A Whisker of a Doubt

by Cate Conte

  He knew me so well.

  Jack Gaffney waited behind the defense table, looking dapper yet appropriately somber in a pinstriped gray suit. When Katrina joined him, he bent his head and spoke softly in her ear. Whatever he said, she didn’t look convinced.

  June Proust turned her full-on glare to Katrina. I could see Katrina visibly trying to ignore her, but failing miserably.

  Just before one o’clock, the doors opened and a man strode in, taking a seat in the back. Grandpa, who had turned to look, caught the man’s eye and inclined his head in a nod. The other man returned the greeting with a curt nod of his own. He looked vaguely familiar to me, but I couldn’t place him. I was dying to ask Grandpa, but at that moment the bailiff instructed all to rise while the judge took her seat. I was relieved. Sitting there felt like a pressure cooker was about to blow at any moment.

  Once we had all settled back down, Judge Boyle, an affable-looking woman with killer highlights in her brown bob, surveyed the courtroom before flipping open a folder and skimming its contents. When she looked up, her laser focus went right to Katrina and when she opened her mouth, I could immediately tell that her affable demeanor didn’t mean she was any kind of softie.

  “Ms. Denning.”

  Katrina and Jack Gaffney stood in unison. “Yes, your honor,” Katrina said. Her voice was hoarse, as if she hadn’t used it much lately.

  “I’m looking at a murder charge.” Judge Boyle pointed a red fingernail at her folder. “I’m sure I don’t have to tell you that this is very serious.”

  “Yes, your honor,” Katrina repeated, a bit robotically, I thought.

  “How do you plead?”

  “Not guilty, your honor,” Gaffney interjected.

  The judge’s eyes lingered on Gaffney for a moment, then shifted to the prosecuting attorney, a younger woman with a head full of curls who reminded me of Marcia Clark in the old days.

  “Have you considered bail, Ms. Andrews?”

  Andrews opened her mouth to answer, but Gaffney jumped in.

  “If I may, your honor, I’d like to make note of Ms. Denning’s reputation and standing in the community. She’s a member of law enforcement as the animal control officer for Daybreak Harbor. In that role, she assists not only her town, but neighboring towns that don’t have a similar role. She’s responsible for saving hundreds of lives in this capacity.” He spread his hands wide, his face earnest as he let the enormity of that sink in. “She has deep ties to the community and has lived here most of her life. She’s not a flight risk. We’re asking that Ms. Denning be released without bail until her trial.”

  The judge looked like none of that made a difference to her in any way. Andrews let out a snort of disbelief. “No bail? Your Honor. This woman is accused of murder, not stealing an ice cream cone. That’s ridiculous. We’d like the court to deny bail.”

  “That’s extreme, Your Honor,” Gaffney said without missing a beat. “Ms. Denning stands by her innocence, and has never been arrested before.”

  The judge frowned as she turned back to her folder, then fixed her icy stare at Gaffney. “I’m afraid Ms. Andrews has a point. This isn’t a shoplifting charge. This is murder. We take murder very seriously, at least in our town. While I don’t believe Ms. Denning is a flight risk, I do think not setting bail would set a precedent that I can’t live with. Bail is set at $200,000, and Ms. Denning may not go within five hundred feet of the Sea Spray community or any of its residents while awaiting her trial.”

  My mouth literally dropped. I looked at Gaffney, willing him to argue the point, but he stayed quiet. Andrews looked smug. I bet she figured Katrina couldn’t make that kind of bail anyway, and she was probably right.

  The judge slammed her gavel, making me jump, and glanced at the bailiff. “What’s next?”

  “That’s our only arraignment, Your Honor.”

  “Dandy.” She rose.

  “All rise,” the bailiff commanded.

  Everyone rose hastily as the judge made her way back into her chambers. When she stepped off the platform, I could see how tiny she was.

  The bailiff let Katrina back through the door she’d come in. I poked Grandpa furiously. “Two hundred thousand dollars? Seriously? She can’t afford that!”

  “Madalyn. Not here,” he said, taking my arm and steering me toward the door. When we got there, though, he dropped it. “I need a minute.”

