Claws for a Cause (A Klepto Cat Mystery Book 15) Read online

  “Iris is a hard act to follow,” Colbi said. “She’s a darn good waitress.”

  Savannah winked at the young server. “Yes, she has a lot she can teach you.”

  “I know.” Kayla turned, saying over one shoulder, “Let me get your drinks for you.”

  “What?” Savannah asked, when she noticed Colbi staring at her. “Do I have spinach in my teeth?”

  Colbi laughed. “No. I was just thinking about you and Iris. You’re pretty good friends, aren’t you?”

  Savannah nodded. “Yeah, why?”

  “How did that happen? I mean, she’s old enough to be your…”

  “Yikes, Colbi, don’t say that stuff around Iris.” She sat back against the seat. “Yeah, she went to school with my aunt—so she’s close to my mother’s age. But she’s young at heart, don’t you think? You get along with her, don’t you?”

  “Oh yes. I love Iris. She’s a kick.” She thought for a moment before saying, “She’s one of those ageless people. She fits in with just about anyone of any age.”

  Savannah nodded. “Yes. Well, we sure hit it off. And we seem to have even more in common since she and Detective Craig got married. She’s one neat gal and a good friend.” Her eyes brightened when she added, “And soon to be your mother-in-law.”

  Without responding, Colbi picked up her menu and studied it for a few seconds. “I’m going to have the patty melt.”

  “Mmm, sounds good. But I think I’ll have the turkey sandwich.”

  “Oh, that would be a healthier choice. Okay, you convinced me. I’ll have that, too.”

  “So what’s up?” Savannah asked, closing her menu and folding her hands in front of her. “Everything okay with you and Damon?”

  “Yes,” she said, sighing. She then frowned. “Well, except that he wants to get married.”

  “That’s a problem?” Savannah asked, raising her eyebrows. “Isn’t that what every

  woman dreams of…a proposal from the man she loves?” She leaned toward Colbi. “You’re still in love with him, aren’t you?”

  Colbi smiled. “Madly.”

  “Then what’s the problem?”

  Colbi leaned back in the booth. Taking a deep breath and letting it out, she said, “Nothing, I guess. It’s just so final—such a huge commitment. I’m not ready.” She glanced around the room, then spoke more quietly, “But that isn’t what I want to talk to you about. Savannah, the thing is…”

  “Two iced teas,” Kayla said placing them in front of the women. “Are you ready to order?” she asked, looking down at her pad while smacking on a wad of gum.

  “Yes, we’re both having the turkey sandwich,” Savannah said.

  The server looked from one to the other of the women. “A split order?”

  “No,” Savannah said. “I guess I worded that wrong. We’re each having a turkey sandwich…a whole one—mine on rye, please. And can I have sweet potato fries?”

  Kayla nodded, then looked at Colbi.

  “I’ll have mine on sourdough and I’d like cole slaw.” She gathered up the menus and handed them to the waitress.

  “So what’s going on?” Savannah asked while putting her straw into her iced tea.

  “I let my brother move in,” Colbi said quietly, “and I just don’t know if it’s going to work out.”

  Savannah pulled back. Frowning, she said, “Your brother? I didn’t know you had a brother. Wow that’s an odd secret to keep from friends.”

  Colbi shrugged. “Not really. I didn’t actually have a brother for many years.” When Savannah looked confused, she explained, “My parents disowned him.” She swallowed hard and stared across the room. “We were close as kids. In fact, we were so close in age, people thought we were twins.” She chuckled. “Only he kept growing and I didn’t. We’re like Mutt and Jeff now, even though I’m the older sister.” She gazed into space. “We had so much fun together. As you know, we lived out away from it all—had no neighbors—so we relied on each other as playmates. We were quite the pair, always coming up with something fun and exciting to do around the place—swinging on a rope out of the hayloft, pushing each other down the hill on go-carts we built out of skateboard parts and wooden crates, having rotten tomato fights… Oh, was I ever a tomboy, and we were about as close as a brother and sister can be until…”

  “Until what?” Savannah asked.

  “Until he started going down the forbidden path.”

