What the Cat Dragged In

by Miranda James

  I nodded. He, Fleur, and Kanesha exited the porch and joined her officers in the yard. Seton and Fleur went to the truck. Seton extracted something for the dog to sniff, then waited for her to start tracking. She stood still for a moment, then, when Seton called out “Seek,” she started moving.

  I wanted so badly to follow along, but I knew Kanesha would send me right back. I resumed my seat in the rocker and took stock of Alissa. She hadn’t spoken, only nodded to acknowledge Kanesha and Seton.

  “What is that dog doing?” she asked.

  “She’s a cadaver dog,” I replied. “She’s trained to find dead bodies.”

  “Who else is dead?” she asked, puzzled. “I mean, they already found Marty.”

  I realized that she didn’t know about the bones that Diesel and I had discovered in the attic here. I told her about it.

  She shivered in the heat. “That’s so creepy. Who was it?”

  “We don’t know. Fleur is looking for where the bones were originally interred,” I said. “Once we find the burial place, we may find clues to her identity.”

  “Her?” Alissa said sharply. “You know it was a woman.”

  “Yes, Dr. Seton is a forensic anthropologist. He studies old bones, and he had a preliminary look at the skeleton. He thinks she was an adult woman around sixty, give or take a few years.”

  “Do you think she could be the woman in that room?” Alissa’s eyes widened in fear.

  I patted her shoulder in reassurance. “It’s possible, but there are several women connected to your grandfather and mine who disappeared many years ago. It could be any one of them, or someone else entirely. The bones could have come from a really old burial, for example. My family has lived on this land since before the Civil War, and the Native Americans before that.”

  Alissa appeared reassured by this. I wished I felt that. There were too many unanswered questions.

  “How about something to drink?” I asked. “Azalea put together some drinks and snacks in a cooler. I’ll go get it.”

  Alissa nodded, and Diesel came with me back to the car. I extracted the cooler from the trunk. Inside the cooler I found several bottles of mineral water and a couple of the still water I preferred. Another container held fruit, cheese, and crackers.

  I handed her a bottle of mineral water. She declined the food, and I put it back inside the cooler for later.

  We sipped at our water in silence. I left the porch briefly to find a bowl in the kitchen so I could give Diesel water as well. When I returned, I found Alissa standing at the top of the porch steps, craning her neck in the direction that Seton, the dog, and the sheriff’s deputies had gone.

  “See anything?” I called out. Setting down the bowl I had rinsed out in the kitchen, I poured water into it. Diesel came immediately to lap at it.

  Alissa came back to her rocker. “No, they must have gone into those woods back there. I couldn’t spot them.” She paused for a breath. “That’s where Marty died, isn’t it?”

  I nodded. “Yes, somewhere in there.”

  “I don’t want to see the place,” Alissa said. “I don’t want to think of him there, and if I see it, I’ll never forget it.”

  “Good decision,” I said. “Would you like another bottle?”

  “No, thank you,” she said.

  We rocked in silence for a while. The water had cooled me down briefly, but now I was starting to sweat again. “Do you think you’d be okay back in the house, maybe in the front parlor?”

  She looked at me and frowned. “You’re sweating, aren’t you? I’m sorry. I’m used to heat, and it doesn’t bother me. I’ll go in with you. As long as I don’t go near that room, I’ll be okay, I think.”

  “Thank you.” I picked up the cooler. Alissa opened the door for us, and the three of us went into the parlor. I felt better right away. I set the cooler on the floor near the settee, and Alissa sat there with Diesel at her feet. I chose a chair a few feet across from her.

  “I don’t remember this room at all,” Alissa said as she surveyed it.

  “I remember it, vaguely, from when my grandparents lived here. I think that settee was here then. My great-aunt left it behind after my grandfather died. She took some of the family pieces to her house, and my parents chose a few as well.”

  “Does that mean the rest of this belonged to my grandfather?” Alissa frowned.

