“Now wait just a minute,” Roy said cautiously. “Somehow you’ve got it in your head that I was the one who stole Abra. That’s nuts. I wasn’t anywhere near the cat carrier when she was stolen. I was on the other side of the stage.”
“Liar,” she accused. “I might have believed you, if you hadn’t told me that story the other night.”
“What story? You’re not making any sense.”
“Don’t try and gaslight me! I’m making perfect sense. When I told you the Lincolns had a Siamese that looked just like one of Magic Harry’s cats, you didn’t respond the way you should have.”
“How was I supposed to respond, Dr. Freud?” Roy quizzed in a mocking tone.
“The normal person would have said something like ‘that’s cool’ or ‘look at the resemblance,’ but no, not you.”
“What’s your point?”
“Instead, you wanted to know if the Lincolns had money, so . . . so . . . you could sell them a Siamese that looked like their dead cat. You even said Harry wanted twenty-five-thousand dollars for the Siamese, and that he authorized you to sell it.”
“I was just messing with you.”
“Really, maybe I should go online and look at our checking account to see if we have twenty-five grand in it.”
“Be my guest. What’s stopping you?”
“Maybe I should ask Harry if he was in cahoots with you.”
“Go ahead. I’m sure he’d love to talk to you,” Roy answered sarcastically. “The guy’s a jerk.”
“It makes me sick to think that you assaulted poor Emma just to get the Siamese.”
“I’m innocent,” Roy said, throwing his hands up. “The police interviewed me. I told them my side of the story. They went on and interviewed everyone else connected to the show. No one knows what happened to the cat. No one knows who struck Emma.”
“You’re ridiculous,” Julia said, disgusted.
“Jules, I feel awful about this. I really liked Abra. She was a sweetheart. Emma is my friend. The thought that she could have been seriously injured . . . I can’t even think about it.”
Julia took a deep breath. “Tell me again, so I get it straight, why was Emma injured?”
“I made a bad decision to not be with the cats when they left the stage. I should have been there. Maybe then Emma wouldn’t have been hurt.”
“That’s another thing. All day I texted you about Emma. You never once returned my texts about her. Is she out of the hospital?”
“I thought I told you yesterday. Emma was released and is staying with her grandmother in Nyack.”
“You didn’t tell me anything,” Julia huffed.
“Calm down. Emma suffered a mild concussion. If it’s any consolation, I’ve had the worst day. I didn’t answer your texts because Harry already had a replacement for Emma. I had to micro-manage everything she did. She’s a nasty woman, and I can’t stand her. Plus, Harry had me running a bunch of errands for him.”
“You said replacement. Isn’t Emma coming back to the show?”
“No, my love, Harry fired her.”
“You’ve got to be kidding me,” Julia said, shocked.
“What can I say? Magic Harry is a truly amazing magician who has the ability to make his friends and employees disappear.”
“And a cat,” Julia muttered, then walked to the dining room sideboard and poured herself a glass of wine. Sipping the wine, she rejoined Roy on the couch.
The couple was quiet for a moment, then Roy said, “I’m on pins and needles around Harry. He’s unpredictable. He could fire me any minute, and then you’d have an unemployed husband. Do you know how hard it would be for me to find another animal trainer job? They don’t grow on trees.”
“No, I don’t want that to happen,” Julia answered, starting to calm down.
“Are the Lincolns happy with their new cat?”
“Yes,” Julia said. “They absolutely adore her.”
Roy pulled her near. “So, there you have it. Are you still going to call the police?”
Julia shook her head. “No, I’m beginning to believe you.”
“Beginning to believe me? What more can I say to convince you I didn’t do it?” Roy asked adamantly.
“I guess I should have put two-and-two together. I can’t think of any reputable pet store taking in—”
“A stolen cat,” Roy finished. “Besides the Catskills is a heck of a ways from the upper west side.”
“Of course, it is,” she said, forcing a smile.
“I think it’s obvious what you should do.” He gulped down the rest of his beer, and set the empty bottle on the end table.
