by M. A. Owens
I nodded. "Still, watch your tail. Buddy may be too zealous after taking over."
"I can handle Buddy. Same goes for you, though. You're deeper in all of this than I am," he said, giving me a concerned glance. "So, what's your next move?"
"I think it's time to pay Agatha another visit. I don't know exactly what kind of foul play went on with the Gobbler just yet, but I have a feeling there's more I can get out of her if I play my cards right."
"Yeah, like a split skull. If they think you're getting too close to uncovering the truth, they might panic."
"Gotta get close to find out. I'll put a few more cards down on the table and see what happens. So long, Rick."
"Don't play your whole hand too early, detective. Good luck."
15
By the time I got back it was getting dark, so I decided it would be for the best if I got a hot, albeit late, meal and a decent night's sleep while I had the rare chance. For once, my slumber wasn't sabotaged, and I woke up the next morning feeling a little less like a half-starved stray. After breakfast I stopped by the office to check on any messages. None. I let Zelda know where I'd be and made my way to the Rose Garden Estates for what I expected to be a long day. I figured I had a better chance if I made it a long one rather than a short one. Not my favorite strategy, but you use the weapon best suited to the fight you're in.
When I arrived at Agatha's, that open window was back to its old tricks again. I overheard Agatha and Lady talking excitedly in the living room about a large check they'd received only a few minutes before. Lady's voice wasn't loud enough to make out without getting too close. Her voice might be quiet, but I had a feeling her ears worked just fine. I thought a few times about risking it, but instead I played it safe and busied myself by looking over some freshly planted mums in a flower box next to the street. They really were some nice flowers. Anyone would buy that excuse. Yeah, right...
I kneeled down, looking at all the different colors, straining my ears as hard as I could, but to no avail. A voice startled me. It was Lady, poking her head out the window.
"Like the flowers, detective?"
I stiffened up and fell backwards onto my rear end. "F-flowers look great," I stuttered.
She was unamused. "Here to see the lady of the house?"
"I am. Could you please let me in, ma'am? I'll make my way over to the door after I brush the dust off my behind."
Lady beat me to the door and was waiting with it open when I arrived.
"Come in."
I took off my hat and hung it on the rack next to the door. Lady escorted me into the living room where Agatha was already waiting. Unfortunately, this was becoming a familiar sight, since now two cases brought me here for visits. Everything in the room was immaculate as usual, windowed display cabinets lining the walls showing off various items, no doubt as expensive as they were pointless. Plates, knickknacks, fake flowers and more, all arranged so perfectly that the glass on the doors may as well have been paintings. The table in front of Agatha was a lacquered hardwood polished to a mirror finish. Not one spec of dust to speak of. There was a large carpet rug covering the floor, covered in an elaborate floral pattern. Who covers a nice hardwood flooring with a rug? Like I'd know the answer to that...
Agatha motioned toward the blue cushioned chair directly across from her. "Good to see you again, detective. Please, have a seat."
I obeyed. "You seem to be in a good mood today, Ms. Agatha. Having some good luck for a change?"
The old dog chuckled, making no effort to conceal the good mood I was referring to. "As a matter of fact, you came by at quite an opportune time. It seems I satisfied all the requirements to be compensated for my lost property, including the statue. I received a check from the insurance company just this morning, having reached the end of the required waiting period. Some of this is thanks to you, Mr. Trigger. It gave them a great deal of confidence knowing we had hired the same private detective who played such a big role in taking down the infamous Mr. B. So if you couldn't find it, who could? Not the police."
I grinned, relaxing into my chair. "You're right, Ms. Agatha. This really was quite the case. In a way, it bothers me that I was never able to get to the bottom of it."
"Oh, I wouldn't let it bother you too much, detective. You did your best. Everything turned out all right."
Her words slithered out like honey and my anger boiled. What about all these other people in the neighborhood who get their homes trashed, and valuables stolen? What about poor Constance? I couldn't get that image out of my head. Agatha and Lady were both watching me closely. I couldn't show any signs of how I really felt, or they'd pick right up on it. No doubt they were looking for that very thing.
"Well, ladies, I do always love a happy ending. I mean it, though. I wanted to get this off my chest. Would you humor me by running through a quick summary, just to help me close up the loose ends?"
The pair looked at one another. I imagined they were playing the same internal game I was. And like them, I was straining my eye for any betrayal of their true emotions.
"Certainly. What do you want to know?" Agatha asked.
"Like I said, we can just call this a case summary if you'd like. Let's go back to the beginning. Three burglaries occur in the neighborhood. The burglar leaves a mess, but otherwise no identifying traits that would incriminate them. So, we got a burglar that's one part sloppy and one part professional. Already, that's an odd combination. Those two things go together like oil and water. Wouldn't you agree?"
Her expression was blank. She seemed surprised I asked the question.
"Well, I hadn't really thought about it," she admitted.
I patted my shirt pocket and then the pocket of my trousers. "I'm so sorry to impose, but it seems I've foolishly left my pen and notepad back at the office. Could I trouble you?"
Agatha nodded to Lady, who briefly stepped into another room and returned a moment later with a slip of paper and a pen. I jotted down some notes as we went along.
