Karen Anne Golden - The Cats That 02 - The Cats that Chased the Storm (12 page)

Jake darted to the car, brought back the shovel, and began digging. About a foot down, the shovel hit the top of something. Both men got down on their hands and knees and peered into the hole.

“Wish I’d brought my trowel,” Wayne said. He used his hands to remove the soil around the object.

“What is it?” Katherine said, straining to look past the two men.

“Looks like an old time wire egg basket, but it’s heavily rusted,” Wayne said. He kept digging until he was able to lift out the basket. There was some kind of deteriorated cloth covering it, which he removed. Most of the fabric fell apart when exposed to air. Inside the wire basket was seven mason jars full of gold coins. When Jake opened one of the jars, the gold glistened in the fading sunlight.

“Oh, my God,” Katherine exclaimed. “We found it! Woo hoo!”

“Now what do we do?” Jake said. “Want a coin as a party favor?” he joked.

“Not thinking so,” she said. “I’m excited because we found it. It’s tainted money from bootlegging. Let’s just pack it up and take to Mark. It’s part of my great aunt’s estate.”

“In our excitement to find the treasure, we forgot one necessary thing,” Wayne advised.

“What’s that?” Katherine asked.

“We didn’t get permission.”

“Oh,” she said, discouraged.

“Who owns this property? Is it church-owned? Is it privately owned?” Wayne asked.

Jake interrupted, “I know the answer to that. When I had my wife buried here, I had to get approval from the town of Erie. All I need to do is make a phone call,” he said, pulling out his cell. He punched in a number and said, “Chief London, this is Jake Cokenberger. I’m at the Ethel cemetery with a couple of friends. We need permission to use a metal detector. Okay, great.” Jake disconnected the call. “He gave us thumbs-up, but he’s coming out here.”

“Why?” Katherine asked.

Jake answered, “I don’t know if he was being nosy, or just helpful. He said he’d bring the form I need to sign.”

“Well, while we’re waiting for the chief, why don’t I whip out Hewie and do the math,” Wayne said, extracting his Hewlett-Packard calculator from his T-shirt pocket.

Katherine laughed, “Seriously, you named your calculator?”

“Yep, this baby got me through graduate school. Now, what size jars are these?”

Jake said, “I’d say pint-size.”

“Okay, let’s say sixteen ounces. The jars are pretty full, but not to the top. Hand me one of those coins so I can guesstimate its size.”

“I can do better than that. I printed this from the Internet,” Katherine said
, pulling the folded page out of her bag and handing it to Wayne.

Wayne scanned the article, then began plugging numbers in his calculator. He glanced up and said, “The article says that if in good condition, one coin is worth three hundred dollars.”

“Yeah, you’re right,” Katherine agreed.

Jake commented. “These look like they were minted yesterday!”

Wayne finished his calculations. “Ready for the shock of your life?” he asked breathlessly. “You’ve got about a million bucks here!”

A loud, sharp pop made Katherine jump.

A gunshot hit Wayne in the arm. He crumpled to the ground immediately. Katherine screamed.

Standing a few feet away, a previously unnoticed Beatrice held a handgun shakily. Peering over her glasses, she said, “Now the two of you back off. If you don’t, I’ll shoot you just like I shot him.”

“Calm down, Biddy,” Jake said in a soothing voice. “Put the gun down. If it’s the money you want, just take it. I’ll help take it to your car.”

“What kind of an idiot do you think I am?” she huffed. “No, you pick up the wire thingy and have that Colfax woman walk in front of you. Try anything funny and I’ll shoot you dead.” Aiming the gun at Katherine, Beatrice ordered, “Put your hands up where I can see them. Now move it.”

Reaching down to pick up the basket, Jake deliberately knocked the open jar over. “Dammit,” he said. This distracted Beatrice enough so he could yank the detector off the ground. He hit her square in the head with it. She went down like a sack of potatoes. At exactly that moment, Chief London’s cruiser raced down the lane and abruptly stopped. He made a beeline for the group and hurriedly cuffed Beatrice before she had time to regain consciousness. Then he called dispatch for an ambulance.

Jake was feeling his friend’s pulse, which was racing a mile a minute.

Wayne came to and said, “What happened? Oh, yeah. I’ve been shot.”

Chief London took a look and said, “Take your T-shirt off. I’ll see what I can do.”

Wayne sat up and struggled to remove the shirt. His arm was bloody.

“Good news,” the chief said. “You’ve just been grazed. We’ll have the paramedic fix you right up.”

They could hear sirens getting closer. “What about her?” Katherine asked, nodding toward Beatrice.

The chief said mischievously, “Well, I reckon she won’t be checking out any books today.”

Jake helped Wayne to his feet.

