Claws for a Cause (A Klepto Cat Mystery Book 15)

by Patricia Fry

  “And scratch her?” Michael said. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

  “I just want it to get close enough that I can pick it up.”

  “And get yourself all clawed up by a sick cat?”

  “Give me that light blanket we brought; maybe I can wrap him in it.”

  “Savannah, Savannah,” Michael said with a sigh. He then walked over to the crawl hole with Lily, knelt down, and peered in. He pulled a small flashlight out of his pocket and began shining it into the space.

  “Oh, I forgot about your flashlight. Good idea,” Savannah said, holding onto Lily while Michael crouched at the opening.

  “There it is. Good Lord, he’s small…and handsome, too.”

  “What’s he doing?” she asked.

  “Just staring at me with wide eyes. Bring Lily here.” Once he had hold of the toddler, he said, “See the kitty? Say hi kitty. There’s a kitty in there,” he said, pointing.

  Lily stooped and peered into the hole. “Ki-ki,” she said, excitedly. “Ki-ki.”

  “Yes, talk to the kitty, punkin’,” he coaxed.

  “Ki-ki. Ki-ki,” she repeated.

  “He’s coming this way,” Michael announced quietly. “Come on, little one,” he urged. He then said, “Got him.”

  Savannah picked up Lily and watched as Michael cradled the kitten in his arms. “He is a cute little thing,” she said. “Looks like Rags, only he’s black and white and has long fur. Look at those markings on his face. He’s really cute.”

  “…and thin. He isn’t getting much to eat.” Michael examined the kitten briefly and announced, “He has an ugly abscess going on there. I’m surprised he’s so bright-eyed. But he does need medical attention.”

  “So did you find a listing for a rescue shelter on the island?” Savannah asked.

  “Yeah, in Honolulu. We’ll have to take the bus back into town, unless…”

  “Unless what?” Shelly asked.

  “Maybe there’s a veterinarian around here.”

  “First let’s see if he wants some water,” Savannah said. She looked around for a vessel in which to pour some water from her bottle. “Ah, a paper cup.” She picked it up and tore the top half off in order to make a bowl, then poured water into it. “Show him the water, Michael.”

  “Boy, is he thirsty,” he watched the kitten lap it up. “Poor little thing.”

  “He’s probably hungry, too,” Shelly said. “I can find something for him to eat. There’s a grocery store across the way.”

  Savannah nodded. “Good idea,” she said, while placing Lily in her stroller. “I’ll check for a veterinarian.” Pulling her phone out, she glanced around. “Where are we, anyway?”

  Just then Gladys noticed a couple who looked like natives walking with a small dog. She approached them. “Where’s the closest veterinarian?” she asked. When their directions become a little complicated, she looked for something to write on, finally finding a small flyer that had blown off a bulletin board. After jotting down the information, she returned to the group. “Oh, look at that little thing gobble up its lunch,” she remarked, smiling down at the kitten.

  “Yeah, he’s been food-deprived for a while,” Michael said. He then asked her, “What did you find out?”

  “Okay, I think I have it. There’s a vet about fifteen miles down the road that way,” she pointed. “We hop back on the bus and get off when we see the big sign with the walrus advertising loco moco.” When Savannah and Michael looked puzzled, she added, “They said we can’t miss it. The vet’s office is in that small hamlet.”

  “Okay, let’s get over to the bus stop, then,” Savannah said. “Michael, want to put him in the box?”

  “Let’s see if we can find a smaller box to carry with us in case we need it, but for now he seems okay being held.”

  “Let’s hope he doesn’t bolt when he sees the big bus coming,” Shelly said.

  Michael thought about what she’d said. “Yeah, maybe I should wrap him in the baby’s blanket so he’ll feel more secure.”

  “And maybe we won’t get kicked off the bus for having a cat,” Gladys said.

  Shelly chuckled. “I don’t think that would happen. I saw a man carry on two chickens in a cage at the last stop. Did you see that?”

  Savannah nodded. “Yeah, but it appears cats are low on the totem pole of revered animals around here.”

  “Why do you think that?” Shelly asked.

