by Patricia Fry
“Yeah, I thought he was in jail,” Savannah said. “Looks like he has someone with him. Iris, do you know who those other guys are?”
“Shoot, that’s his son, Melvin and—oh no, and Willie. I sure didn’t expect to see any of them ever again, except maybe at their court trial. I guess rich people can afford bail.” Iris looked around for Craig, when she spotted him talking to a couple of other detectives who had come to check out the new inn, she excused herself and moved toward them.
“Very nice, Iris,” one of the detectives said when she joined them. “I’d like to book rooms here for our family when they visit. Is there a chance we could reserve the entire place for a long weekend?”
“Sure,” Iris said. “We could do that.” She reached into her pocket and pulled out a business card. “Just give us a call when you’re ready.” She glanced back a few times and caught a glimpse of Benjamin Kaiser and his son wandering around the lobby. “Well, damn,” she said under her breath.
“What?” Craig asked, stiffening.
“I guess I’d better go greet them and get it over with.”
“Greet who?” Craig asked impatiently, gazing where she indicated.
“The Kaisers.”
Just then their attention was drawn to Michelle’s voice. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. Please, won’t you help yourself to some of the food we’ve prepared and enjoy touring the place or…” Michelle added, clenching her teeth and lowering her voice, “…or just get the hell out of here.”
“Can I help you, Willie?” Iris asked curtly as she approached.
Startled, he looked at her and began to stutter, “Uh…no. No thanks. I…I’m…a…I’m okay.”
“Iris, do you know this insolent kid?” Michelle asked.
“I’m afraid so. He…” Before Iris could continue, Willie walked away. Several moments later, as the two women talked, they heard a thud followed by a string of profanity.
“What happened?” Michelle asked, watching Willie awkwardly lift himself up off the floor.
Iris covered her mouth with one hand to stifle her laughter while muttering, “Oh, my gosh.
Just then Savannah walked up. “Iris what’s going on?”
“Didn’t you see that?” Margaret asked, rushing toward the three women. “Vannie, is Rags okay?”
“Why?” Savannah asked.
Margaret snickered. “Rags came along and attacked him from behind and knocked him right off his feet.”
Savannah frowned. “Rags attacked him? I can’t imagine…”
“Well, I can,” Margaret said, wide-eyed. “That jerk just pushed Oscar off the cat tree and Rags evidently didn’t like that.”
Iris frowned. “He pushed Oscar? Is Oscar all right?”
“Yeah, he’s fine,” Margaret assured her. “He landed on his feet.”
“Is Rags okay?” Savannah asked, glancing around the room in search of him.
“Last I saw, he was,” Margaret said. “After he flattened the creep, the two cats ran off together up the stairs.”
“Damn cats,” Willie grumbled loudly as he stomped through the lobby.
That’s when Melvin caught up to his son, took his arm, and pushed him toward the front entrance, saying, “I want you to knock it off, William.”
Before he could be led to the door, Willie yanked his arm away. “What did I do? I didn’t do nothing. I just want what’s ours. They have no right.”
Upon hearing Willie’s rant, Craig walked up and pushed himself into the younger man’s space. He spoke quietly but firmly. “Settle down, kid, or I’ll have you arrested…again.”
“For what?” Willie demanded.
Iris nervously glanced around and noted that a few people were staring in Willie’s direction. When she looked back at the unruly kid, however, Craig was ushering him out through the front door; Melvin followed behind.
Despite Willie’s attempt to resist, Craig led him toward the east side of the house out of the view of guests and pushed him up against the siding. “I’m going to tell you this once.” When Craig noticed Melvin nervously approaching, he said, “Mr. Kaiser, you should hear this, too. That money we dug up was not Kaiser property. It was stolen money and it has been returned. It is not here, no one here has it, and you are not entitled to one red cent of it.” He tightened his grip on Willie. “Got it?”
Willie nodded. As soon as Craig let go of him, the kid started to rant again, “But…I…uh we…”
That’s when his father took over. “William, that’s enough. Now come on. We’re leaving.”
