Are You Listening to Me? : A Detective Toby Mystery (9781927899403)

by Cushnie-mansour, Mary M.

  “What’s the problem, old boy? What’s got you so upset this early in the morning?” He stood, walked over to Toby and glanced out the window just in time to catch a glimpse of Camden. “Is that what you’re upset at? It’s just our new neighbour.”

  “Just my point,” Toby’s ears went even flatter. He looked at Jack, shook his head, and jumped down from the couch. “I’m outta here … see you later.” Toby pushed through his cat door.

  Jack returned to his chair. “Crazy cat,” he mumbled as he picked up the newspaper and commenced reading.

  Toby headed down to Miss Mildred’s house. He still considered it hers. He wanted to do some investigating while Camden was out of the way. Hopefully the big dog was locked up somewhere. Toby wasn’t afraid of the girl; it might be nice to get to know her. He approached the backyard cautiously, eyes wide open, searching for the dog. After skirting the perimeter, Toby was relieved the yard appeared empty. He noticed a movement in the back porch––the girl working amongst her plants. He found an opening in the fence, just big enough for him to squeeze under.

  “Boy, that was a tight fit; I’ll have to do something about that. Maybe I’ll tell Jack he should have me on the light diet stuff … come to think of it, he already does … oh well, maybe I should just skip my bedtime snack … yeah … that should do it.” Toby was trying to rationalize the extra pounds he was carrying around.

  Once through the fence, Toby took another guarded look around to make certain the dog was not in the yard. He walked up to the back door and meowed. The girl didn’t hear him the first time, so he meowed louder. This time she looked up. As she did, Toby heard that dreaded sound: woof! He turned just in time to see the dog come racing around the corner of the house. The girl moved quickly to the door and opened it.

  “Hurry, kitty, come in for a minute. Duke does not take kindly to cats, especially those in his territory.” Emma’s voice was pleasant to Toby’s ears as he slipped through the opening just in time to miss being eaten by Duke. He rubbed around Emma’s legs to show his appreciation.

  Emma knelt and scratched behind Toby’s ears. “Where did you come from, fellow? My, you are a handsome boy!”

  “Bet your bottom dollar I’m a handsome boy, and smart, too!” Toby purred.

  “So, why have you come to visit me?”

  Toby jumped up onto a nearby stool. “Just welcoming you to the neighbourhood, sweetheart.”

  “Do you have a name … yes, you must … you’re wearing a collar. Let me see, what does it say? Toby. Well, isn’t that a lovely name for a big, strong kitty like you.”

  Toby liked the girl more and more.

  “Well, my name is Emma, and I live here with my brother, Camden. I call him Cam, but no one else can. We just moved here from Vancouver.” Emma sighed. “We’re always moving. I hope Cam will settle somewhere one day and be happy.” She paused. “I’d get you a treat, but all I have are dog treats. If you come over and visit once in a while, I’ll make sure to have some kitty ones on hand. Would you like that, Toby?”

  “You bet I would! How to handle the dog, though … a cat my age could have a heart attack if a dog that big got too close. I could’ve been a goner this morning!” Toby stood on the stool, circled, and arched his back.

  “These are all my plants; do you like them, Toby? Cam lets me keep them, no matter where we live. He’s so good to me. I wish he’d get out though and have some fun of his own.” Emma had a wistful look in her eyes. “You know, Toby, I think it’s time we both moved on. Things happen in life. I’ve been reading some books––Cam doesn’t read much––these books say we can heal from traumatic events if we want to … that’s the answer, Toby––if we want to. I want to be healed, but I’m not sure if Cam does. Oh, here I go, rambling on to a cat; you must think I’m pathetic.”

  “Not really … I think you’re in danger … I think your brother is crazy!” Toby meowed and arched up for a backrub.

  “Well, Toby, Cam’ll be home soon. He had to go to the gym this morning for some training. Big grand opening tomorrow. I’ll go and let Duke in my front door. Better yet, here,” Emma scooped Toby up in her arms, “I’ll let you out the front door.”

