by Nancy CoCo
Meow.
“I thought it was you. Who would do such a thing?”
Meow. Meow.
“Yes, a killer of old ladies would.”
Meow. Meow. Meow.
“Oh, that’s my friend Josie,” I said. “She’s staying with us for a while. Lawyer’s orders.” I looked into my cat’s eyes. “Would you testify that it was you in the box in that shed?”
Meow.
“Wait, if it was the killer who took you, then you can also testify as to who killed Agnes Snow, right?”
Meow. Meow.
“You are such a clever kitty.”
“Wren, I’m starving. I know it’s before six and you normally eat at eight but do you have any ideas for dinner?” Josie said as she came around the corner. “Oh, is this Everett?”
Meow.
“Oh you found him! Where? How?” She came over and petted him. “Everyone missed you. Don’t ever do that again.”
Meow.
“That’s right, you won’t.” She scratched under his chin.
“He came in from the fire escape,” I said and shut the window.
“How? The ladder isn’t pulled down, is it?”
“No, but it’s easy enough for him to go from roof to roof to get here,” I said. “I’ve seen him do it before when he was young and full of mischief.”
“Do you still think he was taken?”
“He tells me he was,” I said, “and Everett doesn’t lie.”
“Of course he doesn’t, why would he?” She picked up her mug of tea, poured honey into it and stirred. “What are we going to eat?”
“I’ll order pizza. We should go downstairs and let Porsche know Everett is back. She might want some pizza, too. Besides, I think I know how to catch the killer.”
“How?”
“Everett is going to testify,” I said. “He tells me it was the killer who took him and stuffed him in that box. I’m going to prove it.”
“Well then, order an extra-large pepperoni with a side of anchovies for Everett.”
Honey makes a great bath soak. Mix two large
tablespoons of raw honey into a cup of warm
water and add it to your bath with two cups of
Epsom salts. Soak for fifteen minutes and enjoy the
pleasure of smoother skin.
Chapter 21
“I’m so glad you guys came down,” Porsche said. “No one’s come in and the kids aren’t even coming in for candy.” She paused, spotting my kitty snuggled securely in my arms. “Is that Everett?”
“Yes,” Josie said as Porsche walked over and scratched behind his ear.
“He was on the fire escape,” I explained.
“You’re right, the street is packed,” Josie observed. “But no one’s coming in.”
“They all might be freaked out because of the poison scare,” I said.
“We can open the door and let people see it’s safe,” Josie suggested.
“But I don’t want Everett to run out,” I said. “And I don’t want to put him upstairs. There’s no way he’s leaving my sight for a while.”
“Especially since he’s going to testify for you,” Josie said, teasing. She studied the crowds walking by laughing. “Look at that cute teddy bear costume and ballerina. Maybe if we dressed up they would come in.”
“What am I?” Porsche asked. “Stuffed pepper?”
“Maybe you should stand at the door with the bowl of candy,” I suggested.
“I can do that,” she said. “Then I’ll keep an eye on Everett.”
She grabbed the bowl of honey candy and went to the door.
“That might get the kids to stop,” I said. “But it’s not going to get their parents to come in. I swear whoever is doing this is trying to run me out of business.”
“I don’t know who would want to run you out of business,” Porsche said. “You already proved your worth to your only competition.”
“And I don’t know enough people in the community for anyone else to want to blame me for anything.”
“What if,” Josie surmised, “that’s the reason why they are targeting you. Maybe they figure people will care less about you than a long-standing member of the community.”
“That might actually make sense. I was here for high school, then went away for college, and I’ve only been back a little more than a year. Not really long enough for anyone to get attached.”
“That makes you an easy target,” she said.
“The killer is someone who has been in the community their entire life,” I said and looked at the crowds outside. The kids were coming up to Porsche and the open door for candy, but the parents weren’t coming in.
