Cat Me If You Can

by Miranda James

  “Thank you,” Miss An’gel said. “We both are happy to assist in any way we can.”

  I nodded. “Of course.”

  “If we are going to be able to assist you,” Miss An’gel said, her tone not in the least placatory, “there is one thing we must know.”

  “You want to know about Denis Kilbride’s death,” Wesner said, his expression passive.

  “Yes,” Miss An’gel and I said together.

  “Fair enough, I suppose,” Wesner replied. “Denis Kilbride was murdered, probably with the same hatpin that killed Cora Apfel.”

  EIGHTEEN

  Even though I had expected to learn that Denis Kilbride had been murdered, I couldn’t help feeling shocked at hearing it actually stated, especially the method.

  “In fact, Mr. Harris, it wasn’t until you and Miss Brady told me earlier about Miss Apfel’s search for the hatpin that I connected it with Mr. Kilbride’s death,” Wesner said.

  “Do you mean that you thought his death was natural before that?” I asked, puzzled.

  “Not exactly,” Wesner replied. “The medical examiner found the spot on the back of Kilbride’s head where a thin sharp object had been inserted, but we didn’t know what it was. I think now it was most likely that same hatpin. The killer must have found it when Miss Apfel lost it, and then used it again on Miss Apfel. The question is, why?”

  “I think she probably found it in the killer’s room,” Miss An’gel said. “Naturally she wouldn’t have had any idea that it had been used to murder Kilbride.”

  “Why would the killer want to kill her, though?” I asked.

  “Once the results of the autopsy became known,” Miss An’gel replied, “Cora might have figured out that it had been used to commit murder. I would think that you and your team would question everyone about the pin and be on the lookout for such an object, Lieutenant.”

  Wesner nodded. “Yes, we would. I believe you are correct, Miss Ducote. The killer might have planned to drop it somewhere in the hotel where Miss Apfel or one of the staff would find it, but if Miss Apfel forestalled that by finding it in the killer’s room, that put the killer at risk.”

  I nodded. “That is probably what happened. The poor woman.”

  “Have you told the rest of the group yet that Kilbride was definitely murdered?” Miss An’gel said.

  “No, only the two of you,” Wesner said. “I realize it would be difficult for you not to share the news, however. I want you to keep it to yourselves until I have had a chance to question all the members of the group a second time. I plan to do that after lunch.”

  “I’m sure we can manage to keep it from the others until then,” I said.

  “Certainly,” Miss An’gel said. “Is there anything more you wish to ask us?”

  Wesner shook his head. “No, you can go. I’ve told everyone I’d like them to be in the dining room at two. I’ll expect to see you both there.” With that, we were dismissed.

  Miss An’gel and I rose and left the room. We walked up the stairs together, speaking in undertones on the way.

  “I will find it hard not to confide in Sister,” Miss An’gel said. “We have rarely kept secrets from each other.”

  “Same here, with Helen Louise,” I said. “Frankly, I can’t see that it will hurt to tell them. I would trust them both with my life.”

  “As would I,” Miss An’gel said. “Then I take it you’ll be telling Helen Louise and I will tell Sister.”

  I laughed. “Yes.”

  “What are you and Helen Louise planning to do for lunch?” Miss An’gel asked.

  “We had planned to go out,” I said, “but now, I’m not sure. Frankly, I’m a bit anxious leaving Diesel alone in our room. He would be too easy a target if someone wanted to get at me.”

  “That’s true.” Miss An’gel paused at the top of the stairs. “Have you thought about engaging a pet sitter?”

  “I have,” I said, “but I haven’t done it yet. I found a listing online, but for some reason, I’m reluctant to follow through with it.”

  “Sister and I have several friends in the area,” Miss An’gel said. “Let us make a few calls, and I believe we might be able to find someone trustworthy. I wouldn’t want anything to happen to that sweet kitty, either.”

