PAWSitively Sinister (A Klepto Cat Mystery Book 11) Read online

  PAWSitively Sinister

  A Klepto Cat Mystery

  Book 11

  by Patricia Fry

  PAWSitively Sinister

  A Klepto Cat Mystery

  Book 11

  Author: Patricia Fry

  ISBN: 978-0-9908313-5-8

  All rights reserved

  © 2015 Matilija Press

  Chapter 1

  Estate Sale Today!

  Savannah pointed. “Looks official, doesn’t it, Michael? That’s a mighty professional sign… and check out all those cars!”

  “Sure does,” he said as he pulled their SUV toward the Peyton Mansion in search of a parking spot. “Arthur will have the place cleaned out in no time.” He looked at his wife. “He doesn’t want to keep any of that stuff? Won’t he need it to furnish a house?”

  She shook her head. “He’s keeping only a few things that belonged to his father; the rest, he’s leaving behind. He wants a fresh start.”

  Michael gazed up at the looming mansion. “I don’t blame him. There are a lot of bad memories for him here. Hey, there he is!” he said, lowering his window.

  “Welcome to San Francisco,” Arthur called out as he approached the car to greet the Ivey family.

  “Hi, Arthur,” Michael replied. “Okay if we park here?”

  As the young man drew near, Savannah quickly exited the car and hurried toward him. But before going in for a hug, she stopped and studied his face. “Arthur! Look at you—just look at you! Your scars are… almost gone! You look… ”

  “Handsome?” he suggested, chuckling. “Check this out, I have a whole smile.” He shrugged. “… well, more than before.” He touched his face where he’d had the first of several planned reconstructive surgeries to repair his burn scars. “I still have a ways to go before it heals, but it is better, isn’t it?”

  “Yes.” She grabbed Arthur and hugged him, then pulled back. “You look just great. Michael, come see Arthur,” she called. “You won’t recognize him.”

  “I hope she does,” the young man said quietly.

  Savannah turned and saw her husband walking toward them with their eleven-month-old daughter in his arms. “She’ll know you. Don’t you worry about that.”

  “Hi, Lily,” Arthur said, hesitantly.

  Upon seeing Arthur, the baby put her fingers in her mouth and looked down.

  “Oh, Lily, you’re not shy,” Savannah said. “You know Arthur. This is Arthur.”

  The young man stepped back. “Has she forgotten me? It’s been only two months.” He touched his cheek. “Do I look that much different?” When the baby smiled demurely at Arthur, he said, again, “Hi, Lily.”

  “Ma-ma,” she said, pointing at Savannah. She then handed him the doll she held in her dimpled hands.

  When Arthur took the doll, Lily reached out for him. “She hasn’t forgotten,” he said, taking the child in his arms. As he held her, she began to babble.

  Savannah smiled. “She’s telling you one of her stories. She’s quite the talker now, only she doesn’t say too many actual words.”

  As if on cue, Lily pointed and said, “Ki-ki.”

  “Yes, baby girl, it’s a kitty, isn’t it? This is Koko,” Savannah said, picking up the Siamese cat and stroking her silky fur.

  “Ki-ki,” Lily said, again.

  “Gosh, listen to her talk,” Arthur said. He then nodded toward the cat. “I think she’s eager to play with Rags. Did you bring him?”

  “Yes, against my better judgment,” Michael grumbled.

  “Well, he’s scheduled to perform at the veterinary conference Michael’s attending in the city this weekend,” Savannah explained.

  Arthur chuckled. “He’s a guinea pig, huh?”

  “Something like that,” Michael said. “He’s supposed to be an example of a well-behaved cat on the examining table for a group of student veterinarians.”

  “Rags—well-behaved?” Arthur said, laughing.

  Michael and Savannah exchanged looks. “Yeah, that is kind of an oxymoron, isn’t it?” she lamented.

  Arthur continued to laugh. “What are you going to do—sedate him? Chain him to the table?”

  Michael reached out and petted Koko. “I can only hope he behaves. Maybe this one would be a better subject.”

