by Sonia Parin
Where are we going?
Lexie considered telling Luna but then decided against it. When she reached the end of the hallway, she turned to Luna. “Follow me but close your eyes.”
Why? What’s in there?
“Nothing.” Checking the hallway was clear and no one had followed her, she eased the door open and stepped inside. Luna sauntered on ahead only to come to a sudden stop. Her little head flicked from side to side. She screeched. “I told you to close your eyes.”
How could you? How could you? Let me out of here.
Luna sunk her claws into her legs. “Ouch. Let go.”
Argh! Killer. Murderer. Get me out of here. This is so morbid...
Lexie picked her up and cradled her in her arms. “Not until I’ve had a proper look.” Instead of books, the shelves housed stuffed cats in all manner of poses. They were all different which suggested Stewart had been working on a collection of all cat breeds. She moved toward a glass case housing cats arranged on a tree branch. If Stewart had been after Luna, where would he have displayed her?
She didn’t have to look too far. On his desk, she saw a glass case. The bottom part was made of wood and had a golden plaque on it with a name engraved...
“Luna.”
What?
“Nothing.” Lexie put her hand over Luna’s eyes.
“I want to see.” Luna struggled out of her hold. Lexie knew the exact moment when it all sunk in. Luna froze in her arms, then snapping out of it, she curled up into a tight ball and burrowed her head against Lexie’s neck.
“It’s going to take some doing to bleach the morbid image from my mind,” Luna said. “Please get me out of here.”
“Oh, you’re coming through loud and clear now.” Lexie could actually feel her little heart pumping hard and fast. “Just give me a minute.” What had Stewart been planning? He would have had to snuff her out first. What would he have used to do that? Cyanide? Had he been killed with his own poison of choice? What if his death had been about someone getting back at him for killing their cat? “Okay, I’ve seen enough.” As she strode out of the room, she called Dante O’Rourke.
“What did you find?” he asked.
“How did you know I’d found something?”
“There’s an air of urgency in your voice.”
“Stewart had planned on S T U F F I N G you know who. He had a glass case made. I’m thinking someone wanted to beat him to it.”
“You think there’s another collector after your cat?”
She thought about it for a minute. “Maybe someone found out what he was up to and decided to stop him because they want her alive. My mom said there’s a price on her head. To me, that sounds as if someone wants to steal her.”
“And do what with her?”
Lexie shrugged. “Maybe they see her true value so they plan on marking her up and selling her on.” She gasped. “And that’s why we were invited.”
“So whoever killed Stewart is now after your cat.”
“Yes.” She hurried toward her room. “I’m out of here. I’m not even bothering to pack.”
“No. You can’t leave now.”
“Give me ten good reasons why.”
“We still need to catch the killer.”
“We?” She shook her head. “No. No. There’s no we. There’s me and there’s Luna. And then, there’s you.”
“You’re already involved and you’re there for a reason.”
No. No. She clung onto her denial. Ugh! Give her a deadly inky black fog any day. If Mirabelle had sensed something about to happen, why hadn’t she warned her?
“Goodbye, Dante. It was a pleasure meeting you.” Inside her room, Lexie held Luna tightly, closed her eyes and thought of home.
“Lexie? What are you doing?” Dante asked.
Ignore him, she thought and focused on... crash-landing in her closet. She pressed her eyes tighter.
You’re suffocating me.
Quiet, Luna. I need to focus. There’s nowhere like home. There’s nowhere like home.
She peered out one eye. They were still at Chelsea Manor.
Focus, Lexie.
She heard whistling. “Stop that, Dante.”
“I’m not doing anything.”
“You’re distracting me.”
“From?”
“From trying to get Luna and me back to safety.”
“You think going home will solve everything?” He didn’t wait for her to answer. “Even if you hadn’t come here, someone would still be after Luna and they would have found a way to get to her.” He pushed out a hard breath. “Fine. Go home. I’ll give it a day before someone tries to snatch her.”
Lexie pressed her eyes closed again and thought of home.
Nothing.
“Something’s wrong. I’m still here.”
“Unfinished business,” Dante said. “You can’t go anywhere until this is all sorted out.”
“Huh? You mean the way ghosts linger because they have loose ends to tie up?”
“Yes.”
Lexie set Luna down and strode around in a circle that became tighter and tighter until she stopped in front of the fireplace. She tried calling Mirabelle but, as expected, there was no response. What if she was right that minute facing danger?
“Your cousin Mirabelle would be there before you had a chance to scream,” Dante said.
Lexie swatted the air around her. “Go away.”
“Give it up, Lexie. You’re not going anywhere.”
She growled and kicked the foot of the bed. She was stuck here. Impossible. How could this happen? She was Alexandra Elizabeth Mackenzie, the... incoming High Chair...
“Come on. Let’s put our heads together,” Dante suggested.
“When exactly did you recruit me as your sidekick?” Her shoulders slumped. Why fight it? Why? Why? “This is above my pay grade. Oh, hang on... I’m not getting paid.” She released a low pitch scream and stomped her feet in quick succession.
