A Christmas to Purr About (A Klepto Cat Mystery Book 22)

by Patricia Fry

  Michael sat in thought for a few moments, watching Lily play with one of her educational toys. “Has anyone been out to the Lander place?”

  “Where?” she asked. “Oh, do you mean north of town? They have cows, right?”

  “Well, they used to. I’m not sure what’s going on there now. A young couple brought a cat to me a month or so ago. They said they were staying at the Lander place. This cat had been snagged by a fishing lure. He had a pretty nasty infection. As I recall, the Landers had a nice-sized pond on their property. And from the sounds of it, this couple…” he grinned, “…their names were Honey Bird and Jessup… Well, they mentioned some other cats they’d managed to pull through after rather serious injuries. One had supposedly tangled with a rattlesnake they keep as a pet.”

  “A pet rattlesnake? Heavens, who are these people?”

  “Strange people, that’s for sure. Fortunately, the snake had just eaten, so the cat didn’t get enough venom to do a lot of harm. But he does suffer some paralysis. They told me about another cat that they think was poisoned. They don’t use poisons and insecticides around the Lander place, but they say a neighbor does.”

  “So what happened to the Landers and all the cattle?”

  He shook his head. “I don’t know. They must have sold out or died and the offspring took over. Yeah, that might be a good place to look. Where did they find Craig’s car?”

  “I think that was closer to where Colbi and Damon live, in that wash behind their house. The Lander place is a good six or seven miles away from there, right?” Savannah thought for a moment, then said, “But not too far from where Craig and Iris live. Michael, Rochelle said where he’s being held is close to their house.”

  “And the church isn’t too far from Colbi’s and Damon’s,” Michael said. “I talked to Damon today and he said they think someone sideswiped Craig’s car and caused him to swerve off the road into that brush. The driver’s side window was broken out. Because of where they found the car, they think this must have happened shortly after he left the church on Thanksgiving.”

  “Really? That’s how they got the drop on him, huh? Must have been a crowd of bad guys with a lot of guns for them to get their hands on Craig,” Savannah spat.

  “Hmmm. Hey, you might want to call Iris and tell her about the Lander place. They may not have thought to look there. I mean, not many people know about the pond, which was actually a reservoir, I imagine. And they probably aren’t aware of the cats.”

  “Great idea. Thanks hon. Oh, I so hope they find Craig and soon.”

  Chapter 4

  “Michael, it’s the sheriff’s department calling,” Savannah said apprehensively the following morning when she looked at the screen on her cell phone. “Hello?”

  “Hi, Savannah, this is Deputy Ben.”

  “Hi, Ben.”

  “Uh, Savannah, I was wondering if we could borrow your cat.”

  “Our cat?” she asked, frowning in Michael’s direction. “Rags?”

  “Yes, we’d like to take him out to the Lander place. So far, we can’t find any cats out there and the residents aren’t cooperating. If the detective is there someplace, maybe your cat can help us find him.”

  “How?”

  “Well, if there are cats with him, a good start would be to have Rags locate the cats. I’m guessing an intuitive cat like Rags could flush out frightened cats or at least discover where they’re hiding. Don’t you think so?”

  “Yeah, I guess,” she said. “But I’d rather not send him off…” she started.

  “Oh, we expect you to come with us, Savannah—either you or Dr. Mike. I wouldn’t want to take responsibility for a cat like yours. No way.”

  Savannah chuckled. “Sure. When?”

  “The sooner the better. We need to find Sledge.” He paused. “Can I pick you up in half an hour?”

  “Half an hour?” she repeated. She said to Michael, “Ben wants me and Rags to go…”

  “Yes, go,” he said before she could finish. “I’ll take care of Lily.”

  “Yes, Ben, we’ll be ready in thirty minutes.” She laid her phone next to her purse on the buffet and noticed something. “Oh, Michael, I forgot to show you this.”

  “What is it?” he asked, gazing at the document she’d picked up.

  She handed it to him. “It’s a notarized bill from that Kittredge witch.”

