Claws for a Cause (A Klepto Cat Mystery Book 15)

by Patricia Fry

  “He sure does,” Savannah agreed.

  The three of them watched through the window for a few more minutes, then Savannah said, “Here they come—empty handed.”

  “Did you expect them to return dragging the woman by her hair or something?” Brianna asked, chuckling.

  Savannah smirked at her sister, then asked Michael when he stepped into the house, “Did you see anyone?”

  He shook his head.

  Bud grinned. “I guess your horse was just lonely. She wanted some petting.”

  Brianna frowned. “Awww, poor Peaches, having to stay out there all by herself.”

  “Why don’t you get another horse—for Dr. Mike—or a pony for Lily?” Bud suggested.

  “Yeah,” Margaret said, “a buddy. Someone who speaks her language.”

  Savannah glanced at Michael, who had a slight scowl on his face. He said, “One hay burner’s enough.”

  “But she’d be so much happier if she had a friend,” Savannah complained.

  He stared at her for a few moments, then took off his jacket and headed for the table. “Let’s finish our dessert, shall we? Anyone need a refill on their wine…coffee?”

  “I’ll have more coffee,” Gladys said, “and another scoop of Max’s cobbler.” She asked, “So who was out there?”

  “Didn’t see anyone or evidence of anyone. Must have been one of those figments,” Michael said.

  “Figments?” Margaret questioned.

  “You know, a figment of Savannah’s and Brianna’s imagination.”

  “Oh, someone was out there, Michael,” Brianna said. “A woman. I’m sure of it.”

  ****

  Three days later, Michael returned home from work to find Savannah reading a story to Lily. “What are you reading?” he asked, picking Lily up and raising her over his head. He laughed when she giggled.

  “Her favorite,” Savannah responded. “Three Little Kittens.” She stood up and stretched. “How’d your day go?”

  “Okay.”

  “Anything exciting happen?”

  “If you call a visit from the police exciting, then yes.”

  “The police came? Why?” she asked.

  He put Lily on the floor and watched her push her stroller around for a few moments. “To follow up on some of those dog shootings.”

  “People are still shooting at dogs?”

  “I guess not. I haven’t seen any more gunshot wounds this week. But some of the dog owners are pressing charges, and the sheriff had some questions—they wanted my expert testimony.” He took off his shoes and slipped on his flip-flops. Looking up at Savannah, he said, “It appears that your posters are helping. Thanks for doing that, hon.”

  “Like you said, it’s important to educate people. I’m glad they were effective.”

  “Is supper ready?” he asked. “I worked up an appetite today.”

  “Sure, go wash up and we’ll eat.”

  “So what did you two do today?” he asked as they sat down to a chicken-and-rice casserole and a green salad.

  “We met Colbi’s cousins.”

  “No kidding. They’re here in Hammond?”

  Savannah nodded. “Yeah, Roberta is riding in a show in Santa Barbara this weekend and decided to fly up and meet Colbi and Harrison. The circus cousin flew in as well.”

  “So did Harrison meet them? Isn’t he living on the streets again?” he asked.

  “I guess not. He’s still using the room at Colbi’s. She says she’s just more cautious about leaving her belongings around and things like that.”

  “Oh, so no reconciliation with Damon, huh?”

  “I don’t think so. She seems to think she knows what she’s doing.” Savannah heaved a deep sigh. “I sure hope she does.” She took a bite of her casserole then said, “But yeah, Harrison spent some time with their relatives at the diner and I guess charmed them. I saw the cousins later in the day at Colbi’s. Harrison wasn’t there then, but they talked about him a lot—what a handsome guy he is, how friendly and nice he is. I guess they were impressed.”

  Michael shook his head disgustedly.

  Savannah grinned across at Michael. “The cousins are quite entertaining. Colbi and I were doubled over laughing at some of their stories. They’re both interesting. Klint is evidently trying to get Harrison to join the circus.”

  “What?” Michael asked, coughing when he choked on a sip of iced tea.

  “Well, actually it’s the carnival circuit. Yeah, Colbi’s all for it.”

  “What does Harrison think about that?”

