A Cat to Kill For

by Greg Miller

  “As of today I’m instituting a new system. I say ‘new,’ but there really wasn’t any old system before. Anyway, there are now separate, clearly labeled trays in the office for all receipts and invoices. I believe they’re self-explanatory, and I expect them to be used.”

  Emily scanned their faces to make sure they were all paying attention.

  “From now on all parts orders go through me. If you need something, I will research it and make sure we’re getting things for the best price. We’re not checking around enough and I believe we’re spending more on some parts than we need to.

  “I’ll need every receipt, and that means every receipt. If one of you picks up a hose clamp, I need the receipt. We’re losing track of the little things and, Gavin, you’re especially guilty of this, I don’t want to find any more receipts laying around the shop.”

  Daryl grinned at him, but Emily shot him an angry look that made him snap to attention.

  “When a box gets opened, I get the receipt. I don’t care if you think I already have one from the original order, I still need it for confirmation. I found a steering rack core charge from six months ago that we never got reimbursed for, so I called and they’re crediting us five hundred dollars. And Daryl,” she said, pointing a finger, “the order had your signature on it.”

  Daryl cringed, looking at the floor.

  “Any questions?”

  They all shook their heads.

  “Well, if any of you should have any questions, please ask. I’m happy to explain these procedures, but anyone who doesn’t follow them will have to answer to me.” She wrinkled her nose, studying their faces again. “That’s it then. You can all get back to work.” Emily turned and marched back through the doorway, leaving a stunned silence in the shop.

  “Is she my boss now, too?” Daryl asked with a worried face. “She can’t fire me, can she?”

  Gavin shrugged his shoulders as if he didn’t know.

  “I think she’s the boss of all of us now.” Gus laughed.

  Gavin hastily left, catching up with Emily just as she was sitting back down in the office.

  “So how’d I do?” she asked timidly, fidgeting with a pencil.

  Gavin ran his fingers through his hair. “Well, you certainly frightened me, and I know you scared the hell out of Daryl. I’m not sure about Gus.”

  “I did? I’m sorry. I actually kind of scared myself. Do you think I should go apologize?”

  “No, no.” Gavin chuckled. “I think it’s exactly what we all needed. And I got to see a side of you I never dreamed existed.”

  “That was my angry alter-ego.” She mischievously smiled. “I pretended that you’d all done something to really aggravate me.”

  “If that was just pretending, I’ll have to think twice before doing anything to really upset you.”

  Her eyes narrowed. “That would be most wise,” she said in a stern voice, before cracking a smile.

  Gavin gazed at her with a twinkle in his eye. “I’m putting you on the payroll.”

  “You are? That’s wonderful – thank you so much!”

  “Yes, but don’t ask what I’m paying you. I don’t know yet, and we can talk about that later.”

  “Oh, I don’t care about that,” she said. “You can pay me whatever you want. Do I get a title?”

  “A title?” Gavin wrinkled his forehead. “I hadn’t really thought about that.”

  “How about ‘Office Manager’? I’ve always wanted to be an office manager.”

  “Sure.” Gavin nodded. “Whatever you want.”

  “Oh, that’s great,” she said, clapping her hands. “You’ve made me so happy!”

  Gavin was dismantling a temperature gauge when Gus walked over with his Thermos in hand.

  “I’m heading home now. Want me to close the overhead doors on my way out?”

  Gavin turned to look out at the sun-drenched street as a late summer breeze blew through the shop. “No, thanks, I’ll close up later. I’m going to be here a while longer.”

  He stood, lingering for a moment. “I just wanted to say that I think hiring Emily was a very good idea.”

  Gavin nodded. “She’s proven she can do it. She’ll save us time and money. I just wonder how she’ll do with customers.”

  “Agh.” Gus grinned. “We don’t get many of those, she’ll be fine.”

  Gavin chuckled. “Enjoy your evening, Gus.”

  “Don’t work too late.”

  “I won’t.” Gavin smiled, turning back to his gauges.

