by Patricia Fry
“The fishing trip,” Simon interjected, “and for letting us stay up to play Mr. Mike’s beanbag game…”
“And for letting us take Rags for a walk.” Adam giggled. “That was fun when he caught that lizard.”
Rochelle shivered. “Ewww. No it wasn’t.”
The boys laughed.
“Well, bye, all,” Peter called, waving. “Next time at our place, okay?”
“Yeah!” both boys cheered.
“That was fun,” Savannah said, walking back to the house. “Those boys are like two peas in a pod.” She tilted her head. “It looks like Adam got the brother he was hoping for—one his size that he can play with.”
“Yes, they sure get along well, don’t they?” Michael agreed.
“Oh, Teddy, what did you find?” Savannah called, running to him.
“What is it?” Michael asked.
“A snail. Ick.” she pushed it out of Teddy’s little hand.
“My snail,” he cried. “I want my snail.”
“No snail,” Savannah said firmly. She took him by the wrist. “Come on, let’s go wash
your hands and you can play with Glori.”
Teddy pouted. “No want Glori. Want snail!”
Michael picked up the child. “Come on, buddy, let’s get the snail goo off your hands. Want some berries or one of Grammy’s cookies?”
“I want a cookie,” Lily said, taking Michael’s hand.
“I want snail,” Teddy cried.
“Maybe Uncle Max will cook you snails sometime. Want snails for supper?” Michael teased.
Teddy made a face. “No eat snail, Daddy,” he insisted. “Play with snail.”
“Well, I’m glad to know you weren’t planning to put that thing in your mouth,” Savannah said. She opened the front door and started to walk in when Rags charged past her and ran down the porch steps. “What was that?” she asked.
“Your cat, of course,” Michael said.
“Rags,” Lily said.
Savannah squinted in his direction. “What in the heck is he after?”
“My snail,” Teddy wailed. “Rags eat my snail, Mommy. No, Rags!” he shouted.
“He’s not going to eat your snail,” Savannah assured the toddler.
“Hon, maybe Teddy wants that snail as a pet,” Michael said. “I have to say, I brought home some pretty unusual animals over the years; didn’t you? Or did you just read and play with your dolls?”
“Yes, I carted home animals,” she said, “but mostly cats and ladybugs. I had a thing for ladybugs.”
“I liked sow bugs—you know, those roly-poly bugs,” Michael said. “Mom used to get so mad at me when she’d find them in the washing machine.”
Savannah wrinkled her nose. “Washing machine?”
“Yes, I’d put them in my pockets to play with later. She’d find them all over the house, too.”
Savannah faced him. “Do you think we should put his snail in a terrarium or something and let him keep it as a pet until he tires of it?”
“Or it dies. I guess we could,” Michael said. “Maybe one of those large plastic jars with a tight lid so he can’t break it and he can’t open it.”
“Good thinking. Okay. Hey, Teddy,” she called.
“What?” the toddler pouted.
Savannah grinned at him. “Let’s go get your snail and make a home for him. Want to?”
The boy’s face lit up. He scrambled to get out of Michael’s arms and he ran toward where he’d last seen the snail. “My snail. Where’s my snail? Come snail. We make house.”
“I’ll help him find it,” Lily said, chasing after her brother.
“I’ll go get Rags,” Savannah said.
Moments later, Savannah and the children walked back to the house together with Rags and the snail. Michael met them at the door. “What was the cat after?”
“I don’t know. He just got a burst of energy, I guess. Or maybe he was looking for Adam. The boys give him a lot of attention when they’re here.”
“My snail, Daddy,” Teddy said, holding the critter up for Michael to see.
“He’s really something, Son. I think I have just the house for him. Come in the kitchen and let’s see if it’ll work. Then we’ll go out and get some grass. Do you want to pick some grass for your snail house?”
Teddy nodded. “And yellow flowers.”
“Dandelions?”
Teddy looked at him with big eyes. “No lions, Daddy. Lions eat snail.”
