Cats in Cahoots (A Klepto Cat Mystery Book 18) (10 page)

“Well, it sounds like it was pretty awful…being threatened and tied up with duct tape.”

“Yeah, not fun,” Savannah agreed. When her aunt became quiet, she asked, “So what’s up?”

“Well, I just wanted to tell you the latest neighborhood scuttlebutt.”

“Oh no, it sounds dismal. Do I really want to hear this?”

“Probably not. But I’m going to tell you, anyway.”

“Want to come over for breakfast or coffee?” Savannah invited. “We’re all up and I really need to start cooking.”

“Okay, I can do that.”

“Yeah, come on over and bring your neighborhood bulletin.”

****

By the time Margaret had arrived, breakfast was in progress. Gladys had started a pot of coffee and was making toast while Savannah scrambled eggs with ham, green onions, tomatoes, and cheese.

“Want a plate?” Brianna asked her aunt as she set the table.

Margaret nodded. “Sure. Looks good. Got any plum jelly left, Vannie?”

“Yup. And peach. Michael finished the apricot.”

“Juice?” Brianna offered. “We have cranapple and orange.”

Once everyone had made their juice selection and were seated around the table with coffee, Savannah began serving the food. “No-no,” she said when Lily reached out for the egg platter. “I have your breakfast ready, little one. No onions or tomatoes for you. Mommy’s letting it cool. Just a minute now.” She handed the platter to Gladys. “Help yourself, Mom,” she said as she sat down and started feeding the baby small bites of the egg. She turned to her aunt. “Okay, what’s the neighborhood scuttlebutt?”

“There’s scuttlebutt in the neighborhood?” Brianna asked.

“That’s what Auntie says.”

Margaret looked sternly at Savannah. “Yeah, and it involves your cat, I’m afraid.” “What?”

“He’s been seen roaming around on Maple Street, Vannie, with that yellow cat, and they’re causing havoc.”

“Oh no. What have they done?”

“Well, things are going missing,” Margaret explained, “and people seem to think the cats have something to do with it.”

“Things like what?” she asked. “I mean, we’ve missed a few things around here—carrots and lettuce from our garden, Rags’s harness, your watering can, my flowerpot tray. How can anyone possibly blame cats for that?”

“And garbage,” Brianna said. She cocked her head. “But half the stuff that’s taken is either returned or replaced. Cats aren’t going to do that, are they?”

Before anyone could answer, Savannah said, “Oh Auntie, last night Michael’s tool box was gone, but just like your watering can, it’s back today, right where it belongs.”

Margaret pursed her lips and shook her head. “That’s just plain strange…and spooky.” She let out a breath and continued. “Yeah, sure, that stuff can’t be blamed on the cats, but you have to admit a cat can carry jewelry, baby shoes, flip-flops, hats, toys…”

Brianna began to laugh. “You got that right, Aunt Maggie.” She pointed at Rags. “That one was wearing an expensive diamond necklace around the house just last night.”

Savannah rested her head in her hands. “Oh no—déjà vu.”

“What?” Gladys asked.

“You remember my telling you about Rags stealing from the neighbors when we lived in Los Angeles. He hasn’t done that in years.”

“Of course not,” Margaret said. “He’s been locked in the house all that time. He only steals from your guests. But obviously he has found a way out, and a cat meeting his description has been seen over on Maple Street a lot lately with the yellow cat.” She took a sip of coffee. “But here’s the kicker. Mr. Thomas believes the cats have an accomplice.”

“What?”

“Yeah, bigger things are going missing over there, too—the Prestons’ kids’ skateboard, a book…”

“A book?” Brianna questioned.

“Yeah, a graphic novel one of the teens was reading on their patio. She left it out and it disappeared. Shortly after that, she saw those two cats wandering around in her yard.” Margaret took a breath, then added, “Oh yes, and the woman who lives at the end of the cul-de-sac—Alice—she’s missing some beach towels she left out to dry after taking her kids to the pool.” Her demeanor accelerated when she added, “And get this: one day when she was eating her lunch on her deck, she was called into the house. When she returned, her lunch was gone—plate, fork and all. However, the plate and silverware showed up later.”

“That’s just plain crazy,” Brianna said.

“Yeah? Take a look at this,” Margaret said, pulling her phone out of her pocket. She tapped the screen a few times, then held it toward Savannah and Brianna. “Caught in the act.”

“Well, I don’t know what to say. That’s Rags, all right, wearing that silly handmade harness the kids put on him.”

