The Purrfect Lie (Klepto Cat Mystery Book 12) (15 page)

“Well, did he have boobs?” she asked,

Savannah, Brianna, and Margaret looked at each other. Brianna responded. “Actually, I don’t think so. No, I didn’t feel anything female…or otherwise,” she said laughing.

“And you, Dr. Brianna, know your anatomy,” Colbi said, placing her cup in the microwave to reheat her tea. She looked at her phone and laughed. “I have a great picture of you three. Check it out. I think I’ll put this on the front page of tomorrow’s newspaper.”

“Let me see that,” Margaret insisted, setting her wine glass on the kitchen counter. “Oh my Gawd, Colbi. Don’t even think about it. That’s awful. You can practically see my tonsils.”

Savannah looked over her aunt’s shoulder. “That’s hilarious. You look like some sort of kung-fu guy.”

“Well, look at you, Ms. Rodeo Queen,” Margaret responded.

Savannah looked more closely at the phone screen. “Gads, I do look like I’m riding a bull, don’t I? Gross!” She looked at her sister. “Bri, you…” she pointed at the phone screen and began to laugh.

“What?” Brianna said. “Tell me. Show me…” then she covered her eyes. “No, I don’t think I want to see. What were you doing taking pictures anyway, Colbi?” she asked.

“For your family album. This ought to at least go on Facebook for your mom and cousins to see,” she said, chuckling. She held her phone out toward Iris. “What do you think?”

“Oh that’s funny. Yes, definitely, Facebook,” she said doubling over laughing.

****

The following morning, Margaret called to tell Savannah, “Max is furious about what went down last night.”

“And you’re surprised about that?” Savannah asked. “He just can’t leave you alone, can he?” she teased.

“No. I’m glad he found that out. Maybe he won’t go away again and leave me with all the work. One of our volunteers didn’t show up today, so I had an extra load.”

“How’d you get time to call me?”

“Can’t a lady take a break?” Margaret asked, sarcastically.

“When is Max coming home?”

“Late today.”

“So what’s up?”

“Just mulling over what we did last night.” She chuckled. “I have to admit it really was kinda fun, don’t you think?”

Savannah hesitated. “You are such a rowdy. Fun? I’m sore this morning. I think that guy got me when he started kicking. I have a bruise on my shin.”

“Is that your only war wound?” Margaret asked. “I had to soak in a hot bath before I could even move this morning, I’m sore all over.”

“Oh, sorry to hear it.”

“Yeah, but it was fun while it lasted.”

“So did you call a security company?” Savannah asked.

“Not yet. But I will. I will. Hey, I wonder if I could get a job working for that company.”

“Are you kidding? Do you know what they do most of the time? Walk around, stand around, sit around. There’s rarely a rumble.”

“Then no thank you. So what are you doing today?”

“Mary and Crissy, Lily’s new best friend, are coming over. She was going to come later in the week, but things worked out for today and it’s warm enough that the girls can play out on the lawn.”

“Cool. What time are they coming?”

“Between eleven thirty and noon, why?”

“I just thought we’d do a little investigative work this morning.”

“What kind of investigative work?”

“You know, search for footprints, fingerprints, blood spatters…things like that.” When Savannah didn’t respond right away, Margaret said, “We might just find a clue as to who was here last night.”

“I guess I could come over for a few minutes. Is now good? Lily just finished her bath.”

“Okay, come on over.”

Savannah arrived to find Margaret kneeling just outside the greenhouse-turned-cathouse door. “Did you find something?” she asked as she removed the baby seat from the car and set it on the porch where Lily could watch them.

“Yeah, a shoeprint. Come look.”

“It’s rather nondescript, isn’t it?” Savannah asked. “No clear design on the sole of the shoe.”

“But look how big it is. It must belong to a tall man, don’t you think?”

After eyeing the print left in the mud, Savannah stepped into it with her right foot and smirked at her aunt. “That’s my shoeprint,” she said. “I must have made it when I ran out after the guy last night.”

“Well, drats!” Margaret spewed. She then pointed. “Is that your blond hair, too?”

“Where?” Savannah asked.

“Over there on that tree limb. See that clump of hair?”

“I see a few strands that may be hair,” Savannah said, examining it more closely. “Nope, not my hair.” She looked at it again. “Too light to be Colbi’s. Do you have any blond volunteers?”

Margaret shook her head. “Not that shade of blond and not all frizzy like that is.”