  Toby could feel Emma’s heart beating. He felt comfortable in her arms and hoped he wasn’t too heavy for her. “Come anytime, Toby. Just meow at the front door if you want. Duke is usually in the backyard, and if he is in the house when you come over, I’ll let him out. I’d have gotten a cat when Duke was young so they could have grown up together, but Cam doesn’t like cats. It will be fun to have you around.” Emma set Toby down on the front step. “See you again, Toby.”

  Toby meowed and headed for home. Emma went to the back door and let an anxious Duke into the house. “It’s okay, Duke. It was just a kitty. He isn’t going to take your place.” Duke growled. Emma patted him on his head. “We better get lunch ready; Cam will be home any time now.”

  ~

  Toby pushed through the cat door and headed straight for his dish. Jack had forgotten to fill it. He meowed loudly and was rewarded with Jack coming through the kitchen door.

  “What’s up, old man?” Jack set his coffee cup on the table. “Oh, sorry, forgot to fill the dish this morning. Where you been, anyway? You’ve been gone for quite some time. Find yourself a girlfriend somewhere?” Jack laughed.

  “Sort of.” Toby meowed louder and stared at his dish.

  Jack chuckled. “Some things’ll never change, will they, buddy?” he said as he poured the kibble.

  Toby dug in. “I’ve had quite the morning, especially the part where I was almost eaten by a big dog. Thank God, Emma was there. I’ll do anything to make sure she is safe.” Toby purred as he gobbled down his lunch.

  ~

  “I had a visitor today,” Emma mentioned as she and Camden sat down for lunch.

  Camden’s face tightened. He didn’t like visitors, especially if he wasn’t home. Emma was too trusting.

  Emma noticed the look on her brother’s face. “Oh no, Cam … it wasn’t a person; it was a big, orange cat. He just showed up in the yard. Duke almost got him. Good thing I was in the back room. I let him in, and we had quite the chat. His name tag had Toby on it; I think he lives somewhere close by.”

  Camden relaxed slightly. “Big orange cat, eh? Was he old?”

  “He looked very mature.”

  “Probably the cat that lives a couple of doors down. Met him the other day. He didn’t like me. Don’t you be getting friendly with him; he spat at me.”

  “Oh Cam, he’s just a harmless kitty. He probably won’t even bother coming over again. I think he must have visited the old lady who used to own this place.”

  “Well, don’t be letting him in the house. I don’t want Duke getting upset, and I’d hate for something awful to happen to our neighbour’s cat. I like Jack … seems like a real decent fellow.” Camden smiled.

  Emma wasn’t sure if she liked his smile.

  Thursday, May 21, 2009

  I

  t was Grand Opening day at the new gym. People lined up outside the door long before opening time. Toby was staring out at them, annoyed his morning sleep had been cut short. Even Jack was irritated because a few impatient horns had blasted into the morning silence.

  “I don’t think this neighbourhood is ever going to be the same again,” Jack commented as he poured his coffee. He went to the front door and retrieved his newspaper. People were lined up on the sidewalk in front of his house.

  “Mr. Rawlings must be offering something exclusive to the first so many customers––maybe a half price membership.”

  Toby jumped down from the back of the couch and ran to his dish. It had been a long night. Jack had been on the ball; the dish was full. Toby wondered if it would be safe to go and visit Emma this morning. “Probably not with all those people out there, but maybe I should check on her. Her brother will be at work, and she seemed sort of timid. What if one of these people tries to break
into her house? She’ll be terrified! I better get down there. At least if something happens I can run back here and get Jack.” Toby went into the living room, meowed at Jack, and then ran to his cat door.

  Jack laughed. “Go on, old boy. If you dare go out in that madhouse, I can only wish you luck.”

  Toby was gone before the last words were out of Jack’s mouth. He raced through the backyards to get to Emma’s house, and saw her in the three-season room watering her plants. From the front porch railing, he meowed as loud as possible. Finally, she looked up and smiled. Emma held her finger up, indicating one minute and Toby watched her let Duke out into the yard before coming to let him in.

