Frozen in Cherry Hills

by Paige Sleuth

  Or, maybe Chloe herself was guilty. She’d certainly sounded angry enough to do the deed. Except she’d just phoned Sadie to chew her out. She wouldn’t have done that unless she thought Sadie was still alive.

  A terse meow interrupted Kat’s thoughts. Matty sat on her right, and Tom was perched on her left. Both cats were staring at her with feline dismay.

  It was only then that Kat realized she was sitting on her coat—the exact same coat the cats believed to still be harboring a cricket.

  “The cricket isn’t real,” she told them.

  Neither cat budged. Knowing they wouldn’t be satisfied until they had a chance to investigate firsthand, Kat stood up.

  Matty didn’t waste any time resuming the hunt. As soon as Kat was out of the way, the tortoiseshell buried her head under the coat. Spotting movement from the cricket’s last known hiding spot, Tom pounced, and pretty soon the cricket was all but forgotten as the cats started playing with each other.

  Their antics would have sent Kat into a fit of laughter under normal circumstances, but at the moment her mind was elsewhere. She couldn’t stop playing through her conversation with Chloe, knowing it would haunt her until Sadie’s killer was caught.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  Kat pulled into the DataRightly parking lot at seven o’clock the next morning. A few lights were on, but the building as a whole was still dark. She had expected as much, considering that the official start of the workday didn’t begin for another hour.

  Thoughts of Sadie Cramer had kept her from sleeping well. After talking to Chloe she had called Andrew and told him about having Sadie’s cell phone. He had promised to stop by sometime today to pick it up.

  Unable to resist scrolling through the iPhone’s call history, she had been startled to note that Sadie’s last call had been to Bob Bellerose, one of 4F’s foster parents and Stumpy’s current caretaker. The timestamp indicated that Sadie had phoned him shortly after ten yesterday morning. Maura and Kat had gone outside around eleven, which meant Bob might be one of the last people to have talked to Sadie before her death.

  Maura’s interest in Leo’s cat struck Kat as the perfect opening for her to get in touch with Bob. She would call him later and set up a time to bring her boss by to meet Stumpy. While they were there, she could casually ask if he knew who Sadie might have run into after she’d talked to him.

  Kat got out of her car, her eyes veering toward the snowbank where she had found Sadie’s body. She wondered if the white cat was lurking nearby. She had brought him some of Matty and Tom’s kibble, placing it in a plastic lid fished out of the recycle bin. She didn’t plan to feed him every day, but neither could she let him starve out here in the cold.

  She brushed aside some snow near one corner of the building and set the food down. Meanwhile, she couldn’t stop herself from searching for evidence that Sadie’s killer might have left behind. Although the authorities had already combed through the area, with all this snow they could have easily missed something.

  Kat didn’t unearth anything, but that didn’t prevent her from running through possible scenarios as she headed for the building entrance. After her phone conversation with Chloe yesterday, she certainly had enough suspects to keep her mind occupied.

  Or maybe Sadie hadn’t known her killer. Perhaps she had caught a car thief by surprise when she’d come out for her smoke break. Maybe he’d just happened to have a stapler handy and used it to keep Sadie from telling anyone what she’d seen.

  Kat was so lost in her own head she almost plowed right into the man standing by the building entrance.

  “Oh, gosh,” she stammered, stopping short of jabbing him with her key.

  The man’s own key ring tumbled to the ground. Kat hurried to pick it up for him, but in her rush she grabbed it too hard and ended up depressing one of the buttons on the car fob. A black sedan beeped and flashed its lights.

  Kat dropped the keys into the man’s hand before she could do anything else to embarrass herself. “Sorry.”

  He smiled at her. “No problem.” He aimed the fob at the car and pressed another button to quiet it. “You’re lucky this thingamajig actually works. Three months ago I was driving an old rust heap that preferred to remain unlocked rather than obey any commands I gave it.”

  His joking manner caused Kat to relax. At least he didn’t seem too upset with her.

  He tilted his head. “You looked like you had a lot on your mind.”

  “I do.”

  “Care to share?”

  Kat pulled at one of her mittens. “Oh, I was just thinking about the woman who was killed here yesterday.”