  “Are you kidding?” Savannah said. “Rags has already corrupted this beauty. Remember how rowdy they were when Arthur brought her to visit us a few months ago?” When Koko began squirming in her arms, she deposited her onto the ground and motioned toward the mansion. “It appears that your sale is a huge success.”

  Arthur nodded. “Yeah, I think so. I have a company managing the sale. We’ve had quite a few visitors, as you can see, and some good help.”

  “Is that… ?” Savannah started. She squinted toward the kitchen door on the west side of the mansion.

  Arthur turned to see what she was looking at and smiled brightly. “Yes, that’s Suzette.” He called to the young woman, who was carrying an armload of boxes to a waiting Dumpster. “Suzette, I want you to meet someone.”

  Once she’d deposited the trash, she walked up to Arthur and immediately connected with the baby. “Well, hello, there. You must be Lily. Aren’t you adorable?”

  Lily smiled shyly, then held her doll in Suzette’s direction.

  “Michael and Savannah Ivey, this is Suzette,” Arthur said, still smiling. “She came up from LA to help with the sale.”

  “How wonderful to finally meet you,” Savannah gushed, hugging the young woman.

  Michael reached out and shook hands with her.

  “You, too,” Suzette said, glancing at them both. “Arthur speaks of you fondly… and often.”

  “Awww. He’s a good friend,” Savannah said. “… part of our family, as you can see,” she added, motioning toward Lily in his arms.

  “Did you bring Rags?” Suzette asked. “I think Koko’s searching for him.”

  When Savannah saw the Siamese cat standing with her front paws on the passenger-side door of their car, she said, “Oh yes, we did. I’d better get him out. He’s probably having a fit in there by himself.” She headed for the car and Suzette followed.

  In the meantime, Michael noticed that Lily was beginning to squirm in Arthur’s arms. “Here, let me take her,” he said. “She can be a handful.” After Arthur relinquished the baby, Michael lowered her to the ground, holding tight to her hands as she stood at his feet.

  “Is she walking?” Arthur asked, wide-eyed.

  “Almost,” Michael said, helping to steady her as she took a few steps.

  “Well, look at you,” Arthur said to the baby. “You’re walking, Lily. What a big girl!”

  After a few moments, Michael picked up her up and Arthur said, “Uh, Michael, I have something I want to show you. I found something kinda… interesting buried out back and I don’t know how to get it out.”

  “Oh?” Michael said. “What is it?”

  “I don’t know exactly, but it appears that there’s more to this place than I—or presumably, anyone else knew.”

  Michael frowned. “How’s that, Arthur?”

  “Well, it looks like some sort of secret hiding place from a long time ago.” He chuckled. “It could be the remains of a former owner, I guess—or one of their pets.” He paused before saying, “It was hidden pretty darn good.”

  “Sounds intriguing. Sure, I’d like to see it.” Michael glanced at the mansion and said, “These places always harbor secrets, don’t they?” He chuckled. “At least that’s how it is in those horror movies I used to watch.”

  “I guess so,” Arthur said. “Like me—I was a secret f
or seven long years.”

  “Yes, you were,” Savannah said when she and Suzette returned with Rags on his leash. “It’s hard to believe that you lived hidden in there all that time without anyone knowing.”

  “Against your will,” Michael added.

  Savannah leaned toward Arthur and asked, “So how does it feel to be free?” She lowered her brow. “You kind of struggled with it at first. Are you okay now?”

  When Lily reached out for Savannah, she handed the leash to Michael and took the baby.

  Arthur said, “Am I okay?” He reached for Suzette, pulling her to him with one arm. “Oh yes; better than okay. Suzette and I are finally together.” He smiled at her. “We are having such a good time.” He rested his eyes on Savannah, then Michael. “The drama is pretty much behind me. I finally feel free—free of the terrible secret inside me that I couldn’t remember, free of my ties to those people who called themselves my parents. Even the paparazzi have backed off.”

  Suzette giggled. “Yeah, now that he doesn’t mind having his picture taken, no one wants to photograph him.”

  Arthur grinned at her and squeezed her to him again.

  Michael chuckled, then he became serious. “You will have to testify, right?” he asked.