“And there’s the yellow cat,” Brianna said. “Looks like both of them have something in their mouth. What do you suppose that is?”

Margaret looked quickly at the screen. “Alice got this picture of them the day her reading glasses and one of her granddaughter’s toys went missing.” She looked into Savannah’s eyes. “How’s he been getting out, anyway?”

“Well, he evidently broke out last night after we were invaded. And I guess he’s been out a few times before that when Helena let him out, and once he escaped on Bri.”

Brianna cringed.

“Did they see anyone with the cats?” Savannah asked. “Obviously, they can’t carry beach towels and tools.”

“And watering cans,” Margaret complained. “You’re right, Vannie. They must have a human accomplice.” She pointed with her fork, laughing. “Or maybe your horse is involved. Maybe Peaches carries the things that are too big for the cats.”

“Ha-ha,” Savannah said.

“But who returns the stuff?” Gladys asked.

Margaret winced. “Yeah, that’s what’s weird. Most of it—well, except for the food—is being returned. It’s like someone is just borrowing what they need. As for what’s happening with the things the cats are taking, it’s anyone’s guess.”

“It all started once the Cranes moved in, right?” Savannah asked quietly.

“It seems so. Do you think those kids are operating some sort of burglary ring?”

Brianna laughed. “Maybe only some of them. Some take the stuff and the others return it.”

Everyone joined Brianna in laughter. Then Savannah said, “Well, that’s just too bizarre, don’t you think?”

“You think my reasoning is bizarre?” Brianna asked. “What have you got? Anything that makes more sense?”

Savannah shook her head and looked down at her plate. She gazed across the table at her aunt. “So what are the neighbors going to do? Do they have a plan? I should say, do
we
have a plan?”

“From what I understand,” Margaret said, “just being more vigilant—keeping a watchful eye on our stuff. Some of the other folks over on Maple Street have set up cameras.”

“Hey, sorry to interrupt your detective work,” Gladys said with a chuckle, “but I spoke to Melanie a while ago and she said they’ll be here around noon. Do we need to get groceries?”

Savannah set her coffee cup down and looked at the kitchen clock. “We sure do. And it’s after nine. We’d better devise a system.”

“What do we need to do?” Brianna asked.

“Bathe the baby, clean the kitchen, pick up the house, maybe give the porch and outdoor furniture a quick once-over.”

Brianna raised one hand. “I’ll give Lily a bath.”

“Awww, I wanted that one,” Gladys said.

Savannah laughed. “Okay Bri, you can give her a bath and Mom, you can put her down for her nap when we get back from the store. In the meantime, come help me clean the kitchen.”

“Well, I’m going home,” Margaret said, “…before you put me to work.”

“You’ll be over later, then?” Savannah asked.

“Sure. I want to see my niece and her family. Oh, Max said to tell you he made sweet rolls for your breakfast tomorrow morning and I’ll whip up a batch of cookies for lunch, okay?”

“Super. Thanks, Auntie.” Savannah looked thoughtful for a moment. “Let’s talk later about what’s going on with the cats. Maybe you can help me figure out what to do.”

“Keep him in. That’s what!” she barked.

“But what about the stuff he’s already taken? We need to answer to that, don’t you think?”

Margaret stared at her niece for a moment. “Yeah, I guess we should see if we can get him to spill his guts. I’ll start thinking up some methods of torture.” When she noticed the others staring blankly at her, she grinned and headed for the door. “See y’all later.”

****

By eleven fifteen that morning, the pantry and fridge had been restocked with fresh food. Savannah had pulled a large pan of lasagna out of the freezer to thaw for their dinner and Brianna had made egg salad and chicken salad sandwiches for lunch and a breakfast casserole for the following morning. After helping Brianna in the kitchen, Gladys tucked Lily into bed for her nap. The three women were sipping lemonade on the porch when Margaret drove up in her shiny red Jeep Liberty.

“I can see you coming for miles in that thing,” Brianna quipped as Margaret exited the car with a tote bag. “Need help?” she called out, rushing to give her aunt a hand.

“I didn’t think I could love a car more than I loved my silver Liberty, but I do,” Margaret said. “This car is amazing. I’m always inventing reasons to drive it.”

“It is pretty,” Gladys said, as she walked out to greet her sister.

Once Margaret had handed items to both Gladys and Brianna, the three of them headed for the kitchen. When they returned to the porch where Savannah sat grooming Lexie, Brianna announced, “Aunt Maggie brought cinnamon rolls and cookies.”