  “I believe so,” I said. “We’ll have to check with Sean. I don’t know the contents of your grandfather’s will, but I imagine he left everything to you and your brother. You can probably sell it all if you want to.”

  “I don’t know anything about antiques,” Alissa said. “I have no idea how to sell this stuff.”

  “Don’t worry about it now,” I said. “Time enough for that later. There are reputable furniture dealers in town who can advise you.”

  She nodded. “That sounds good.”

  My phone rang, and I saw Sean was calling. “Hello, son, what’s up?”

  “Where are you, Dad? At home?”

  “No, I’m at the farm. I brought Alissa out here to see it.”

  “Are you going to be there awhile?” he asked.

  “Probably. Dr. Seton and his dog are here with Kanesha and some deputies. They’re out in the woods, I think, searching.”

  “Okay. I’m going to run out. I have Mr. Hale’s will, and I need to talk to Alissa about it. Now’s as good a time as any.” He ended the call.

  “My son,” I explained as I put away my phone. “He’s coming out here to talk to you about your grandfather’s will.”

  “Okay,” Alissa said. “Marty mentioned a will, but he wouldn’t tell me what was in it.”

  I heard steps on the porch. After a few seconds, a knock sounded on the door. I called out, “Come in.”

  Kanesha appeared in the parlor doorway. “We found the burial site in the woods.”

  TWENTY-FOUR

  My heart started beating faster after Kanesha’s announcement. “Where in the woods? Near the house?”

  “Several hundred yards into the woods,” Kanesha replied. “Dr. Seton is examining the area right now. I hope he’s able to find something that will help us, besides the site itself.” She turned to leave.

  “There wasn’t a marker of any kind?” I asked.

  Kanesha turned back to face us. “A large stone that had been knocked over at some point stood at one end. It might have been a marker, but there’s nothing inscribed on it.”

  “Maybe this will turn out to be a very old burial,” I said.

  “We don’t know yet. The dog identified it as the place where the bones had lain, but the dog can’t tell us how long they were there. I don’t know if there’s any way to figure out when the bones were removed, but if there is, I have confidence Dr. Seton will do it.” She turned to leave, and this time I didn’t call her back.

  “That’s really sad,” Alissa remarked. “Nothing to tell anybody who you were.”

  “It is,” I said. Finding the grave was a step forward, but that it was an unmarked burial didn’t get us much further.

  I heard footsteps on the porch again, and moments later Sean walked into the parlor. I introduced him to Alissa, and they shook hands. Diesel came forward for a scratch of the head, then Sean gave me a searching look.

  “What’s the matter, Dad? You’re pretty pale,” he said.

  “Unsettling thoughts,” I said. “I’ll explain later. I do have news, though. Dr. Seton’s dog tracked down the burial site of the bones I found.”

  Sean took a seat in the other chair across from the settee. “Did that tell us anything?”

  “No, it wasn’t marked, except for a large stone that was there.”

  Sean frowned. “That doesn’t help much. Maybe this anthropologist guy will pick up clues that mean nothing to the rest of us.”

  �
�I believe Kanesha is pinning her hopes on that,” I said. “I believe you wanted to talk to Alissa about her grandfather’s will.” I rose. “I’ll go into the room across the hall so you can discuss this privately.”

  “No,” Alissa said. “I mean, please don’t. Stay with me. I don’t mind if you hear it.”

  “I’m happy to stay if you want me to, and Sean doesn’t think I shouldn’t.”

  “It’s okay, Dad,” Sean said. “Ms. Hale, Alissa, your grandfather didn’t name any particular lawyer to oversee the distribution of his estate. Your brother turned the will over to me, though I expected him to ask for it back. Since he has died, may I act for you in this matter?”

  “Sure,” she said. “I don’t know anybody here, but your father is a nice man. I’m going to trust you.”

  Sean smiled briefly. “Thank you. Your grandfather made what is called a holograph will. That means he wrote it by hand. It’s attested by two witnesses, neither of whom I’ve been able to locate yet. I will continue to try to find them, however, in case questions arise.”