“Already? Without Grandpa?” he protested.
“Yes. We’ll meet him at the hotel.” He gripped his son’s arm. “Now come on. I can’t even take you out in public. You behave like a spoiled child.”
“No,” Willie said, pulling his arm from his father.
“Yes,” Craig said sternly. He poked his finger angrily at Willie’s chest. “Listen, jerk, you are leaving with your father now! And I’d better not see or hear of you setting foot on this property again. You’re already in enough trouble for roughing up my wife, for God’s sake.”
Moving even closer, he threatened, “You jaywalk and you’re dead meat. Got it?”
When Willie didn’t respond, Melvin said quietly, “Yes sir, he understands.” He quickly ushered his son to the waiting cab and told the driver, “Take us to the Creekside Hotel, then come back and wait for my father, would you?”
“Something wrong?” Bart asked as he approached Craig. “Someone said there was a scuffle.”
Craig thinned his lips. “No, it’s all good.” He faced the security guard. “Maybe you’d better keep an eye on the white-haired gent with that fancy cane in there.”
Bart looked confused. “You expect trouble from that old guy?”
Craig rubbed his chin. “Well, you never can tell.” When Craig noticed that Bart was waiting to hear more, he explained, “That’s Benjamin Kaiser, the second generation of crooks to operate here.”
Bart’s eyes widened. “Oh really? I thought he went missing and was presumed dead.”
Craig grinned. “I see you’ve done your homework. Yeah, that’s what he wanted people to think, I guess. But it seems he’s alive and still conniving. That punk is his grandson. He knocked my wife around last month and landed her in the hospital.”
“Holy shit.”
Craig looked Bart in the eyes. “We’re pretty sure we’ve discovered all of the Kaiser secrets, but I suppose there could be more hidden here someplace.” Thinking out loud, he added, “Or else why would he keep coming back?”
“So you want me to watch him?” Bart asked. “Yes sir,” he added as he headed back inside through the front door.
When Iris saw her husband enter the room, she excused herself from the couple she had greeted and walked toward him.
“Your nemesis is gone,” he told her. “Go back to your party and enjoy yourself.” He chuckled as he watched Savannah trot after Lily, who was chasing Ginger.
“Kitty!” Lily said. “Orange kitty.”
He and Iris both laughed when Ginger climbed to the top of a large cat tree and stared down at the toddler.
****
“Iris, what’s going on, now?” Savannah asked breathlessly later that day when she caught up to her friend. “Two men just escorted Mavis and Michelle outside—and it didn’t look like the women wanted to go with them.”
Iris had noticed this, too. “Hell if I know. One of those guys is Vince, our hired security guard. Craig!” she hissed, trying to get her husband’s attention as he chatted with Michael and Damon.
Damon nodded in her direction. “Craig, I think Mom wants you.”
By then, Iris had moved closer. She grasped her husband’s arm. “Who’s that man with Vince and what are they doing?”
“Who?” the detective asked, gazing at the few guests who lingered in the dining room. “That old Kaiser gentleman didn’t come back, did he?
Bart said he left a couple of hours ago.”
“No. I just saw your other security guard and another man take my business partner and her friend outside. I’m pretty sure it was against their will.”
Craig frowned, handed her his beer, and walked toward the French doors.
“What was that about?” Colbi asked when she and Savannah joined Iris.
Margaret walked up next, holding Lily by the hand. “Iris, those guys were pretty rough with Mavis and what’s-her-name. What happened? Are they under arrest or something?” She gasped. “Maybe it’s a home-invasion robbery.”
Iris stared after her husband. “I don’t have the slightest idea. Craig’s checking it out.” She glanced around the room and noticed that most of the guests had left or were preparing to leave, but there were some who still seemed to be enjoying the ambiance. “It’s not quite five; I’d better mingle,” she said, glancing once again toward the French doors. She put Craig’s beer on a side table and picked up a tray of smoked salmon and cream cheese on poppy-seed crackers.
Before stepping away, she said to the others, “Those two women seem intrigued by the cats. They might be potential guest material.”
