Bone-a-fied Trouble

by Carolyn Haines

  The cat obviously had other plans. He leaped from her arms and landed on Candy’s desk. Skidding across the slick surface, he took out file folders, stacks of mail, a vase of fresh cut zinnias, and a computer screen, which only tipped over and didn’t break.

  “Trouble!” Tabitha was scandalized. She’d seen the cat maneuver with extreme agility. This was almost…deliberate. She ran forward and began soaking up the spilled water from the flowers with some tissues she found on the desk.

  “I’ll get a towel,” Candy said, rushing toward the back of the business.

  Trouble jumped up on the desk and went straight for the keyboard. To Tabitha’s amazement, the menu of files popped up. Trudy’s name was close to the top and she clicked on it. She only had a few seconds, and she focused on the names of men who’d shown an interest in her sister. Dirk Cotwell was one. And another was Alan Dotsun. She heard Candy returning and closed out the computer screen and just in time. The office door started to open. In two bold leaps, the cat was across the room and at the front door, which he nudged open. Then he was gone.

  Candy returned with clean towels and began cleaning up the mess.

  “I’m so sorry,” Tabitha said as she began blotting too. “I’ve never seen Trouble freak out like that. He’s normally very quiet and…coordinated.”

  “Something startled him.” Candy was doing her best not to be aggravated. “Nothing was damaged. It’s just a little bit of tidying up.”

  When the desk was dry and all of the files back in place, Tabitha took her leave. She wasn’t surprised when Trouble came out of the shrubbery.

  “Let’s walk over to the station where we’re catching a ride.” She made sure Charline’s diamond necklace and earrings were in her pocket. She’d return the jewels at Long Hall and then go down to the ag offices to use a computer. Then she’d figure out what the black cat was trying to show her about Dirk and Alan Dotsun.

  As she was about to cross the street to the service station, she saw the pickup with Long Agricultural on the side. Felicity was behind the wheel, but she was busily engaged in talking with a young blonde in a convertible. She started forward, but the cat caught the hem of her dress and stopped her. He turned to look at the two women.

  “You’re right. I don’t want them to see me here at the dating service.” She picked up the cat and moved down the road toward a fast food place. If she approached from there, it wouldn’t lead to any questions. Thank goodness for the cat, and it was a good thing Felicity was otherwise engaged.

  * * *

  The spilled vase was a master stroke, if I do say so myself. My daddy would be proud of that maneuver. He was always adept at confusing the bipeds with quick and decisive action. I knew Candy would have to leave the room, and I also knew I’d have that computer file open. Alan Dotsun is someone Tabitha needs to look into. Never doubt the wisdom of a sleek black cat with a penchant for all things British—except maybe the food from across the pond. Americans, especially in the South, have superior cuisine over such British delicacies as kidney pie and blood pudding. That makes my sleek black hair stand on end. No, I prefer the delicately sauced mahi-mahi with a bit of wild rice—seasoned with fresh dill. I’d best stop daydreaming about past repasts and tend to business.

  Now that it appears we’re leaving that wretched fast food place, Tabitha is leading the way to the petrol station across the road. I’ll follow her lead without complaint. Felicity sees us coming and concludes her conversation with the lovely blonde in the little blue sports car. The car in question has a lot of zing. It shoots out of the station like a little rocket and the driver waves merrily as if we were best of friends.

  Everyone in the Delta does seem to know everyone else. If only the Delta had mass transit, such as London and other hubs of civilization. Both Pluto and I could get along swell. We’d be regular toffs, riding to our destinations. As it is, he’s stuck without a ride. His owner, Sarah Booth, and her significant other, the high sheriff, failed to consider the transportation needs of a savvy feline. I’m a bit disappointed I haven’t met the Delaney Detective Agency team of Sarah Booth and Tinkie, but our paths haven’t crossed. And I’m most interested in making the acquaintance of the spirit that haunts Dahlia House, a bossy haint that goes by Jitty. Pluto has told me some tales about Jitty’s shenanigans. I hope to see it with my own eyes before I leave the area.

