Jake found a bar stool and sat down. “A shot of bourbon. Hey, would you please turn the TV to the weather channel?”
“Sure,” the bartender said, clicking the remote.
The meteorologist was discussing a supercell thunderstorm in the Midwest; several tornado sightings were reported in east central Illinois. The map on the screen didn’t show a pretty picture. It looked like the entire state of Indiana had been painted red. She said, “Tornado warnings have been issued by the National Weather Service for these counties in Indiana, so if you’re in this area, move to. . .” Jake was alarmed to see that a scrolling bar along the bottom of the screen included Erie County.
Jake removed his cell from his suit jacket and called Elsa. She answered the phone with panic in her voice. He could hear the Erie tornado sirens blaring in the background.
Elsa said breathlessly, “I can’t talk. I’m herding cats to the basement.”
Jake said, “I won’t keep you.”
“I’ve got most of the cats down there, but I can’t find Lilac.”
“Look underneath the wingback chair in the living room. Reach up inside the torn lining. Hurry! I’ll call you later.”
Jake put his cell on the bar. The bartender slid a shot glass over and Jake downed the golden liquid.
“Top you off?” the bartender asked.
Jake didn’t answer right away. He thought back to when his wife, Victoria, had died. He was so lost, and had missed her so much. He couldn’t deal with that pain, so he frequented taverns where he’d say yes to the bartender ‘topping it off’ many, many times.
But his life had turned around when he met Katz. He loved her. He shuddered to think about how empty his world would be without her.
The bartender interrupted the reverie. “Sir, another drink?”
“Oh, I’m sorry,” Jake apologized, snapping out of it. “No thanks, but could you bring me a Coke?”
Jake picked up his cell and tapped his Dad’s cell number. Johnny answered it right away.
“Howdy, son. Your mom and I are in the basement. Erie tornado sirens are blaring.”
“Just saw the red blob on the weather map.”
“The wind really kicked up in a hurry. Before we came down here, I saw Cokey’s new grill fly by like a scene from Wizard of Oz. He won’t be happy about that.”
Jake proceeded to tell his father about being stuck in Atlanta, and his concerns about Katherine. Johnny said, “If you want me to, I’ll drive to Peace Lake tomorrow and see if she’s okay.”
“Thanks, but I’m coming home tonight. As soon as I get to Indy, I’m driving to the cabin to check on her myself.”
“Keep us posted.”
“Sure thing, Dad. Text me when the storm’s over, so I know you’re okay?”
“Roger that.”
Jake punched in Chief London’s number, but the call went straight to voice mail. He sent a text instead: “Flight cancelled. Booked next flight to Indy, weather permitting. Should be there @ midnight. Find out anything about Katz?”
Jake didn’t receive an answer until forty-five minutes later. While leaving the airport food court where he’d grabbed a bite to eat, the chief called. Jake read the name on his cell’s screen and quickly answered. He moved to an area less-populated by weary travelers.
“Hey, Jake, are you still grounded?”
“No, flights are moving into Indy again. I’m taking the ten o’clock. Fortunately, it’s a nonstop. Got any news for me?”
“Sheriff Johnson sent one of his deputies out to Townsend’s. A powerful storm with heavy winds went through the area. It did extensive damage—trees down everywhere. He said it was a big mess.”
“What about Katz?” Jake asked, wondering when the chief would get to the point of his call.
“There’s a big oak tree blocking the road to Townsend’s. His deputy couldn’t get her cruiser more than a few feet off the highway. The power company is working to restore electricity, but rural customers will not be their highest priority. Since the tree is on private property, it will be up to Townsend to hire someone to cut it up and haul it away.”
“Thanks, Chief. Are we still on to go to the cabin first thing tomorrow?”
“Sure. I’ll pick you up. Where are you going to be stayin’?”
“At my parents’ house. Can we leave at first light?” Jake asked.
“Yes, sounds like a plan. I’ll call before I come over.”
“Okay, thanks.”
“Got another call. See ya tomorrow.”
