The Corral Cat Caper (Klepto Cat Mystery Book 7)

by Patricia Fry

"Yes, but it's not there."

  The four of them looked back and forth at each other. Finally, Michael said what the others were thinking: "Rags."

  "Did you forget to put your purse up on the Rags-proof shelf?" Savannah asked.

  "Yes, I did. Guess my excitement overcame my senses."

  "Well, let me see if I can find him," Michael suggested, sounding a little annoyed. He took another sip of the wine, set his glass on the table, and headed into the dining room calling, "Rags, where are you, you scoundrel?" He returned shortly, a puzzled look on his face. He scratched his head and said, "I can't find him and, by the way, I don't know what I'm supposed to be looking for."

  Everyone laughed.

  "Yeah, they haven't done the reveal, have they?" Savannah said.

  "Okay, here's a clue," Iris said. "It's white, square, and probably has teeth marks in it by now," she complained. "Cat teeth marks!"

  "Need help?" Savannah asked.

  Michael nodded. "Yes, that would be nice."

  "I'll help, too," Iris said.

  Craig scooted his chair closer to the baby seat, saying, "I'll sit with the baby."

  Several minutes passed before the trio reappeared shaking their heads in disbelief. Iris displayed her hands, palms up. "We can't find it anywhere."

  "That's never happened before," Savannah added. "Makes me wonder what else he's taken that we haven't found yet."

  "Never mind," Craig said. "I've got it right here."

  "What?" Iris said.

  Michael frowned. "How…?"

  "Where was it?" Savannah asked, also looking stunned.

  "The cat just walked up and dropped it at my feet," he said.

  Michael pushed back the stubborn straight hairs that fell over one side of his forehead. "Well, I'll be…"

  Savannah shook her head, her blond ponytail swinging back and forth. "That's a first." She then clapped her hands and asked, "So what is it? What is it?"

  Craig handed the envelope to Savannah.

  Michael and Savannah each pulled up a chair and joined Craig at the table. Iris stood next to the detective, smiling down at their hosts. "Open it," she said, sounding almost giddy.

  Savannah carefully lifted the flap, turned it over a time or two and said with a chuckle, "There are teeth marks."

  "Open it," Michael urged rather impatiently. "What is it—a summons, a birthday card, a parking ticket, a chain letter…?"

  Savannah pulled a card out of the envelope and gasped. "Is this for real?"

  "What?" Michael asked, taking the card from her. "Ohhh. Wow! This is a surprise for sure."

  "Well, what do you think?" Iris asked, unable to contain her enthusiasm.

  Savannah set the card on the table, rushed over to Iris and hugged her hard. "I think it's wonderful," she said with sincerity. She bent down and hugged Craig. "I'm so happy for you both,"

  "Yes, this is great news," Michael said. "I didn't see it coming, did you, hon?"

  Savannah shook her head. "No, Iris, I didn't think you'd ever do the marriage thing again." She addressed both of them, "When?"

  Craig looked confused. "Huh?"

  Savannah quickly explained. "When are you getting married?"

  Just then, they heard another voice asking, "Who's getting married?"

  "Oh, hi Auntie," Savannah said when she saw Margaret enter the room. "I didn't hear you come in."

  "I knocked. When no one came, I walked in." She glanced around at everyone. "So is it your son, Damon, and our Colbi?" she asked Iris with a big smile.

  Iris and Craig shook their heads, both of them grinning.

  Margaret leaned toward Savannah. "Not your sister and Bud?"

  "No," Savannah said.

  "Who then?" Margaret asked appearing confused.

  "You're looking at them," Michael said, motioning toward Craig and Iris.

  Margaret stared at the couple for a few moments and then said, "Noooo."

  "Yes," Iris said with a bright smile. She then frowned. "Why not?" she asked.

  "Well…at your age…I just thought you'd…I didn't think you'd…" Margaret stammered.

  "You did it;" Iris said indignantly, "and you're the same age as I am."

  Margaret raised her brows and nodded. "You got me there," she said. "I sure did marry late in life the last time—at least I hope it's the last time." She thought about it for a moment and said, "Hey, I think it's neat. I'm happy for you." She cleared her throat. "Really, I am. Marriage is a nice state of being…even when you're pushing sixty." She studied Craig for a moment, focusing on his graying hair and pleasant face and said, "…and, what, sixty-five?" she guessed.

