Black Cat Crossing

by Fitz Molly

  They dropped their bags and looked at each other. Sunny’s face had turned an ashy shade of white.

  “Shut the door and come say hello,” I said. It was now or never. Would they stay? Or run screaming from my mansion.

  Sunny closed the door. “Tilly? Is that your friend, Audrey?” she asked in a halting voice. Surprise but not panic filled her question. I could work with that.

  Tilly hesitated before looking.

  “Tilly. What are you waiting for? We’ve got work to do before my guests arrive.”

  I half expected them both to faint right in front of me, but they surprised me.

  Tilly took her time to scan the room. I saw it through her eyes—white walls covered with colorful geometric paintings that added splashes of reds, yellows, and blues, white upholstered furniture speckled with a few black hairs here and there thanks to Mocha, and finally, her eyes rested on me, sitting with my legs elegantly crossed, wearing my white gauzy drapey thing. I held an imaginary cigarette in one hand, while Mocha curled contentedly next to me.

  “What do you think, Tilly?” I asked.

  Tilly tiptoed over to me as if I might bite. Or, maybe she expected me to say, Boo. “Audrey?” she whispered even though I really expected a scream. “You look exactly how I remember you from fifty years ago… but different at the same time.”

  “Of course, I’m different. I’m a ghost. Now don’t stand there with your mouth open. Something might fly in and choke you. And, really, Tilly. Do you think it would be so easy to get rid of me? Whoever pushed me over the balcony is in for the shock of his or her life when their dirty deed is uncovered. Thanks to you. Now, introduce me to this lovely creature you brought with you.”

  Looking a bit shaky, Tilly leaned against her companion. “Sunny… meet Audrey. Is that the proper introduction between a live person and a ghost?” I could tell this was more than a little weird for her, but she was gaining strength with each tick of the clock behind me.

  I let out a deep melodious chuckle. “If I have to be dead, ghost is as good as anything, I suppose. At least, because of all the damage from my fall, I could claim my twenty-year-old self instead of my smashed seventy-year-old body. I suppose if there has to be a silver lining, that’s one thing, right?”

  “Sure?” Tilly definitely sounded skeptical about my perspective. Easy for her, though. She still had beautiful thick hair, now grey, and her own toned body in great shape for seventy-something. She slowly lowered herself onto the sofa across from me and pulled Sunny down next to her.

  “I know I’m tired. Maybe I’m asleep and this is all a dream?” she said. “But, in a bizarre kind of way, it feels real.”

  I leaned forward and smiled at her, just so happy to see her at last. “You aren’t dreaming, Tilly. I promised you an adventure and a challenge. I just didn’t expect to be dead before I found the person who betrayed me.”

  I pretended to take a drag on my imaginary cigarette and formed an O with my lips, blowing out make-believe smoke rings.

  “Is this all too much for the two of you? Do you need some time to wrap your heads around sitting here with me, a ghost?”

  “Well,” Tilly said, hesitating. She was probably trying to figure out the best way to answer my loaded question without hurting my feelings.

  “Yes,” Sunny said, speaking bluntly for both of them. “It’s a lot to take in.”

  “All right. I can respect that. I suggest you go to bed, get some rest, and we’ll make our plan in the morning.”

  “A plan?” Tilly asked.

  “To catch my murderer, of course,” I said with a wave of my arm that floated through the air like mist.

  Mocha purred and flicked the tip of her black tail, adding her bit to the conversation.

  “Is Mocha planning to help, too?” Tilly asked, then shook her head and continued, muttering to herself. “Why not? This has already turned into the craziest, most unbelievable day I’ve ever lived through.”

  Chapter Five

  I watched Tilly’s eyes flutter as a ray of early morning sunlight warmed her face. She lay wrapped in a down comforter on my luxuriously soft mattress. With a sigh of contentment, she rolled onto her side as if she hoped for another hour of sleep.

  Instead, she twitched when Mocha sniffed her nose, and her whiskers tickled Tilly’s cheek.

  She opened one eye, with Mocha’s one green and one yellow eye inches from her own. I couldn’t contain my chuckle as Tilly’s brain awakened. Emotions streamed across her face, flooding her with memories from the night before.