  I watched him head down the hall after the man who had come into the courtroom at the very end. Jack Gaffney and Leopard Man came out to wait with me. I looked at Leopard Man. “Who’s that guy?”

  “That is Chief McAuliffe,” he said. “He took over when your grandfather retired.”

  “Oh wow. I didn’t recognize him.” I studied Grandpa’s replacement, also Katrina’s boss. I think I’d seen him once or twice at town meetings, but we hadn’t ever met. He had a bit of a chip on his shoulder about Grandpa, since Grandpa did like to keep himself … engaged in the goings-on of the Daybreak Harbor police force. I didn’t know if the new chief felt threatened by that, or by some of his force’s loyalty to Grandpa, but he’d never been overly friendly to him.

  They looked like they were having an earnest conversation now, though. I thought it was nice he’d come to support Katrina.

  “I’ll be back in a few moments,” Leopard Man said, squeezing my shoulder, and then he left me with Gaffney.

  I looked up at the lawyer. “Two hundred thousand dollars? That’s the best you could do?”

  Gaffney frowned at me. “I don’t have any say over what bail amount the judge will set. This town is very cliquey. And they aren’t used to murder charges.” He shrugged and checked his watch.

  “She doesn’t have that kind of money!” I exclaimed.

  Gaffney sighed. “Maddie. I’m sorry. I have no say in bail amounts. It’s the judge’s call.” He glanced down the hall to where Grandpa was still deep in conversation with Chief McAuliffe. “I have to go. Tell Leo to call me later.” And he strode off in the other direction, probably on to his next high-profile, high-paying case.

  I wondered how much Grandpa was paying this guy. I stuffed my hands in my pocket, trying not to stew about it. I would have to figure out how to raise the money. Maybe I’d do a GoFundMe and tap into our rescue community. People who did rescue generally weren’t rich, but they had big hearts—and if one of their own was in trouble, they had no qualms about stepping up to help. It might take us a while, but I was sure we could do it.

  I pulled out my phone and texted Ethan to see if he could get it set up and then we could start to socialize it when I got home. So I didn’t notice June Proust marching up to me until she was right in front of my face.

  “You should be ashamed of yourself,” she hissed, so close I could smell the coffee on her breath.

  I took a startled step back. “Excuse me?”

  “For coming here. And showing support to that awful woman after she … after she killed my Virgil!” She stared at me with those bugged-out eyes. This woman creeped me out.

  “June. I’m sorry for your loss, but Katrina didn’t kill anyone. Now please leave me alone.” I turned to walk away, but she darted in front of me, quick as a beetle scurrying for a crack in the foundation. “You’re all going to pay for this,” she hissed at me, spittle flying from her mouth. She looked insane.

  “Is there a problem?” Grandpa Leo had materialized behind her, and he didn’t sound happy. Even June seemed to notice the shift in the air.

  A younger, skinny man rushed over and grabbed June’s arm. “I’m terribly sorry,” he said, barely meeting my eyes. “Come on,” he muttered to June.

  She let the guy pull her away, but still shot daggers at me with her eyes. I wondered who the skinny guy was. I’d never seen him before on the street, but then again, some of the neighbors had stayed out of the whole thing.

  Grandpa watched them until they were out of sight, then turned to me. “Where’s Jack?”

  “He said he had to go. And I’m g
uessing he didn’t stop to offer up any money for Katrina’s bail.” I couldn’t keep the disgust out of my voice.

  Grandpa shook his head. “Maddie. You can’t be like that. The man did his job.”

  “I don’t care! There’s no way she can afford that. I’m going to try to raise it for her, but it’s not fair—”

  “Maddie,” Grandpa interrupted my tirade. “Don’t worry. Please. I have a feeling it’s all going to be taken care of. Come on, we need to go.”

  “What do you mean?” I asked, as we exited the courthouse into the cold December day. Leopard Man stood near Grandpa’s truck, hands in his fuzzy leopard coat pockets, whistling to himself. When we reached him, he winked at me.

  “She’ll be out by end of day.”