"Thank you, Lady. As I was saying, oil and water. Clumsy burglars leave a trace of everything, including themselves. Professional burglars leave no trace unless they have a reason to. Not an item out of place. With a skilled burglar, sometimes people don't even know they've been hit for weeks. Sometimes months," I explained, still carefully studying their reactions.
Agatha nodded, slowly, as if reluctant to speak.
"Well, I suppose the burglar may have done so intentionally," she said.
I grinned, giving the table a light slap. I pointed to Agatha. "Precisely. That's the same conclusion I reached. I confirmed this when I went to stake the place out after you hired me. I found myself a nice spot just atop that hill near here. There're bushes up there just right to conceal a little dog like me. I set up in secret. Didn't tell a soul. Still, this burglar could sneak right up on me without a single sound. They put a weapon or something in my back, and I wasn't able to turn around. They disguised their voice too, so I wouldn't even recognize it if I heard it again. Just when I thought about turning around to sneak a quick peek, I got a well-placed knockout shot straight to the neck. Out like a light!" I clapped my paws loudly. Agatha was startled. Lady wasn't. "Now, which of you can tell me what's wrong with this scenario?"
The pair looked at each other; the smiles and relaxation that were there just moments ago were fading fast. "Detective, I don't really think-" Agatha began.
I waved my paw dismissively. "Please, just humor me. I'm sorry to make you relive all of this. But trust me, this will help put everything behind us. I need to write a good summary to close the case properly. For the records. You understand."
Agatha looked to her side, seeming reluctant to look me in the eye anymore. I was finally getting somewhere.
She spoke, quieter this time. "I'm sorry. I'm not sure I know what you mean."
"That's all right. Let me explain. I didn't tell a soul I was staking the place out. Yet the burglar somehow knew. Since I scouted the place out during
the day that means the burglar, or an informant, must've been watching. It means the burglar was working with someone in this neighborhood. In fact, it's possible that the burglar was someone who lives in this very neighborhood."
Agatha burst out with a laugh that sounded too forced. "I believe you may be reaching a bit, detective."
"Am I? Please, explain where I got it wrong."
Agatha nodded to Lady.
"It's not that you got it wrong. It's just that it sounds outrageous when you say it. I'd hate to think it were true. Is there anything else?"
"There's the identity of the burglar that knocked me out that night. Sent me a letter just after. Called herself Bad Kitty," I said.
"Is that so?"
"That's right. Thing is, I know a few cats in that circle. No one heard of Bad Kitty. It was a completely made-up name. The letter asked me to go to Adria for a game of cat and mouse. A game of wits. Thing is, now I think it was a fake challenge from a fake character just to put me off the trail-"
"All right, detective. I'm not sure I like where this is-"
"It's just for the case summary, ma'am. I wanted to know your thoughts," I interrupted.
I felt a strong paw rest firmly on my shoulder.
It was Lady, who had moved behind me without my realizing it. "Detective, I'll see you out."
I handed her back the pen and folded the paper, placing it in my shirt pocket. I smiled and nodded to both of them, before standing up.
"Apologies if I've offended. Just trying to get all the facts. Enjoy the rest of your day, ladies."
Agatha stopped me as I was about to walk out of the room.
"Wait."
"Ma'am?"
She looked to Lady. "Please pay the detective a bonus of five-hundred dollars. He's earned it."
Bonus? More like hush money.
I nodded. "Are there any expectations attached to this bonus?"
She grinned. "Not really. Let's consider it a marking of the case being finished and closed for good. You may close your file and we'll consider it all behind us. Oh, and... if you could keep our names out of any questions you're asked about the statue, at least as much as possible. I'm an old dog and I enjoy my privacy and would prefer if the press not come disturbing our quiet life."
Worst mispronunciation of "hush money" I'd ever heard.
"Very generous of you, ma'am. Feel free to call if you ever have need of my services again. It's been a pleasure."
Lady showed me to the door and handed me a white envelope with five crisp bills inside. I would've only drawn more attention to myself had I turned it down. Wonder how it would look to a jury knowing the private detective they hired got this sweet payout on the same day they got theirs. Maybe this was hush money, or maybe this was their idea of a set up. I'd have to make sure Petey knew about this as soon as possible, but the money wasn't the most valuable thing I left with. Not even close.
16
I made a quick stop at the office to pick up that old radio. I needed another convenient excuse to talk to Kerdy. This time, I was just going to ask her for her opinion. Maybe she would appreciate the direct approach.
After about a half hour of digging through piles of junk in two separate closets, Zelda and I finally found the broken radio. It was smaller than I remembered. Thank goodness. I grabbed it and headed down the street toward Kerdy's place. When I got there, I knocked on the door like I usually did, just to mind my manners. This time I was determined not to look through the gaping hole in the door, but after about five minutes of just standing there I gave up, kneeled down, and peered inside.