  The man grimaced. “Sadie Cramer.”

  “Did you know her?”

  “I know most of the people who work in this building.” He squinted at Kat. “But I don’t recognize you.”

  “I just started at DataRightly yesterday.”

  “That explains it then.” He held out one gloved hand. “I’m Allen, Allen Bolt. I rent one of the first-floor suites.”

  “Kat Harper.” She shook his hand. He had a strong, firm grip. “You’re a lawyer, right?”

  He grinned. “Guilty as charged.”

  “I met your receptionist yesterday,” Kat told him. “Rachel. Or, rather, I gather she’s your former receptionist.”

  He frowned. “Rachel was here yesterday?”

  “She came to pick up her last paycheck from Sadie.”

  “Huh. I didn’t see her.”

  “She stopped by after the police were already on their way,” Kat informed him. “I don’t think they let her get past the lobby.”

  “Well, that explains why she didn’t pop in to say hi.”

  “Did Rachel get along well with Sadie?”

  “Yes.” Allen fiddled with his keys. “Although . . .”

  “Although . . . ?”

  “Nothing.” He shook his head. “I shouldn’t have even brought it up.”

  Kat studied him, itching to know what he had been about to say. Had he witnessed Sadie and Rachel fighting on occasion? Perhaps Rachel had a temper that only a former employer would know about.

  Not wanting to drop the subject, Kat said, “Rachel told me Sadie hired her after you let her go.”

  Allen bobbed his head. “That’s correct.”

  “That was nice of her. I’m sure Rachel appreciated it.”

  “Sadie was like that. Always willing to help a person out, ethical to almost a fault.”

  “Ethical to a fault?” Kat repeated.

  Allen flicked his wrist. “All I meant is that saving Rachel wasn’t Sadie’s job.”

  “You’re saying she shouldn’t have hired her?” Kat asked.

  “Oh, Rachel is a good worker. I would have kept her on myself if I could have afforded her.” Allen held up an index finger. “Now, I know what you’re thinking. Attorneys should have oodles of money, enough to sleep on mattresses stuffed full of hundred-dollar bills when they finally stop billing for the day.”

  Kat feigned surprise. “You don’t?”

  “Unfortunately we all can’t be one of those celebrity lawyers you see on television. After all, there are only so many ex-NFL players and burnt-out singers to represent.” Allen laughed. “But, then again, I didn’t choose the path of a high-profile criminal attorney either. I’m in estate planning, one of our profession’s more boring branches.”

  Kat smiled. “Sounds about as interesting as computer programming.”

  “Ah, but do you enjoy it? That’s the real question.”

  “I do.” Kat slipped her key in the lock and pushed the door open. She could see no point in continuing this conversation out in the cold.

  Allen pulled off his gloves as he followed her inside. “And I enjoy my work as well. There’s nothing more satisfying than knowing you’ve helped to get someone’s affairs in order. Tell me, do you have a will?”

  Kat blinked. “I’m sorry?”

  “I was inquiring as to whether you have a will.”

&n
bsp; “Um, no.”

  “You ought to think about writing one,” Allen advised. “I’d be happy to help you draft it.”

  Kat was only thirty-two. She had nothing that was worth much. And, except for Matty and Tom, she had no dependents. A will seemed superfluous.

  “It’s never too soon to plan for the inevitable,” Allen said, as if he could read her mind. “Wills, trusts, power of attorney, I can help you with any of it. I’ll tell you right now, you’ll sleep better once you get all that done.”

  Kat ignored the sales speech, too focused on a possibility that had just entered her mind. “You didn’t happen to do Sadie Cramer’s will, did you?”

  “Why yes, I did. Why do you ask?”

  “I was curious whether it led to any strife within her family.”

  Allen tapped his chin. “Well, I can tell you, there’s nothing that gets relatives up in a knot more than dividing up somebody’s possessions after they’re gone. Part of it, I’m sure, is the stress that comes from losing somebody. That often stirs up a lot of unresolved feelings, and those feelings come out in the oddest of ways.”

