Claws for a Cause (A Klepto Cat Mystery Book 15) (12 page)

Colbi shook her head. “It’s on my bucket list, though.”

“Hey, we brought you something,” Savannah said. She dug a package out of the diaper bag and called to Lily, “Here, give this to Aunt Colbi.”

Lily looked at the package in Savannah’s hand and patted her new toy a couple of times.

“Come get this, sweetie, and give it to Aunt Colbi,” Savannah repeated.

When Lily continued to focus on her new toy, Savannah took the package to her and said, “Can you give this to Aunt Colbi?”

The toddler handled the package, turned it over a couple of times, tore at the bow, then tossed it in Colbi’s direction.

“Thanks little one,” Colbi said, laughing as she retrieved the package. “You guys didn’t have to bring me anything.”

“Yes, we did. We wanted to share a little of the beautiful islands with you, especially since we’re still stuck in winter mode here for another several weeks.”

“A shell necklace. How pretty. I love it! And I’m not waiting until summer to wear it. It’ll look great with my sweaters as well as my summer blouses,” Colbi said, slipping it around her neck. “Thank you.”

Savannah looked at Colbi. “So how are you? Did you say you and Damon aren’t speaking?”

“Yeah, he walked out a couple of nights ago and I haven’t seen him since.”

“That’s going to make the work environment uncomfortable, isn’t it?”

“Uh-huh, but I know his schedule and I’ll just try to avoid him for a while. I’m taking some time off, actually. I just have too much on my mind right now.”

“Are things any better with Harrison?”

Colbi smiled. “Yes, I think so. I don’t see him much—he’s out looking for work every day. At night, I guess he hangs out with friends. Uh-oh, here come the feline tornadoes!” she said, laughing.

“Ki-ki,” Lily said, pointing as Dolly appeared puffed up nearly twice her normal size with Rags racing behind her. They tore around the room, then headed back up the stairs.

“Want iced tea, coffee?” Colbi asked.

“Sure, tea sounds good.”

Colbi headed for the kitchen and called over her shoulder, “I have cookies from the bakery. Can Lily have a sugar cookie?”

“I can share mine with her.” When she noticed Lily following Colbi, she joined them in the kitchen.

“Cookie?” Lily said.

“Yes, we’ll have a cookie,” Savannah said to the baby, “and I have juice in your sippy cup for you.”

Colbi leaned down to the baby’s level. “Can you carry these napkins?”

Lily reached out and hugged the stack of napkins to her.

Savannah, who was carrying a plate of cookies, steered the baby back into the living room. “Sit here by Mommy,” she said, placing the cookie plate on a side table and prying the napkins from Lily’s grip. “Want a sip?” she asked, offering her some of her juice.

“Cookie,” Lily said. “Cookie.”

“Okay, sit down and Mommy will give you a cookie.”

In the meantime, Colbi placed a glass of iced tea on a coaster next to Savannah and one on a magazine lying on a table near her own chair.

Suddenly, Savannah spotted something on the floor. “What’s this?” she asked, squinting. “It looks like one of the earrings you gave me last year.”

“What?” Colbi said, frowning. She looked at Savannah. “Were you wearing them? Did you lose one?”

“No, actually, I was looking for them this morning so I could wear them with this sweater.” Her mind danced all over the place as she attempted to make sense of what was happening. “I couldn’t find them anywhere. But how…?” She picked up the earring and peered at Colbi. “Did you buy yourself a pair like this, too?”

Colbi shook her head as she walked over to take a closer look. “No. Was it stuck to your jacket? Does Lily play in your jewelry box?”

Savannah started to say something, then thinned her lips, finally saying quietly, “There were other things missing, too.”

“Like what?”

“Most of my best jewelry—of course, they were sentimental pieces—and our change jar with maybe a hundred bucks in it. That’s all we know of so far.”

“So you think they were taken while you were gone?” Colbi asked.

“It looks that way. I know those pieces of jewelry were there when we left because I considered taking them, but changed my mind to make traveling less of a hassle. Didn’t want to worry about losing expensive stuff, you know.”

“Maybe Michael hid the jewelry before you left?” Colbi suggested.

Savannah shook her head. “No. I checked with him.” She took a deep breath. “But how this ended up here is a real puzzle. Colbi, did anyone else besides you have access to our house key?”

Colbi stiffened. “Are you accusing….”