  “Three thousand dollars!” he shouted. When Lily looked up from her puzzle and stared at him with big eyes, he said, “Sorry punkin.” He tossed the document onto the buffet and began pacing. “This is B.S.” He added, “Pardon my French.” He stopped and faced Savannah. “No way. I’m not paying that crazed woman to travel back to Scotland or Ireland or anywhere else to steal hair from goats to make a sweater.”

  “I know, Michael,” Savannah said quietly. “I agree. I’ll offer again to have the sweater cleaned. And if it can’t be cleaned, I’ll give her enough money to buy a new cashmere sweater at a department store. But this is ridiculous!” She paused before saying, “I’m a little worried, though. As you can see, this came from an attorney’s office, Michael. It was delivered by messenger.”

  “I don’t care if it has the Presidential Seal on it, I’m not paying it!” he snapped. “Tell them no way. Like you said, let them know what we’re willing to do and if they push back, we’ll get an attorney of our own.”

  She nodded. “My response, exactly.” She turned toward the hallway. “I’d better get ready. Ben will be here soon.”

  ****

  Deputy Ben, Savannah, and Rags arrived at the old Lander homestead at eight forty-five that morning. Savannah glanced around. “Gosh, it sure isn’t how I remember it from when I was a kid. What happened?” She stared at the house through the windshield.

  “Transients,” Ben said. “They’re crashing here and nobody seems to care.”

  “What about the lien holder?”

  “As we understand it, the place is owned by an out-of-state bank. The Landers died and the cattle were sold at auction. Actually, one of the residents is the former owners’ son.”

  “Rory?” Savannah asked.

  “Yeah, I think that’s his name. Do you know him?”

  “Not really. I knew who he was in school. That’s all.”

  “Well, let’s not waste time,” Ben said. He drove a short distance past the house and turned left onto a gravel road. “I want to park out near the pond, where we can’t be detected from the house.”

  “Do you know where the pond is?” she asked. “I’ve never seen one out here.”

  “Yeah, we have an aerial photo of the place.” He grinned. “Technology can be quite a boon to law enforcement.” He paused. “Unfortunately, sometimes to criminals, as well.” After following a series of dirt roads, Ben pulled over and parked. “They can’t see us from the house,” he said, stepping out of the unmarked cruiser. He opened the back door of the car and watched as Savannah lifted Rags and placed him on the ground.

  “Tall reeds,” she said quietly.

  “What’s that?” he asked.

  “The psychic—our friend Rochelle—said she saw Craig among some tall reeds near a body of water.”

  Ben stopped and studied Savannah for a moment. “We don’t usually put much stock in what a psychic or gypsy tells us, but doggone if one doesn’t come through for us once in a while.” He headed off in front of Savannah muttering, “Let’s hope this one knows what she’s talking about.” He pointed. “The pond should be on the other side of that rise there.”

  “Oh, it’s bigger than I thought it would be,” Savannah said when she finally caught a glimpse of the old reservoir. More excitedly, she hissed, “Look over there. See those reeds?” She almost lost her footing. “Ohhh. Rags is pulling me in that direction. Rags, find the kitties,” she said. “Can you find the kitties and Uncle Craig?”

  Ben scratched his head and spoke quietly, “Do you think he understands that?”

 
She nodded. “Yes, at some level. I’m pretty sure he picks up on what’s in my mind. Some experts believe cats see our mind pictures.”

  “Really?” he said, obviously interested, but skeptical.

  “Yes, I’ve seen and read about results too many times to doubt it.”

  “You mean Rags isn’t the only cat who does this?” he asked.

  “Apparently not. But some cats certainly are more in tune than others.” She looked at Ben. “I’m going to be quiet now and just concentrate on Craig and the cats in case Rags is picking up on my thoughts.”

  Ben squinted in her direction, then glanced down at Rags. “Okay.”

  “Oh,” Savannah yelped after a few minutes, “I think he’s onto something. He’s starting to really tug.” She pointed. “There’s a cat!”

  “Yeah. I see three of them. What are they doing?”

  “I don’t know. They seem a little skittish.” She then said, “Rags is leading us toward the reeds.”

  “Yeah, now why don’t you stay back a little and let me go ahead?”