Wayne joked, “It’s been one helluva day. Got to use my new toy, found a treasure, got shot, passed out, and met some interesting people. Beats sittin’ on the couch!”

“Glad you’re not hurt,” Katherine said.

Jake added, “Glad Beatrice was a rotten shot!”

Wayne pointed out, “If she shot my Hewie, I would have hit her myself!”

“So there really was a treasure,” Chief London said, stooping down to look at the gold coins. He lifted one up. “1929.”

Wayne commented, “I can’t imagine burying a fortune in mason jars!”

Katherine said to the chief, “We’ve got to get a hold of Mark Dunn. This money belongs to my great aunt’s estate.”

The chief added, “But one day, Ms. Kendall, that money will be yours.”

Katherine said solemnly, “And I will make sure it helps the people in Erie.”

Jake hugged Katherine, “You’re pretty amazing!”

Officer Glover’s cruiser pulled up, along with an ambulance. Two paramedics rushed over. One cleaned Wayne’s wound and put a bandage on it. “You’re good to go,” he said. The other paramedic was tending the librarian. Beatrice was still passed out on the ground, but was coming to.

Jake asked the chief, “Are we safe to drive this to Mark Dunn’s office? What if there are other Erie nutcases out there, ready to run us off the road like poor Carol?”

“Not thinkin’ tha
t’s a good idea. I’ll call the State Police to help us with this matter. I’ll also call Mark and have him meet them at the bank. I presume it’s the bank in his office building?”

“Yes, it is. Chief, can we go now?” Katherine asked, exhausted from the confrontation.

The chief nodded. “I can get your statements later. I’ll have Mark call you from the bank.”

“Thanks,” Katherine said. Jake took Katherine by the arm and directed her to Wayne’s car.

“Hey, man,” Jake said to Wayne. “I’ll drive.”

“No argument here,” Wayne said, holding up his bandaged arm.

As they drove closer to Erie, Katherine asked, “Can you drop me off at the bungalow?”

In a few minutes, Jake parked in front. He walked Katherine to the door. Leaning over, he kissed her on the cheek.

Katherine smiled and said, “I just want to warn you, my relationships with men don’t end well.”

Jake’s eyes fixed on Katherine’s. “Well, maybe I can fix that. I’ll call you tomorrow.” He tipped his ball cap and left.

She watched him climb back into Wayne’s car and drive down the tree-lined street. When she put the key in the lock, she saw Scout inside, standing tall on the front windowsill. The brown-masked feline was gazing up at the sky.

Katherine talked to Scout through the window glass, “Next time when you warn me about a storm, give me a sign in advance about what
kind
of storm it’s going to be.”

Chapter Ten

Late June

Katherine’s Subaru Outback turned onto the entrance ramp to northbound
U.S. 41. Jake was behind the wheel. “What do you think of your new Sue-bee?” he asked Katherine, who was riding shotgun in the passenger seat.

“I love my taupe Sue-bee. I’m so glad you suggested it,” she said, smiling.

“You need all-wheel drive in Indiana, especially in the winter. Plus it’s got that handy-dandy seat in the back that pulls down. Perfect for cat carriers!” Jake stepped on the accelerator, which caused Scout to loudly “waugh” again for the fiftieth time since they left Erie.

“Scout, please be quiet,” Katherine said in a
gentle voice to the nervous feline. “We’re taking a road trip, sweetie. We’re going to Chicago!”

Jake pulled onto the highway and said, “Are you excited about moving back into the pink mansion?”

Katherine thought for a moment, then said, “Sort of.”

“What does that mean?” he asked
curiously.

“I’ve fallen in love with the bungalow,” she confessed.

“I was afraid of that. So, you’re not moving back in?”

“I have no other choice. The terms of my great aunt’s will are quite clear, or so Mark Dunn reminds me. I have to live in the house for a year and take care of Abby. The Abby part is easy.”

“Oh, really,” he said, amused. “What part of taking care of Abby has been easy?”

“I must admit she’s a magnet for danger.”

“You
only
have to live in the premier house of Erie for a year –”

“Actually, eight more months,” Katherine interjected.

“So, you have eight months to decide if you’re going to stay in the house, stay in Erie, or move somewhere else,” he said, then added, “I vote you stay in Erie!”

Katherine affectionately pinched him on the arm and said, “I admire the house. I love the original details and the furniture. Margie’s desig
n of the kitchen belongs on HGTV. I love the modern look.”

“Here’s some good news
.  We should be finished with the classroom in a month,” Jake pointed out.

“I can’t wait to begin teaching classes,” Katherine said
cheerfully. “But the pink mansion …” she hesitated, “kind of creeps me out.”

“Because of the way Gary died?” Jake
asked gently.

