Cat of the Century

by Rita Mae Brown

  She returned to Garvey, who rolled down his windowall electric, of course.

  Garvey, go home. Get dry. Youre shaking like a leaf. She patted his back. Want me to call Walter and tell him youre taking the day off?

  Walter was Walter Thompson, his business partner.

  I dont know if I should. Ill think about this more at home than at the store.

  Well, up to you, but do go change your clothes. Traffic will be one lane here for a good hour and a half. Youre sure you dont want me to call Walter?

  Ill do it. Thanks, Coop. She was a good woman. A little out there but good. Why? He looked imploringly into Coopers strong face.

  I dont know. All I know is, people have been killing one another since year one. But well do our best to find out who did it.

  Right. He nodded, closed the window, turned the car around, and headed for home.

  At 7:45 A.M., Inez heard the news on the small radio in the heated tack room. She was cleaning the everyday tack, for she liked to be useful and her fingers remained nimble.

  Forgetting to put on her coat, she hurried into the center aisle, Erno at her heels. She heard Harry in the last stall by the back doors.

  Harry, Harry, Terri Kincaids dead!

  Harry stopped, pitchfork still in her hand. What?

  Shot. Her body was found near the same place where Ralston Peaveys was. Those are the only details, except that the murderer is at large.

  Damn. Harry slammed the tines of her fork into the deep wood shavings.

  Im going to call Tally.

  Mrs. Murphy and Pewter, who were up in the loft with Simon, heard Inez.

  Tucker, Mrs. Murphy called down to the dog, who rested outside the stall Harry was cleaning. Hear that?

  Of course I did. The corgi walked to beneath where the two cats looked down at her.

  It means the killer is here. Here! Mrs. Murphy, cat intuition at the max, declared with certainty.

  Pewter, unwilling to let Mrs. Murphy be the authority, said, I always said that. I said the killer would show up here.

  She had said no such thing.

  In their excitement and worry, Mrs. Murphy and Tucker let it pass.

  Its no coincidence that Terri is dead. Mrs. Murphys whiskers swept forward and back.

  She wasnt on the board. Pewter didnt disagree but wanted to point this out, as if the other two would have forgotten. And Harry graduated from Smith. She is safe.

  Fat chance, Tucker replied with a vengeance. Inez is here. Harry is Harry. She needs to be watched.

  Ernos pupils enlarged. Ill kill anyone who tries to harm Mom.

  Mrs. Murphy mused sadly, If only humans would listen.

  Pewter laughed derisively. None of them does. They cant accept information from any species other than their own, and they dont even listen to one another.

  Harrys good. Tucker always defended her mother.

  Shes the best of a bad bunch. Pewter arched one silky eyebrow.

  Youre being a hardboot, Tucker grumbled but then shut up.

  She knew, as did Mrs. Murphy, that Pewter covered up her fear for Harry in this fashion. There was no doubt that the three would need to shadow her, as well as get Erno to stick with Inez nonstop.

  Tucker, if someone comes around with a hidden gun, do you think you can smell the oil in the barrel? Mrs. Murphy asked.

  Gun owners cleaned their rifles and handguns with special brushes dipped in light oil. They also wiped down the weapons with rags that often contained a hint of oil. Even a human could smell the distinctive odor if their nose was near the metal.

  Sure.

  Good.

  Erno had gone to the office and now sat alertly by the chair as Inez spoke to Tally.

  Where Ralston Peavey lay. Aunt Tally was incredulous.

  Shot instead of run over. This is sick.

  You think a copycat murderer? Aunt Tally thought it was sick, too.

  I dont know, but its a distinct possibility. Look, Blossom, you have resources. Hire a twenty-four-hour guard until this is resolved.

  Oh, come on. I have Doodles, and Little Mim and Blair are close by.

  Thats not good enough. Just do it. If you dont, Im coming over there and Im going to bust your provoking head. This was said with humor.

  Since you put it that way Aunt Tally needed an excuse. She didnt want to look chicken.

  Im going to call Liz Filmore. Doubt this is in the news in Richmond. Henrico County endures far more murders than Albemarle.