  ~

  Camden was up and out of the house early the morning of the Grand Opening. It was going to be a long and stressful day, and he wanted to take a relaxing walk before going to work. The employees had been instructed to come in the back door this morning; Isabella would be there to let them in. Camden had discovered a little park down the street and spent a half an hour there just sitting on a swing, swinging and thinking. Swinging and hoping things would be better here. But he wasn’t sure that was the way it was going to be. Isabella had already shown an icy side when she had been so unsympathetic about Paige being late. Camden watched the bus stop, hoping to see Paige.

  Perhaps Emma was right: maybe he did need someone else in his life. Paige seemed kind. But, people––Isabella––walked all over her. He would help her––make it okay for her––just like he did for Emma. The bus pulled up and stopped, but Paige didn’t get out. He got a lump in his throat. Maybe she was going to be late again and then she would get fired. Camden sighed and headed to the gym. As he was going around the corner to the back door, a car pulled into employee parking.

  “Hey there, Camden,” Paige got out of the passenger side of the car. “You ready for this big opening? Did you see all those people?” Vincent Reid got out of the driver’s side.

  Camden curled his hands into fists. He breathed deeply. He could have picked Paige up if she had asked. Paige came up to him. “Vincent lives a few blocks from me and has offered to give me a ride when we are on the same shift; isn’t that nice of him?”

  “Very,” was all Camden could manage as he headed for the back door. The day was not starting well.

  “What’s wrong with him?” Camden heard Vincent ask Paige.

  “I don’t know. He gets a bit weird sometimes,” Paige answered. However, Camden didn’t hear her last words. “Seems like a nice guy, though.” Had he heard them, maybe his day would not have gotten even worse.

  “Pull yourself together,” Camden mumbled. “You need this job. Emma needs you.”

  “Good morning, Camden,” Isabella greeted him. “Just head to my office; we are going to have a short meeting before we open the doors. I think you three are the last here so we can get started now.”

  At nine o’clock the doors opened and the people poured in. They took a number and, as Jack had thought, the first fifty were given their membership at half price. Camden was too busy to think any more about his perceived morning problem. Most of the early birds were young adults in their twenties and thirties. One young mother asked if there was a day-care room.

  “Not yet,” Camden replied. “But I believe the owner is looking into putting one in.”

  “When?”

  “Not sure of the time-frame.”

  “Well, I guess I can get my friend to babysit for me until then. Where’s the form to sign up?”

  After people had registered, Isabella took them in groups to show them around. Vincent, Nolan, and Sophia were ready to help people with the equipment and get them signed up for a fitness program. By one o’clock the line-up was finished and only the odd straggler was coming in, mostly for information.

  Paige plopped down in a chair. “Boy, wasn’t that something, Camden? I wonder how many of these people will stick it out for more than a month.” Paige pointed to someone at the drink counter. “Do you mind serving them, Cam? I really have to go to the washroom.”

  Camden winced, then nodded and went to help the customer. “What can I get for you, miss?”

  The young woman barely looked at Camden. “I’ll have a banana/strawberry smoothie please.”

  As Camden mixed her drink, she looked away. He placed the beverage in front of her. “That will be $3.50,” he said. She threw $4.00 on the counter, picked up her drink, and told him to keep the change.

  “Snob,” Camden muttered under his breath as he put the money in the till and took out his tip. He made a mental note to find out her name. She appeared to be the type that would just walk over people whenever she felt like it. He didn’t like those kinds of individuals. There had been too many of those type of people in his life. She had that look, too. However, he usually fixed them. Camden noticed Paige returning. “My turn, Paige,” he said, and headed to the washroom without waiting for her acknowledgement.

  Camden stood in front of the mirror. The black circles were appearing again, and his head was starting to ache. He splashed water on his face; his nausea increased. He ran into one of the stalls and threw up. “Please, God, not so soon; give me time.” Camden pounded his fist on the side of the stall.

  “You okay in there?” a voice asked.

  Camden didn’t answer.

  “You okay in there?” the same voice repeated.