  A short time later, Emily walked briskly into the shop. “Are you the only one still here?”

  Gavin nodded. “The guys left a while ago. You don’t mind staying a little longer, do you? I’d like to finish these.

  “Not at all,” she said. “Can we talk while you work?”

  “Of course.” He gestured with his hand. “Pull up a seat.”

  Emily dragged a stool closer and sat down beside him at the workbench.

  “I know it wasn’t easy sorting through all those old receipts and I’d like to thank you for all your hard work.”

  Emily looked down, smiling. “You don’t have to thank me – I thoroughly enjoyed it. And besides, it’s my job now.”

  “Well, I just wanted to say it. Gus thinks you’re a big help, too.”

  “I know,” Emily said. “He told me.”

  Gavin glanced over at her. “He did?”

  “Yes. He stopped by the office earlier. It meant a lot.”

  “That’s good, I’m glad.”

  She took a deep breath. “And now that I’ve finished getting everything sorted, I’m ready to talk about the case.”

  “That’s good, too,” Gavin said, reaching to plug a soldering iron into an outlet. “Jay texted me earlier about meeting at the Winery … I haven’t replied yet.”

  “You can tell him we’ll be there.”

  He turned to look at her. “You’re sure?”

  “I’m definitely sure. I have to do this – for Andrew.”

  “You’ve thought about the risks? This is serious stuff. He could very well try to kill us.”

  “Yes,” she said. “I don’t think I could live with myself if I didn’t try.”

  “Alright, then.” He reached for the soldering iron, the tip of which had begun to smoke.

  “We should talk about what happened at the brunch before finding that note.”

  Emily adjusted herself on the stool as Gavin soldered a wire to the back of the gauge.

  “I know you’ve ruled out the engine in his garage, and I know Jay said that’s just the way he is, but Dennis was the most suspicious to me.”

  Gavin furrowed his brow. “Dennis?”

  “Yes. He gave us a creepy stare when Bill mentioned Andrew during his speech.”

  “I did notice that, too,” Gavin said. “But the engine he had doesn’t have anything to do with this, and it doesn’t seem very likely to me that he’d have another one hidden somewhere.”

  “So how do you explain him staring at us, right when Bill talked about Andrew?”

  “It could have just been coincidence, I’ve seen him give those kinds of looks to Jay and Bonnie, too. Or … he could have figured out who we really are.”

  She rested her elbows on the table. “Hmm. I hadn’t thought of that. I suppose it’s a real possibility. I don’t know why that didn’t occur to me.

  Gavin held the gauge up under a lamp, inspecting his work.

  “You know, there could be another explanation. If Dennis does know something, maybe he’s in on it with someone else, most likely Bill.”

  Gavin put the gauge down, turning back to her. “I hadn’t thought of that. Bill and Dennis seem to be very close, and Bonnie said he doesn’t really talk to anyone else.”

  Emily nodded. “
So what are you thinking now? That it could be Bill?”

  “Not necessarily,” Gavin said. “I’d say I’m most suspicious of Bonnie and Jay.”

  “Bonnie and Jay? Really? Why?”

  “Well, firstly, I thought Jay was very evasive when I asked him about his other car. And then Bonnie interrupted us to save him from answering when I asked what was wrong with it.”

  “I did notice that at the time. But I just thought that with these old cars there could be a long list of things wrong. Or that maybe he was embarrassed because he hadn’t been able to figure it out.” She knitted her brows. “It could have been innocent, don’t you think?”

  “Perhaps.”

  “You had another reason?”

  “Yes,” Gavin said. “I’ve been wondering who could have left that note? Who had the opportunity? Bill, Dennis, and Armando left together, so, unless they’re all in on it, I don’t see how any of them could have put it there. Bonnie and Jay left before us, so they could have put it there then. Or – perhaps more likely because they didn’t know we wouldn’t walk out together – Bonnie could have run out and put it there when she went to the bathroom.”

  Emily frowned. “But she wanted me to go with her.”