  Kat frowned. She didn’t miss how he had avoided giving her a direct answer. Although, what had she really expected from a lawyer?

  Allen checked his watch. “I should get going. I’ve got a full day’s work ahead of me.”

  “It was nice meeting you,” Kat said.

  “You too, Kat.”

  She watched as he disappeared down the hall, wondering what insights into Sadie’s family he had just taken with him.

  CHAPTER SIX

  “I can’t tell you how glad I am to be out of the office,” Maura told Kat, one hand on the steering wheel while the other held a lit cigarette. “When I’m there I keep gravitating toward the window, wondering if I could have prevented Sadie’s death if only I had bothered to look outside yesterday morning.”

  Kat’s heart went out to her boss. “What happened to Sadie isn’t your fault.”

  “I know, but still.” Maura wedged her cigarette in her mouth as if to cut herself off from saying anything more.

  Judging from the car’s overflowing ashtray and the easy way Maura kept one elbow propped on the driver’s side door as she flicked ashes out the window, Kat gathered she was used to driving while smoking. In fact, the more time Kat spent with her boss outside of the office, the more she was starting to view Maura’s cigarette as a natural extension of her hand.

  At least she’d had the courtesy to crack the windows, Kat mused. Even so, her throat was starting to feel scratchy.

  Maura glanced at the dashboard clock. “The Belleroses said they’ll be home by noon, right?”

  “Yes. I only talked to Bob, but he said Meg will likely be there too. He thinks she’ll do a better job explaining Stumpy’s quirks so you know what you’re in for before you make a decision about adopting him.”

  Maura smiled. “It’ll be good to see them.”

  Kat regarded her across the console. “You know the Belleroses?”

  “Yes, but I didn’t know they were doing this cat fostering thing.” Maura took another drag from her cigarette. “Actually, Bob’s father has been in and out of the hospital where Sadie’s daughter works. She’s a nurse there. Sadie used to rave about how good she was with all her patients.”

  “Oh.” Sometimes Kat forgot how everyone in Cherry Hills seemed to be connected in some way.

  Maura sighed. “I still can’t believe Sadie’s gone. Who am I going to smoke with now?” Her eyes flitted in Kat’s direction. “I mean, you’re always welcome to join me.”

  “I appreciate that, but I know it’s not the same.” Inhaling Maura’s secondhand smoke wasn’t something Kat planned to turn into a regular activity.

  “Here we are,” Maura said, pulling into the Belleroses’ driveway.

  Kat slipped off her seat belt. She had been to the Belleroses’ place before. Bob and Meg had been fostering for 4F longer than Kat had been on the board.

  “I’m excited to meet Leo’s cat,” Maura said, stubbing out her cigarette in the car ashtray. The motion sent a few other butts tumbling onto the floorboard, but Maura didn’t seem to notice. “It’s been years since I’ve had a pet of my own.”

  Kat couldn’t prevent the smile that spread across her face when she recalled how Matty and Tom had spent all of yesterday afternoon searching the apartment for their ‘cricket.’ “They’re a lot of fun.”

  They climbed out of the car and headed up the driveway. Kat kept her arms close to her sides to contain her body heat. As grateful as she was to be breathing in fresh air again, she wished it wasn’t so cold.

  The door swung open seconds after Maura depressed the doorbell, revealing an older gentleman with a potbelly and a welcoming smile. “Maura O’Malley,” Bob Bellerose said, spreading his arms. “You’re looking gorgeous, as always.”

  “Hi, Bob.” Maura gave him a hug. “How’s the heart?”

  “Still beating.” He grinned at Kat. “Afternoon, Kat. I almost didn’t recognize you without Imogene by your side.”

  “I gave her the day off,” Kat joked.

  Bob chuckled. “And here I thought you two came as a pair. Truth be told, I believe Imogene views you as one of her stray animals.”

  “Oh.” Kat didn’t know how to respond to that. She had never been compared to a stray animal before.

  Bob stepped aside. “Well, come on in, ladies. Meg’s in the living room.”

  Kat followed Maura into the house. Bob shut the door behind them before veering toward an armchair and picking up a magazine. Now that they had been let in, he apparently thought his duty as host was finished.

