The Cats that Stalked a Ghost (The Cats that . . . Cozy Mystery Book 6)

by Karen Anne Golden

  Katherine waved and ushered Colleen in. “I think he adores you.”

  “I’ve got you figured out, Katz. You just want me to tell you I’m madly in love with Daryl.”

  “Well? Are you?”

  “Don’t jinx it. Surely you haven’t forgotten my last relationship disaster with Mario.”

  “I think you’re safe with Daryl. I know as a matter of fact he won’t be moving to Italy.”

  “Okay, where’s the room?” Colleen asked abruptly, stooping down to pick up the box in the foyer, where Daryl had put it.

  “This way,” Katherine said, heading for the stairs. She turned right at the landing, and walked down the hallway to the back bedroom. Earlier, Jake had carried the haunted rocking chair to the basement, then, back in the bedroom, he set up two folding chairs. Colleen positioned her box on one of them.

  Katherine said lightly, “I’m so glad that horrible rocking chair isn’t in here.”

  Frigid air rushed into the room, and the heavy door to the room slammed shut, with such force that Katherine thought the door frame would collapse.

  Two more doors shut loudly in the hallway, and then there was an eerie calm.

  Colleen said, eyes wide open, “Katz, remember what our mums used to tell us before we went to school. Need I refresh your memory?”

  “Okay!” Katherine said defensively. “I’ll mind my manners.”

  “T’wasn’t kind of you to show disrespect.”

  Katherine looked at Colleen like her Irish friend had lost her mind, and mouthed the words, “What do I say now?”

  Colleen whispered, “Apologize.”

  Katherine didn’t know where to look, up, down, or sideways, so she gazed at the closed door. She’d never apologized to an unseen spirit, but she put her best foot forward. “I am so sorry. I didn’t mean to insult your rocking chair.”

  There was a dead silence, then the closet door creaked opened a few inches.

  Katherine wanted to bolt from the room, but forced herself to sit down, instead. After a few seconds, Colleen resumed taking items out of her box. “Can I help with anything?” Katherine asked, still a little shaken.

  “I’m good,” Colleen answered, removing a K2 EMF meter, a mini-Maglite flashlight, a small metal wind chime, candles, and an old-fashioned, mercury house thermometer.

  “The only high tech gizmo I see is the ghost meter. Why the other stuff?”

  “Spirit,” Colleen reminded. She moved over to the windowsill of the right window. Removing the strap of her shoulder-bag, she placed the purse on the sill. She drew out a plastic hook, and peeled off the plastic backing. She pressed the hook on the underside of the top window frame, then hung the wind chime. She explained, “My paranormal group uses the wind chime to monitor changes in the atmosphere, which may indicate a spirit.”

  Katherine said under her breath, “Why bother? We’ve already encountered it.”

  “I’m trying to be objective here,” Colleen said in a serious tone. She took the house thermometer and placed it on the sill. “Please note it’s sixty-eight degrees in here now. The mercury thermometer works better than the modern digital ones. They’re more sensitive to temperature changes —”

  “Why is that?” Katherine interrupted.

  “It could interfere with the K2 meter, which measures spikes in electromagnetic energy. Oh, before I forget, hand over your cell phone.”

  “Why?”

  “Because it could also interfere with the K2.”

  “Couldn’t I just put it into airplane mode?”

  “Not so much.”

  “Okay,” Katherine said reluctantly. Extracting her cell from her cross-over bag, she powered it down. Colleen removed her cell as well, and started to walk to the bedroom door.

  Katherine said quickly. “Where are you going?”

  “I’m going to take the phones to the front bedroom, and shut the door.”

  “You can’t go out there alone,” Katherine said, getting up.

  Colleen opened the door a crack and looked out. “I’ll be back in a minute,” she said, stepping out.

  Katherine walked right behind her.

  “What are you doing?” Colleen asked.

  “I’ve seen too many scary movies. When someone says they’ll be right back, that means in two seconds flat the bogeyman gets them.”

  “Okay, whatever. Come with me.”

  They both walked to the front bedroom, glancing side-to-side in case something went bump in the night. Colleen placed both phones in a closet and shut the door. When they returned to the back hall bedroom, they were startled to see the wind chime lying in the middle of the floor.