  Michael started to explain, “Well, the folks around here couldn’t care less about this cat in distress, for one thing. For another, I’ve read about some of the customs carried on in this culture. They still have a problem here with people who…”

  “Never mind, Michael,” Savannah said.

  “What?” Gladys and Shelly asked.

  Savannah shook her head. “You don’t want to know. Oh, here’s the bus. Everyone ready?”

  ****

  Nearly thirty minutes later, Gladys pointed out the bus window. “There’s the walrus. We get off here.”

  “Now where’s the veterinarian?” Michael asked when everyone had stepped off the bus.

  “How’s he doing?” Savannah asked, lifting the blanket from the kitten’s face.

  Michael smiled. “Very relaxed.”

  “He’s asleep,” she observed. “Poor thing. He’s so tired, he’s even sleeping in that weird position. He’s really very cute.”

  “There!” Shelly shouted. “I see a small sign with an arrow. See, Animal Entrance. That must be the veterinarian’s office.”

  As the group moved toward the sign, then followed the arrow, they came to a small building behind a row of shops. At the rear of the building was a fenced area where a variety of animals roamed.

  “Looks like a petting zoo,” Gladys said. “There are goats, pigs, lots of chickens, a burro, ponies. What’s that thing?” she asked, pointing. “…a llama?”

  “Hello,” Michael called. “Anyone here?”

  “Howdy,” came a voice from behind them.

  They turned to see a medium-height bespectacled man wearing a Giants team t-shirt, board shorts, and rubber sandals. His black hair was gathered into a braid that hung down the middle of his back.

  “Hello,” Michael said. “Are you the veterinarian?”

  “You might say that,” the man quipped. “Whatcha got there?”

  “An injured kitten,” Michael said. “We found him abandoned about fifteen miles back. Lured him out from under a building and brought him here on the bus.”

  “Well, come on in; let’s take a look.”

  “He has an abscess. Someone told us a dog roughed him up.”

  The man cleaned a stainless steel table, washed his hands, put on a lab coat, and reached for the kitten. “The name’s Kona, by the way.”

  “Oh, I’m Michael; this is my wife, Savannah, her mother, Gladys and our friend, Shelly. Our daughter’s asleep in the stroller.”

  The vet, holding the kitten in one hand, glanced around at the group. “All cat lovers, I’m guessing.”

  Everyone nodded. “My wife and I are veterinarians in Northern California,” Michael explained.

  “Oh,” he said, eyeing both of them. He then began examining the kitten. “Yup, abscess. She’s running a little fever. I’ll give her some antibiotics and you can be on your way,” he said before heading into another room, leaving Michael to hold the kitten.

  “Uh, wait,” Michael said. “He…um, you say it’s a girl…well, she’s not our cat, you know. We’re tourists. We can’t travel with a cat.”

  Kona stopped in his tracks and turned. “So who’s going to pay the bill?”

  “We’ll pay the bill, but we can’t take her with us.”

  “Well, you can’t leave her here. I’m heading to the mainland tomorrow. No one will be here who can care for a cat with an abscess.”

  “Who’ll take care of all those animals out back there?” Savannah asked.

 
“Oh they’re no problem,” the veterinarian said. “Neighborhood kids fill their water tubs and toss them hay and grain. No problem. A sick cat…now that’s a problem.” He glanced into the faces of each of them. “I can euthanize, if you want to pay for that.”

  “No!” Savannah and Shelly said in unison.

  Michael peered at them. “But what will we do with a cat? Do they even allow pets in the hotel? We’d have to buy a litter box and go back to the room to administer medication a couple times a day.”

  Both Shelly and Savannah shrugged. “Yes,” Savannah told Kona, “we will take the meds and care for the kitten ourselves.”

  He nodded, then peered suspiciously at the couple. “You say you’re veterinarians in California and you didn’t know this was a female?”

  “Yes,” Michael said. He then muttered, “Well, we didn’t get a chance to check the cat over, you see.”

  The three women snickered in the background.

  When the veterinarian returned from another room, he gave the kitten a shot and handed Savannah a bottle of medication. “Give her one of these twice a day.”

