A Field Guide to Homicide

by Lynn Cahoon

  She set down the book and went to the dining room to grab a couple of cookies. Stress eating for sure, but she’d give herself some grace today. The week had been crazy. She went back into the living room, setting the book aside and taking out a notebook. In the middle of the page, she wrote, Chance. She circled the name. Then she made shoots going out from the circle and wrote down all the possible things that could have led to his death. Since the guy who had his credit card didn’t kill him, it most likely had to do with whatever happened in Germany. The time period where Seth didn’t have much recollection and what he did remember seemed incorrect. Seth never believed gossip, but he’d always believed what his friends had said. So they’d made up this story about how Chance died, and even Seth believed it. The truth lay somewhere either north or south of what he’d been told. Joey was the key, she could feel it. But what did Joey know? And what did they think Seth knew?

  That was the sixty-four-million-dollar question. And she still didn’t have an answer. Not yet.

  Chapter 23

  Cat tried to go back to reading after she’d filled a page full of leads that went nowhere. Many that Uncle Pete had already cleared from his real list of suspects. Maybe she’d pull Shirley aside before dinner and see if she had anything to add to the list. Heaven knew that Cat wasn’t making any progress.

  She set the book down and went into the kitchen to look at the pages that Mrs. Rice had dropped off. She wondered why Shauna hadn’t mentioned working with the neighbor; then she sighed. She knew why. Cat was always complaining about Mrs. Rice. Shauna probably thought that Cat didn’t like her . . . which was true. But they didn’t keep secrets like this from each other. As soon as the writers were gone, she and Shauna were going to have a chat. Cat wanted Shauna to know that she could tell Cat anything, even things she didn’t like.

  Maybe Sherry and Chance had been like that. A couple where they could tell each other anything. Had Sherry really not known about Chance coming home? Had she just gotten tired of waiting and decided to marry someone who wasn’t playing dead? Sherry had been anxious to get to Chance’s dog. Maybe a little too anxious?

  She picked up her phone and dialed while pouring a cup of coffee. When Uncle Pete answered, she sat at the table. Then she told her uncle what she was thinking. When she finished, the line was quiet. “Uncle Pete?”

  “I’m here. Just trying to play out the scenario in my head. If what you think is true, I need to get Sherry into protective custody and not just have someone watching her place.”

  “Wait, you put a tail on her?”

  “Let’s just say after they tried to break into your place, I figured Sherry’s house wouldn’t be far behind. And she’s got those three little girls. I would have never forgiven myself if something had happened.”

  Cat could hear the pencil tapping on his desk. “What’s wrong?”

  “I just don’t see the end game. I know whoever is behind this thinks Chance had something. But what could it be?”

  “Who knows after all this time? Maybe he overheard something from his higher-ups.”

  Uncle Pete snorted. “And they waited ten years to silence him? Not likely. And before you ask, yes, I checked on all of his commanders. No one is high enough up in the army or political food chain to worry about something they said in the past.”

  Cat heard noises in the foyer. “Well, that’s all I’ve got. Are you meeting us over at the restaurant? Do you want me to save a seat for you?”

  “I doubt I’ll get away tonight. The mayor wants to chat and whenever that happens, it’s never quick. I swear that guy thinks everything I do is going to affect his reelection chances.” Uncle Pete paused. “You all be careful tonight. Not too much alcohol consumption and if it feels wrong, just don’t do it.”

  “Yes, sir.” Cat laughed.

  “I’m serious. I have a bad feeling about this case. All I want for Christmas is to get it solved and off my desk. Then I could relax just a bit.”

  “Uncle Pete, Christmas is two months away.” Cat glanced around the empty kitchen. And she hadn’t bought one gift yet.

  “Go play with your writer friends. Tell Shirley I’ll call her later.” He clicked off without saying goodbye.

  Shauna came into the kitchen and stopped short when she saw Cat. Then she walked over and hung the keys on the key rack by the back door. “What are you doing sitting here? I would have thought you’d be tucked in your bed reading.”