Savannah patted Iris’s arm. “You’re the hostess with the mostest, girlfriend.”
“I see you’ve met Sophie,” Iris said, walking up to the women. She smiled when she saw one of them giving Sophie a tummy rub. “She seems to be our official greeter. Isn’t she a sweet thing?”
The well-dressed woman of about sixty looked up from where she perched on the edge of a wingback chair. “She’s wonderful. Is she up for adoption?” When Iris hesitated, she said, “I’ve visited cat lounges in New York, L.A., and abroad, where they have cats you can adopt.”
Iris gazed at the calico, who had begun weaving herself around the woman’s ankles. Iris smiled. “That might be an option at some point. In fact, it’s a good idea to help unwanted cats find good homes. But for the time being, we plan to house the cats here—make this their home, for guests to enjoy.” She looked coyly at the woman and her companion. “If you book a room, you can request her to keep you company overnight.”
“How absolutely charming.” The woman turned to her friend, who was holding Crystal in her arms. “How about that! You can invite the cats to your room.”
“Really? Where do we sign up?” the second woman asked, laughing.
Iris smiled graciously. She placed the tray on a nearby table and handed each of the guests a business card. “Here’s the reservation number. We’d love to accommodate you.” She offered the first woman her hand. “By the way, I’m Iris—part owner.”
“I’m Ginger…”
“Hey,” Iris interrupted, “we have a cat named Ginger.” She looked around the room. “Oh, there she is, enjoying the last rays of sun shining through the beveled glass.”
Ginger grinned at her friend. “What are the odds? I’m over-the-top intrigued now.”
“I’ll bet you don’t have a cat with my name,” the second woman challenged playfully.
Iris winked. “Well, tell me what your name is and maybe we’ll use it for our next cuddle cat.”
“Imogene.”
“Nice to meet you Imogene and Ginger. Would you ladies like to see the cats’ room?” Iris invited.
Ginger frowned. “You mean, they don’t have the run of the place?”
“Oh yes, they do,” Iris assured her. “But they also have their safe zone—their own private space.” Iris looked off in the direction Craig had gone, then smiled at the women. “Come on, I think you’ll enjoy seeing this.”
“It’s amazing,” Imogene said, taking in the wonder of the refurbished attic room.
Ginger shivered with excitement. “Ohhh, I’d like to be a cat and live here. It’s wonderful.” She faced Iris. “How many cats do you have?”
“Just five at this time. We’re not sure how many we can accommodate or even if this is a good idea, so we’re starting slow and feeling our way as we go.”
After walking around in the cat room for a few minutes, Ginger said to her friend, “Imogene, we’d better be on our way, don’t you think so?” She turned to Iris. “As charming as this has been, we actually have another engagement.”
“Yes,” Imogene agreed, “but I’m sure it won’t be as lovely as this one.”
Ginger shook her head. “No, and there probably won’t be any cats to admire.” She laughed heartily. “Maybe an ancient painting with a cat in it or cement lions in place of gargoyles at the entrance gates.”
“Where are you going to see ancient paintings and gargoyles?” Iris asked as the trio exited the cat room and walked down the staircase to the second-floor level.
“A stuffy old museum with a bunch of stuffy old people.” Once they’d descended the main staircase to the ground floor, Ginger looked around. “Yeah, a big contrast to this place.” She placed her hand on Iris’s arm. “This has been so nice. We will be back.”
“Yes, thank you for the personalized tour,” Imogene added.
“Thank you for coming,” Iris said, ushering the two women to the front door and watching them leave.
“Mom,” Damon said when he and Colbi walked up to her, “I’m going to take my wife home.” He patted Colbi’s bulging tummy. “She says the baby needs a nap.”
“You’re leaving already?” Iris looked at her watch. “Oh, it is time to close up, isn’t it?” She hugged Colbi, then her son. “Okay, you go rest. It was so nice of you to come and celebrate with us.”
“It was awesome, Mom.” Damon said quietly in her ear, “I’m proud of you.”
