Claws for a Cause (A Klepto Cat Mystery Book 15) (7 page)

Savannah looked puzzled. “What?”

“Well, I need to know, but I don’t really want to know.” She slumped. “Dang, Savannah, maybe Damon’s right. I may not be equipped to give my brother the kind of help he needs. If I can’t face Harrison’s demons, how can I expect him to?”

****

“Are we all packed?” Michael asked Savannah as she scurried around the kitchen the following evening, setting out the cats’ and dog’s food for her aunt and Colbi, who would both be feeding the animals while they were gone. “Got cash for the trip, batteries for your camera, Lily’s favorite toys?”

“Yes, I’m pretty sure I have everything. The list is there on the buffet; take a look and see if I’ve forgotten anything. I packed three pair of your board shorts, your extra pair of flip-flops, five tees, a couple of tank tops…”

“Khaki slacks and button-up shirt?” Michael read from the list. “Why do I need those? I thought we were going to be beach bums and bumettes.”

“Bumettes?” she repeated laughing.

“Yeah, that’s lady bums.”

“Well, Michael, we’re invited to a luau one evening. You might want to dress up a little. I’m taking dresses. I plan to buy you a Hawaiian shirt once we get there.”

“Okay. Whatever you say I need, I guess that’s what I need. Good job, hon.” Motioning with his head, he said, “There goes your phone. Are you expecting a call?”

“Maybe,” she said, reaching for her cell. “Oh, hi Colbi. How are you?” Lowering her voice she asked, “Is your brother back? What did you find out—I mean about the stuff the cats found?”

“He was mad as hell when he saw I had it. Didn’t believe the cats found it. He thought I’d been snooping. I told him that if he didn’t have anything to hide, he shouldn’t care if I snooped.”

“What did he say?”

“He couldn’t see the reasoning in that. Savannah, he’s from such a different world than I am; you wouldn’t even know we were siblings.”

“So did he explain the stuff? What did he tell you about it?”

“He said it’s medicinal—you know, medicinal marijuana—and he takes it for pain from an old injury.”

Savannah didn’t respond for a moment. She then asked, “Do you believe him?”

“Well, he told me a long story about how he’d been in a car accident and was in the hospital for a long time. That’s why he couldn’t work and ended up homeless. It wasn’t because of drugs. When he was suffering a lot of pain, someone introduced him to medicinal marijuana. He said that was the only thing that helped and he started using it daily.”

“So why didn’t he get a job, then—I mean, once he was feeling better?”

“Savannah, I got the distinct impression he was making up the story as he went along. At one point, he said he was looking for a job every day, but it’s hard when you live on the streets and don’t have an address or clothes or a way to clean up for the job search.”

“Sounds logical.”

“Yes, to a degree. But there were other excuses, too. Dig this Savannah—he said he couldn’t get a job because he didn’t have an alarm clock. He had a job once and he knew a guy in his encampment with a wind-up alarm clock. But when the guy moved and took the clock, Harrison started arriving late to work and got fired. It sounds to me like just a bunch of excuses.”

“So you don’t believe him?” Savannah asked.

“Well, I’ve been around enough homeless people in my job as a reporter and I must say, I’ve heard most of their excuses. So has Damon—well, he’s even lived the life—so he’s way more in tune with the mentality and way more skeptical about Harrison than I am.”

Savannah let out a deep sigh. “So what are you going to do, Colbi?”

“Damon wants me to kick Harrison out now—no apologies or explanations—just send him on his way until he’s clean and working steady. But that seems so heartless. I mean, how’s he going to change his life if someone doesn’t give him a break? I’m not sure what to do. Medicinal marijuana is certainly different from street marijuana—I mean, at least he has a reason to use it. And I guess if he’s getting it legally, he can’t be arrested for having it. Damon says he can’t have more than eight ounces to be legal and what Rags found in Harrison’s room was more than twice that much. But if he needs it, he needs it, right?”

After an awkward silence, Savannah said, “It sounds like you’ve talked yourself into giving Harrison the benefit of the doubt.”

“Savannah, you knew my brother once. What was he like then? Do you think I’m making a mistake by helping him?”

Savannah paused, then said, quietly, “That was a long time ago, Colbi. We were both young and frankly, we did more partying than dating—saw each other at beach parties and mountain parties. It was all rather superficial, if you know what I mean. He has probably changed in many ways. Besides, you have a much different relationship with him than I did. He’s your flesh and blood, after all.”

