A Field Guide to Homicide

by Lynn Cahoon

  Cat pointed at him. “You even try to have a party at my house and you’re dog meat.”

  “Just kidding. Mostly.” Brodie opened his laptop and glanced around the room. “But this would be an amazing place to host a party. There’s so many rooms.”

  Cat shook her head. “I’m not sure who to leave in charge now.”

  Archer waved her out, mimicking the gesture his wife had used earlier. “Go and have fun. We’ll keep the kid in check.”

  “I’m not a kid.”

  Cat heard Brodie’s disclaimer as she was leaving the living room. She dropped her laptop off in a locked drawer in the desk in the study, then went into the kitchen. Shauna was there, working on her laptop. Cat glanced down at her jeans and T-shirt. “Do you think I should change before going to Bernie’s to meet Seth?”

  “How is that even a question? You’re going to meet his army buddies, of course you should change. Shower and get ready and I’ll set out an outfit for you. That way, all you have to do is get dressed and put on makeup and you’re out of here.” Shauna shut her laptop down and started to the hallway door. She paused when Cat didn’t follow her. “Earth to Cat, are you coming?”

  Cat wanted to say no. That she was too busy with the guests, but they had almost literally kicked her out of the living room. What was she scared of? That Seth’s friends wouldn’t like her? Did it even matter at this point in their relationship? She studied Shauna’s unspoken challenge, then took a breath and headed to the door. What trouble could a couple of beers cause?

  She got into the shower and heard Shauna come into her room, then leave. She quickly rinsed off and let her hair down. The hot water would help it curl up and she’d add a touch of product when she did her makeup.

  When she walked into the bedroom, a pair of her stretch jeans lay on the bed with a pair of Shauna’s cowboy boots. Not the ones she wore riding, but her line dancing ones. They had a touch of pink sparkle on the leather. She glanced at the top her friend had chosen and it was a deep V-neck tank in a sapphire blue. The only thing she was missing was a too-big belt buckle and a hat. Then she’d be cowboy’d up for the visitors. Or cowgirl’d up.

  Shauna grinned when she came into the kitchen. “You clean up good.”

  “Especially when I have a friend doing my wardrobe selection. You don’t think this is kind of trampy, do you?” Cat glanced down at the soft and flowing top.

  “No way. You look classy.” Shauna handed her a white fake fur bomber. “Especially with this.”

  Cat slipped it on. At least she’d be warm on the walk to the bar. She’d worn the bomber before and even in extreme cold, it kept the wearer nice and toasty. “Okay. I’ll be home in a couple of hours, with or without Seth. And watch out for Brodie. He’s in a mood.”

  “He’s already come in to see if I wanted to join them in their writing sprints. I told him I don’t tell stories. I just cook.” She glanced at her laptop. “You better get going. Do you want me to call Seth and have him look out for you?”

  “No, I’ll text you when I get to the bar. If there’s a problem, just call. I’ll come right back.” Cat slipped her house keys into her coat pocket. Her jeans didn’t have much room for anything in the back pockets.

  She stepped out into the cold night. Soon, the temperatures would drop even during the day and winter would be in full force. But she liked having all four seasons. In California, she could go to the beach and suntan in November on a good day. Here, she enjoyed snowshoeing into town to hit the library on snowy days and skiing with Seth on weekends. It made her appreciate the hot summer days when they were hiking and found a mountain lake to camp at and take a quick swim in the chilly water.

  Besides, California was nice, but Colorado was home. She would have come back home sooner or later, even if Michael hadn’t left her the house. She belonged here.

  The lights were on at Mrs. Rice’s house. Cat could see a television flickering through her neighbor’s window. Another reason she liked walking on cold nights? Mrs. Rice was tucked inside with her cat. No impromptu discussions about the retreat guests or how the college kids were ruining the small town. No, Mrs. Rice wouldn’t be out for long stretches until March, when the air got soft and her garden would call to her.

  She tucked her hands into the coat a little deeper and cursed herself for not thinking about grabbing gloves. At least she had a beanie on to keep some of her heat from escaping. Her hair would look like a rat’s nest, but it was a small price to pay for more warmth. She hurried past Dante’s house even though, from the lack of lights in the front, along with no cars in the driveway, she figured he was in Boston. She didn’t need the handsome mob boss coming around. He made both Seth and Uncle Pete nervous.