Jake thought, I pray she’s okay. Katherine’s well-being was always on his radar screen. His imagination was going wild with terrible things that could happen to her. He worried that the cabin didn’t have a basement. Chances are it didn’t. Would she know where to go during the storm? Did a tree fall on the house? Was there flooding? Were the cats okay? And, the most troubling question—was she in worse danger from Townsend than the storm? He rationalized, She’s got her Glock.
Chapter Fourteen
Stevie slowly climbed the cellar steps, not knowing what would greet him on the other side. “I hope there ain’t a tree blockin’ our way out.”
Barbie demanded, “Hurry up and just open the door.”
Stevie opened the door to find the living room windows shattered; shards of glass were everywhere. A large tree limb had crashed through the roof. Broken branches and leaves littered the room.
“Can we get out? I’m getting claustrophobic.”
“Yeah, but I think we should wait until it’s light outside to go back to my truck. I’m thinkin’ there’s a lot of storm damage. How about I go upstairs and find some sheets, blankets and stuff, and we sleep down here?”
“Not likin’ that idea. It stinks worse down here.”
Stevie didn’t answer, but stepped up to the main floor and headed to the closest bedroom. Later, he returned with one pillow and two blankets. “This is all I could find. It’s a mess up there. I’m wonderin’ if the roof isn’t goin’ to cave in the front of the house.”
“Are you sure we’re safe down here?” Barbie asked. Her eyes had grown to the size of saucers.
Stevie spread the blankets on the floor and then the pillow.
“Who gets the pillow?” she asked.
Stevie teased. “I think we should flip a coin.”
“No way. I get it. You’re not the one living off of diet shakes the last three days. Leonard’s refrigerator was practically empty.”
“Just take it,” Stevie smirked as he threw the pillow at her.
She caught it, then kneeled down and lay on the blanket. She winced. “My ankle is killing me. Do you think I broke it?”
“You wouldn’t be hobblin’ around if you did—probably a sprain.”
“Stevie, there’s something I really need to know. What did you really put in your truck? Was it drugs?”
“My tools,” he said defensively. “I just bought that reciprocating saw—two hundred forty bucks.”
“I saw you carrying two things.”
“My ratchet-threader set was over six hundred dollars. Anything else you want to know about my business?”
“What was it doin’ here?”
“There was a problem with the electrical at the cabin down the road—”
Barbie interrupted. “What cabin?”
“Leonard’s vacation cabin. He rents it in the summer. I had to get the work done because the person was coming on Thursday. You’re such buddies with Leonard. Looks like he would have told ya.”
“Hells bells!” Barbie exclaimed. “That was Katz on Thursday.Why didn’t I see her when she arrived?”
“As soon as it gets light, I’ll head over there and check it out. Maybe the old geezer took her there.”
Barbie changed the subject. “If I’d known Leonard was on Dad’s payroll, I wouldn’t have ever come out here.”
“Payroll?” Stevie asked sheepishly.
“Yeah, Leonard’s a drug dealer.”
“Shhh,
” Stevie whispered, putting up his hand. “Did you hear that?”
They heard the back door slam and heavy footsteps above them. Stevie put the flashlight in his teeth, grabbed his gun, and aimed at the door. Barbie got up and crept to the corner. The door above creaked open, and a man stepped down several stairs. He held a handgun.
“So, Cuz,” he said. “Would be nice if you took your gun off of me.”
“Stay where you are, Jimmy,” Stevie ordered.
“I woke up thinkin’ that you’d come out here and get the dope.”
“What dope?” Stevie asked. “I haven’t seen any dope.”
Jimmy observed Barbie for the first time, “What are you doin’ here, Cuz?”
“I ain’t your ‘Cuz,’ so stop sayin’ it,” Barbie answered. “Is somebody else with you?”
“No, does it look like it, stupid?”
Barbie shot Jimmy a dirty look, then thought fast on her feet. “I saw this big man with scars on his face take the drugs and head into the woods,” she bluffed, hoping the not-so-bright Jimmy would leave and look for the Hulk, who had a rifle and seemed to know how to use it.
“You better not be lyin’ to me, or I’m comin’ back for you.” Jimmy sprinted up the steps with Stevie following.