Savannah shook her head. “No. I would never accuse you of anything like this. But…well, this is just too weird.”

“Maybe Rags got into your jewelry box and the earring somehow attached itself to his harness—the Velcro on his harness—and he brought this from home.”

Savannah thought for a moment. “Well, I don’t think so. He can’t open the jewelry box—it’s cat-proof—and it was closed when we got home.”

“If someone took stuff out of your jewelry box, maybe they dropped this one and that’s how you inadvertently carried it here,” Colbi suggested.

Suddenly, Dolly came trotting down the stairs. Savannah chuckled. “I see she still remembers Rags’s teachings. Looks like she’s carrying something in her mouth.”

“Yes, she still runs off with things sometimes. But I haven’t seen her do it in a while. Come here, Dolly. What do you have there?” Colbi coaxed, moving toward the cat. She took the item from the cat and frowned. “My God, it’s more jewelry—it’s not mine. I’ve never seen this before.”

“Let me see,” Savannah almost demanded, walking toward Colbi. When she saw what her friend held in her hands, she gasped.

“What’s wrong, Savannah?” Colbi asked. “Do you recognize this?”

“I sure do. It’s mine,” she said, taking the bracelet from her and peering at it more closely. “I didn’t notice it was missing.”

The women looked at each other and both said at the same time, “Harrison.”

Colbi choked up and tears formed in her eyes. “God, I hope this isn’t what it seems. But how…why…what other explanation is there?”

Savannah asked quietly, “Colbi, did he have access to our house key?”

“Well, no. How could he? I mean…”

“What about when you were sleeping. Where do you keep your keys?”

Colbi’s shoulders drooped. “In my purse down here on the kitchen divider. Oh my God, Savannah, he did have access to your key and he knew I was feeding your animals.” She looked at Savannah. “But I just know he wouldn’t…he couldn’t…”

“Did you take him to our house?” Savannah asked.

“No. I wouldn’t do that—I’d never do that without your permission.”

“Do you know how he might find out where I live?”

“You’re in the phone book, aren’t you? You still have that landline. You’re probably on the Internet, too—the PeopleFinder, PeopleWho, and the White Pages directory…all available online. Or he could have asked someone. As you’re aware, he’s charming and knows how to use that charm.” She took a deep breath and exhaled. “Oh, Savannah, I can’t begin to tell you how much I hope this has nothing to do with my brother.”

Savannah put her hand on Colbi’s shoulder. “Let’s go take a look upstairs, shall we?”

Grimacing, Colbi nodded.

“Show us, Rags and Dolly,” Savannah said, as they walked up the staircase, Lily in Savannah’s arms.

As if Rags understood, he raced ahead of the women and into the room at the top of the stairs. Dolly ran through the door after him. Once inside, Rags disappeared under the bed and Dolly crouched peering in at him, her furry tail waving in the air.

Colbi eased down onto her hands and knees next to Dolly and reached in, pulling out a plastic bag. “More jewelry,” she said disgustedly. She stood and pulled the bed out from the wall, explaining, “There’s something shiny in the corner and I can’t make out what it is.” Reaching behind the bed, she said, “A fancy jar…full of coins.”

Savannah cringed. “I’m afraid all of this stuff came from our house.”

“Yeah, there’s the other green earring,” Colbi said, studying the bag Savannah now held in her hands.

Savannah grimaced. “I’m so sorry, Colbi. I don’t know what to say.”

“That lying, thieving…” Colbi said, clenching her teeth. She then burst into tears. “I’m the one who’s sorry. It’s all my fault. If I hadn’t…”

“No harm done, kiddo,” Savannah said hugging her friend. Lily, who was still in Savannah’s arms, reached around and patted Colbi on the back. “Come on, let’s go sit down and see if we can figure out what to do, okay?”

Before leaving the room, Colbi looked around. “I just wonder what other dirty secrets he’s hidden in my home and what other criminal activities he’s involved in.”

As Colbi ranted, Savannah continued studying the contents of the bag. “Wait, something’s missing.” She looked around on the floor. “Maybe it fell out when the cats were messing with it.”

“What is it?” Colbi asked.

“The ring Michael gave me. It’s not here.”

“What’s it look like?”

Suddenly, the women realized they were not alone when they heard a booming voice demand, “What’s going on, Colbi?”

The two cats skittered out of the room and the women looked up to see Harrison’s frame filling the doorway.