  “I don’t know. I’m guessing he might like the adventure and travel part of it, but he doesn’t appear to be much for working.” She giggled a little. “Roberta is tiny like Colbi and her coloring is similar. Those two could actually be mistaken for sisters, only Roberta is more…forceful.”

  “Forceful?”

  “Yes, she has more confidence about herself, somehow.”

  “I guess anyone who trains horses would. It’s not a job for the meek. You have to show the horse who’s boss.”

  “Yeah, but Roberta is also a girly-girl like Colbi and the two of them seemed to hit it off…like sisters.”

  Just then, the doorbell chimed. “I wonder who that is,” Savannah said. She and Michael exchanged looks. “I hope it’s not Mr. Fenton looking for sweet Lucy.” She stood. “I’d better get it,” When she opened the door, she was surprised to see a young woman standing there. “Hello,” she greeted, glancing around behind her for a clue as to where she might have come from. “May I help you?”

  “Mrs. Ivey?” asked the dark-complexioned girl with long dark hair and deep brown eyes.

  Savannah nodded.

  “I’m Leah.”

  Savannah studied the girl’s face. “Do I know you?”

  “No…I…” she started to say, when she blinked and slumped a little. She took a breath and brushed her hair away from her forehead. “I’m sorry. I’m not feeling…”

  Concerned that the girl was about to faint, Savannah reached for her arm. “Please, won’t you come in out of the cold?” She then called out to Michael.

  “What?” he asked as he approached. He studied the woman. “What’s going on?”

  “Michael this is Leah. She’s not feeling well,” Savannah said, leading the young woman to the sofa. As she helped her remove her heavy backpack and eased her onto the cushions, the lightweight blanket Leah had wrapped around herself fell to one side. “You’re going to have a baby.” Savannah observed. She glanced at Michael, then back at the young woman. “Not soon, I hope.”

  “Next month, I think,” Leah said.

  When she noticed the woman seemed out of breath, Savannah offered, “Let me get you a glass of water.”

  “I’ll get it,” Michael said. “You stay with her.”

  “Do you live around here?” Savannah asked. “Or are you visiting? I didn’t see a car in the driveway. Did you walk from a neighbor’s?”

  Leah shook her head. She hesitated, then said, “I don’t have a place to stay right now.”

  “You’re living on the streets?” Savannah asked, disbelieving.

  She nodded. “It’s temporary. I…I actually have a place to sleep at night sometimes, but I have to leave before daylight.”

  Savannah grimaced. “When was the last time you ate?”

  “I had a banana this morning.”

  “Good gosh, girl, you need to nourish that baby you’re carrying. Listen, we’re just eating. There’s plenty. I’ll get you a plate.”

  “Oh please, you’re so kind. Don’t go to any trouble, really.”

  “No trouble,” Savannah said, turning to leave.

  In the meantime, Michael handed the woman a tall glass of water. “I’ll get it,” he said, heading back toward the kitchen.

  “Here, let’s go into the kitchen, shall we?” Savannah suggested, helping the girl to stand. “You’re freezing. I’m going to get you something warmer to wear.”
/>
  “I don’t want to be a bother,” Leah protested.

  Savannah grimaced, then ushered the young woman into the kitchen. “You sit here at the table,” she instructed. “I’ll be right back.” When she returned, she said, “Now, give me that blanket and put this on.” She watched as the girl slipped into the heavy sweater.

  “This is nice. Thank you,” Leah said, watching as Michael placed a plate in front of her. Then he and Savannah sat down and resumed eating their meal.

  Once everyone had finished, Savannah asked. “Feel better?”

  Leah nodded.

  “Now, may we ask who you are?” Michael said. “What brought you to our door?”

  Leah looked at him, then at Savannah. “You have something of mine and I’ve come for it.”

  The couple looked at each other. “What do we have?” Michael asked.

  “I put it in your suitcase—the red one.” She explained.

  Savannah frowned. “Oh? When? Where?”

  “In Honolulu at your hotel. I saw your luggage in the hallway and slipped it inside. I wrote down your name and address from the tag. As soon as I could get a flight to Frisco, I came to retrieve it.” She looked from Michael to Savannah. “Can I have it, please?”

