“He texts during a crisis. Who does that?”
“No, Elsa sent the text. I don’t know the details. Katz, Jacky said the last person he saw before the explosion was Russell coming out of the back of the basement.”
“That’s suspicious. What was he doing there?”
“Don’t know, but I overheard Jacky tell the chief he thought that Russell was up to no good.”
“Where was the judge’s body found? Please don’t tell me in the turret room, where Gary was murdered.”
“No, in my new office.”
“Oh, no, Jake, I’m sorry. Did your books get destroyed?”
“Fortunately, just smoke damage. The fire was put out before it got to them.”
Jake patted his suit pocket. He pulled out the USB flash drive Abra had brought him.
“So, you have it,” Katherine observed.
“Abra must have fetched it out of the basement room, and ran outside with it. She led me to it in the carriage house.”
“Led you to it?”
“I mean directed my attention so I’d see it.”
Katherine thought for a moment, then said, “That means Russell and the judge were back in the basement together before the explosion. When I went to return her purse, I thought I heard voices back there, but I was too curious about who was locked in the bathroom.”
“Who was it?”
“It’s a mystery.”
Jake said, twirling the USB flash drive in his fingers. “I think there’s something on this that Abra wants us to see.”
Chapter Twenty-one
After the explosion at the pink mansion, Cokey left his wife, Margie, and their two kids at the armory. Later, Grandpa and Grandma Cokenberger took them home in their 1975 Lincoln Continental. They stayed with Margie and their grandkids until Cokey got home.
When Cokey walked through the door, the family was in the living room. Tommy was lying on the floor, reading a comic book, with their orange cat snuggled against him. Their yellow lab, Oscar, was curled in his dog bed in the corner, snoring. Shelly was cuddled up to Grandma, and looked like she’d been crying.
Margie asked tensely, “Any news?”
“I just got a text from Jake. Daryl took him out to Clint Sanders’ old farm. Katz is okay. ”
Shelly jumped up, and did a cartwheel, and nearly kicked a lamp off the table when she came down. Margie scolded, “Shelly, don’t do those inside.”
Oscar woke up, barked once, and then went back to sleep.
Grandma said, patting the sofa, “Shelly, come sit back down.”
“Why would Daryl take Jake out there?” Grandpa asked. “Nobody’s lived there since the old man died.”
“Pop, I don’t know, except that Stevie Sanders saved Katz. Somehow they ended up there. Don’t know how. Don’t know why.”
“He’s the young feller that came to the armory and asked if she was there.”
“Jake asked him to do that, because he hoped Katz was there. A lot of stuff was going on. We can figure it out later.”
“That’s my cue to leave. Grandma, you ready?”
“Yes, sir,” she said, getting up. “I’m drivin’, old man.”
Grandpa stuck his tongue out at her. “You ain’t drivin’ my Lincoln.”
“Now children,” Margie said affectionately to the elderly couple.
Cokey said, “Pop, actually I wondered if you’d stay with the kids for a bit.”
Grandma answered, “Well, of course we will.”
Grandpa said tiredly, “I’m plum tuckered out. Mind if I lay down.”
Margie said, “Sure, there’s another sofa, away from the kids, in the family room. Tommy, can you show Grandpa where it is, and get a blanket off the guest bed.”
Tommy got up from the floor, and started to walk down the hall. “This way, Gramps.”
Grandpa said, “I know where it is. It’s not like I haven’t been here before.”
Margie suppressed a laugh.
Cokey said to Margie, “Do you still have the keys to that house next to the pink mansion.”
“You mean the Foursquare? Why, yes, but why do you need them?” she asked inquiringly.
“I’m bankin’ Jake and Katz won’t be driving to Chicago tonight for their honeymoon.”
Margie shook her head. “As soon as Katz finds out about the fire in the mansion, Scout missing, and Abra at the vet, she’ll not want to leave Erie, but surely they can’t stay in the mansion.”
“You’re right. There’s too much smoke damage. Besides, the mansion is off-limits until the cause of fire has been determined, and whether the judge’s death happened before or after the explosion.”