“What’s that?” she asked, looking into his piercing gray eyes.
“Love me as I do you,” he said gently.
She buried her face in his chest. “Oh, Roy, I don’t want this to come between us.”
Roy kissed her on the top of her head.
Julia pulled back and looked hard at Roy. “What are the odds that the Lincolns bought a cat that looks just like Abra?”
“It’s clearly a coincidence,” Roy explained. “Now, end of conversation. Let’s go out to eat. I’m starving.”
Julia studied Roy’s face. She became angry again. “Roy, if I catch you out in another lie, I swear I will leave you. Got it?” she threatened.
“I’ll never lie to you,” Roy answered, squinting.
Julia rose from the couch and headed to the bedroom. “Order take-out for yourself. I’m not hungry,” she said in a sad voice.
“Fine,” Roy said, clicking on the TV. “Whatever.”
Chapter Fourteen
Two Weeks Later
Julia used her key to let herself into the Lincoln’s home, and then walked to Olivia’s bedroom. She found Olivia sitting in a wheelchair positioned in front of the window. Nearby, the new Duchess stood tall on the windowsill. The Siamese swiveled her ears in the nurse’s direction.
“Good morning, Olivia,” Julia greeted, then asked, worried. “Why are you sitting in a wheelchair?”
“Last week’s chemo did a number on me. I feel really weak. Roe thought it would be a good idea for me to sit in a wheelchair today, so it would be easier to take me back to the infusion center.”
Julia rolled her nurse’s bag over and parked it by the chair next to Olivia. She set her handbag on the floor. “Do you think I should call the Center and give them the heads up that you might be coming?”
“Thanks, but I don’t think it will come to that. Roe just worries about me.”
“I can understand. He’s a great guy, but then again, I reckon you know that. Have you had breakfast?” she asked.
“I’m feeling nauseous.”
“I’ll get you some saltines.” Julia reached inside her nurse’s bag and pulled out a couple of individually-wrapped crackers. She opened one and handed it to Olivia.
Olivia continued, “I’m also a little tired. I didn’t get much sleep last night.”
“Why is that?” Julia asked.
“Duchess kept us up. She paced the floor and cried the most dreadful meows. Roland and I took turns holding her. She’s been so miserable. It’s almost if she’s mourning the loss of someone.”
“Or another cat,” Julia added. “Do you want me to make an appointment with a veterinarian?”
“Ah, no . . . no . . . no need to do that,” Olivia answered abruptly. “Roe is having someone come to the house this evening.”
“That works.”
“Raw,” Duchess cried, springing down. With one fluid movement, she hopped onto Olivia’s lap.
Olivia kissed the Siamese on her neck. “I love you so much, Duchess. I’m so glad Roe found you.” The Siamese stretched up and affectionately tapped Olivia on the cheek.
“I had a rescue once,” Julia began. “He was a ginger cat and in terrible health. He was emaciated, and practically starving to death. For the first few days, he was so upset; he huddled in a corner and wouldn’t let me pet him. The Lord only knows what he’d been through
before I got him.”
“What was his story?”
“I’ll never know. He was a stray. I found him living in a large drain pipe by my house. He was very skittish of other people, but he adored me.”
“Is he still alive?”
Julia frowned. “No, he went to the rainbow bridge a long time ago.”
“I take it he came out of his depression.”
“Yes, in time. Duchess will, too. I’m sure of it.”
“Thank you, Julia, for all you do,” Olivia said appreciatively. “You’re the best.”
Julia smiled, and walked to the marble-topped chest where Olivia’s medicines were stored. She opened several bottles and extracted the correct pills, then she placed them in a paper pill cup. She poured water into a nearby glass, but instead of returning to Olivia, she stood staring at the wall. Tears pooled in her eyes. She had news to tell Olivia. She didn’t know how to drop the bomb.
“Is everything okay over there?” Olivia asked, breaking Julia’s depressed chain of thought.
“Oh, yes. Just a second,” she said, returning.
“Dear, why are you crying?” Olivia asked softly.