  Savannah gazed at the girl. “So it was you,” she muttered. She then said, “Well, I don’t know what you could possibly be talking about. I unpacked my luggage and didn’t find anything in there that wasn’t mine.”

  “It’s glued into the lining. I was pretty sure you wouldn’t find it. Can you just bring the suitcase to me?”

  “What was it you put in there?” Savannah asked.

  She looked at Savannah, then Michael. “It’s private. Nothing that concerns you.”

  “If it’s in our suitcase, it concerns us,” Michael reasoned.

  Leah hesitated before saying impatiently, “Please, can you just bring me the bag and I’ll be on my way.”

  “Gosh, young lady,” Michael said, “I don’t know what to tell you. I hope it wasn’t something valuable.”

  “Why?” she asked, looking puzzled.

  Savannah shook her head slowly. “I’m afraid we threw that suitcase in the trash.”

  “What? You’re lying. You found it and kept it, didn’t you?” She stood and glared at Savannah, then Michael. “You’re lying. Where is it? Give it to me; it’s mine!”

  “Now wait a minute, there,” Michael said, “my wife is not lying. A wheel broke on the suitcase on our way home and we tossed it. That’s exactly what happened. Now what did you put in there that you couldn’t carry with you on the plane? Drugs? A weapon?”

  Leah shook her head. “No. I can’t tell you, but it’s worth a lot. I have to have it. Without it, I don’t know how we’ll survive.” She started to cry. “Without it, I’m still homeless—me and my baby.” Collecting herself, she looked across the table at them. “Hey, when did you toss the bag? Where?”

  “Um, yesterday,” Savannah said. “The trash truck came yesterday.”

  Leah looked disappointed, then perked up a little and asked, “Where’s your refuse center? Maybe I can find it there.”

  “Well, I don’t know about that. I don’t think it’s open to the public,” Michael said.

  “Doesn’t matter. If it’s still there, I’ll find it.” She stood. “Hey, I gotta go. I have someone waiting for me.” Her face lit up. “How lucky that I met someone almost as soon as I got here last weekend. He knew how to get out here to your place. He’ll help me look for the bag, I’m sure of it.” She walked into the living room, picked up her backpack, and headed for the door. Suddenly turning, she asked, “Do you know when the last bus leaves this area?”

  Savannah looked at Michael. “Gosh, I would imagine bus service is over for the day.”

  Leah looked disappointed for a moment, then said, “No problem, we’ll hitch a ride somehow.” She moved toward the door. “Thank you for the food.” When she realized she was still wearing Savannah’s sweater, she said, “Oh, here’s your sweater. Could I have my blanket back?”

  “Keep it,” Savannah said.

  “Oh, thank you,” Leah said, wrapping her blanket around herself and heading for the door.

  “Leah, have you been here before?” Savannah asked.

  The girl gave her a blank stare.

  “I mean, a couple of nights ago I thought I saw you or someone who looked like you out near the corral.”

  “Um…no, that wasn’t me. I haven’t been here before.” When Savannah continued to stare at Leah, the girl looked down and said, “Yeah, I came out here Tuesday night. I saw that you had company, so I didn’t want to bother you. I didn’t think you’d mind if I petted the horse. I love horses. I used to have one almost like her.” She smiled. “I couldn’t resist petting her. She’s so sweet and friendly.” Her expression changed when she said, “I saw the light go on, and I took off and waited for my ride at the end of the driveway.”

  Savannah and Michael glanced at each other, then Savannah said, “Leah, let me get you a jacket.” She grimaced. “If you’re going to be hitchhiking in this weather, you’ll need something warmer to wear.” When she returned, she handed Leah a periwinkle-blue car coat with a wool lining.

  “Oh, this is great. Thank you so much,” she said slipping into the coat. “I’ll return it just as soon as…”

  Savannah thinned her lips. “Never mind that.” She then said, “Hey, wait, you could probably use a warmer blanket and some food.”

  “Savannah,” Michael said under his breath, “she has someone waiting for her.”