Savannah lowered her brow. “I didn’t see any blond hair on that…intruder last night, did you?”

Margaret shook her head. “But maybe the hood came off when he ran under that tree branch.” She faced Savannah. “Vannie, I think we’re dealing with a woman, after all.” She then said, “Hey, come on, let’s keep looking for clues.”

After another few minutes with no additional discoveries, Savannah said, “I’d better go. Mary could arrive any time and I want to put a batch of cookies in the oven.” She turned toward Margaret. “Auntie, why don’t you join us—even if for just a glass of tea or something? I really want you to meet Mary and see if you notice the resemblance. You met Barbara’s daughter Jenna at Lily’s party.” She hesitated, then added, “Well, you actually met Mary, too, but only briefly.”

“Yes, I don’t remember much about Mary, but Barbara’s daughter is a pretty thing—kinda reminds me of you with those light-green eyes and fair skin, only she’s not as tall, of course. Her little boy’s cute.”

“Yes, he is. So you’ll come over this afternoon?”

“Yeah, if I can get away. It’s a busy day and, as I said, we’re short-handed.”

“What happened to your volunteer—did she call in?”

“It’s a guy and, no, Sam just didn’t show up—something we don’t tolerate here and it’s not going to look good on his record. We have to keep a daily report for the courts.” She than sucked in a breath and said, “Back to work. Hey, I’ll probably see you later today.”

****

It was nearly three in the afternoon when Margaret arrived at Savannah’s. Mary was just gathering Crissy’s things and preparing to leave.

“Sorry I’m late,” Margaret apologized. “It’s been a hectic day. But I wanted to get over here and meet Lily’s new friend.”

Mary motioned toward the car seat still in the living room where baby Crissy was sleeping soundly. “I’m afraid she’s pooped.”

“Lily’s napping, too,” Savannah said. “They had a great time.” When Savannah realized that her aunt was staring at Mary while she continued to pack her carry bag, she hissed, “Auntie.”

“Uh…yes, well…” Margaret stammered. She reached her hand out to Mary. “It’s nice to meet you more…formally. Maybe we’ll get to visit next time you come out this way.”

Mary smiled. After visiting for a few more minutes, with Savannah’s and Margaret’s help, Mary packed her car and drove off.

“Wow!” Margaret said. “I’m speechless…and, as you know, I’m not usually speechless.”

She raised her eyebrows. “She could be Jenna’s twin—only her hair’s curly and a different shade of red, and she’s thinner. Otherwise—wow!”

“Yeah,” Savannah said, “Mary told me she had a health emergency earlier this year and lost some weight, which she hasn’t been able to put back on.”

Margaret was quiet for a moment, then said, “I’m going to ask around about Barbara. This is just too weird. Did you ask Mary about her father’s name?”

“Not really,” Savannah said. “Didn’t want to open a can of worms. It’s so far-fetched—like you said, too much of a coincidence. Besides, do I really want to be the one to insinuate that the man she considered her father may have kidnapped her? Oh no, that’s too touchy.” She took a breath. “But she did use that middle name again—
Mullen
. That’s what it is. I asked her about it this time and she said it’s a family name. I just left it at that.” Savannah paused, then asked, “So are you still ready to go check newspapers in nearby cities?”

Margaret thinned her lips as if in contemplation. “Well, let’s go at it from the other direction, first. Let me do some digging into Barbara’s past. Surely, if she had a child taken, someone close to her would know.”

“Okay. I’ll be eager to find out what you learn. Hey, any news about your cat burglar?”

Margaret shook her head. “But I’ve been thinking about who it could be. I don’t believe I told you that crazy cranky guy came walking by again the other day. I was outside cleaning litter boxes. He came up to me and started making all sorts of accusations about keeping cats in pens with fancy food and water, making them soft so they can’t hunt on their own, taking the cat out of the cat and turning them into worthless creatures. Oh my God, he was on a rampage.”

“Isn’t he a miserable human being?” Savannah said.

“Yeah, well, I wonder if he might be the one visiting us at night trying to give the cats their freedom.”

“But what about the blond hair you found?” Savannah asked.

“Been thinking about that,” Margaret said. “A couple of gals came to the cattery last week looking for a lost cat and they were both blond. One of them probably walked under that branch.”

Savannah was silent for a moment before saying, “Well, if old Mr. Crankyshaw is your burglar, he won’t be bothering you for a while. He’s been arrested for his wife’s murder.”