  “I just got off the phone with Uncle Pete. I wanted to run some scenarios by him.” Cat picked up the pile of papers. “So we had a couple of visitors while you were gone.”

  “Really? Who?” Shauna went to the fridge to get a soda.

  “Well, we think one was Joey. He was trying to break in.”

  Shauna sat in a chair and stared at Cat. “Joey? The guy who was at Outlaw looking for Seth?”

  “Yep, Seth and I went to grab some breakfast and the house was empty.”

  Shauna opened the bottle and took a drink. “So how did you know he tried to break in?”

  “Mrs. Rice was on her way over to see you and scared him away. She called the police and stayed on the line until he ran away.” Cat slid the papers toward Shauna. “I really don’t blame him. Mrs. Rice scares me too.”

  Shauna glanced down at the pages, then blushed. “I was going to tell you, but you two don’t get along and I didn’t want you to feel bad.”

  “Why would I feel bad?” Cat asked.

  Shauna took the pages and put a clip on them before tucking them into her desk drawer. “You are the real author, but she’s such an amazing cook. I wanted her to taste test the recipes. To see if they would work. You’d just look at the words.”

  “You needed a different type of help. I get it.” Cat sipped her coffee. “I just don’t want there to be secrets between us. I’m sorry I made you feel like you had to keep it from me.”

  “I should have told you. My bad. Do you forgive me?”

  Cat glanced at the clock. “Definitely. I hear you’re our designated driver tonight. Uncle Pete wants us to keep a lid on our alcohol because he’s thinking this isn’t over yet. The people who killed Chance are looking for something.”

  “And they think Seth might have it now?” Shauna seemed to read Cat’s mind. She laughed when Cat looked surprised. “You’re not the only one who can put clues together. When Joey took off out of Outlaw that fast, I wondered what he needed Seth for. He made it seem all casual, but he sure put up a plume of dust driving out of there.”

  “Let’s get this retreat over and the guests home safely. Then maybe we can figure out what the heck is going on around here.” Cat stood and dumped the rest of her coffee out. “I’m going upstairs to get ready. Keep the doors locked if you go up before I get back down. I’ll wake up Seth and have him get ready too.”

  “No man left behind.” Shauna opened her laptop. “I’ll check my e-mails and watch out for the guests. It’s like having our own little security detail.”

  By the time Cat had gotten dressed and replaced Shauna, Jocelyn and Archer were down in the living room, waiting.

  Jocelyn held her hand up when Cat came into the room. “I know, I know. We’re way too early. But I’m so excited. I don’t think Archer and I have gone out to dinner so much in forever. It’s nice having a social life. At home we’re so busy with the jobs and then the writing that we never see each other.”

  “We live in a three-bedroom house, dear, there’s not much room for either of us to totally disappear.” Archer put his arm around his wife and turned to Cat. “But it is nice to get out. We’re going to have to continue this when we get home. What do the young ones call it? A date night?”

  Jocelyn’s eyes widened. “Are you kidding me? Really? We can go out once a week?”

  This time it was Archer’s eyes that widened. “Once a week? I was thinking every so often, like a few times a year.”

  “I think maybe there’s a compromise in between.” Cat stood at the door to the livin
g room, watching the front door. The back had been locked up and, she had to admit, so had the front, but she felt better watching, just in case.

  “You expecting visitors?” Archer asked, a tone in his voice that made Cat know he was saying much more behind that one word.

  She sighed and left her post. “The door’s locked. Someone’s going to have to drive a car though those locks to break in. A tall car at that because they have to go over the porch.”

  Jocelyn waved her over to the couch. “Come sit down and tell us what’s going on. You look strung tighter than a cello.”

  “I would have used a banjo in that comparison, but the sentiment’s the same.” Archer stood and stepped toward the door. “Do you need me to watch the front?”

  “No, I’m just a little nervous today. Seth should be down soon and then we’ll get everyone settled into the car for our night out.” Cat put on a fake smile that she didn’t feel. Fake it till you make it time. She slipped into a chair. “Tell me what you think about Jocelyn’s contract? Feeling proud or a little jealous?”

