Kittens and Killers

by Diana Xarissa

  “I wonder if you’d like to take the mother cat to visit Marilyn Coleman again,” Crystal said. “She’s been talking about her since your last visit.”

  “I’d love to,” Fenella replied, trying not to sound too eager.

  Crystal led her down a long corridor to Marilyn’s room. “Marilyn? Fenella is here with her cat again,” she called as she knocked on the door.

  “Come in, then,” Marilyn’s voice called.

  Crystal opened the door and then gestured for Fenella to enter. “I’ll be back in half an hour,” she told Fenella before she let the door shut.

  “Good morning,” Fenella said brightly. Marilyn was in bed, sitting propped against several pillows, a scowl on her face.

  “They won’t let me out of bed,” she complained loudly. “I had a little fall yesterday and now they’re insisting that I stay in bed for twenty-four hours.”

  “I am sorry,” Fenella said, setting the cat on the edge of the bed. After a quick look around, she headed up the bed and curled up in Marilyn’s lap.

  Marilyn gave her a few pats and then sighed. She sat back against the pillows and began to stroke the animal’s back. “This is better than any therapy out there,” she said after a minute. “I can’t stay mad at the world, or even my doctors, when I’m petting this cat.”

  “I’m glad I brought her in, then,” Fenella said.

  “Have you found a home for her?”

  “I think Jeanne is going to take her.”

  “Jeanne? Not Jeanne Richardson?”

  “She’s Jeanne Reese now, and yes, that Jeanne.”

  “When did you meet her?”

  “Last week, on Thursday,” Fenella explained. “I met her and Howard and Patricia Quinn.”

  Marilyn made a face. “I bet Howard didn’t like the cat.”

  “Patricia wanted to adopt her, but Howard said no.”

  “And Patricia didn’t argue? She never let Howard tell her what to do, not back when I knew her, anyway.”

  “She argued a little bit, but Howard refused to even consider the idea.”

  “It sounds as if the dynamics of their marriage have changed, then, over the years. I suppose that isn’t surprising, really, given how long they’ve been together.”

  “It’s probably quite normal,” Fenella agreed.

  “I wonder how things would have changed in my marriage if things had been different,” Marilyn sighed, “if we’d had children to keep us together or drive us apart or if my mother had left us to work out our problems rather than adding to them.”

  “I’m sure your mother tried to do what she thought was best,” Fenella said diplomatically.

  “She did what was best for her,” Marilyn countered. “She and my father had a difficult relationship. Being with me gave her an excuse to be away from him. She used me to escape from her own marriage, never mind that it destroyed mine.”

  “I’m sorry,” Fenella said, feeling as if the words were inadequate.

  Marilyn shrugged. “Maybe Mabel was the lucky one. She died young and we all remember her as beautiful and full of life. She never got beaten down by harsh reality.”

  “Maybe you’d feel better if you talked to some of the others,” Fenella said. “I told Jeanne I would try to set up something of a reunion for you all, if you’re interested.”

  “A reunion? How very American of you. I’m not sure that any of us are interested in reuniting, not after all these years.”

  “Jeanne is interested, and Donna might come if the rest of you are coming.”

  Marilyn fell silent, petting the cat and staring into the distance. After several minutes, she broke the silence. “Where and when?”

  “Friday at ten at the café near Donna’s house,” Fenella said, wondering if Marilyn would know where she meant.

  “I haven’t been there in years,” Marilyn said softly. “They used to do the most delicious Victoria sponge.”

  “I’ve been told they still do. Maybe you should find out on Friday.”

  Marilyn shrugged. “I’ll think about it, but I’m not going to promise anything. I may not be allowed out of bed by then, of course.”

  “Whether you decide to come or not, I do hope you’ll be feeling better.”

  “Yes, well, at my age better is somewhat relative.”

  “I think that’s true at any age.”

  Marilyn gave her a small smile. “You could be right. How old are you?”

