by Patricia Fry
“I don’t know.” He spotted something on the workbench. “Is this the hammer you’re looking for?”
“No, that’s a different one, but it’ll work. Yeah, use that one. He keeps his nails in this cabinet; choose your size.”
Once Craig had done the repair, he said, loud enough for all three women to hear, “Okay, ladies, you’re all set. Now lock the doors and set that damn alarm, will you?” he scolded.
Savannah nodded. “Yes, I will.” She hugged him. “Thank you, Craig.”
“You’re a knight in shining armor,” Brianna called after him, as he left.
He grinned and waved one hand over his head in an off-hand gesture as he walked briskly to his car.
****
Morning was a long time coming for Savannah. She lay awake for hours listening to the sounds of the night. It seemed as though she’d just dozed off when she heard Lily’s sweet voice calling from the nursery. “You just won’t give Mommy a break, will you, sweet pea?” she said, lifting the baby from her crib. “Hi, Buffy,” she greeted, when she saw the little Himalayan-mix peek out of her pink canopy bed. “Ready for breakfast?”
“Ki-ki,” Lily chirped, pointing.
Savannah smiled. “Yes, there’s your Buffy kitty.” She looked around. “Where’s Rags kitty?” She thought for a moment before saying, “I haven’t seen big brother kitty all night.” She felt her stomach tighten. “Did he…? Gads, I hope he didn’t…Rags!” she called as she walked through the house toward the kitchen. She jiggled the baby playfully. “Maybe he’s night-night with Grammy or Auntie Nana. Let’s hope so.” But her gut told her otherwise. “I’ll just bet he…”
“Who did what?” Gladys asked when she stepped into the kitchen behind Savannah.
“Oh hi, Mom.” She grimaced. “I think Rags got out last night. I was so distracted and tired by the time everyone left, I didn’t think to count noses.” She placed Lily on the floor and headed toward the living room. “I’m going to shut off the alarm system, then I’d better go out and look for him.” She turned back toward her mother. “You haven’t seen him this morning, have you?”
Gladys shook her head and yawned.
When Savannah returned to the kitchen, she noticed the dog looking longingly at the door. “Oh Lexie, do you need to go out?” She petted the dog. “Well, come on,” she said, opening the door for her. She glanced around the yard, then gazed at the porch furniture. “So there you are,” she said, when she saw a familiar grey-and-white form lying in a meatloaf position on a padded chair next to the door. “And there you are,” she added, smiling down at the orange tabby. “Good morning, Golden Girl.”
“Find him?” Gladys asked from the kitchen.
“Yes, him and his girlfriend. And they’re all dressed up again.”
Just then, Brianna poked her head out through the door. “This is getting to be a habit for him, isn’t it?”
“Yes, and I’d sure like to nip it in the bud.”
She laughed. “I think that train has left the station.” Brianna took a closer look at the cats. “Have they been partying? Looks like they’re dressed for a night out on the town.”
“Funny,” Savannah said without emotion. She picked up Rags and carried him inside. “Lexie,” she called. “Come on, girl.” The women watched as Lexie trotted up the stairs and into the house.
“Well, you have one animal that minds you,” Brianna said, chuckling. “One out of six isn’t bad.”
“Six?”
“Yeah, three cats, a dog, a child, and a husband.”
Savannah grinned impishly at her sister, then stepped back out onto the porch and stared down at the orange tabby. “What will I do with you?” she asked. Before she could decide, the cat jumped down from the chair and trotted off in the direction of the Crane house. With a sigh, she walked back inside. “Mom, want to give Lily some cereal and fruit while I feed the animals?”
“Sure. Come on sweet girl,” Gladys said, scooping the baby up and putting her in the high chair.
Savannah filled the cats and dog bowls, then grabbed her sweatshirt from off a hook in the service porch and headed outside, calling, “I’m going to feed Peaches.”