“I feel so sorry for Judge Hartman. Poor soul was at the wrong place at the wrong time.”
Cokey nodded. “I bet Max Taylor, down at the jail, is doing the jailhouse rock. It’ll be awhile before another judge can take over the case where Judge Hartman left off.”
“Cokey, you won’t need keys. Elsa’s at the Foursquare with three of Katz’s cats. I just got off the cell talking to her.”
“I’ve got a plan,” Cokey announced. “Remember that movie It’s a Wonderful Life?”
“I love that movie,” Margie grinned.
“Let’s get some volunteers, and go to the Foursquare and decorate. The hotel is still open; Velma can bring over a prime rib dinner for two.”
“Perfect, and I have that fancy Merlot one of my clients gave me.”
“Let me make a few calls,” he conspired. “They’ll need a table and chairs — ”
“We’ve got the card table in the basement,” Margie interrupted, equally enthusiastic about Cokey’s project.
“Okay, card table, and they’ll need a bed.”
“I’ve got that inflatable guest bed. I’ll also need to take one of the vacuum cleaners. Let’s make a list of what to take.”
“I’ll call in the troops.”
“I’ll call in my drywall guys.”
“You got it!”
Cokey punched in a number, then said to his wife, “I love you, Margie.”
Margie teared up and said, “I love you, too, Cokey.”
Chapter Twenty-two
Katherine and Jake sat on the grass, holding hands. Their flashlight was propped up with a broken limb. They watched the emergency helicopter take off from the field close by. Katherine prayed Stevie would be all right. The ambulance carrying Paul Taylor to the hospital in Brook County had already left. A hearse had taken Ava’s body to the funeral home seconds earlier.
The chief stood nearby, nervously tugging at his beard. Moments before, he’d finished taking Katherine’s statement. Now he complained that no one had found Stevie’s gun.
“When I left to get help, the gun was close to Stevie. I assume Ted probably took it, and made sure Paul Taylor didn’t try to escape.”
“Yeah, that’s what you said, but I’m tellin’ ya, there was no Ted at the scene, or a gun.”
“Stevie said Ted lives farther down the path. We were headed there when Stevie got shot.”
The chief shook his head. “Deputy Troy said there is no house back there, but a farmer’s access road to a metal grain bin.”
Katherine wondered why Stevie would lie to her, but didn’t say anything.
“We need the gun,” the chief said, leaving. “I’ll secure this area, come back at daybreak, and bring Officer Shepherd with me.”
Katherine knew Officer Shepherd was Erie’s police department’s German Shepherd. But when the dog was off-duty, he spent most of his time with Chief London and his wife, Connie.
“Chief, did any of your officers report seeing my cat?” Katherine asked.
“No, I’m sorry,” the chief said, “but someday you need to tell me how you really escaped from that storm cellar.”
Katherine gave a wry look, and regretted including Scout in her statement. She didn’t want the chief to know how extraordinary Scout was, but now that she had, he hadn’t believed her anyway.
Jake squeezed her hand. “I understand. Maybe Scout is nearby and afraid of the noise, especially with people tramping about.”
“If we stay here, for a while, I’m hoping she’ll come out of hiding, and come to me. If not, let’s walk the path and call for her.”
A large crow swooped out of the air, cawing loudly. She dropped a blue rhinestone studded collar in Katherine’s lap. Then, the bird flew away.
“I don’t believe this,” Katherine exclaimed. “It’s Scout’s collar.”
“Okay,” Jake said mysteriously. “I feel like this is a plot for a Disney picture.”
Katherine got up, and started calling for Scout. “Treat! Treat! Come here.”
They heard movement in the grass behind them, then a svelte, brown-masked Siamese trotted toward them.
“Waugh,” she cried happily.
Katherine picked her up, and held her close. She buried her face in Scout’s soft fur, and started sobbing.
Jake put his arms around them. “My two baby girls,” he cooed.
The crow flew overhead, cawed four times, then left.
