Teddy followed me into the kitchen, wagging his tail. “You’re hungry, aren’t you?” It was almost lunchtime, not that it mattered. I fed him fresh ground turkey, mixed veggies, and rice for every meal. Sometimes I’d change it up with lean ground beef. Teddy didn’t care for fish. Must have been too much what a cat would like.
After I had a nap in my recliner, Walter called. “Karla’s sister is flying in tomorrow morning. Thought you’d like to be here for moral support when she arrives.”
“Happy to, even though I didn’t know Karla at all up until last night. Did you contact her boyfriend, David Thorndike, yet?”
“He’s coming in, too. When I called him, he seemed quite shocked. He said he went to Karla’s place to wait for her shortly before the party ended, but she never showed up. He got tired of waiting so he went home.”
“I wonder if he tried calling her.”
“He said she didn’t answer, so he figured her battery died or she had her phone turned off.”
“That doesn’t make sense. Karla didn’t strike me as kind to let her battery die. And most of us would keep our phones on if we were going to be out late.”
“Nice to see your brain engaged already. I’ll let you know when her sister arrives. See you later.”
Thinking about David jogged my memory, and the words “I want to see the document” floated by. I wondered what document David wanted to see last night. Perhaps Karla’s sister would be able to shed some light in the morning. Karla struck me as having a chip on her shoulder. She was snide, ungracious, and seemed to leave a bad taste in everyone’s mouth, at least those I saw who encountered her last night.
After dinner, I took a cup of decaf into the living room and munched on a pecan pie cookie. The dates kept them moist and yummy. A smile curved my lips thinking about Cecilia’s trials in making them. Lord, please help Cecilia find the perfect balance between her role as a wife and mother and having a career. Amen.
A perusal of emails yielded only ads. I moved on to playing a few games of Solitaire until I was ready to take Teddy outside for his constitutional, lay out my outfit for the next day, and go to bed.
I was up and dressed early Monday morning, wanting to be ready for Walter’s call. “Come on, sweet doggie, let’s get your breakfast.”
It wasn’t until after I’d had my second cup of coffee that Walter called. “She’s here. Ready any time you are.”
“On our way. See you soon.”
Karla’s sister had the same coloring, pale skin and dark hair, except she dressed conservative casual, wearing jeans and a button-down print shirt. I checked to see if she wore boots, and noticed she did.
Walter introduced us. “Kim, this is Jillian Bradley and her dog Teddy. They’re the ones I was telling you about.”
“How do you do, ma’am.” The slight southern accent was unmistakable. She patted Teddy on his head.
“I’m so sorry about your sister. She was a bright journalist.”
“Thank you, ma’am. I hope they find the sucker that did this!”
Kim definitely displayed the strong “tell it like it is” family trait.
Walter motioned to the chairs around the table in the conference room. “Why don’t we sit down? Kim, can I get you something to drink? Jillian?”
“Do you have a Dr. Pepper?” Kim asked.
Walter raised his brow. “I don’t think we do. Coke is the closest thing we have.”
“That’ll do fine.”
I cocked my head. “Are you from Texas?”
She smiled. “Yes, ma’am. I moved there to get away from the Bay Area a few years ago. Don’t like all the traffic and high prices.”
“Ah, ladies, could we get started?” Walter handed Kim her can of soda.
“When was the last time you talked to your sister?” Walter had his recorder and notepad ready.
Kim opened the can and took a sip. “Our mom died, let’s see, seven months ago. She lived here so I came out for the funeral. Karla had to go through Mom’s things without me because I had a ranch to run.”
“And that’s the last time you spoke?” I asked.
“No. She called me from time to time. I never had time to call her. At least we kept up that way. Let me think before you ask. It was about a month ago. See, Karla always wanted to have her own business magazine so she could do it the way she wanted.”
I smiled. “She did seem strong-willed.”
“Go on,” Walter said.
“Well, when I last talked to her…” Kim choked up. “I can’t believe she’s dead!” I handed her a tissue. After she blew her nose, she sniffed. “Anyway, sorry about that, Karla told me she had a backer for the magazine and was over the moon about it.”