  Michael let out a sigh. He looked down at the kitten. “You don’t happen to know where we can get a little harness and leash for her, do you? Is there a pet store near here?”

  “Just a minute,” Kona said, as he exited the building. When he returned, he held up a lavender nylon kitten harness and matching leash. “Five dollars,” he said.

  Michael grimaced. “Sold.” He slipped it onto the kitten, being careful not to bother the abscess. He then dug into his pocket. “How much all together?”

  “Uh, let me see,” the man said, as if calculating the figures in his head. “Thirty-five dollars…total.”

  “You got it,” Michael said, handing the man the correct amount.

  ****

  It was an hour later when Savannah said, “I’m getting hungry. Anyone ready to eat…I mean something more substantial than ice cream?”

  “Where?” Michael asked. “Gladys, do you know of a place ahead?”

  “Well, I’d love to take you to the Crouching Lion, but rumor has it that it’s closed. We can maybe get off at the next stop and find a suitable place to eat.”

  “You want good food?” a woman sitting near them asked.

  “Yes,” Gladys said. “Can you recommend a restaurant?”

  “My sister and brother cook good food at Pete’s. Get off at the next stop.” She smiled. “I think you’ll like what they serve.”

  “Pete’s,” Michael repeated. “Can I get a hamburger?”

  “Oh yes, and loco moco, salads, fish…anything you want,” the woman said.

  “Coconut pie?” Gladys asked.

  The woman squinted her eyes. “I don’t know about that.” Her face brightened, when she added, “But maybe they can get it for you. You tell them Marvel sent you. You might just get your coconut pie.”

  “Great,” Gladys said. She turned to the others. “What do you think? Want to stop at Pete’s?”

  “What will we do with the little interloper?” Michael asked.

  “Put her in her box,” Savannah said. “She probably needs to potty by now anyway, don’t you think?”

  “Yeah, I let him…er, her take a potty break outside the veterinarian’s office. But she might need to go again. I’d like to offer her more food and water, too.”

  “This is your stop,” the woman said from across the aisle. She gave the group a toothless smile. “Enjoy your meals.”

  Once they had stepped off the bus, the four of them glanced around. “Do you see Pete’s?” Michael asked.

  “Well, there’s a place called Suki Sue’s,” Shelly said. “That looks like a tavern over there.” She pointed. “Hey, there’s a place with a nice patio. Look at that pretty hedge of colorful leaves.”

  “That’s a Hawaiian snow bush,” Gladys said. “Don’t you love the variegated leaves—shades of green and white, even pink. You see those plants in LA, but they sure don’t grow in hedges like they do here.” She then said, “Well, shall we eat on the pretty patio or do you want to find Pete’s?”

  Savannah thinned her lips. “Well, I’d like to see if throwing around Marvel’s name will get us a piece of that coconut pie you’ve been talking about, Mom.”

  “Yeah,” Michael said, “let’s walk around a little and see if we can find Pete’s.”

  “There it is,” Savannah said. “It has a patio area, too. Good. We should be able to sneak the kitten in there.”

  “And there’s a field out behind it where I can take her for a walk,” Michael said. He glanced around at the others. “Shall we check out Pete’s?”

  “Sure,” Savannah said, “as long as it has a restroom.”

  “I see a restroom sign right over there. Looks like it might even be fairly clean.”

  “Good,” Savannah said. “While you take care of the kitty’s needs, I’m going to use the restroom. I’ll see about changing Lily.”

  “I’m coming with you,” Shelly said.

  “Me, too,” Gladys said, hurrying to catch up.

  Once they were all reunited at a table on the patio, Savannah asked, “So, Michael, where’s the little one?”

  “Curled up in her box,” he said. “She’s a good traveler.”

  Just then a young dark-haired woman approached the table with menus and a tray of glasses filled with water. “Would you like anything besides water to drink?” she asked.

  When everyone agreed that water would be enough, Gladys asked, “Are you Marvel’s sister?”

  The woman looked askance. “Yes, how do you know Marvel?”

  “We were on the bus with her. She recommended your place.”