  “Forty-nine,” Fenella winced, trying not to think of the birthday that was looming at the end of the year.

  “I remember when that felt old to me. Make sure that you enjoy it. Seventy-five is only a few days away, or so it seems to me.”

  “I’m doing my best to enjoy every day,” Fenella assured her. While that was very true, she was also less worried about what would be coming next now that she’d spent so much time with Mona. Being a ghost seemed like a pretty good way to spend the rest of eternity.

  “And now I need rest,” Marilyn announced. “Do you mind taking her away?”

  “Of course not.” Fenella picked up the cat and then helped Marilyn remove some of the pillows from behind her head.

  “That’s much better. I believe a rest will do me some good.”

  Fenella left Marilyn alone for her nap, letting herself out into the corridor and then wondering what do to next. Crystal was supposed to be coming back for her, but she was nowhere in sight.

  “Clyde Gross was hoping the cat might visit him, too,” a passing nurse told her. “I can tell Crystal that you’ve gone to see him.”

  “That would be great,” Fenella said happily. The nurse gave her Clyde’s room number and directions to his room. A few minutes later, she knocked on the door.

  “If you’ve brought me a feline visitor, you can come in, otherwise, go away,” a voice called.

  Fenella laughed and then pushed the door open. “It’s my lucky day,” she said brightly as she put the cat down on the floor.

  Clyde was sitting in a chair by the window with a book on his lap. The cat jumped up and shouted loudly at the offending paperback. Clyde grinned and then put the book on the table in front of him. “Sit down,” he told Fenella. “Make yourself comfortable. I’m hoping for a long visit with this little lady.”

  Fenella took the chair across from him and sat back. He was rubbing the cat’s tummy with a satisfied smile on his face.

  “I wish I could keep her,” he said after a minute. “I can’t look after her properly, of course, but I wish I could. She’s incredibly sweet.”

  “Jeanne Reese might be taking her,” Fenella told him.

  “Jeanne Reese?”

  “She was Jeanne Richardson when you knew her.”

  Clyde nodded. “I knew she’d married, but I didn’t remember her married name. She’s four years older than I am. I suppose I should be happy for her if she’s still capable of looking after a pet.”

  “Patricia Quinn really wanted to take her.”

  Clyde frowned. “I hope you told her no. She’s much older and not at all suitable.”

  “Her husband said no before I got the chance.”

  “Howard,” Clyde said in an odd tone.

  “Yes, that’s right.”

  “Did you see Marilyn again today?”

  “I did, and I saw Jeanne yesterday and Donna the day before.”

  “You really are pushing yourself into Mabel’s past, aren’t you?”

  “It isn’t intentional,” Fenella told him, “but I am trying to arrange a reunion of sorts for you all. Every one of you seems sad about how you’ve lost touch with one another. I thought you might like a chance to talk again.”

  “One last time, you mean.”

  “I wouldn’t say that. I’d like to think that you might rekindle your friendships and have many more gatherings after this one.”

  “You’ve actually arranged something?”

  “I’ve arranged to have tea and cakes with Jeanne on Friday. Anyone else who wants to come al
ong is welcome.”

  “Tea and cakes? Where?”

  “There’s a little café near where Donna lives.”

  Clyde frowned. “That isn’t far from where we all used to live. I haven’t been to that part of Douglas in many years.”

  “Well, you’re more than welcome to join us at ten o’clock. Marilyn may be there, if she feels up to it. Donna said she might come if everyone else is attending.”

  Clyde nodded. “Anyone else?”

  “I don’t know if Jeanne’s husband might come along. I mentioned it to Patricia and Howard, but they weren’t interested in coming.”

  Clyde stiffened. “I won’t come if they might be there.”

  “They aren’t going to be there. I never even told them where we were meeting or when. I told them a reunion was being discussed and they both told me they weren’t interested in attending.”

  “I should think not,” Clyde said in a low voice.

  Fenella swallowed the questions that sprang into her mind. “I’m sure everyone would love to see you,” she said instead.