Walter and I exchanged glances. “Any idea who the backer was?” Walter asked.
She shook her head. “Maybe it was her new boyfriend, I don’t know. She started seeing him right after our mom died.”
“David Thorndike?” I asked.
“Yeah, that’s him. Said he was a doctor or scientist or something. I was birthing a calf when she told me so it’s hard to remember exactly what she said. Say, do you think he took Shakespeare?”
I raised my brow. “Shakespeare?”
“Yeah, Karla’s cat.”
Chapter 6
Walter looked at me with pleading eyes. “That’s another issue. One that will have to wait. We’d better talk to David Thorndike again.”
He turned back to Kim. “You said your sister started seeing David after your mom died. Did she say where they met?”
Kim studied the table, shifting her eyes from side to side. “I don’t remember if she did. The whole thing was odd. And you say she was murdered at Raven House? I got the willies when you mentioned that place.”
“I wonder why.” I stroked Teddy who appeared on alert ever since the word “cat” had been mentioned. “Had you ever heard of Raven House?”
Kim squinted. “That’s the thing. I think Raven House had something to do with our mom. Just can’t put my finger on it.”
Walter continued to make notes. “What did your mom do before she passed away?”
“She was a nurse. Worked for a doctor around here. Could have something to do with it.” She stood. “Well, if that’s all you need to talk to me about I need to go. Lots to do. Let me know when I can take care of Karla’s remains.”
“Sure. We’ll contact you when the autopsy is completed. Thank you for coming in. And, Kim, please call us if you think of anything that might help in this case.”
She nodded, and then hung her head. “Karla was younger than me. Always thought I’d have someone to look after me when I got old. Oh, well. Stuff happens, doesn’t it? Call me about Shakespeare. If no one wants him, I’ll take him home with me.”
“Take care, Kim.” My heart went out to her. After she left, Walter escorted me to the front desk.
He pointed to a chair. “Wait here while I get the info on David Thorndike. I’d like to catch him off guard in case he tries to hide anything.”
“Hadn’t we better check out Karla’s place first? I’m thinking about Shakespeare, roaming around without his mistress.”
“Okay. Might be an ice-breaker when we go see Thorndike.”
“Exactly what I was thinking.” I winked. “Teddy’s good around c-a-t-s. It shouldn’t be a problem.” The desk sergeant handed Walter the information he’d asked for.
“Let’s go, then. Karla’s place first.” Walter opened the passenger door of his unmarked vehicle and helped me inside. I held Teddy in his carrier on my lap. Just a precaution in case he and Shakespeare didn’t hit it off.
The apartment where Karla had lived was built above an upscale shopping center at the north end of town. We found the address and Walter parked. Once we were upstairs, we found the door was locked. “No problem.” Walter called the apartment manager to let us in.
A young man with five o’clock shadow showed up with a set of keys. “Read about Miss Wilson in the pap
er. A real shocker!” He opened the door and motioned us inside. “She was paid up, if that helps.”
“Thank you.” Walter handed me a pair of plastic gloves, before slipping on his own. “We’ll call you if we have any questions.” With that, the young man went back downstairs.
The apartment was dark. Inside his tote, Teddy shook himself and perked up his ears. Through the mesh at one end, my Yorkie could see a small figure approach us.
“Meowwwww!” It was a cry as if the cat said, “Where is my mistress? I’m hungry!”
I handed Teddy’s tote to Walter. “Hold him while I make friends.” I stooped down and spoke to Shakespeare, a tuxedo cat with a tiny white mustache and whiskers. “It’s okay, Shakespeare. Your mistress is gone, but we’re here to help you find a new home.”
Walter slung Teddy over his shoulder and opened the blinds. “Teddy, let’s see what we can find while your mistress takes care of the cat.”
I opened the fridge and found a carton of milk. “I bet you’d like some of this, wouldn’t you?” Shakespeare rubbed against my legs and purred. In a cupboard I found dry cat food, poured some into one bowl and milk into another, then set them on the floor. “Here you go.” The hungry cat gobbled up the kibble and lapped up every drop of milk.