  “You didn’t, though.” Gavin said. “And if you had gone, she or Jay could have just as easily made up an excuse to go again later.”

  She thought for a moment. “You’re right. A few of them went back to the buffet table, but no one else was gone long enough to do it.”

  “And here’s another thing,” Gavin said. “Judging by her driving among other things, Bonnie seems rash and more than a little bit reckless. I get the impression she runs the show in that relationship – she could probably make Jay do just about anything.”

  “Yes, I think you’re right about that.” Emily shivered. “And I’d pretty much ruled them out – I was just beginning to feel comfortable with them, as if we could really become friends.”

  Gavin raised an eyebrow. “We need to be on guard with all of them. We aren’t there to make friends.”

  Emily stared at the work bench as Gavin turned back to his gauges. “It isn’t true, though,” she said softly.

  “What isn’t?”

  “That Bonnie was the only one who could have left the note. You’re forgetting about Peter Harrington. He could have stopped by and put it there.”

  “That’s true, I suppose.” Gavin nodded. “I guess we still can’t rule him out.”

  Emily wrinkled her nose, squinting at him. “I don’t understand why you aren’t more suspicious of Peter. He could very well have been trying to throw us off when he told us about that engine Dennis had.”

  She watched as Gavin looked up, and turned an ear as if he’d heard something.

  “I wasn’t trying to throw you off.” A hoarse voice came from behind.

  Emily jumped, and they turned to see Peter Harrington standing in the middle of the shop. He looked very dapper in his fedora straw hat, tan linen pants, and white shirt.

  “Sorry to startle you,” he said. “I was just passing by and saw the open doors.”

  “Just passing by?” Gavin asked, standing up.

  “Yes. I’ve just been shopping in Watkins Glen. I take it Dennis’ engine wasn’t a match?”

  Gavin studied Peter’s wrinkled face and bright blue eyes. “No. Apparently it was from another car he’d had.”

  Emily lifted her chin. “What store?”

  “Excuse me?” Peter said, removing his hat, and moving toward them.

  “What were you here shopping for?”

  “Groceries.” He smiled. “I have them in the car, if you’d like to see.”

  Emily thought for a second, then shook her head.

  Peter looked at her inquisitively. “I know my visit is unexpected, but I did ask if I could pop by and see the car. Is there a reason why you seem so suspicious of me?”

  Gavin moved closer to Emily. “We received a threatening message at the club’s brunch, and it seems that only a few people had the opportunity to leave it.”

  “How very disturbing.” Peter frowned. “And I’m one of them because I didn’t attend?” He looked up toward the ceiling and smiled. “So it appears that someone in the club really does have that missing engine.”

  “It appears that someone in the club really did kill my brother,” Emily said, glaring at him.

  He canceled his smile. “I’m so sorry. Yes, it must mean that, too, of course. Listen, the reason for my visit, apart from hoping to get a look at the car, is that I remembered something else that I thought could be of help to you.”

  “What’s that?” Emily snapped.

  “It was a number of years ago now, but someone in the Club told me he was looking for an E-Type with a Chevrolet engine, and asked me if I knew of any.”

  “A Chevy engine is what it had when Andrew bought it,” Gavin said. “Did he tell you?”

  Peter shook his head as a smile grew on his face.

  “But you don’t remember who asked you?” Emily snorted.

  “Yes, actually, I remember quite well,” Peter replied. “It was Jay Cook.”

  Emily’s eyes widened as she and Gavin looked at each other.

  Peter cocked his head. “You seem surprised. Was he someone you’d already ruled out?”

  “No.” Gavin replied. “He … well, actually, Bonnie was the only other person we believe had the opportunity to leave that note.”

  Peter pinched his chin with his fingers. “Hmm. Yes, that is a rather interesting correlation.”

  “What did you say when Jay asked you about this Chevy-powered E-Type?”