“Are you threatening us?” Stevie accused.
Jimmy didn’t answer, and headed to the back of the house.
Stevie returned to the cellar. “Come on, sis. We’ve got to go someplace else and hide until morning. I don’t trust Jimmy. He’s liable to come back and shoot us.”
“There’s a shed behind the house. I know it well.”
Chapter Fifteen
“Get up, already,” Katherine’s mom scolded. “It’s seven-thirty, and you’ll be late for school.”
“Mom, I’m sick. I don’t feel good.”
“Not one of your more creative excuses, but I’ve got to be at work at nine, and I thought we’d ride the subway together.”
“Yes, Mom, but there isn’t a subway in Erie.”
“Of course not, silly goose. What are you babbling about? Get up,” her mom said adamantly. Then in a serious tone, “If you’re going to survive this, you must get up!”
“Okay,” Katherine startled. Her brisk movement scared Scout and Abra, who were snuggled against her. Scout flinched.
“I’m sorry, my treasures. I had a bad dream—a sad dream. I miss my mom.” A tear slid down from Katherine’s eye.
Scout got up and did a full stretch; Abra snuggled up more.
“Oh, great,” she said sarcastically. “We’re still in the crawlspace.” Carefully sitting up, she cried, “Ouch! Ouch!”
The lantern next to her was still on. Looking around, she could see that the crawlspace was a small area with a dirt floor. It had an earthy smell to it, and some other smell she couldn’t quite identify.
It was daylight and she noticed that one end of the crawlspace was open to the outside. A crisscrossed wood lattice covered the opening, and tiny beams of light filtered through. She didn’t know what the function of the lattice was, because clearly an animal or bird could get in and out without much effort.
“Where’s the crow?” she asked the Siamese.
Abra blinked a kiss, got up and walked to the corner.
“I hope he’s flown off to join his owner.”
Scout’s pink tongue was partially sticking out; she had a mischievous glint in her blue eyes. She trotted over to Katherine’s right side and patted her paw on a bottle of water, an energy bar, and a very dead catfish.
“Yuck, that’s the smell,” Katherine said, scooching back. She opened the bottle and drank most of it, then ate the energy bar. The Siamese looked at her curiously. Scout cried, “Waugh,” which sounded like “Are you going to eat the fish or not?”
“Thank you, Scout, but I’ll let you share it with your sister.”
Scout licked her lips.
“Oh, no, you didn’t just do that. Do me a favor, drag it off somewhere else to eat it. I never was a fan of sushi.”
Abra began digging frantically in the corner.
Katherine said, “You better join Scout. She’s got breakfast.”
Abra continued digging. With great effort, she jerked something out of the soil, and with several hard whacks, batted it over. Katherine followed the action with great interest and was startled to see what it was—her missing Glock.
“Stop, Abra! Let me have it.” Katherine slowly got to her hands and knees. Lifting the gun, she could see the magazine was missing, and assumed there probably wasn’t a bullet in the chamber either. She racked the slide and was surprised to eject a bullet.
Picking up the bullet, she said, “Okay, cats, this is a stroke of good luck.”
Abra cried “raw” and returned to the hole. She began digging again. She brought up an object and tried to hold it in her jaws, but it was too heavy. Undaunted, she gave the Glock’s magazine several hockey-worthy hits and it skidded and spun over to Katherine.
“Amazing,” Katherine said, taking it. “Come here for some power pets.” Abra came over and rubbed her face on Katherine’s leg. Katherine petted Abra on the head and praised, “Good girl. I’m not going to ask you why my gun was over there or how you just found it, but . . .”
Suddenly, a roar of chain saws sounded from the distance. Katherine remembered the great number of tall trees bordering either side of the lane. She imagined that a lot of them must have fallen in the storm. “Okay, my furry little friends, I’m going to force myself up the steps and get us out of here.” She picked up the Glock’s magazine, which was fully loaded. She used the bottom of her tank top to clean the outside and the top of the clip, where the last bullet was exposed. She tried to get as much dirt off as possible. She did the same for the handgun, then slid the magazine into the Glock. She pushed the gun into its holster in the back of her jeans and inched toward the stairs.