  “Thank you.” I appreciated Miss An’gel’s thoughtfulness, but I wouldn’t stop worrying. I hoped Helen Louise would understand.

  We parted then, and I headed for our suite. I knocked on the door to alert Helen Louise, then unlocked it and walked in, shutting the door quickly behind me and making sure it was locked.

  Helen Louise looked up from the book she was reading and smiled. Diesel ambled toward me, uttering warbles and trills of greeting. I rubbed his back several times before I went to kiss Helen Louise. She laid aside her book, the latest by Ellery Adams. I was anxious to read it, but I had given it to her first because I knew how much she loved Adams’s writing.

  “How is it?” I asked after we kissed.

  She laughed. “The kiss is nice, as always.”

  I grinned. “Thanks for the review, but I meant the book.”

  “Terrific, what else?” she said, patting the sofa beside her. “Sit down and tell me everything, and then let’s get something to eat. Or shall we get something to eat and you can tell me while we’re eating?”

  “Whichever you would like,” I said, sinking onto the sofa, “but I’m afraid I’m more nervous than before about leaving Diesel alone in the room.” Diesel climbed up onto the sofa with us and stretched out.

  “What’s happened?”

  I hadn’t intended to alarm her, but from her tone I knew I had done that. “Lieutenant Wesner told me and Miss An’gel that Denis Kilbride was murdered, and he thinks the murder weapon was Cora Apfel’s hatpin. You’re not supposed to know that, however, so be surprised this afternoon when he tells everyone.”

  Helen Louise didn’t look all that surprised by my news, and I hadn’t thought she would be. “As we both expected. That Denis was murdered, that is. After we found Cora this morning, I did wonder about the hatpin, of course.”

  I shared the rest of the conversation that Miss An’gel and I’d had with the lieutenant, and Helen Louise listened without interrupting me. Then I told her about Miss An’gel’s offer to call around to find a reliable pet sitter for us.

  “That’s kind of her,” Helen Louise said, “but with a killer in the hotel, I don’t think we can in all good faith ask someone to look after Diesel.”

  “I’m sure Miss An’gel will realize that,” I said, feeling a bit guilty that I hadn’t thought of this point myself. “Unless she finds us a retired police officer, that is.”

  “I wouldn’t be at all surprised.” Helen Louise chuckled. “In that case, I suppose it would be all right.”

  “We’ll see. In the meantime, what should we do about lunch?”

  “I don’t imagine they’ll be serving downstairs,” Helen Louise said. “I’m sure the staff is too upset to focus on providing the usual lunch here.”

  “Probably so, but I guess it can’t hurt to call.”

  Helen Louise reached for the phone beside her on the end table and punched in a number. “Yes, this is Miss Brady. We’re wondering whether lunch will be served today as usual.” She paused. “I see. Thank you.” She replaced the receiver and turned back to me.

  “That’s one problem solved,” she said. “They’re serving. I keep forgetting they’re open to the public, and that this is a popular place in the area to eat lunch and dinner. The dining room is opening a few minutes late, but if we go down now we shouldn’t have a problem getting a table.”

  “When word gets out about a double murder in the hotel, the restaurant will be crammed with thrill seekers,” I said gloomily.

  “I doubt they’ve found out yet,” Helen Louise said, “although that depends
on the local media. I suppose we should turn on the local news at some point to find out what they’re saying.”

  “Not now,” I said. “I’m hungry. I need to wash my hands, and then I’ll be ready to go.”

  “We’ll be ready,” Helen Louise said. Diesel meowed.

  We walked downstairs with Diesel between us, his leash in my left hand. I wasn’t about to leave him alone, and if anyone complained, I would take Diesel back upstairs and stay with him. I heard the murmur of voices before we reached the foot of the stairs, but the volume grew louder the closer we got. I estimated that about thirty people stood outside the dining room, waiting for it to open.

  I didn’t spot any of our group among them. I wondered whether these were the usual customers or the first wave of thrill seekers, anxious to say they had dined in the hotel where there had been two murders. I would have turned back if Helen Louise hadn’t urged me forward.