  “Okay,” Alissa said. “What does the will say?”

  Sean pulled an envelope out of his jacket pocket. He wore a suit today, sans tie, and looked handsome and professional. I rarely saw him in a suit jacket, because he only wore them in court or when interviewing a new client. He extracted two pages from the envelope and unfolded them. “Would you like to read it for yourself?”

  Alissa nodded and held out her hand, and Sean got up to hand over the pages. She scanned the words, rather rapidly, I thought, but I remembered she was an experienced reader. Her reading comprehension ought to be good.

  She handed the pages back to Sean.

  “Any questions?” he asked.

  “I think I have the gist of it,” Alissa said. “He mentioned Marty and me by name as his heirs. Nothing about my mother. They hated each other.” Her matter-of-fact tone didn’t faze Sean.

  “Yes, that’s correct. You and your brother inherited equally. Did your brother leave a will, by any chance?” Sean asked.

  Alissa shrugged. “I doubt it. He wouldn’t have thought about it, probably. He was always living in the moment, expecting some big thing to happen.” She gestured toward the papers Sean held. “Like inheriting a fortune from our grandfather.”

  “In that case, with your brother deceased, you are the sole heir to everything your grandfather possessed,” Sean said. “It’s worded carefully, and it means exactly that. What your grandfather possessed or owned. He did not own this house or the farm.”

  “Yes, I know. Your dad has explained that to me.” She paused. “I guess it means, though, that the contents of the house belong to me. Is that right?”

  “Yes, it is. You will also inherit any money in his bank or savings accounts. I am already working on discovering the extent of the funds in those accounts.”

  “He always talked big, like he had a lot of money,” Alissa said. “Probably won’t be a lot, but anything is better than what I’ve got now.”

  “You can also sell all the items in the house,” Sean said. “There are several reputable dealers in Athena or Memphis who could handle it for you.”

  “That’s what Charlie said,” Alissa replied. “I guess I should go through the house and see what’s here. Except . . .” She faltered.

  “Don’t worry about that now.” I gave Sean a warning look. “There are other things to deal with first.”

  “Speaking of those things,” Sean said gently. “I can help you with the arrangements for your brother, if you like.”

  “That would be good,” Alissa said. “Marty handled our grandfather’s cremation and everything. I think Marty would want to be cremated, too.”

  “If you’re sure about that, I’ll make the arrangements for it. The body should be released soon,” Sean said.

  A shadow passed over Alissa’s face, but she simply nodded. “How much will it cost? I don’t have much in my savings.”

  “Don’t worry about that,” I said. “I can cover it for now, or Sean’s law firm will. You can reimburse us through the estate.”

  “That’s right,” Sean said. “I’ll go over it all with you so that you know exactly what the costs will be.”

  “Thank you. You’re both really kind,” she said. Diesel meowed loudly, and she smiled. “You too. Especially you.” She rubbed his head and down his spine. He arched his back and chirped.

  “Would it be okay if we went back to your house now?” Alissa said.

  I really wanted to hang around here, hoping for more information on what Dr. Seton had found. I also wanted to have time to explore the house, but I understood why she would like to get away from here.

  Sean evidently picked up on my hesitation. “I’ll be happy to drop you by there. It’s on the way to my office, and I need to get back there anyway.”

  “Is that okay with you?” I asked.

  “Can Diesel come with me?” she said, glancing at the cat.

  “If he wants to,” I said. “I always let him decide.” I patted the cat on the head. “You can go home with Alissa if you want to.”

  Diesel meowed in response, but I wasn’t sure whether he intended to go home with the young woman.

  “If you’re ready,” Sean said, nodding to Alissa.

  “Sure.” She rose from the settee. “What about you, boy?”

  Diesel moved toward me and meowed. “I think that means he wants to stay here.”

  Alissa looked disappointed. “That’s okay. Ramses and Azalea will be there, won’t they?”

