Cats in the Belfry

by Patricia Fry

  “Oh, I have no doubt that you can.”

  “Thanks for the vote of confidence!”

  Michael smiled at her, then said, “Hey, did you find your ring?”

  “No, did you find your tools?”

  He shook his head. “And your aunt hasn’t seen any of our stuff over at her place either, huh?” Before Savannah could respond, he asked, “Have they been missing anything over there?”

  “Not that I know of.”

  Just then Savannah’s phone rang. “It’s my aunt,” she announced after picking it up and looking at the screen. “Hi, Auntie, what’s up?”

  “Hi. Sorry if I’m interrupting your supper, but we have an emergency.”

  Savannah sat up straight. “What happened?”

  “Max cut his hand and I need to get him to the hospital for stitches, but I can’t find my keys.”

  “Your car keys?”

  “Yes. Did they fall out of my purse in your car when we took Lily to the park this afternoon?”

  “I don’t know. I’ll go check.” As Savannah walked outside with the phone, she asked, “How did he get cut?”

  “Filleting a fish. Darn it, the knife slipped and boy, does he keep sharp knives. I won’t even use his knives. Too sharp for me.”

  “Awww. Poor Max. I’m so sorry,” Savannah said. After looking around in her car for several seconds, she said, “Auntie, I don’t see your keys in my car. When’s the last time you drove your car? Anyway, don’t you have an extra key?”

  “Yes, as a matter of fact. Would you believe I lost my original set of keys and I’ve been using the spare? Now that’s gone, too.”

  “How did you do that?” Savannah asked. “I mean, lose your keys?”

  “I’m not sure. But what is, is, and I need that key. Otherwise, I’ll have to drive Max’s truck and I hate that thing.”

  “I can drive you guys to the hospital,” Savannah suggested. “We can look for your keys later.”

  Margaret thought about the offer. “No. I don’t want you to do that. I need to find my keys,” she whined.

  “Okay, when’s the last time you had your keys—I mean your original set of keys?”

  “Yesterday. I dropped them when I was coming into the house with a load of groceries and when I went back to get them I couldn’t find them. That’s when I got out the spare key and put it in my purse.”

  “So what happened to the spare key?”

  Margaret huffed. “Vannie, if I knew that, I wouldn’t be calling you.”

  Savannah was silent, then asked, “Auntie, did you see the old guy with the straw hat around here yesterday?”

  “Huh? Oh him? Yes, I did. Why?”

  “Rochelle thinks maybe he’s the one who’s taking our things.”

  “Why would he take my car keys?”

  “To rob you when you’re gone, maybe, or to steal that snazzy red car of yours? I don’t know. Want to borrow my car?”

  “I want my keys.” Before Margaret could continue, she said, “Oh wait, Max found them. Where were they, Max?”

  Savannah waited, then asked, “Where were they, Auntie?”

  “Well, it’s just too strange to say.”

  “What? What do you mean?”

  “He said they were out behind the house in a box of bulbs I was planning to plant next week.”

  “Oh, so you must have dropped them out there, huh?”

  “Absolutely not. I have not been out in the backyard for days.” She paused. “Vannie, maybe that old guy did take them and had duplicates made, then brought them back.”

  “I can’t imagine him doing that, can you? However, Rochelle does seem to think he’s the one taking our things.”

  “Why? How does she know that?”

  Savannah backpedaled. “Well, I guess she didn’t actually say that. But she saw feathers and he does have a feather in his hat—and around the band. Have you seen that? Pheasant feathers, I think.”

  “Well, I need to get Max to the emergency room. I’m sure he’ll need stitches. Let’s talk later about this. I’d sure like to catch that scoundrel in the act. Maybe we can set a trap.”

  Savannah rolled her eyes. “Oh dear. Just when I thought I could relax.” She then added, “Tell Max we’re thinking about him, poor guy.”

  “Yeah, poor me. I’ll have to do his chores if his hand is out of commission for a while—you know, bathe kittens, wash dishes…anyway, see you later.”

  “Your aunt found her keys?” Michael asked after Savannah had ended the call.