  “Oh,” the server said, relaxing. “Yes, I’m Joy. My brother and I own this place. He’s cooking today.” She leaned closer and said, “He makes a wonderful loco moco.”

  Michael sat back and looked at her. “Now just what is this loco moco, Joy?”

  “Oh,” she said with dramatic flair. If you’ve come to the islands and never before had loco moco, you must try it. James makes the best. What it is…the basic recipe is white rice topped with a beef patty, then a fried egg and gravy. We have our own twist. Instead of beef, we use kalua pork.”

  “Sounds good,” Michael said. He closed his menu. “That’s what I’m having.”

  After the others had placed their orders, Gladys addressed Joy. “Your sister said you just might be able to get us each a piece of coconut pie for dessert. Would that be possible?” she asked with a warm smile.

  Joy thought for a moment, then said, “Well, we don’t make pie here, but…” she grinned. “…let me see what I can do. Okay?”

  “Wonderful,” Gladys said.

  After Joy picked up the menus and walked away from the table, Shelly ducked a little to peer off toward the door leading into the restaurant. “Who’s that?”

  “Where?” Savannah asked.

  “That little girl over there. She’s looking this way. Looks like she’s been crying. Oh, she must be Joy’s daughter. She’s comforting the child.”

  “Awww, I wonder why she’s so sad,” Gladys said.

  Once the little girl had disappeared into the restaurant, the foursome began chatting about the lovely foliage surrounding them. Suddenly, Michael was aware that someone else had joined them. “Well, hello,” he said to the little girl. “What’s your name?”

  “Kalani,” she said shyly.

  “How old are you?” Michael asked.

  Keeping her eyes on the box at Michael’s feet, she responded, “Six.”

  “This is Lily,” he said, gesturing toward the baby, who sat playing with a toy in a high chair. “She’s only one.”

  “Oh,” Kalani said, continuing to stare at the box. She looked up at Michael. “You have a kitten.”

  “Oh, yes I do. Did you see her walking around outside?”

  Kalani nodded. “Can I see her?”

>   “Sure, if your mom doesn’t mind,” he said, glancing around.

  “There are no other customers, let her see the kitten, Michael,” Savannah urged.

  When he opened the box, Kalani knelt down and began petting the kitten, tears welling in her dark-brown eyes. “Can I hold her?”

  “Um, I guess it would be okay. Sure,” Michael said, lifting the sleepy kitten from the box and placing her in Kalani’s arms.

  “She’s…she’s just like my kitty.”

  “You have a kitty like her?” Michael asked.

  “No,” she said, burying her face in the kitten’s fur. “She died.”

  “Oh,” Michael said. “I’m sorry to hear that. You must miss her a lot.”

  The child nodded and held the kitten closer. She then looked up. “I took good care of her. I fed her, and I filled her water bowl when she spilled it. She slept with me. But she got sick anyway. Mommy said she went to the rainbow bridge and can’t come back to me anymore.”

  “Kalani, honey, what are you doing?” Joy asked, rushing to the table. “Where’d you get that…”

  “I’m sorry,” Michael said. “She saw that we had a kitten and wanted to hold her.”

  Joy relaxed a little. “Oh, that’s okay. She just lost her cat,” she shook her head. “She sure loves cats.”

  Michael looked at Savannah and the two of them smiled at one another. He said to Joy as he rose from his chair. “May I have a word with you?” He motioned across the patio. “…over there.”

  “Yes,” she said, looking at him suspiciously.

  When he was certain they wouldn’t be heard, he explained, “The thing is, we found this kitten on the other side of the island. No one seemed to want her and no one was feeding her. She’s a nice cat—friendly. We can’t take her home to California. Would it be okay if we give her to your daughter?”

  “That would be wonderful,” Joy said, smiling.

  Before she could walk away, Michael explained, “Now, she has an abscess and needs medication. She’s thin from being without food for a while. But she seems to be strong and otherwise healthy. We have her meds with us.”

  “We can take care of her,” Joy said. She glanced at her daughter. “You know, there are cats around here—but they’re mostly mousers—they all work. It’s not easy to find one that would make a good pet, and as you can see, Kalani is a hands-on kind of pet lover.”