  Chapter 24

  Monday, December 28: six days after the murder

  1 p.m.

  When we arrived home, Craig was there. He and Ethan were in the living room watching something on TV that looked violent. Grandpa didn’t seem surprised to see him.

  “Did you hear?” I asked.

  “I did. He’s a good guy,” Craig said.

  “What happened?” Ethan wanted to know.

  “Katrina’s bail got set at two hundred thousand dollars,” I said.

  Ethan’s eyes widened. “Whoa. How is that good?”

  “That’s not the good part,” I said impatiently. “Leopard Man came to the rescue and put up her bail. It’s like he’s this guardian angel just waiting to swoop in and make life better. He’s so incredible.” I nearly swooned.

  When Leopard Man’s true identity had come to light recently, he hadn’t loved the attention or the fact that people now knew the truth about who he was. But he was making the most of the situation by remaining his quirky, elusive self most days—except when he was courting Ellen the librarian around town or making sizable donations to things that mattered on the island.

  Like Katrina’s bail. If she had to wait around for her trial in jail, it would have killed her. I was certain of it. I’d still offered to try and raise the money, but he’d basically told me not to waste my time and to go save more cats.

  We needed more people like Leopard Man in this world.

  “That’s great,” Craig said, but his lack of enthusiasm was kind of obvious.

  “What?” I asked. “Is there some problem with that?”

  “Not at all.”

  “Then why so subdued?” I looked around for my hat. I had promised to pick up Katrina once all the paperwork was done and didn’t want to be late.

  “I’m not subdued.”

  “You so are.” I plucked the hat off the top of a cat tree and pulled it over my hair. “Hurry up and tell me why. I have to go pick her up shortly.”

  Craig sighed. “This is the problem with knowing everyone on this island for your whole life.”

  I arched my eyebrows at him.

  Ethan, taking the cue, rose. “I’m going to go to the general store. I want to make us some veggie burgers tonight.”

  “You might want to get Grandpa a real burger,” I called after him. He waved his acknowledgment as he headed into the kitchen. I turned back to Craig. “So?”

  “I’m just worried about how this is going to go down.”

  “How what is going to go down?”

  “This trial.”

  “How do you know she’s going to have to go on trial?”

  He gave me a look. “Because that’s what happens after you’ve been arrested for a crime.”

  “So you don’t think they’re competent enough to find the real killer?” I asked.

  He pressed his lips together so they almost disappeared. “I didn’t say that.”

  “You don’t have to. They aren’t looking for anyone else, so that says it all. Which is why we need to do something about it. Hey, your chief was there. At the arraignment.” I’d wanted to ask Grandpa what they’d been talking about, but after all the excitement with Leopard Man posting bail, I’d forgotten. “You think he’ll help Grandpa figure out who really killed Virgil?”

  Craig was silent.

  I rolled my eyes. “I know, I know. It’s official police business.”

  “It’s not that, Mads. It’s…” He sighed. “Forget it. Go pick up Katrina. We’ll talk later.”

  “Okay.” I shrugged into my coat and zipped it. “Hey, how’s Jade?” I asked.

  His gaze shifted away. “She’s fine.”

  I waited, but that was it. Guess he didn’t want to talk to me about his love life. “Great,” I said. “Next time you come over, don’t be so chatty, okay? I couldn’t hear myself think.” I grabbed my bag and headed out the door, leaving him standing there.

  * * *

  The county correctional facility that served the entire island was in Fisherman’s Cove, the smallest town on the island. It was on the other side of Turtle Point. This town was less of a tourist draw. There was no quaint downtown, just small, no-nonsense homes for the fishermen who still made their living out on the sea. Most people who came to visit never came out this way, if they even realized there was another town at all. However, there were great beaches and state parks out here. When I wanted to go to either in the height of summer, I usually went to Fisherman’s Cove to avoid the crowds.

  However, it was a male prison, so Katrina couldn’t stay there. Instead she’d been relegated to the lockup at the Turtle Point PD, which really wasn’t a long-term solution. I wondered what they would’ve done had she not made bail. She probably would’ve been sent to a women’s facility on the mainland. Which also would’ve been unbearable for her.

