The Super Spies and the Cat Lady Killer (5 page)

“Klonsky, just stick to the case,” Officer Wilson said.

Klonsky ignored his partner and continued to stare at Sarah. “Answer the question.”

Sarah gulped and shrank in her seat. She felt Klonsky's
piercing gaze
. Dropping her eyes, she studied the floor. Slouching further down in her chair, Sarah knew she appeared guilty, but she didn't care. Escape from those probing eyes was the only thing on her mind.

“Come on, you're acting like these girls are suspects,” Wilson said.

“We found them at the crime scene,” Klonsky retorted. He didn't take his eyes off Sarah.

Wilson spun in his seat and stared at Klonsky. “Yes, but they didn't have any weapons on them.”

“One of the girls had blood on her.”

“You can't seriously believe these girls murdered Mrs. Fedewa,” Uncle Walt said.

Sarah noticed her uncle sat straight up in his seat, his body rigid with anger.

“Why not?”

“Klonsky, the girl didn't have enough blood on her to be considered a suspect.” Wilson shook his head. “You know that, you've been on the force for ten years.”

He seemed disgusted with Klonsky's belligerent attitude, and Sarah felt a glimmer of hope.

“That's right, ten years. You're just a rookie.”

“Even a rookie knows there wasn't enough blood on her clothes. These girls are not suspects.” Officer Wilson made eye contact with her uncle and shook his head again.

Sarah watched as Uncle Walt relaxed back in his chair, keeping his arm around her.

“What stories have you heard about the deceased?” Klonsky asked, as he once again captured Sarah in his unwavering stare. She could tell he wanted to ask more forceful questions, but his partner's presence kept him in check.

“You know, she was a witch. All the kids were scared of her.”

Klonsky shifted in his seat. “So, you were never involved in an altercation with the deceased?”

“Altercation?” Sarah squirmed
and chewed her thumbnail.

“A fight, or a disagreement.”

Sarah shook her head. “No.”

“Why did you run into the basement when you saw us coming?”

Sarah put her hand back in her lap. “We just got scared.”

“Scared?”

“Yeah, we heard the sirens, and they freaked us out, so we hid.”

“You hid because you murdered her!” Klonsky attacked.

“All right! That's enough!” her uncle stood, and placed his hands square on the table between Klonsky and Sarah. His face inches from Klonsky's.

“Yeah, Klon
s
k
y, you're out of line. Take a break. I'll finish up the questions here.” Wilson placed his hands on Klonsky's chest and pushed him back.

Klonsky stood and glared at Sarah. “These girls murdered Mrs. Fedewa.”

“I said out,” Wilson stood and pushed him toward the door. After Klonsky left, he shut the door and sat back down. “Sorry about that. He's just a little riled up. Let's finish these questions, and we'll get you out of here.”

“Okay,” Sarah said. She tried to smile but her lips wouldn't work.

“How did Lacey get blood on her?”

“She tripped and fell, and put her hand in the blood, then wiped it on her shirt.”

“That's the only place you girls have blood on you?” Wilson asked.

“Yeah, see?” Sarah stood and held out her hands, twirling slowly for the detective. “No blood.”

Officer Wilson nodded.

“Officer Wilson?” Sarah asked as she sat back down.

“Yes.”

She leaned forward. “I think the Cat Lady knew her killer.”

“Why do you think that?”

“Because, she had all these newspapers in her living room, and they were in neat piles.”

“Yeah, that's true. But I don't see what that has to do with the crime.”

“Don't you think the place would be a mess if she were fighting for her life? I think she knew the killer and let him in.” Sarah sat up straight and squared her shoulders.

Officer Wilson stared at her. “I'm impressed. You might be right. You'd make a good detective.”

Sarah beamed at the compliment, her lips working this time. “Thank you.”

“Well, you're very observant. That's a requirement to be a good detective.”

Sarah felt her face flush. “I want to be a detective.”

“Maybe you will.” He winked at her. “All right, I'm going to check on the other girls.” Wilson stood. He walked toward the door and then stopped with his hand on the doorknob. “By the way, are you Mr. Bennett, the science teacher?”

“Yes I am.” Sarah's uncle stood and held out his hand for Officer Wilson to shake.

“My son had you for biology. He spoke very highly of you. He enjoyed your class.”

