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

by Patricia Fry

  “Great, actually,” she said. “I had the best night’s sleep.”

  Michael poured a cup of coffee, then sat down across from Leah. He peered at her over the mug. “How long have you been without a roof over your head?”

  Savannah interrupted. “Leah, would you like a glass of fresh-squeezed orange juice?”

  “Yes, please,” she said eagerly. “Can I help?”

  “No, I have it covered.” She then asked, “How about eggs, bacon, and biscuits this morning?”

  “Yum,” Michael said.

  “Sounds great,” Leah agreed. When she noticed that Michael was staring at her, she decided to answer his question. “I’ve been on the streets for just a couple of months.”

  “How’d it happen?” Savannah asked as she gathered the ingredients for the biscuits.

  “Well, it’s a long story,” she said, obviously reluctant to tell it.

  Michael winked. “We have all the time in the world.”

  Leah took a sip of her juice, looked from one to the other, and said, “Yeah, it’s been about two months. It wasn’t so bad in Oahu, but it’s a different story here.”

  “Do you mean because of the weather?” Michael asked.

  “Yes, that’s a problem, but also, I’m an outsider. You may not know this, but it’s not easy to be accepted into homeless circles. I mean, there are some bad people out there—predators, my parents would call them. Others are comfortable in the space they’ve chosen and they don’t want someone moving in on their territory.” She took a breath and smiled. “I did meet up with a nice guy, though. He’s been helping me find your suitcase.” She thought for a moment, then said, “He’s not exactly homeless, but he knows some of the people on the streets. He seems to make friends easily—well, it’s easier for a guy than a girl.” She looked down at her stomach and added, “…especially a pregnant girl.”

  “So what are your plans, Leah?” Michael asked in a serious tone. “You don’t want to bring a baby into this life, do you?”

  “Do you plan to go home to your family at some point?” Savannah asked.

  “Oh no. They would never accept me this way or with a baby.” She spoke defiantly. “I do plan to keep my baby.”

  “Where’s the father?” Savannah asked. “Still in Hawaii?”

  “He’s dead,” she said solemnly. When she saw Michael staring at her, waiting to hear more, she took a deep breath. “I met him while I was on a cheerleading trip with my college.” She stared off into space. “Kale was charming. I fell hard for his phony line, ended up pregnant and deeply in love with who I thought he was. Come to find out, he was married with children and he wasn’t at all interested in this baby. He was also a criminal. I learned later that he had just been out of jail for a matter of weeks when we met. Six months later, he winds up getting arrested again and there goes the money he was paying for our apartment. When he went to jail, I found myself on the streets.”

  “But what about this item you hid in our luggage?” Michael asked.

  “Well, a friend of Kale’s felt sorry for me and he’s the one who set me up with that. He said it’s a key to my future—mine and the baby’s.” She tilted her head. “He was afraid I’d be searched when I flew out of Honolulu because authorities might know I’d associated with Kale. In fact, it was his idea to hide the envelope in a bag that was headed for the Frisco area.” She chuckled. “You know, not all fabric luggage is lined. I had to do some research to find out which ones are, to make sure the envelope remained hidden.”

  “What happened to Kale?” Savannah asked. “You said he’s dead?”

  Leah stared down at her hands. “I’m not sure. He died in prison—a gang war or riot or something, I guess. Ano, that’s Kale’s friend—he told me Kale got himself killed.”

  As Savannah placed a plate of scrambled eggs and bacon on the table and pulled the biscuits out of the oven, Leah picked up her phone and said, “I thought I’d hear from my friend by now. Oh wait, here’s a text.” She looked up at Savannah. “He sent it last night, but it just came through.” After reading it, she smiled. “I think we found your suitcase. Did you remove your ID tag from it?” she asked.

  Savannah nodded.

  “And it has a broken wheel, right?”

  “Yes,” Michael said.

  Leah let out a sigh of relief. “Then I think we found it. My friend wants me to meet him in the mini-market parking lot on Juniper at noon today. What time is it?”

  “Nine thirty.”

  “Then what?” Savannah asked, sitting down at the table next to Leah.