  “Maura, Kat,” Meg Bellerose said. She stood up from the sofa, her chestnut-colored hair tumbling around her shoulders.

  “Hi, Meg.” Maura hugged her, then surveyed the room. “So, where’s Leo’s cat?”

  “Stumpy is hiding under the coffee table,” Meg said, pointing. “He’s been sulking there ever since I dragged him out from under the bed and shut the bedroom door.”

  “Oh, look at that precious little darling,” Maura cooed, rushing toward the gray cat. “Isn’t he just the cutest thing you’ve ever seen?”

  Stumpy, evidently, wasn’t nearly as enamored with Maura. As soon as she reached out to pet him, he bounced toward the opposite side of the room and hunkered down in the corner.

  Maura didn’t seemed perturbed by the rebuff. She laughed. “He runs like a jackrabbit.”

  “It’s the effect of not having a tail,” Meg said, grinning.

  “Well, I think it’s darling.” Maura sat down on the couch, her eyes sparkling as she watched Stumpy’s attempts to compact himself into an invisible ball.

  “He’s actually a very sweet cat,” Meg said. “But he’s also very shy. It takes him some time to open up to new people.”

  “I don’t blame him. Nowadays it’s hard to know who to trust.” A shadow crossed over Maura’s face. “There are a lot of evil people out there.”

  “You’re referring to what happened to Sadie Cramer, I presume,” Meg said.

  Maura nodded, her face grim.

  “I heard about it at the hospital,” Bob piped up, lifting his head from his magazine. “I knew something was wrong when her daughter didn’t show up for her shift yesterday. Found out later from one of Pop’s nurses what had happened.”

  “Bob’s father has cancer,” Meg said. “Unfortunately, it’s terminal.”

  Kat felt a pinch in her chest as she took a seat next to Maura. “I’m sorry.”

  “Well, we knew when he was diagnosed a year ago that his chances of beating this thing weren’t high,” Bob said, setting down his magazine. “Pop went through all the treatments they suggested, but they couldn’t get rid of everything. Nothing to do now but wait.”

  Meg walked across the room and perched on the ottoman in front of Bob’s armchair. She gave him a watery smile as she set her palm on his knee.

  Bob patted her hand. “But, Pop’s
eighty-seven. He’s lived a full life, a good life. I only wish he hadn’t had to suffer so much this past year.” He shrugged. “At least I convinced him to get a trust set up when he was first diagnosed. Now he can go without worrying about leaving any loose ends behind.”

  Bob’s words reminded Kat of what Allen Bolt had said that morning. At the time she’d figured all that talk about a will giving her peace of mind was just a ploy to drum up more business, but maybe there was some truth to it. Maybe there was a certain comfort in knowing your last wishes were well documented.

  Unless, of course, your last wishes ended up being the cause of your death, Kat thought, thinking of Chloe railing about Sadie’s will.

  Meg smiled up at Bob. “I take comfort in the fact that when your father’s time comes he’ll be surrounded by people who love him.”

  Bob squeezed her hand. “In some ways we’re lucky we know Pop’s end is near. Poor Ginger must be heartbroken she didn’t get a chance to say goodbye to her own mother.”

  Kat decided now was a good time to bring up her other motive for wanting to see the Belleroses. “Bob, you didn’t happen to talk to Sadie before she died, did you?”

  Bob clucked his tongue. “You know, she called me when I was visiting with Pop yesterday.”

  “She did?” Meg said.

  “Yes. I had forgotten all about it.”

  “What did she say?” Kat asked.

  “She left a voicemail. Said she had something important to discuss and she wanted to do it in person.” Bob frowned. “She didn’t tell me what it concerned.”

  Kat processed that. Sadie’s reluctance to discuss the matter over the phone made Kat think it was serious. Could it have also been what had gotten her killed?

  “Look,” Maura said. “He’s decided to join us.”

  Stumpy had evidently grown tired of cowering in the corner. He was currently tiptoeing across the carpet, his gaze darting between Maura and Kat, the two strangers in the room.

  Maura slid onto the carpet and held her hand out to him. “Think he’ll come to me?”