Love at First Purr

by Patricia Fry

  "Oh, let me tell you, when my sister's on a mission there's no stopping her and all rules go by the wayside. Know what I mean?"

  "Not the Mom I know, but if you say so. Now I'm even more worried about her if she's running around LA with that attitude."

  "Oh," Margaret said, looking at her phone. "Speak of the devil—a text from her." She gasped. "Oh my gosh! They're closing in on that woman. They want to arrest her for murder."

  Savannah raised her eyebrows.

  "Let's see what else your mom says here," Margaret suggested. "Oh, she said, it's a long and tangled story and she'll tell us about it when she sees us. She adds that we might be interested in knowing that there was a cat involved." Margaret raised her eyebrows at Savannah, then finished relaying the message. "She's flying home this afternoon."

  "Good," Savannah said. "We sure miss her around here."

  "Yes," Adam said, walking through the room with a bottle of water, "especially her ginger cookies and those macaronies she makes."

  "Macaronies?" Savannah repeated. "Do you mean her macaroon cookies?"

  Adam nodded.

  ****

  "Mom, I'm glad you're home," Savannah said when her mother entered the house through the front door late that afternoon.

  "What's wrong, Vannie?" Gladys asked, when she saw her daughter lying on one of the sofas. "Are you sick?"

  "I don't know. I started getting a headache around noon and decided to take an aspirin and lay down while the kids nap." She looked at her watch. "They're still napping?"

  "I guess so," Gladys said.

  "Where's Adam?" Savannah asked, looking around.

  Gladys grinned. "I saw him out front. He's playing with Lexie. He said you two were going to exercise the horses, but that didn't work out so he's exercising the dog."

  "Poor Adam," Savannah said, raising up a little. "He was looking forward to helping me work the horses. I'm feeling better. Maybe we can still do it before Michael gets home." She started to sit up. "I'll go check on the kids."

  "Stay there," Gladys said. "I'll check." She smiled. "You don't want to disturb your little couch-mate."

  Savannah rested her hand on Lizzie and smiled. "She's been here with me all afternoon. I just had the nicest nap ever with this precious being. It's like she really cares."

  Gladys petted the cat. "Hi, sweet face. Grammy missed you. So she's doing okay?" She chuckled. "I see she's still here."

  "Yes, but she's not staying." Savannah sat up, lifted the cat into her arms, and kissed her head. "We will sure miss you, little girl."

  "Where's she going?' Gladys asked.

  "I'm not sure yet, but she'll be in the best home ever—the purr-fect home for Lizzie."

  "And it's not this home? Why isn't it this home?" Gladys asked.

  Savannah loved on the cat again and smiled at her mother. "Oh, someone's awake. I think the kids heard you. Here they come. Look guys, Grammy's home."

  "Grammy!" Lily shouted.

  "Grammy!" Teddy said, wrapping his arms around her legs.

  "I'm happy to see you kids, too," she said, hugging them to her. "Teddy, I brought you something."

  He pulled away and looked up at her. "For me?" he asked, patting his chest.

  Gladys picked up a gift bag she'd carried in and handed it to him. "Yes. For you."

  The others watched as the toddler dug into the bag and pulled out a dinosaur. "Dinosaur!" Teddy shouted. "Look Mommy," he said. "Grammy give me dinosaur."

  "Yes, it's cool. What do you say to Grammy?"

  The boy picked up the bag and looked inside. "More dinosaurs," he squealed. "Two, six, nine, three."

  "Nice," Savannah said. "What do you tell Grammy?"

  The toddler looked up at Gladys. "Got more for me?"

  "No, silly," Savannah reprimanded. "You say, thank you."

  Teddy leaned against Savannah and mumbled, "Thank you, Grammy."

  When Gladys saw Lily standing nearby looking at her, she said, "I brought you something too."

  Lily's eyes widened.

  "I hope you like it. Grammy worked hard to find it for you…" She handed the child a small suitcase.

  Lily glanced at her mother and said, "Thank you, Grammy."

  "Open it and see if you like it," Gladys suggested.

  With help, Lily opened the suitcase, but before she could see what was in it, Lizzie came from out of nowhere and dove inside.

  "No, Lizzie. No!" Lily shouted.