“Among other things. I’m afraid I’ll go down in Erie history as the woman who lived in the murder house,” she admitted. “The cats seem to be spooked in certain rooms.”

“Cats are sensitive creatures. Do you think the mansion is haunted?”

“Ma-waugh,” Scout commented.

Jake and Katherine laughed.

“I think Scout just answered your question,” Katherine said, turning in her seat to check on Scout, who had finally quieted down.

They rode in silence for a few miles, then Jake asked, “Have you ever been to Chicago?”

“This is my first time. Have you ever been to the Amberson Hotel?”

“Actually, I have,” he said with interest. “It’s a historic hotel with the most spectacular interior details and ceiling paintings. The main lobby is huge. When I went to graduate school, I used to go there after classes, find a cozy chair, and read a book.”

“That’s where the magician is staying for a week. Monica said he left tickets for us to see the show at the front desk. Oh, and back stage passes for the intermission. How cool is that?” she said
animatedly.

“So, the show’s at the hotel?” Jake asked.

Katherine nodded, and then asked, “I’ve been meaning to ask you.  Why didn’t you go to the school in Indiana?”

Jake answered, “When I applied to the University of Chicago, I asked for financial aid.  Then, I found out I qualified for an academic scholarship.  The rest is history!”

Katherine smiled.  “I can’t wait to meet you know who,” she said, not wanting Scout to hear her sister’s name and launch into another barrage of loud shrieking.

Jake passed a slow-moving farm vehicle, then asked, “Do you think they’ll recognize each other? I mean, how long has it been?”

“About five years. Oh, I think they will,” Katherine said, then gasped. Pointing out the windshield, she asked, “What are those?”

Jake
explained. “Those are wind turbines. We’re getting close to Kentland. There are several wind farms here. You can see them from each side of the road.”

“They look like something from the War of the Worlds!”

“I think they’re about 300 feet tall, not for sure. You should have been here when they were built,” Jake said. “Semi-trucks with flatbeds brought them in piece-by-piece. Listen, I’ve been meaning to show you the windmills at my place. We’ll have a picnic or something,” he suggested.

“Sounds like fun!” Changing the subject, she said, “Guess what I got in the mail today from Detective Martin?”

“The suspense is killing me,” Jake kidded.

“A report of the analysis of the DNA samples from the skeleton and Robert Colfax.”

“And should there be a drum roll? Is he or is he not William Colfax?”

“Well, it was a fascinating detailed report … ”

“I beg you. Who was it?”

“John Dillinger’s bodyguard,” she announced with a mischievous glint in her eye.”

“What? No way!”

“Just kidding,” Katherine added quickly
, then in a more serious tone, “It
was
my great uncle.”

“So, now’s what the theory of how he died?”

“Waugh,” Scout said loudly, wanting to comment.

“Like the detective said, some old drunk wandered from the speakeasy and died of alcohol poisoning. In this case, the old drunk was my great uncle!”

“But why did he have the gold coins in his hand?”

“Maybe he was out of mason jars!” she snickered.

Jake laughed.

“Seriously, I want to believe my great aunt knew nothing of his habits next door.”

“What about the brick wall? Do you think we’ll ever find out if it was built before or after William died?”

“I suspect my great uncle had that wall built before Orvenia arrived on the scene. He didn’t have to use the tunnel anymore because he owned the yellow brick house. He could go over there anytime he wished, and my great aunt wouldn’t have been the wiser.”

“So what happens now? Are you going to have a service at the mausoleum?”

“
I talked to Detective Martin.  She said she’d let me know when the funeral home can pick up my great uncle’s remains. I’m curious to meet the grandson. Maybe he deserves more of the Colfax pie than what he received from my great aunt’s will.”

“You’re a good soul!” Jake commented. “I’m glad the cold case is closed,”
he added.

“Ma-waugh,” Scout agreed.

“And Scout seconds it!”

Jake and Katherine arrived in Chicago and parked in the underground hotel parking lot. Katherine had booked two separate rooms in the pet-friendly Amberson Hotel. Jake helped Katherine carry Scout inside the hotel lobby. Glancing at the frescoed ceiling, Katherine could not believe the grandeur of the hotel. “Jake, you’re right! This is incredible!” Then Katherine noticed Scout was unusually quiet.

“Wait, something’s not right here,” Katherine said to Jake, worried. She knelt down and peered in the cage. Scout was sitting like a sphinx with her blue sapphire eyes crossed. “Scout, really, the lunatic crossed-eye trick?”

Scout blinked her eyes admiringly.

Once they were in their rooms, Katherine arranged a comfortable spot on the bed for Scout, but the Siamese was too busy to notice. She was on a reconnaissance mission to check out the perimeter of the room.

There was a light tap on the door; it was Jake.