  “Then I have to go to Frisco to get the money.”

  She frowned. “Is it an inheritance or something?”

  “Kind of, yeah. Ano said it’s Kale’s share of a take and that I should have it.”

  “Stolen money?” Savannah said, furrowing her brow. “Leah, you’re going to meet crooks to collect stolen money? Don’t you think that’s dangerous?”

  “I don’t think so. I just have to get the address for the storage unit from someone in Frisco, that’s all. The key’s in the envelope.” She sighed deeply and began eating. “Savannah, this is delicious.” She smiled. “Your jam sure brings back memories of my Nana.”

  After a brief silence, Savannah asked, “So when do you think you’ll go to Frisco?”

  “First, I have to make sure I have the key and contact information, then I guess in a few days. I’m really rather tired and sore from spending so much time sitting and lying on hard places. After the scare with the labor, I’m resting more—I don’t want to take chances with my baby.” She looked at Savannah. “I’ve been trying to take it easy since I went to the hospital the other night.”

  “Good for you. The best way you can take care of your baby is by taking care of yourself, you know. He…or she…is depending on you.”

  Leah let out a sigh, then continued eating. After finishing breakfast, she walked to the window and peered out at the horse. “Have you fed her yet?”

  “No,” Savannah said. “Want to help me with that chore this morning?”

  Leah’s face lit up. “Sure do.”

  “Well, let’s get our jackets and we’ll go have some quality time with Peaches.”

  “Peaches? Her name’s Peaches?” Leah asked, crinkling her nose.

  “Yeah,” Savannah said, “because of her coloring.” She then asked, “Did you have your own horse at home?”

  “Yes.” Smiling, she said, “Hoss and Little Joe—you know, from Bonanza, and Queenie. She was one feisty mare and boy, did I love her.” As the two women stepped out onto the wrap-around porch, Leah yelped, “Oh, no. You don’t want the cat out, do you?”

  “No,” Savannah said, rushing to thwart Rags’s attempt to escape.

  “I’m sorry,” Leah said. “I didn’t know he was so…”

  “Sneaky?” Savannah offered. “…devious? Naughty? Oh, he’s the worst. Raaags! She called as she watched him bound down the steps and head quickly toward the corral.

  Suddenly, Leah started backing up. “Oh no,” she said. “A big dog. Will he hurt the cat?”

  Before either of the women could react, Lucy appeared from around the tack room and rushed toward Rags. What happened next surprised them both. They watched as Lucy lowered herself down to the ground, her chin resting on her outstretched paws. Rags, in the meantime, sauntered up and head-butted the dog, rubbing his body against Lucy’s face and along her side. The dog stood and followed Rags as he walked toward the corral. When the cat climbed to the top rail, the mare nickered, tossed her head a few times, then approached Rags and gently nudged him with her muzzle. Rags, rubbed against her head. When he spotted a piece of straw dangling from the mare’s forelock, he reached with one paw and batted at it, causing her to shake her head.

  “That dog won’t hurt him?” Leah asked, as she watched Lucy stretch with her front paws up the post near where Rags sat.

  Savannah shook her head. “Those three seem to be pals. We try to
discourage Lucy’s visits because we don’t like to see her running loose all over the place—we don’t think it’s safe—but she has a mind of her own and an owner who lets her exert it.”

  As they drew near, Leah reached out and petted Lucy. “She’s a pretty dog. And so friendly.” She laughed. “She loves being petted.” Leah then stepped closer to the mare. “She’s a really nice horse. Sweet and gentle.”

  “Yes, she is. Did you pick up on all that the night you visited her?”

  Leah nodded.

  ****

  Later that morning, Leah emerged from her room carrying her backpack and blankets. She found the Iveys in the living room entertaining Lily.

  “Oh, you’re wearing your old clothes,” Savannah noticed.

  “Yes, thank you for loaning me some clean ones and for washing these.”

  “Leah, please take the clothes with you. You might need a change.”

  “Oh, that’s so nice of you.” She hesitated. “Would you do me one more favor?”

  “Sure.”

  “Drive me over to Juniper Street so I can meet up with my friend and get the key. Then I won’t need to bother you anymore. I’m sure I can sleep at his place tonight.”