  “I’ll think about it. It’s been a long time. There were reasons why we stopped seeing each other, though. Those reasons are still in place.”

  “Maybe it’s time to work through everything,” Fenella suggested. “You were very close once.”

  “They were close. I was always on the outside, looking in,” he sighed. “They were like sisters, and I know Mabel was always slightly disappointed that she didn’t have a real sister. I was something of a disappointment to her.”

  “Everyone I’ve spoken to has said that she adored you,” Fenella countered.

  “I adored her,” he countered. “She put up with me because I was all she had, but she would have preferred a sister, someone with whom she could share her secrets and her problems. I was a poor substitute, even though I tried my best.”

  “I’m sure it wasn’t like that.”

  “I know it was exactly that. She and the other three women, they were close, almost as close as sisters, but not quite. Mabel kept secrets from them and from me.” He sighed. “I’m sorry, but I’m tired and this conversation is upsetting. I’d like you to leave.”

  Fenella got to her feet reluctantly. “If you’d like, I can just sit here quietly while you enjoy your time with the cat.”

  Clyde looked down at the sleeping animal. “I’m beyond enjoying her company right now. Just take her and go, please.”

  As if she’d recognized her cue, the cat woke up and jumped into Fenella’s arms. Fenella turned and headed for the door, feeling oddly guilty about upsetting him.

  “Friday at ten?” he asked. “I may be there.”

  “I hope you are,” Fenella replied.

  She walked back to the main lounge and found Crystal chasing kittens.

  “There you are. I was just going to go and look for you. I think the kittens are dangerously close to overstaying their welcome right now.”

  Fenella put the mother cat into her carrier and then helped Crystal find the last kitten. “Does this mean you don’t want any of them?” she asked worriedly as she picked up the carriers.

  “I don’t know. I think we still want them, but they were hard work today. We can’t afford to take on a full-time member of staff to deal with the kittens. It might be better if we try to find them all homes at the other center. Those residents are allowed to have pets, after all. If all of the kittens went to individual homes, I wouldn’t have to worry about them.”

  “Let me know what you want to do,” Fenella told her. “I believe they’ll be ready to leave their mother by Friday.”

  Crystal smiled tightly. “Yes, let me know,” she said faintly.

  It took Fenella three trips in the heavy rain to get the animals and their things back into the car. Sighing deeply, she pulled away from the home.

  “What did you guys get up to back there?” she demanded as she drove. “They were ready to give you a good home and now they’re not. You must have caused a lot of trouble.”

  Her question was greeted with silence. When they got back to the house, Fenella found all four kittens fast asleep. Whatever they’d done, they’d clearly worn themselves out.

  “They’re ready to leave Mum, but I’m not sure Crystal is going to take any of them,” Mr. Stone told her the next day. “Apparently they weren’t exactly well behaved yesterday.”

  “I never did hear the whole story,” Fenella replied. “When I got back to the lounge, Crystal was packing kittens into the carrier as quickly as she could.”

  Mr. Stone laughed. “I didn’t get the whole story either. She just told me that they were harder work than she’d anticipated and that she didn’t think that particular home could accommodate them. I understand she’s still considering taking one or two for the other home, but I think she’d rather individual residents adopted them than have the home take on the responsibility for them.”

  “I hope you have some other ideas for them, then,” Fenella said. “I really don’t want to keep them for much longer.”

  “I’m sure we can find them somewhere to go,” he told her. “Don’t worry about it for today. I’ll talk to Crystal again tomorrow. It will all work out.”

  Fenella didn’t share his optimism, but she didn’t argue. “The mother cat has been offered a home,” she told him, explaining about Jeanne. “Are you okay with her going there?”

  “I’d like to see the mother cat going to a home where she’ll be kept indoors,” he replied. “If your friend is prepared to keep her indoors, I’m happy with her if you approve of her.”