  “Everything will be fine,” Helen Louise said. “Look, the doors are opening. These are probably the regulars.”

  I hoped she was right. As the last to arrive, we waited for everyone else to precede us into the dining room. We found our usual table against a wall unoccupied, and we took it. Diesel hunkered down under the table. I knew he was uncomfortable, but he would be safe as long as he was with us. I made sure I kept the leash looped around my left wrist.

  We had to wait several minutes before a server appeared, but that was understandable, given the sudden onslaught of so many customers at one time. I eavesdropped on conversations at nearby tables. The little I managed to glean assured me that no one near us was aware of the murders yet.

  “Thank goodness,” I murmured as I examined today’s menu.

  Helen Louise shot me an interrogative glance, and I leaned forward to whisper to her. She nodded when I finished. “One meal in peace anyway,” she said.

  Mr. Hindman appeared in the dining room and began to make his way slowly around the room, chatting with customers. Evidently this was a usual practice of his based on my observation that he was greeted with a smile wherever he stopped. He didn’t reach our table, some of his chats being extended, until Helen Louise and I were finishing our entrées. Diesel had been content beneath the table, and I slipped him a few bites of grilled chicken after I ascertained it had been cooked without anything harmful to cats.

  “Good afternoon,” Mr. Hindman said as he came to our table. “I trust everything is to your satisfaction.”

  “The food is delicious,” Helen Louise said. “My compliments to your staff, especially after this morning’s events.”

  Hindman stiffened briefly and glanced around as if to see whether anyone else had heard Helen Louise’s remarks. He seemed satisfied that no one had when he faced us again. His expression had relaxed.

  “I’m glad to hear it. Yes, they had quite a shock, as did I,” he said. “You’re part of the group from Athena, aren’t you?”

  “Yes, we are,” I said.

  “You’re the couple with the Maine Coon,” Hindman said. “Now I remember.” He glanced down at my feet. “There he is. Such a handsome animal. I don’t normally allow pets in the dining room, but An’gel insisted that I make an exception for this gentleman.” He grinned suddenly. “And as I’m sure you’re well aware, what An’gel wants, she never fails to get.”

  “Oh yes,” I said. “I must tell you I appreciate your letting us bring him in here. I don’t like leaving him in the room for extended periods of time. He’s not destructive, but given the events of the past couple of days, I’m a little leery. I’m sure you can understand.”

  Hindman nodded. “Unfortunately, I do understand.” He stepped closer and dropped his voice. “So far this hasn’t hit the papers, but I suspect it will break in tomorrow’s edition. Probably the newspaper website this evening.”

  “I hope you won’t be overrun with ghouls,” Helen Louise said.

  “That’s a risk I can’t avoid,” Hindman said. “If it weren’t for the police, I would already have asked you all to leave.”

  NINETEEN

  I didn’t take in the full import of Hindman’s words right away. Then what he said penetrated.

  Before either Helen Louise or I could respond, he continued. “I’m sure you understand. A small boutique hotel like this can’t afford adverse publicity.”

  “It’s a bit late for that,” Helen Louise said flatly.

  “I suppose the police want to keep us all in one place because it’s easier for them,” I said.

  Hindman shrugged. “That’s what they said. Look, it’s nothing personal. I’m sure most of your group are perfectly nice folks, but it seems pretty obvious that one of you isn’t. Until the police figure out which one of you it is, I don’t like the idea of any of my staff being put in danger any more than I relish the notion of having more of my guests murdered.”

  His voice had risen enough so that people nearby picked up on his words. Gradually the buzz of conversation ceased, and Hindman realized what he had done. Chagrined, he turned around to face the dining room. Helen Louise and I took that as our signal to depart, and we did so while Hindman attempted to explain to the remaining customers.

  “I understand his concerns as a business owner,” Helen Louise said, “but it’s still disconcerting to hear that someone wants to kick you out of a hotel.”