“That narrows it down to about twenty thousand people,” Josie said. “You said that Everett was going to testify for you. What did you mean by that?”
“I have an idea,” I said. “The chamber of commerce has a coffee on Monday morning.”
“Oh, I see, take Everett and he will recognize whoever stole him. You can confront that person and maybe get them to spill their guts.”
I scrunched up my face. “I don’t think it’s as easy as a television show would lead you to believe.”
“But the police will be there.”
“They usually have a representative,” I said.
“Should someone confess, you’ll have witnesses.”
“All we have to do is stay alive until then,” I said.
“That’s where I come in.” Josie patted my hand. “I’m keeping you within my eyesight for the next forty-eight hours.”
“Let’s hope we figure this out by then.”
* * *
Alicia had a front-page story in the Oceanview Gazette the next morning. Josie sat at the breakfast table and read it while I made eggs and bacon. Everett was a fan of bacon so I slipped him a piece before taking the food to the table.
“Any other pranks happen yesterday, or was I the only subject?”
“Someone was smashing pumpkins against curbs and a few cars got egged and soaped. The Mulligans were toilet papered, but other than that, no further mischief.” Josie folded the paper and set it on the table so she could dive into her breakfast. “I can’t believe you get the real paper and don’t just read it online.”
I sipped coffee and watched the sky lighten as the fog rolled off. “My mom used to get it so I kept up the tradition.
“Say, it’s Sunday. Aren’t you going to church?” I asked and sipped my coffee.
“Only if you’re going,” she said, giving me a look.
“Fine, we’ll go to the ten o’clock service. I just have to be back before eleven, if that’s possible. I gave Porsche the day off. She’s been working a lot lately and her boys miss her.”
“She’s a good employee,” Josie said. “I’d love to help, but I’m back on shift tomorrow.”
“You are both good friends,” I said. “I hate to leave Everett while we’re away at church.”
“There’s no way Pastor Harold will let you bring a cat to church.”
“Yeah,” I said. “We’ll have to make sure we lock him in the shop.”
“Who else has a key to this place?”
“My landlord,” I said. “Rosemary Greer with Greer Realty. Why?”
“Maybe she has something to do with Everett going missing in the first place.”
“What? Why?”
“I don’t know,” Josie said. “She has a key. Maybe the killer is blackmailing her or maybe she lost the key and didn’t tell you.”
“Or a million other things,” I said. “I’ll call her. Let her know I want to change the locks. That might get her attention.”
“Good idea.” Josie got up and picked up her empty plate. “I’m not sure I packed anything fancy for church. But that’s okay, I’m sure I can make something work.”
I watched her disappear down the hall to the second bedroom that I had made up like a den or office. Luckily, I had a futon in there for guests to sleep on. Everett ju
mped on the table and meowed at me expectantly. I fed him my breakfast. My stomach wasn’t happy. Then again, the rest of me wasn’t too happy, either.
It was time to go back to the beginning. Things had gotten a little off track. My favorite TV detective always said that the simplest explanation was often the best one. So, who was the simplest person to have killed the Snows? It had to be the Woolrights, right? They did live by the shed where I got locked in, and Mildred did lie about seeing me talk to Agnes. Now, how do I prove it?
An hour later I was no closer to my answer. Josie and I were both dressed for church and walking the few blocks. The rain had let up for the moment and the crisp air smelled of autumn. The route took us past the Snows’ house. It was silent and looked creepy with the crime scene tape still half strewn across the yard.
We approached the church as people straggled in. When we entered, we took a middle pew, and I felt the heat of people’s stares at my back.
The service was uncomfortable. I felt like a pariah but I knew an innocent person should never hide no matter how uncomfortable things get.
Finally, the uncomfortable hour was over.
“Wren, I’m surprised to see you,” Kathy Abernathy said as she exited the church. I had stepped out of the church and onto the sidewalk. Josie had stopped to talk to Nell Oppermeyer.