She looked the horse over as she did every day when she fed her. She checked her water, then gazed in the direction of Michael’s tool shed. I still can’t believe his tool caddy is missing. Wondering if she’d overlooked something when she and Craig were in the shed last night, she headed in that direction. Once inside, she stood stunned. “Well, for Pete’s sake,” she said, staring down at the tool carrier, right where it belonged and right where it hadn’t been just a few hours earlier. After looking around inside the small shed, she scanned the horizon outside. What is going on? That’s when she saw a small person heading her way through the orchard. “Hi, Kira,” she called, as the child approached. “How are you this morning?”
“Good.”
“Kira, I was going to come over and ask if you saw our cat yesterday.”
“Yes, Rags came to visit.”
“Did you give him a gift?”
“Yes. Did he like it? I made it. Luke showed me how.”
“Uh, yes, he liked it a lot. You know, he’s not supposed to go outside. We keep him in to keep him safe. Please let us know if he comes to your house again, would you?”
“In the house? You make him stay in the house? Oh no, he likes to be outside like Sunbeam and like me.”
“Well, honey, you have your rules at your house and we have ours. Our cats live inside and can only go outside when someone’s with them, okay?”
“Okay. I was with him and so was Luke. He likes to go with Luke and Sunbeam.”
Savannah tilted her head and asked, “Who’s Luke?”
Kira looked at Savannah wide-eyed. “I’d better get to school,” she said, scampering off toward her house.
Before Savannah could react or respond, Gladys opened the door and called, “Maggie’s on the line for you, Vannie!”
“Coming,” she said. When she entered the house, she took the phone. “Hello. How are you this morning?”
“Good. What about you? Sounds like you had quite a night.”
“How’d you know?”
“My sister told me all about it. Frightening. How’d they get in?” she asked.
“They broke a window. I guess I forgot to set the alarm.” Before her aunt could comment, she said in her defense, “Well, it’s not part of my nighttime routine.” Her tone changed when she said, “I’m sure glad Bri was able to make a call and get us some help before…” her voice cracked. “…before something awful happened.”
“Well, it sounds like it was pretty awful…being threatened and tied up with duct tape.”
“Yeah, not fun,” Savannah agreed. When her aunt became quiet, she asked, “So what’s up?”
“Well, I just wanted to tell you the latest neighborhood scuttlebutt.”
“Oh no, it sounds dismal. Do I really want to hear this?”
“Probably not. But I’m going to tell you, anyway.”
“Want to come over for breakfast or coffee?” Savannah invited. “We’re all up and I really need to start cooking.”
“Okay, I can do that.”
“Yeah, come on over and bring your neighborhood bulletin.”
****
By the time Margaret had arrived, breakfast was in progress. Gladys had started a pot of coffee and was making toast while Savannah scrambled eggs with ham, green onions, tomatoes, and cheese.
“Want a plate?” Brianna asked her aunt as she set the table.
Margaret nodded. “Sure. Looks good. Got any plum jelly left, Vannie?”
“Yup. And peach. Michael finished the apricot.”
“Juice?” Brianna offered. “We have cranapple and orange.”
Once everyone had made their juice selection and were seated around the table with coffee, Savannah began serving the food. “No-no,” she said when Lily reached out for
the egg platter. “I have your breakfast ready, little one. No onions or tomatoes for you. Mommy’s letting it cool. Just a minute now.” She handed the platter to Gladys. “Help yourself, Mom,” she said as she sat down and started feeding the baby small bites of the egg. She turned to her aunt. “Okay, what’s the neighborhood scuttlebutt?”
“There’s scuttlebutt in the neighborhood?” Brianna asked.
“That’s what Auntie says.”
Margaret looked sternly at Savannah. “Yeah, and it involves your cat, I’m afraid.”“What?”
“He’s been seen roaming around on Maple Street, Vannie, with that yellow cat, and they’re causing havoc.”
“Oh no. What have they done?”
“Well, things are going missing,” Margaret explained, “and people seem to think the cats have something to do with it.”
“Things like what?” she asked. “I mean, we’ve missed a few things around here—carrots and lettuce from our garden, Rags’s harness, your watering can, my flowerpot tray. How can anyone possibly blame cats for that?”