  “Yes, at least one set of keys, and pretty far from where she remembers leaving them. Strange.”

  “Sure is.”

  Chapter 9

  It was nearly two months later, a week from Savannah’s due date—May thirteenth, to be exact. The Ivey family had just arrived home with Michael’s grandmother, Aggie.

  “What a lovely home,” the ninety-two-year-old woman said as they pulled into the driveway. “You’re right, it is large. What a wonderful place to raise a family. I enjoyed bringing up my boys on our estate there in Connecticut. They could play croquet, romp with our Jack Russell Terriers, play badminton, swim…it was an ideal home for active boys.”

  “I imagine so,” Michael said.

  “Oh yes, your father loved sports. He was active—played tennis, soccer, squash…”

  Michael looked at Aggie as he helped her out of the car. “Which one was my father? You never really answered that question.”

  She cringed. “I guess you won’t get the answer to that question unless you do a test.” She raised her voice. “I believe firmly that it was Scott. But there’s a chance I could be wrong, I guess.” She raised her eyes to the sky. “Only God in heaven knows for sure.”

  As Savannah and Aggie walked arm-in-arm across the gravel driveway, Michael released Lily from her seat. “Come help Daddy get the luggage, punkin,” he said, opening the back of the SUV. He handed her a small tote. “Here, Lily, can you carry GranGran’s bag?”

  “Handle it with care,” Aggie called out. “There’s something very important inside.”

  As the four of them made their way toward the front door of the house, Michael suddenly let out a yell. “Watch it!” He ducked and began looking around overhead. “That dang bird nearly scalped me.”

  “A bird?” Savannah repeated. “What kind of a bird?” she asked, glancing overhead “A raven pulled my hair a few months ago—you know, out at the seminary.”

  “He was probably using your pretty blond hair to build a nest,” Aggie suggested.

  Savannah chuckled. “Oh, I didn’t think of that. I’ve heard of them using horse hair, but human hair? That’s kind of carrying things a little far.”

  “I guess animals have prerogatives, too,” Aggie stated matter-of-factly.

  Michael continued looking around for the bird, when Lily chirped. “Bird, Daddy. Bird.”

  When he saw where she was pointing, he said, “Oh, there he is on the corral fence in the shadows, watching us.”

  “Oh, I see him,” Savannah said.

  Michael rubbed the top of his head. “That’s eerie, isn’t it? I feel like I’m in an Alfred Hitchcock movie or something.” He addressed the bird. “What do you want Mr. Crow?” He paused. “Or is it Mrs. Crow? Hey, there’s horsehair on the ground out there. Take what you need.”

  “It’s a raven,” Savannah said quietly.

  “Raven?” Aggie repeated. “Aren’t crows and ravens the same thing?”

  “Evidently not. The raven is larger and has a greater range of sounds,” Savannah explained.

  “Since when did you become a crow and raven expert?” Michael joked.

  Just then they heard a shrill call as the raven swooped over their heads and flew off toward the highway.

  “That was a raven!” Savannah exclaimed.

  Michael looked at her. “That’s what you just said.”

  “I mean, that sound he made, that�
��s the sound we heard a couple of times while we were inside the seminary, just before we’d see the raven.”

  Aggie focused on Savannah. “What were you doing in a seminary, might I ask?”

  “Long story,” Savannah said. “Let’s get you and your belongings safely inside, then we’ll catch up with one another.”

  “Sounds good. I’m eager to sit where the seat isn’t moving at a high rate of speed in the air or on the highway.”

  Savannah and Michael laughed.

  A little while later Savannah poured everyone a glass of lemonade and they made themselves comfortable on the porch in time to watch the sun go down. Savannah had put a pan of lasagna in the oven and a salad was mixed and ready to serve. The trio and the toddler had been visiting on the wraparound porch for several minutes when Aggie said, “Oh, Lily, GranGran brought you something.” She motioned, “Can you go get that little bag you carried in? I think we dropped it in the kitchen.”

  Michael helped Lily open the door and watched as she ran into the kitchen. “There it is on the table, punkin,” he said. “Bring it to GranGran.”