  “Colleen, I think we should go home,” Katherine said, frightened. “This place gives me the creeps.”

  “Please, Katz, I haven’t even started yet. Can we stay until I say when?”

  Katherine didn’t answer right away, hesitated, and said in a low voice, “I guess so.”

  “I’ll take that as a ‘yes.’” Colleen took three candles with glass holders out of the box, placed two on the windowsill, and one in the corner, on the floor. She lit each one with a long-barreled candle lighter. The candlelight bathed the room in a warm glow as the sun set. Colleen explained, “There’s another reason why I always take candles. I’ve been in several haunted houses where midway through the investigation, the electricity goes out.”

  “Well, Carrot Top, that’s good to know, because if the power goes off, you’ll be the first to see the back of me flying out the door.”

  Colleen gave Katherine a warning look. “Katz, promise me, whatever happens, you don’t flip out and trip over the candle. My mission this evening is to not set the house on fire.”

  “Hear! Hear!” Katherine agreed. “But could we at least have the overhead light on?”

  Colleen walked over to the wall light switch, and flipped it on. The single bulb in the ceiling light fixture burned out immediately.

  “Did you see that?” Katherine asked, surprised.

  “Do you have any replacement bulbs in the house?”

  “Not that I’m aware of. Okay, so no ceiling light. Switch the light on in the closet. It’s a chain hanging down.” Katherine remembered Scout’s frightened reaction when the closet door opened by itself.

  Colleen didn’t move. Katherine didn’t either.

  Katherine was the first to speak, “Double dog dare you.”

  “Okay, fine. Whatever,” Colleen said, cautiously stepping over to the closet, opening the door, and yanking the light chain. The bulb illuminated the spacious closet, but barely lit the bedroom. “I should have brought more candles.”

  Colleen removed the last item from the box — a blue, mini-Maglite flashlight. She took it over to the left window and placed it on the sill. “Okay, Katz, I’ll do the speaking from here on out. Please be calm, and open up your mind to explore the unknown.”

  Katherine took out a folded piece of paper from her pocket. “Here’s the list of questions I want you to ask.”

  “Sure, fine,” Colleen said, taking it. She studied it, then put it in her pocket.

  Colleen set the cardboard box on the floor behind her chair, and sat down. She placed the K2 meter on the floor in front of her. “Remember Katz, the meter, right now, shows green. If a spirit is detected, the needle will shoot to red.”

  “Yes, I remember.”

  Colleen was quiet for a moment, then said, “Hello. My name is Colleen Murphy, and this is my friend, Katherine Kendall. Her nickname is Katz. We want to communicate with you this evening. We are not here to harm you in any way. We just want to ask you a few questions.”

  Colleen got up and moved to the flashlight. She picked it up off the window sill. “This flashlight easily twists on and off.” Colleen demonstrated how to do so.

  “I’m going to leave it off. When you want to answer “yes” to my question, you can twist it on for a moment, then twist it off, and wait until my next question. If the answer is no, please do not twist t
he flashlight. I will wait thirty seconds before I ask you the next question.” Colleen set the flashlight back on the sill, and sat back down.

  “Katz and I know you are here, and want to communicate with you. Are you a man?”

  Katz turned in her seat, and looked over her shoulder at the flashlight.

  “I’ll ask again. If you are a man, will you please turn on the flashlight?”

  Katherine whispered, “I don’t think it’s a man.”

  Colleen looked at her watch. When thirty seconds had gone by, she continued, “Okay, if you are a woman, would . . . ?”

  The flashlight flashed on, and then in a few seconds, turned back off.

  “Thank you,” Colleen said. “I know what you just did takes a lot of energy, and I respect that. If you are Evelyn Clay, would you turn the flashlight on?”

  The flashlight remained off.

  “If you are not Evelyn Clay, are you Rita Booker? Did you die in 1940 outside this house?”

  Katherine was on the edge of her seat. A draft of cold air chilled her to the bone. She looked at Colleen to see if she’d felt it, too. Colleen nodded and pointed to the thermometer, which now read fifty degrees. The needle on the K2 was in the red zone.

  The flashlight didn’t turn on. They waited a minute, then Colleen asked, “Are you a mom?”