  "She won't hurt anything, honey," Gladys said, picking up the cat and snuggling with her. "Go ahead and see what's in there."

  "Mommy!" Lily chirped, pulling a doll out of the bag. "Mommy, is this your Sally doll?"

  Stunned, Savannah said, "Oh, my gosh." She reached for the doll. "It is. It's my Sally doll. Mom, you found her. Where?"

  Gladys smiled. "In the last place I looked, of course." She instructed, "Lily, look what else is in there?"

  "The buggy?" she asked, wide-eyed.

  Gladys shook her head. "No, I couldn't find the buggy. I'm sorry, Lilliana, but we can find one for you someplace. That's not a problem. See what else Grammy found for you."

  "Clothes!" Lily shouted. "A dress, pajamas, a coat…" She dropped the things and ran to her grandmother for a hug. "Thank you, Grammy."

  "You're welcome, sweetheart. Enjoy."

  Lily lifted the doll from Savannah's lap and immediately started taking off her clothes.

  "Where did you find it, Mom?" Savannah asked.

  "Would you believe it was under my nose all the time? While I was on my way to the airport with Karl, I got a call from MaryEllen. Evidently Detective Klein and his team had come back to the house to do another search and they found that little piece of luggage under the bed in Amanda's room with the doll inside." She chuckled. "The detective and MaryEllen had both heard me whine about wanting that doll back—how much the doll meant to me and all. Well, when I got the call, I had a decision to make. I really didn't want to come home empty-handed. Lilliana was counting on me bringing her that doll, so I checked with Karl. He was game to take the chance and he drove us back to the house…all the time hoping I would make my flight." She pinched her fingers together. "I was this close to missing it, or missing the opportunity to get the doll." Her eyes flashing, she said, "That was some adventure."

  "Job well done," Savannah said. "Thank you, Mom. I think Lily will always cherish it."

  Gladys smiled, tears welling in her eyes.

  "So did you get everything else back?" Savannah asked.

  "I think so—at least the things that mean the most to me. I've arranged for a truck to bring what's in the storage unit here to Hammond. I rented a unit across town. When the rest of it is released from the holding area at the police station, I'll have it hauled up here too."

  "I'm proud of you, Mom," Savannah said. She asked, "So the gal, Amanda—what's her story? I hear they want to charge her with murder. Auntie said you have a tangled story to tell, and that there's a cat involved. One of the stolen cats?"

  Gladys shook her head. "No, it might have been a wild cat like those you've been chasing around. It evidently provided a lead for the police."

  "How's that?" Savannah asked. "It seems as though Amanda has been pretty slippery."

  "I guess the cat hangs around in that beach community where she was supposed to have killed someone. He's known to the residents and he sponges off the renters. As I understand it, a resident was in his yard one day and he caught the cat digging in his planter. He shooed him away and came back with a shovel to dispose of the cats—you know, but he got a surprise. He poked the shovel into the dirt and hit against something solid. Turns out it was what they believe is the murder weapon—a dagger from my great-granddaddy's collection. Each of us heirs got one. I've been saving mine for a grandson—once he's old enough to appreciate it for the collectable value, of course."

  Savannah recoiled. "She stabbed someone?"

  "I don't think so. I believe she hit him over the head with it. T
hey expect to find her fingerprints on it. The only thing is, part of it is missing."

  "The dagger?" Savannah asked.

  "Yes, they found the dagger without the sheath. The sheath is missing. From what Detective Klein told me, they need it in order to tell the whole story. Since the dagger was buried near the murder scene and since, not only has Amanda turned up on a neighbor's security camera, but she's known to be in possession of some of my things, they're pretty sure she's the one who buried it there. They seem to think that the sheath will tell the rest of the story about the murder."

  "How do they know it belongs to you?" Savannah asked.

  "I'd given the police a picture of it," Gladys said.

  Savannah grimaced. "Well, I'm glad you're home and safe."

  "Me, too," Gladys said. She let out a sigh. "It was an interesting trip." She smiled watching Lizzie try to entice Rags to play. He simply sat rigid while the younger cat rolled around at his paws.

  "Grammy, can you help me put this on her?" Lily asked, leaning against Gladys's knees.