“I'm glad to hear it. It's always encouraging when a student gets something out of my class.”

“I'll go check on the other girls. I'll be back in a few minutes.” Officer Wilson walked out the door.

“Aunt June with Lacey?” Sarah asked, fidgeting in her chair.

“Yeah.” Her uncle nodded. He squeezed her hand. “This is one heck of a way to spend your summer vacation.”

“Tell me about it.” Sarah laughed, and some of the tension left her body. “Riding in a police car is not my idea of fun.”

“This is almost over.”

“Good.”

Uncle Walt sighed and leaned back in his chair. He ran his hands through his hair in an attempt to tame it. “I'm glad I don't have to call your dad and tell him you and Lacey were arrested.”

Sarah chuckled. “I am too.” She knew her parents would be furious with her. “We don't have to tell them about this do we?”

Her uncle laughed, and Sarah saw his blue eyes twinkle with understanding.

“We'll see.”

Sarah gave him a smile. She liked her Uncle Walt. He was easy going and didn't have a huge hang-up about rules.

They sat in silence waiting for Officer Wilson to come back.

Sarah took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “How much longer is this going to take?” Her stomach gurgled with hunger, and she felt pressure from her bladder.
I need to find a bathroom.

“Not much longer.”

“Uncle Walt?”

“Hmmm?”

“Have you ever seen a dead body before?”

“Yes, at the funeral home when Grandpa Joe died.” He raised his eyebrow and studied her. “Why do you ask?”

Sarah shrugged. “I just wondered.” She cupped her hands on the table and placed her chin in them.

“Yeah?”

“It was so gross. All that blood everywhere.”

“Yes, I suppose it was. I'm sure Grandpa Joe didn't look anything like the Cat Lady did.”

“I feel sorry for her, you know, the Cat Lady.”

“Yeah, I do too.” He paused, thinking. “Hey, when Lacey put her hand in the blood was it wet?”

Sarah thought for a second. “Yeah, otherwise she wouldn't have wiped it on her shirt. Why?”

“I'm just thinking about the time of death, that's all.”

“What do you mean?” Sarah turned and gazed at her uncle.

“Well, I was just wondering how long Mrs. Fedewa had been lying there. Since it's hot and humid, it takes longer for the blood to dry. So she could've laid there for a couple of hours. So that would make her time of death early this morning.”

“Hmmm…how do you know this?” Sarah asked, sitting up straight.

“I was studying to be a doctor when I met your aunt. I knew I was going to marry her on our first date.” He paused and beamed at the memory. “After that, being a doctor just didn't seem important anymore, so I became a teacher instead.”

“Wow, I didn't know that.”

“Yeah, one of my classes was forensic science when I was pre-med. I've always been interested in that kind of thing.”

“Oh.”

“You girls probably found Mrs. Fedewa just hours after she was murdered.”

Sarah stared at her uncle. “For real?”

Uncle Walt nodded. “Yeah.”

“You know, all the kids thought she was a witch.”

“No kidding?”

“Yeah, I mean, she was kind of weird.”

“Weird is a far cry from being a witch, don't you think?”

Sarah
rested her head on her clasped hands. “Yeah, I guess. I just can't figure out why anyone would want to murder her.”

“I don't know either.”

Sarah raised her head. “Do you think someone murdered her because they thought she was a witch?”

Her uncle patted Sarah's arm. “There's more to Mrs. Fedewa than the crazy rumors you've heard around town.”

“Like what?”

“Well, she wasn't always weird. In fact, she was one of the richest ladies in town.”

“For real?” Sarah raised her eyebrows and gaped at her uncle. “Man, you should have seen her house. It was piled high with newspapers all over the place. Are you sure she was rich?”

“Yep.”

“You couldn't tell by the way she lived. Why in the world would anyone want to live like that?”

“A very good question.” He pursed his lips and tapped the end of Sarah's nose.

“It's kind of freaky.”

“I think this is a good opportunity for you.”

“A good opportunity?”

“Yes, to do some investigating.”

“Yeah, but where do I start?”

“I would start by finding out as much as I could about the Cat Lady,” her uncle cracked a smile. “You might be surprised by what you find.”

Sarah gave her uncle a wide grin. “Okay.”