  "Me?" Craig asked. "I'm sixty-three."

  "And I'm not pushing sixty," Iris protested.

  "Oh yes you are," Margaret said. "If I am, you are."

  "Maggie, we're only fifty-eight, aren't we?"

  "Yeah," Margaret agreed. "Pushing sixty." She walked over to Iris and gave her a hug, then patted Craig on the shoulder. "Congratulations, you two." She tilted her head, her dark-brown bobbed hair brushing against one shoulder. "When will the happy occasion take place?"

  "Yes, when?" Savannah asked.

  Craig looked at Savannah and then Michael. "It kinda depends on you," he said.

  "Us?" The couple looked confused.

  "We'd like to have an outdoor ceremony with close friends…here," Iris said.

  "Oh here?" Savannah repeated.

  "Yeah," Craig said. "What do you think?"

  "Sure. It's okay with me," Savannah said. "How about you, Michael?"

  "Sounds great."

  "So what's your schedule like in the coming weeks?" Iris asked. "I can get off just about any time I want as long as I give the other servers a week or so heads-up."

  "I'd like to see you quit that job," Craig said.

  "And do what?" Iris snapped good-naturedly. "I enjoy my job at the diner."

  "What if we want to travel?" he asked.

  "I'll take time off. I have plenty of seniority." She sat down next to Craig and took his hand. "You know I'm going to be working somewhere. I enjoy working."

  "How else can she afford those great clothes she gets from the thrift stores?" Savannah pointed out.

  "That's right," Iris said, smoothing her name-brand, short-sleeved sweater and admiring the interesting turquoise-and-deep-purple geometric design across the front. She lifted one foot up in front of her and studied her matching turquoise shoes. "I must support my designer-clothes habit."

  Craig let out an impatient sigh.

  Margaret reached across Iris and patted Craig's arm. "Old habits are hard to break," she said. "You two need to remember that above all else. Marrying at our age is nothing like getting hitched out of high school or college. Take it from someone who has done both."

  "I know what you're saying," Iris agreed, a red curl dancing alongside her tastefully madeup face as she nodded enthusiastically. "I've been there, done that, too." She took a breath and looked at Savannah. "Anyway, whatever works for you. We're flexible."

  Savannah left the room and returned with a calendar. "We're going to visit Mom next weekend. How about the week after that?" she asked.

  Iris and Craig looked at each other. "Sounds good," she said.

  "What did Damon say when you told him?" Margaret asked, sitting down between Michael and Craig, her light-weight, loose-fitting blouse ballooning in the updraft.

  "Oh, he was pleased and so were my younger boys, Brett and Chris," Iris said. "Only…"

  "Only what?" Savannah asked, creasing her brow.

  "I guess Damon will be moving out when Craig moves in. I'll sure miss my son."

  Margaret laughed. "Why's he moving? Afraid you'll be overcome by too much testosterone?"

  "Something like that," Craig said. "He should move on—get out of his mother's house."

  "Where will he go? Will he move in with Colbi?" Michael asked.

  "I don't think that's the plan," Craig said. "He might take over my apartment in
town."

  "Yeah, it appears those two want to do things up right," Iris said. "They are talking marriage, but neither of them believes in shacking up." She smiled. "Refreshing, isn't it?"

  "Sure is," Margaret said.

  Michael and Savannah nodded in agreement.

  Michael broke the silence that followed. "Hey, we forgot to toast the happy couple. Maggie, let me get you a glass of wine." He handed one to her and then topped off the other glasses before holding up his toward Iris and Craig. "Here's to happiness for a wonderful couple and good friends. Congratulations, to you both."

  Everyone chimed in with their good wishes.

  ****

  Monday morning, Savannah awoke to find herself alone in bed. She noticed a bright stream of light shining through a small opening in the drapes. "Michael?" she called weakly—her voice gravely. Upon hearing nothing, she reached for the baby monitor. It's gone. She leaped from the bed and headed out the bedroom door while slipping into her robe. "There you two are," she said, entering the kitchen and finding her husband sitting at the table; the baby in her chair next to him. She kissed Michael and then Lily. "Why didn't you wake me?" she asked.