“Waugh,” Scout said loudly, gazing up at the bird.
“We can go home now,” Katherine choked.
“You stay here with the flashlight, and Scout. I’ll see if one of the officers can give us a lift.”
“I can walk,” Katherine said, taking a few steps, then limping. “Maybe not.”
Chapter Twenty-three
Katherine lay on an inflatable mattress on the oak floor of the Foursquare’s living room, with Scout nestled in her arm. Snuggled in the other arm was Abra. Katherine had convinced Dr. Sonny to release Abra the previous night, because Scout was very upset her sister was gone. Both of the seal points were snoring.
Lilac and Abby were huddled nearby in one breathing fur ball. Iris was sitting in a regal pose, staring at Katherine. Katherine woke in a start. Her movement startled the cats, but Iris continued watching. “Yowl,” she cried.
“What’s wrong, Miss Siam?” Katherine asked drowsily. Iris climbed up and stood on Katherine’s stomach.
“I better get up and feed my girls. Where’s Jake?”
Katherine carefully rose so as to not disturb the cats, and walked barefoot to the kitchen. Jake was frying bacon and eggs in an iron skillet. “Good morning, sunshine,” he said.
She went over and hugged him. “You made me breakfast.”
“Yes, Mrs. Cokenberger.”
“I love the sound of my new name. I have to admit, I am starving.”
“You didn’t hardly touch your food last night.”
“I know. My stomach was in knots. I can’t stop thinking about that awful storm cellar.”
“Try to forget it,” Jake consoled, then said, “We’ve got to do something special for everyone who brought stuff over so we had a place to sleep last night.”
Katherine grinned. “I think Cokey and Margie organized it.”
“There’s juice in the fridge, if you’d grab it and set it on the table.”
The cats padded in. Scout stretched. Abra jumped up on the counter, near the stove, to see what Jake was cooking.
“No, get down,” he scolded, then to Katz. “We need to find a room to put the cats in while we’re in the kitchen. I don’t want them to get burned, leaping up on the stove.”
“I think the upstairs front bedroom would work. It can be their cat room away from home. I know they’ll miss their playroom.”
“Katz, there’s a bag over there. Aunt Margie went to the store and bought cat food.”
“I love her. She’s adorable.”
The cats had become very vocal.
“Okay! Follow me,” Katherine said to the excited cats. She grabbed the bag. “Oops, what do I use for dishes?”
“There are paper plates and plastic utensils in the bag. Aunt Margie thought of everything.”
Katherine led the cats upstairs to the front bedroom, dished out the food, then shut them in the room. Heading back downstairs, she thought she heard a giggle, but hoped it wasn’t the apparition trying to communicate again.
After breakfast, Jake and Katherine stood behind the kitchen island and wrote a list of items they’d need from the mansion.
Jake began, “Whatever has smoke on it should be left behind for the professional cleaners.”
“I’m afraid to go over there. Can I skip it?”
“Sure, Sweet Pea.”
“At least for today. I just want to chill out with my new husband.”
Jake gathered Katherine in his arms, and held her. “It’s a plan,” he whispered in her hair.
Chapter Twenty-four
Jake drove Katherine to the front entrance of the hospital, and braked. “I’ll go park, and find you later.”
Katherine got out of the Jeep, and headed for the automatic doors. She walked to the front desk, and asked where Stevie Sanders’ room was.
“Room 616,” the receptionist said. “Just turn the corner for the elevators.”
“Thanks,” Katherine smiled. She hoped Jake would have a hard time finding parking in the busy lot, so she’d have a few personal minutes with Stevie.
She hopped on the elevator and rode to the sixth floor. Getting off, she easily found the room, which was close to the nurse’s station.
She was surprised to see a policeman sitting outside his room.
“Hello,” she greeted. “I’d like to see Stevie.”
“Are you a relative?”
“No,” she said. “I’m a friend.”
“You must be a really good friend, because nobody else has come to see him.”