  “It’s not going to work,” she said. “Not with Rags as keyed up as he is.” She offered Ben the leash. “Here, take him. He’ll lead you there.”

  “Where?” Ben asked, suspiciously.

  Savannah shrugged. “Either to Craig or on a wild-goose chase, I guess.”

  Ben hesitated before grasping the leash, walking into the brush behind Rags, and disappearing among a stand of reeds.

  Savannah crouched near a scattering of boulders and glanced around the terrain. She’d been alone with her thoughts for about six minutes when she heard someone call her name.

  “Savannah, over here!”

  Hesitantly at first, she walked in the direction she’d seen Ben go. These sure are tall reeds, she thought as she tried to follow his trail through them.

  “Here, Savannah,” Ben called again.

  She adjusted her direction, and within minutes she walked into a clearing and spotted the deputy at the mouth of what appeared to be a small cavern. He held his phone up to his ear. “Where’s Rags?” she asked.

  He handed her his flashlight, motioning toward the cave opening, and she moved cautiously in that direction. “Oh, my gosh. Craig?” she said weakly. She glanced at Ben. “Is it…?”

  He nodded.

  When she looked more closely at the man lying just inside the shallow cavern, she noticed something else. Rags was standing next to him, biting at his face. “No, Rags!” she shouted. “What are you doing?”

  Just then Ben stepped in. He pocketed his phone and took the flashlight from Savannah. “God, he’s trying to chew off the gag. Grab him, will you?”

  Savannah picked up the cat, then asked, “Ben, are you sure that’s Craig?”

  “Yeah, it’s him. Here,” he said, handing her the flashlight again, “shine it on his face so I can see where to cut. That gag’s tied on there so tightly, I can’t work my knife under it.”

  She took the light and placed the cat on the ground, holding firmly to his leash. She watched as Rags returned to where Craig lay. The cat continued sniffing around his head.

  Within seconds, Ben had removed the gag and Craig was trying to talk. “Rags brought you?” he asked, his voice croaky. He looked at the cat. “Thanks, old boy.”

  “I want to roll you over, Craig, and cut the bindings from your wrists,” Ben said.

  “Better let the medics do it,” Craig responded haltingly. “I think my arm’s broken.”

  “Whatever you say,” Ben agreed. He pulled his phone out of his pocket and started to step out of the cave. “Anything else we should let them know about?” he asked.

  “My nose is probably broken,” he reported in a husky whisper. He coughed and winced. “Broken ribs.” He let out a breath. “Don’t know what else, but I feel like crap.”

  “You look like crap, too,” Ben said. He handed Savannah a small canteen of water. “Give him some of this.” He then said into his phone, “He’s got some broken bones; I’d suggest coming in on Henderson Lane. I think you’ll be able to get the ambulance closer that way. Yes, we need an ambulance. Hurry. I’ll come out to the road and lead you to the spot.” After finishing his conversation, Ben stepped inside the small cavern and instructed, “Savannah, stay here with him.”

  When Savannah noticed Craig shaking his head and attempting to speak, she said, “Ben, he’s trying to say something.”

  “They could come back any time,” Craig said in a near whisper.

  “Okay, I’ll send her out to meet the ambulance.”

  “No good,” Craig said, rolling his head slowly from side to side. “Too dangerous.”

  “Okay, I’m going to call for a chopper.”

  When he saw Ben start to head out to use his phone again, Craig said with difficulty, “Wait!” After getting the deputy’s attention, he said, “They’re in the house. I don’t…um…I don’t know how many. Bernard Johnson’s kids, Sahara and Rodman…” He coughed and winced. “They live there with…with I don’t know how many other damn delinquents.”

  “So no chopper?”

  “Bring in every unit you’ve got and flush those knuckleheads out.”

  Ben nodded and stepped out to make the call.

  Savannah kneeled next to Craig and offered him the water, putting her arm under his head to hold him up a little. “Not too much now,” she cautioned. When Rags expressed an interest in the water, she spoke more sternly. “No, Rags. This water’s for Craig.”

  “Let him have it,” Craig said as Savannah lowered his head to the ground. “Heroes need water, too.”

