by Patricia Fry
"You weren't looking?" Savannah asked.
"No, I was washing my face and had my eyes closed. When I heard a kerplunk, I knew I was in trouble. The little dickens had pushed my toothbrush into the toilet."
"Oh no," Savannah moaned, laughing. "In the toilet?"
"Yes," he said, "and I think she was pretty proud of herself, because she jumped down onto the toilet seat and stared at the floating toothbrush for a while. Then, I guess having a moment of remorse, she tried to fish it out."
"You found another toothbrush, right?" Savannah asked.
He nodded. "I'm just lucky I wasn't using my electric one this morning."
Savannah ran her hand over Lizzie's fur. "You are a character, aren't you?"
"That's not all," Michael said.
"Oh?" Savannah asked, amused. "What else did this little scalawag do?"
"Well, while I was fishing out the toothbrush and looking for a new one, she found the toothpaste. I don't know how she did it, but she got some on her paws. When I noticed this, she was lying in the sink trying to lick it off." He ruffled the fur on her head and chuckled. "I guess cats don't like minty flavors because she was making the worst faces. I tried to help her wash the stuff off her paws, but she doesn't seem to like having her paws messed with. It became a struggle and I ended up with minty green smears on my pajama shirt. To add insult to injury, I got dirty looks for a while." He grinned at the cat. "You do her a favor and she glares at you."
"Did you kick her out of the bathroom?" Savannah asked.
"Naw," he said. "I didn't have the heart, so I tried to make up to her. Little did I know my altruism would backfire on me."
"How?" Savannah asked. "What happened?"
"She began playing with the ties on my moccasin slippers, so I went ahead and started shaving. Next thing I knew, she'd jumped back up onto the counter top and started batting at the running water. Pretty soon she's in the sink lapping water from the faucet, oblivious to the fact that her feet were getting wet and that she's getting splashed and that she was in my way—I mean, I couldn't even rinse my razor."
Still laughing, Savannah asked, "So what did you do?"
"Did Lizzie get wet, Daddy?" Lily asked.
"She sure did, but she didn't care. I think Rags sent her in there to bother me. That's something Rags might do." He stared down at Lizzie. "But she has something Rags doesn't have."
"What?" Savannah asked, trying to control her amusement.
"Those eyes. I turned off the water, pulled her out of the sink, and dried her off a bit. Then I booted her out of the bathroom so I could finish shaving in peace. Only I made one big mistake."
"What was that?" Savannah asked.
"I looked at her." When the others seemed to be waiting for more, Michael explained. "I put her on the floor outside the bathroom door and started to close it. I was satisfied. I'd won the battle. I had my bathroom to myself again, but when I looked back at her to make sure she wasn't following me, I saw them—those eyes. You'd think I'd put her outside during a snowstorm or something, she looked so dejected. Just that one quick look back at her ruined it all for me."
"So what did you do?" Savannah asked.
"Well, I did go back into the bathroom by myself, but I sure didn't enjoy it. All I could think about was that cute little face with those sad, sad eyes. Hon, I think I really hurt her feelings."
Savannah patted his arm. "Welcome to the club."
"Huh? What club?"
"Lizzie has used her wiles on all of us to get her way. She has a gift." She giggled. "Gabby calls it her super power."
Michael simply shook his head and mumbled, "Good lord, just when you think you know all there is to know about cats, you meet one with…" He looked at her. "You say super powers?"
Savannah continued to laugh while cuddling a willing Lizzie. Finally she asked, "How did she do at the clinic after I left today?"
Michael chuckled. He leaned against the back of the sofa. "Oh, she had everyone in there wrapped around her little toes. Speaking of her paws, I don't think they touched the floor once."
"I thought you'd keep her in the big pen," Savannah said.
"Nope. Well, she was in there for a while, but always with someone. If the techs or Scarlett weren't in there with her, they were carrying her around playing with her, introducing her to the clients. One of the gals made a sling like thing so she could carry Lizzie hands-free and that's how she greeted the afternoon clients. Lizzie was a huge distraction, but I can tell you we sure had a happy crew this afternoon."