While the cat licked his paws, I looked through the pile of papers stacked on the wood and glass coffee table. Calling to Walter in another room, I said, “Doesn’t seem to be anything of importance here. Just some business magazines and pieces of mail. Mostly advertisements.”
Walter joined me. “I couldn’t find anything either. What are we going to do with Shakespeare?”
“I say we let him use Teddy’s leash and take him with us. I’ll carry him in a towel in case he gets scared. We’ll have to get his things, including his cat box.”
Walter grimaced. “You get the food stuff, and I’ll get the cat box.”
With the cat, a grocery sack full of milk, food, and dishes, plus Walter carrying the cat box and Teddy, our menagerie headed downstairs. Next stop, Dr. David Thorndike.
Walter pulled off the freeway and followed Siri’s electronic directions until we reached the neighborhood where David lived, in a modest white house that looked like it was built in the forties. “We’ll try his home first. He’s scheduled to come to the station later, but we might be able to catch him now.”
“Hope he’s home. I’ll wait in the car with the zoo until you find out.”
Teddy panted, never taking his eyes off the cat.
Walter approached the front door and rang the bell. No answer. He rang again. This time the door cracked open. When Walter pulled out his badge, David opened the door wide, stuck his head out, and motioned for us to come in. He was still in his robe and hadn’t shaved.
David took Shakespeare from my arms. “Please, come in and have a seat. Excuse the way the house looks. I haven’t felt up to cleaning since I heard about Karla.” He stroked the cat while we talked.
“I believe you may have met Jillian Bradley.” Walter nodded my way. “She acts as a police consultant in cases such as this.”
David shrugged. “Anything to find whoever did this. Do you have any leads?”
Walter took out his notepad. “That’s why we’re here. Could you tell us what happened after you left the event on Saturday?”
“I went to Karla’s place. She’d ask me to meet her after the party to discuss…”
I cocked my head. “To discuss what, David?”
“I’m not sure. She never showed up. It was way past my bedtime so I left, thinking I’d talk to her the next day. Only...”
“Someone killed her,” I said. “I’m so sorry for your loss. You were in a relationship with her, weren’t you?”
“Yes. I was fond of Karla, in spite of her strong personality. They say opposites attract.”
“I want to ask you a question. It’s a little embarrassing I admit, but that night I overheard you say that you wanted to see the document. What document were you referring to?”
David glanced away. “Like I said before, Karla never showed up.”
An evasive answer, but I’d store it in my memory for later.
Walter sat back and folded his arms. “Did you notice anything or anyone out of the ordinary that night?”
David thought a moment. “Karla was distracted all evening. Partly because she was taking photos for the event, but after we arrived at Raven House people seemed to be avoiding her. My feelings were hurt a little because she treated me like I wasn’t even there. That’s all I remember.”
Walter finished up his notes, closed the little book, and stood. “About the cat.”
“Shakespeare is welcome to stay with me. I’m at work all day, but he’s used to being alone.”
Walter breathed a sigh of relief. “Great. We brought his things. You’re a good man to take him.”
“It’s all I have left of Karla.”
“I’ll bring in his things,” Walter said.
“And I’ll take Teddy for a short stroll before we head out.” I touched David’s arm. “Again, I’m sorry about Karla. Call us if anything comes to mind that you think would be important.” I stared him in the eye. “Anything.”
Chapter 7
“Where to now, boss?” I asked as Walter pulled into traffic, heading back to Clover Hills.
“Let’s pay a visit to your Volunteer Member of the Year, Alex Raven. He may know something, and he was one of the last ones to leave.”
I gave Teddy a hug. “Bet you’re glad we found Shakespeare a home, aren’t you?” He perked up his ears and wagged his tail, a definite yes.
“Teddy’s not the only one who’s glad,” Walter said. “Finding that cat a home would take time away from the case.”
