by Paige Sleuth
She tightened her hold on Matty’s leash as the feline sniffed at a crack in the sidewalk. “I meant, couldn’t you help in a professional capacity?” she asked. “As a police detective, you should have the power to open a new case or something.”
“Like I said, I can get one of my colleagues to file a report if Tracy wants to go down to the station and give them a statement, but there’s no evidence of a crime.” Andrew shone his flashlight at a row of hedges lining the sidewalk. “Even Tracy claims nothing was stolen.”
“You mean except Midnight.”
“A missing cat isn’t enough grounds for the police to open an investigation.”
Matty grew bored with this section of sidewalk and trotted farther ahead. Kat followed behind her.
Andrew walked beside Kat. “I still don’t understand why you brought Matty.”
“If Midnight’s been out here, she might be able to sniff out where he went,” Kat said. “Plus, she has excellent night vision.”
“She’s a cat,” Andrew replied. “She has no idea what we’re doing out here.”
“Tracy let her smell Midnight’s favorite toy so she would be sensitive to his scent, remember?”
“She’s not a bloodhound, Kat.” Andrew watched Matty as she pounced on a leaf lying in the grass. “If anything, that toy mouse led her to believe we’re out here hunting for rodents—or catnip. That thing reeked of the stuff.”
Kat shrugged. “Well, she wanted to come.”
“She’s a cat,” Andrew said again, as if that response was the only answer needed where Matty was concerned.
“Tom didn’t want to come,” Kat pointed out.
“Yeah, because he hates wearing a harness.”
Kat knew he was right, not only about Tom but about the odds of Matty locating Midnight. Still, the cat’s chances couldn’t be any worse than hers.
Andrew aimed his flashlight down the street. “If you want my opinion, all this is a waste of time. You of all people know how sneaky cats can be. I bet Midnight slipped past Willow without her realizing it, and he comes strolling home whenever he feels like it.”
“Even if he did take off voluntarily, that doesn’t change the fact that he’s in danger of being found by the wrong person the longer he’s away from home.”
A bleakness settled over Kat. She had never noticed before how many places there were for a cat to hide outside. And a black cat out at this time of night would be almost impossible to see. He’d blend right in with the shadows.
They walked for several yards without speaking. Only Matty seemed to be fully enjoying the outing. Her green eyes were wide, drinking in their surroundings. She wanted to sniff everything, her tail wagging every now and then when she caught a whiff of something particularly interesting.
Kat found herself holding her breath whenever Matty paused to take a closer look at a leaf or a pebble or a blade of grass. Had Midnight touched one of those things? Was this the path his abductors had taken while ferreting him away?
Kat kept her own eyes out for Midnight as she let Matty lead her. Her heart stopped when her flashlight caught on a scarecrow positioned in someone’s front yard. With its beady black eyes and extended straw arms, it looked as if it were lunging at them.
She took a deep breath. Not only did being around all these Halloween decorations after dark spook her more than she had expected, but they also reminded her of the urgency of Midnight’s situation.
Please be safe, she thought.
Andrew pointed his flashlight at a cluster of jack-o’-lanterns in someone’s driveway. “I’ve gotta say, eleven o’clock at night doesn’t strike me as the best time to go hunting for a black cat.”
“I promised I’d help after work,” Kat said. “Besides, I wouldn’t be able to sleep knowing I didn’t do anything to try to find him. I’m really worried about him.”
“I understand.” Andrew stopped walking. “We’ve reached the end of the block. You want to keep going or turn around?”
“Let’s cross the street and head back,” Kat suggested.
Andrew nodded, leading the way.
Somehow, everything looked different from the opposite side of the road. Kat’s chest constricted as she once again took in all the places where Midnight could be hiding—and that was only counting the spots she could see. If Midnight had been taken somewhere, he could be miles away by now.
Matty veered toward the road, her leash pulling on Kat’s fingers. She kept her head pointed forward, her eyes locked on to something in the distance.