  Okay, call me back when youre done.

  Actually, Erno and I will be visiting you. I want to make sure youve hired some kind of security.

  Oh, all right. Aunt Tally made it sound as though she was being forced into this, but she did want to see Inez.

  After signing off, Inez dialed Lizs cell and got her driving to the office.

  Liz, I have terrible news. You might want to pull over.

  Hold on. Im almost at the office. Liz pulled onto the road shoulder. All right.

  Terri Kincaid has been found shot dead, lying in the middle of the road, near where Ralston Peavey was found, although I dont know if that name means much to you.

  Oh, no, no.

  No murderer has been found, and my worry is that any evidence like tire tracks will all be washed away in this rain.

  This is awful. I bet it was that worthless boyfriend. She said he tried to get a little rough with her. Ill kill him myself!

  Liz, give me his name, anything you know about him. Ill pass it on.

  Better yet, have the officer in charge call me. I can tell him or her a lot, a whole lot.

  Good idea. Youll tell Tim, of course.

  Hell be devastated. He liked Terri. This is awful, just so awful. Are you all right?

  I am, but theres been so much death in a short compass of time.

  Yes, there has, Inez, yes, there has.

  Spring finally decided to arrive in central Virginia on Friday, April 17. The redbuds opened, as did the native dogwoods. The imported dogwoods would take longer to open. The daffodils shone yellow, the tulips had yet to reveal their colors, but in another week, if the weather held, they, too, would be in full bloom.

  The service for Terri Kincaid was held at the Lutheran church, with the Reverend Herbert Jones performing the Service for the Dead. Organizing the service had fallen to Inez and Liz Filmore, since Terris parents, who were divorced, behaved with the immaturity so often associated with people who cant put anything above their own emotional response. Her mother, Alantraa name she herself had chosen at age fortydid claim the body. Her father, Jason, cried, pouted, but attended the service. Alantra wouldnt come, because Jason was going to be there.

  This unseemly arguing had swirled for three days after Terris body was found. Finally, Inez lowered the boom, making arrangements without consent of either parent. Terri, a graduate of William Woods, then the Darden School of Business, had been part of the community for ten years.

  The church, half full, lent a peacefulness to the proceedings.

  Mrs. Murphy, Pewter, Elocution, Cazenovia, and Lucy Furthe latter three being Herbs catssat in the balcony with the organist.

  Terris ex-boyfriend, Bob Ostler, seemed genuinely sad. At this point in her life, Coop trusted her instincts when it came to possible murderers. She didnt think Bob had killed Terri. That didnt mean Cooper wouldnt keep her eye on the young man.

  Apart from Liz and Tim Filmore, the person who seemed most genuinely distressed by Terris passing was Garvey Watson. Sitting with his wife, he continued to wipe his eyes with a linen handkerchief. She held his hand throughout.

  A small reception followed the service.

  Pewter made a special point to sit under the table, where ham biscuits were piled on a plate above her.

  Inez, Aunt Tally, Big Mim, Little Mim, and Blair paid their respects to Jason Kincaid.

  Harry, having done so, sat with Garvey and Lila, his wife.

  Fair was talking with Jim Sanburne, Big Mims husband, the mayor
of Crozet.

  Harry, thank you for being so kind, Garvey said.

  Garvey, I didnt do anything.

  Lila, a bit plump but still quite attractive in her late sixties, said, You called, then came by. He was so terribly upset. Just seeing friends helped him.

  It was an awful shock. Harry did what any friend or even an acquaintance would do. I heard that Liz is the executrix. Terri didnt trust either of her parents.

  Small wonder, Lila replied curtly.

  Most people dont draw up a will in their thirties.

  Garvey pushed her on that. Lila never missed an opportunity to reveal her husbands foresight and involvement, because he never would himself.

  Now, now, Lila. His soft voice interrupted what would have become a torrent of praise. She owned the store, and she had to consider things in a different light. She knew her parents would fight over anything, which is why she finally agreed. Running a business can make one grow up fast.