  But now, I need to pretend to be normal—not so difficult to deceive most two-leggers. They simply aren’t observant. So many of the bipeds live in the fog of phones, the Internet, and such. While I view those things as tools, I’m simply immune to the addiction that is so common among the humans.

  Ah, Felicity is opening the door for my would-be psychic mistress. I presume we’ll sojourn to the Long Agricultural business office. But no, Tabitha requests a ride to Long Hall. She says that Roger is waiting for her, a simple statement of fact that triggers a sharp glance from Felicity Montgomery. I wonder if Roger’s employee is interested in her boss in a romantic way. I’ll have to keep my peepers wide open for any hint of those feelings. Felicity may want more than just a paycheck from Roger Long, and if that’s the case, then she should be added to the suspect list. A keen eye on the interplay between Felicity and Tabitha is called for. Trouble is on the case!

  * * *

  The tires of Roger’s truck slung gravel as he circled the drive that fronted Long Hall. He parked, and jumped out with Pluto right behind him. He was aware of the cat, and the way the feline seemed to anticipate his every move. There was something up with the two black cats and the pretty little marmalade that his aunt had fallen in love with. Right now, though, the person in his gun site was his mother. Hannah was brewing up trouble, and he wasn’t going to put up with it.

  He entered the house and felt the heavy silence fall over him. He wasn’t normally sensitive to moods, but the tension in the house was thick. Concern for his uncle Samuel made him take the stairs two at a time. He intended to corner his mother in her quarters and make her understand that Antoine would have no part in running Long Agricultural. Ever. Under any circumstances.

  “Mother!” He called out to her as he found himself at her suite of rooms. The door was closed and locked, and he knocked so hard it echoed in the hallway. “Mother, open this door.” Pluto was right on his heels, but slipped into a shadow cast by a threshold as he pounded on the oak door.

  “I won’t put up with your tantrums, Roger. Charline and Samuel have spoiled you, tolerating your oafish conduct.”

  His mother’s voice was prim and proper, a tone she only used when she was afraid of repercussions from some of her bratty behavior. And she was wise to be worried. “You’d better open this door or I will kick it down. And if Antoine is there to protect you, I’ll give him a beating he’ll never forget.” He hit the door with enough force that it shuddered.

  “Antoine isn’t here. He’s gone down to the office to get some annual report. He has to study the business to assume his role.”

  Roger realized he had to calm down. He could not use force to break down the door, which would only upset Charline and Samuel even more. “Open the door. We need to talk.”

  The lock clicked and he pushed the door open. His mother had stepped back several feet—just in case. He smiled at her. “What are you up to, Mother?”

  “I’m taking my rightful place in the family business.” A bold statement, but she wouldn’t meet his gaze.

  “Antoine isn’t a family member.” He struggled to keep his tone civil and easy.

  “He will be soon.”

  “I see. Congratulations on your impending marriage. What is this, five or six?”

  “Don’t be so cynical,” Hannah said. “Antoine has everything I need in a man.”

  “And you have everything he needs in a bank account.”

  “You’ve turned into a bore, just like Samuel.” Hannah played a pout.

  “Mother, you need to leave Sunflower County. Today. Take that fake man with you.”

&nbs
p; “I have as much right to a say-so in the company as you and Samuel. I’m an heir, like it or not. I’ve allowed you both to keep me out of the family business so you could run it however you saw fit. Those days are gone. Samuel and I are equal partners. I have a fifty percent say in what this company does.”

  Roger had never questioned Samuel about Hannah’s stake in Long Agricultural. His uncle had always treated Hannah more than fair. He’d given her money when it wasn’t due her.

  “What is Antoine’s background in large scale farming?”

  “Oh, darling, he’s run big corporations and taken them public. He has a wealth of financial experience.”

  “And farming?”

  She shrugged. “What’s so hard about growing cotton, corn, and soybeans. You put the seed in the ground and the sun and rain do the rest of the work.”

  His mother’s ignorance was so abysmal that Roger didn’t comment at all. “So his background is business, not farming.”