“Oh, it’s nothing. Here take your pills,” Julia said, placing the pill container in Olivia’s hand, then handing her the glass of water.
Olivia popped the pills in her mouth and swallowed. She handed the glass back to Julia. “Why are you upset?”
Julia sat down and faced Olivia. “My Mama raised me to never tell a lie. There’s something I need to talk to you about.”
“You’re not quitting, are you?” Olivia asked, very alarmed.
“I’m not quitting my job. I’m quitting my husband.”
“Why? You’re newlyweds. What on earth has happened?”
“I won’t mince words. My husband is a compulsive liar. I just found out that he also has a serious gambling problem.”
“How did you find out?”
“His aunt told me. She waited until now to tell me. Gee, thanks, Penelope.”
“Have you talked things over with your husband?”
“Why bother? My husband is a master at his craft. You can’t believe a word that comes out of his mouth.”
Duchess leaped to the floor, hurried over to Julia, and began sniffing the air.
“Duchess, come here?” Olivia asked in a sweet voice.
“See, even your cat can smell my lying husband.”
Duchess began clawing Julia’s purse, then she hissed.
“Stop it, Duchess. Come here, right this minute.”
Duchess collapsed on her side and began kangaroo-kicking the bag.
Julia leaned down and tried to take the purse, but Duchess growled.
“Whoa, I’m sorry, Duchess, but I think you’ve killed it,” Julia said.
Duchess gave one last kick, and returned to Olivia’s lap.
“What was that all about?” Olivia asked the Siamese, then to Julia. “I apologize for Duchess’s behavior. Did she damage your bag? Where did you get it? I’ll buy you another one.”
“My husband, Roy, gave it to me last night,” Julia said sadly, then added, “That was before he told me he made an appointment with an attorney.”
“An attorney? Why? That is, if you don’t mind my asking.”
“We have to declare bankruptcy.”
“Bankruptcy, but you both work? That doesn’t make any sense.”
“Actually, it makes perfect sense for Roy. When we got married, we opened joint checking and savings accounts. It was a bad idea.”
“How is that a bad idea? I thought that was the thing to do. Roland and I did.”
“I closed my savings account in Ohio and had my money transferred to the new account with Roy. Last night, when I got home, I received a letter from the new bank . . . a bank statement. There were zero dollars in our savings account.” Julia’s eyes narrowed in anger.
“Did you call the bank? It could be a clerical error.”
“I wish it were that simple. No, my husband withdrew the money. When I confronted him, he promised he’d put the money back in the account as soon as he could.”
“Julia, I can’t help but notice. This sounds like a scene out of that Stephen King movie, Dolores Claiborne.”
“Exactly, but instead of my husband going to the bank and closing out an account that was solely in my name, Roy legally withdrew the money, which by the way, I’d stupidly deposited in our joint-savings account.”
“Did you hit him in the head with a rolling pin?” Olivia asked, making another reference to the movie.
“No, I didn’t, but if we’d been standing by an abandoned well, I might have pushed him into it,” Julia said bitterly.
“I’m sorry I made such an insensitive comparison to your situation and a scene in the movie.”
“It’s okay. My feelings weren’t hurt. I’m a tough old bird.”
“I wouldn’t call you old,” Olivia commented, then asked, “Don’t take this the wrong way, but do you need money? I can loan you some.”
“No . . . no, I didn’t mean to imply that I want money from you. I have enough to get me by. Thanks so much for offering. You’re very kind.”
“Okay, but my offer stands. Whenever you need money, I’ve got you covered. Getting back to last night, what happened after your husband said he’d pay you back?”
“We had a big argument. I stormed out of the room and told him to sleep on the couch. This morning I told him I wanted a divorce. He packed his bags, called a car service, and left for Kennedy Airport.”
“Kennedy Airport? Where’s he going?”
“Nevada. That’s where the next gig is. Magic Harry is moving his show to Vegas.”
“My brain’s a little foggy this morning. If Roy is in Vegas, how can the two of you meet with an attorney?”
