by Patricia Fry
“This is bull,” Michelle spat. “We didn’t do nothing. I’ll have your jobs, man…every last one of you.”
“Just relax, will you?” Vince said firmly.
After staring at the two prisoners for several minutes, Iris stood and walked toward them. “Mavis what is this about, do you know?”
“No. It’s some blasted trumped-up conspiracy. The agency seems to have nothing better to do than hassle innocent citizens.”
Lowering her voice, Iris asked, “What are you being charged with?”
Mavis glanced at Michelle and said quietly, “It’s nothing for you to worry about. It’ll all blow over once they’ve discovered their…” raising her voice angrily, she continued, “…stupid, idiotic, misguided mistake!”
When it became obvious to Michael that Mavis wasn’t going to give out any information, he urged Iris, “Come on; let’s sit over here, shall we?”
She looked at him. “I want to know what this is all about.”
“You’ll know soon enough,” Vince said. He gestured with his head. “Go sit with your friends.” When she balked, he said, “Go on. She’s not going to tell you anything.”
The Iveys and Iris sat quietly across the room from the guards and their prisoners for several minutes before Craig and Agent Bracket returned to the lobby each carrying a large bag.
“What do you have?” Mavis shouted. She struggled to break away from Bart’s grip. “You have no right!”
“Let’s take them to the station,” the agent said. “Vince, will you or your partner ride along?”
Iris stood and insisted, “Can you tell me what this is all about?” When she noticed Neal Bracket staring at her, she said, “I have a right to know.”
He thought for a moment about how to respond, when Mavis shouted, “You’ve gotta remove these cuffs, they’re cutting off my circulation. Please. I’m in pain!”
“If you’d quit struggling…” Bart suggested.
The agent walked over to Mavis and took a look at her wrists. “It’s that bracelet.” He dug for the key to the cuffs, took the one off her left wrist, and ordered her to remove the silver cuff bracelet.
“No!” she said. “You can’t make me.”
The agent nodded toward Bart, indicating that he remove the bracelet.
“Never mind,” Mavis said when Bart took her wrist. “I’ll do it,” she spat. She twisted the bulky bracelet off her wrist, then began rubbing her arm against her side.
When the agent attempted to snap the handcuff back on, she refused to give him her hand. “We can do it the easy way, ma’am, or the hard way. Your choice,” he told her, gruffly.
She scowled at him and reluctantly put her arms behind her back.
Suddenly, Savannah shouted. “Wait!” When she got the agent’s attention, she asked, “What’s that on her wrist?”
“What? A little blood maybe—no big deal—she was bluffing, lady. We’re not abusing her, I can assure you.”
“No, I want you to look at her tattoo.”
The agent stared at Savannah for a moment, then grabbed Mavis’s left arm and forced it out where he could see the inside of her wrist. “Well, I’ll be,” he said. Speaking as if to himself, he added, “Now if that don’t tie up some loose ends.” He looked at Savannah suspiciously. “How did you know…I mean that this mark had significance?”
She frowned and glanced at the others before finally admitting, “We’ve seen it before.”
“Yeah, exactly what does it mean?” Iris asked. “We thought it was a killer’s calling card from many years ago. We uncovered a lot of bodies around this place and they all had a replica of that tattoo buried with them.” She frowned. “But she’s too young to have been involved with those killings.”
“Yeah, these two are alleged to be part of a pretty sophisticated ring we’ve been trying to crack for decades. We’ve seen the calling card all over the world—France, Italy, the Middle East, Greece…”
Wide-eyed, Iris asked, “So it wasn’t just a Kaiser mobster thing?”
“Oh no. These two sweethearts are accused of political hits on world and underworld leaders. They’ve slipped in and out of more countries than you can fathom using disguises like these and leaving behind someone dead or dying.” He looked at Iris. “I don’t think you want these two involved in your nice little business here.”
When Iris seemed to be suddenly struck speechless, Savannah inquired, “Disguises? What do you mean disguises?”
The agent pulled out his cell phone and began showing Savannah and Iris some pictures. “Recognize any of these people?” he asked.