Savannah clasped her hands under her chin. "That's so cool. So they liked her? She got lots of attention?"
"They didn't like her, they loved her. No one could get over her cuteness. Oh yes, she was a big hit. I mean, you can't look at her without smiling." He laughed. "We have one client who brings in the meanest-looking pit bull. Spike is a nice dog—actually nicer than his owner. But even Snarly Clyde smiled when he saw Lizzie peering at him from a basket on Scarlett's desk."
"Sounds like she'd make a good clinic cat," Savannah said.
"Yes, except I'm not sure how much work we'd get done with her there every day." He leaned forward. "I doubt you'll have any problem finding a home for her. One look and people are entranced—under her spell. I saw it happen over and over today."
"Well good," Savannah said. She jumped a little. "By the way, did you remember to check her for a chip?"
He nodded. "No chip."
"Oh good," she cheered.
"Savannah," he scolded.
"I know. I know. We're fostering her. I will let her go, Michael, but I want her to go to someone really special. She's too unique and charming to waste on someone who won't appreciate her…um…super power."
Michael grinned at his wife and shook his head.
When her phone chimed, Savannah looked at the screen. "It's Mom. I'm going to take it, Michael, if you don't mind."
"Of course," he said.
"Hi, Mom. How are you? Did you get to LA okay? Did you meet up with Karl?"
"Yes," Gladys said. "The flight was fine and Karl was at the airport to pick me up. All that went smoothly."
"Good. I hate the thought of you traveling alone."
"Vannie, I'm a grown woman. I know how to take care of myself, only…"
"Only what, Mom?" Savannah asked, concerned.
"Oh, I'm just so upset about what's going on down here. Karl and I met with the police at my unit this afternoon. Tim had left the key with the office manager there, so I could pick it up."
"What did you find?" Savannah asked.
Gladys hesitated, then said, "I can't decide if I'm more upset about what I did find or what I didn't find." Before Savannah could comment, she continued, "Just about everything is missing from my storage unit. I'm just sick. Some of those pieces would have been perfect for your sister's new home and I had a couple of things in mind that I thought you'd like, but it's all gone, except for the larger pieces. And Tim's right, the doll and all those beautiful handmade clothes are also missing. Karl and I visited three pawn shops today—those that were closest to the storage unit, and found nothing. So it appears that whoever took my things didn't pawn them. Vannie, I'm afraid I'll never get them back. They're gone forever. I'm so upset."
"I'm sorry, Mom. It's awful to have someone invade your private space like that and take advantage."
"Yes, it is. It's sinful," Gladys complained.
"So what did you find?" Savannah asked. "You said you found something in your unit."
"Well," Gladys said more quietly, "we found evidence of someone staying in there, just as Tim said. I had to identify what's mine and what isn't. Of course, the only things in those dresser drawers that belong to me are the linens I packed away in there when I moved. Oh, I found a couple of the little outfits your grandmother made for your Sally doll. I remember now that they somehow became separated from the toys the day I was packing, and I tucked them into a drawer. So I do have a little something for Lily.
"
"Mom, don't worry about Lily right now. You need your energy to take care of yourself. So did they find out anything about the woman who took over your storage space?"
"They didn't say much in front of me," Gladys said, "but I get the impression that they confirmed their suspicions as to her identity, and that she is some sort of suspect."
"So what now, Mom?" Savannah asked.
"Well, Karl and I will continue visiting pawn shops and consignment shops—you know, in case she made some trades. I'd like to meet my new tenant and do a walk-through. I have to set up an appointment to do that, and the gal hasn't called me back. Oh wait," she said, "I think that's her calling. Vannie, that's all I have to report. I'm fine. No worries. I'll talk to you tomorrow, okay?"
"Sure, Mom. Goodbye." When Savannah returned to the living room Michael and the children were all laughing. "What's funny?" she asked, looking around.
"Lizzie brought my socks," Lily chirped.
"She brought your socks?"
"Yes," Michael said. "She came in here carrying one of Lily's socks and dropped it at her feet. Then she leaves and comes back dragging one of my socks."