My eyes widened and my heart raced. This place was demolished, and there was blood everywhere. I pulled out my trusty shock stick and opened the door as quietly as I could. Being allowed to carry a standard police-issue stun baton had saved my hide more than once already. I peered cautiously around every corner, careful not to disturb any evidence and be ready in case I wasn't alone. I checked every room, every closet, and every container big enough to hide even the smallest cat. I picked up the phone, expecting the line to be cut. To my surprise, it wasn't. This was an ambush. Unexpected. The attacker knew she wouldn't have time to make a phone call. I dialed up Lieutenant Petey and asked him to come down right away and to bring a couple of his sharpest officers with him.
He was there in ten minutes. "You've had quite a run of bad luck, Trigger. This is the second felinicide you've gotten wrapped up in just here recently."
I shook my head. "This is still a missing person case, believe it or not. No body."
Petey raised his eyebrows and tilted his head "No body? With all this bloody mess everywhere? Think the killer took it and disposed of it already?"
I started to answer, but stopped short of opening my mouth. I took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. "That's entirely possible, Lieutenant, but I'm hoping for a little luck on this one. This is Kerdy's apartment. Remember that cat I asked you to look into?"
He nodded. "I remember, and I got something for you on that note. First, let me introduce you to Officer Hank and Officer Lola. Lola is Lulu's sister."
I shook their paws in the order he introduced them. Hank was a bloodhound, which was just what we needed. Lola's presence was what surprised me the most. Not because she was a feminine feline on the force -- that was surprising -- but because she hadn't said more than two words since she got here. And this was Lulu's sister?
"It's nice to meet both of you. Let's get this place taped off and comb for clues," I said. Petey grinned, nodding to them both in confirmation.
Hank called Petey over to the area with the most blood, by the table where Kerdy worked.
"Lieutenant, this is blood from two different sources. I can tell by the way it smells. One's a cat's blood, but the other belongs to a dog. The victim put up quite a fight. Must've been a small dog."
Lola came over to us and interjected an observation of her own. "Wrong. See this hole in the wall?"
We nodded affirmatively. "The dog's weapon likely made it. Runs at an angle, starting at closer to your height, Hank."
Hank shook his head. "Couldn't that also mean that the blow came from below and swung upward?"
Lola tapped the wall at the lower end of the damage. "No, the weapon penetrates deeper in the wall toward the bottom of this hole. See?"
We examined it closely.
Lola's attention to detail surprised me. "Well, I'll be. You're right," I said. "You two are quite the pair. This fits nice and tight with a little theory of mine, actually. There was a murder in my apartment building recently. The vic died from a blow to the head. Would've been with a weapon like this one, from a killer about the same height and similar strength. Actually, I'll be straight with you. Similar isn't the word I ought to be using. I think it's the same dog."
Lola squinted at the floor. "I remember reading the report on that one," she muttered.
"Here's what you don't know," I said. "The two cases are connected in more ways than that. Constance, the kid who was killed in my apartment building, was there to see me about a case I'd worked a while back. She had a letter on her that said as much. They wanted to recover a high-dollar piece, the Grand Gobbler. Kerdy, the cat who lives here, is the one who originally authenticated the statue for an insurance policy. I suspect fraud, but I don't figure Kerdy for it."
Petey put his paw against the wall, leaning down to talk to Lola and I. "Don't worry, Trigger, I know the story up to this point. I can fill the officers in later. Oh, and about that letter you just mentioned... You half said it on the phone. You're lucky I don't have Buddy's temper. I'll let it slide this time, but how about having a little more faith in your old comrades the next time?"
"Yeah... you're right about that, Petey. Was bad form to hide it. I was worried about the papers pushing the perps into hiding. Would've put our insurance fraudsters on guard too."
"Save it. I get why you hid it. It's water under the bridge. We've got more important things to discuss. Don't you think it's tim
e to open a formal investigation against the potential fraudsters? I've given you a wide berth already with the first incident. You're asking a lot of me here."
"It's getting close to that time, Petey."
"Close to that time? I think it's past that time. A single murder is one thing, but now this. You've done good, Trigger, but I think the department needs to take over from here and pursue these suspects formally. It's getting out of paw and the chief will put it on me if we get more incidents after holding back."
"Just give me a little more time, Petey," I pleaded.
"I've already given you more than I should. How much more do you need?"
"As much as you can give me."
His eyes narrowed, with a wrinkling of his brow. It was almost frightening, given how rarely Petey showed his frustration. "Going to need you to be a little more specific than that."
"Don't worry, Petey, I think it'll be sooner than later. Is Benjamin still being watched?"
Petey nodded. "Yeah, he is."
"There's a good chance that the killer will go after him next. He's one of the loose ends that needs tying up. I'll see about the other one over in Adria. Look, there's-"
Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed hair sticking out of the broken corner of the table. It broke in such a way as to leave a small hook, perfect for catching a small tuft of hair. I walked over to it and pulled a bit out, holding it toward the window for a better look. It was straight, and black.
"Hey, Petey."
"Yeah, what is it?"
"What was the information about Kerdy that you wanted to tell me?"
"Turns out we've been looking for her. She apparently committed a string of minor crimes a few years ago and went clean afterwards. We suspected that she'd smuggled herself into the city somehow. You know, if by some miracle she survived all this, we'll have to take her in," he said. It was almost as if he had sorrow in his voice.