  “Forbidden path?”

  “Yeah, you know, drugs, criminal activity… He stole from our parents, for heaven’s sake. When we were in high school, we went in different directions; had different friends. My folks were so concerned about him and his shenanigans that I could do practically anything without getting in trouble.” She looked Savannah in the eyes. “Of course, my only crimes were missing curfew, sneaking out to see a boy when my parents thought I was at a sleepover…things like that. I got away with murder because my brother was into more serious stuff. When I went away to college, things at home evidently revved up and my parents eventually tossed him out. They banned him from the house—even got the cops involved in keeping him away.”

  “I had no idea,” Savannah said. “I thought it was just you and your dad.”

  “Yeah, it was, for a few years. Mom died, then he got sick, and I came back to take care of him until his death.”

  “And you never heard from your brother through all of those trying times with your folks?”

  “No. Not a word, until he came to the house last week.”

  “He knew where you lived?”

  “Yeah, Remember, I’m still in my parents’ old place. It was our home growing up. He took a chance that I’d still be there. He kind of shamed me into letting him stay in the house.” She hesitated before saying, “He says he’s changed.”

  “Changed?” Savannah questioned. “So he’s no longer doing drugs?”

  Colbi sat back in the booth and allowed the waitress to place a sandwich in front of her. She then said, “Yeah, and he says he’s not involved in any criminal activity. Evidently he was arrested quite a few times in the past.”

  “Did he tell you that?”

  She shook her head. “No. Damon looked up some of his history, or had Detective Craig do it. He wanted me to know what issues I may be dealing with.”

  Savannah gazed across the table at her friend. “So, what’s he like? I mean, what kind of person is he now? Do you think he’s changed? Are you comfortable having him in your home? How does Damon feel about it?”

  Colbi took a bite of her sandwich and ate a little cole slaw before responding. She grimaced. “Damon is not happy. You know, he once walked down that road himself.”

  “But he came back from it—he got himself out of it,” Savannah said.

  “Yeah, I know—with Craig’s help. But he’s seen too many people lie to their families in order to get what they want. He says he did the same thing.” She leaned toward Savannah and spoke more quietly. “He’s totally against me taking him in.”

  “But you and Damon don’t even live together, do you? I mean, he can’t object to what goes on in your home, can he?”

  “No, he still has his apartment in town.” She thought for a moment, then said, “Well, I guess he can object if he wants to. But you’re right, he has no real say in the matter. Of course, he’s concerned about me and how my brother’s presence will affect me. Damon just can’t get past thinking he’s taking advantage of me. He doesn’t believe he’s changed.”

  “And you do?” Savannah asked. When she saw Colbi bristle a little, she added, “I don’t mean that as a challenge. I’m just wondering how you feel about who he is now.”

  “How do I feel? I feel like I owe it to Mom and Dad to help him and I so want to believe he’s changed.” She smiled. “I actually really like the guy; I just don’t like the company he keeps.” She shook her head. “I told him I don’t want his friends coming around the house. If they’re coming to give
him a ride someplace, he can walk to the end of the driveway to meet them.”

  Savannah frowned. “Oh, so you don’t actually trust him.”

  “Yeah, I do…” she started. She then sat back. “I guess I don’t. He did a lot of damage to our family, Savannah. He’s going to have to prove to me that he’s changed. I won’t be duped like Mom and Dad were for so long.”

  “I don’t blame you. So what’s your plan? Do you have a time limit for him to be out of the house and on his own? Are you going to give him money? Is he working?”

  Colbi shook her head. “No, he doesn’t have a job.” She placed her elbows on the table. “Savannah, I’m a little confused about what I’m doing and what I should do. Know what I mean? As I said, I like Harrison. He’s likable and I want to believe him. Who doesn’t want family?” She choked up. “He’s my only family.” She dabbed around one eye with her napkin, then glanced at Savannah. “What did I say?” she asked when she noticed Savannah looking askance. “What’s wrong?”

  “Your brother’s name is Harrison?”

  “Yeah.” She grinned. “Cool name, huh?”

