A MEOWvelous Witness (Klepto Cat Mystery Book 17) (9 page)

Before he could finish, Savannah said, “How are we going to tell Colbi? She’s been so upset as it is, worried about the wedding…her health…”

“Her health? What’s wrong?” Margaret asked.

“Oh, she thinks she has some horrible disease. She’s been researching symptoms on the Internet and she believes she’s at death’s door. We coerced her into making an appointment with her doctor, but she has herself practically worried sick. Now to lose Dolly…her baby… Oh, Auntie, this will devastate her. You know how much she loved that cat.”

“I agree with Michael,” Max said. “Maggie doesn’t know for sure what happened to the cats.”

Savannah looked at him and then at Michael. “So you think there’s a possibility they escaped?”

“Wouldn’t that be wonderful?” Margaret said. She frowned. “But I can’t imagine…”

“Well, why not imagine?” Max said. “Let’s hope with everything we’ve got that they’re okay.” When Adam looked up at him through watery eyes, Max said gently, “It worked for bringing your Aunt Maggie home.”

Savannah took a deep breath. “I’ll try.” She glanced at Adam. “That’s all I can say. I’ll try.” She wiped at her eyes with a tissue. “What do you guys think? Should I call Colbi or…?”

“Why don’t you wait until morning,” Max suggested.

“But we should tell her that Auntie’s safe.” She patted her aunt’s hand. “She and Iris were worried sick about you, too. I’d better call them.” She looked at her aunt and Max. “You know, we should get Lily to bed. I’ll make the calls from home.” Hugging Margaret, she said with a lump in her throat, “I’m so glad you’re safe.” She pulled back. “Sorry about your car, though. Will you get another one?”

“I wish,” she said in a snarly tone. “I was babying it along because I heard they were no longer making the Liberty. I hoped I’d get to drive it for another several years. Damn, it makes me so mad!”

“Yeah, Maggie, you’ll have to get a brand-new car with the insurance money. That’s really a sad state of affairs,” Michael said, teasing her.

Her face brightened. “Or I could get a used Liberty, if there’s anyone stupid enough to sell theirs.”

****

A few hours later, the Ivey household was quiet. Michael squeezed Savannah’s hand as they sat together on the sofa. “How’s Colbi?” he asked softly.

“Just as I thought—devastated, angry, sad. Dolly was her baby.”

“Hon, let’s not talk about Dolly and Rags in the past tense, shall we? You know he’s come back from some grave situations before. They could have escaped from the car. That couple might still have the cats with them, for all we know.”

“It’s a huge question mark isn’t it, Michael?” She gritted her teeth. “I hate, hate, hate this! Not knowing is so hard. But the reality is, if they aren’t with that couple, even if they made it out of the car, how would those two survive in the wild?”

Michael squeezed her to him. “I can’t believe you’re ready to just let him go.”

“I’m being realistic, Michael. Yeah, I don’t hold out much hope. Rags has lived a full life.” She choked up. “He’s been through a lot. Auntie once said he’s used up at least thirteen of his nine lives, and that was last year, before that fiasco at the cabin and…” She let out a sigh. “I guess you can’t have everything in life that you want all the time, can you?”

“Why not?” he asked, pulling her to him.

Suddenly, she stiffened. “I forgot to call Iris and let her know my aunt’s okay.”

Michael moaned. “I thought you did that.”

“No, I got involved in talking to Colbi and forgot. I’ll make it quick. Craig has probably already told her, but just in case…I know she’ll want to know.”

“Okay, if you must, but hurry back.”

She picked up her phone from the coffee table. “I don’t even have to go anywhere.” She said into the phone. “Oh hi, Iris. Just wanted to let you know my aunt’s home.”

“Yes, Craig told me. That’s such good news, Savannah. She’s okay, huh?”

“Yes, just mad as all get out.”

“And how are you?” she asked, her tone gentle. “I hear she had Rags and Dolly with her.”

“Oh, numb. I can’t believe Rags is gone.”

“Maybe he isn’t. Maybe they’ll find him. You know he’s the bounce-back cat. He’s probably out there waiting to be found.”

“Iris!” she shouted. “You just gave me an idea.”

“What? What did I do?” In a suspicious tone, she added, “Your idea doesn’t involve me, does it?”

Savannah laughed a little. “No…unless you
want
to be involved. Iris, I’m going out looking for the cats.”

There was silence on the other end of the phone, then, “Oh, Savannah, I don’t know if that’s such a good idea. Did they catch the people who carjacked Maggie?”

