the horses at the Bray place. They were also familiar with the catnapping situation and were pleased to receive additional information from Margaret and Betty.

Bobbi Curtain told them, “With what you’ve learned so far, Ms. Forster and Ms. Gilbert, we should be able to act sooner rather than later, possibly saving many of the cats and horses. Imagine,” she said, shaking her head in disbelief, “a ring of horse
and
cat thieves operating right here in the tri counties.” A large woman with a plain round face and a mannish way of dressing, she thanked the women profusely when they prepared to leave, but not without an expected reprimand. “Ms. Forster and Ms. Gilbert,” she said sternly, “I can’t stress enough how dangerous this operation could be. You’ve already put yourselves at risk. I don’t want you to do it again. Please, stay out of the way. We will handle it from here.”

Margaret sank down a little in her wheelchair, looked up at the woman and said rather sheepishly, “Yes. I promise. Thank you, again.”

***

“So, who are you going out with tonight? Somebody I know?” Margaret asked, a definite twinkle in her eye.

Savannah grinned. “Oh, I think you know him. Will you be okay here alone tonight?”

Margaret turned off her Kindle and set it aside. “Sure, I have two cats to keep me company and several mysteries loaded up and ready to read. Don’t you worry about me.”

“You’ll probably be glad to have some time to yourself. You’re not used to someone tagging along with you everywhere, are you?”

“No, not lately.” Suddenly, she lurched forward and grabbed at something as it flew past. “Rags, what do you have, now?” she demanded.

“What was it?” Savannah asked, having seen only a blur heading toward the staircase.

“It’s Layla’s pillow. Would you get that away from him?” Margaret insisted. “She loves that little pillow.”

“Oh darn it. I’m sorry, Auntie. Raaaags! Bring that here.” Savannah raced up the stairs after the errant cat. When she returned, she announced to her aunt in a flat tone, “I found his stash.”

Margaret looked confused. “What?”

“He’s been stashing things—the pillow—here it is, by the way, some of Layla’s toys, a washcloth—he loves used washcloths, that cookie, and, oh yes, the cat from the meeting. And, this is a first. I found this.” Savannah held up a small satin pouch with a zipper across the top.

“My coin purse!” Margaret exclaimed.

“And it’s full of money.” Savannah shook it so her aunt could hear the coins jingle.

“Hellloooo,” Max announced opening the door and peering around it into the living room.

Savannah looked up. “Oh, hi Max.”

“What’s wrong with him?” he asked after entering the room. He pointed at Rags, who was sitting next to Savannah intently staring at the treasures she held in her hands.

“I found his stash, the thieving cat. Now, it seems, he’s into stealing cash money,” she said, tossing the pouch to her aunt.

Savannah eyed the tote bags looped over Max’s arms. “Whatcha got there?”

“Dinner for two.” He winked and headed for the kitchen.

“Auntie…” Savannah scolded when he was out of sight, “you little devil. You aren’t going to be alone tonight at all. You have a dinner date.”

“Yes, Max is cooking one of his gourmet pasta dishes for us. So where are you and Michael going?”

“Who said I was going anywhere with Michael?” Savannah teased.

“Oh come off it. You’re not fooling anyone with those cow eyes you have for our veterinarian.”

Savannah dropped her coy act. “I think we’re going to an Italian place over in Straley. He says it has a great ambiance.”

Margaret was quick to respond, “Romantic. That’s what it is—romantic.”

“Whatever.” Savannah sloughed off her comment. “Just don’t feel you have to wait up for us, okay?”

“Well, don’t you be coming home too early, either,” Margaret teased.

“Maybe you should hang a scarf on the doorknob if you want privacy.”

“Huh?”

“Oh nothing. That’s what we used to do in college. If a roommate had a guest and didn’t want to be interrupted, we would…”

“Knock, knock!”

“It’s Michael. See you later, Auntie,” Savannah said as she grabbed her purse and coat and rushed toward the door.

“Savannah,” Margaret called out.

“What?” She turned toward her aunt, who pointed down at her niece’s bare feet.

“Don’t you think you should wear shoes?”

***

“So, have you and Maggie been staying out of trouble?” Michael asked after they had driven a few blocks from the Forster place.

Savannah smiled. “What do you think? You know my aunt.”

“I’m afraid so. She is a feisty one—great gal. One of my favorite people.” He reached down and took Savannah’s hand. “But I have a new favorite now,” he said smiling over at her. “I’ve been wondering all day where you’ve been all my life.”