“But use your head. I don't want you kids taking unnecessary risks.”

The door opened and Officer Wilson walked in, stopping any further conversation.

“Well, it looks like your stories check out,” Wilson said.

“What does that mean?” Uncle Walt asked.

“All three girls told the same story. So we're satisfied they're telling the truth.”

“Great, we can go, right?” Sarah tried to stand, but the skin on the back of her legs stuck to the chair.

“Not exactly.”

“What do you mean?” her uncle asked.

“We have to get elimination prints from the girls.”

“Elimination prints?”

“We need to get their fingerprints, so we can eliminate them from any other prints we find at the crime scene.”

Sarah finally detached herself from the chair. She could see the heat residue her legs had left. It was rapidly disappearing because of the chilled room.

“Follow me please, and we can get this done quickly.” Officer Wilson opened the door and stepped out into the hall. He stopped and waited for Sarah and her uncle to follow him.

After all three girls had been printed, everyone walked down the hall toward the lobby. Sarah felt almost giddy with relief until the group happened upon Klonsky and another officer talking. As they walked by, Sarah glanced up and caught the cop's eye. He gave her a menacing stare.

“There g
o the killers right there.
” Klonsky pointed at the three girls.

Klonsky's words sent a chill down her spine.
Didn't the other officer just say we were free to go? Doesn't that mean we're in the clear? Why is this guy on our case?
These questions paraded through Sarah's mind, and her stomach churned. The strongest feeling came over her, the feeling this wasn't over by a long shot. She strained to hear the rest of the conversation.

“Y
ou're out of your mind, Klonsky.
” the second officer shook his head.

“Yeah, everything's going like clockwork for those three, but I'm going to catch them.”

Uncle Walt scowled at Klonsky. “Knock it off, or I'll issue a complaint with your superior.”

Klonsky glared at them, but kept his mouth shut. Sarah glanced down, refusing to meet his gaze. She chewed on her thumbnail as the group continued past the officers and out the door.

 

Once outside, Sarah squinted against the brilliant sunlight. Tears welled in her eyes as she pulled on her uncle's arm.
“Uncle Walt?” Sarah blinked and wiped her eyes.

“Yeah?”

“What's his problem?”

“I'm not sure.” He glanced back at the police station.

“It's like he thinks we killed the Cat Lady.” Sarah stopped and stared at her uncle.

He placed his hand on her shoulder and gave her a reassuring squeeze. “It doesn't matter what he thinks, it only matters what he can prove. He has no evidence.”

“I know, but….” Sarah gnawed on her thumbnail again.

Her uncle put his arm all the way around her and squeezed again. “Don't worry about him.”

“But he's a cop. He could do all sorts of things to make it look like it was us.” Sarah felt sick to her stomach.

“Don't worry. You're innocent.”

“Yeah,” Lacey piped up.

“Yeah, true.” Sarah glanced over her shoulder, but she didn't feel any better.

“Don't worry,” Uncle Walt said. “Harrisburg is a small town, it's not like they can manufacture evidence against you. This isn't a TV show.”

Sarah faked a smile for her uncle's benefit. “That's true. I feel better now.”

Uncle Walt cracked a wide grin and puffed up his chest.

“Can we go to Hinkle's?” Sarah asked.

“Right now?” Uncle Walt pulled back and frowned.

“Yeah.”

“After the day you've had?”

She nodded. “Yeah, I think a little ice cream would help.”

“I guess it's all right.”
He looked to Aunt June for confirmation.

Sarah glanced at her aunt and gave her a tentative smile. Aunt June resembled her mother so closely they could have been twins. They had the same blonde hair and green eyes. Both women shared the same worry line between their eyebrows. It was creased now because of their recent tangle with the law.

She gave Sarah a smile and relaxed. The crease disappeared. “Just be home before dark.”

“Okay.”

“I'm going home. I ne
ed to disinfect,” Lacey sniffed
.

“Do you need some money?” her uncle asked.

“Yeah.”

He pulled out his wallet and handed Sarah a five. “Have fun.”

Sarah hurried over to Jackie. “Hey, how about Hinkle's?”

“Absolutely,” Jackie gave her mom her best Vanna White smile. “Mom, we're going to Hinkle's.”