  Michael pulled Savannah down onto his lap. "I thought you could use the sleep. You were pretty upset last night."

  She grimaced. "Yeah, I sure was. Dang, I'm so scared that something awful has happened to Peaches."

  "Aw, hon, she's probably fine," he said.

  "Think about it, Michael," she insisted, "nice people don't steal animals. She's in the hands of criminals."

  He shook his head. "Try not to think that way. I don't want you getting yourself all upset. Craig's going to help find her. Trust him. Can you do that?"

  Savannah thought for a moment and then took a deep breath. "You're right, of course. All I'm doing is keeping myself in a turmoil and poisoning everyone around me with my ugly mood." She snuggled into his neck. "I'm sorry, Michael." When she pulled back, she said, "I do know how to handle things better than this. But I was so looking forward to having Peaches home and riding her again—having our whole family together. I'm just so…disappointed. And I'm sad for Bonnie and her husband—and angry that someone would do this to them."

  "I know, hon," he said.

  She sat up straight. "I'll try to be more positive. I want to believe that we'll find her."

  "Good," he said kissing her. He nudged her off his lap and stood. "Now, I've got to go to work. I'll see you both this evening," he said kissing Lily on the cheek. "You girls have a nice day."

  "'Bye, hon," Savannah said.

  Michael headed out of the room and then stopped and said, "I fed her one of those bottles you had in the fridge. All she needs is her cereal and applesauce and a bath and…"

  "Yeah, I know the routine," Savannah said, laughing. She called after her husband, "I love you." She smoothed Lily's hair with one hand and then approached the cupboard, reaching for the baby's cereal. Before she could prepare it, her cell phone rang.

  "Hello, Craig," she said, after seeing his name come up as the caller. "How's the engaged detective?" she quipped.

  "Excellent!" he responded. "And you?" he said, more softly. "How are you today?"

  "Pretty good," she said. "Still kinda shaken after the news about my horse." She straightened her posture and continued, "But I'm trying to think positive."

  "That's what I'm calling about. Do you have time to meet me out at the Teague place this morning? I'd like to take a look around, if you think it would be okay with the owners."

  "I know it would. They need all the help they can get," Savannah said, her tone accelerated. "What time?"

  "Say, ten?"

  Savannah glanced at the clock: seven forty-five. "I'll be there. I'll let Bonnie know we're coming."

  "See you then," Craig said before ending the call.

  ****

  Two hours later, Savannah pulled into the long driveway at the B & B Stables. "Hi Bonnie," she said as she climbed out of her car.

  Bonnie waved. "Hi." She looked beyond Savannah, toward the car. "Where's the baby?"

  "Oh, my aunt wanted to spend some time with her. I think they're going for a walk." Savannah hugged Bonnie and then stepped back and asked, "How are things?"

  "Well, nothing else is missing, at least. I'm eager to find out what Detective Sledge comes up with." She squinted her eyes. "Maybe he'll know if there's a rustling ring in the area."

  Savannah shook her head. "I can understand rustlers taking a cow and a horse…maybe even a pig, but why, in heaven's name, a goat?"

  "Yeah, that's what Barney says."

  "What do I say?" Barney asked as he walked up to the two women, the couple's Queensland heeler trotting along beside him.

  "Hi Bella," Savannah greeted, leaning over to pet the dog, who responded by wriggling her body excitedly.

  "Finished with the feeding?" Bonnie asked her husband.

  "Yep, hurried the chore. Wanted to meet up with the detective." He tipped his cowboy hat. "Hi there, Savannah."

  Savannah, even though nearly five ten, herself, had to look up at this burly man. "Hi Barney. I'm so sorry you guys are being targeted like this," she said.

  He leaned against the corral railing, stared down at his boots, and shook his head. "Yeah, just when you think you have a smooth-running operation…something like this happens. I don't get it." He glanced at his petite wife and then at Savannah. "I don't think we have any enemies." He then stared past the two women. "Oh, this must be the detective coming. What did you say his name is?" he asked.

  "Detective Craig Sledge," Savannah offered.

  Barney raised his eyebrows. "Yeah, I believe I've read about him in the papers. He's been involved in solving a lot of local crimes."