  “Yeah, I guess so.”

  “Why?” Colbi asked

  Savannah stuttered, “Uh…nothing really. I…I don’t know, the name just struck a chord. That’s all.” She looked at her watch. “Hey, I’d better go rescue Iris from my busy toddler.” She looked at Colbi. “So how do you think you’ll handle this? Do you have some ideas?”

  “I guess I really should set some rules—insist that he look for a job every day and move out within a certain time, whether or not he has a job. That should be incentive enough, right?”

  Savannah thinned her lips. “You might add that any sign of drugs in the house is cause for immediate eviction.”

  “Good one,” Colbi said, raising a finger toward Savannah. “Yes, that ought to satisfy both me and Damon. I’ve asked Damon to be patient with me. I told him that I really need to work this out with my only kin in the whole world. Do you know what he did?”

  “Who, Damon? What?”

  “He did a background check on Harrison to find out what he’s been up to these last few months—to find out if he really has cleaned up his act.”

  “What did he come up with?”

  “A few brushes with the law, but nothing serious. I asked Harrison about them and he said it was a lot of coincidences—being in the wrong place at the wrong time or hanging with the wrong people. He says he’s learned his lesson and he really wants to lead a different life and, in fact, become a chef.”

  “A chef?” Savannah asked, her eyes wide.

  “Yes. He’s done some cooking at greasy-spoon restaurants in Los Angeles and says he’d like to learn to be a chef.”

  “So he lived in LA?” Savannah asked, unsmiling.

  Colbi cocked her head, her long brown hair spreading over one shoulder. “Yeah, why?”

  “Oh, nothing, I guess.” After looking at the ticket Kayla had left on the table, Savannah pulled some money out of her purse and placed it on the tray. She then stood and picked up her jacket. Glancing at Colbi, she said, “I wonder if Max might mentor him.”

  “Max? Oh, your aunt’s husband. That’s right, he was a chef, wasn’t he?”

  “Yes, in Chicago. If you decide you want to discuss this with your brother—if it looks like he’s sincere—I’ll ask Max, if you want me to.”

  “Sure. Let’s see how things go before I step out on a limb too far. I’ll be in touch. Thank you so much,” Colbi said, scooting out of the booth and hugging Savannah.

  “For what? I didn’t do anything.”

  “You were there for me and you had some good ideas. I appreciate that a lot.”

  “Well, you’re welcome. I hope it all works out for you.” Savannah turned to lead the way out of the diner. Once they’d stepped through the doorway, she stopped. “Colbi, you said your brother spent time in Los Angeles? Do you know when that was?”

  “Not really. He probably went there when he left my folks’ place to keep from being arrested and he may have stayed there until recently. He probably lived homeless in LA for the last ten years or so. At least that’s the impression I got from him. Why?” When Savannah didn’t respond, Colbi asked, “Savannah, what’s wrong?”

  “Oh, probably nothing,” she said shaking her head.

  “What?” Colbi pushed. “Something’s got you concerned. What is it?”

  “Uh, nothing. Probably just a weird coincidence. I knew a guy named Harrison once, but his last name wasn’t Stanton.”

  Looking puzzled, Colbi said, “Actually, Harrison doesn’t go by Stanton. He told me he changed his name. I don’t know if he did it legally or not, but now he’s known as Harrison Lee.” She chuckled. “At one point he was interested in a film career and he thought Lee sounded better with his name than Stanton. He is rather handsome and, believe it or not, he’s tall. From our mother’s side, no doubt. He’s a good-looking guy.”

  “Yes. Yes he is,” Savannah said as if to herself.

  Colbi looked confused. “What?”

  “Oh, nothing,” she said, turning to unlock her car door.

  Before she could step in, Colbi asked, “Savannah, do you know my brother?”

  Savannah turned to face her. “Um…as a matter of fact, I think I might.”

  Her dark-blue eyes wide, Colbi asked, “Really? How could that be?” She then remembered something. “Oh, that’s right, you lived in Los Angeles. But…I mean…how…?”