  Gladys sighed. "Oh the memories." She looked at Savannah. "You were constantly coming to me with Sally all stuck in one of her dresses or jackets wanting me to fix it. 'Fix it!' you'd say. 'Fix it, Mommy.'"

  Lily looked at Savannah. "Mommy said that?"

  "Yes, she did," Gladys said, handing her the doll. "Here you go Lilliana."

  "So how are you and Karl?" Savannah asked.

  Gladys smiled. "We had the best time together. Although I was kind of a bummer to be with there for a couple of days, he still managed to keep things light. He has this knack for buoying me up."

  "You never noticed that before?" Savannah asked.

  "I was never rattled and upset like that around him before. I was on my best behavior, living the good life here with no worries. He saw my best side." Gladys cringed. "Not so much on this trip." She chuckled. "He seemed to like me just the same, though. He said he actually enjoyed seeing me come out of my shell. He's really good in the face of trouble and strife, I can tell you that. I think we're better friends now—you know, maybe more real." She chuckled. "He said he knows what I'm capable of and that has him nervous."

  Savannah laughed. "Keep him guessing, huh, Mom?"

  Gladys smiled and asked, "Are you feeling okay, honey?"

  "Yes, the headache seems to be gone. I think I'm okay." She stood up. "Let me help you bring in the rest of your things."

  "Oh, we can get it later. I think I'll go upstairs and freshen up."

  "You do look tired, Mom. Why don't you take a little nap?"

  Gladys thought for a moment and said, "If you don't mind, I think that would be a good idea."

  "I don't mind at all." Savannah grinned. "Want to take Lizzie up with you? She's the best nap-buddy."

  Gladys smiled down at the kitten. "That's tempting, but it looks like she's ready to play after her nap with you. I'd better go it alone."

  "Grammy, where are you going?" Lily asked. "Want to play dolls?"

  "I sure do," Gladys said, "but later. We'll play dolls after supper, okay?"

  "Okay."

  "Play dinosaurs," Teddy chirped.

  "Dinosaurs and dolls after supper," Gladys said, taking the stairs slowly.

  ****

  "Who's that?" Savannah said, walking toward the front door about an hour later. She looked at her watch. "It's too early for Daddy to be home." She opened the door to find a man dressed in a casual suit and a beanie and wearing large dark glasses. "Hello," she greeted.

  "Is Mrs. Jordan here?"

  "Um…well…" Savannah hesitated.

  "Look, I know she lives here. Where is she?" the man asked.

  Put off by his manner, Savannah said, "She's napping right now. Can I help you?"

  "I need to see her."

  "May I ask why?" Savannah asked.

  "It's personal," the man said, fidgeting.

  Before Savannah could speak she saw Lizzie at her feet and promptly picked her up in order to keep her from running outside. "Can you come back in about an hour?" she asked.

  "No. Maybe you can help me," he said. "I put something in her purse and I want it back. I need it back, now."

  "Oh, well…" Savannah started. When Lizzie wriggled in her arms to get down, she said, "Maybe you'd better step in for a moment. I don't want this cat to get away."

  She opened the door wider and he stepped in, stood at the door, and looked around the room. Savannah started to speak again when she heard something behind her. She looked down and saw Rags walking toward the man, his ears pinned to his head, and growling.

  "Is that cat rabid?" the man asked.

  Savannah lowered Lizzie to the floor and picked up Rags. "It's okay," she crooned, petting him. She asked, "Now you say you put something into my mother's purse? How did that happen? Does she know you?"

  "Uh, no," the man said. "She doesn't know I did it. It was an accident…um…at the airport. I thought I was putting it into my pocket, but I think I slipped it into her purse."

  "How do you know her name if you accidently put it in there and you don't know her?"

  "Um, I asked the flight attendant. She told me."

  Savannah frowned. "The flight attendant told you? That seems…"

  Before Savannah could finish, Rags growled again and leaped from her arms onto the floor.

  "No, Rags," she said when she saw him move toward the stranger.

  What happened next surprised her. Rags growled at the man, then ran up behind Lizzie, who was sniffing the man's shoes. Rags wrapped one paw around Lizzie and tried to move her away from the stranger. Lizzie rolled over and batted at him. He flattened his ears and emitted a deep growl.

  "Rags!" Savannah scolded, picking up the younger cat. "What's the matter with you?" Rags ran around behind Savannah and continued to growl.