  “A high tide floats all boats.” He didn’t sit down, but instead took Cat’s spot standing in the doorway. He leaned back casually, like he was just waiting to leave, but Cat could see the tension in his stance. “I’m willing for her to become wealthy and successful so she can keep me in the style I’m sure to become accustomed to.”

  “You wish.” Jocelyn smiled fondly at her husband. “We’ve decided I’m going to say yes. Thanks for talking me off the ledge on this one. There’s so much to learn on the legal side. Then you have to figure out who to trust.”

  “Trust your agent. If you can’t, then you need a new agent.” Cat tried not to watch Archer. It was bad enough that one of them was hyperalert. “And I’ve only heard good things about your agent. If there were issues, you’d probably hear whispers. It’s not for certain, bad things happen, but you can’t focus on that. Just be aware of what you expect and if it varies, have her explain. That way she knows you’re watching the business end of the relationship as well as the authoring part. It’s your money. Make sure you get your share.”

  “You have such good advice.” Jocelyn beamed. “So many people in my critique group are so hung up on what they’re missing out on, they don’t see the opportunities that are available.”

  “Or they really don’t want to do the work. Didn’t that one woman bring back the same manuscript she’s been working on for the last two years when she was up for critique last week?” Archer continued to watch out the door.

  “And we told her the same thing. I swear, I’m typing up the notes and when she’s up for critique again, I’m just handing them to her. It will save us all an hour of listening to the same story and the same excuses.” Jocelyn laughed, then focused on her husband. “Is there something out there?”

  “Actually, yes.”

  The women stood and moved quickly toward the door. Archer held his hand out, holding them back.

  “Slow down, you’re going to scare him away.” He moved slowly into the room. “Cat, you first.”

  She glanced out but didn’t see anything. Then her eyes dropped to the bottom of the glass window in the door. Ali stood there, stretching his kitten body up on the door and making himself as tall as possible. Two other kittens were playing on the porch with him. “I was afraid that they’d start to wander.”

  “How cute.” Jocelyn moved toward the door, but Cat beat her to it. She picked up the three kittens and glanced around for the fourth. “I’ll take them back to the barn. You have on dress shoes and it’s a little muddy out there. Tell Seth and Shauna I’ll be right back.”

  “I’ll go with you.” Archer and Jocelyn locked gazes.

  Nodding, Jocelyn stepped back. “I’ll lock the door after you. Nothing special about this lock, right?”

  “Seriously, guys, I’ll be fine. I’m running the kittens back to the barn and then I’ll be right back.”

  “No, you’re not going alone. If you don’t want Archer to go, I’ll go with you.” Seth stepped between Archer and Jocelyn. “The lock is a deadbolt. We’ll be back in less than five minutes. If we’re not, call the station and have the officer in that car out there paged so he can come check on us or assist if necessary. Don’t hang up the phone until we’re back, and don’t open the door to anyone but us.”

  “Seth, this is a little excessive,” Cat complained, but she felt his hand on her arm moving her out of the doorway. “I’m just getting the kittens out of the front. I don’t know why they even came out here, they usually stay out by the barn.”

  “And you don’t think that’s strange?” Seth closed the door and pointed through the glass at Archer, who promptly threw the deadbolt. “We’ve had the kittens two, maybe three months and they’ve never wandered this far away from the barn.”

  Cat picked up the last wanderer and walked down the stairs. “You think it’s a trap to get one of us out of the house?”

  Seth waved to the officer who was watching them. Then he pointed to the back of the house, raising one of the kittens as they passed. The officer nodded. Cat was impressed at the amount of information a few physical movements could convey. It wouldn’t be long before the officer would come looking for them.

  “I think that’s what I would do if I wanted to get someone out of a locked house.” He scanned the back of the yard. “We might have already scared him away if he’s watching, since we made contact with the officer. At least, I’m hoping so. I was really looking forward to a chicken burrito tonight.”