“I…I don’t know. Yeah, I guess I don’t want to go out there until they’re caught. Oh, Iris, he’s just got to be okay—and Dolly, too. I feel awful for Colbi.”

“Yeah, she’s pretty upset.” Her tone became even more glum when she said, “Did you know she called her Arizona relatives?”

“No, why? To invite them to the wedding?”

“No, to ask about genetic illnesses. This thing she’s convinced she has is genetic and she wanted to find out what her cousins know about it.”

“What did she learn?”

“Bad news, actually. Evidently, her lady cousin has done some genealogy and she came across a disease that sounds similar to this in their family tree. It’s passed down from the men to the women—you know, father to daughter. I haven’t talked to her much about it. I have enough of my own problems here with that lunatic ex-husband of mine creating problems.”

Savannah remained silent for a moment, then said, “Oh?”

“Yeah, Damon came to me this evening telling me his father has contacted him.”

“What does he want, a relationship with Damon?”

“More like his first-born child on a silver platter,” she scoffed. When Savannah remained quiet, Iris said, “He wants money. He claims to have documents proving he paid me monthly child support for eighteen years and that I wouldn’t let him see Damon, so he wants his sixty-five grand back. Evidently, he’s in a real hurry to get this done and he’s willing to go as low as $20,000.”

“Now that seems fishy, doesn’t it?”

“Sure does. First of all, Eugene Jackson never paid one cent in child support…ever!” Iris said. “But I guess he claims to have documents saying he did—all forged and falsified, of course. He’s traveling with a lawyer and says they’ll take us to court if we don’t pay.”

“Oh, Iris, that’s awful. Does he actually think he has a case?”

“I guess he does. Hey, kiddo, it’s late. I’m sure you’re as tired as I am. I’m glad to hear the good news about Maggie. I’ll run over and give her a hug tomorrow. Thanks for calling.”

Savannah ended the call and stared into her phone screen. “What’s wrong, Michael? Are we in some evil vortex? Is Hammond under a spell?”

“Why do you say that?”

“Auntie went missing, Rags is…maybe he’s gone and so is Dolly.” She shook her head slowly, a tear rolling down her cheek. “Damon’s father is here trying to cause trouble. Colbi thinks she has a serious illness. What more could happen?”

“Dad? Savannah?”

“Oh, Adam,” Michael said, when he saw the boy approach from the hallway. “What’s wrong, Son, can’t you sleep?”

He rubbed his eyes and shook his head. “Not without Rags. Rags always sleeps with me.” He fell into his father’s arms and quietly wept. “I miss him, Dad.”

Savannah laid against Adam’s back and stroked his head. “Yes, we all do, buddy. I’m sure he misses us, too—wherever he is.” She sat upright. “I want to go out and look for him.”

“Now?” Michael asked, frowning.

“No, tomorrow. The horses are at the Bowmans’. Michael, let’s ride out there and see if we can find the cats. Please say you’ll go with me.”

Michael let out a sigh. He looked at Adam, who waited wide-eyed for his dad’s response. “Yeah, I guess we could do that.”

“Can I go?” Adam asked excitedly. “Can I, huh? I could ride Wilson.”

Michael thinned his lips. “No, Son. How about you go over to Aunt Maggie’s and Uncle Max’s in the morning and Savannah and I’ll take the horses out and see if we can find him.”

When Adam looked disappointed, Savannah said, “We’ll go for a ride before you leave, I promise.”

“Okay, but I wanted to watch Rags ride a horse—and Dolly, too. Can Dolly ride a horse?”

She tousled his hair. “We may find out tomorrow.”

“But for tonight, let’s all go to bed, shall we?” Michael suggested.

Adam balked. “I told you, I tried, but I can’t sleep in there without Rags.”

“Would it help if I put Buffy’s bed in your room? How about if Lexie comes in and keeps you company?”

“Yeah, that would be nice—but not the same.” Adam looked pleadingly at his father. “Dad, do you think…”

“Sure, Son,” Michael said. “I’ll sleep in the other bed in your room tonight. Would that would make you feel better?”

Adam nodded. He hugged Michael. “Thanks, Dad.”

“Hey there, roommates,” Savannah greeted when Michael and Adam walked into the kitchen where she was preparing breakfast Sunday morning.

Lily sat in her chair eating fruit and bacon. “Da-da,” she squealed when she saw him.

He stroked the toddler’s hair and smiled down at her. “Hi, punkin.” He then wrapped his arms around Savannah. Pulling back, he peered into her eyes and mouthed, “I missed you.”