“I’m seeing the attorney about the bankruptcy. I’m also going to ask him to start divorce proceedings.”
“Julia, dear, I’m so sorry to hear this. No wonder you’re upset. What are you going to do?”
“Roy’s aunt said I could stay at the carriage house for a week, but after that I’d have to move. I’m sorry, Olivia, but I have no choice. I’m moving back to Ohio to live with my mom until I can get back on my feet.”
“Wait, Julia, but you do have a choice. Let’s talk this through. You can move in with us. I have a guest suite on the third floor. I rarely have overnight guests. It would be perfect for you. You could even send for your cat.”
“How kind of you to remember I have a cat,” Julia said sweetly, then shook her head, “But— ”
“No, I won’t hear it. I’d be so happy if you’d say yes.”
Julia thought for a moment, then said, “I insist on paying rent.”
“If that makes you feel better about living here, then so be it. We can talk to Roe about it when he gets back from the city.”
“Thank you so much,” Julia said, pulling a tissue out of her bag and drying her eyes.
“Now, that we have that problem solved, could you please wheel me to the theater room. Roe bought me a movie for us to watch.”
“What movie is it?”
“I forget the name, but it’s about two dogs and a cat that take a long journey in the wilderness and end up—”
Julia finished, “The Incredible Journey, a Disney movie made in the ‘60s.”
Olivia laughed. “Very good,” she said, then to Duchess, “You’ll like it. It’s got a Siamese in it.”
Duchess leaned in and purred, “Raw.”
Chapter Fifteen
EARLY JANUARY 2018
Vet Clinic, Erie, Indiana
Dr. Sonny opened the door to the patient-examining room and walked in. “I’ve got Abra’s blood test results,” he announced. He moved to his computer, clicked the mouse, and pulled up a screen. Katherine and Jake stood behind the stainless-steel examining table, next to the Siamese.
Abra was lying on her side, with a baby blanket covering her up to her chin. She got up, did
a full stretch, then walked over to Katherine. Katherine drew her close and cuddled against her. The Siamese began to purr loudly.
“Ah, sweet girl. Are you going to be okay?”
Dr. Sonny explained, “For an eleven-year-old, her blood work is perfect. She’s dehydrated, so I want to give her fluids.”
“If her bloodwork is okay, then what’s wrong with her?” Katherine asked anxiously.
“I’m not sure what caused her collapse. A cat can have an epileptic seizure for various reasons. They can occur spontaneously with no apparent cause. I’m not one-hundred percent sure that Abra had a seizure.”
“If she does have another episode, what should we do?” Katherine asked nervously.
“First of all, don’t touch her. I know, Katz, you’d want to, and Jake, you too, but clear away obstacles from her. When she’s seizing, essentially just leave her alone. When the seizing is over, bring her in and I’ll run more tests.”
“It wasn’t like she was seizing,” Katherine answered.
“I was holding her,” Jake said. “Her body went limp in my arms. It’s more like she fainted.”
Katherine agreed. “That’s exactly what happened. Abra’s body didn’t convulse or go rigid. She fainted.”
“Sometimes a cat with heart problems can faint, but I’ve listened to her heart, and it sounds normal.”
“I’m relieved to hear that,” Katherine said.
“It’s possible Abra had an anxiety attack. Katz, what were you doing right before she collapsed?” Dr. Sonny asked.
“I was reading to Jake a newspaper article from the Times.”
“Is there anything in that article that could have triggered this?” the vet asked.
“Well, as a matter of fact, there was,” Katherine said, then hesitated to continue. She didn’t want to divulge too much information about the uniqueness of Scout and Abra to the vet.
“What Katz is trying to say is that when she said the name of Abra’s previous owner, our little girl fainted.”
Katherine nudged Jake in the arm to make him stop talking.
Dr. Sonny noticed the gesture. “Cats are very sensitive creatures and very much in tune with our emotions,” he explained. “Perhaps, Abra sensed that you were upset by something, and she reacted accordingly.”
The Cats that Stopped the Magic Page 8