The women stared into the screen, each of them shaking her head. “No,” Iris said.
“Oh wait!” Savannah exclaimed. She looked over at Michelle, then pointed to the phone screen. “Is that…?” she started.
The agent nodded. “Yeah, she’s a guy.” He gestured toward the person they knew as Michelle. “Ladies, meet Miguel.”
Iris and Savannah rolled their eyes at one another.
“Vince, one of your security guards, recognized him in a photograph he saw here recently and alerted us that they were in the area. We’d only recently connected Ms. Plumb to the Kaiser family.”
Vince nodded and addressed Iris. “Yeah, when I saw the picture here—you know, the one the cat had—I got to thinking about it and remembered an incident in Greece that, as far as I knew, had never been resolved. I contacted the FBI and sure enough, they were still looking for this couple. They’ve evaded arrest for years, mainly by their unique ability to change their looks. Did you recognize them in that photo?”
She shook her head. Still disbelieving, she asked, “That man in the photo was Michelle?”
Vince nodded.
“Holy crap,” Craig said. “And this could have involved you, Iris. You could have been implicated by association.”
“Yeah,” the agent said, “we did a thorough investigation on your wife, Sledge.” He chuckled. “We found it humorous that she was actually accused of murder at one time and absolutely cleared by a…if I understood it right…by a cat. And then you, the detective on the case, married her.”
Craig cleared his throat and grinned sheepishly. “Yup, that’s the absolute truth.” He nodded toward Savannah and Michael. “Their cat was an eye witness in that case.”
Agent Bracket glanced at the Iveys, then continued, “When we discovered that information, we were sure Mrs. Sledge was a part of the ring, but we’re pleased to say your wife is clean.”
“Yeah, I knew that.” Craig hugged her to him. “She’s a bit of a romantic and determined in her passions, but she’s definitely not a criminal.”
“I wish you well, Mrs. Sledge,” the agent said. “Untangling yourself from these two should be your number-one priority. You deserve to enjoy your bed-and-breakfast untethered.” He addressed his prisoners. “Come on, Mavis and Miguel.”
“So what exactly are they charged with?” Iris wanted to know.
“We’ll have to sort that out when we get all the facts, but ma’am, I don’t think these are people you want to be in business with.” He winced. “If I were you, I’d call the estate attorney immediately and see what your options are.” He glanced around the room and shook his head. “It would be a shame to have to close this place up after all your hard work.” When Iris looked confused, he added, “Your husband told me that you headed up the refurbishing project. Damn good job, there. Sure hope you don’t find yourself locked out because of these two.”
Chapter 5
“So is Michelle male or female?” Margaret asked the next day when she and Savannah joined Iris at the Kaiser Bed-and-Breakfast Inn.
Iris grimaced. “Oh, I don’t really know and I don’t care. All I want is out of that contract with Mavis.” She sat down, her head in her hands. “Lordy, lordy, what will I do?” Looking up at her friends, she asked, “What can I do? What rights do I have?”
Savannah eased down next to
Iris. “I don’t know. It’s just too complex for us to figure out. That’s why you’re meeting with the estate attorney, Iris. Let’s just relax until he gets here. He’ll be able to shed some light on the situation, don’t you think so?”
“Yeah, you’re right. It’s just that…”
“Here,” Margaret said, placing Sparky in Iris’s lap. “Cuddle with this sweetie. He’ll make your troubles go away.”
Iris smiled through her tears of frustration and fear. “Hi there, Sparky,” she said, welcoming him onto her lap. “You are a dear, sweet kitty.” She looked at the others. “Listen to him purr.”
“Comforting, isn’t it?” Savannah said as she lifted Oscar onto her lap.
“Rags picked out some nice cats,” Iris said, hugging Sparky. “I just love them. And the guests who were here yesterday sure seemed to like them.”
“Yes, the cuddle-cat idea appears to be a good one,” Margaret agreed. Suddenly, she moved toward the front window. “I think someone’s here. It’s probably your attorney.”
Iris took in a deep breath and dabbed at her eyes.