“Arrested? Murder?” Margaret said, eyes wide.

Savannah nodded. “Yes, Craig called earlier. She died. They still don’t know what killed her, but they suspect some sort of foul play. We’re boarding their dog at the clinic.”

“That poor woman,” Margaret said. “I just wonder what hell he put her through. It never occurred to me he would harm her.” She faced Savannah. “Well, we’ll soon find out if he was our prowler, won’t we?”

It was mid-morning the next day when Savannah received a call from Margaret. “So what did you find out about Barbara, Auntie?”

“Nothing. A big flat nothing.”

“What do you think?” Savannah asked, hesitantly. “Are you game to approach her?”

“And say what? ‘Hi Barbara, tell me, did someone take a daughter of yours thirty years ago?’”

“If she isn’t her daughter, no problem,” Savannah reasoned. “We simply made a mistake. But if she is, don’t you think Barbara would want to know? I’m certain that Jenna would love to have her sister back.”

“Have her sister back?” Margaret said. “Did she tell you she had a sister?”

“No,” Savannah said, “but she told me about a dream where she has a sister, then the dream turns dark and her sister disappears.”

“Really?” Margaret was silent, then said, “Okay, wanna go with me to see Barbara? I’ll call to find out if this is a good time. I don’t think she has any children at the day care on Thursdays.”

****

An hour later, Savannah drove into the Sheridans’ driveway and greeted her aunt. “I forgot to tell you, Vannie,” Margaret said as she stepped into the SUV, “guess who I saw at the market yesterday.”

“Who?”

“That blond floozy, wannabe cat rescue woman.”

“Who?”

“You know, Sandra Swanson…the gal who caused a ruckus at our meeting a while back.”

“Oh yes, one of the suspects in your cat burglar conundrum. Did you talk to her?”

Margaret nodded. “Yeah, actually, she seemed overly friendly…told me all about her new facility…even said she wants to join the Hammond Cat Alliance…that phony.”

“You didn’t believe her?” Savannah asked.

“Not really.” Margaret turned toward Savannah and narrowed her eyes. “Vannie, she just seemed too icky sweet.” She shook her head. “No, I don’t trust her as far as I can throw her.” She chuckled and added, “…which wouldn’t be very far. She’s a big woman.”

“Big?” Savannah questioned. “I remember her being tall, not particularly big, though.” She glanced at her aunt. “Did you tell her what’s been going on at your place?”

“No, but I did quiz her a little,” she said smiling.

“What do you mean?”

“Oh, I asked a few questions about how her operation works, where she gets her cats, her adoption process.”

“And what did you find out?” Savannah asked.

Margaret slumped a little in her seat. “Nothing, really.” She sat straight when adding, “But I still consider her a possible suspect. She’s one shady character, if you ask me. Yeah, I could see her wearing that get-up and trying to create havoc at my place.”

Savannah thinned her lips and shook her head. Within a few minutes, the two of them stood on Barbara’s front doorstep. Lily was in her mother’s arms. Barbara greeted them warmly. “How nice of you to stop by. When you said you were coming, I put on some water for tea. Would you like a cup?”

“Sounds nice, yes,” Margaret said.

“Come into the kitchen, I’m frosting a cake for the church social. You and Max are going this evening, aren’t you?” she asked over her shoulder.

Margaret nodded. “Yes. Vannie and her husband belong to the church, too—but we don’t see them there very often.”

“Really?” Barbara said. She turned to Savannah. “I don’t recall seeing you there at all.”

“I’m usually listening from the nursery. We plan to attend more often once Lily’s a little older.”

“What’s Max making for the social?” Barbara asked “I always try to get some of his baked goods. He’s a fabulous cook and baker. Often someone who can cook can’t bake all that well. It seems to require a different mindset and skills, don’t you think?”

Margaret and Savannah nodded.

“Well, Barbara, you are a wonderful baker and you must enjoy it,” Margaret said. “When I see you in the market, your cart’s always filled with baking essentials—flour, spices, sugar…”

“I do love to bake,” she said. She giggled. “…and to eat all those goodies.” Barbara continued to chatter on about some of the baked goods she’d enjoyed at past church socials, some of the people who attended and so forth, while Margaret and Savannah remained relatively quiet.

Finally, Margaret said, “Barbara, can you sit down for a minute? I have something I want to ask you.”