“And garbage,” Brianna said. She cocked her head. “But half the stuff that’s taken is either returned or replaced. Cats aren’t going to do that, are they?”
Before anyone could answer, Savannah said, “Oh Auntie, last night Michael’s tool box was gone, but just like your watering can, it’s back today, right where it belongs.”
Margaret pursed her lips and shook her head. “That’s just plain strange…and spooky.” She let out a breath and continued. “Yeah, sure, that stuff can’t be blamed on the cats, but you have to admit a cat can carry jewelry, baby shoes, flip-flops, hats, toys…”
Brianna began to laugh. “You got that right, Aunt Maggie.” She pointed at Rags. “That one was wearing an expensive diamond necklace around the house just last night.”
Savannah rested her head in her hands. “Oh no—déjà vu.”
“What?” Gladys asked.
“You remember my telling you about Rags stealing from the neighbors when we lived in Los Angeles. He hasn’t done that in years.”
“Of course not,” Margaret said. “He’s been locked in the house all that time. He only steals from your guests. But obviously he has found a way out, and a cat meeting his description has been seen over on Maple Street a lot lately with the yellow cat.” She took a sip of coffee. “But here’s the kicker. Mr. Thomas believes the cats have an accomplice.”
“What?”
“Yeah, bigger things are going missing over there, too—the Prestons’ kids’ skateboard, a book…”
“A book?” Brianna questioned.
“Yeah, a graphic novel one of the teens was reading on their patio. She left it out and it disappeared. Shortly after that, she saw those two cats wandering around in her yard.” Margaret took a breath, then added, “Oh yes, and the woman who lives at the end of the cul-de-sac—Alice—she’s missing some beach towels she left out to dry after taking her kids to the pool.” Her demeanor accelerated when she added, “And get this: one day when she was eating her lunch on her deck, she was called into the house. When she returned, her lunch was gone—plate, fork and all. However, the plate and silverware showed up later.”
“That’s just plain crazy,” Brianna said.
“Yeah? Take a look at this,” Margaret said, pulling her phone out of her pocket. She tapped the screen a few times, then held it toward Savannah and Brianna. “Caught in the act.”
“Well, I don’t know what to say. That’s Rags, all right, wearing that silly handmade harness the kids put on him.”
“And there’s the yellow cat,” Brianna said. “Looks like both of them have something in their mouth. What do you suppose that is?”
Margaret looked quickly at the screen. “Alice got this picture of them the day her reading glasses and one of her granddaughter’s toys went missing.” She looked into Savannah’s eyes. “How’s he been getting out, anyway?”
“Well, he evidently broke out last night after we were invaded. And I guess he’s been out a few times before that when Helena let him out, and once he escaped on Bri.”
Brianna cringed.
“Did they see anyone with the cats?” Savannah asked. “Obviously, they can’t carry beach towels and tools.”
“And watering cans,” Margaret complained. “You’re right, Vannie. They must have a human accomplice.” She pointed with her fork, laughing. “Or maybe your horse is involved. Maybe Peaches carries the things that are too big for the cats.”
“Ha-ha,” Savannah said.
“But who returns the stuff?” Gladys asked.
Margaret winced. “Yeah, that’s what’s weird. Most of it—well, except for the food—is being returned. It’s like someone is just borrowing what they need. As for what’s happening with the things the cats are taking, it’s anyone’s guess.”
“It all started once the Cranes moved in, right?” Savannah asked quietly.
“It seems so. Do you think those kids are operating some sort of burglary ring?”
Brianna laughed. “Maybe only some of them. Some take the stuff and the others return it.”
Everyone joined Brianna in laughter. Then Savannah said, “Well, that’s just too bizarre, don’t you think?”
“You think my reasoning is bizarre?” Brianna asked. “What have you got? Anything that makes more sense?”
Savannah shook her head and looked down at her plate. She gazed across the table at her aunt. “So what are the neighbors going to do? Do they have a plan? I should say, do we have a plan?”