  Lily ran back to the porch with the bag and handed it to Aggie.

  Aggie smiled. “Good girl.” She put her hand on Lily’s and said, “You open it. It’s for you.”

  At that, Lily sat down and dug into the small bag, promptly pulling out a colorful spinning top. When she looked confused, Aggie explained, “It’s a top, Lily. It spins. Haven’t you ever seen a top before?” She motioned with one hand. “Show her how it works, will you, Michael?”

  Once Michael had it spinning to Lily’s delight, Aggie said, “That was one of my boys’ favorite toys—a spinning top. They spent hours playing with them.” She chuckled. “Of course, we didn’t have such sophisticated toys in those days—all those electronic automated toys that do everything but clean the child’s room.” She shook her head. “Basics. We should go back to the basics with our children. Just look at how much she’s enjoying that toy.”

  Just then, everyone heard a trill of musical notes and Aggie pulled her cell phone out of her pocket. She looked sheepishly at the others before answering it, saying, “Dang modern gadgets—they’re a bother and a bane when you’re busy enjoying life.” Into the phone, she said, “Hazel dear, how wonderful to hear from you!”

  After a brief but lively conversation, Aggie ended the call and reported, “That was the elderly mother of my friend, Corinna.”

  “Elderly?” Savannah questioned.

  “Yeah, Hazel just turned eighty-five and lives in a nursing home. Corinna and I go to the same church and she picks me up sometimes for Bible study.” Aggie’s eyes lit up. “We celebrated Hazel’s birthday last month at a Greek restaurant.” She raised her hands up in the air and laughed. “What fun that was—women doing belly dancing and men dancing around with the table in their teeth. I’ve never seen such carryings on.”

  “You have a lot of fun, don’t you, Aggie?” Michael said.

  “Oh yes. That’s what life’s all about.” Aggie looked at Michael, then Savannah. “You must make time for fun and laughter. If life’s too serious, you become dull. So keep it lively, kids. Keep it lively.”

  “Good advice,” Savannah said. “Have you always had this attitude?”

  “Heavens no, child. I wasn’t exactly miserable in my younger years, but you might say rather intense. I don’t think I began to loosen up and see things from a more…um…lighthearted perspective until my forties or fifties.” She laughed. “And I just keep finding new ways to have fun.”

  “I hope we can amuse you while you’re here,” Savannah said.

  Aggie rested her hand on Savannah’s arm. “No problem. Just being in the company of your little family makes me feel good. You are exactly the kind of people I want to be with. There’s no stress in your relationship. You don’t sit around worrying about everything.” She smiled at Lily. “And your little one radiates happiness and love.” She shook her head. “Oh, no, don’t you worry about me while I’m here. This is just the sort of atmosphere I crave.”

  Michael grinned. “Well good. Glad to hear it. We’re happy to have you here.”

  “Yeah,” Savannah said, “talk about someone who’s fun to be around…”

  Aggie smiled at her, then asked, “Will your charming mother be here for the big event?”

  “For when the baby comes?” Savannah said. “Yes, she’s driving up Monday or Tuesday. She was here just last month for the baby shower. I wish you could have been there, Aggie. It was so much fun. Colbi and Iris threw us a couples shower.” She giggled. “You should have seen Michael trying to mold a baby out of bubble gum.” When Aggie looked confused, she explained, “Yeah, we played baby shower games. Can you believe it?”

  Michael grinned at Savannah. “Tell her who won the tape-measuring contest.”

  “Yeah, everyone thought that was rigged since you’re more familiar with the size of my baby bump.”

  “I was right on the mark,” Michael boasted.

  “You guessed how big around she is?” Aggie asked. “Yeah, I’d say you should have been disqualified from that game.”

  “Disqualified from what game?” Margaret asked, as she and Max appeared.

  “Well hi, guys,” Michael greeted.

  “Come on up. Want lemonade?” Savannah asked.

  “Sure,” Max said, stepping up onto the wraparound porch. He approached Aggie. “Hello, Mrs. Harmon. Nice to see you again.”

  “And you folks too,” she said, “Maggie and Max, am I right? We met at the library on that cold, wintery day months ago.”