Kat’s heart rate sped up. “I think Matty sees something.”
After checking for cars, she led Matty across the street. She kept her flashlight pointed in front of them, hoping the beam reflected off of Midnight’s eyes if he was the thing that had caught the tortoiseshell’s interest.
Safely on the sidewalk again, Matty jogged purposefully forward before swerving into the yard of the house next to Tracy’s. She stood there for a second, then she rotated her head toward Kat and meowed.
Kat crouched down and scratched Matty’s back. “What do you see?”
Matty walked another yard before meowing again.
Kat stood back up and took a step forward.
“What are you doing?” Andrew asked, coming up behind them. “That’s private property.”
“Matty sees something over there.”
“It’s probably a squirrel.”
Kat kept pace with the feline, who had started moving again. “You don’t have to come if you’re worried about trespassing.”
Andrew didn’t reply, but when she heard grass crunching behind her she knew he was following them. She was glad for that. She felt safer when he was around.
Matty slowed down, moving more cautiously now. She halted by a small sign sticking out of the grass, pausing to rub against it.
Kat aimed her flashlight at the sign, illuminating the words ‘Spiritual Guidance Available Here—9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mon-Sat or By Appointment.’ Fake cobwebs hung from the edges of the sign—a tribute to Halloween, Kat supposed. At least, she hoped the cobwebs were only there for Halloween.
“Willow called the woman who lives here a witch,” she whispered to Andrew, jerking her elbow toward the house.
“You know how people are. They love to sensationalize things.”
Kat wondered briefly if he was referring to her and her concerns about Midnight. “Do you know her?”
Andrew snorted. “I would be the last person in Cherry Hills to associate with a so-called witch.” He squinted at her. “Except maybe for you.”
Kat couldn’t argue with him there. They were both fairly skeptical of the supernatural—at least, she had always assumed so before he’d told her that story about his uncle. “But you might know her from around town,” she said. “Her name is Connie. I don’t know her last name.”
“Doesn’t sound familiar.”
Kat stared at Connie’s house. “I should knock on the door and ask if she’s seen Midnight.”
Andrew turned off his flashlight and tucked it into his jacket pocket. “You mean you want to snoop inside her house in case she took him.”
“Well, Matty led us here for a reason.”
“A neighborhood dog probably marked his territory on that sign. Matty likely just picked up on his scent.”
Kat was ready to concede his point when her flashlight beam caught on something white near the base of the sign. She bent down to get a better look at the object, which turned out to be a small scrap of paper. She picked it up and held it in front of the flashlight. A series of six handwritten numbers was scrawled on the scrap.
Andrew poked his nose over her shoulder. “What’s that?”
She showed him. “If I had to guess, this is the code to unlock Tracy’s front door.” She looked at Tracy’s house. “Should we go ask her?”
“Her lights are off. After the day she’s had, she has to be exhausted.” Andrew extracted his cell phone and the flier Kat had given him with T
racy’s number on it. “I’ll send her a text.”
Kat’s gaze drifted back toward Connie’s house. “Do you think she has Midnight in there?”
“Not necessarily. Assuming you’re right about somebody breaking into Tracy’s house, they could have dropped this paper during their getaway. Connie’s yard could have been their escape path.”
Kat shivered despite the sweater. “What if Connie really is a witch?”
Andrew’s thumbs stilled over the phone. “Don’t tell me you believe in that stuff.”
“You’re the one who believes in ghosts.”
Even in the dim light, she could see Andrew’s jaw tense. “I don’t really believe in ghosts,” he said. “I’ve merely detected a pattern over the years and would be a fool to ignore it.”
Kat sighed. “I guess it doesn’t really matter what we believe anyway. If Connie thinks she can cast spells or whatever it is that witches do with black cats, that might have been enough of a reason for her to take Midnight.”
“You have a point there.”
Kat held Matty’s leash a little tighter. “If she did grab him, what do you think she plans to do?”
“No clue.” Andrew eyed the house. “But if you want my honest opinion, it wouldn’t be good.”