  Well, she would have dragged her heels without you. Lila looked at Harry. He even helped her select some lines of earthenware, the wonderful stuff from Provence. TheyreI mean, they wereher biggest sellers. No one has an eye like Garveys.

  Thats true. My husband loved the sweater, by the way.

  Ah. A small smile played over Garveys lips.

  This is out of the blue, but maybe we should talk to Liz before she dismantles Terris store. Harry thought out loud. She did carry beautiful things. Surely theres someone who could step in. Seems terrible for her efforts to evaporate.

  Thats a thought. Garveys eyebrows twitched inward for a moment.

  When Liz and Tim came over, Garvey brought up Harrys idea, and Liz liked it.

  Harry had finally reached the little buffet by that time.

  Pewter, refusing to be dislodged from under the table, knew, just knew, that some morsel would fall to her claws.

  Tucker, not particularly hungry at this moment, wandered through the small gathering. She stopped by Garvey, Lila, and Liz, then moved back to Mrs. Murphy, who was seated on a bench along with the three Lutheran cats.

  Smelled that odor again, Tucker informed the four felines.

  What? Mrs. Murphy didnt know which odor, since Tucker commented on so many.

  Remember when Liz and Terri came to our kitchen? I thought I detected fear. Maybe it was underneath, but now I think this is something different. Its bitter. I smell it on Liz.

  Wonder what it means? Lucy Fur rubbed her ear with her front paw.

  I dont know. Im pretty good at identifying human scents. Ive never smelled this. Fear has a kind of bitter, sharp tang, but this is really bitter. The dog, puzzled, sat down.

  Aunt Tally, lingering over the water chestnuts wrapped in bacon, plucked one by the plastic-sword toothpick. Its not a coincidence.

  Big Mim and Inez also reached for the delicious little morsels.

  Are you listening to me? The centenarian placed the toothpick on a tray used for that purpose.

  We are, Big Mim replied soothingly.

  Liz came up, selecting some thin wedges of toast with asparagus spears and brie on top. Its always good to see you all, even if the circumstances are sad.

  Thank you, Inez said with a nod.

  Aunt Tally revved her engines again. Liz, its no coincidence that Terri was found where Ralston Peavey was found. There has to be a connection. Maybe Terri was distantly related. Maybe she provoked the original killer.

  Shes not related. Everybody knows everybody when it comes to that. There are no secrets. Big Mim sounded forceful.

  Theres one now, Aunt Tally shot back.

  It could be possible. Liz sighed. Anything is possible.

  Well, I am going to find out if its the last thing I do.

  Oh, Miss Urquhart, dont say that. Lizs face showed concern.

  Ill outlive all of you. Aunt Tally thumped her cane on the floor, then moved off.

  Big Mim, uncharacteristic for her, blurted out, Sometimes Im afraid she will, sometimes Im afraid she wont.

  On April 21, Tuesday, the weather remained mild. Harry was driving Inez down to Barracks Road at one in the afternoon after a morning of chores. Now that the weather cooperated, so much needed to be donefields limed, seeds planted, grapevines checked, sunflowers planted after the soil was turned. The list made Harry dizzy. However, she couldnt allow Inez to drive by herself. The two cats and two dogs reposed in the back of the Volvo. Harry already wondered how she ever lived without the wagon.

  Are you sure you want to do this?

  Inez, resolute, said, Yes. Tally said shed drop by. A few of Terris friends might come by, too. And Garveys next door. Im sure hell help.

  All right. Harry changed the subject. Did you sell your stocks? When was thatoh, April fifteenth. Black day when you mentioned selling them.

  I told Liz to sell them. Luckily, my taxes arent too terrible. I need a new water heater at the house, so I might as well do it now.

  I dont know whats worse, renting or buying. Renting, you build no equity. Owning means its one damned thing after another. She switched subjects again. Inez, tell me how Cabinet officers get a slap on the wrist and can repay what they overlooked? Had it been you or I, the IRS would have been down our throats.