“Are you right there?”
“Hang on. Give me a second.” She punched an imaginary punching bag until she was gasping for breath. “Okay, clearly the elements are conspiring against me, huddling together to force me to deal with this... whatever this is.” She raked her fingers through her hair.
“Has anyone shown special interest in Luna?” Dante asked.
Everyone. “Hush, I’m thinking.” Stewart’s death might have been an act of vengeance for him killing someone’s cat. Or Stewart had wanted to stuff Luna for his collection and he’d been killed by someone who wanted to head him off because... because they needed money and that’s why they wanted to get their hands on Luna. Could money be a motive for murdering Stewart? Did anyone look as if they were struggling to keep up appearances? All the guests wore expensive clothes and appeared to be well off. Aurora traveled from New York and, no doubt, she traveled first class. “What line of business is Aurora in?”
“That’s the spirit.”
“No. Don’t get ideas about me helping you. I’m doing this under protest.” She stomped her foot for effect.
“Aurora’s husband is a plastic surgeon. Maybe I could contact Jonathan—”
“No, you can’t. He’s tied up at the moment.” She had no idea how long Morg’s hold over Jonathan would last. The least she could do for Jonathan was to spare him the embarrassment of having a friend find out he was doing the house cleaning for her.
“A surgeon,” Lexie mused.
“Yes.”
“An apple a day keeps the doctor away. What if her husband found out about her affair and was one of the few husbands who did mind his wife being unfaithful?”
“No. He has an alibi. I know that much. He was busy doing a nose job.”
Lexie wrung her hands together and frowned, her mind racing ahead and trying to cover the ground she’d been ignoring. How did one procure cyanide?
“You either buy it or you make it but you need a lot of apple seeds for that,” Dante explained.
“Can you please stop reading my mind?”
“I thought you were talking to me.”
“I was thinking.”
“So you want me to speak only when I’m spoken to?”
“Yes.”
“Even if it makes you sound uptight?”
Lexie fisted her hands and threw a raging fit on the spot which involved a great deal of growling and punching the air around her.
“Feeling better?”
“Marginally.” She sunk down on the edge of the bed. She was stuck here and there was a killer after Luna. What if, in the process of snatching Luna, they did away with her? Lexie sat up. Her life could be in danger. Luna mewled.
My life?
Can you stop thinking of yourself for a minute? I was expressing concern for my wellbeing. It stands to reason. Someone is after you and I’m standing in the way.
Lexie gave a slow shake of her head. “I’m going to have to set myself up as bait.”
“A short cut. I like that,” Dante said.
“How do I lure a kidnapper? Pretend I’m not watching Luna? Leave her behind when I go down to dinner?”
Luna’s eyes widened in horror.
Wait a minute. Set yourself up as bait? When you say you... do you also mean me?
Lexie shrugged and nodded.
So strictly speaking you’re talking about using me as bait.
Luna gave a vigorous shake of her head and scampered under the bed.
“That sounds like a plan,” Dante said.
“But who’ll be here to catch the perpetrator?” She shook her head. “No, scratch that idea. Besides, I’ve already traumatized Luna enough.”
“What did you do?”
“Took her into the mausoleum. I doubt she’ll ever forgive me.” She slumped back on the bed and closed her eyes. Rolling her head from side to side, she came to the conclusion there was only one action that could effectively set the ball rolling. “Sigh. Okay. I know what to do.”
“What?”
“The less you know, the better.” She smiled. “I’ve always wanted to say that. Don’t ask me why.”
“Luna, I’m counting. One... come out from under the bed. Two, come out right now. If you make me keep counting, there will be repercussions. I might forego the pink ribbons and go straight for the hair dye. I’m thinking candy stripes.” She tapped her foot. “This will probably be your last chance to see Jack.”
Luna crawled out from under the bed and peered at her.
“Look at you. You’re covered in dust bunnies. What’s Jack going to think?”
Luna gave her head a vigorous shake, ran up to the rug by the window and rolled around it. Sprinting back, she came to a sliding halt by the door.
“Guess that means you’re as ready as you’ll ever be.”
Luna dipped her head.
“I was kidding. You look your usual fantastic, gorgeous self. And I’m only going to say this once. Stick close to me. No sneaking off with Jack.”
You’re supposed to offer me an incentive.
“How about walking away with your life?”
I have nine.
“I’m sure you’d like to keep them intact. Okay. I promise to set you up on a date with Jack when we return home.” Although, she hadn’t completely ruled out Aurora as a suspect. “Do we have a deal?”
Luna scratched the door.
My life is in your hands.
Okay. Cat’s co-operation sorted out. Now for the rest...