  Thinking of Seth and his non-question question this afternoon, a smile curved Cat’s lips. She wasn’t ready to jump into marriage quite yet. She liked, no loved, her life now. And Seth was a lot of the reason. But settling down, having kids, doing the whole mom thing? She didn’t think she was ready. Not quite yet.

  She turned onto Main Street with a swirl of thoughts running through her head. A bunch of drunk college students were coming from Bernie’s. As she passed, one of the group called out, “Don’t go in there. There’s a bunch of old guys hogging all the pool tables. It’s a drag. Come drink with us.”

  She shook her head and kept walking.

  “Do you know you’re really super-hot?” the young man called after her.

  “Yeah, especially for your age,” another of the group added.

  Cat didn’t turn around but muttered, “Thanks, I think.” She opened the door to Bernie’s and was enveloped by the darkness. It took her eyes a few seconds to adjust to the dimly lit neon room. With the bar on her right, she scanned the pool tables for Seth. Instead, she found him sitting at a table with two other men.

  She pulled out her phone, took a quick candid shot of him and his friends, and then texted Shauna with the picture. Found our guy. See you in the morning.

  Be safe, Shauna texted back.

  Cat smiled and slipped the phone into her pocket. The two of them had started the texting routine when they lived in California after Shauna had become Cat’s last roommate. That way, at least one person knew where the other was at all times. The dating scene had been brutal, with several cases of women having their drinks tampered with during the few years Cat had lived there. She’d rarely gone out, but it was nice to know that she had a lifeline.

  She walked up behind Seth and put her hands on his shoulders.

  “Better quit that, my girlfriend is supposed to be coming down soon. She’s the jealous type,” he said, then turned toward her, kissing her.

  She could taste the beer on his lips. “She shouldn’t worry, but you should. I know where you sleep.”

  Seth laughed and pulled a chair up to the table next to him. “Cat, meet the guys. You met Terry before, but he’s the one dressed in red. He must think he’s Santa or something. Joey, here, drove in from Wisconsin for the reunion.”

  As they greeted each other, Cat noticed Terry’s bandaged hand. “Oh, no. What happened?”

  “Stupid me, I ran into a door at the hotel that I didn’t know was locked. Broke the window and cut up my hand pretty good.” Terry grinned. “At least, that’s what I remember happening. I went to the ER this afternoon when I finally woke up. I had a bit to drink last night at the reunion.”

  “Well, I’m glad you’re okay.” Cat thought about the trap that Chance had set up at the mining camp. She really needed to talk to her uncle before her mind went racing off and blaming Terry for something he didn’t do.

  He picked up a pack of cigarettes and shook it. “Crap, I’m out of cigarettes and beer.” He stood, gathering up the empty bottles on the table. “My turn to buy the round anyway. Cat? What can I get you?”

  She called out her favorite beer and nodded when Joey excused himself to “hit the head,” in his terminology. She leaned toward Seth. “I hope I didn’t scare everyone away.”


  “Nah, they’re just giving us a second to say hello. I’m really glad you came down, Cat.” He rubbed her hand. “You still cold?”

  “Why?” Then she saw him glance at the coat. She slipped it off and hung it on the back of the chair. “Can you tell Shauna dressed me?”

  “You should let her dress you more often.” Seth eyed her outfit. “The blue makes your eyes sparkle.”

  “You’ve been drinking.” She laughed, then looked up as Terry got back to the table, taking the bottle he offered her. “Thanks.”

  “It’s been nice meeting you. I can see why Seth wants to keep you a secret. You’re a lovely woman.” Terry sat the bottles on the table and glanced around. “Where’s Joey? I’m heading out back for a smoke.”

  “He’s around here somewhere.” Seth nodded to the back of the bar. “There. It looks like he had the same idea.”

  “Be right back. I’m going to ask you all the embarrassing questions about why you left our boy in such a bad state the last time and make you swear to never hurt him again.” Terry winked at her. “Unless you have a notion to run off with me.”