“Yes, my only living relative…well, except for maybe some kin in Phoenix.”

“Really? When did you find out about relatives in Phoenix? Who are they, do you know?”

“Well, Harrison mentioned them the other night. Mother was an only child and so was her mother. Her father had a sister, but I guess she never married. Now, Dad had a brother, but he told me he died young. Harrison said that was a lie. He overheard Mom and Dad talking once and said that Dad was ranting about his no-good, conniving older brother and wondered if his kids were as no-good as he was. Harrison remembered this, and last year, he took one of his computer-savvy friends to the library and asked him to check on the name. He actually located our uncle’s obituary, which said he was survived by two children, who would be about eight years older than us. Roberta Stanton Friedman is divorced with two teenagers and Klint Stanton never married. I think Harrison planned to hit them up for a place to stay if he couldn’t find me or if I wouldn’t take him in.”

“Gosh, that must be a shock—to learn you have family you didn’t know about. Are you going to contact them?”

“I might.”

“What do they do, do you know?”

“Evidently, she’s some bigwig at a local farm bureau and runs a small ranch, where she breeds and boards horses. He follows the carnival circuit and travels most of the time.”

“Carnival?”

“Yeah, can you believe it?”

“Well, Colbi, about your brother—maybe doing nothing right now is the best thing to do. Let your brother prove himself. Give him more time as long as he’s not costing you money or causing you heartache. Hey, it might be a good idea to draw up a contract with him. Do you think he’d go along with that? Have him sign something saying he’s welcome to stay until a certain date, but if he’s doing illegal drugs or there’s any criminal activity, he’ll be evicted. If he doesn’t leave, you have something in writing—a contract that should hold up in court. Do you think he’d sign something like that? It would be a good way to find out if he’s serious about changing and if he’s being truthful with you.”

“Hmmm, that may be a good idea, and it might actually put Damon’s mind at ease, too. Yes, I’ll think about that. Thank you, Savannah.”

“You’re welcome. Yawwwn. Hey, three thirty comes early; I’d better get ready for bed.”

“Oh yes, you’re leaving in the morning. Hey, have a wonderful time. And Savannah, thank you so much for letting me bounce this stuff off you. I really don’t have anyone else I can talk to about it…well, except Iris, and I don’t want to discuss Damon’s and my private differences with his mother.”

“Yeah, not a good idea. You’re welcome, kiddo. Take care and do call me if you need to talk. I should be able to get service on the island.”

“
Aloha
,” Colbi said, chuckling.

Savannah sounded a bit giddy when she responded, “Yes,
aloha
.”

****

Late the following afternoon, the photographers from Hammond landed in Honolulu.

“She did pretty well,” Shelly said, referring to Lily, who was asleep in Michael’s arms.

“Yes, she did,” Savannah said, brushing a wisp of hair from the baby’s face as they approached the luggage carousel. “Hey, there’s her stroller,” she said, quickly retrieving it.

“Good,” Michael said. “Let’s put her in it, then I can grab the luggage. Gladys, why don’t you stand back with Lily? Here, let’s strap her in. Now stay with her, Gladys. Savannah and I’ll get the luggage.”

“Yes, sir,” Gladys said, grinning a little at her son-in-law’s overly protective behavior.

Savannah watched as her mother wheeled Lily away. She then turned to face the carousel and quickly motioned toward a red suitcase. “That one’s mine, Michael.”

“Are you sure?” he asked. “There’s another one just like it.”

“Yeah, but it doesn’t have a pink-and-purple yarn pom-pom on it.”

“Okay,” he said, hefting the bag off the moving carousel and placing it next to Savannah.

She checked the name tag. “Yup, it’s ours.” She pointed. “I’m pretty sure that’s Mom’s. See that black one with the red strap around it?”

Once Michael had pulled it off the carousel, Savannah turned to her mother for her reaction.

Gladys nodded.

“There are two more, Michael—the one with the baby’s things and yours. Do you remember what yours looks like?”

“I thought I did until I saw all these others. Now I’m confused. It has a blue-and-green flowery pattern, doesn’t it?”

“Yeah.” She showed him a picture she’d taken on her phone. “See, this is it.”

“Oh,” he said, “good thinking.”