“I don't know.” Jackie's mom hesitated. “You've had a horrendous day.”

Jackie nodded. “I know, that's why I need some ice cream.”

“Let her go, Claire,” Jackie's dad said, winking at his daughter. “This is Harrisburg.”

“Where an old lady was just murdered,” Jackie's mother said dryly.

“Please….” Jackie whined. She gazed at her mother with pleading eyes, and clasped her hands together as if she were praying.

“Please….” Sarah copied Jackie's stance and beseeching expression.

Her mother sighed. “All right, just be home before dark.”

The girls smirked at each other.

“Let's go,” Sarah said.

Hinkle's stood on the corner of Main and Church, just two blocks from the police station. Cars drove up and down the street, the drivers honking and waving to people they knew. Main Street was considered the main drag to the teenagers of Harrisburg, and they called this “cruising the gut.”

According to Jackie, “cruising” was the favorite pastime of the teens of this tiny burg, those that could drive anyway. It was considered a rite of passage, and Jackie couldn't wait to get her license. She had talked about it last night when she walked Sarah home. Sarah watched the cars go by, shaking her head.
She didn't see much point in “cruising.” The cars just went around the same city blocks for what seemed like hours. What was the point?

Sighing, her mind returned to the events of the day. “I'm so glad we weren't arrested.”

“I know,” Jackie said, dippin
g her head in Sarah's direction
. She skipped ahead, and then turned to face Sarah. She walked backward as she spoke. “Do you realize we have a murder mystery right here in Harrisburg?”

Sarah nodded. “You got that right.”

Jackie stopped and mused. “A major mystery in our small town.”

“I thought you said nothing interesting ever happens here.”

“It didn't until now,” Jackie cracked a wide smile. “I wonder who killed the Cat Lady?”

“Klonsky thinks we did it.” Sarah's stomach fluttered and she chewed on her nail again.

“I know.”
Jackie started her backward walk again.

“We've got to find the real killer before Klonsky pins this on us.”

“You think so?” Jackie's eyes widened. “Why would he do that?” She stopped walking and stared at Sarah.

Sarah paused and gazed at her new friend. “I don't know. All I know is that he thinks we did it, and he's a cop.”

The two girls stared at each other. Sarah saw confusion flickering in Jackie's eyes. A car honked its horn, and Sarah watched as her friend gave the driver a half-hearted wave, never taking her focus from Sarah.

“He doesn't have any evidence,” Jackie said.

“Well, he could make it look like it was us even when it wasn't.”

“Why would he do that?”

“I don't know, but everyone would believe him because he's a cop.”

Jackie shot Sarah a skeptical look. “Are you serious, girlfriend?”

“Totally, I read about it all the time in my True Crime books. The cops go after some innocent bystander. It happens all the time.”

“But we're just teenagers,” Jackie protested, pulling on one of her curls. “Who would believe him?”

“He's a cop. Everyone's going to believe him. Plus, Lacey and I don't live here. No one knows us.”

Sarah saw Jackie's nostrils flare, and her eyes widened as her words hit home.

“What are we going to do?” Jackie gulped as tears filled her eyes.

“We have to find the killer ourselves.”

“You're right, girlfriend.” Jackie wiped her eyes, and then closed the gap between them. She gave Sarah a squeeze before the girls continued their walk.

They arrived at the restaurant, and Sarah relaxed when she opened the door. It was a cheery place where all the townies gathered together to gossip and exchange family news. Hinkle's was Harrisburg's official hangout. On the walls hung Christmas lights year round and humorous plaques that brought chuckles to the patrons while they waited for their meals. As the girls walked through the door, one of these plaques caught Sarah's eye.
In life, it's not who you know that's important, it's how your parents found out.
She laughed and felt a little better, as the cold blast from the restaurant's air conditioning raised goose bumps on her skin.

“I've got to use the bathroom,” Sarah said, rubbing her arms.

“Didn't want to use the one at the police station?” Jackie gave her a playful nudge.

“No way! I wanted to get the heck out of there.”

The girls cracked up laughing. Now that the ordeal was over, they could laugh about it.

“I'll grab a booth,” Jackie said as she turned and stopped at the hostess stand.

