1 A Paw-sible Theory

by Anna Kern

  Tim leaned forward. “I see why you’re concerned. It doesn’t look good for the kid.”

  “Notwithstanding all that, Ethan refuses to plead guilty or make any deals; says he abhors even the thought of being associated with such a heinous crime, let alone plead guilty. He insists he’s innocent––that he would rather take his chances. That hope is dashed now that she’s regained consciousness and doesn’t know who tried to kill her.”

  “She can testify in his defense, though, can’t she?”

  “She wants to. I haven’t made a decision on that.”

  Both men were silent long enough for me to think they’d left the room, when Hunter came to stand in front of the window. I quickly moved out of his line of vision, pulling out some fur as I backed deeper in the thorny bushes.

  Tim said, “I think we should talk to Mr. Moresby again. If it turns out that he was involved in the attack, it might prompt him to make a move. And what about this guy…George Lucas? You want me to talk to him?”

  Hunter said, “I already have. I recorded the interview. I don’t have any notes because he didn’t have anything to add, but if you want to take it on, see if you can dig up anything on his business dealings, past and present.”

  “Okay; so I’m to look into both the purse-snatching and Mr. Moresby…and check George Lucas’ business dealings. Right?”

  “Right.”

  “How quickly do you want me to get on it?”

  “Quick.”

  Their voices sounded farther away now and I took one quick look into the room.

  Tim was looking at his phone. “I just happen to have some time in the next couple of days, is that quick enough?” Hunter sat behind his desk. Tim finished off the last of his coffee and got up to leave.

  “Got to go. I have a lunch date in ten minutes and this lady doesn’t cut me any slack,” he said, grinning. How are things with you and Joann?”

  “Still unsettled. Still a mess.”

  “I guess dinner with me and my lady is out of the question?”

  “I’m afraid so,” Hunter sighed audibly. “She filed the divorce papers; we’ve agreed to a settlement––she can’t decide to let me go or hang on, but that’s another story.”

  So there was a Mrs. Hunter, after all. I made my way home, dodging bikes, kids and dogs, devastated to hear Hunter admit that Ethan didn’t have a chance. When I arrived home, I was exhausted, but I wasn’t finished yet. I asked Pooky if she still wanted to help and she said she did. I asked her to arrange for one of her outdoor cat friends to stake out Hunter’s office, on the lookout for Tim and report what he uncovered in his investigation.

  “We have a theory that cats are planning to take over the world, just try to look them straight in the eye...yup, they’re hiding something!”

  ––Dog Fancy Magazine

  CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT: Dead-End Leads

  As promised, Hunter’s friend Tim delivered the information two days later, and Pooky’s friend was there to observe and report back to Pooky. Tim told Hunter that Moresby didn’t want to talk at first. He told Tim that Hunter knew everything he knew and he had nothing else to say. Then, when Tim told Moresby that somebody had seen his car in front of Alyx’s home, he became more talkative. He admitted to going to see her. He said that since he hadn’t yet heard back from Maggie, he couldn’t be sure that she had mentioned the deal to Alyx, so he decided to go speak to Alyx himself, but changed his mind when he got to Alyx’s house and drove off without stopping. Hunter didn’t think that was much to go on, but Tim thought it could motivate Moresby to make another move if he was involved.

  Apparently, Tim had also spoken to the store manager regarding Alyx’s purse snatching and the manager said that a long-time employee had dropped off the purse at the Customer Service counter. He spoke to the woman and she said she had found the purse on the floor, in the produce aisle on her way to the break-room. She said she didn’t give an explanation to the Customer Service clerk because the girl was busy and she didn’t want to use her break time waiting for her. She meant to tell her later but just forgot. The woman who had found the purse was seventy-years-old and had worked at that store for ten years in food demonstration.

  According to Pooky’s informant, Tim requested and received a copy of the video from the store’s security office. The first time Tim and Hunter viewed the video, the surveillance camera panned the parking lot and store entrances and focused on the grocery store entrance. They saw Alyx enter the store with her purse, and leave empty-handed a short time later, but didn’t see anyone suspicious or known to them. The two men viewed the video a second time and saw a man with a walrus mustache––Moresby’s trademark––enter the coffee shop minutes after Alyx entered the grocery store. Since the coffee shop is part of the grocery store and the two places open to each other, Hunter said he would discuss it Moresby.

  Tim said he had spoken to several sources and did some record-checking on George Lucas. It turned out that he had been sort of involved in a scandal a few years back. That is, Lucas wasn’t personally involved, but the antique dealer he did business with was indicted for fraud and sentenced to prison. The police report said they were on an anonymous call, so George could have been the whistle blower on the case.

  I commended Pooky’s friend Jemma for a job well done. Pooky reported that Jemma said she liked being a snitch and had offered to stay on the case for as long as it took. I didn’t particularly like the role I had been thrust into (that of inducing young felines into a life of espionage), but I was honor bound to do whatever needed to be done to keep my human safe.

  “Cats are notoriously sore losers. Coming in second best, especially to someone as poorly coordinated as a human being, grates their sensibility.”