“Good morning, Kathy,” I said and smiled brightly. “Nice sermon this morning, wasn’t it?”
“Certainly,” she said. “ ‘Love your neighbor,’ wasn’t it? Did you learn anything?”
“That’s one of my favorites,” I said. “I don’t see the Woolrights here this morning.”
“Oh, they haven’t been in for a few months now. I think they started going to brunch at the country club instead.”
A mist started to come down. I excused myself from Kathy, put the hood of my jacket up, and went to collect Josie. She said goodbye to her friends, put up her hood as well, and put her arm through mine. People in Oregon didn’t shrink from a little rain. Rather, we embraced it no matter how cold. Besides, the walk home wasn’t very far.
I unlocked the shop and found Everett sitting in the window watching people walk by. Josie and I stepped in, stomping the water from our shoes. We hung our coats on the rack beside the door. I kept an assortment of umbrellas near the door as a treat for my patrons. Anyone could take one at any time. It was an honor system. I trusted them to bring them back, and so far, no one had ever let me down.
“Day after Halloween,” Josie said, “People might be slow to get started. Do you have coffee?”
“There’s a pot in the back room. I can make fresh.”
“No need,” she said. “I can figure out how to make it.”
While she made coffee, I opened the register and counted the drawer to start the day. Slow or not, we needed to be open. This murder case was not helping my business.
“I bet that between that and the rain, a lot of people will be staying home today.”
“Oh, I don’t know,” I said. “Cold rain makes me think of football and turkey and that makes me think of shopping.”
“Oh, so true,” she said and handed me a cup of coffee. I poured some half-and-half in and stirred before I took a sip. Just then Everett jumped up, arched his back, and hissed. It startled me. I’d never seen him do that.
“Everett!” I said his name sharply because he startled me. He ignored me and attacked the window. “Everett!” I put my coffee down and raced to the front. I grabbed my cat and glanced outside. A man walked passed. He wore a fedora and a dark tweed coat. Running outside, I lost him around a corner. Everett and I checked a few blocks, but I didn’t see him again.
“What was that all about?” Aunt Eloise entered the building with us. “Are you okay?”
“I think so,” I said and petted Everett, doing my best to calm him down. I could feel his heart pounding. “He didn’t like that man who walked by. I have a suspicion he was the person who took Everett and locked him in that box.”
“That means he might be our killer,” Aunt Eloise said. She stroked Everett’s head. “It’s okay, kitty. We’re going to find him and make sure he goes to jail.”
“I told you Everett can testify,” I said.
“Did you recognize this man?”
“No, all I saw was his back. He was too far away and I couldn’t go far,” I said. “He was wearing a fedora and a tweed coat.”
“Could you see his hair?”
“No, all I saw was his hat. It’s misting out and cold. He was moving fast.”
“What direction was he going? Should we call Officer Hampton?”
“And say what? That Everett didn’t like a man in a fedora? I think we’ll have to take Everett out for a walk later. We might be able to find out who he hates so much.”
“The streets are empty and so is the store,” Aunt Eloise noted. “Not the best day, I imagine.”
“No, sales are down,” I said. “After Halloweentown, the next big celebration doesn’t come until Thanksgiving. It’s a good thing. I’ll be able to rebuild my stock.”
“The bees seem to be huddled in the hive today,” Josie said. “I’ve been watching. Only a few have left.”
“There’s a cold front coming through,” I said. “I think the rain is going to take out any remaining flowers.”
“That’s not true,” Aunt Eloise said. “We’ll have mums and pansies until the first snowfall.”
“They’ll only send a few worker bees out. They have most of the honey already to make it through the winter,” I said. “It’s easy for them with the hive in the building. I keep this side warm and they don’t have to huddle so much and burn off a lot of energy. It’s actually why bees like to build hives between the walls inside houses.”
* * *
Four hours later, Josie sat in a lounge chair near the hive, reading a book. No one had come in all day.