  “Yes, I’ll do that,” Savannah said. “But both Michael and I strongly urge you to contact your parents, Leah. They love you no matter what and they will love your baby. Please think about it, won’t you?”

  “Yeah, I’ll think about it,” Leah said, off-handedly.

  Savannah gazed at the younger woman for a moment before saying, “I’ll get my coat.” On her way back to the living room, her phone rang. She edged it out of her back pocket. “Hi Craig.”

  “Hi,” he said hesitantly.

  “What’s up?”

  “Um, have you talked to Colbi?”

  She frowned. “No, why?”

  “Well, something has happened and I thought you ought to know.”

  “What, Craig?” Savannah asked, her voice shaking.

  “She’s at the hospital—Damon’s with her…”

  “What happened?” Savannah insisted.

  “Oh, Colbi’s okay, it’s her brother. He was beaten half to death last night. The man he was with was killed.”

  “My God,” Savannah said, covering her mouth with her hand. “Who did it?”

  “We don’t know, but we have a few leads.”

  “Poor Colbi. You say Damon’s with her?”

  “Yes. But she would probably like to see you, if you feel like going over there.”

  “I’ll do that. I sure will do that. She must be so upset. Craig, do they think…?”

  “They don’t know yet if he’ll make it. He was worked over pretty good, but he does have youth on his side.”

  “Thanks for letting me know, Craig. I’ll see you later.”

  “What’s wrong?” Michael asked when he saw the look on Savannah’s face.

  She eased into a chair, shaking her head slowly. “It’s Harrison. Craig said he was badly beaten last night.” She looked at Michael. “His friend was killed in the attack.”

  Just then they heard Leah gasp. When Michael saw her slump, he dashed to break her fall and eased her onto the sofa.

  “Harrison,” she said weakly. “Harrison,” she said more loudly. She looked Savannah in the eyes. “He was attacked?”

  Savannah glanced at Michael, then at Leah. “You know Harrison Lee?”

  Leah nodded. “He’s my friend…the one I told you about. He found the suitcase.” She looked pleadingly at Savannah. “How is he?”

  “Pretty badly beaten, from what our friend tells us.”

  “I have to see him,” Leah said, trying awkwardly to stand. She grabbed Savannah’s hand. “Could you take me to him?”

  Savannah looked at Michael, who shrugged. “Well, yeah, I guess so,” she said. “Are you ready?”

  “Yes,” she said, picking up her backpack and heading for the front door.

  Savannah turned to Michael. “Craig thinks I should be there for Colbi. Do you mind?’

  He shook his head. “No.” He then said, “Why don’t I drive you gals over to Straley?”

  Savannah let out a sigh. “Yeah, I’d like that, if you don’t mind.” She kissed Michael on the cheek. “Thank you, hon.” Turning toward the hallway, she said, “I’ll grab a few diapers. Want to put Lily’s coat on her?” Before she reached the nursery, her phone rang again. “Hello Iris,” she answered.

  “Hi kiddo, just letting you know I’m home if you want to go to the hospital. I know Craig thought you might. I’ll entertain Lily, if you’d like.”

  “Oh, Iris, that would be great. We’re just leaving. Okay if we drop her by now?”

  “Absolutely. See you in a few.”

  “Michael, Iris offered to keep Lily. Do you mind swinging by there on our way out of town?”

  “No. Let’s go. I’d like to see exactly what’s going on with Harrison and Colbi.”

  Chapter 8

  “Oh, Savannah,” Colbi said when she saw her walk into the lobby of Straley Community Hospital. She rushed to her and fell into her arms, sobbing. “It’s awful. He looks just awful. Who could do such a thing to him—to anyone? No one deserves that.”

  “We’re so sorry,” Michael said, rubbing Colbi’s back.

  She pulled away and wiped her eyes, acknowledging both Michael and Savannah. “They have him on a ventilator. He’s in a medically induced coma.”

  “Can I see him?”

  That’s when Colbi noticed the young dark-haired girl standing next to Michael.

  “Colbi, this is Leah. She’s a friend of Harrison’s.”