  “You’re willing to share germs with a cat, Craig?” she asked, smiling.

  He simply looked at her, his rugged face clearly showing the stress of his ordeal.

  “So you say kids did this? Why, Craig?” she asked.

  “It’s a long story Savannah and I don’t think I have the strength…” he paused and coughed, “to tell it right now.”

  She smiled down at him. “Okay.” She took off her jacket and started to put it under Craig’s head, murmuring, “Let’s at least make you more comfortable.”

  “Awww, come on, Savannah,” he protested.

  She grinned and continued creating a cushion from her jacket, saying under her breath, “Cantankerous old man.”

  Craig closed his eyes for a moment, then opened them and looked at Savannah. “Iris.”

  Savannah jumped a little. “Oh yes, I’ll call her right now. She’s been worried sick.” She pulled her phone out of her pocket. “Darn, I can’t get a signal down here. I’ll step outside.”

  “No. Stay here,” Craig croaked. “I never know when they’re going to show up.”

  Just then Ben returned. “I asked headquarters to contact Mrs. Sledge.” He looked at Craig and shook his head in disgust. Ben kneeled close to the detective. “So Craig, do you know the motive for all this?”

  Finally managing to speak again, Craig explained, “I was scheduled to testify at Johnson’s trial in the city today.” He took a ragged breath. “Who knows where I’d be this time tomorrow, if you two…” he paused and glanced at Rags “…and the cat hadn’t…” He couldn’t finish his sentence.

  Savannah used the gag fabric to dab at the tears running down the side of Craig’s face.

  It wasn’t long before he got a second wind. “I guess those idiot kids thought this would keep me from putting that yoyo in the pen where he belongs.”

  “How old are these kids?” Savannah asked.

  When Ben saw Craig struggle to catch his breath, he told Savannah, “They’re young adults…and, yes, idiots, following their father’s footsteps into the world of crime. We’ve been after Bernard Johnson for years; Sledge finally got the goods on him.”

  “Yeah, my testimony will keep him from killing any more young people with his tainted meth.”

  “Tainted?” she asked.

  When he saw Craig struggling to talk, Ben responded, “He uses chea
p ingredients without regard for the end user and sometimes laces the stuff with hallucinogenic and other dangerous agents. Cripes, his own son died last year after injecting a bad batch of his father’s drugs.”

  Craig coughed. “The guy’s out of control. He has to be stopped. His kids don’t get it. I guess they don’t believe it.” He adjusted his position just slightly and winced in pain.

  “Oh, Craig,” Savannah said, gently rubbing one of his shoulders. She glanced toward the entrance to the shaft. “I wish they’d get here.”

  “So his younger kids are living here?” Ben asked. “I thought they hung out in Straley.”

  Craig nodded. “They have a connection to some of the squatters on this property—probably customers of their father. They come out here every four or five hours to try convincing me to change my mind about my testimony.” He closed his eyes for a few moments, then said, “The girl, Sahara, she can’t be more than seventeen. She…she tries to convince her brother to kill me. He’s a little more savvy about what their future would mean with a murder rap.”

  “Here they come,” Savannah said when she heard the sirens.

  “Damn,” Craig said. “You should have ordered a code two. They’ll scare the perps away with all that racket.”

  “The house is probably surrounded by now,” Ben said quietly. “I called for all the backup available. Hopefully the residents will come out peaceful-like.”

  Suddenly they heard something else.

  “What’s that?” Savannah asked, wide-eyed. “Sounds like shots.”

  Ben tightened his lips. “Yeah, I guess they aren’t cooperating.” He stepped into the open. “Over here,” he called to the medics when the ambulance pulled within sight on the dirt road. He waved his hands, motioning for them to drive closer. “He’s down here!” he shouted as two medics exited the ambulance and rushed toward him.

  “Well, Detective Sledge, you’ve really gotten yourself in a fix there,” one paramedic said.

  “Hi, Stevens,” Craig greeted weakly. “Yes, I have. I believe my arm’s broken and probably my nose. I’ve been tied in a cramped position for days, so my legs might not work.”