“Didn’t Karla’s sister say she’d take him, though?” A thought crossed my mind. “Speaking of Kim Wilson, I wonder if there’s a link between the time their mom died and Karla’s budding relationship from David Thorndike.”
“Could be. Unless Karla felt unburdened with her mom gone and decided to finally have a boyfriend. “ Walter exited the freeway. “Alex Raven is probably at his campaign office. We’ll go there first.”
“Are we going to surprise him like we did David Thorndike?” I was never good at hiding my thoughts.
“Yes, ma’am. Oh, sorry. I know you don’t like being called that. It wasn’t meant to make you feel old.”
“But I am old. Only God knows the number of our days, though, and I plan on enjoying every one.”
“Atta girl. Seriously, our department is fortunate to have your help. Did you know some of the team call you our secret weapon? And Teddy, of course. Mustn’t forget ‘ol Sleuth Dog’ here.”
Teddy panted. “Woof!” Truly a genius dog.
“That makes me feel good. Maybe being a suspicious snoop isn’t a bad thing.”
Campaign Headquarters for Alex Raven appeared busy, with cars parked in front up and down the street. “We’ll park in back.” Walter swung into a space, turned the engine off, and led the way around the side of the building to the front door.
A bell jangled as we walked into a room covered everywhere with red, white, and blue Re-Elect Alex Raven posters. Alex was bent over a middle-aged worker who had half-glasses resting on her nose. They were engrossed in information on a computer.
“You’ll have to excuse me,” Alex said to the volunteer. “Let me know when you have that information.”
As he walked over to meet us, Alex gave Teddy an annoyed glance. “Hello, Detective Montoya, Jillian.” He ignored Teddy and directed us to his private office. “Have a seat. Terrible about Karla Wilson. Anything I can do to help, just ask.”
We sat in the wooden chairs provided. Several copies of business magazines lay on a nearby table. I held Teddy on my lap while Walter asked questions.
“We’ve come to take your statement, since you were one of the last to leave the party Saturday night. Was that the last time you saw Karla?” Poised to write in his n
otebook, Walter struck a listening pose.
“Certainly. She was all over the place taking photos for her story. We chatted a time or two at the Clover Hills Museum and then again at Raven House. The last time I saw her was after she took photos of me accepting the award.”
“Congratulations, by the way.” Walter made notes. “Do you remember who she was with when you last saw her?”
Alex considered the question. “Not really. So many people were congratulating me, I didn’t notice.” He smiled at Teddy. “Does he like to be petted?”
“Woof!” Teddy barked his answer.
“Let him smell your hand first, in case you’ve been around a cat or something,” I said. “Dogs can react funny.” Alex held out his hand. After Teddy sniffed, he wagged his tail as a sign it was okay.
Walter stood to signal that the interview had ended. “Well, thank you for giving us your statement. We’d appreciate a call if you think of anything pertaining to the case.” He handed Alex his card.
“Before we go,” I said, “there was something at Raven House I think I overheard you say to Karla.”
Alex raised his brow. “My, what big ears you have, Grandma. No pun intended.”
“Quite all right. Listening to conversations around me is a habit I picked up after a friend of mine was murdered a few years ago.”
“Really?” Alex looked interested. “Did the police find out who did it?”
Walter and I smiled at each other. “As a matter of fact,” Walter said, “We did.”
I decided to press my advantage.. “I heard you ask Karla what David Thorndike was doing at the event. She replied, ‘He’s my leverage.’ What did she mean by that?”
Alex shrugged. “I was surprised to see him, that’s all. It had been years. His family used to work for mine as caretakers for Raven House. We grew up together. As far as what any reference to leverage might have meant, Karla could be cryptic. After all, she was a journalist, and a dramatic one at that.”
“I see. Well, that satisfies my curiosity, for now.” I stood with Walter.
“Thanks for your time, Mr. Raven.” Walter held the door open for me as we left. “Remember to call me if you have any information.”
Happy Homicides 4: Fall Into Crime: Includes Happy Homicides 3: Summertime Crimes Page 16