“Great. Thanks,” Savannah said.

Margaret stared out toward the orchard. “So have you seen any of the Crane children, lately?”

“Yes. Kira comes over almost every day. She’s the only one I know very well. I’ve seen some of her brothers and her twin sister. I think there are more brothers. I saw her before school this morning and she mentioned someone named Luke.” She thought for a moment. “That could actually be the uncle. I saw him once, but haven’t met him. Anyway, they sure have a houseful over there.”

“Speaking of housefuls,” Margaret said, “how’re the guys doing up in Oregon with that animal-hoarding situation? Have you girls heard from them lately?”

Savannah nodded.

Brianna said, “Yeah, Bud called this morning. He said they’re starting to get a handle on the situation. There are happy endings for some of the animals, so they’re feeling better about it. Reinforcements are coming tomorrow, so they’ll probably head home Thursday or Friday.”

“I can’t wait,” Savannah said. “I miss my hubby.”

“Yeah, he’ll love coming home to a neighborhood gone crazy,” Margaret teased.

Just then, Gladys pointed. “Oh, look. They’re here.”

“Holy cow,” Margaret said, “that’s a carload.” She turned to Gladys. “If they kick you out of your room, you can spend the night with us.”

“I might do that. Thanks, Maggie.”

“Vannie, is that you?” a woman a few years younger than Savannah asked as she climbed out of the front passenger side of the dark-colored SUV.

“Mel, you’ve grown up,” Savannah observed.

“Well, yeah—what did you expect?”

“But you’re almost as tall as I am.” She hugged her cousin, then turned to look at the others, her arm around Melanie. “I’m not the only tall woman in the family anymore.”

“No, you’re not,” Brianna said. “Melanie, you’re gorgeous.” She reached up and flipped her cousin’s hair with one hand. “Love your red hair.” She looked puzzled for a moment. “Where did that come from?”

“A bottle,” she said, smiling. Melanie then turned toward a man who had joined them. “This is my husband, Ron. Ron,” she said, pointing to each of the women, “these are my cousins, Savannah and Brianna and my aunts—oh, you met Aunt Maggie and Aunt Gladys when they came out to Indiana a few years ago.” She pulled the back car door open. “Come out kids and meet your cousins. “This is Misty and Aaron,” she said, smiling proudly.

“Hi guys,” Savannah greeted.

Brianna patted them each on the cheek. “What cuties.”

“How old are you two now?” Gladys asked.

“I’m seven,” Misty said. She pointed at her brother. “He’s five.” She asked, “Where’s the baby?”

Melanie ran one hand over her daughter’s hair. “Oh yes, she loves babies. I told her you had a baby, Vannie.”

“She’s napping. But she should be getting up anytime. Want to go with me to check on her?”

“Sure,” Misty said, walking with Savannah toward the house.

Savannah turned and called out to the others, “Bring your stuff on in and I’ll show you to your quarters in a few minutes.”

“Mama, Mama,” Lily said when she heard Savannah and Misty walking down the hallway toward the nursery. “Mama.”

“She can talk?” Misty asked. “How old is she?”

“She’s just about sixteen months old,” Savannah said as they stepped into the baby’s room.

“Oh, she’s big,” Misty said. “My cousin in Indiana is only three months old. He’s real small. I can carry him by myself.” She glanced around at some of the things in Lily’s room, then asked Savannah, “Do you have a horse?”

“Yes. Do you like horses?”

“Uh-huh. I rode one at my grandpa’s ranch in Wyoming. Can I ride your horse?”

“Well, we’ll see. I’m not sure we’ll have time to do that.”

“We’re staying overnight,” she announced, watching Savannah change the baby’s diaper.

“Here, do you want to walk Lily out to where the others are?” Savannah asked, lowering the baby to the floor.

“Okay,” Misty said, taking the toddler’s hand. “Her name’s Lily?”

“Yes.”

“Come on, Lily,” she coaxed.

Once they reached the living room and Lily saw the strangers and heard all the commotion, she broke away from Misty and ran for Savannah, who lifted her up and held her.

“Oh, isn’t she adorable,” Melanie said when she saw Lily. “Good job, Vannie. But how could you miss? You are a beauty—prettier than I expected you to be. And I just saw a picture of your husband in there. Wow, girl! He’s dreamy.”

Savannah blushed. “Thank you.”

Melanie looked around. “Where is he?”

“Out of town,” Savannah explained.

Melanie patted her husband’s chest. “Guess you’re the only guy, babe…well, except for Aaron.”