  “Farming is a business. That’s what you and Samuel tell me all the time.”

  Roger only nodded. “I’d like to see Antoine’s resume. Maybe check into some of his past jobs. If he’s as good as you say, he might be an asset.” It took all he could muster not to grin when he saw Hannah’s reaction. She hadn’t expected capitulation. Or questions about Antoine’s abilities. “How long have you been in Mississippi, Mother?”

  She waved a hand. “What difference does it make?”

  “Oh, if you’re both serious about involving yourselves in the farm, then I suspect you’ve been touring the other plantations and boning up on what’s being planted and why.”

  “It’s the same old, same old. Corn, soybeans, and cotton. I can see the plants for myself, Roger. I don’t have to ask anyone. You punch the seed into the ground, fertilize, the rains come, and then the sun. How hard is that?” She frowned. “But I understand there’s a whole new kind of cotton being planted. Some GMO thing or other. And Antoine tells me you’ve planted some of it. Now that is exciting. I love the idea of a new cotton. Think how much money that would make.”

  “New crops are risky. I’m not sure that was a smart move.”

  “Darling, from what Antoine says, this may be the ticket to the future. How many acres did you plant?”

  Inhaling slowly, Roger chose not to answer. “Did Charline tell you she was in contact with Suellen? Perhaps we should ask Grandmother how she feels about Antoine’s involvement and this new cotton crop.”

  “You think a dead woman is going to influence my decisions.”

  “No, I don’t. But it will be interesting to hear any messages she might have for you, don’t you think?”

  “Suellen is gone. I’m sorry I was…immature. But I’m trying now, Roger. I want to be a part of the family business. Antoine and I want to know all about this new cotton.”

  “Trying to put Antoine in the farm management isn’t going to work, Mother. But I know you well enough to realize you’re going to try, until it becomes too painful to continue. You never learn anything the easy way.” As Roger talked, Pluto slipped into Hannah’s suite of rooms. Roger said nothing. His mother was not a pet lover of any kind, but Roger had come to trust the basic instincts of the Sunflower County cats.

  He heard the front door open and looked down to see Tabitha coming into the foyer with the thinner black cat, Trouble. She smiled up at Roger—a genuine reflection of gladness to see him. His heart lifted and he faced his mother again. “The séance will be at nine o’clock,” he said. That would give him time to make the preparations he needed.

  “I’m not so certain I want to participate in a séance,” Hannah said. “I don’t want to be haunted.”

  “Maybe Suellen will approve of Antoine. Wouldn’t that be an interesting twist in the plot?” Roger left the possibility hanging there. “We can talk about this more at dinner. I’m sure Ms. Kingsley will be happy to tell you all about her work and what to expect.” He grinned at his mother, a challenge he knew she couldn’t resist, before he turned away.

  “Roger…”

  He turned back to face his mother. “Yes?”

  “I’m not the horror that you think I am.”

  The sadness in her voice almost touched him, but he knew his mother. She could play a role to the hilt. “See you at dinner,” he said.

  When he went down the stairs, Tabitha was waiting. He pulled her into the library and closed the door for privacy. His impulse was to kiss her, a strong desire he fought back. His feelings for Tabitha had developed so fast, but he wasn’t certain how she felt. It would be inappropriate to attempt a kiss before he knew it would be welcomed. “How’d the taping session go?”

  “I felt like a fool,” she said, but then filled him in on all she’d learned about Trudy and the two men who’d shown an interest in dating her.

  He frowned. “I don’t like putting you out there as date bait, but if it helps us find your sister, I’m willing to try.”

  “Speaking of date bait…” Tabitha reached into her pocket and brought out the jewelry Roger had borrowed for her. “Please put this back. I know I came here under false pretenses, but I never really intended to manipulate anyone. And I never intended to steal anything. I just wanted to get inside the dating service and find out about Trudy.”