  "Along with Savannah's cat," Bonnie said, chuckling. "What's his name…Rags? I've gotta meet that cat sometime."

  "That's right," Savannah said. "You two haven't met our menagerie." She looked from one to the other. "We'll have to remedy that, and soon." Savannah let out a sigh. "You know, Rags misses Peaches, too. He used to love going out to the corral and hanging out with her. We have some of the cutest pictures of them. And Peaches likes him, too. She'd whinny and nicker when she'd see him in the yard."

  Bonnie smiled. "I noticed Peaches's new interest in cats when you boarded her here this time." She reached out and put her hand on Savannah's arm. "You know, we have a couple of nice barn cats and one of them started hanging out a little with Peaches. Your mare really seemed to enjoy the little pussy cat." She shook her head slowly. "You just don't see that kind of friendship very often. It's cool."

  "Howdy folks," Craig said as he walked up to the group. He stopped to acknowledge Bella, who had rushed toward him in a friendly manner.

  "Welcome. I'm Barney Teague. This is my wife, Bonnie Mae."

  "Craig Sledge," he said reaching out and shaking hands with both of them. He then smiled briefly at Savannah and said, "So tell me what's been going on out here. Savannah says animals are missing."

  "Yes," Barney said. He scowled. "Someone's trying to run us out of town or ruin or business. Damn hypocrites."

  Craig studied Barney for a moment. "So do you know who they are?" he asked.

  "No. But it's the same story everywhere you go when you're black. There are people who don't want you in their neighborhoods, right Bonnie Mae?"

  Bonnie looked up at Craig, then shot a quick look at her husband. "Barney and I don't always see eye to eye on racial issues. I'd like to think the people in this area are beyond that." She looked down and moved a dirt clod with the toe of her boot. "But when something like this happens…"

  Savannah put one arm around her friend's shoulders. "Things happen to everyone of every color, race, and religion, right Craig?"

  "Oh yes," he said. "Everyone of us is at risk at any given time."

  "I think we need to focus on the good in our lives, don't you Bonnie?" Savannah suggested.

  She smiled. "That's what I'm tryin' to say, girlfriend."
>
  Savannah squeezed Bonnie's shoulder. "Okay, then. Shall we see what we can find out? Lead the way, Detective," she said, bowing toward Craig.

  He smirked good-naturedly at her attempt to lighten the mood, then looked from Barney to Bonnie. "Where were the animals that are missing?" he asked.

  "I'll show you," Barney said, turning and walking toward a large barn.

  "The first to go missing was one of our milk goats," Bonnie explained as she hastened her pace to keep up with the others. We provide goat milk for a few people who can't tolerate cow's milk."

  "Georgia was our best milker," Barney offered. After several seconds, he pointed toward a small green pasture with chain link fencing around it. She was in here with the other goats that night."

  Craig strolled toward the gate. "Was it locked?" he asked, examining the latch.

  Barney shook his head. "Well, secured, but not locked. As you can see, the fencing and the gates are predator-proof and the goats usually go into that shelter at dark."

  "Where does the gate on the other side lead?" Craig asked.

  Bonnie peered out across the pasture, shading the sun from her eyes. "It connects with the main pasture. We run our small herd of steers and a few cows out there."

  "Very small," Barney said. "We also retire our older horses to that pasture." He paused and then said, "We noticed one of our cows missing last week."

  Craig looked at Barney. "Is that where Savannah's horse was?"

  "Oh no," Bonnie said. "Once we started having the trouble, I moved some of the boarders' horses into the barn at night." She lowered her head. "I thought they'd be safe in there."

  "Show me," Craig instructed.

  Barney took his usual long strides toward the large building just north of the main pasture. He walked through a huge open doorway. The others followed.

  Craig noted that stalls lined both side walls of the barn. "Which cubicle was Savannah's horse in?" he asked.

  "Here," Bonnie said, pointing.

  Craig walked over and examined the gate, in particular the latch. He turned to Bonnie. "Was it locked?"

  She looked down at her boots briefly, then said, "You know, we've made it a policy not to use locks that require keys or combinations in case of an emergency. We have to be able to get the animals out quickly if there's a fire or if they have a medical problem."