Colbi grabbed the plastic bag from Savannah and held it up for her brother to see. “How could you, Harrison?” she shouted. “I trusted you and you betrayed that trust in the most inexcusable way. You stole from my best friend, for God’s sake!” she screamed.

An innocent look on his face, he said, “I don’t know what you’re talking about, big sister. I’ve never seen that stuff before.”

“The cats found Savannah’s jewelry here in your room. I don’t know when you did it, or how, but you took the Iveys’ house key from my purse and burglarized their home while they were out of town.” Raising her voice, she shouted, “Dammit, Savannah and Michael trusted me to take care of things and you…you went there and stole from them!”

“Oh now, come on; don’t put that on me. You’re the one with a key. You must have taken the stuff when you were there supposedly feeding the stupid dog.” He looked Savannah in the eyes. “It wasn’t me.” He shrugged. “Must have been Colbi. I didn’t do it, honest.”

Savannah stood stunned, watching her friend react to Harrison’s accusations. Colbi’s face turned beet red. She was so furious, she looked like she would explode. Rather than respond to her brother, however, Colbi pushed past him and raced down the stairs, sobbing. When Savannah caught up to her, she said, “He’s delusional.”

Colbi continued to sob. “I’m so embarrassed.”

Just then, Harrison came bounding down the stairs, taking two steps at a time, and headed toward the front door. Savannah reached for Lily, moving her out of his path. He opened the door, turned, and said, “I may be home late tonight.” He winked. “Got a hot date—a secretary at one of the companies where I applied for work today.”

The two women watched as he walked out and closed the door behind him.

“Don’t be embarrassed, Colbi,” Savannah said. “I don’t believe him for a minute. He’s lying.” She glanced toward the front door. “And he’s good at it, isn’t he?”

“You don’t believe him?”

“Absolutely not,” Savannah said. “For one thing, if he didn’t go into our house, how does he know we have a dog? As far as we know, he’s only seen Rags when I’ve brought him here. Did you ever mention Lexie to him?”

Colbi shook her head.

“Besides that, I know you and I know his history. I know you wouldn’t ever do such a thing and I know he’s capable of it.” She gritted her teeth. “I hate him for doing this to you.” She then softened her voice. “Kiddo, I think Damon’s right. I think this is beyond something you should be expected to deal with. His thinking is so off kilter, he could get you into some serious trouble.”

“But he’s my…”

“He’s not the brother you knew,” Savannah said more sternly. “As long as he’s on drugs and stealing from others—and probably you—he’s not who you want him to be and you can’t fix him. You might even be putting yourself in danger. You’re not helping him simply by giving him a place to live and trying to trust him. He’s obviously not trustworthy—not now, maybe not ever.”

Sniffling, Colbi said, “Damon wants me to do the tough love thing—boot him out and insist that he get the kind of help he needs. Damon knows what it takes to help someone like Harrison.” She looked at Savannah and wiped at her eyes. “He says I’m not actually helping him by making life cushy for him. And he’s talking from first-hand experience, as you know.”

“Yes, Damon had crawled pretty deep into the sewer by the time he got help. He caused a lot of pain in his family. That’s about all a hard-core druggie is capable of—causing pain to everyone who cares about him. So Damon has his own plan for your brother, does he? And how do you feel about that now that this burglary has come to light?”

Colbi looked up at Savannah. “It isn’t so much the burglary—although of course I abhor it—it’s the fact that he tried to throw me under the bus. What is he thinking? That’s not how siblings behave.”

“Honey, I believe that’s what Damon has been trying to get through to you—the fact that Harrison isn’t thinking logically—in a way that would make sense to you or me or any sober person. He’s sick. Right now, it seems, the illness defines the man. Damon is suggesting that he needs professional help in order to separate the illness from the man—after that you may get your brother back—or what’s left of him after the drugs have taken their toll.”

Colbi sighed heavily. “Gosh, Harrison’s not the only one who’s sick. I guess I am, too. I’ve been blinded by what I want to see.” She spoke more quietly. “Savannah, I really don’t think Harrison has actually been looking for a job. I didn’t want to believe it—but he doesn’t look to me like someone who’s out job-hunting. He never brings home any applications.” She sat down near where Lily played.

“Yeah, you’re probably right. What’s his motivation? He lives here rent-free and he’s able to do whatever he wants, day and night. Hey, I need to get my locks changed. I’d better go.”

“What?”

“He could have had a key made.”