  “I understand it, too, but he set himself up by not paying more attention to his decibel level.” I unlocked the door and ushered Helen Louise and Diesel inside. I bolted the door and followed Helen Louise and Diesel to the couch. I removed Diesel’s halter and leash, and he stretched and rolled on the carpet in celebration.

  “Naturally the police want us to remain here,” Helen Louise said. “They don’t want any of their suspects slipping away from them.” All at once she uttered a bark of laughter. “This is the first time I’ve been one of the suspects. I don’t think I care for it.”

  “Not a particularly pleasant experience,” I agreed. “We have the advantage over the police here, however. We know we can immediately rule out five of the suspects.”

  Helen Louise thought about that for a moment. “Well, I’d say six, because you have to include Melba on that list, along with Miss An’gel, Miss Dickce, Benjy, you, and me.”

  “Good grief, yes,” I said. “Don’t ever tell her I’d forgotten her, even for a moment.”

  “The problem is, I have trouble seeing any of the remaining members of the group as a murderer,” Helen Louise said. “The two most obvious suspects are Ellie and Zac, because of their relationships to Denis Kilbride.”

  “When you think about how it was done,” I said, “I can’t see how someone not intimately acquainted with Kilbride could have managed it.”

  Helen Louise looked startled. “I hadn’t thought about that, but you’re right. Unless he was asleep, I suppose.”

  “That could be,” I said, “but then there’s the problem of getting into his room. How would the killer do that unless he or she was already inside it?”

  “Good point,” Helen Louise said. “That makes it look bad for Ellie.”

  “I’m sure they know already about Ellie and Kilbride,” I said. “I wonder if Melba has told the lieutenant what she knows about Kilbride’s sexuality.”

  “Next time we see her, let’s ask,” Helen Louise said.

  A knock on the door ended that conversation. I went to see who the caller was. To my surprise, Ellie Arnold stood there. “Ellie, do come in. What can I do for you?”

  Ellie, pale and still disheveled, said, “Thank you, Charlie. I’d like to talk to you.” The poor woman seemed to have forgotten her normally careful habits of dress and hygiene, thanks to the stress of the past couple of days.

  “Come on in,” I repeated.

  She entered the room and sank into a chair. Then she seemed to register that Helen Louise and Diesel were present. “Hi, Helen
Louise.” Diesel chirped at her, and she smiled briefly.

  “Ellie, how are you doing?” Helen Louise asked. “I know this has all been a terrible strain on you.”

  “It’s a nightmare,” Ellie said. “I keep hoping I’ll wake up, safe at home in my bed, but instead I’m here, frightened and feeling so alone.”

  “You’re not alone,” I said. “You’re with friends, remember that.” I felt sorry for her because she did seem to be in genuine distress. Whether any component of that distress was remorse, I had no idea.

  “Do you know what caused Denis’s death?” she asked, looking to me for the answer.

  “I believe the lieutenant is probably going to tell us the results of the autopsy this afternoon,” I said.

  Ellie shuddered. “How horrible. I hate to think of anyone being cut up like that. It gives me nightmares.”

  Helen Louise reached over and took one of Ellie’s hands in hers. “It is terrible to think about, I know. Try to focus on the good things.”

  “I’ve tried that,” Ellie said, “but with Denis, there weren’t always good things.”

  I wasn’t quite sure how to respond to that.

  “Would it help for you to talk to us about it?” Helen Louise said.

  Ellie hesitated; then it all seemed to flood out of her. “Denis could be incredibly sweet, you know. He was flirtatious from the moment I met him at the bank, and he made it obvious he was interested in me. I thought at first it was because he badly needed a loan, but it wasn’t long before he asked Paul Bowen to take over. He said he didn’t want me to have any doubts about him, and I thought that was sweet. I knew he had a reputation as a ladies’ man, but it wasn’t till later that I found out he liked men, too.”