  “I’m not accusing you, Tabitha. If we intend to find Trudy, we’re going to have to do whatever is necessary. And I’m going to ask you to help me deceive my mother tonight.” He held her gaze. “My mother is a wrecking ball. She comes in and starts swinging, and she doesn’t care what she takes out or who she hurts. She’s on to the concept of GMO cotton and I’m not certain she has a clue about potential environmental damage. This isn’t about deception or dishonesty, it’s about protecting Charline and Samuel and also my mother. Will you help me?”

  Tabitha nodded. “I’ll do my best.” She looked unsure. “I’ll do what you ask.”

  “Thank you.” He heard footsteps and realized Charline was headed their way. When the door opened, he faced his aunt with a wry grin. “We’re having a séance tonight at nine. It’s going to be exceptional.”

  “That sounds very exciting.” Charline cast him a shrewd look. “You’re up to something and I’m not going to ask what. I trust you, Raj. You’ve always had great instincts.” She turned to Tabitha with a warm smile. “Those two black cats are in the kitchen eating like they’ve never had food before. They have…gourmand tastes.” She laughed. “The little Vesta is so dainty beside those big bruisers, but the boys are so deferential to her. It’s something to see. Will we need any special preparations?” She asked Tabitha.

  Tabitha’s cell phone buzzed and she brought it out of her pocket, flashing the screen so that Roger could see that the matchmaking service was calling. “I’ll return the call in a moment,” she said, tucking the phone away.

  “By all means,” Roger answered, giving her a wink when he was certain no one would see.

  His aunt threw him a knowing look. “Since we’re having an event tonight, I’ll get with Nancy to be sure we have all we need in the way of refreshments. Is there anything special, Tabitha?”

  “The dining room would be a perfect location. Suellen loves that room. And there’s a man with her, a handsome young man.” Tabitha nodded at Roger, letting him know she was honoring her word. “I don’t know this man, but his initials are…I think it’s a double initial, or else he has a sibling with the same name. It’s hard to tell sometimes.” She stared into an empty corner of the room, “I’m getting an…M. Maybe two Ms. He’s pointing upstairs. He has a message for someone upstairs,” Tabitha said.

  “For Hannah?” Charline’s eyes widened, and then sadness touched her face. “Oh, my. I think I know who this may be. Hannah is going to be surprised. Pleasantly, I hope. Micah’s death was such a tragedy. I honestly believe Hannah would be a different person if Micah hadn’t been killed.”

  “Tragedy always marks us.” Tabitha put a gentle hand on Charline’s shoulder. “We really do
n’t need anything but some candlelight, because it’s easier for an entity to manifest in a darkened room. Because they’re ephemeral, spirits are easier to see in low light.”

  “I’ll have everything to order,” Charline promised. “Now let me get busy.” She left them with a quick, light step.

  Roger faced Tabitha. “I never made it to DayZSeed, and I really need to speak with them there. I’ll be back in under an hour. Pluto was in Mother’s rooms, but he’s managed to slip out. A good thing, too. She’d have a conniption if she found him going through her things. Can you keep an eye on those two black cats? They might need some help making an escape.” Roger grinned. “I trust you’re up to a distraction.”

  “If it’s necessary to save a cat, of course.” Tabitha made a solemn face but then smiled. “I feel like I’m performing all the time now.”

  “It won’t be for long. We’ll find Trudy and then this will all be over. When I return, I’ll help prepare for the evening’s events.” He touched her shoulder. “I know the dating service was something we agreed on, and I know you have to follow through on whoever contacts you or there’s no point. I have to be honest, though. I don’t like the idea of you going out with anyone else. Especially someone who could be dangerous. Promise me you’ll be careful.” Somehow, Tabitha’s welfare had become crucially important to him. In such a short time, she’d eased into his life, filling a blank spot he hadn’t even been aware of. He had plenty of lady friends in the Delta, and he enjoyed their company. Tabitha was different, though. She’d touched him deeply, making him protective of her. It was a feeling that made him both anxious and happy.

  Chapter Twelve

  Roger headed back to the seed company, driving faster than normal. He went to the main desk. A pall seemed to hang over the whole reception area. No doubt they’d been notified of Lisa’s death. “Who’s taking Lisa’s position?” he asked. “I need to speak with the sales rep for my crops.”