  Camden opened the stall door. “I’ll be fine; just a little queasy.”

  The voice belonged to Nolan. “Been a crazy morning, hasn’t it? I thought it would never end.” He paused. “Hey, how say we go out for a drink after work … you’re new in town, aren’t you? I could show you some of the best watering holes.” He laughed.

  “Thanks, but no thanks,” Camden responded. “I have to get home.”

  “Maybe another time then, eh?” Nolan patted Camden on the back.

  Camden winced. He hated people touching him. “Maybe.”

  Camden managed to make it through the rest of the afternoon without further upset. The gym closed at four o’clock, and by five all the employees were headed for home. Camden didn’t bother to say goodbye to anyone. He just needed to get out of there, go home, and have a good night’s sleep. Tomorrow would be a better day. Tomorrow he would start fresh. Nicer people would come to the gym tomorrow. He had to remember to look for the woman who had ignored him while he served her drink. He wanted to find out her name.

  ~

  Toby was curled up on his usual perch on the back of the couch by the window facing the street. His eyes opened just in time to see Camden walk by. “Darkness reeks on that young man,” Toby thought. “My poor Emma, what she must put up with.” Toby had spent an enjoyable morning with Emma, watching her tend her plants. They had gone out in the garden, and he had followed her around out there too. She was magic, the way she handled the shrubberies. Toby had heard Duke barking periodically from the house. “Ha! She prefers me, you big sack of bones. Of course, who wouldn’t prefer someone like me?” If one looked closely, they would have seen Toby smiling. “Yes, it was a good morning.”

  ~

  Camden ate his supper in silence. Emma was worried as she looked at him and noticed the dark circles around his eyes. It was starting too soon. It had never come on this quickly before. What was wrong with her brother? She wished she could reach him, but every time she tried to open the subject of what was bothering him, he would get angry and shut her down.

  “Everything go okay today?” Emma finally ventured.

  Camden looked up. He didn’t want to bother his sister with his issues. “Everything went fine. I’m just tired. Need an early night.” He stood and headed for the stairs. “Thanks for supper, Emma. It was delicious.”

  Once Camden was in his room, he went straight to his computer and turned it on. He checked his emails––nothing but junk. He went to his sent file and clicked on the special file. He stared at it.

  “Dear … You are receiving this email b
ecause you have been very, very naughty. Do you know what happens to very naughty people? Think about it! When was the last time you ridiculed someone … ignored someone just because … blamed someone wrongfully? When was the last time you were nice to someone … really nice? When was the last time you helped someone … really helped? You are so pathetically naughty that I can’t stand it! Only you can turn this around and do something about it. I have given you the warning; now, it is up to you to seek reconciliation. If you don’t, maybe retribution will come your way … if you have any friends who are just like you, pass this on to them so they can get help too. For every friend you try to save, the retribution on yourself will be lessened. You know the drill: six to ten, maybe you won’t die … one to five, you will … signed: 666.”

  Camden exited out of his emails and crawled into bed. “Please don’t force me to use it … please don’t force me to use it,” he garbled into his pillow. The last sound he heard before sleep overtook him was Emma’s soft footsteps passing by his room on her way to bed.

  Wednesday, May 27, 2009

  T

  he morning sky opened with a sprinkling of rain that promised to increase as the day went on. Toby sat on the back of the couch staring out at the dreariness. He knew he wouldn’t be venturing down to see Emma today. He noticed Camden running down the sidewalk, headed for work. Camden had stopped by a couple of times over the past week to talk to Jack. Toby wasn’t happy about the visits because he always came at an inappropriate time––when he and Jack were having their time––TV time.

  Camden, in Toby’s opinion, complained too much. Jack just listened patiently. Jack had a lot of patience. Camden complained mostly about the clients and how they were such snobs and how many of them pushed him around and took him for granted. Most had no manners either. Camden went on and on. He never mentioned any names, and sometimes Toby wondered if what Camden was saying was true or if it was all in his head. “Most likely in his head. Personally, I think he’s a nutcase, and I wish Jack wouldn’t be so cozy with him.”