  “Well.” Peter coughed and laughed. “I can’t remember exactly, it was a few years ago. I think I told him that I had no idea where he’d find one, and wouldn’t tell him if I did! The thought of someone, and a club member at that, actually wanting a Chevy-powered Jaguar – it was such a shocking suggestion I simply couldn’t believe it.”

  Gavin suppressed a smile.

  “Could I possibly see the Series 3?” Peter said, scanning the shop. Gavin turned to Emily.

  “What? Oh, yes, I suppose so.”

  He led Peter to the dimly-lit corner and pulled away the tarp covering the car. Peter’s eyes gleamed beneath his matted gray hair as he beheld the vehicle.

  “You know I never much cared for these later versions until your visit. Somehow, the possibility of this being such an extraordinary find has given me a whole new appreciation for the wider track, the flared fenders, the larger grill.” He peered in at the interior. Gavin lifted the hood so he could see the empty engine bay. Then, as Gavin put the hood down, Peter stepped back.

  “Thank you for letting me see it. I’ll leave you in peace now.”

  “Thanks for telling us what you remembered,” Gavin said, shaking his hand.

  Peter turned to Emily, but her arms stiffened at her sides.

  “Thank you very much, too,” he said, with a slight bow. Gavin stood beside her and they watched as Peter sauntered back through the shop, and left through the open bay door. When he’d disappeared from sight, Emily exhaled a long breath.

  “You alright?”

  “A little freaked out. I feel like he violated our space.”

  Gavin nodded. “He certainly gave us a surprise.”

  She took a deep breath. “I just need to forget about it now; get my mind on something else.”

  “Come on,” he said. “Let’s close up, and go get something to eat.”

  CHAPTER 13

  The Jaguar’s exhaust crackled as Gavin let up on the accelerator. He tapped the brakes and glided into the corner. The engine roared at the apex as he accelerated back up to speed, passing a sign that said ‘Hammondsport – 5 miles.’

  “Slow down a little,” Emily said. “You always go too fast in
this car.”

  “Sorry.” He frowned, lifting his foot from the pedal. “It’s just such a pleasure to drive, and I’m liking it more and more.”

  “I do have to admit that it’s a lot more comfortable than the Morgan.” She smiled, leaning back in the seat.

  Gavin glanced over at her. “I’m glad to see you relaxed. I thought you might be apprehensive about going today.”

  “I’ve committed to doing this,” she said. “I can’t allow myself to feel apprehensive. Although I don’t know how well I’ll be able to interact with Bonnie and Jay now. You’re pretty convinced it’s them, aren’t you?”

  “If Jay really was looking for a Chevy-powered E-Type it seems very unlikely that it would be for any other reason. Considering Bonnie’s opportunity to leave the note, as well as Jay’s evasiveness about his other car, I think it’s a pretty convincing case, which points to the engine most likely being in their white E-Type.”

  “I’m not so sure,” she said, fiddling uncomfortably with her earring. “It relies on what Peter said being true, and I still don’t trust Peter, especially after the way he snuck up on us. But on the other hand, I can see how it could be Bonnie and Jay, so I’m rather torn.”

  Gavin exhaled a long breath. “We need to find out for sure.”

  “And how do you propose to do that?” Her eyes widened. “Wait – you’d better not be considering another break in.”

  “I may have to. But I’d go alone this time.”

  “Oh no! No more break-ins. You promised me, Gavin.”

  “Okay, okay.” He thought for a moment. “Maybe if I tried confronting Jay. He’s the weaker link, and if I can get him alone …”

  “You don’t expect him to just confess, do you?”

  “Of course not. But if I can make him crack, like he seemed on the verge of doing at the brunch, I think I’ll be able to tell.”

  They passed through a charming old village and continued up the wine trail road. Set high on a hill overlooking the lake, the Owl Hill Winery came into view from some distance away. The building was a unique mix of modern and classical styles, an impressive structure with a gleaming domed tower, barrel roof, and columned portico.

  Gavin made the turn and drove up the long, steep gravel driveway. When they reached the parking area at the top they saw Bonnie and Jay standing beside their white E-Type convertible.