Not quite sure about the dress she’d pulled out of the suitcase, she gave herself a head to toe sweep. It would have to do. The black cocktail dress barely reached her knees and the neckline felt too low for comfort. She’d have to have a talk with her mom about that. Growing up, she’d never been criticized for her life choices or dress sense. She could never be labeled a fashion victim and she’d never seen any reason to grow out of her denim phase. She frowned. Ever since she’d been roped into accepting her role in the coven, she’d noticed an increase in other people’s expectations.
When had life become about them instead of her? And why did she feel everyone had bailed out on her? Were they testing her survival skills?
She followed the sound of conversation and found everyone gathered in the ballroom. The French doors had been opened. People spilled out onto the patio, some she could see flitting about from one group to another.
Lexie gestured for Luna to leap up into her arms.
If you’re going to do this, you’ll have to do it right. Throw in some behind the ear scratches.
“How’s this?”
Luna purred.
“Okay. I’ve picked up several furtive glances thrown our way.” Ramona waved to her from across the room.
“A friendly face, at last.” She toddled over, Maurice following behind. “You must try the hors d’oeuvres. The smoked salmon is to die for.”
Yes. Yes. Grab some of that. I’m starving.
“I guess I should. Who knows when I’ll have another chance to enjoy Lord Bradbury’s hospitality?”
“You still have tomorrow,” Ramona said, “It should be spectacular. Last year we had fireworks.”
Lexie gave a small shrug. “I’ll be sorry to miss it.”
“What do you mean?”
“Oh, Luna and I are leaving early. Things to do, places to be.” Lexie measured Ramona’s response time. She noticed a pause and then a forced breezy tone.
“Really? I’m sorry to hear that. Maurice and I will miss your company.” Ramona sighed. “It’s been fun having a new face around. By the way, you look lovely in your black cocktail dress. Luna makes a beautiful accessory.”
Luna’s claws sunk into her arm.
An accessory? I come from a long line of distinguished felines. I have been companion to...
Yes?
Never mind.
Lexie wondered how long it would take for news about her early departure to spread. She had no doubt it would work. Someone wanted Luna badly enough to kill for her. Dante had suggested they might come after her when they returned home, but Lexie suspected they would try to snatch her now. It would be too obvious for one of the guests to suddenly appear at her doorstep or be seen anywhere near her home territory.
She took one of the smoked salmon hors d’oeuvres and had no compunction about teasing Luna with it.
“You were right. This is delicious. Luna would love them but she’s watching her weight,” she said as a taunt to pay Luna back for all the trouble she’d been giving her.
“But her coloring is so slimming,” Ramona said.
“I’m actually trying to spare her the embarrassment of eating in public.” Lexie cringed dramatically. “She has no table manners whatsoever. It’s quite disgraceful.” Luna’s claws dug deeper.
“You’d never guess it by looking at her. She’s so dainty.”
A waiter approached and offered them champagne. Lexie stuffed the hors d’oeuvre in her mouth, licked her fingers and accepted a glass.
If you’re going to drink, you should put me down.
No.
You’re traumatizing me. My previous companion was...
Yes?
She was a slosh.
A what?
She enjoyed her tipples.
Huh?
She was a drunk.
Probably because you drove her to it.
Aurora Smithson appeared with Jack in her arms. “The least we can do is stand close together,” she said. “After what happened yesterday, I’m not letting this guy out of my sight.”
Luna sighed and went limp in her arms.
“It’s Lexie’s last night here,” Ramona said, “She’s leaving us tomorrow.”
Aurora exchanged a look with her. “Oh, no. You’ll miss the fireworks. What can we say to make you change your mind?”
“I’m sorry, I have prior commitments.”
Aurora hugged her cat close to her. “Jack will be inconsolable.”
“As will Maurice. You’ll have to pr
omise to come back next year.”
“And we’ll have to set play dates for these two,” Aurora suggested.
It was all getting a bit too touchy feely for Lexie. She was about to make an excuse and move on to another group, when another guest approached.
“Did I hear you say you were leaving?” Eloise Fitzpatrick asked. She stood close enough for her white tabby to touch noses with Luna who squirmed away.
She nodded and again turned, but Bebe Brown stopped her.
“No, you can’t leave,” she said, her tone urgent. “It would be such a shame to miss out on the finale.”
So much for wondering how word of her leaving would spread. One by one, everyone came up to her. Within minutes, she was surrounded by a chorus of people telling her to stay.
Even Henry Stuyvesant and his evil cat, Blackwell, joined in. Someone gave her arm a tug. Another guest pressed against her. She felt a sense of urgency rising. Lexie imagined floating at sea and being the only one with a life preserver and fighting for her life as people clung to her.
We’re being mobbed. Was this part of your master plan?
“Hush,” she told Luna. Lexie didn’t think the guests would have reacted the same way if someone else had announced their early departure. What was up with that?
There’s something about you, Luna. You’re like a magnet.
So now it’s my fault?
Did someone know there was more to Luna than met the eye? Was that the reason why someone was after her?
If not for the butler announcing dinner, Lexie feared they might have been torn to shreds. But the tugging didn’t stop, even as they made their way to the dining room.