  “This is so weird. I’m not used to being under surveillance. Why do you think they are after you?” She didn’t look directly at Seth; instead, she watched the kittens play in her arms.

  “Not a subject I want to discuss at this point, but if I had to quickly guess? They think I have something. That Chance gave me something. The thing is, he didn’t. The last time I heard from him was when he went to the jewelry store to pick up the ring I’d had designed for you. Then he sent it back here to Sherry for safekeeping.”

  “Sherry had my ring?” Had Sherry told her this? Or did she say that Chance had mentioned the ring.

  Seth smiled. “I couldn’t very well send it to you. It would have ruined the surprise. And we both know my mom can’t keep a secret to save her life.”

  Cat laughed quietly. “That’s for sure. She came over the week before I was supposed to marry Michael three times. Just to check in on me, was her excuse. I think she was trying to see if there was a chance I’d change my mind.”

  “We Howards, we don’t give up easily. My mom really liked the thought of having you in the family.” He paused at the barn door. “Stay here a minute, let me glance around before you come inside.”

  “But what if the bad guy is out here, waiting for me to be alone?”

  Seth grinned. “I guess you’re on your own with that then. Did you keep up with your martial arts training?”

  Cat wished she’d started the practice up again when she’d moved back home. Shauna had started going a few months ago and was getting into amazing shape. “Monday I’m signing back up for classes.”

  Seth took the third kitten and entered the barn. A few long minutes later, he reappeared. “Nothing out of place. Angelica and the other kitten were sleeping in a corner. The three escapees weren’t even missed.”

  “Maybe they did just get out.” Cat scanned the area around the barn and the adjoining field. It looked normal to her.

  “Let’s get back before Archer thinks we’ve been gone too long and calls in the cavalry.” Seth took her arm and led her back to the house. “Honestly, this whole thing has me a little spooked. “I’m glad your uncle left one of his toy soldiers here to protect us.”

  “Daryl isn’t a toy soldier. He’s a nice guy. He’s dating one of the secretaries over at the college. She loves my books.”

  “I take it you met him?” Seth waved to Daryl, who was watching from the car.

  Cat laughed. “Are you kidding? Me
? Think about it.”

  “Shauna.” He walked up the porch steps and motioned for Archer to let them inside.

  “Yep, she even took him coffee and a box of treats, just in case he gets hungry.” Cat slipped inside, then considered the gathered group. “Looks like we’re ready to go to dinner. Just as soon as Shauna comes down.”

  “I’m here.” Shauna came out of the kitchen. She had on a royal-blue pantsuit. Cat felt totally underdressed standing next to her. Shauna saw Cat’s lips twist. “No judging. I haven’t been out at night for at least a month. I want to look pretty.”

  “Well, you hit that mark,” Brodie said from the back. When everyone turned around to see who’d spoken, his face turned a bright red. He dropped his gaze.

  “Shall we go?” Cat asked, desperately holding back laughter to spare him further embarrassment.

  Chapter 24

  Getting everyone at the table at the same time at the restaurant had been a major chore. Between bathroom visits and Jocelyn and Sydney’s fascination with the attached gift shop, Cat had been munching on chips and salsa for a while, waiting for the group to get together so they could order real food. Now, they were finally all at the table and the waitress was getting their food orders.

  “I’ll have the beef burrito plate, rice no beans. And a virgin strawberry margarita,” Shauna said, handing the woman her menu. Then she leaned toward Cat. “Now I have to tinkle. I’ll be right back.”

  “Whatever.” Cat was just happy that their food order would be done before the kitchen closed. She turned to Seth. He looked pale. “Are you feeling all right?”

  “A little tired, but I’m good.” Seth pushed her hair behind her ears. “Don’t worry about me, play with your friends.”

  Just as he said that, a waiter came up to the table. “Mr. Howard? I hate to tell you this, but someone hit your car.”

  “What else could go wrong tonight?” Seth stood, then waved Cat back down into her chair. “Let me figure out how bad the damage is. If we can just drive it home, I’ll take it to the shop tomorrow to see if it’s safe to drive on the airport run.”