“Please come in,” Margaret invited as she opened the door. “I’m Maggie Sheridan, a friend of Iris’s.”
“Hello,” the man said. “I’m David Montgomery, the attorney for the estate. Is Mrs. Sledge here?”
“Yes.”
“Hello, Mr. Montgomery,” Iris said from where she sat in the spacious lobby, still with the cat on her lap.
“Oh!” he exclaimed. “What a beautiful cat. Don’t get up and disturb him. He looks comfortable.”
Iris nodded and continued to pet Sparky. “Mr. Montgomery, you met Maggie.” She gestured toward Savannah. “This is another friend, Savannah Ivey. I hope you don’t mind my inviting them along. I want them to hear what you have to say about this mess I’ve gotten myself into.”
He shook Savannah’s hand and nodded. “Certainly. Whatever you decide, Mrs. Sledge.” He waited for Margaret to sit down on the other side of Iris, then he glanced around at the available seating. “If you want the best seat in the room, move the cat,” he said, lifting the orange tabby, who had curled up in a wingback chair. He sat down with her on his lap. “What’s this one’s name?” he asked, looking into the cat’s face.
“That’s Ginger,” Iris said.
“Gorgeous cats. How many do you have?”
Iris winced. “I guess we’re up to eight, now that we’re also caring for Mavis’s cats.” She addressed Savannah. “Oh, that reminds me—did we give Bonnie her medication?”
Savannah nodded. “Yes, I did it.”
“Thanks.” She looked at Savannah, then Margaret and told the attorney, “I don’t know what I’d do without these two.” She continued smoothing Sparky’s fur and took a deep breath. “Okay, I’m ready for the news. What will I do now that my…” she hesitated “…partner is being accused of awful things?” She frowned. “Do you know what she’s been accused of?”
David cleared his throat and winced. “I’m not sure which charges will stick, but I can tell you, Mrs. Sledge, as I understand it, Mavis Plumb and her friend Michelle…or Miguel…will never see the light of day outside of a prison yard. That is, unless they escape again.”
“What?” Margaret screeched. “They’ve escaped from prison before?”
“That’s what I’ve been told.”
“I don’t think her mother knew about that,” Iris said. “But then, I guess the two of them were pretty much estranged.”
“I’m curious,” Margaret said breaking the silence that followed. “Was this woman acting on behalf of her family?” When the attorney looked confused, she said, “I mean, were her criminal activities being carried out in the name of the Kaisers or did she have her own agenda?”
He thinned his lips. “I don’t know. I’m not sure anyone does at this point.”
“Well, the fact that she has the calling-card tattoo must tie her to those who murdered the people we found buried here, even if some of the killings occurred before she was born,” Margaret reasoned.
David shrugged. “It might, I guess.”
Margaret continued, “I wonder if she was involved in actually murdering anyone. Have they found the spider-and-heart calling card with any dead bodies, lately?”
“Her Grandmother Geraldine had that same tattoo on her wrist. Did you know that, Auntie?” Savannah asked.
Margaret nearly fell off the sofa. “No! Really?”
“But Mavis still could have been working independent of the family,” Savannah suggested. “The tattoo might not mean anything.” When the others looked at her, she explained, “She might have gotten that tattoo just because her grandmother had one.”
Margaret shook her head. “Yeah, maybe, I guess. But since that image seems to be related to the killings that took place here, one has to wonder. I mean, it’s a mighty strong coincidence.”
David cleared his throat again. “Since Mavis Plumb is not my client—at least not in the criminal case—I can’t comment on that.” He focused on Iris. “I’d like to talk about what’s relevant to you, Mrs. Sledge, if I may.”
“Absolutely,” Iris said. “I’m anxious to find out where I go from here, and what my obligations and options are.”
“Can I get anyone a bottle of water, iced tea, soda?” Savannah offered, standing.
“Water would be great,” David said.
“Yes,” Iris said.
“I’ll help you,” Margaret offered, trailing behind Savannah toward the kitchen.
When the two women returned with the water bottles, Iris asked them, “Did you hear that?”