“Me, too,” she said. When she noticed Lily pointing excitedly at Adam and repeating something, she said to the boy, “I think she’s saying your name.”

“That’s my name?” he asked, making a face. “Doesn’t sound like it—sounds more like bacon or mad man.” He cocked his head. “Actually, that’s kind of how my other sister used to say my name when she was smaller.”

“Rose called you bacon?” Michael teased while encouraging Lily to eat her fruit.

Adam laughed.

“Or mad man,” Savannah said, also laughing.

Michael chuckled, then turned to Savannah. “Do you think your aunt will watch over both kids this morning?”

“I’ll ask. I’d better call Craig and make sure it’s clear for us to roam around out there in the hills. And I need to find out where the car burned.”

“I’ll finish feeding Lily,” he said, when he saw her approaching the toddler with scrambled eggs in her baby dish. “You go ahead and make the calls.”

“Okay,” she said, handing the bowl to him. “Your French toast and bacon are in that covered pan there, guys.” Savannah returned a few minutes later. “It’s okay for us to go up there. Craig said we’ll find the car down a canyon close to the twenty-six-mile marker. Michael, that’s not far from the Bowmans’ place.”

“Good,” he said, smiling at the baby. “Daddy won’t have to ride very far today.” More playfully, he added, “Daddy won’t get a sore…”

“Michael!” Savannah scolded.

“What?” he asked innocently.

“You know what a sponge she is—you don’t want her running around saying...”

“Saying what?” Adam asked, giggling. “Butt?”

“Yeah,” she said. “Did you hear what word your father taught her a few months ago?”

“Now Savannah,” he warned.

“What?” Adam asked, his eyes wide.

“Never mind,” Michael said.

“What, Dad? A bad word?”

“Well, not that bad. I wouldn’t wash
your
mouth out with soap for saying it.”

“What word was it?” Adam asked again.

Michael whispered, “Poop,” and Adam burst out laughing.

“Rose doesn’t even say that word. But she does say…”

“Watch it,” Savannah said.

“It’s not that bad.”

“Can you spell it?” Michael asked.

“Um, I don’t think so. I never had it on my spelling test.”

“Then let’s not say it,” Savannah suggested. She wiped Lily’s face. “I think she’s had enough—she’s starting to play with her food.” She turned to Michael. “I want to see about paying Heddy and Bob for keeping the horses. At the very least, we need to pay for their feed. I got a text from Bonnie; she said they may not be home until late tomorrow with the trailer.” She thought for a moment. “I guess we could actually ride the horses back. Maybe Shelly will help me with them tomorrow.”

“Yeah, you haven’t hung out with Shelly in a while—since we all went to Hawaii together with the photography group.”

“She’s been busy…well, so have we. It would be nice to spend some time with her. I know she’s always up for a ride.”

Michael placed a few pieces of bacon on his plate and spread some of Savannah’s apricot preserves on his French toast. “It’s just a good thing the Bowmans were close by and able to take care of the horses.” He squinted in her direction. “In fact, it’s rather serendipitous in a good way, don’t you think?”

She stared at him. “Yes. Yes it is. You’re right, the whole world isn’t caving in on us—just little pieces of it.” She took a deep breath. “Okay, I’d like to get an early start today. Auntie said we can bring the kids over anytime. Shall we shoot for nine?”

“An hour and ten minutes? Yeah, I can be ready. Son, how would you like to take your scooter over to Aunt Maggie’s? They have that big cement area around back where you can practice some of your moves—that is, after you help with the cats. I know you like to help with the shelter cats when you’re there.”

“Yes, I do. I like both. I hope there’s time to do both.”

“Well, finish your breakfast, then go get cleaned up and gather your stuff.” Michael called after the boy, “Don’t forget your helmet.”

****

The Iveys arrived at the Bowmans’ ranch just after ten to find Heddy doctoring a scratch on the leg of one of their goats.

“What happened to her?” Michael asked. “Did she get into another scuffle with Brenda?”

Heddy laughed. “No, this time I think it was an argument with a string of barbed wire. It’s minor. We’re in the process of changing out all the barbed wire, but leave it to Lissie to find a sharp piece.” She let the goat go, saying with a chuckle, “She’ll live to produce more milk.” She then turned to Michael and Savannah. “So you’re taking the horses out today?”

Savannah nodded. “Yes. Heddy, I want to thank you so much for taking care of them on such short notice.” Cringing a little, she said, “We’re hoping you can accommodate them for another few days.”