  I nodded. “Azalea will be there until five, at least, and I’ll be home with Diesel before then.”

  “See you later,” Alissa said.

  Sean escorted her out. She looked so small beside my tall son, who stood even taller than usual in his high-heeled boots.

  After I heard the front door close, I turned to the cat. “I’m glad you stayed with me. You’ve been really nice to Alissa. You’ve made her feel better.”

  Diesel gazed up at me and trilled, throwing in a couple of chirps. I wished, not for the first time, that I could interpret his sounds. It really did sound like conversation sometimes.

  “Let’s explore the house, okay?”

  Diesel padded alongside me. I turned in the doorway of the parlor and pulled out my phone. I wanted to take pictures of each room as it was now. There might be a few pieces of furniture or knickknacks that I would want to buy from the Hales for the house. That settee, for one. It needed to be reupholstered and repadded, but it looked and felt sturdy.

  I took multiple shots in each room, Diesel following me patiently through the house. I had no idea how long I had spent. I made sure to get several pictures in the small room that had frightened Alissa so badly. A thorough search of its contents didn’t reveal anything useful, however.

  We ended in the kitchen, where I surveyed the appliances. The refrigerator was a good twenty years old, I thought, an outdated model. I was surprised it was still working. It would have to be replaced. The kitchen should be remodeled anyway. The floor was stained, the tile an ugly yellowish brown, and the walls dingy with grease and smoke. The whole house would have to be cleaned top to bottom whether I sold it or kept it.

  I looked at the door that led up to the attic. Did I really feel like tackling the attic today? I doubted I would find any other grisly surprises there. The bones were more than enough for my lifetime.

  I checked my watch. I had been here for over three hours, and it was close to nine forty-five when we arrived here. I realized that I was hungry, so I went back to where I had left the cooler. I withdrew the container of snacks from the cooler, along with another bottle of still water. Then I retrieved the bowl I’d used for the cat from the front porch.

  As I snacked on cheese and crackers, Diesel lapped up more water. I gave him a couple of small bites of chee
se. Cats couldn’t tolerate large amounts, but Diesel had never demonstrated any kind of gastric issue with small amounts. He also couldn’t have any of the grapes Azalea had included.

  I finished my snack and put the remainder of the food away in the cooler. Diesel watched me but didn’t beg for more once the lid of the cooler came down. He went back to finish the water in his bowl. We went outside for a few minutes to walk in the yard. He disappeared behind a bush, and I heard scratching sounds a few seconds later. After a short time, he reappeared, and we went back into the house.

  There had been no sign of Kanesha and her officers, or of Dr. Seton and Fleur, other than the vehicles in the driveway. I figured they would have to emerge from the woods before much longer. Surely they would be allowed time for lunch. How much could Dr. Seton accomplish without more equipment? I wondered. Or assistants who knew what they were doing. I imagined he had a few graduate students who would normally assist in a situation like this. Or maybe the deputies Kanesha had chosen for this assignment were sufficient.

  All this not knowing what was going on was driving me a little nuts. I was spending far too much time obsessing over these points. Perhaps I should go up into the attic after all.

  I knew that the contents of the house now belonged to Alissa Hale, not to me, but I didn’t think she’d mind my snooping. Especially if I uncovered some valuable object, or multiple objects, for her.

  “Come on, boy,” I said. “I’m going up to the attic again.”

  When I had reached the top of the stairs, I could see, even in the dim light, that the dust on the floor had been considerably disturbed by the investigation.

  I should have brought a flashlight with me, I realized. The overhead light fixture provided a decent amount of illumination, but that didn’t extend into the corners of this large room. Diesel rambled around, sniffing here and there, occasionally poking at a box or an object with his right paw.

  I spotted a trunk to examine. I moved slowly through the accumulated boxes and lifted the lid. The groaning of the metal fixtures startled me momentarily, but I pushed the lid back and glanced inside the trunk.