  The flashlight vibrated lightly on the windowsill, flickered on, and then off.

  “Are you expecting a child?”

  The wind chime tinkled slightly, and the candle flames splattered. The flashlight shot off the windowsill, and bounced on the floor, skidding to a halt against the closet’s wall, then the closet door slammed with great force. They could hear a woman sobbing on the other side of the door.

  Katherine jumped in her seat. “That’s what Scout and I heard. Okay, Colleen, I don’t think she wants to talk to us anymore. Can we go now?”

  Colleen put up her finger, and whispered, “Just one second,” then addressed the spirit. “We are sorry we upset you. We are leaving now, and will check on you another time.”

  Katherine said, “Oh, no we won’t.” She grabbed her cross-over bag off the chair, and headed for the door. Colleen said haughtily, “Well, at least help me gather up my stuff.”

  Katherine grabbed the box, and the two started loading equipment into it. On the way out of the house, Katherine shut off the first floor lights. Colleen had already left, and was waiting on the porch. Something caught the corner of Katherine’s eye.

  Katherine glanced at the stairwell. A blurry, translucent shape glided down the steps. Her hair was shoulder-length, and flipped up at the ends. She wore a madras blouse with a pair of green shorts. Her knee socks matched the shorts; on her feet were penny loafers. Katherine thought she looked like a teenager from the 1960s, because the blouse was like one her mom wore in an old photo from that decade. The apparition was sobbing. She clutched in her hand a baby blanket.

  Katherine didn’t hesitate to run. She sprinted to the front door, then looked back. The apparition was gone. She hurriedly shut the door and nervously fumbled for the key in her pocket. She locked the door, and joined Colleen on the porch.

  Colleen asked, “Are you okay? What just happened in there?”

  “I saw a ghost.”

  “Shut the door! I wanna see. Let’s go back.”

  “Ah, no. Let the dead rest.”

  Colleen snickered, “I can’t believe you said that. The poor woman is anything but at rest.”

  “Try teenaged girl. Our sobbing spirit probably isn’t over thirteen-years-old.”

  Colleen said excitedly. “We have more research to do.”

  “Oh, and Colleen, most importantly, we’ve got to move that rocking chair back upstairs.”

  “Brilliant,” Colleen retorted. “Let’s go get it right now — ”

  “I’m getting married tomorrow, and I’m exhausted. How about I take a raincheck until after the honeymoon?”

  “I know. Are you the least bit nervous?”

  “About a spirit? Well — ”

  “No, don’t be daft, about getting married.”

  “Honestly, I wish Jake and I had run off to Vegas months ago, but if we did, I’m sure Cora would insist on a reception anyway.”

  “Are you sure you don’t want a drink at the Erie Hotel?”

  “Carrot Top, it’s bad luck to see your future husband the night before.”

  “What? Let’s get our superstitions straight. It’s bad luck for the groom to see the bride in her gown before the wedding.”

  “Whatever. I’ll drive you home,” Katherine yawned.

  “Can you drop me off at the bungalow? I’m staying with Mum tonight.”

  “Sure, I’ll go get the car.”

  “I’ll come with you. I don’t want the bogeyman to get you.” Colleen tipped her head back and laughed.

  Chapter Seven

  Katherine, Colleen, and Mum were upstairs in the front bedroom of the pink mansion. Katherine was fussing with her dress, which was a knee-length, layered, lace dress with a square neckline and silver beaded bodice. Tugging at the waist, she said, “Women back in the day must have been super tiny.”

  Colleen commented, “Your great-aunt must have been a size zero. Do you think this was her wedding dress?”

  Katherine shrugged. “I don’t know, but I found it in her vintage clothing collection. The new museum curator let me borrow it.”

  Mum said happily. “Katz, you look absolutely stunning. Your great-aunt, in heaven, must be smilin’ down upon you.”

  Katherine’s eyes grew big. “Oh, no,” she said, surprised.

  “What’s the matter?” Mum asked.

  “I think the lining just ripped.”

  “Get out!” Colleen said. “Quick, Katz. Where’s your sewing kit?”

  “I’ll get it,” Katherine said, moving for the door.

  Mum said, “No, don’t move. Take the dress off.”