“I say we’ve been through a lot this week,” Aunt Eloise said. “The town is dead. Let’s take the rest of the day off.”
I chewed on my lip. “You know, you’re right. I’m sure it will be fine if we close a couple of hours early.”
“Oh, good call,” Josie said as she got up. “I can help close.”
Aunt Eloise turned the sign over to CLOSED and locked the front door. “Why don’t we clean up here and then go out for dinner? The diner has a nice pot roast on Sunday evenings.”
“I prefer your pot roast,” I said. Everett sat on the counter next to me as I counted out the cash for deposit. He was calm now that the man was gone. I stopped counting the cash. “What if we take Everett for a walk first?”
“You think we’ll run into his kidnapper?”
“I don’t know,” I said. “But we all agree his kidnapper might be Mr. Woolright. It couldn’t hurt if we went for a walk to see if Everett can identify him.”
“I’m not sure that’s such a good idea,” Josie said. “Since Matt asked me to look after you, I think you should let him know what you’re going to do.”
“It’s just a walk,” Aunt Eloise said. “There really isn’t a good reason to call a lawyer. Is there?”
Josie thought about it. “I guess not, if it’s just a walk.”
“Good,” Aunt Eloise said. “You girls finish up here and I’ll get Everett’s leash.”
Within minutes we were on Main Street walking Everett. I wore my green raincoat, Josie wore her church coat, and Aunt Eloise struggled with an umbrella against the wind. Everett seemed unphased by the weather and enjoyed the walk, as I purposely moved us in the direction the man took. Soon, we came to the end of the block and the ramp where the road veered off into Highway 1.
“End of the road,” Aunt Eloise said as she turned to me. Her clear rain hood was plastered to her head.
“Isn’t it strange that Everett doesn’t seem bothered by the rain,” Josie mused. “Most cats hate water.”
“Everett loves the beach,” I said and looked down to see that he had stopped under an overhang and was lic
king his paws. “Maybe it was nothing,” I said thoughtfully. “I only assumed it was the man who made Everett angry. It could have been a fly or a bee in the window. We should head back.”
“Now you’re being silly,” Aunt Eloise said. “Of course it was the man. I know you were trying to follow him, but we should take Everett walking by the Woolrights’ house.”
“I’m not taking him anywhere near that shed,” I said. “No, only the beach and Main Street from now on.”
“Fine,” Aunt Eloise said. “Then I’ll bring Theodore to you.”
“How are you going to do that?” I asked as we walked back to the store. “It’s not like he’ll be coming out after closing to buy candles or honey.”
“I have my ways,” she said mysteriously. We made our way back to the store and Aunt Eloise disappeared up the stairs.
“I think we’re in trouble, Everett,” I muttered as I took off my raincoat.
“I’m sure everything will be just fine,” Josie said.
Use raw honey for your next manicure. Soak your
cuticles in it for ten minutes, then rinse with warm
water. They will be moist and peel-free.
Chapter 22
“I’m going to run to the bank,” I said to Josie.
“I don’t think that’s such a god idea,” she replied.
“I just really need a moment alone to breathe,” I said and tried not to beg. “I’ll take the deposit bag and come right back.” I looked at Everett. “Look, I’ll take Everett. You know I won’t veer off Main Street with him. Seriously, it’s only the bank. There’s no reason to babysit me. Don’t you want a minute alone?”
“Well, I do need to pack up. I have an early shift in the morning.”
“See, what could go wrong?” I picked up Everett. “We’ll be fine.”
“Okay,” Josie said. “But if you’re not back within ten minutes, I’m calling the cops.”
“Deal,” I said. I was so happy to get a moment alone that I grabbed a raincoat and put it on, lifting the hood around my head to keep my hair dry. Hoodies were a necessary Oregon thing as most people chose hoodies over umbrellas—even if my aunt used both. I put Everett on his leash and we went out the front.