  When I pulled up at the police station, Katrina stood outside shivering in the freezing cold air. She had on a pair of sweats, her hiking boots, and a cargo jacket over a T-shirt. I realized it must’ve been what she was wearing when they’d picked her up the other night.

  “Why are you standing outside?” I asked when I’d pulled the car over and she opened the door. “You’re going to freeze. How come they didn’t let you get warmer clothes?”

  Katrina slid into the car and slouched down in the seat. “Just drive,” she said. “I want to get as far away from here as possible.”

  I cranked up the heat and obliged. “Are you okay?” I asked when we were a safe distance from the jail. I knew it was kind of a stupid question, but I didn’t know what else to ask her. Why were you there that night? What were you doing at Virgil Proust’s house?

  None of those would be good, so I went with the obvious.

  She shot me a look and didn’t say anything.

  “Okay. Well, I know that was a dumb question, but I had to ask. I bet you’re hungry. I’m taking you to my place. Ethan’s making veggie burgers. And I’m guessing fries, since you can’t have veggie burgers without fries.” I was kind of babbling.

  But now she looked panicked. “I can’t visit anyone. I need to go home.”

  “Katrina. You’re not visiting. We’re family. You’re coming for dinner. And staying with us is totally an option. It might be better than going home alone.”

  “I need to see my babies,” she said. “They’ve been all alone.” Katrina’s two cats, Fred and Ethel, were her whole world. Somehow, despite what she did for a living, she’d managed to keep her permanent crew at two. Most rescuers had a houseful.

  “Adele and I have been taking care of them. Did you really think we wouldn’t?” I asked. “They’re fine! They can’t wait to see you. And if you want, we can bring them to our house. There’s plenty of room. So think about it over dinner and then we’ll go pick them up.” I wasn’t leaving her any wiggle room. I didn’t want her to go home alone. Grandpa and I had already discussed it.

  Plus, I wanted to know if she’d talk to us at all. About why she’d been there in the first place, and what had happened. And what the fight with Virgil that she’d forgotten to mention had been about. But mostly, I just wanted her with me where I could keep an eye on her.

  “Who posted my bail?” Katrina asked sudde
nly.

  My hands tightened on the steering wheel. I wasn’t sure if I was supposed to tell her, but it probably wouldn’t be a secret for long anyway. “Leopard Man,” I said.

  “Really?” She sniffled. “He’s such a good man. How can I ever repay him?”

  “Show up at court,” I said. “So we can get this nonsense over with and get you cleared of this. Katrina. Seriously. What happened that night? Why were you at the Prousts’ house?” I couldn’t resist. It was one of my biggest problems—when there was an elephant in the room, I had to try to move it.

  Silence. Then my phone began to ring.

  Cursing it, I reached for it and answered.

  “Are you on your way back?” Grandpa asked.

  “Yes, we’re almost there,” I said.

  “Good. Your sister got one of the guest rooms ready.”

  “Awesome,” I said. “We’ll see you soon.” I hung up and turned back to her. “So? You were about to say something.”

  She hadn’t been, but I really needed her to.

  “Maddie. I don’t want to talk about it right now,” she said.

  “But you were there,” I pressed. “You told Grandpa and the lawyer that you were there. Why would you go over there? You said you were staying out of the neighborhood for a while.”

  I could feel her glare even without turning to look at her. “This is what you used to do when you were the pain in the butt kid I had to babysit,” she said.

  I half smiled. “Leopards never change their spots. So?”

  “I needed to check on one of the cats,” she said. “I heard it was hurt.”

  I frowned. “Which cat?” I hadn’t seen or heard about one of the ferals needing medical attention. Not to mention, the cat probably wasn’t at Virgil Proust’s house.

  She waved me off. “Doesn’t matter. I couldn’t find him.”

  “So you weren’t technically at Virgil’s house, then. You were just in the neighborhood. Is that what you meant?”

  “Yes. Of course that’s what I meant.” She didn’t look at me. “The lawyer probably misunderstood.”