"What?" Savannah said. "Do you think Rags taught her that?"
"Maybe," he said, "but I don't recall him carrying our belongings to us. He's more inclined to run off with our things." He pointed. "Oh my gosh, hon, isn't that your slipper she has?"
"Lizzie," Savannah shrieked, "what are you doing?"
The cat looked up at Savannah, and dropped the slipper.
"Thank you, sweet girl," she crooned, ruffling the fur around the cat's neck. She picked her up, and looked into her face. "You are such an interesting creature." When Lizzie mewed softly, Savannah rubbed her own face against the kitten's. "Yes, you are." She kissed her, then placed her back on the floor.
"So how did your babysitter work out?" Michael asked. "Didn't Gabby entertain the kids while you worked on your book this morning?"
Savannah nodded. "Yes, I think it went well. Gabby's old enough and mature enough to be in charge, well, with an adult nearby, but she's young enough that she actually enjoys playing with small children. I think it was a win-win situation for everyone." She chuckled. "She sure has fallen in love with Lizzie and vice versa." She picked up her phone. "I have some pictures of them. Here, Gabby's trying to color with the kids and Lizzie's wrapping her paws around Gabby's hand wanting her full attention."
Michael laughed. "She can be a demanding little thing."
"Yes, she's large and in charge," Savannah agreed.
"So is everything okay with your mom?" Michael asked.
"Yes it seems to be. She's pretty upset about losing most of the things from her storage unit, but she's with Karl and safe and getting things done. Hopefully, the outcome will be positive for her." She tilted her head. "So you didn't get any new cat patients from our colony, yet?"
"No. You gals aren't doing a very good job out there," he teased. "When will you set the traps again?"
"Got them set," Savannah said. "Colbi and I are going out tomorrow morning to check them and we want to try catching a cute little black cat that we think is injured." She cringed. "I'm crossing my fingers that she's in one of the traps, but I suspect Colbi and I'll have a wild time trying to catch her."
****
"Another opossum," Colbi hissed as she and Savannah approached the traps the following morning. "Or it's the same one."
"And a barn cat. That's one of the barn cats, right? Dang," Savannah complained. She put on her heavy gloves and carefully released the opossum. The women watched as he ambled off into the barranca. The barn cat was also happy to be free, and she skittered toward the barn.
"There she is," Colbi whispered.
"Who?" Savannah asked, looking around.
"The cat we want to catch. See her at the edge of the barranca there? Oh, Mr. Opossum just saw her and ran in the opposite direction. And there she goes. Get the net," Colbi instructed, grabbing a small carrier from the back of the car.
"She's moving pretty well today." Savannah said. "Do you think she's healed up? Or maybe she wasn't…"
"Something's wrong with her," Colbi said. "We've both noticed it. I think we need to get our hands on her."
The women had been walking around among dense foliage for about ten minutes when Colbi pointed. "There she goes—we flushed her out. Come on!"
It wasn't long before they came to a narrow rutted road. "Well, it's rough, but easier walking than through that brush and thick leaves," Savannah said. She stopped and looked around. "It sure seemed like she was headed this way. Where do you suppose she went?"
Colbi shook her head. "I think we lost her. We might have walked right past her or she doubled back."
"Darn it!" Savannah complained. "I can't believe we blew that mission."
"Maybe not," Colbi said, "let's continue on, just in case."
"How about we stick to the trail," Savannah suggested.
"Agreed," Colbi said. "That terrain was gnarly. Have you ever been up here?"
Savannah shook her head. "I wonder if we're still on the Randolph property." She stopped and looked around. "I think the trail I ride is just over that knoll. So yeah, I've been out this way on horseback, I'm pretty sure of it, but not on this road."
The women had walked for another few minutes when Savannah stopped and pointed. "What's that?"
"What?" Colbi asked.
Savannah walked ahead and peered into the brush. "It's an old van. I wonder how it got up here."
Before Colbi could respond they heard a man's voice. "Hey! What are you doing? Get away from there!"
"What?" Savannah yelped. She glanced at Colbi, then looked in all directions. "Hello! Who is it? Where are you?" she asked apprehensively.