  Katherine said to Colleen, “In the back guest room, in the tall dresser, there’s a sewing kit. I think it’s in the second drawer.”

  “Got it,” Colleen said, rushing out of the room.

  Katherine carefully took off the white dress and handed it to Mum. Mum reached into her purse, drew out her reading glasses, and put them on. She gently turned the dress inside out and scrutinized the lining. “It’s a small tear. I can mend it.”

  “I shouldn’t have eaten so much food Thursday night,” Katherine said, remembering the giant prime rib and baked potato covered with sour cream and butter. Jake’s mother had organized a rehearsal dinner at the Erie Hotel.

  Colleen returned with the sewing kit. Mum grabbed the box and opened it. She hurriedly threaded a needle and began stitching the tear.

  Colleen said anxiously. “Mum, hurry up. We’ve got five minutes.”

  “Hold your tongue, Missy. I’m sewin’ as fast as I can,” Mum scolded.

  Judge Hartman, the wedding officiant, knocked on the door.

  “Hello, Judge,” Katherine said. “Come in.”

  “Hello, ladies. Oh, my goodness, what happened?” she asked Katherine, who was standing in the middle of the room wearing a slip.

  Katherine answered. “Slight setback. We may need a few extra minutes. Have all the guests arrived?” The judge was privy to the guest list, which numbered fewer than twenty.

  “Yes,” the judge smiled. “Cokey, Margie, and their daughter just arrived. They were escorting Jake’s grandparents to the atrium when I came up to check on you. Jake’s parents, Johnny and Cora are here. Daryl’s folks, too. Linda Martin and Mark Dunn came first. I forget the name of the kid in charge of the music.”

  Katherine giggled, “That’s Cokey’s and Margie’s son, Tommy. He’s a twelve-year-old musical wonder.”

  “Russell’s already snapping pictures,” the judge said, beaming.

  Katherine knew the couple had been dating, but she also knew Russell had asked Elsa out for a date after the reception. Elsa declined because she was taking care o
f the cats, but agreed to meet him for drinks after Jake and she returned from the honeymoon. She didn’t think the judge would be beaming if she knew that bit of info, but her lips were sealed. She thought, Please, dear God, no drama on my wedding day.

  “’Tis fixed,” Mum announced, using her teeth to cut the thread.

  The judge said, “Ladies, I’ll head downstairs. Katz, I know we rehearsed this Thursday night, but can you refresh my memory on how you’ll give me the signal to begin?”

  “I’ll text you, but promise me, you’ll turn off your phone after you’ve read it.”

  “Will do,” the judge said, leaving.

  “Oh, could you please find Elsa and ask her to come up?” Katherine asked.

  “Yes, of course,” the judge answered.

  Mum warned, “Katz, the lace is a bit fragile on this dress, but if anythin’, the beads and the love of Mary will be holdin’ it together.”

  Colleen frowned, “That’s encouraging, Mum,” then to Katherine, “I’m glad you didn’t put me in one of those three-million-year-old dresses.” Colleen wore a mid-sleeved, V-neck short dress in emerald green. It complemented her long, red hair.

  Katherine smiled, took the mended wedding dress from Mum, and pulled it over her head. She sighed.

  “I heard that,” Colleen said. “What’s up?”

  “I wish my Mom and Dad were here.”

  Mum walked over and hugged Katherine. “’Tis okay. They’re here in spirit, I tell ya. Don’t fret on your weddin’ day.”

  Katherine fought back the tears and said, “Colleen, help me with this foreband. I’ll hold the front, if you attach the back.”

  “Here, give it to me. I think it’ll work better if I simply clasp it first . . . .” Colleen took the Swarovski crystal foreband and placed it over Katherine’s short black hair, which had been swept back from her face. Katherine looked approvingly in the mirror. “Okay, that about wraps things up.”

  Mum said, “Where’s your earrings?”

  “Oh, I almost forgot.” Katherine moved to the dresser and opened a small cloisonné box. Taking out a pair of emerald and diamond earrings, she said, “These were my Mom’s.”

  Both Mum and Colleen admired the earrings. Mum reached in her purse and pulled out a Tiffany blue jewelry pouch. She handed it to Katherine. “I want you to have this. It’s a little something I found in Manhattan for you to wear for good luck.”