  “You better get out of here before you and I have words.” Seth half stood, making Terry laugh. “Besides, she’d never run off with you. You’re not her type.”

  “Now, Seth, don’t you remember Germany? I’m every woman’s type.”

  As Terry walked away to join Joey for a cigarette out back of the bar, Cat turned to Seth. “Don’t you think it’s weird that Terry cut his hand?”

  “Not really. He’s kind of a klutz. In Germany, I swear the guy was in the infirmary more times than anyone else in our unit.” Seth went to take a sip of his beer, then set it down. “You’re thinking he was out at the mining claim.”

  Cat shrugged. “Maybe. It’s just weird.”

  “I don’t know why he would be out there. He and Chance weren’t that close. In fact, they argued a lot. I always thought he felt guilty about that when Chance died. I mean, he never was able to have a friendly relationship.” Seth shook his head. “If Terry says that’s how he got hurt, I’m inclined to believe him.”

  Cat didn’t want to argue. Besides, Uncle Pete should be able to run DNA on the blood they found at the scene. It might not be before Terry and the others left town, but it wasn’t like they were rushing off anyway. Cat put her hand on Seth’s arm. “Sorry I brought up the issue. Let’s just have fun tonight.”

  Two hours later, when Terry tried to buy another round, this time for tequila shots, Seth shook his head. “Sorry, guys, the pumpkin here has a retreat going on. We’re going to have to get home at a reasonable time so we don’t feel like crap tomorrow.”

  “It was really nice to meet you,” Joey said to Cat. The man was soft-spoken, but he and Cat had talked about books and writing a lot of the night. Seth and Terry had been on a roll about the old days.

  “I hope I run into you again.” Cat stood and let Seth slip Shauna’s coat over her shoulders. “And you too, Terry.”

  “Cat, did you know that your engagement ring was one of the last items of jewelry the shop ever made? That shop blew up a week after Seth picked up the ring. That’s where Chance was killed.” Terry frowned, rubbing his face. “I mean, where we thought Chance was killed. We got confined to base for over a month after that because they thought it wasn’t safe on the streets.”

  Seth reached out and paused Terry’s arm as he tried to take another drink. “Are you sure? I thought he was killed in some kind of a raid?”

  “Sure as shit. Oops, sorry, ma’am. I’m not used to being around ladies.” He grinned and Cat could see that he was feeling the alcohol. “Stay for one more round. I’ve missed you.”

  “We’re going now. Keep him safe,” he said to Joey. “No more running into doors.”

  Joey held his hands up. “I wasn’t on duty last night. I left the bar early and was already in my room, reading.”

  Cat and Seth were walking out of the bar when Bernie waved them down. “Don’t worry about him. I’ll pour him into a cab tonight like I did last night. The guy’s pretty shaken up about the death of your friend.”

  Seth nodded. “Yeah, he is.”

  “You two be safe out there. The roads are slick. I take it you’re walking?” Bernie glanced at the beanie Cat had just pulled on.

  “Safer than driving.” Seth slapped the bar. “Thanks for a fun evening.”

  “My pleasure.” A customer called out to Bernie and he moved down the bar, leaving them alone.

  “It was bone-chilling cold when I walked here earlier.” Cat pushed open the door and shivered. “And it doesn’t feel any warmer now.”

  “Yeah, but you have me to hold you close as we walk.” Seth put his arm around her as they stepped out of the bar. “I don’t think Terry used to drink that much when we were in the service. He had two, maybe three beers to my one.”

  “He was downing them pretty fast. And when he started on the shots, I knew he was just going to be hammered.” Cat shook her head.

  “We haven’t done this for a while.” Seth glanced up at the clear sky. “And the moon is almost full. Maybe weird things are happening because of that.”

  “Maybe.” Cat didn’t want to remind him that people killed people, not werewolves dealing with the moon’s different stages. But she could be wrong.

  Chapter 18

  The next morning, Cat spied Archer sitting in the living room when she came down the stairs for coffee. She paused at the bottom of the stairway and instead of getting her coffee in the kitchen, she grabbed a cup from the dining room, then went in to talk to Archer. She curled up in the chair facing him and sipped her coffee, waiting for him to look up from his laptop. She didn’t have to wait long.