“I lost a piece of luggage once,” she explained, “so I’m probably more cautious than most people. Not that a picture would have done much good in that situation. I think someone just stole it. I lagged getting to the carousel; stopped for a cup of mocha. When I arrived, my bag was gone. Someone got off with my ski outfit and I had to buy all new stuff at the resort. That set me back a small fortune. Would have been better off if I’d just hung out in the lodge all weekend.”

Michael looked into his wife’s eyes. “I’m glad you didn’t do that.”

She frowned. “Why?”

“You might have met a handsome ski instructor and I would have missed out on getting to marry you.”

She grinned. “Yeah, might have.” Then pointing, she said, “There’s Lily’s bag—that big one. And yours is right next to it. I’ll grab the smaller one.”

“How long are you staying?” Shelly asked, grinning when she saw the load of luggage surrounding the Iveys.

“I guess you don’t know how much stuff it takes to travel with a baby,” Savannah said good-naturedly. “We had to bring some of her favorite toys, her sippy cup…Her suitcase is mostly filled with diapers.”

“Oh yes, they would take up a lot of room.” Shelly then said, “I think everyone has their bags; our bus is just outside that door. Ready to go?”

“Lead the way,” Michael said, pushing an overloaded luggage cart toward the exit.

“Just smell it, Michael,” Savannah said as they stepped outside. “There’s a perfumey aroma. I love it. And the air—it feels like it’s caressing my skin.”

“That fragrance is plumeria,” Shelly said. “Isn’t it wonderful? Oh look, there’s a woman selling plumeria leis.” She grabbed Savannah’s arm in excitement. “Let’s get one, shall we?”

“You just stepped foot on island soil and already you’re opening your wallets?” Michael joked. “The natives will love seeing you two coming.”

Savannah and Shelly laughed while digging out money for the leis. When they returned to where Gladys watched Michael and another man load their luggage onto the bus, Savannah said, “
Aloha
, Mom,” as she placed a fresh plumeria lei over her head.

Gladys closed her eyes and took in the scent. “It’s lovely. Thank you, Vannie.”

“Sure. Looks beautiful on you. Don’t you just love the way the flowers feel against your skin,” she said swooning a little. Once they were seated on the shuttle bus, Savannah said, “You’ve been here before, haven’t you, Mom?”

“Yes, your father and I came for our fifteenth wedding anniversary.” Her smile turned sour for a moment when she added, “Against my better judgment, I left you girls with your Aunt Margaret.”

“Why against your better judgment, Gladys?” Michael asked looking concerned. “Are you saying we’re taking a risk when we leave Lily with Maggie?”

“Oh no. But she was a bit of an irresponsible, wild-and-crazy hippie in those days. I wasn’t sure what I’d find when we returned.”

“And what did you find?” Michael asked, smiling, “Tattoos all over their bodies, was Savannah arrested at a love-in?”

“No,” Gladys said. “As far as I know nothing monumental happened. Maggie returned my two sweet daughters to me.”

“Savannah, are you smirking?” Shelly asked from across the aisle.

“Ohhh, what mischief did you and Brianna get into?” Michael asked in a teasing manner.

“Nothing,” Savannah said innocently. She then pointed. “Oh, look at that view. Where’s my camera?”

“Honey,” Gladys said, gazing out over the ocean, “there’s no hurry to take that picture—no hurry at all. That’s the view you’ll see the whole time you’re here.”

“You may even see this out your hotel room window,” Shelly said. “I understand most of us have an ocean view.”

Savannah giggled. “I’m so excited. This is going to be so much fun. Just imagine—five days in paradise.”

Michael smiled and squeezed her hand.

****

“Breakfast in the Orchid Room,” Savannah announced the next morning while studying the itinerary she’d found slipped under their hotel room door. “After we eat, we’re going to walk along Waikiki Beach for a photo shoot and a brief workshop on using shade and light. Rebecca told me on the bus last night that the contrast is so great here on a sunny day that, in order to get better pictures, we must learn to compensate. Otherwise our pictures might be too light—washed out.”

“I think I’ll take the point-and-shoot,” Michael said, digging in his suitcase for the camera. “Don’t want to be left out of things.”

“Oh, you just want a reason to ogle the bikini-clad beauties on the beach, right?”

Michael winked, then said in a serious tone, “No, I’m interested in taking action shots. I’m hoping to find a hot game of beach volleyball.”

“Really?” Savannah tilted her head, her blond ponytail brushing over one shoulder.