  “Yes,” Arthur said, looking down. “ But now that I remembered what happened, I have more confidence about my testimony. It’ll be hard to face my mother and stepfather in the courtroom, but it’s something I have to do… and I will. They are not going to get away with Karen’s murder any longer.”

  Savannah paused before asking, “What about Pearl? How’s she doing?”

  “My stepgrandmother?” Arthur hesitated, then smiled, pointing. “Ask her yourself. She’s out there puttering in the rose garden.”

  Savannah shaded her eyes and squinted off into the distance. “Oh, there she is.” She waved and called out, “Hi Pearl!”

  The woman, dressed in jeans, an aqua sweatshirt, and a large, floppy yellow hat, waved back.

  “So she’s not being charged in your sister’s drowning?” Savannah asked.

  Arthur pressed his lips together. “Well, she’s out on bail. She may have to be tried. It depends on what comes out in her son Charles Peyton’s trial and, I guess, my mother’s.” He jumped a little and said, “Hey, where are my manners? I have a room for you—actually a suite—in the mansion if you’d like to be inside. Or you can stay in one of the bungalows like you did before; it’s up to you.”

  Michael and Savannah exchanged glances. Her green eyes danced with excitement. “I’d like to stay in the mansion this time. What do you think, Michael?”

  He looked at the place. “That’s certainly something we’ve never experienced before.” He shrugged. “Sure, let’s see what it’s like.”

  When Arthur saw a man step out through the kitchen door, he called, “Hey, Rupert, would you help our guests in with their bags, please?”

  “Hi, Mr. and Mrs. Ivey,” Rupert said as he approached. He shook hands with them both. “Good to see you again.” When he noticed the large grey-and-white cat tugging at the leash Michael held, he stooped over and scratched him behind one ear. “And Rags, old boy, how are you doing, you fine specimen of a cat?”

  Savannah blinked in Rupert’s direction. “Gosh, you seem… more cheerful than when we were here before.”

  “Oh yes.” He raised up and rested one hand on Arthur’s shoulder. “I’ve experienced a miracle.” He stared at the boy for a moment, then said, “As you can imagine, I was shocked to learn Artie was alive after being told he had died in that awful fire. And here he is all grown up.”

  “That’s right,” Savannah said, “you were Arthur’s and his sister’s caretaker for a time when they were children. It must have been awful for you...”

  He nodded solemnly.

  When Arthur sensed that Rupert was going to get emotional, he leaned toward Savannah and said, “He and Ruthie are… seeing each other.”

  “What?” Savannah said. “Well, congratulations, Rupert. She’s a wonderful woman.”

  His face lit up. “Don’t I know it?”

  “A lot has happened since we saw you last, hasn’t it, Arthur?” Michael said, his eyes resting on Arthur and Suzette, then Rupert.

  “Where is Ruth?” Savannah asked. “I’d love to see her.”

  “Inside helping with the sale. She’s having the time of her life. Come on,” Arthur said, gesturing, “let’s go surprise her.” He grabbed Suzette’s hand and led the way toward the mansion. Turning back toward the Iveys, he added, “She’ll be happy to see you.” He poked Lily in the tummy, “… and you,” he said, laughing.

  When Lily giggled, Suzette said, “She is so cute—like a little cherub.”

  “Yes, a heavy cherub,” Savannah said, reaching for Rags’s leash and handing the baby to Michael. When Arthur stepped ahead of the others through the kitchen door, Savannah caught up with Suzette. “So, Arthur tells me you’re studying to be a plastic surgeon.”

  Suzette nodded. “I’m taking my prerequisites in Los Angeles. I’d like to work with children and their families.”

  “Their families?”

  “Oh yes, families have so much to do with the healing process. The parents’ acceptance and attitude can make all the difference for children who’ve been disfigured in an accident. So I might go into a psychology specialty for these families.”

  Savannah tilted her head. “I didn’t know there was such a specialty.”

  Suzette smiled, her brown eyes sparkling from under her feathered bangs. She pulled her light blond hair back into a twist. “Not sure there is, but that doesn’t mean I can’t create one… know what I mean?”