“Maybe a rock,” Michael suggested. He glanced up and realized that Savannah was recording the moment. He smiled and said, “Teddy’s first pet. What’s his name?”
The toddler quickly responded, “Teddy.”
Savannah chuckled. “You’re going to name your snail Teddy?”
“No,” the boy said. “My name Teddy. Snail name…” he scrunched up his face and looked down at the snail. “…snail name is…” He looked around. “Rock,” he said.
“How about Rocky?” Savannah suggested.
Teddy thought for a moment. “No. Rock.”
“Okay,” Michael said. “Come on Rock, let’s go fix up your home.”
“Snail sleep with me, Daddy,” Teddy said.
Michael looked at Savannah, who shuddered at the thought. “No, buddy, we don’t sleep with snails or bugs or moths or butterflies…”
“Ants?” Teddy asked. “Flies?”
“Just kitty cats and doggies,” Savannah said.
“Giraffe?” Teddy said, laughing. “Elephant?”
“No, silly boy,” Savannah said, also laughing. She jumped when her phone chimed. “Oh, a text from Leah.” After reading it, she said, “Hey, Michael, we’ve been summoned to their house. They caught the cat they think is the culprit in their mystery and they’d like us to help them fit the cat with a camera.”
When she had his attention she added, “Leah told me earlier that they’re pretty sure someone is either hiding out or is maybe hurt somewhere near their house, and that’s where the cat is getting all that stuff. They want to monitor his travels. Oh!” she shrieked. “And that cat we found yesterday in their shed—well, she had kittens.” She asked Lily, “Want to see kittens?”
“Not if they’re wild,” Michael insisted. “We don’t want the children around any feral cats.”
“I know. I don’t think this mother cat will mind showing off her babies. Come on, let’s get ready to go.”
“Okay,” he said, “after we put some dandelions in Rock’s new house.”
****
“He’s a handsome specimen,” Savannah said, staring down at the tiger-striped cat Craig and Harrison had captured. “He’s pretty calm in that trap, isn’t he?”
Craig nodded. “Yeah. I guess he went right in for the food we left, but he’s ready to come out now.”
Savannah grinned at Craig. “Feeling better?”
He frowned. “Yeah, sorry about that. It’s just that these cats can be so unpredictable and frustrating.”
“Tell me about it,” Michael said. “Welcome to my world, Craig.” He reached out and shook hands with Harrison. “Long time…”
Savannah also greeted Harrison. “Good to see you.” She hugged Leah. “It was fun catching up with you yesterday.” She looked around. “So a lot has happened since Rochelle and I were here, huh?”
“Yes.” Leah grinned. “Want to see the kittens?”
Savannah’s face lit up.
“Can we get this job done first?” Craig cranked. “I have other things to do today.”
“Sure,” Michael agreed. “Do you have a camera?”
“Right here,” Craig said, handing it to him.
Michael looked it over and studied the cat. “I think this will work. He may not like it much, though. He’s probably never been fitted with anything restrictive in his life. In fact, what we might do is anesthetize him and let him wake up with it on. Maybe he’ll adapt to it more easily than if we put it on and turn him loose. Know what I mean?”
Craig nodded. “Whatever you think. You’re the expert.”
“But this isn’t something I do on a regular basis,” Michael admitted.
“How often have you done it?” Leah asked.
He grinned at her. “Almost once.”
“Almost once?” Harrison questioned with amusement.
“Yeah, we tried to do it while the cat was awake, and it didn’t work out well. That’s why I’m suggesting we knock this one out—at least partially.”
“You had one of those on Rags once,” Craig reminded him.
“Yeah, but Rags is pretty forgiving. It could freak out this guy.” He looked around. “You say he wasn’t difficult to catch?”
Craig nodded. “Yeah, we put food inside the cage and he went right in.”
“Have you been feeding him?” Michael asked.
“Probably,” Leah said. “We’re not sure on any given day which cats, possums, or raccoons we’re feeding.”
So chances are he’ll come back here at some point so you can remove it,” Michael surmised.