Katherine’s heart sank. She wondered why his sister, Barbie, hadn’t come to see him. She’d texted two days ago and told her he was injured. “Do you need to see my identification?” she asked.
“No, that’s not necessary, Ms. Kendall. Chief London texted and said you might be coming.”
“Thank you,” she said, going in.
Stevie was sitting up in bed. His shoulder-length blond hair was tousled, and he was in need of a shave, but he was still strikingly handsome. His left arm was elevated, with a wrap covering his injured hand. A drainage tube stuck out of his shoulder wound.
“Hey, good lookin’,” he greeted her, happily. “You’re a sight for sore eyes. How ya been?”
Katherine walked closer, and stood next to the bed, holding onto the bed rail. “I’m so sorry that I’m the reason you’re in here.”
“I did what I should have done when you were stayin’ at the cabin. I guess I paid my debt.”
“Not a debt, Stevie. You saved my life.”
“And your cat,” he said, winking.
“Why is there an officer outside? What’s going on?”
“I’ve got a court hearing in a few days.”
“Why? Didn’t Chief London notify you that ballistics on Paul’s gun showed that he shot Ava Franklin?”
“I was relieved to hear my gun didn’t kill her, but I was shootin’ at her. Got lucky, this time, and missed.”
“So, why is there a court hearing?”
“It’s a probation deal. I’m sure I’ll have to go back to prison.”
“Who’s your attorney?”
“I don’t have one.”
“I’ll fix that.”
“Can’t afford it,” he said gloomily.
“You don’t have to. I’ll take care of it.”
“I ain’t no charity case.”
“Yes, you are. You’re mine,” Katherine said with tears welling in her eyes. “I’m going to take care of this.”
“Well, I ain’t in the position to argue with a beautiful woman.”
Katherine flushed, then said, “Stevie, Jake’s on his way up. I wanted to ask you something before he gets here.”
“Brought the other half. I like that. What’s your question?”
“I need to know,” she asked slowly, with caution, “wh
at you did with your gun?”
Stevie laughed, then winced. “Ouch, damn pain, won’t go away.” He changed the subject, “I’d be outta here already if my shoulder hadn’t gotten infected. The doc has me drugged up.”
Katherine knew he was avoiding the question. “The chief wants to know who the gun is registered to.”
“I told him. It ain’t mine.”
“Was it stolen? Did you find it? Surely, you know the answer to these questions.”
“Yeah, I found it when I reached in my toolbox for the flip flops. Then, I remembered Ted had forgotten to take it back. He helped me carry a heavy furnace into a client’s house. He’s always packin’. I told him to put it in the toolbox because I didn’t want the gun to go off while we were movin’ the furnace. The gun belongs to Ted, and it’s registered in his name.”
Katherine asked impatiently, “But why didn’t you tell Chief London that?”
“Judgin’ by the way you’re gittin’ all fired up, I believe it’s somethin’ I need to do.”
“Okay, Stevie, this explains who the gun belongs to, do you think Ted picked it up, and took it home before the police arrived?”
“Ted booked it back home as soon as he heard the sirens.”
“And where was that? Chief said there wasn’t a house at the end of the path.”
Stevie snickered. “I guess I forgot to tell ya. Ted lives in his Winnebago.”
“A motorhome? But I remember you telling me we were going to a friend’s house.”
“Did I? I can’t remember. I should have said the motorhome is Ted’s house.”
“Where do you think he’s parked now?”
“Parked?” Stevie asked with an amused smile. “I’d reckon he’d be in Alaska by now.”
“Why?”
“Ted’s on probation, too. I met him in jail.”
Katherine thought, The plot thickens.
“I’m kiddin’. Ted wouldn’t flee the State. Try looking at the Sanders’ trailer court. He could be there. Don’t know. Besides, it doesn’t matter that the chief can’t find Ted. I know for a fact he doesn’t have the gun, because he left it with me.”
“But, where is it?” Katherine implored.
“You won’t believe it if I told you.”
“Try me.”
The Cats that Stalked a Ghost Page 12