“From what I understand,” Margaret said, “just being more vigilant—keeping a watchful eye on our stuff. Some of the other folks over on Maple Street have set up cameras.”
“Hey, sorry to interrupt your detective work,” Gladys said with a chuckle, “but I spoke to Melanie a while ago and she said they’ll be here around noon. Do we need to get groceries?”
Savannah set her coffee cup down and looked at the kitchen clock. “We sure do. And it’s after nine. We’d better devise a system.”
“What do we need to do?” Brianna asked.
“Bathe the baby, clean the kitchen, pick up the house, maybe give the porch and outdoor furniture a quick once-over.”
Brianna raised one hand. “I’ll give Lily a bath.”
“Awww, I wanted that one,” Gladys said.
Savannah laughed. “Okay Bri, you can give her a bath and Mom, you can put her down for her nap when we get back from the store. In the meantime, come help me clean the kitchen.”
“Well, I’m going home,” Margaret said, “…before you put me to work.”
“You’ll be over later, then?” Savannah asked.
“Sure. I want to see my niece and her family. Oh, Max said to tell you he made sweet rolls for your breakfast tomorrow morning and I’ll whip up a batch of cookies for lunch, okay?”
“Super. Thanks, Auntie.” Savannah looked thoughtful for a moment. “Let’s talk later about what’s going on with the cats. Maybe you can help me figure out what to do.”
“Keep him in. That’s what!” she barked.
“But what about the stuff he’s already taken? We need to answer to that, don’t you think?”
Margaret stared at her niece for a moment. “Yeah, I guess we should see if we can get him to spill his guts. I’ll start thinking up some methods of torture.” When she noticed the others staring blankly at her, she grinned and headed for the door. “See y’all later.”
****
By eleven fifteen that morning, the pantry and fridge had been restocked with fresh food. Savannah had pulled a large pan of lasagna out of the freezer to thaw for their dinner and Brianna had made egg salad and chicken salad sandwiches for lunch and a breakfast casserole for the following morning. After helping Brianna in the kitchen, Gladys tucked Lily into bed for her nap. The three women were sipping lemonade on the porch when Margaret drove up in her shiny red Jeep Liberty.
; “I can see you coming for miles in that thing,” Brianna quipped as Margaret exited the car with a tote bag. “Need help?” she called out, rushing to give her aunt a hand.
“I didn’t think I could love a car more than I loved my silver Liberty, but I do,” Margaret said. “This car is amazing. I’m always inventing reasons to drive it.”
“It is pretty,” Gladys said, as she walked out to greet her sister.
Once Margaret had handed items to both Gladys and Brianna, the three of them headed for the kitchen. When they returned to the porch where Savannah sat grooming Lexie, Brianna announced, “Aunt Maggie brought cinnamon rolls and cookies.”
“Great. Thanks,” Savannah said.
Margaret stared out toward the orchard. “So have you seen any of the Crane children, lately?”
“Yes. Kira comes over almost every day. She’s the only one I know very well. I’ve seen some of her brothers and her twin sister. I think there are more brothers. I saw her before school this morning and she mentioned someone named Luke.” She thought for a moment. “That could actually be the uncle. I saw him once, but haven’t met him. Anyway, they sure have a houseful over there.”
“Speaking of housefuls,” Margaret said, “how’re the guys doing up in Oregon with that animal-hoarding situation? Have you girls heard from them lately?”
Savannah nodded.
Brianna said, “Yeah, Bud called this morning. He said they’re starting to get a handle on the situation. There are happy endings for some of the animals, so they’re feeling better about it. Reinforcements are coming tomorrow, so they’ll probably head home Thursday or Friday.”
“I can’t wait,” Savannah said. “I miss my hubby.”
“Yeah, he’ll love coming home to a neighborhood gone crazy,” Margaret teased.
Just then, Gladys pointed. “Oh, look. They’re here.”
“Holy cow,” Margaret said, “that’s a carload.” She turned to Gladys. “If they kick you out of your room, you can spend the night with us.”