Savannah became instantly aware of her heart beating in her chest. She felt a tidal wave of emotion.
Oh dear God, I have to get a grip. I’m not a giddy teenager. So why do I feel so vulnerable when I’m near him?
She took in the vision of his hand on hers.
I hope he can’t feel me trembling at his very touch.
She glanced up at his perfect face. He was smiling.

“Well?” he said.

“Well, what?” she managed through the lump in her throat.

He lifted her hand to his lips and gently kissed it, taking his eyes off the road for a quick glimpse of the woman who sat next to him. “I said, where have you been all my life?”

Savannah shifted a little in her seat. “Michael, do you believe in fate?”

“As a matter of fact, I’m a firm believer in fate, destiny…whatever you want to call it. Things happen for a reason and there is a reason why you and I have been brought together. Don’t you think so?” He gave her hand a gentle squeeze and glanced over at her again.

“Yes, I do. So your question about where I’ve been all your life is not relevant, is it?” she asked.

“Nope!” he agreed. “I’m just a little sad to think that you were on this earth all this time and out of my reach. Just imagine what it would be like if we’d met years ago.”

“I believe that if we had met years ago, there may never have been this moment. Don’t you think?” She massaged his hand with her thumb.

He shook his head from side to side slowly. “You’re absolutely right,” he said. “We had to go through stuff before we were ready to meet one another. And now…” he took a deep breath.

“And now…what?” Savannah asked, still staring intently at Michael.

“And now, we’ve come together…as if it was meant to be.”

They rode in silence for a while, holding hands and listening to Tim McGraw sing “It’s Your Love” on the car radio. When the song ended, Savannah looked over and asked, “How’s the little cat doing?”

“Great.” Michael’s voice caught. He cleared his throat and said, “She’s coming along just fine. Scarlett may adopt her. She just lost her cat Buddy and she’s grown rather fond of our latest project.”

“Cool. Every cat should have a home. My heart just breaks for…” she started.

He squeezed her hand. “I know. I know.”

And she knew he did.

Soon they arrived at Sapori D’Italia. Michael parked Savannah’s red Honda in the lot behind the restaurant and promptly unfastened his seatbelt. He then released Savannah’s, pulled her to him and slid the fingers of his left hand slowly down the side of her face. She lowered her eyes.
Surely, he feels me trembling at his touch.
She looked up at him as he gently lifted her chin. She could feel his breath on her mouth, closer and closer, until their lips met in a soft, sweet kiss.

Michael pulled back and stared at Savannah.
Can she see the pure passion I feel for her in my face?
He groaned and kissed her again, gently. She kissed him back.

Taking a deep breath, he leaned back, took the keys out of the ignition and said, “We’d better go in before…”

“I agree,” Savannah said, pulling her coat around her, covering the little black dress she always packed when traveling…just in case. Tonight, she had used pearls to accent the daring neckline and wore her favorite designer heels.

Once inside the luxurious restaurant, Michael helped her remove her coat. “You look amazing,” he whispered into her hair.

She smiled over at him, noticing that they were almost on equal ground height-wise when she wore her stiletto heels and marveling at how handsome he was in his blue dress shirt and soft grey blazer.

***

“I had such a nice time, Michael. And thank you for dinner. It was excellent!” Savannah said as Michael pulled into the Forster driveway. “But I pay next time, okay?”

“Probably not,” he responded as he opened the car door for her. “We’re using your car and your gas, remember?”

“Well, that’s only because you’re ashamed to take a lady on a date in your veterinary truck,” she reminded him.

Once Savannah stepped out of the car, he took hold of her arm and gently pulled her around to face him. Running his hands inside her coat, he placed them around her waist. He looked into her eyes and said, “You are beautiful in the moonlight.” She moved closer until they were kissing—softly, at first and then hard and passionate.

My God, I’ve got to control myself,
he thought and he pulled back. Savannah stared into his face, lips parted, breathing hard. She ran her right hand up his arm and placed it on the back of his neck, pulling him to her again for another passionate kiss.

Suddenly, he pulled away. He looked intently at Savannah and then embraced her. His voice was hushed and husky, “Savannah, I’m falling in love with you. I want you.”

She could feel the warmth of his breath on her neck. “Yes, Michael,” she whispered, “I want you, too—more than I can say.” She pushed him away, looked into his eyes and continued, “But let’s not rush it.” She took his hand. “I want us to know each other before…well, before we…”