  “I’ll talk to her tomorrow and see what she says. I can’t imagine her not keeping the cat indoors, really, but we didn’t discuss it.”

  “I’d like to keep seeing her, too,” he added. “I’ve grown rather attached, really, but I can’t make that a condition of her adoption, obviously. Just let her new owner know that I’ll give a substantial discount if they bring her here.”

  Fenella nodded. “I know what you mean. I’m rather fond of her myself.”

  Daniel paid her a visit that evening. Fenella had just finished her dinner and was popping popcorn in the microwave to go with a movie.

  “I have popcorn in the microwave,” she told him as she let him in and then dashed back to the kitchen. The popping was just slowing down, and she counted three seconds between pops and then pulled the door open.

  “Scorched popcorn is horrible,” she explained as she dumped the steaming hot treat into a large bowl.

  “I can’t argue with that,” he laughed.

  She put the bowl in the middle of the table and then offered him a drink.

  “As much as I’d love to share a bottle of wine with you, I’m on call tonight and things are a bit hectic at work at the moment.”

  “Oh?”

  He shrugged. “There was a large drug bust yesterday in the wee small hours of the morning. Tomorrow’s paper will be full of the story. We’re concerned that it might just be the tip of the iceberg in terms of what’s being brought into the island. I’ve been pulled off the Gross case to help the drug and alcohol unit with their investigation.”

  “Oh, dear. That sounds serious.”

  “It is serious, and it’s disappointing because I truly think we’re getting close to a solution to Mabel’s murder.”

  “Does that mean you won’t be at the café tomorrow?”

  “I’m still hoping to be there, but I may have to make it an early lunch break rather than anything else. Depending on what else happens between now and then, though, I may not make it. Please be careful if I’m not there.”

  “We’re meeting in a very public place,” Fenella reminded him. “Even if someone says something they shouldn’t, nothing is going to happen in the middle of a crowded Douglas café.”

  Daniel nodded. “If I can’t be there, I’ll send a constable. It may not be anyone you’ll recognize, but there will be someone there, and he or she will be listening to your conversation very close
ly, but hopefully, very discreetly.”

  “That sounds good,” Fenella told him.

  “Who’s going to be there?”

  “Jeanne is the only one who has actually agreed to come, but I suspect the others may well show up, even though they’re all being noncommittal.”

  “Who is least likely to attend, do you think?”

  Fenella thought for a minute. “Donna was most insistent that she wouldn’t attend, but when I rang her and told her that Jeanne was going to be there, she seemed to soften considerably. I think Donna will be there. I think Marilyn will be, too, if her health permits. I suppose Clyde seems least likely, but he also seemed to feel as if he was less welcome. He said something about always being on the outside of the group.”

  “Do what you can to get them talking about Mabel, but don’t upset anyone. I’m planning on interviewing them all again soon, assuming I can wrap up what I’m doing with the other case quickly.”

  “Maybe just seeing one another again will be enough to bring back a few memories. If any of them are keeping secrets, I hope they realize it’s time to share them with the police, even if they still want to keep them from the others.”

  Daniel glanced at the clock and then sighed. “It’s been a very long day. I’d really like to stay and talk through the case with you again, but I’m out on my feet. I need to get some sleep. Tomorrow isn’t going to be any easier.”

  Fenella walked him to the door and then let him out. He looked as if he was considering kissing her, but in the end he took a step backward and then walked away.

  “And that’s me on my own again,” she grumbled as she headed back into the kitchen. The popcorn was gone and the movie no longer sounded interesting. She grabbed a book and headed up to her room to read. When she fell asleep in the middle of chapter two, she didn’t wake up until morning.

  By nine o’clock she was pacing around her living room, making the kittens crazy. “I’m sorry,” she said as she nearly tripped over one of them. “I’m just a bit anxious about this morning. I’m not sure if I’m hoping they all turn up or that none of them do.”

  She sat down and petted the mother cat until she was feeling calmer. “Here goes nothing,” she told them all as she headed for the door a short time later.