Rita Brown - Cat of the Century

Tim, whod sold cocaine in college to pay his way, still had some of his old contacts left. Theyd succeeded in their profession, as had he. When the market crashed, he started selling again, but with much higher volume, to cover some of the payouts to clients. They shipped in cocaine through small boats that landed in the many coves of the Chesapeake Bay. He and Liz figured they could stay afloat for perhaps seven or eight months while they shifted their money to Costa Rica. Business was goodTim repented of not sticking with it when hed graduated from college.

Terri was paid five thousand dollars a month to allow the pots to be delivered to her store. Although she was frightened of having drugs come through her place, she was wildly happy with the money. She didnt pay much attention to Mariahs death, but when Flo died, Terri began to get nervous. Ultimately, she became unreliable, too scared, plus she was taking too much toot herself. What begins as a good thingincreased concentration, feeling greatwinds up as a bad thing. This seems to be the progress of any addiction.

As to Terri being laid out where Ralston Peavey was killed, Liz thought it would shunt people to the wrong track. Shed heard stories about the old murder. Unsolved murders stay in peoples memories, providing curiosity. The Black Dahlia murder certainly proved how potent a strange unsolved crime can be. It was quite cunning of her to

place Terri on that road. She never figured on Inez being so angry about her investments, which she would have put into Inezs account as soon as she and Tim sold a little of the cocaine. Selling cocaine in a wealthy community is easy. Charlottesville was no exception. Tims old contacts had given him a few numbers. They in turn gave him more business through their friends, since the stuff was high quality.

Cooper relayed all this at the supper table at Harrys on Saturday night. Inez, released from the hospital, sat in the living room along with Aunt Tally, who was only too happy to get out of her house. Shed spent last night at Little Mims. Lizs blood all over the living-room rug upset her, and she didnt want to stay there until the rug was carried out. She sent it to Rudys Dry Cleaners with the instruction that, once cleaned, it was to be given to Goodwill. She couldnt bear to look at it, but it was too expensive to toss.

I would have never figured it out, Harry admitted.

Were not finance people. I guess you dont know somethings wrong until you cant pay your bills, Fair replied quietly. He was horrified that Inez had been shot.

You all know I dont know beans about money. Aunt Tally stroked Doodless glossy head.

We knew something was off with Liz. That nasty smell,

Tucker said.

It was sharp,

Erno agreed.

Is there any money left? Inez asked Cooper.

Tim had managed to get a lot of their money out of the country. It will take some time to get it back, the officer answered. Of course, they blew a lot, too.

How much? Aunt Tally inquired.

Tim says they took out twelve million. Whether one can believe him or not is another matter. He saysif you can stomach thisthat Liz stole such a small amount compared to Madoff that he should receive a light sentence.

Fair drummed his fingers on the table. If the Richmond police and whoever Tim hires for his lawyer think theres still a lot of money, some of them might be bought off. One doesnt like to consider such things, but Mafia dons can run their empires from prison. The corruption

is within. Few people can resist a huge sum dangled under their noses. Why do you think drugs come into this country, and why do you think they dont get legalized? The nontaxable milk train will dry up for a lot of people in law enforcement and government if drugs are legalized. The louder a congressman shouts about the evils of drugs, the more you can bet hes on the take.

Makes me sick. Cooper was an honest person, an honest cop.

Harry put her feet up on the old coffee table. So theres probably more money somewhere else.

I expect so. Hell serve his time. After all, he didnt kill anyoneLiz did that. When hes out, hell go to the money and live like a king. Cooper put her drink down on the table.

Thats disgusting. Inez pursed her lips.

Doc, Im afraid thats the world we live in. Money sanctifies just about anything. Cooper sighed.

So why do you remain a cop? Aunt Tally, forthright as always, asked.

I dont rightly know. I keep hoping I can do some good against the avalanche of evil out there.

Poor people.

Erno came and rested his head on Inezs knee.

Their own fault, Erno. Dont waste a minute feeling sorry for them.

Pewter nonchalantly cleaned her tail, holding it in one paw.

Cooper asked Aunt Tally, Were you scared?

No. In fact, I felt wonderful, energized. When Liz shot Inez, I suddenly felt forty again and I wanted to fight. She beamed.

You werent afraid to die? Cooper put her own feet up on the coffee table. As a dear friend she could do that, but then, Harry didnt care much about the old furniture.

Cooper, if youre afraid to die, youre afraid to live. You cant have one without the other. Aunt Tally smiled.

Inez giggled, then, as though Harry and Fair were her parents, asked, Can Tally spend the night?

Fair laughed and said, Certainly, but I dont want you girls staying up all night talking.

They all laughed at this.

No reading under the covers with flashlights, Harry added.

Aunt Tally roared with laughter, thrilled to be alive, thrilled that she won. Can there be a victory more clear than the death of an enemy?

Then she said wistfully, We never will know about Ralston, will we?

She was going to get her wish. It wasnt over yet.

O

n Monday, April 27, Inez received a call from the bank manager of the BB&T near ManakinSabot.

She hung up the phone and walked out to the barn, slowly, for the wounded leg still stung. She was using a cane. Aunt Tally had kidded her that if they held hands, they could prop themselves up with their canes and dance the cancan, kicking up their legs. Harry had just finished mucking all the stalls.

Harry, my bank manager informs me theres little money. As my accounts are with Filmore Investments, God knows if I have any money at all there.

Oh, Inez!

Its going to take time to find out. Inez took a deep breath. I may have to sell the farm. It would be great if Blanca could buy it, but I dont think she and her husband can afford it. Its prime real estate. But as you know, the market is dreadful for expensive country properties.

Inez, dont even think about it. Stay with us. Your farm is paid off, thank God. It will all sort out, and theres no point going back to ManakinSabot and being stressed. Theres been enough of that. She checked the wall clock. In an hour youll be calling the president of William Woods and the other alumnae board members for a conference call on the next step for the board. Luckily, what happened has

nothing to do with William Woods other than that Liz broke bad, Terri tagged along, and Mariah was a cheat. Harvard has produced far more rotters than that. Dont think about the money right now. Just concentrate on William Woods.

I cant impose on you two like that, but thank you for offering. Thats so very kind. Inez smiled.

If you dont, Fair will be apoplectic. And you know, Inez, its a joy to have you around. Harry took her by the hand and walked her into the tack room, seating her at the old school chair.

She then called Fair on his cell, explained everything, and handed the phone to Inez, who, upon listening, began to cry.

Harry put her hand on the old womans shoulder. Although she couldnt hear it word for word, she knew the gist of what her husband was saying.