“Yeah, especially if that’s his girlfriend in there with the kittens,” Harrison said.
“Do you have the tranquilizer?” Craig asked.
“Yeah, we stopped by the clinic. I’m all set.” After Michael had administered the drug and they had fitted the cat with the camera, he suggested, “Okay, make sure he’s wide awake and not too wobbly before you let him out of that cage. Then just stand back and let him go. I’d wait a day or two before we attempt to remove the camera. I guess if he brings you something, you can be pretty sure he revisited the site. We’re leaving tomorrow for Oregon, so call Bud to help you get it off him. I’ll let him know you might be contacting him.”
“Thank you, Michael,” Craig said.
“Yeah,” Harrison said. “We appreciate it. Let’s hope it works and we’ll actually learn something from what the camera shows us.”
****
“Mom, how was your evening with Karl?” Savannah asked early the following morning. “Did you fix dinner? What did you make?”
“Lasagna. I made him the recipe I used to make for you girls when you were at home, and a nice leafy green salad. He seemed to enjoy it. Yes, we had a lovely day—well, I did. I think Karl’s still traumatized by his ordeal and Daryl’s grim future, but he talked a little about it. I think that was therapeutic for him. He’s going back to Arizona today. He wants to spend some time with his animals and his daughter’s family.” Gladys faced Savannah. “He wants me to fly out there and meet him. What do you think?”
“Well, you would enjoy that, wouldn’t you?” Savannah said.
“I think I might. But if you need me here…”
“Mom, you’re a free agent. We’ve so enjoyed you being here. And the kids have benefited enormously by having you here, but we can’t expect you to devote your life to us. You’ve already raised your children. You’re free to do what you want. If you’re comfortable going, I urge you to go. For how long?”
“Probably two or three days.”
“Why don’t you go while we’re gone,” Savannah suggested, “unless you’re planning to go with us.”
Gladys grimaced. “I’m torn. I want to attend the opening and maybe visit a couple of people I know in Oregon, but I’d like to see where Karl lives and spend time with Jilly and her family. The fact that he invited me is kind of a compliment, don’t you think so?”
Savannah nodded. “Yes. Maybe he’s ready to take the next step.”
“Next step? Oh, Vannie, I’m not interested in taking another step right now. Oh no, I’m happy with the way things are. In fact, that little revelation into Karl’s family secret has actually made me step back a little.”
“Well, I think you’re a wise woman,” Savannah said, “but if you go to Arizona you might be sending him a mixed message.”
Gladys sat stunned for a moment. She started to speak when a phone rang.
“That’s my mine,” Savannah said. “Hi, Craig. What’s up?”
“Well, I’m over here at Harrison’s and Leah’s.” He cleared his throat and coughed. “Do you think you could bring Rags out here?”
“What’s going on?” she asked. “Did you get something on the cat camera?”
“Yes, but we’re having trouble deciphering it—know what I mean?”
“No,” Savannah said. “What’s the problem? The cat didn’t shake the thing off, did he?”
“No. He actually brought us some images. Harrison called me to say the cat was there and the camera was kind of cockeyed. I guess something had come loose and it was hanging to one side. We thought we should try to get it off him, so I took Damon over there with me. We managed to catch the cat and remove the camera.”
“Is the cat all right?” Savannah asked.
“The cat?” Craig griped. “Yeah, he’s just fine, but I have scratches all over my body.”
“Of course you do. That’s what happens when you manhandle a cat. So how is the cat?” Savannah pushed.
“Just a little freaked out. I’m actually sorry that I put him through that, especially since what we got is so…well…sketchy.”
“So you don’t know any more than you knew before, huh?” she asked.
Craig hesitated before saying, “There is something I’d like to check out.”
“And you think Rags…”
“Yes. I think he might be able to help.” When Savannah didn’t respond, he asked, “Savannah? Savannah, are you there?”
“So what do you want him to do?” she asked.
Craig coughed and cleared his throat. “The thing is, I’m concerned that someone’s out there hurt or dying, or maybe even dead. We really need to find them, and I think your cat can help.”