A cold breeze nipped at the exposed skin on Kat’s face and hands. She had the same feeling.
CHAPTER SIX
Kat couldn’t sleep that night. At Andrew’s insistence, she had finally given up on searching for Midnight around one a.m. Tracy’s text confirming that the code they’d found was for her front door only exacerbated Kat’s worries about the missing feline.
While she tossed and turned, she made up her mind to pay a visit to Connie in the morning. If the witch had taken Midnight, perhaps Kat could find proof of her guilt inside her house. She figured the worst that could happen was she would be out whatever the going rate was for witch services.
Kat parked by the curb in front of Connie’s house two minutes after nine. The place didn’t seem as ominous in the light of day. The sign that had struck her as so creepy the night before now looked rather tiny and pathetic. The morning sun exposed it for what it really was, a raggedy bit of plywood that someone had stenciled letters on and hammered into the ground. The cobwebs were mere wisps of cotton.
Kat smoothed out her jacket as she headed up the driveway. A sign on the front door said ‘Ring for Entry.’ Steeling herself, she depressed the doorbell.
It didn’t take long for the door to open. “Welcome to Casa de Vood,” the raven-haired woman who answered said, waving Kat inside. “I am Madame Vood, and I will be helping you make a spiritual connection today.”
“Oh.” Kat stood rooted on the porch. “I was told a witch—er, fortune teller named Connie lived here.”
Madame Vood bobbed her head. “Yes, yes, in this world I go by Constance. But I am not a witch, and I do not do fortunes. My specialty is eliminating the communication barriers present between those who exist in this world and those who inhabit alternate realities.”
“Huh?” Kat had no idea what she was talking about.
“I am a spiritual guidance counselor,” Madame Vood said. “I pass on messages from those who are not of this world.”
“You mean ghosts,” Kat said.
“Yes, yes. Also spirit guides, angels, loved ones that have passed on—whoever you wish to hear from.”
Kat studied Madame Vood, starting to get the idea. If it could earn her a quick buck, she was willing to pretend to talk to anyone you wanted.
“Who have you come here to speak with?” Madame Vood asked.
Kat thought the answer was obvious. “You.”
“Yes, yes. I am speaking of those not of our world.”
“Oh. A ghost then, I guess.”
Madame Vood peered at Kat. “You are searching for guidance, yes?”
“Sure.” Why not? Kat figured.
“Then you are not interested in what a ghost has to say. Ghosts, they are rather self-centered. They are only here because of unfinished business, and that is all they want to discuss. Spirit guides and angels, they are more helpful.”
Kat shrugged. “I’ll talk to one of them then.”
Movement inside the house caught her eye. When she spotted a black cat strolling through Madame Vood’s living room, her heart nearly burst out of her chest.
Madame Vood must have noticed Kat’s reaction. She glanced behind her. “That is Sheba.”
The cat evidently recognized her name. She stopped walking and twisted her head toward them, providing Kat with a clear view of the white patch gracing one side of her face. This cat was not Midnight.
Madame Vood tapped her chin with one finger. “You have a spiritual connection with animals, no?”
Kat took a deep breath, willing her heart rate to return to a more normal level. “I wouldn’t go that far.”
“Yes, you do.” Madame Vood’s tone brooked no room for argument. She flipped the sign on the door around so it read ‘Session in Progress—Do Not Disturb’ and waved Kat inside. “Come, I will summon your guides for you.”
Kat scrutinized Madame Vood as she stepped over the threshold. Although she didn’t know how spiritual guidance counselors normally dressed, Madame Vood’s loose-fitting blue pants and flowing green-and-pink tunic looked appropriate. Her long, black hair zigzagged around her face, giving her a somewhat wild look. Kat wouldn’t be surprised to learn she’d stuck her finger in an electric socket after waking up this morning.