  ––Stephen Baker

  CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE: Attack Cats

  I panicked when Maggie walked in and found us all on the screened porch. It had cost Alyx a bundle to have the cat door installed on the glass patio door. She would be very upset if she found out it was for nothing. Fortunately, Maggie focused on Pooky and didn’t seem to suspect anything, or didn’t show it if she did.

  “Well, my goodness, the prodigal cat has returned. I’m glad you decided to come home, Pooky. Alyx would have been really disappointed not to find you here.”

  “You must have had quite an adventure out there, but this better be the last of your outdoor excursions. The outside can be a very dangerous place for a kitty.” She stood still for a second, her head cocked, and my heart stopped.

  “How did you all get out here, anyway? I don’t remember unlocking the cat door.” She shook her head and gave Pooky another hug, brought her in and cleaned her up as much as Pooky would allow.

  I felt intense relief when she didn’t pay any attention to the screen door and left it propped open. I took a moment to catch my breath, and followed Maggie as she went about her established routine, one of which was to return calls to mutual friends, bringing them up to date on what was happening with Alyx and Ethan, while the other felines kept track of the activity in the back yard. After refilling the food and water bowls, Maggie went from room to room opening windows.

  Her cell phone started playing the catchy tune Ethan had downloaded for her. It was Alyx calling, and I reached up with my paws, meowing and purring. She understood and hoisted me over her shoulder.

  “Murfy wants to say hello; here he is,” she said putting the phone to my ear. I heard Alyx talking and pretended nonchalance as expected. Maggie pressed the phone to her ear then, and Alyx said the doctor usually made his rounds at eight o’clock in the morning, and she would call after that to let her know what time to pick her up. Elated to hear that Alyx was coming home, I launched myself out of Maggie’s arms and skidded across the tile floor to let the girls in on the good news.

  The morning light squeezing through the partially closed shutters revealed the party atmosphere of the previous night: toys scattered all over, pillows knocked on the floor, and scatter rugs scatte
red. Too excited to sleep during the night, we had chased each other and a lizard all over the house. The lizard had lost his tail as a result. Lucky for him, we were too happy to take the hunt seriously.

  I thought the girls could help with putting their toys back in the basket, work together to straighten the kitchen rugs, and put the pillows back on the couch. The tail, however, had to be disposed of immediately. For some reason not quite clear to me, humans reacted very badly to finding animal parts in a house. Alyx’s shriek the first time I brought her a piece of lizard––was not soon forgotten. I picked up the tail with my teeth and dropped it in the wastebasket under the kitchen sink, the cabinet doors no problem.

  I always hoped Alyx would toss bits of food into the garbage can, but she almost always disposed of any leftovers in the noisy contraption visible under the sink. By the time Maggie arrived, there was no sign of the previous night’s celebration.

  Maggie had arranged to have the front door lock re-keyed and the young man from All-Locks finished the job around ten. Maggie handed him a check and accepted the two keys he offered. I followed her as she closed and locked the windows. The phone rang before she got to Alyx’s bedroom and I heard the one-sided conversation.

  “Of course, I’ll be there. I’m at your house now. Anything special you want me to bring you tomorrow morning?”

  Maggie gathered Alyx’s clothes; put them in a canvas tote bag and left. I divided my time between catnaps, and watching the street in hopes that Alyx might come home that day. Every time I heard a car in the distance, I sat tall in anticipation only to be disappointed when it wasn’t Maggie.

  That evening, I saw the same vehicle I had seen twice during the day slow down as it passed the house. I didn’t recognize the driver or his passenger and warning bells went off in my head.

  Sometime late into the night, a loud yowling outside rudely awakened me. The bully I had fought earlier that week had been taunting me since. I was sorry I hadn’t hurt him more than I did when I had the chance.

  I meandered to the front door and sat watching the scruffy stray, thinking I should go out there and force him out of the yard once-and-for-all, when the cat bounded away as fast as he could. I had no idea what had made the cat run away. I didn’t think it was another animal or human because I hadn’t heard any other sound. I stepped away from the glass, hid a little behind the door and continued to watch with interest.

  There was no direct light illuminating the front porch, just the streetlight filtering through the branches of the large magnolia tree. Two men dressed in dark clothing, wearing dark wool caps approached from behind the azalea bushes.

  The men were both at the front door; one of them crouched next to the wicker chair, the other one apparently trying a key in the lock. I couldn’t believe what was happening and came out in full view as the man unsuccessfully tried to unlock the door. The man swore quietly as he motioned to his partner to check the windows. Misty and Pooky joined me growling and hissing at the intruders as we ran from window to window. Misty wasn’t sure what was going on but she didn’t let that stop her.

  At Alyx’s bedroom window, emboldened by the fact they were now in the dark and out of view from the street, the two men removed the screen. We were ready for them, a determined mass of fur, claws, and teeth.

  In the melee, we scratched, bit, yowled, and squawked loud enough to wake up Smooch, the dog next door, who in turn woke up Mrs. Leary, who turned on her patio lights. The bloodied intruders ran off to the other side of the yard and down the street.