  Then, remembering, Tilly bolted to a sitting position. “Audrey?” she bleated.

  Mocha leaped off the bed with a yowl. “I had a nightmare, and you showed up as a ghost.”

  “Tilly,” Sunny said from the other bed. “You weren’t dreaming. Get those cobwebs out of your head. We have work to do today.”

  Tilly rubbed her eyes with such determination, I knew she was trying to erase the memory of our encounter last night. But then she dropped her hands in defeat.

  “That’s right,” I said, hovering near the edge of the bed. “Someone pushed me over the balcony. You two have to figure out who. There isn’t much time for snooping and sleuthing and piecing the puzzle together. Now that my death has been ruled an accident, Douglas will read my will in less than forty-eight hours. Time is definitely not on our side.”

  “I love a challenge,” Tilly said. Was she trying to convince herself she was up for this task? She slipped out from under the toasty comforter.

  “That’s what I want to hear,” I answered and floated across the room to the window. “Birdie’s downstairs in the kitchen, so get yourselves coffee and whatever delicious treat she has fresh from the oven. Tell her you want your breakfast up here.”

  I felt a sharp pang of sadness for all the routines that were now fading memories.

  “Speaking of Birdie,” Sunny said, as she headed into the bathroom.

  “No,” I said.

  Sunny stopped and looked at me. “No? I didn’t ask my question yet.”

  “You were planning to ask if Birdie might be the one who pushed me to my death. The answer is no,” I repeated with great authority. I had no doubt about this. “It couldn’t be Birdie. She never climbs the stairs all the way to this top floor. She’s scared of heights.”

  “Actually, I wanted to tell you that Birdie hinted there’s a ghost living here,” Sunny said. “But it’s good to know we don’t have to worry about her as a suspect.” She disappeared into the bathroom. I cackled and heard the shower turn on.

  “I heard her telling you all that last night, Tilly. And I thought I moved around up here quieter than a whisper of air and lighter than a cloud.”

  Tilly was searching through her luggage for a robe. “She said that she saw lights, too.”

  “I’m working on that. I don’t even need the lights on, but you know how habits are so hard to change? I keep reaching for the switches without thinking while I float around getting used to my new normal.

  “Of course,” Tilly said, slipping on a bright red kimono thing. “Birdie insisted she didn’t believe in ghosts, but I don’t buy that for one minute. Birdie said Mocha would be our escort to your apartment, then she left us in the hallway and disappeared into her room so fast that she probably thought the ghost was on its way to get her.”

  “Yes, my Mocha. My love.” Mocha weaved in and out and through—to Tilly’s shock—my legs. “You know, she doesn’t like most people. You should feel honored that she’s taken to the two of you. Are you cat people?” I asked.

  “Cats. Dogs. Doesn’t matter,” Tilly said with a wave of her hand. “Especially Sunny. She’s got a whole menagerie of animals, a business, and,” she wiggled her eyebrows, “a boyfriend, but I don’t think she uses that word yet.”

  “Taking it slow? That’s smart. Are you and Sunny close?”

  “Like this.” Tilly’s face softened as she twisted her two fingers around each other. “She’s the grandd
aughter I never had.”

  Sunny walked out of the bathroom, her dark hair braided. She was dressed casually in jeans, sweater, and sneakers. The picture of confidence and comfort. “I’ll go down and get our breakfast,” she said on her way out.

  Another pang of sadness pierced my heart. “Birdie told you I have a granddaughter. Nikki. She’s amazing.” I pointed to a framed photograph on the dresser. “She’s what I’ll miss more than anything else.”

  Tilly picked up the photo and studied it. “I see hints of you in her wavy strawberry blonde hair, sprinkle of freckles, and dark blue eyes filled with an intensity that most people lack. Maybe you will see her again, Audrey,” Tilly said with compassion. “I mean, you made yourself visible to us.”

  “Maybe.” But if and when Nikki returned, it wouldn’t be the same. It would never be the same, I thought sadly.

  Tilly put the photo back in its place of honor.

  “One more thing about Mocha I should mention. She knows who the killer is, so she might be able to help you and Sunny.”