Before Iris could respond, but not before she could control the rush of emotion, Colbi asked, “So when will you open?”
Iris took a quick breath and dabbed at one eye. “We’re open!” she said enthusiastically. “We’re taking reservations now.” She went to the large desk behind her and picked up the register. “Let’s see, we have five reservations for the next few weekends already.”
“Nice,” Damon said.
Colbi added, “Good job.” She gazed around the lobby and into the dining room. “I’d stay here in a hot minute. It’s just…well, exquisite.” She took Damon’s arm. “Shall we go back to our ho-hum abode?”
“Ho-hum?” Iris mimicked. Before she could continue, she saw Savannah approaching. “What’s going on, do you know?”
Savannah shook her head.
“Well, see you all later,” Damon called as he and Colbi moved to open the front door.
“Going home?” Savannah asked the couple.
“Yeah, I’m tired,” Colbi said.
Savannah hugged them both. “Good to see you two.”
Once the younger couple had left, Iris looked around. “The place has sure cleared out. Where’s your aunt?”
“She and Max took Lily home for a nap so Michael and I could help you clean up. He’s out back stacking the patio chairs.” She smiled at Iris. “This was a wonderful event. You did yourself proud, my friend.”
Iris nodded, but her eyes and her thoughts were on something else. “Savannah, do you know where Craig is? Are those guys still outside with Mavis and Michelle?”
“Yeah, no one has come back in.”
Iris grabbed Savannah’s arm. “Come with me. I want to see what’s going on.”
Before they reached the dining room, however, Craig appeared in the doorway. He glanced around the room. “Iris, has everyone gone?”
She nodded. “Except for Savannah and Michael. Why?”
“Well, that man you saw earlier with Vince is a federal agent. He wants to talk to you and maybe do a search.”
“Huh?” Iris said, fear in her eyes. “Talk to me? About what?”
He coughed and cleared his throat. “About the criminals you’ve gone into business with.”
“What?” Savannah yelped.
“She’s harboring criminals,” Craig said, winking at Savannah. He put his arm around Iris and ushered her into the lobby, wher
e he urged her to sit down. He took her hand and sat next to her. “They’ll be in shortly to ask you a few questions.”
“What did he say?” Michael asked as he approached his wife, who was stacking appetizer plates. “She’s harboring what?”
“Criminals,” Savannah murmured.
Michael let out a sigh. “Will it ever end for Iris? Is this place going to haunt her to her grave?”
Savannah shuddered. “Don’t talk about graves. We could be standing on one.” When she noticed a few plates and glasses scattered across the oversized coffee table in the lobby, she headed in that direction, then stopped. “Oh, here they come.”
“I want to call my attorney!” Mavis shouted as the two women were being escorted through the dining room.
“Yeah,” Michelle said, doing her best to wriggle from Vince’s grip. “We got our right to an attorney.”
“In due time,” the agent said. “Right now, I’m going to honor this search warrant.” After leading Mavis into the lobby, he motioned for Vince to stand with Michelle several feet away. He looked across the room at Iris, then made eye contact with Savannah. “Which one of you is Iris Sledge?”
Iris raised one hand briefly. “I am.”
“So you’re the partner in this?” When Iris hesitated, her eyes wide and searching, he let out a guffaw and said, “I mean in this establishment.”
“Yes.”
Just then, Bart stepped in from outside, and the agent asked him, “Would you help your partner hold onto these two while I do a search?” Once the guard was in place next to Mavis, the agent approached Iris and offered his hand. “I’m Federal Agent Neal Bracket.”
She nodded and shook hands with him.
“Where’s their room?” he asked.
Iris pointed. “It’s off the kitchen.”
“Sledge, how about standing by as my witness?”
In the meantime, Iris glared toward Mavis and Michelle, who were fuming. Every once in a while one of the women would jerk her arm, trying to break away from her guard’s grip.
“Just take it easy,” Vince said.
“The cuffs are hurting my arm,” Mavis complained through clenched teeth.
“If you’d stop fighting…” Bart suggested.