Kat shifted her focus to her surroundings. The house was dark, lit only by a dozen or so candles positioned around the living room. The heavy drapes blocked out any outside light. Rather than couches and a television, a tiny, round table occupied the center of the room. That and the three wooden chairs circling the table were the only pieces of furniture present, unless Kat counted the statues and weird abstract paintings lining the walls.
Kat’s gaze landed on Sheba, who hadn’t moved from her position on the floor. Judging by the reproachful look on her face and the way she was flicking her tail, Sheba was fully aware that Kat wasn’t here for a spiritual session but rather to get her human in trouble.
Kat was somewhat disappointed that she hadn’t seen any other cats hiding in the shadows. Of course, that didn’t mean Madame Vood was innocent in Midnight’s catnapping. She could be keeping the poor animal in a cage somewhere, waiting until nightfall before using him in some bizarre Halloween ritual.
The thought made Kat shiver.
“You find this world to be cold,” Madame Vood said.
Kat spun around. “Excuse me?”
Madame Vood took a seat at the table, her movements displacing the candlelight and casting eerie shadows around the room. “You believe this world is a bad place.”
Kat frowned. “I didn’t say that.”
“You did not have to say it with words. Your body speaks volumes.”
Kat felt her defenses rising. She had to remind herself this was all an act.
“It is okay,” Madame Vood said. “You keep your coat on. It will not interfere with my abilities.” She extended her arms across the table. “Now give me your hand.”
Kat didn’t move. “Why?”
“So I can absorb your energy.” Madame Vood’s tone made it clear she felt she was stating the obvious.
“I thought you were just going to talk to my spiritual guides or something.” The idea of a stranger pawing at her hand didn’t sit well with Kat.
Madame Vood bobbed her head. “Yes, yes. I will summon your guides. But hand first. I must form a bridge to your spirits.”
Kat’s eyes met Sheba’s. Although the notion was ridiculous, she had the sensation that the feline was urging her to sit down.
Without warning, Madame Vood sprang out of her seat and grabbed Kat’s right hand. Kat drew in a sharp breath. Her instinct was to pull back, but she stopped herself. After all, she was here under the pretense of wanting to benefit from Madame Vood’s powers.
>
Madame Vood tugged Kat toward the table. “You sit.”
Feeling trapped, Kat obeyed, although she stayed perched on the edge of the seat.
Madame Vood didn’t let go of Kat’s hand as she sat back down in her own chair. She hunched forward and traced the lines on Kat’s palm with one finger. Her touch was light and cool, making Kat’s skin tingle.
She lifted her head. “You are about to come into some money, in exactly three days.”
“I thought you didn’t tell fortunes,” Kat said.
“I do not, but your palm does not lie.” Madame Vood brought Kat’s hand up to her nose and inhaled deeply. “Your skin smells like vast combination of foods. You work at Jessie’s Diner, yes? Same as one of my regulars. She always comes here after cashing paycheck, always on Tuesday.”
Kat gawked at her, at a loss for words.
Madame Vood straightened, her eyes snapping shut. “I am getting a message.”
“A message?”
“A spirit has presented himself to me. He wants you to know you are about to enter into a new world.”
“A new world?” Kat repeated.
“Yes. A world fraught with resistance, but also where pieces come together to heal.”
Kat frowned. She had no idea what that meant. It sounded like mumbo jumbo.
Sheba jumped into Kat’s lap. Kat took the opportunity to pull her hand away, pretending she’d only done so to stroke the cat.
Madame Vood’s eyes opened. “You and Sheba, you exist on the same spiritual plane,” she said, sitting back in her chair while a slight smile played on her lips.
Kat figured that was just more mumbo jumbo. “Tell me, Con—Ms. Vood, do you have other cats besides Sheba?”
“The spirit says he is working to clear all obstacles from your path to this new world.”
Kat blinked, wondering if Madame Vood had even heard her question.
“The spirit tells me he will send you a sign when you are safe to inhabit this new world,” Madame Vood went on.
“What kind of sign?”
Madame Vood squeezed her eyes shut. “He is sending me a vision.”