“What time is it, anyway?” Before Craig could answer, she said, “Gads, it’s already eight. I have a lot to do, Craig, to get ready for our trip.”
“Please, Savannah. I know how your cat works. I’m sure he can help us, and I don’t think it will take him long, unless he gets in one of his moods and leads us on a wild-goose chase. He’s definitely done that before.”
“Gee, Craig, we’d hoped to leave for Oregon today. Michael went to the clinic for a consultation with a client, but he’ll be back in a little while.” When Craig didn’t respond, she said, “Just a minute, Craig.” She looked at her mother. “Mom…”
“Sure, I’ll be here. Go on and do whatever you need to do,” Gladys said.
“Okay, Craig. We’ll be there in a few minutes. I just want to change the laundry load…”
Gladys waved at her. “I’ll do that, Vannie. Go on, now. It sounds like Craig needs your help.”
****
“So when are you leaving for Oregon?” Craig asked when Savannah climbed out of her car with Rags.
“I guess not until tomorrow morning.” When she saw the look of concern on his face, she said, “It’ll be okay. It’ll work out.” She glanced at Leah, Harrison, and Damon. “So what’s going on? Is the cat okay?”
Craig nodded. “Yeah, he seems to be all right. He ran off toward the shed, probably to be with his wife and kittens.”
She smiled and asked Leah, “How are the kittens?”
“They look healthy,” she said. “I can’t wait for them to get old enough to play with.”
“Then what?” Savannah asked.
“Oh,” Leah said. “Well, I guess I’d better find homes for some of them.”
“Some of them?” Harrison repeated.
“Yeah, I think Charlie would like to have a kitten of his own, don’t you?” She added, “Savannah, he’s so gentle with baby animals. It’s adorable.”
“Hey,” Craig said, “we’d better get on with our ordeal here. We all have things to do today, right?”
“What do you have in mind, Craig?” Savannah asked. “What clues are we working with? Did you figure out where all that stuff is coming from?”
“We think so. The cat and the camera directed us to an area west of her
e. Damon and I walked out there and found things strewn around, including parts of what appear to be a backpack.”
“That makes sense, if the missing person is a cross-country cyclist,” Savannah said.
Damon frowned. “It’s like a graveyard out there.” When Savannah looked at him, he explained, “There’s debris, like from an airplane crash or something. It’s really quiet and still and, well, frankly, eerie as hell.”
Savannah cringed and shivered. “Sounds lovely.” She turned to Craig. “And you want me to take Rags out there?”
He grinned. “I’ll be with you.” He asked, “Harrison, will you…”
“Sure, Craig. It appears the more eyes the better.” Harrison chuckled. “And in the case of the cat, a good sniffer. Isn’t that what cats do, sniff out trouble or whatever?”
“I guess,” Craig said. “Let’s go. Everyone ready? Leah, you’re not taking the little guy out there, are you?”
She shook her head. “No. I need to get him bathed and get myself ready for work.” She winced. “You guys be careful.”
Craig looked down at Rags. “Ready, partner?”
Harrison laughed. “Looks like he has an itch to take care of first. Does he have fleas, Savannah?”
“No,” she insisted.
“Come on, Rags,” Craig admonished, “You’re embarrassing yourself.”
****
Minutes later, Craig waved an arm and announced, “Here’s the area of debris.”
“Gads,” Savannah said, looking around. “I wonder what happened.”
“Damon stood quietly, then said, “Whatever it was seems to have taken place right here.” He scratched his head. “If I didn’t know better, I’d think there was a tornado.”
Harrison looked around. “Could it have been a strong whirlwind—what do they call those—dust devils?”
“I guess,” Craig said.
“Yeah,” Damon added, “but where did the stuff come from in the first place?”
Craig held something up. “See this piece of canvas? Damon and I think it’s from a backpack.”
“Could be,” Savannah said.
Harrison agreed.
“Maybe that pack of wolves they talked about a few years ago came through here and tore it up,” Craig suggested. “Remember that wolf scare, Savannah?”