Sarah nodded and walked
to the restroom. She glanced into the restaurant before going through the door and noticed the place wasn't busy. It was early afternoon, and the dinner rush hadn't begun yet. The hostess seated Jackie by a window. Sarah made a mental note of this, before walking through the door.

A few minutes later, Sarah slid into the booth. “We need to come up with a name.”

“A name?” Jackie glanced up from her menu.

“Yeah, if we're going to be detectives. We have to have a name.”

“We're going to be detectives?” Jackie dropped her menu and stared at Sarah with a perplexed expression.

“Yep.”

“Why do you want to be a detective?”

“So we can find out who killed the Cat Lady.” Sarah grabbed her menu and opened it, then laid it on the table.

“How about the Fashionistas?”

Sarah groaned.

“What? You don't like that name?” Jackie asked.

“Not everyone's into fashion like you are.”

“What? I don't believe it.”

“Believe it,” Sarah giggled.

“What could be more important than being a Fashionista? I'm going to be a model, you know.” Jackie flashed Sarah a smile.

“I know. Models are fashionable, but detectives keep a low profile.” Sarah smirked.

“How about the Shopaholics?”

Sarah shook her head. “No, it has to be something about detectives.”

“Girlfriend, you're way too serious.”

Sarah rolled her eyes. “Let's focus on a name.”

“How about the Crime Stoppers?”

“No, that sounds like a TV show or something. Besides, it's too late to stop the crime.”

The conversation paused when the waitress came to take their order. Each girl ordered a super-size chocolate malt. Hinkle's was famous for their thick malts, and Sarah's stomach rumbled with anticipation.
Hmm
, Sarah thought,
super-size. Super Spies.
When the waitress disappeared to fill the order, the girls leaned forward to continue their conversation.

“I know, how about The Super Spies?” Sarah asked.

“Hmm, I like it,” Jackie said.

“Me too. It has a nice ring to it.”

“It's like we're super heroes.”

“I'm so not wearing a cape.” Sarah frowned and shook her head.

Jackie laughed. “Why not? Capes are fashionable.” She raised her straw and twirled it in the air.

“Detectives, not Fashionistas, remember?”

“It doesn't mean we can't be fashionable while we're being detectives,” Jackie said, giving Sarah her Vanna White smile.

“The capes are out,” Sarah said, with mock severity.

“Oh, come on.”

“No, the discussion is closed.”

“Party-pooper.”

Their waitress returned with two huge malts. Sarah held her malt up in the air. Jackie followed suit. The girls raised their glasses together for a toast. Smiling at the sound of the muffled clink of their glasses, Sarah's body tingled with anticipation.

“To the Super Spies,” Jackie crowed.

“To the Super Spies, without capes.”

Jackie gave Sarah an exaggerated frown and then sipped her malt.

Hinkle's began filling with people, and it soon buzzed with conversation. The dinner rush had begun.
Scents of cooking food wafted past Sarah's nose, and a grin spread across her face as she inhaled the delicious smells. Sounds of clattering plates and scraping silverware increased within seconds. Sarah welcomed the noise. They were less likely to be overheard.

“You know, I have a theory,” Sarah leaned forward and whispered.

“Hmmm…What is it?”

“I think the Cat Lady knew her killer.”

“Why do you think that?” Jackie asked, leaning forward also.

Sarah saw the glimmer of curiosity in her eyes. “You saw her house. All those stacks of papers.”

“Yeah?”

“Don't you think if she were fighting for her life all those papers would be messed up?”

“Maybe.”

“Oh, come on, Jack…You think the killer was concerned about being tidy?”

“Probably not,” Jackie agreed. “But still, it doesn't mean she knew her killer.”

Sarah raised her eyebrow and smirked at her. “Come on, Jackie!”

“How does it prove she knew her killer? Enlighten me. Bestow upon me your superior wisdom.” Jackie pretended to gag on her words.

“I guess I'm going to have to teach you about the powers of deduction.” Sarah sat up in her seat and pursed her lips.

Jackie cocked her head and smirked at her. “Apparently.”

“Okay, first of all, the Cat Lady was a hermit, right?” Sarah held up her index finger.

“Right.”

“Second of all, she never opens her door for anyone.” Sarah held up two fingers.

“Right.”

“Third, there was no sign of a break in, and the place wasn't messed up.” Sarah held up three fingers.