  "What's wrong with that cat?" the man asked.

  "I don't know," Savannah said, but I'd like you to leave. If this is important, you can come back later this evening—say, around seven o'clock."

  "But…" the man argued.

  "Please leave," she said.

  When he turned toward the door, she said, "May I ask your name?"

  "Um…Steve Johnson. I really need to get that from Mrs. Jordan, ma'am if you don't mind."

  "Does my mother know what it is?" she asked.

  "Not unless she has found it," he said.

  When she heard Rags growl again, she picked him up, saying, "You'd better leave now."

  He opened the door, turned, and said, "Okay, but Mrs. Jordan had better be prepared to give it back to me or…"

  "What's going on?" Michael asked from behind Savannah. He walked up next to her and stared at the man. When he realized that Savannah was struggling with the two cats in her arms, he took Rags from her and looked at the man again. "Well?" he prompted.

  "Um nothing," the man said. "I'll come back in a few hours to talk to Mrs. Jordan." He quickly walked out through the door.

  Savannah, still holding Lizzie, watched to see where the man went.

  "What was that about?" Michael asked, placing Rags on the floor. "He sounded a little threatening there when I came in."

  "He was getting a little pushy. I think he felt threatened by Rags. Michael, you should have seen Rags. First of all he didn't like the man and second, he sure didn't want Lizzie around him."

  "What did he do?" he asked.

  "Lizzie was curious about that guy, and she went up and started sniffing him. Rags actually growled at her, and tried to push her away from him."

  Michael smiled down at the cats, then asked, "So what did he want? Who is he?"

  Just then Gladys walked into the room.

  "Hi, Mom, up from your nap? Feel refreshed?"

  Gladys nodded. "Yes, better, thank you."

  "Play dinosaurs," Teddy said, rushing to Gladys.

  "No, dolls," Lily said. "Grammy, you said you'd play dolls with me."

  "Children," Savannah scolded. "Let Grammy catch her
breath. We're going to have dinner first, then you can have your playdate with Grammy, okay?"

  Both children pouted and went back to what they were doing.

  "Mom," Savannah said, "a man was just here looking for you. A nice-looking young man."

  "How could you tell he was nice-looking?" Michael asked. "His face was covered up by those big dark glasses."

  Savannah grinned at him, then explained to Gladys, "He said he sat next to you at the airport. He believes he accidently slipped something into your purse and he wants it back."

  "Really?" Gladys asked puzzled. "My purse? I'll have to go look."

  "Wait, Mom. That's what we have children for. "Lily, honey, would you go up to Grammy's room and bring her purse down here?"

  "Okay," Lily said. She picked up her doll. "Come on, Sally, I'll show you Grammy's room."

  Minutes later, Gladys announced, "Well, he must be mistaken. There's nothing in here that doesn't belong to me."

  Michael scowled and gazed toward the front door. "So who was he and what does he want?" he asked. "Why did you let him in, Savannah?"

  She looked sheepish and glanced at the cats. "Lizzie was acting up and I was afraid she'd get away from me. I had to, Michael."

  "No you didn't," he said.

  Gladys chuckled. "So the cat made you do it, huh, Vannie?"

  "Well, yes. I didn't want her to get lost or something."

  "What was his name?" Michael asked.

  "Um…Johnson, Stan…no Steve Johnson." Savannah explained, "I asked how he got Mom's name and he said from the stewardess on the plane. I thought that was kind of fishy, but even more so since he somehow found out where you live." She tilted her head. "Do you think he took something out of your purse with your name and address on it?"

  "There's no way," Gladys said. She appeared puzzled. "You know, this is just plain mysterious and maybe sinister. Did someone follow me here from the airport? I wonder what he wants with my purse, for heaven's sake. Did he think he could get his hands on it and take my money? This is just crazy."

  "It is weird," Savannah said. "Doesn't make sense."

  "Well, I doubt he'll be back," Gladys huffed. "I mean obviously there's nothing in my purse that belongs to anyone else." She put a hand on Savannah's arm. "Need help with dinner?"

  Savannah nodded and turned toward the kitchen when they heard the doorbell ring. They all stood in place for a moment before Lily stood up and said, "I'll open it!"