  Savannah grimaced, hesitated, then said, “I think most women have a bad boy in their past. Well, I had my bad-boy experience with a handsome younger man named Harrison Lee.”

  Colbi looked at Savannah for a moment. “Oh, that’s absurd. What are the chances? Besides, Harrison is what—five years younger than you are?”

  Savannah nodded. “Yes, I’m afraid that’s right.” She winced. “So he’s in Hammond, is he?”

  Chapter 2

  “What’s the plan?” Michael asked his wife that evening over dinner. “Will Gladys fly out of Los Angeles and meet us in Hawaii?”

  “I think Mom wants to take the train up here and we’ll fly out of Frisco together. There will be a group of around twenty going on the photography trip. They’ve booked rooms for all of us at the same hotel. I arranged for a two-room suite for the four of us, since we’ll be paying for our stay.”

  Michael dished up another spoonful of Brussels sprouts and a small piece of salmon. “So will it be like one of those touring trips? Are we required to eat together and all?”

  “I believe that’s optional. We don’t have to take meals with everyone, but I think it would be a nice thing to do at least part of the time. I don’t want to seem anti-social.” Savannah added, “I’m eager to go on the organized photo shoots. They’ll have one just about every day. We’ll travel to interesting sites by bus or on foot and learn different photography techniques. I’m excited for the educational aspect of the shoots. Rebecca’s the leader. She told me there should be room on the bus if you and Mom want to go on some of the photo excursions. Or we can rent a car and then go off touring on our own afterward.”

  “It all sounds like a lot of fun.”

  “Yes. I’m so looking forward to the warm climate. This has been one cold winter. I can’t wait to climb into my summer clothes.” She thought for a moment before saying, “It’ll be strange to dig my shorts, tank tops, and sandals out of storage so early this year.” She looked at Michael. “And Lily’s things—oh my gosh, I’m sure she’s outgrown all of her summer clothes. Where will I shop for baby beach wear in the dead of winter?”

  “Hawaii,” Michael said, standing and starting to clear his dishes from the table. “I’m sure they sell summer clothes all year round there.”

  “Brilliant!” Savannah said, standing, grabbing him around the neck, and kissing him on the cheek. She wiped Lily’s face and hands with a washcloth, then lifted the baby from the highchair. “Yes, Dad
dy’s brilliant, isn’t he?”

  “Da-da,” Lily said, pointing. When the baby saw Michael hide behind Savannah, then peek out at her, she laughed and began playing her own game of peekaboo with her little hands over her eyes.

  “Ah yes,” Michael said, “it’ll be great getting away, swimming in the warm waters, drinking those tropical drinks, learning how to do the hula…” He took Lily from Savannah and spun around with her. “…and enjoying it all with my favorite people in the whole world.”

  ****

  Two days later as he prepared to leave for work, Michael said, “I forgot to tell you—that meeting about the wolves is this afternoon. Still want to go?”

  “Today?” she said. “I’d planned to go through our summer clothes.” She thought for a moment. “But yeah, I would like to hear what they have to say. We should know something about our new neighbors.”

  “New neighbors?”

  “The wolves, of course,” she said, smiling. “What time?”

  “Two. I’ll be home for lunch around one. We have the vaccination clinic today, so it will be a long Saturday morning.”

  “Yeah, that’ll work. I’ll put Lily down for her nap early so she’ll be cheerful.”

  Michael laughed. “She’s always cheerful.” He turned to leave. “See you in a little while, then.”

  By one forty-five that afternoon, the Ivey family had arrived at the meeting hall. “Gosh, look at the crowd,” Savannah said. “I hope we can find seats.”

  “It’s a hot topic for ranchers these days, and as you know, we have a lot of livestock in this area. They expect to draw ranchers from miles around, not to mention people like us with a few backyard critters—horses, goats, chickens, rabbits...”

  Savannah pointed. “There’s Auntie and Max. I wonder why they’re here…curiosity?” She turned to Michael. “They aren’t afraid wolves will bother the cats inside their shelter, are they?”

  Michael shook his head. “I doubt it. As you said, they’re probably curious and maybe want to be supportive.”