Loud footsteps sounded overhead. It sounded like two people were chasing each other. There was a scuffle, and then a loud thud against the floor. Someone yelled, “Drop your weapon.”
Katherine said determinedly, “We’re getting out of here—now!”
Scout bounded over to the wood lattice and pushed it. It swung open.
Katherine gasped in wonder, “It’s a gate.” Crawling outside, she saw the pond for the first time in the early morning daylight. The water was a brilliant green, and had a foggy haze over it. It had a surreal quality. Maybe it was the effects of the drug the man had given her, but she saw someone walking out of the pond—a man dressed in an army uniform.
She squeezed her eyes shut, then opened them. The apparition was gone. I’ve just seen the ghost of Peace Lake. But this isn’t the lake, she thought. It’s a pond. Slowly inching outside, Katherine called to the cats, “Please stay with me. Don’t run off. If you do, I’ll never find you. I’m going to try and get help.”
Moving at a snail’s pace—with the cats staying surprisingly close to her —Katherine crawled to the corner of the house and was about to go farther when she heard an angry voice in the crawlspace. “I know you’re down here. Where’s the freakin’ Oxy?”
The fur on the back of Scout and Abra rose and their tails bushed out. Scout growled and Abra hissed. A large striped skunk waddled through the gate into the crawlspace.
The man shouted more. “Hey, back off. Get the hell out of here. You just sprayed me, you little bastard.”
The skunk ran out unharmed, paused just outside the lattice, and shot a glance at Katherine and the cats, seeming to say, “My work here is done.” Flicking his tail, he scampered off in the opposite direction. Jimmy launched out of the crawlspace, threw his gun on the ground, and dashed toward the pond, taking off his clothes as he ran. Katherine and the cats didn’t have time to react and were surprised when they saw Chief London, with his service revolver poised to shoot, jogging after Jimmy.
“Stop right there,” the Chief ordered. He aimed his revolver at Jimmy, who put his hands up, then leaped i
nto the water.
“Get out of there,” the Chief thundered. Jimmy reluctantly got out and stood shivering on the bank. Chief London cuffed him, complaining the entire time. “I’m gonna need a new cruiser after this.”
A deputy bolted out of the crawlspace and rushed down to help the chief.
Katherine sat down in the grass, holding onto both Siamese; Scout was squirming to be set free.
“Quit it!” Katherine admonished.
“Katz,” Jake called, running up beside her. He kneeled down and started to embrace her, but stopped when he saw the bruises on her face. He kissed her on the top of her head, instead. “Are you in pain?”
“Only when I breathe—my chest and ribs really hurt. How did you know to look for me here?”
“Back at Townsend’s house, the chief and I talked to Stevie and Barbie Sanders. They said Jimmy Sanders was armed, and they thought he was heading for the cabin. We got back in the cruiser and the chief radioed for some backup. Just as we pulled in the drive, we saw Jimmy on the front porch. A deputy pulled up quickly behind us. He followed Jimmy into the cabin while the chief walked to the front.”
“Why’s Barbie here?”
“Barbie has been here since she left the mansion last Tuesday. She said she’s been hiding from drug dealers.”
Abra cried an impatient, “Raw.”
“It will be just a minute, sweet girl,” Katherine said, and then thought, Barbie must have been the crazy lady I saw dart out from behind a tree. She caused my accident. “Jake,” she asked, “Why’s Stevie here?”
“Yesterday Stevie drove here to pick up some tools he’d left behind. He was doing electrical work for Townsend last Monday and forgot them.”
Katherine thought suspiciously, Likely story. “How’s Barbie?”
“She’s fine, except she sprained her ankle. Right now she’s sitting in one of the deputies’ cars giving a statement, then Stevie is driving her to urgent care in Erie.”
The emergency crew with the chain saws was getting closer. The loud noises frightened the Siamese, who wriggled to get free. It was getting difficult for Katherine to continue holding the hyperactive cats.
The Cats that Watched the Woods (The Cats that . . . Cozy Mystery Book 5) Page 10