  Ignoring him, she asked, “Leah, is this the only blanket you have?” The look on the girl’s face told the story. “I’ll be right back,” Savannah said, and she soon returned with two thermal blankets and two bottles of water, some granola bars, and apples in a tote bag.

  “Thank you,” the girl said. She hesitated as if she wanted to say something more, but, instead, quickly disappeared into the darkness.

  Savannah followed her with her eyes, thinking, I hope she’s going to be okay out there…she and her unborn baby. Who is she? Where did she come from? And what in the world did she hide in our luggage?

  Chapter 7

  “This is great,” Iris said as she and Craig sat across the table from the Iveys at the diner the following night. “We don’t double-date often enough.”

  “Yeah, we’re eager to hear about your trip,” Craig said. “So what were the highlights?” He chuckled. “Forget about the lowlights.”

  “The highlights, huh?” Michael contemplated the question before answering. “Some island guy threatened Savannah and a Hawaiian gigolo tried to make time with her. We saved a kitten’s life and mended a little girl’s heart.”

  “And we brought home contraband we didn’t know we had, then threw it away, making a young pregnant woman very unhappy,” Savannah added.

  “What?” Craig asked, shaking his head.

  “A gigolo?” Iris repeated, her eyes lighting up.

  Just then Kayla approached with their drinks. After placing them on the table, she asked, “What can I bring you?”

  “Spit out the gum,” Iris said under her breath. “Looks tacky.” She leaned toward the waitress. “If you want good tips, make a good presentation. You know better than that.”

  “Yes, ma’am,” Kayla said, removing the gum from her mouth. “What can I get you?”

  “Uh, oh, I don’t care—surprise me,” Iris said, pushing a strand of her curly red hair off her forehead. She quickly turned to Savannah and insisted, “Tell me about the gigolo.”

  “We’ll both have the spaghetti special,” Craig said, handing Kayla their menus.

  “Sounds good to me,” Michael said, deferring to Savannah.

  “Me, too, with extra Parmesan on the side. Thanks.” When she saw that Iris was continuing to stare at her, waiting for a response, she said, “He was just a little flirty, that’s all.” Savannah ran her hand along Michael’s upper arm. “Once he saw what
a hunk I’m married to, he left me alone.”

  “Bummer,” Iris said.

  Craig smirked playfully at his wife, then leaned toward the Iveys. “Contraband? What kind of contraband? And why did you throw it away?”

  Michael grimaced. “It seems that a young woman slipped something into Savannah’s suitcase while it was outside our hotel room in Hawaii waiting for the shuttle driver to pick it up. The thing broke on our way home and we tossed it in the trash. I don’t know what’s supposed to be in it, but that girl talked like she was going to the refuse center to try to find it. Can people do that? I mean, can they pick through the rubble at the dump?”

  “Not that I know of,” Craig said. “But I suppose that doesn’t keep people from sneaking in when they’ve accidently tossed something valuable.” He took a swig of coffee, then said, “I think they bulldoze the rubbish fairly soon after it arrives, but I could be wrong.”

  Savannah wrinkled her nose. “She shouldn’t be digging around in that rotten stuff in her condition anyway. Ewww, gross.”

  “So you don’t know what she’s after, huh?” Craig asked.

  Savannah shook her head. “Don’t have a clue—but it has value. She said it would help her and her baby get a good start in life.”

  Suddenly, Craig became quiet. “Wait,” he said, “was this girl from Hawaii?”

  “Yes,” Savannah said.

  “I heard there was a young gal who went into labor last night while she was trying to get over the fence into the refuse center.”

  Savannah gasped. “Oh, my gosh, that must be her. Do you know how she is?”

  “As I understand it, she didn’t have the baby and was released from the hospital. He frowned. “So, if she put something in there how did you miss seeing it, anyway?”

  Savannah explained, “Leah…the little pregnant gal…said she sliced open the fabric on the outside of my suitcase, slipped the item in, glued it shut, then got our name and address off the luggage tag so she could find us.”

  “And you didn’t notice this?” he asked.

  Michael and Savannah moved back from the table to allow Kayla to place their meals in front of them. “No,” Savannah said.

  “And you don’t know what she put in there.”