  There wasn’t anything I could do about the open window, but I reassured everyone not to worry about those two coming back. Proud of successfully defending our turf, the females rehashed everything that happened several times. Huddled on Alyx’s bed, they finally fell into a light sleep and I watched the window through slit eyes, alert to the slightest sound.

  “After dark all cats are leopards.”

  ––Native American Proverb

  CHAPTER THIRTY: Suspicion Falls On the Cats

  Alyx was finally home! “Hi, kitty-cats,” she said, picking up and hugging each of us in turn and we did what cats do––rubbed against her ankles, purring and chattering all at the same time. “I’ve missed you too, fur-babies.”

  I hoped our jubilation welcoming her home wasn’t more than what she needed. She looked pale, had lost a little weight and her clothes were loose on her. She sat on the couch and we surrounded her, leaving just enough room for Maggie to sit.

  “Maggie, I’m sorry I snapped at you this morning.”

  Maggie smiled. “You did look funny sitting there in your hospital gown, ready to go, clothes or no clothes.”

  “Well, you said we had a ten o’clock appointment to visit Ethan and I was anxious.”

  “You told me to come at nine and I was early,” Maggie answered. “Visitors are required to check in ten minutes before their appointment and we had plenty of time.”

  The stressful events had taken their toll on the friends. The friendship was strong, but not immune to the stresses inflicted on it by the recent events.

  Alyx caught the defensive tone of the statement and hugged her quickly. “Yes, you were early, and I was anxious beyond reason.”

  “That was evident by the way you sat rigid in the passenger seat, looking out the window, hands clasped tight on your lap.”

  “A wave of emotions rolled over me as we pulled in the parking lot of that huge facility. I wasn’t expecting the terror that settled around my heart as I looked at the multitude of men behind the tall, razor-wire fences. I understand that Ethan is just another victim of the imperfect laws of men, and I guess the majority of those people belong there but there must be others like Ethan who don’t.”

  “That’s true according to the news stories we often hear about men who have been falsely imprisoned.”

  “I know there has to be law and order, and punishment for those who break the law, but seeing men caged like animals is degrading to the human race. On the other hand, I realize the crimes some of those men have committed disqualify them as humans.”

  “You believe in the death penalty, then?” asked Maggie.

  “That’s a tough question to answer. At one time, I did, without a doubt. Now, I’m not sure. I think you’ve already taken someone’s life when you lock him up. Once a person loses his freedom, what’s there to live for? And the possibility of killing an innocent man is appalling. It gives me the shivers thinking about Ethan among murderers, rapists, pedophiles...”

  “Like you, at one time I had no doubt it was the right thing to do. Some argue that even the Bible condones it. Now, I just don’t know. Sometimes, when I hear of the crimes that have been committed, death seems too easy a punishment. I want them to suffer like they made their victims suffer.”

  The two women were silent for a moment, then Maggie said, “I’m glad that’s not a decision I have to make. Anyway, tell me what happened after I dropped you off.”

  “The guard behind the desk, a hard young man who lost his battle with acne, directed me to the visitation room and searched me. It made me nervous when the door closed behind me in a long, narrow room with video screens along the two long walls. I looked forward to seeing Ethan and dreaded it at the same time. The room was full. There were two chairs and two phones in front of the screens––the areas separated by short walls. Ethan was already there, on the screen. He smiled and his face brightened when I picked up the phone, but I had already seen the pale withdrawn look on his face, in my eyes, the face of a sad and frightened little boy.

  My heart was breaking as I tried my best to sound optimistic about the future. Knowing him as well as I do, I knew he was trying to do the same for my sake; the weariness reflected in his eyes told a different story. Neither of us brought up the actual subject of attempted murder until the thirty-minute visit was almost up. He said not to worry, that he could take care of himself. I hope he can. I’m not sure if self-confidence is a good thing or not in this case.
One good thing is that he has confidence in his lawyer, and I know it makes a world of difference to have his father involved.”

  Alyx looked tired. Maggie suggested she go to bed and she didn’t argue. I followed her quietly to her room. There, she saw all the items that had been on the chest were now on the floor, the window open and the screen on the ground. She closed the window, and put everything back on the chest, changed into pajamas and lay across the bed waiting for Maggie to bring her things from the hospital.

  “Can I get you anything before I leave?” Maggie asked when she entered the room.

  “No, I’m fine,” she replied, pointing to the window, “but I’m wondering if you opened the window in here, by chance?”

  “Yes, I did. Yesterday was such a beautiful day, I thought the house could stand some fresh air and I opened all the windows,” she answered, looking at the closed window. “Why?”

  “It’s no big deal, but the window was open and the screen is outside on the ground. I was hoping it was you who forgot to close it rather than someone trying to get in.”

  “Oh, Alyx, I’m sorry. I feel terrible about this. I was in the process of closing the windows when you called me yesterday and I guess I just forgot to come back to this one.”

  “It’s okay; don’t worry about it. I will feel better, though, if you check the rest of the house, just in case.”

  She did, and they were all secure.

  Maggie hadn’t left yet when the doorbell rang. I trailed after Maggie to the front door. The police officer there asked to speak to Alyx.

  “I just brought her home from the hospital and she’s probably asleep. Is it anything I can help you with, Officer?”