  Max smiled. “And we partied at the condo afterward.”

  “Oh, that’s right,” Aggie said. “What a perfect evening that was—with all of my little grandchildren and new friends.”

  Margaret approached Aggie and hugged her. “You look well. Did you have a good flight?”

  “Wonderful. I met the nicest gentleman and his wife. I always seem to meet wonderful people during my travels. His wife has a quilt shop in San Francisco and he’s a merchant for health food, I think it is. They were in Connecticut celebrating their fiftieth anniversary with family. Turns out I knew his aunt, rest her soul. We were in a club together a long time ago. Small world. The longer I live, the smaller it becomes.”

  “Because you know more people?” Margaret suggested.

  “Could be.” Aggie leaned toward the Sheridans, who both sat across from her at a small table. “Now how are you two? Is the world treating you well?”

  They looked at each other, then Margaret said, “Yes. I have no complaints.” She reached out for Lily as she walked past. “Unless it’s that this one didn’t come give Auntie a hug. Where’s my hug?”

  “Bird,” Lily said with big eyes. “Bird bite Daddy.”

  Margaret looked at Michael. “Did one of your patients nip your finger?” she joked.

  “No, it was a wild bird,” Savannah said. “It swooped down and pulled his hair.” She laughed. “You should have seen Michael’s quick athletic move.”

  “Oh, I would like to see that,” Max said, chuckling.

  “Go ahead—show them, hon,” Savannah urged.

  Aggie laughed.

  “What kind of bird?” Max asked.

  “My wife tells me it’s a raven,” Michael explained.

  “Oh my gosh,” Margaret said, looking at Savannah. “Remember when that raven pulled your hair out?”

  “Yes. I was telling Michael and Aggie about that.”

  “Do you think it’s the same raven?”

  Savannah laughed. “How would I know that, Auntie? He didn’t introduce himself.”

  “Are you sure it’s a raven and not a crow?” Max asked.

  “According to our research, it’s a raven—larger body, bigger bill—you know.” She looked at her aunt. “I think that one at the seminary was Charmaine’s pet.”

  “Well, Charmaine’s dead, so maybe he’s adopte
d us—followed us home or something. I’ve seen him around our place lately too.” Margaret said.

  “You have?” Max asked. “I haven’t.”

  “You don’t get out as much as I do. I run most of the errands and do the yard work.”

  Max thought for a moment, then said, “I spoke with the preacher yesterday and he said…”

  “What preacher? Do you mean Sheila?” Margaret asked.

  “No. Ned Kline, our neighbor.”

  “The older man with the feather in his hat?” Savannah asked. “He’s a preacher?”

  Max shook his head. “He used to be. Well, he said someone’s been looking for a lost pet raven. He saw a poster over there in that tract and he asked me if I’d seen one. I told him no. I wonder if the raven you’ve been seeing is the missing one.”

  “Someone was keeping him as a pet?” Aggie asked.

  “I guess so,” Max said. He made a face. “That would be one messy pet to have. I wouldn’t want to clean his cage.”

  “Well, this could sure be the one they’re looking for,” Savannah said. “I’ve never noticed it around here before. He just showed up in the last few months.”

  Just then they heard a faint meow. Margaret looked toward the house. “Rags wants out. He’s on his window perch, crying.”

  Savannah frowned. “He hasn’t enjoyed his outings much lately.”

  “He hasn’t?” Michael asked.

  “No. In fact a couple of times I saw him at the window acting like he wanted to go out. But when I picked up his harness, he ran the other way.”

  “That’s strange for him,” Michael said.

  “Yes, and once Lily and I were out here with him and all of a sudden he slunk to the door and wanted in. Something in the yard has him freaked out and I don’t know what it is.”

  Max gazed at the cat in the window. “Do you think he’s afraid he’ll encounter someone with a knife again? He was hurt pretty severely when that guy stabbed him, and animals do remember.”

  “Could be, I guess,” Savannah said. “But he seemed fairly relaxed when we were traveling.”

  “Yes, he did.” Michael agreed. “So whatever has him upset is new.”