  “I think so,” Savannah said, grinning. “You young people today are sure inventive—inspired. I love it! I think that’s why I like hanging out with my stepson Adam, and Arthur… and now you!”

  Suzette smiled brightly.

  When the group reached the living room, they spotted Ruth wrapping a large vase in newspaper for someone who had paid $150 for it. When she saw Savannah and Michael, she handed the vase to another woman and rushed to the couple. “Hi. So good to see you,” she said, hugging them both. She reached for Lily’s hand. “And you… she has grown!” Ruth exclaimed.

  Savannah nodded. “Yes, she’s quite the young lady. Great to see you, Ruth. Looks like things are going well for you.”

  Ruth gazed at Arthur and Suzette, then Rupert. “Just wonderful,” she said, her smile widening.

  “See you later, Ruthie,” Arthur said when another potential customer approached her.

  She waved. “Yes, dinner in the dining room at seven.” Looking from Savannah to Michael, she asked, “You will join us, won’t you?”

  Both of them nodded before traipsing after the younger couple. When Savannah caught up to Arthur in the east hallway on the ground floor she asked, “So you guys are living here?” “Only temporarily,” he said, emphatically. “I hope not for long.” He faced her as he walked alongside her. “I bought a mini-ranch. I can move in next month. Ruthie wants to stay at her house—but, during the estate sale, we’re all staying here. Our bedroom stuff will be the last to go because we’re using it, of course. In fact, I’m taking some of my bedroom furniture to my new place.” He stopped and turned toward Savannah and Michael, grinning. “… my ranch,” he said, faking a twang. He laughed. “I’m going to be a rancher.”

  “Indeed,” Savannah said. “You can ride a horse… that’s for sure.”

  “You can?” Suzette asked, wide-eyed.

  “You bet yer boots, young lady,” Arthur said in his best John Wayne impersonation. He then said, feigning innocence, “but I ain’t learnt how to clean them thar corrals yet.” He winked at Suzette. “I guess yer gonna have to do it, sweet thang.”

  Savannah and Michael were practically doubled over laughing at Arthur’s antics and Suzette’s obvious gullibility.

  As they continued their walk down the long hallway, Savannah asked, “What about t
he staff? Is there anyone but Rupert helping out now?”

  “Yes. We asked a few people to stay on while we’re here,” Arthur explained. “… most importantly, the cooks.”

  Michael grinned and nodded. “Good move, Arthur.” He then asked in a more serious tone, “So did you sell this place?”

  “Not yet. Once we get it cleaned out, I want to see about donating it to a worthy organization. My attorney is sifting through the possibilities. I’m leaning toward a children’s center of some sort—maybe a kind of rescue center for young victims of the system or of accidents. We’re seeking just the right one.” He reached out and squeezed Suzette’s hand. Then, veering left into a large suite, Arthur said, “So here are your quarters, if you like it. If not, we have others.”

  Savannah and Michael stepped into the suite and looked around at the charming and elaborate but dated décor. She said, “It is lovely, Arthur. Good choice.”

  “I thought you’d like it,” he said. He grinned impishly. “Guess where Suzette and I are staying?”

  Before Savannah could respond, Rupert asked, “Shall I put the large bag here on the rack?”

  “Yes. Thanks, Rupert,” Michael said.

  “Do you want the cat to stay in here with you or shall I take him to the cat room?” He flashed a sideways grin. “Remember the cat room upstairs?”

  “Sure do,” Savannah said. “ What a magnificent place for a cat, with those huge cat trees, hammocks, perches, and all.” She looked down at Rags. “But I think we’ll keep him in here with us for now.”

  Rupert nodded. He edged his cell phone out of his pocket, looked at it briefly, and reported, “They need me to carry something out… better scoot.” With an offhanded salute, he said, “See you all later.”

  After waving to Rupert, Savannah returned her attention to Arthur. “So where are you and Suzette staying?”

  “In my former quarters. She has Ruthie’s old room.”

  “Cool,” Savannah said. “Down in the dungeon, huh?”

  Suzette gazed at Arthur. “I actually like spending time where he grew up.”