  Archer looked up from the laptop and jumped back into the couch cushions. When he put his hand over his heart, Cat smiled. “Whoa. I didn’t hear you come in.”

  “Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you. I just didn’t want to bother you if you were writing.” She sat her cup on the table. “What are you working on?”

  “Oh, I’m not writing. I was going through all the pictures I took yesterday. There are some really good shots, but I have a lot of duplicates. And then there’s these trash shots that I can’t use at all. The problem with trying to replicate a historical event is someone always throws their trash around and ruins the shot.” He pointed to his computer screen. “Come over here and see. There are five different shots where I have coffee cups, candy wrappers, and even a cigarette pack front and center. I wish I knew Photoshop. Do you think I could wipe these clean?”

  Cat came over to the couch and sat next to him. “Let me see.”

  When he pointed out the cigarette pack, she froze. It was the same brand as Terry smoked. Not quite convincing evidence, but with the cut hand? Seth was going to have to admit there was a chance it had been Terry at the mining claim.

  “Cat? What do you think?” A worried Archer stared at her.

  She bit her lip. “Hey, can you send me these pictures? I think my uncle might be interested in seeing some of these.”

  “Seriously? To help solve the case?” Archer beamed. “That would be cool. But I’m not sure what you saw.”

  “I’m not sure it’s important, but I want my uncle to see these.” Cat picked up her cup. “Can you send those now?”

  “Sure thing. Do you think it would be okay for me to try to fix these ones with trash in them?”

  “Hold off for a bit. I think I know someone who could help. But let me reach out first. You never know what he might need for evidence tracking.”

  Archer nodded his head. “I know. I watch legal shows all the time. It’s all about keeping the evidence secure so it can’t be tampered with. I’ll make me a copy of the file too so I can play with the copies and not the originals.”

  “Thanks, Archer.” Cat walked into the kitchen and glanced at the clock. Was five in the morning too early to call her uncle? Had Shirley come back to the house last night, alone? She set her pho
ne on the table and rubbed her eyes. These were all questions she shouldn’t have to answer this early in the morning.

  She heard a plate being sat in front of her and she opened her eyes. Shauna looked at her, concern filling her eyes. “Are you okay? How did the date go last night? I didn’t hear you guys come in. Was it late?”

  Cat held up a hand and dug her fork into the still-warm-from-the-oven blueberry coffee cake Shauna had sat in front of her. She took a bite, enjoying all the fresh fruit flavors. Then she washed it down with a couple of sips of coffee. “There. I’m better now. Last night was fine. I met two of Seth’s crew. Joey, he was so sweet. And a big reader. Terry, on the other hand, is all guy. He barely spoke to me and when he did, he kept reminding me that I broke Seth’s heart. Like I don’t feel bad enough already.”

  “Oh, is that all?” Shauna went back to the stove, where she started stirring something.

  “Yeah, no. And I think that his friend Terry is the guy who broke into the mining claim. And probably Chance’s place.” She picked up the phone. “And I need to call my uncle, but I’m not sure if I’d be interrupting something.”

  “If you’re talking about Shirley, your uncle brought her back to the house about seven last night. We sat in the kitchen talking, and I fed her soup since she hadn’t eaten.” Shauna went and refilled her cup and sat down. “She’s really worried about your uncle. She thinks he works too much and it’s bad for his health.”

  “She’s not wrong there.” Cat looked at the clock again. “I guess this will wait until six. But then I’m calling, no matter what.”

  “Anything else have you in a tizzy?” Shauna leaned back in her chair, ready to listen.

  Cat rolled her shoulders and glanced at the door. “Well, Seth and I finally talked about the ring he bought.”

  “Wait, what ring?”

  Cat bit her lip, realizing she hadn’t told Shauna what Sherry had told her about Seth’s purchase in Germany. So she started with that conversation, told her about what Seth had not asked, then added in the piece that Terry had mentioned at the bar. “I’m not sure that any of it matters in finding out who killed Chance. And honestly, the emotion has me questioning anything I think I know.”