  Tilly tightened her robe around herself and stood in front of the bedroom window. “I agree that cats have special senses. The problem is that they operate on their own whims, which means they do what they want when they want on their terms. Not ours. So, how will she help?”

  “I don’t know yet, but trust me on this, okay? She has special qualities that I can’t begin to explain. For example, how did she know to show up when you and Sunny arrived? I can’t answer that, but when she tries to give you a message, you’ll know. Treat her right and she’ll be a big help.”

  While we’d been talking, Sunny returned from her jaunt to the kitchen. I was sure that Birdie had loaded up my silver tray with a breakfast fit for two hungry travelers.

  “I’m heading to the table on the balcony with the food,” Sunny said. “Get out here before I eat it all myself.” I heard the French door swing open. She’d made an interesting choice of where to sit. Maybe she thought it would stir some memories on my part. Clever young lady.

  “She’s funny,” I said to Tilly. “She’s got you figured out, doesn’t she?”

  “Sunny likes to think that she keeps me on my toes.” Tilly cupped her hand around her mouth. “Don’t tell her that she’s right.” She padded straight to the balcony and sat on one of the three teak chairs around my square table.

  I floated through the door onto the balcony and heard them both gasp at my ghostly maneuver.

  “I’m sorry you can’t enjoy this with us, Audrey,” Sunny said as she set out plates, silverware, and glasses for two. Then, she pulled out a chair and sat next to Tilly.

  “Is this where it happened?” Tilly asked. I stood looking over the railing into my geometrically-shaped herb garden. Paths connected each section. In the center, my fountain trickled water over rocks into a pool with koi fish that glistened flashes of orange as they swam among the lily pads. At the outside edge of the garden, rose bushes created a hedge, except in one spot… the spot where I’d landed. Now, a hole reminded me where my favorite peach rose had always flourished.

  “Yes,” I said. As painful as it was, I forced myself to relive that night. “I was standing right here, enjoying the twinkling stars, the moonlight, and the perfumes drifting up from my garden. It’s my favorite spot.” I sighed at the memories. “I’d said goodnight to my guests and brought a late-night snack of grilled shrimp up for Mocha. She liked to sit in that third chair while I talked to her about the guests. She’s the perfect sounding board. Since you have cats, you must know they listen, and they don’t give advice.”

  “You think they listen?” Tilly said skeptically. “I think it’s an illusion that we want to believe.”

  “That might be true, but talking to Mocha helped me work through my problems. And that night before I died, I had lots to talk about.” I floated away from the railing and settled on the lounge chair in the corner so my guests could eat breakfast without me hovering over their food. I needed to get my thoughts organized.

  Chapter Six

  Tilly’s plate overflowed with Birdie’s breakfast spread—cantaloupe, cheesy veggie omelet, crispy bacon, with a glass of fresh-squeezed orange juice and a helping of peach shortcake on the side.

  “This is to die for,” Tilly said, digging in with a hearty appetite. Then she looked at me with a sheepish expression. “Sorry, not literally, unless it’s possible to eat until I burst.”

  Mocha jumped onto her special chair and waited politely for Sunny to serve the small dish of fishy gourmet food that Birdie had included on the tray. She purred her thanks before nibbling at the edge. I’d always admired her prim and proper manners, just like mine, I thought with nostalgia.

  “Birdie tries so hard to make friends with Mocha, but no matter what she does, it doesn’t seem to work for my finicky cat. Or maybe… ” My arms floated out as I finally understood the simple behavior that I’d missed ages ago. “Mocha has learned that if she’s standoffish, Birdie keeps spoiling her with special treats.”

  “Of course, that’s it, Audrey. Cats are brilliant in a sneaky kind of way,” Tilly said and helped herself to a strip of crispy bacon. “Mocha definitely has the upper hand in that relationship. She’s trained Birdie to meet her fussy needs. All without Birdie having a clue of what happened.”

  “Dogs on the other hand,” Sunny said, after wiping her lips with one of my linen napkins. “Dogs are loyal. They’ll do anything to please without needing any payback beyond an ear scratch or some play time.”