“See you later, Scout,” Katherine said, leaving the room. She hung the
Do Not Disturb
card on the door handle.

Jake asked, “So what’s the plan later with the Hocus Pocus man?”

“I thought I would sweetly ask Harry if Scout and Abra could be together for a few moments after the show. I think this would be wonderful for Scout’s morale. These past few months have really been stressful on her.”

“You, as well,” Jake added
.

Later Jake took Katherine to nearby pizza place and intr
oduced her to true Chicago deep-dish pizza.

“It’s delicious,” Katherine said, licking her lips. A drop of pasta sauce fell on her white blouse. “Great,” she said, dapping her cotton napkin into her glass of water and dabbing the stain.

Jake laughed. “I guess we should have worn our Erie Hotel bibs.”

“I think I h
ave some in my purse,” she teased. “I had a favorite pizza place in New York. It was on 42nd and 5th. Pizza by the slice. Only New York pizza is much thinner. It’s easier to eat; you just fold it over.”

“You may find this hard to believe, but I’ve been to New York.”

“Really?” she asked, amazed.

They shared New York experiences until it was time to leave the restaurant and head over to the Harry Hocus Pocus show. They picked up their tickets, then read the nearby sign for the show. “Abra – the amazing Siamese – appears for the first time since her mysterious disappearance.”

“That should spark interest,” Katherine observed. “I just hope Abra feels the same way.”

“I was thinking that,” Jake said. “Maybe it’s too soon for her to perform in front of a live audience.”

They headed for the hotel auditorium, which was lavishly decorated with gold damask walls, gilded moldings, and a large crystal chandelier hanging from the ceiling. Rows of burgundy velvet chairs bordered a center aisle. The heavy stage curtains were closed. On the gleaming stage were several of Harry’s various props. Three young men dressed in tuxedos passed out the playbill. The room was already crowded with people talking and laughing loudly.

One of the young me
n looked at Katherine’s ticket.  “You’re up front. Harry wanted me to tell you that during the intermission, I’ll come over and take you back stage,” he said.

“Perfect,” Katherine said.

Jake took her arm and escorted her to her seat. He sat down next to her. A picture of a seal-point Siamese graced the front cover of the playbill.

“Ah,” Katherine cooed. “She looks just like Scout, but she’s too skinny.”

The lights dimmed and the Harry Hocus Pocus show began. Harry opened with the straitjacket act, followed by an array of other amazing tricks. After the levitation of one of the audience volunteers, the curtains closed dramatically, then swept open revealing a tall, svelte Siamese sitting on a stool. The audience went wild with cooing and aah-ing. Abra belted out a loud
raaww
.

Katherine leaned into Jake and whispered, “Did she just say
raw
?”

Harry boomed to the audience, “Ladies and gentlemen, I wish to introduce you to the amazing Abra.” A round of loud applause didn’t seem to faze the Siamese.

Abra performed several tricks. One of them was answering a telephone. “Scout does this,” Katherine proudly whispered to Jake. Katherine’s favorite was Abra riding on Harry’s shoulders while stage smoke mysteriously came out of her ears. Abra was in her element and not missing a cue. She was poised and confident, doing an outstanding cat job, when someone’s cell phone rang loudly in the audience. The ringtone sounded like a flock of angry Canadian geese in an echo chamber. Abra immediately flew off Harry’s shoulders, sprang from the stage with her front paws held out like Superman
.
She began leaping on people’s shoulders, moving like a deranged monkey, from shoulder-to-shoulder in search of the cell phone.

Members of the audience began to scream, while others laughed.

“Get that cat,” Harry shouted to the stagehands. Two men rushed off the stage and into the audience, trying to catch the frenzied Siamese.

A woman in row five screamed, “My hair! My hair!” She held up a shaggy hair extension. A man nearby shouted, “Hey, watch out!” Another woman yelled, “Ouch! That hurt!” Abra pounced on the annoying cell phone, yanked it out of the user’s hand, then using the center carpeted aisle, raced back to the stage. She then dropped the phone obediently in front of Harry. As the curtains closed, the audience could see Harry snatching the improvising cat around the middle. The audience went wild with laughter.

A woman close to Katherine stood up, clapping, “That was the best part of the show! Bravo! Bravo!”

Katherine and Jake bolted out of their seats and sprinted to the stage door. One of the frazzled stagehands held a cat carrier in his hand. Katherine flashed her back stage pass to him. “This way,” he directed.

The stagehand went over to Harry and set the carrier down. The magician was furious. He brusquely put Abra in the carrier. Abra cried loudly inside, shifting back and forth.

Katherine ran over. “Hey, be careful with her.”

Harry glared at Katherine, “Are you that woman who has Cadabra?”