"Just leave," the man demanded. "Go on. Get away from here."
"We're trying to help an injured cat," she explained. "Have you seen it? It's black with a little…"
"That cat's none of your business. Now go on back down the trail." When the women hesitated, the man bellowed, "Get going! I have a gun and I'm not afraid to use it."
Savannah swallowed hard, and asserted, "Not until we find the cat." She motioned to Colbi. "Come on." They'd taken a few more steps when they heard a loud pop. "Gadzooks!" Savannah hissed. "He's not joking. Let's get out of here."
"Right behind you," Colbi said, running to keep up with Savannah's long strides.
Once the women had descended the knoll and rounded the first two bends in the narrow road, Savannah stopped. She leaned over and attempted to catch her breath. "What just happened?" she asked, wide-eyed. "Did we get shot at?"
"Either it was a warning shot or the guy has bad aim," Colbi said, breathlessly. She grabbed Savannah's arm. "Who was that? What's his problem? Do you think he lives in that old van?"
"Maybe" Savannah said. "I wonder if the Randolphs know about him."
"…and his gun!" Colbi exclaimed. She asked, "Did you see the cats?"
Savannah looked confused. "Back there? You saw cats?"
"Yes. While you were word-sparring with whoever that was in the brush."
Savannah chuckled nervously. "Word-sparring?"
"Yeah, I saw a couple of cats around the van."
"Any that we've seen before?" Savannah asked.
Colbi shook her head. "I'm not sure. I didn't get a good enough look."
After thinking about it, Savannah said, "It wouldn't surprise me. I mean look at all the cats converging on Randy's place. If that guy has shelter and food, of course they'll find him and take advantage." She asked, "What else did you see, Colbi? I was so busy trying to get a glimpse of whoever it was snarling at us…"
Colbi rolled her eyes. "You mean roaring at us." She thinned her lips in contemplation before saying, "I think I saw an orange tabby looking at me through a fogged up window in that van and a dirty white cat underneath it. We've seen an orange cat and one that was mostly white down below, but I couldn't tell you if these were the same ones.
"
"It didn't look like that van was operable. Did it even have tires on it?" Savannah asked.
"I'm not sure, but I saw an old bicycle lying in the brush. Maybe he uses that for transportation—you know, to get food and stuff."
"Or he doesn't actually live there." Savannah frowned. "But what would he be doing out here like this? M/p>
"Hunting!" Colbi exclaimed. "That's probably why he had the gun. Do people hunt in this area? What, I wonder?" She shook her head. "I'll bet he's a homeless person and he's living there in that broken-down van. Why else would he be so eager to protect the area?" She winced. "He sure didn't want us snooping around, but I'm worried about that poor injured cat. Do you think that guy has her or knows where she is?"
Savannah shrugged. "I don't have a clue."
"And a clue is exactly what we need," Colbi said. "We don't know where the cats are coming from, where they disappear to, and why they won't go into the traps after the…" she grimaced, "…aromatic food we leave for them."
"Maybe it's because there are so many wild animals around here. I mean, we've caught two opossums, a skunk, and one of the barn cats, so far." Savannah heaved a deep sigh. "Well, let's get back to the ranch and see if we can come up with a new plan. I refuse to be bamboozled by a bunch of wise-guy cats or a grumpy, trigger-happy squatter."
****
"Did you catch her?" Gabby asked, meeting the women as they returned to the area where the colony typically converged.
"No," Colbi said. "A man with a gun chased us away."
"What?" Randy said, walking up to the others. "Someone with a gun? Where?"
"I'd guess he's on your property," Savannah said. "There's an old broken down van parked up there. It looks abandoned, and we didn't see the man, but he yelled at us and threatened that he had a gun. When we heard what could have been a shot, we high-tailed it out of there. Dang it!" she complained. "We really wanted to catch that cat."
Gabby pointed. "That one?"
The women turned and were shocked to see the small black cat with the white diamond on her chest. "How did she get back down here?" Colbi asked.
"She's been here all morning," Gabby said.