Rita Brown - Cat of the Century

Tucker, sitting in the center aisle, advised,

Just do what she wants. In the long run, its easier.

The two cats had chosen to remain in the tack room/office, where it was warmer.

Sure you dont want to go into the tack room? Harry worried about Inez in the sharp cold.

In a minute. I miss practicing. I never really wanted to retire, but theres a point where a horse leans over on you and you cant help but fall over. She smiled. So now I check X rays if Blanca asks. Stuff like that.

She mentioned Blanca Drabek, D.V.M., who rented her clinic.

Harry put down Tomahawks hind hoof and looked directly at Inez. I dont know if Ill take it with as much good grace as you have when I have to take a backseat. Farming is hard physical labor.

Harry, youll do what you have to do, and you have too much sense to become bitter or bitchy.

Thanks.

Inezs cell phone rang.

She fished it out of her front parka pocket. Hello, Flo.

She wondered how shed ever lived without caller ID.

Inez, I apologize for not telling you about the scandal involving Mariahs business. I felt the president had to hear it first.

Wait a minute. Im in Harrys center aisle in the barn. Inez walked to the tack room, opened the door, and gratefully sank into the desk chair.

I suppose she did, but it seemed a little shifty, Flo. Im disappointed in you.

I should think youd be disappointed in Mariah. Flos voice rose.

I am. Desperately, desperately disappointed.

Pete blames me. He swears he knows nothing. Of course he knew about the scam. Hes been married to her for over twenty-five years!

Flo, how do you know that? You and Pete arent on conversational, friendly terms any more than you were with Mariah.

He called me to cuss me out. Flo flicked a cigarette ash into her large crystal ashtray on her desk. He also says money is tight in her business, less in his, but they have huge expenses. Says Im a nosy bitch.

Inez sighed, then added, Flo, Im staying with Tally, but Im at Fairs a lot or in the truck, visiting cases. If its an emergency, call on my cell. Im not going home for a while. She paused. You hated Mariah. I know that, but, Flo, your delight in uncovering her possible criminal behavior upsets me.

Inez, you want someone on the board who cheats people? Whats wrong with you? I did the right thing.

You did the right thing for you. Inez pressed the end button on her cell.

Inez zipped up her parka, went back into the aisle, and noticed Simon, the opossum, peering over the side of the hayloft. Harryvarmint. She pointed up.

Oh, thats Simon. Hes a little shy, but he wants his molasses and maple-syrup icicles. I make them for him.

Inez gave Harry the details of Flos call.

Its ugly no matter how you look at it. Harry shook her head. Im pretty much done. Ill carry you over to Tallys. First let me climb into the hayloft and give these treats to Simon.

Inez put her hand on her hip. You spoil your animals.

And you dont?

Within fifteen minutes they all piled into the Volvo. While the three animals gossiped in the back, Harry carefully negotiated the treacherous roads. The intense cold meant that where there was runoff, there was also black ice, which could land you in a ditch faster than you could blink.

Rose Hill, as the crow flies, was maybe two miles away, but by road it was more like four.

Once at the lovely old house, Inez knocked, then opened the door.

Without greeting as she came down the hall, Aunt Tally simply said, Now what?

Inez repeated Flos call as the three ladies settled in to the cozy den, where the fire was roaring. The animals played with Doodles, who had been right at the front door when they came in.

Hot tea and small sandwiches fueled their chat.

Inez sipped the delicious tea, warming from the inside out. Tally, its all so petty.

Some people hold grudges all their lives. I figure thats the glue to hold together a weak, cracked personality. Although if Mariah did bilk her customers, which it appears she has, thats no laughing matter.

Harry grinned mischievously. A sex scandal would be much more interesting than a watch scandal.

Righto. Aunt Tally held up her tea, spiced with fresh lemon and a dot of gin. And no one has heard a peep from Mariah. No one has seen her or thought they have. She could be dead.

I hope not. Inez shook her head.

If Mariah is as guilty as Flo swears she is, maybe Mariah committed suicide. Its the only honorable way out.

Mrs. Murphy and Pewter, tiring of the boisterous dogs, had joined the women.

Catnip,

Pewter said rather loudly.

Aunt Tally doesnt have catnip. She just has her Gordon setter.

Mrs. Murphy wished Pewter hadnt mentioned catnip, for now she wanted some.

No. I mean this is about human catnip.

Pewter expanded on her theme.

Sex. Love or money. Thats their catnip.

Mrs. Murphy agreed with the gray cat.

Inez, meanwhile, bore down on Aunt Tally. Do you read your investment reports?

No.

Oh, Tally, I told you to take an interest in the money when we were students. You never listen.

Why? It rolled in. Thats Scott and Stringfellows job, not mine. Anyway, why are you bringing this up? You know the answer.

Women who inherit wealth are kept stupid by it, and kept from it, I might add. Ive been telling you that for years. Just look at how Mariahs customers were robbed, so to speak. They didnt pay attention.

Watches and stocks are not similar. Aunt Tallys face turned red. Anyway, Mim has an interest in it. Bores me to tears. If anything is amiss, shell tag it. You forget, Inez, that our generation usually had one membermaleof each generation who was to manage the family money. I didnt have a brother, so the job passed to my nephew, Mims brother, who as you know died in 1942. Mim didnt exactly take over, but she browbeat Scott and Stringfellow into more participation. But women just didnt

do

money.

You sure spent it. Inez couldnt resist.

Not so much. Aunt Tally wasnt profligate.

Im being mean. Worry makes me well, you know. Im sorry.

You take everything to heart. Look, Flos investigationif that is what it was; vendetta is more like itis bad news, but dont dwell on it. Aunt Tally turned to Harry. Put her in the truck with Fair tomorrow. Will keep her occupied. She then turned back to Inez. Really, relax. All this fuss is halfway across the country. Nothing we can do.

Youre right. Inez nibbled another sandwichegg salad, at the perfect consistency.

I like egg salad.

Pewter opened her nostrils wider.

Me, too.

Mrs. Murphy always liked eggs, any way she could get them.

The two cats sat on either side of Harry, faces turned upward, whiskers forward, the picture of concentration and concentrated affection.

Harry couldnt help but notice. She tried to ignore them.

Pewter put a paw on her leg.

Damn, Harry muttered.

Oh, break up a sandwich and give it to them. They wont leave crumbs, and if they do, the vacuum cleaner will suck them up. Thats what its for, Aunt Tally commanded.

Youre such a good woman,

Pewter thanked Aunt Tally, as the much-desired sandwich piece came her way.

Ditto,

Mrs. Murphy agreed.

Inez looked at her watch, an old Bulova made just before World War II. Theres still some daylight left. Harry, will you drive me to where Ralston Peavey was found?

Why do you want to go there? Aunt Tally put her cup in the saucer with a

clink.

Youve mentioned it. I think we drove by it years ago and you said something, but I dont have a mental picture of the place.

Youre just doing it to distract yourself. An old trouble is better than a new one.