Margaret shook her head. “What?”
“I’m sole proprietor,” she said, as if she didn’t quite believe it herself.
“What?” Savannah asked, excitedly.
David explained, “Maybe you ladies know this, but Melody Kaiser-Plumb had some doubts or concerns about her daughter. And she had high hopes for this place. When we drew up the contract she wanted me to include some peculiar clauses. I was just about to explain some of them to Mrs. Sledge.” He looked at her. “Are you sure you want me to proceed? Contracts such as this are usually discussed in private.”
“Yes, please continue,” Iris said, her eyes wide.
“Well, in order to bypass the rhetoric you find in documents such as this…” he peered at Iris over his reading glasses, “—the legalese, let me just explain. It says that if either of you ladies—you, Mrs. Sledge or Mavis Plumb—were to wind up in prison or if one of you should, heaven forbid, die, the other would become sole owner of the Kaiser Bed-And-Breakfast Inn.”
“What about in the meantime?” Iris asked quietly. “Do we just let the place go to pot while due process is being enacted? I mean, trials and sentencing can take years.”
David chuckled. “Your former boss was one smart cookie. She evidently knew about legal procedures and she must have had some idea about her daughter’s bent for criminal activity.”
“Maybe she figured it was in the genes,” Margaret said quietly.
David glanced at her, then continued, “Whatever it was, the bottom line is that you, Mrs. Sledge, may continue running the business as you see fit, keeping accurate financial records until such a time as Mavis Plumb is either exonerated or convicted. Upon her conviction, you become sole owner to do with the place whatever you wish. If Ms. Plumb is exonerated, the two of you can resume business together per the contract—of course, with your escape clause still intact. You can end your obligation to the contract at any point.”
“Wow!” Savannah said. “Melody was one wise woman.”
Iris took in a deep breath. “Yeah, intuitive as all get out.”
“She’s still watching your back, Iris,” Margaret said. “What a surprise. I thought you’d be in court fighting for years.”
“Nope,” David said, smiling. He eased Ginger to the floor, stood, and reached his hand out to Iris, who seemed too overwhelmed to stand, but she did take his h
and and hold it in both of hers for a moment. “There will be some paperwork you’ll need to sign. I’ll prepare the documents and you can come in and take care of that tomorrow, if you don’t mind.”
“Not at all. Yes, I’ll do that.” She paused. “Let me ask you this, Mr. Montgomery, what if I want out before the court process is completed? I can’t see myself struggling for years with this albatross around my neck through decades of mistrials and appeals. I’ve always planned to move on. Am I free to do that?”
The attorney stepped back. “Yes, you are, just as Ms. Plumb would be free to either sell the place or run it if the tables were turned. If you decide to sell, the profits will be split, per the agreement, and her share will be deposited in her name.”
Iris lifted Sparky onto the floor and rose to her feet. “Thank you, Mr. Montgomery, I think.” She shook her head. “Wow! That was unexpected. It appears that I have more options than I thought.”
“I hope you’re pleasantly surprised.” He picked up his briefcase. “If you have no further questions, I’ll be on my way.”
“I’m sure I will once I get my wits about me.” Iris followed the attorney to the door and opened it. “Thank you, so much.”
“Iris,” Savannah squealed once the attorney had left, “you’re a land baroness!”
“A wealthy one!” Margaret shouted.
“I know,” Iris said. The three of them grabbed each other’s hands and began jumping around in a circle, whooping and hollering. Within a few moments, Iris noticed they were not alone. She pulled back. “Oh, hello, Francine.”
“Everything okay?” she asked. “I heard the commotion.”
Iris grinned sheepishly at the others. “Yes, yes, everything is wonderful. Thank you.” She straightened herself and smoothed her red curly hair. “Ladies, I’d better get busy. I have a business to run.” Suddenly, she gasped. “Wait. I only have one employee. Oh my gosh, panic time!” She faced Savannah and Margaret. “We have reservations and no one to help except Francine. What am I going to do now? We were really stretching our resources when there were four of us. Now we’re down to two.”