  How it is, Harry, is how it has always been: politics as usual. Inez laughed. I remember my father filling out his tax form. It was one sheet of paper. She touched the heavy links of the gold chain bracelet on her right wrist. I used to care. Now I dont give a damn. One of the privileges of age. If the American public wants to be raped by Congressand, remember, Congress is the branch with the power to tax and therefore destroyso be it.

  Leaves me in the lurch, Harry replied ruefully.

  Fight back. Inezs voice raised up.

  We need a leader.

  You need spine. Millions of you. Inez cleared her throat. This will get me in a bad mood. Its good of Liz to come up; said it takes her only forty-five minutes from home. Theyre near the University of Richmond, so she hops on 64.

  Must have a lead foot.

  Well, yes. Makes me glad that Tally doesnt drive anymore. I swear her secret ambition was to be a Formula One driver. Scared the bejesus out of me many times. Maybe thats why my heart is so strong. I had consistent aerobic workouts just sitting still.

  They both were laughing when Harry pulled into the north side of Barracks Road Shopping Center.

  Harry knocked on the door of Terris store.

  Garvey, eager to help, opened it. Come on in.

  What took you so long, Chickpea? Aunt Tally barked.

  My fault. Not hers, Harry said.

  Liz, who had been in the office, stepped out. Thank you for coming. Ive asked Tina Hotchkiss, a friend of mine, to run the store until I can figure something out. Rushing will only backfire.

  When does she start? Harry inquired.

  This Friday. So the store will be open for the weekend.

  What do you want us to do? Inez asked.

  I came in last night and checked the inventory on Terris computer. So were up to date there. I think the only thing we need to do is dust and mop up a bit, and there were two deliveries today that we should go unpack.

  I can do that, Garvey volunteered.

  Liz, taking charge again, said, Inez and Tally, there should be an invoice slip inside those cartons. If Garvey gives them to you, you can check off the contents. If any items are damaged, theres bound to be some paper that tells us how to return the goods or make a claim. Okay?

  Okay. Tally, with Doodles behind her, followed Garvey into the small storage room, which was quite neat.

  Inez, Tucker, and Erno followed Doodles and Tally.

  Mrs. Murphy and Pewter sat on the sales counter, enjoying watching Harry dust, while Liz, using a little Mop & Glo, brought up a shine on the floor.

  Arent these beautiful? Garvey had pulled out the shredded newsprint along with the plastic peanuts in one carton to reveal large outdoor ceramic pots in various subtle glazes.

  Another cart
on contained smaller pots, mostly of a dark-blue glaze or a lighter green, with large round cork stoppers sealed with wax along the edges. Garvey set them on the floor, then Inez and Aunt Tally counted them. The jars, ranging from pint size to quart size, were heavy.

  In the front part of the store, Liz chatted while mopping.

  Must have been a slap in the face when Terris parents realized that, one, shed made a will, and two, they werent in it. I was overcome when I learned from her lawyer that shed left the store to me. Twenty percent of the net profits must go to William Woods. Liz teared up. I just cant believe it.

  Harry, often a bit awkward when people became emotional, said sympathetically, She knew youd make a profit. Then she changed the subject. Youre doing a good job of mopping.

  Thank you.

  As they chatted, Tucker, back in the storeroom, stuck her nose on one of the quart jars. Something in the wax drew her.

  What? Erno was curious.

  I can just catch a hint of something. Not the wax. Its the smell I detected on Terri.

  Maybe we can break the jar. Ernos ears lifted up.

  I broke a big one once. Cost Mom a lot of money.

  Maybe my mom or Tally will open it.

  Good idea. Tucker whined, pushing the jar with her nose.

  Thats enough, Inez said gently.

  Erno started in, too. Come on, Mommy, open the jar.

  Enough. Inez was still gentle.

  Hey, Mrs. Murphy and Pewter, come in here.

  The cats responded.

  Better be good, Pewter said.

  Pat the jars with the cork sealed by wax, Tucker requested.

  Mrs. Murphy and Pewter patted the jars. Pewter even unleashed her claws, sticking them in the cork.

  Would you look at those animals? Aunt Tally was amused.