  “You,” Colbi said, her face flushing with rage. “He was protecting you!” she shouted. She moved closer and said more quietly, “You caused this. It’s because of you that my brother’s lying there nearly dead.” She reached for the younger woman. “It’s your fault!”

  “Now Colbi,” Michael said, pulling her back and holding onto her. “What makes you think Leah had anything to do with this?”

  “I know she did,” Colbi said. “That little tramp led my brother on, and she’s the reason he was beaten up.”

  “No, you got it all wrong,” Leah said. “I didn’t know anything about this. Harrison offered to find something for me, that’s all. I don’t know why anyone would want to hurt him.” She blinked her eyes. “Do they know who did this to him?”

  “No, don’t you?” Colbi snapped.

  The younger woman shook her head, tears running down her cheeks.

  Just then Damon stepped into the lobby with two cups of coffee in his hands. He took one look at Colbi and quickly moved toward her. “What happened?” he asked, concern in his tone.

  “I just met the girl Harrison’s been seeing—the one we believe had something to do with his attack.”

  Damon glanced at Leah, who was sobbing quietly into her hands. He set the cups on a nearby table and put his arms around Colbi.

  After a few moments, Leah asked, “Did he have a red suitcase with him?”

  When Colbi seemed unable or unwilling to respond, Damon said, “Uh, I don’t know about that? Why?”

  “He sent me a text saying he found the suitcase we’d been looking for. I was to meet him this morning. I really need that suitcase.”

  “The detective’s here,” Michael said when he spotted Craig walking through the doors.

  “Good morning…or not,” Craig said. He looked around at the small group gathered in the hospital lobby. Bowing his head slightly, he said, “Hello, Colbi…Leah. Why don’t we all sit down?”

  Leah’s eyes widened. “You’re a detective? Did you find the suitcase?”

  “Suitcase?”

  She nodded. “A red one. Harrison had it.”

  “No.” He turned to face her. “Tell me, why do you think Harrison would have that suitcase?”

  Leah seemed to withdraw. She glanced around at the others and fidgeted with a butto
n on her jacket.

  “Tell him, Leah,” Savannah prompted. “You have to tell him.”

  “Well, Harrison found the suitcase last night. He…he texted me saying he had found it.” She began to cry. “Then, I guess someone…”

  “I knew you had something to do with it, “Colbi snarled. She started to stand, but Damon pulled her back down onto the sofa next to him.

  “Interesting,” Craig said. He then excused himself. When he returned, he reported, “Well, young lady, they told me he didn’t have it with him, but one of the officers remembers seeing a bag matching that description in a Dumpster down the alley a ways.”

  “Oh no,” she said, slumping. She then perked up. “Where? Do you know where the alley is?”

  He hesitated. “Yes. There’s a deputy retrieving the bag as we speak.”

  “Oh good,” Leah said. “Thank you.”

  “Now don’t get your hopes up,” Craig cautioned. “If there was something of value in there, it’s probably gone. And we can’t release the satchel to you, anyway. It will be held as evidence.”

  Savannah addressed Colbi. “Do you need anything? Will you be staying here? I can feed Dolly and your feral cats, if you want.”

  “Oh, Savannah, I don’t know what I’m doing. Can I let you know later?”

  “Sure. Just call me if there’s anything you need.”

  “Okay.” Colbi looked at Craig and then at the Iveys. “I’m going to go sit with him for a while, if you don’t mind.”

  “No, we’re leaving,” Savannah said. “We just wanted to see you and let you know that you…and Harrison…are in our thoughts and prayers.”

  “Thank you, dear friend,” Colbi said, hugging Savannah and Michael. She glared at Leah, then turned and walked toward the elevator.

  “Detective,” Leah said before following Michael and Savannah out of the lobby, “do you think I can get what’s mine out of the suitcase before it goes into evidence or is tossed out again?”

  Craig rubbed his chin in contemplation.

  Pleading, she said, “The only reason he had it was because I asked him to find it. I need what’s in there. Please.”

  “Meet me at the sheriff’s office at two this afternoon. We’ll talk about it then, okay?”