  She poured tea into two china cups and added a drizzle of honey to hers. “Tilly, Birdie asked me to tell you that the guests will be arriving after breakfast. She said to enjoy our feast and the short-lived peace and quiet because bickering is fast approaching.”

  Tilly shoveled a big portion of omelet into her mouth. “Good to know,” she said as she chewed. “We’ll get fueled up then get right to brainstorming our plan.” Tilly swallowed and grinned, then helped herself to the shortcake.

  As Tilly and Sunny enjoyed their breakfast, I wondered which of my guests had silently snuck up to my apartment and pushed me to my death. Unfortunately, there were four candidates I could think of, who wanted me dead. Money topped the motive list.

  I was mulling this over when I heard tires crunching on my stone driveway. Mocha heard it too. She jumped off her chair to look through the railings that faced the arriving guests. Her tail flicked with annoyance.

  I didn’t have to get up and look. Since my untimely death, my hearing is sharp as a tack. I catch every jingle, jangle, crunch, and squeak more than ever for some strange reason. The loud engine and deep crunching noise clued me to the fact that a big heavy SUV had arrived, which is exactly the ride my daughter and son-in-law preferred. It was no surprise they had arrived first, as Tucker hated to miss any detail.

  Tucker, my tall, scrawny son-in-law, had never appealed to me. When Charlotte first brought him home to meet me, he was snarky to the point of being rude. I found his tone and jokes worse than tomcats yowling in an alley.

  I knew she could have landed someone who treated her with respect and kindness, but she found him witty. Unfortunately, he saw her as his meal ticket. Her potential inheritance attracted him like a moth to a flame. He didn’t even have the decency to hide his greed.

  “Audrey?” Tilly said, placing her fork and knife at the edge of her plate. A plate, I noticed, that was practically licked clean. “Do you think it’s a good time for Sunny and me to make our entrance and meet the guests?”

  Sunny, I noticed, looked like she had already planned for this investigation. At least I hoped so. “Yes. That’s a good idea, Tilly. My daughter, Charlotte, and her husband, Tucker, have arrived. I don’t want to say anything else about them to cloud your first impression.”

  “Perfect. Charlotte and Tucker. It’s nice to know their names. That puts us a step ahead of them when we pop in,” Sunny said. “I told Birdie I’d bring our breakfast dishes back, which makes for the perfect entr
ance. We’ll pull off casual and unplanned with ease.”

  I floated off the lounge chair, gliding past them. They both rubbed their arms like a chill had suddenly hit them.

  “Did you feel that chilly draft?” Tilly whispered. “Where did Audrey go?”

  “Stop whispering. My hearing is sharper than ever,” I said.

  “Where are you?” Tilly swiveled her head toward my voice and looked right at me, but I realized she wasn’t seeing my normal ghostly shape.

  “It’s my new talent that I haven’t quite perfected yet. This ghost business didn’t come with a manual, you know.” I returned to my translucent image. “I can disappear from your mortal vision which means—”

  “You can spy at your own party! Talk about being a ghost in the wall,” Tilly said gleefully. “Hasn’t everyone wished for that ability one time or another?”

  “Except,” I said frowning. “It’s not usually combined with a wish to be dead.”

  “Oh, right. Sorry.”

  Sunny set the cups, saucers, plates, and silverware on the silver tray. “Besides Tucker, Charlotte, and your lawyer, Douglas, was there anyone else that Birdie forgot to mention to us that was here the night you died?”

  “As a matter of fact, she forgot to mention my estranged husband, Sir Michael Fernsby. Birdie always had a soft spot for him. I think it’s that English accent. Anyway, he was here to surprise Nikki, who’d planned to come home for a short visit. Unfortunately, for him, something happened with her flight plans, and she didn’t make it. But I still had to put up with his uppity attitude.”

  “That means there were four people here who all had the opportunity to kill you. But who had a motive?” Tilly asked.

  “That, my dear, is the million-dollar question.”

  “And the million-dollar motive,” Sunny added.

  “Your money. Of course! It’s always about the money, right?” Tilly said.

  Maybe, but maybe not. That’s what I hoped would be uncovered this weekend.