Rita Brown - Cat of the Century

Dont you go on the lawn. Its sodden. Youll make a mess of her rugs.

Too late: Tucker had already relieved herself on the lawn.

Fair opened the door and made his way down the short, wide hall to the living room on the right.

He embraced Inez, who had stood up. Hows my best girl?

Perfect now that youre here. She gave him a big kiss just as Pewter scuttled across the floor.

Inezs vizsla, ever attentive, remarked,

Fattys come to pay a call.

Hungarian asshole.

Pewter, how you talk.

Tucker came in and immediately touched noses with Erno.

Mrs. Murphy entered at a stately walk, Harry closing the door behind her against the bitter cold. Four honeys, two in each hand, didnt prevent her from kissing her hostess on the cheek.

For you. She presented the prizes.

Orange-blossom honey from Florida. Lovely. Whats this? Inez took a perfectly round glass bottle with a flattish bottom. Italian. Chestnut honey. Ive never had that. Look how amber the color is. Lavender honey from France, my second favorite, and, of course, good old clover honey. How can anyone live without honey? Thank you.

Ill put them in the kitchen for you. Well, actually, Ill take them back out to the car and put them in the shopping bags, Harry offered.

Later. Ive made us a light lunch. Come on, Fair. Wont take but a minute, and I know you can eat.

Now, Inez, you shouldnt be making lunch for us.

Fair, Id rather wear out than rust out. She had a lilt in her voice.

Light lunch? Harry exclaimed as a poached salmon was removed from the oven.

What we need on a cold day.

Harry put out the plates as Inez sliced the fish. The escaping aroma of hollandaise made her hungry. An endive salad and new potatoes with parsley completed the meal.

Fair fed the animals, putting chewies next to the dogs dishes. He knew where everything was in this house. Better to have their noses in food bowls than have them bedeviling you for food while you ate.

The humans ate while reviewing the amazing events. Comments on the incredible weather inevitably crept into the conversation. Harry talked about her plans for her second-year Petit Manseng grapes, her sunflowers, and the corn Bubba Wickham had told her to plant this year.

Ambrosia, a better corn than Silver Queen? Inez was incredulous.

Bubba and Donna Wickham farmed right outside Montpeliernot Montpelier Station, which was up in Orange County and home of the Madisons, but Montpelier in Hanover County, not far from Richmond. Even Virginians not from Hanover County and counties close by could get confused. Everybody knew Bubba and Donna. The two were the local sitcom: funny, occasionally outrageous, and plain good people.

You know his exact words when I told him I was going to plant Silver Queen? Harry ate so much salmon she could feel her waist expanding. Dont dirty your mouth with Silver Queen. You put in Ambrosia. Now, you listen to Bubba, you hear?

She did, too. He was one of the best farmers around, and Harry admired a good farmer the way a suburban teenager admired the rock star of the moment.

Fair and Inez repaired to the living room while Harry stacked the dishwasher and turned it on. She entered the living room to find her husband and Inez smoking contraband Cuban cigars. Diplomaticos was the brand.

Would you like one? Inez offered.

No thanks.

Nothing like a good smoke after a meal. I so look forward to it, Inez confessed. Didnt bring any to William Woods because I knew Big Mim would get her nose out of joint. As it was, Tally and I had to sneak cigarettes. Tally wont smoke a cigar, either. I tell her shes a wimp.

Fair tilted his head back and blew three consecutive smoke rings. If I could blow five Id have the Olympic symbol.

Wouldnt you run out of wind?

Tucker inquired.

He might, but Aunt Tally wouldnt if she smoked one.

Mrs. Murphy laughed.

After the relaxing time in the deep-seated chairs, Fair checked his watch, the inexpensive Fossil brand. Few vets wore costly watches while on the job. Time to throw your bags in the Volvo.

I wouldnt mind a ride in the Volvo. Inez smiled. Come on, Erno.

A road trip!

Erno was joyous.

With Bubble Butt.

Pewter indicated Tucker, who pointedly ignored her.

Mrs. Murphy chastised her friend.

Pewter, its a long way home.

Cats are supposed to stick together, Murph.

It took fifteen minutes to pack up and lock up.

Erno gaily jumped into the back of the Volvo.

Harry, you sit up front next to Fair. Inez opened the back door.

Inez, Im going to take a nap. I didnt sleep too well last night. Something was moving around outside and Tucker wouldnt shut up.

It was a bear,

Tucker defended herself.

On the way west on 250, Inez said to both of them, Thank you for this.

Ha. You think were being nice. Were being selfish. Youll reorganize my house and barn for the better. Im no fool.

Harry rolled up her coat for a pillow.

Inez enjoyed being teased. Are you inferring that Im an old version of Martha Stewart?

No. Im saying it flat out. Harry giggled.

A Volvo full of happy people and animals rode back to Crozet. Despite all, they truly enjoyed one another.

I told you about Lizs email? Inez asked.

Did. Fair responded.

I hope shes not the next victim, Inez said.

O

n Sunday, April 5, the weather turned back toward winter. Sleet drove from the northwest, and the temperature hung near thirty-five degrees. Residents of central Virginia usually figured the last frost would be by April 15. Sometimes Mother Nature would fool you; a mid-April snowstorm was unusual but not rare. However, snow in April was often deep and very cold.

Harry, like most farmers, preferred snow to sleet. Although the mercury dipped lower for snow, it always felt warmer.

Cooper kept the fire going in the fireplace in her simple living room. Harry had filled in Cooper on everything that she knew to date, and Cooper, having seen the photos of Flo, was hooked on the case.

Inez okay?

Harry replied, Horrified but okay. Shes not one to embroider a disaster.

Coopers hand found Mrs. Murphys head as the cat squeezed between the two humans. Hmm.

Any ideas?

No. The Fulton police department was more helpful than St. Louiss. Big-city departments usually look down their nose at us country folks. I have no right to know facts from this case, as it doesnt involve anyone in our county. I explained my concern, but they waved me off, so to speak. I understand it, but its damned frustrating.

Thanks to her position, Inez has been able to check alumnae accounts. Nothing has been touched. I told you that Mariahs treasurer, right?

You did. Know anything about Flos private account yet?

No. Given Dicks grief, no one connected to the board or college has inquired about Flos finances or personal life.

Cooper stretched out her long legs, propping them up on the battle-scarred but sturdy coffee table. This is like every other crime. Some are open-and-shut. Once you know the motive, things always make sense. You look at a persons finances, then business dealings, then sex life. Given Flos intended expose of Mariah, that provides a clear motive.

Its a good thing Mariahs in hiding, because its all over the news. The murder, I mean.

I tapped in to the Kansas City news. Saw the shuttered doors at Fletcher, Maitland, and DAngelo. Boy, what a mess.

Gayle Lampe called Inez and said Mariahs business partner swears hes innocent and doesnt know where she is.

You saw them a little. Whatd you think? Cooper inquired.