Lilian Jackson Braun - Cat 14 Who Wasn't There

"By the way, Gippel called to say the supplier sent the wrong part, so I won't have my car until Friday." "You have a full-time volunteer chauffeur, so that's no problem," he said. At the same time he was thinking, If no car is parked at her carriage house, the prowler will wait for her to drive in; the police can set a trap. He made a mental note to pass this information along to Brodie. Driving Polly home, he noted that the trucks were still carting purchases away from the Goodwinter mansion, and he pointed out the breakfront that the Comptons had bought. At her apartment he stayed just long enough for a piece of pie and then went home to feed the Siamese. The conscientious Mrs. Fulgrove was driving away as he pulled into the barnyard, and he waved to her; the woman's scowl indicated that she had worked overtime because of the vast amount of cat hair everywhere.

He unlocked the back door, expecting to be welcomed by the usual clamor and waving tails, but the cats surprised him by their absence, and when he went to the kitchen to stow his car keys in the drawer, he was surprised to find it open--just enough for an adroit paw to reach in and hook a claw around a small brown velvet teddy bear.

"Oh-oh!" he said and went looking for Tiny Tim. All he found was a pair of debilitated animals lying on the rug in front of the sofa, apparently too weak to jump on the cushioned seat. They were stretched out on their sides, their eyes open but glazed, their tails flat on the floor. He felt them, and their noses were hot!

Their fur was hot! He rushed to the telephone and called the animal clinic, but it was closed. Anxiously he called Lori Bamba, who was so knowledgeable about cats.

"What's the trouble, Qwill?" she asked, responding to the alarm in his voice.

"The cats are sick! I think they've eaten foreign matter. What can I do? The vet's office is closed. Shouldn't they have their stomachs pumped out?" "Do you know what they ate?" "A stuffed toy, not much larger than a mouse. It was in a kitchen drawer, and I think Mrs. Fulgrove left it open." "Was it catnip?" "No, a miniature teddy bear. They act as if they're doped. Their fur is red hot!" "Don't panic, Qwill," she said.

"Did Mrs. Fulgrove use the laundry equipment?" "She always puts sheets and towels through the washer." "Well, the cats probably slept on top of the dryer until they were half-cooked. Our cats do that all the time--all five of them-and the house smells like hot fur." "You don't think they would have eaten the teddy bear?" "They may have chewed some of it, in which case they'll throw it up. I wouldn't worry if I were you." "Thanks, Lori. You're a great comfort.

Is Nick there? I'd like to have a word with him." When her husband came on the line, Qwilleran reported the return of the Boulevard Prowler and his own scouting expedition around the county, adding, "None of the bartenders had heard of Charles Martin, so he might not be giving his right name--that is, if he gives any name at all. He's an unsociable cuss. Anyway, it would be interesting to know where he's holing up." "I'll still put my money on Shantytown," Nick said.

"Anyone can shack up there. Or if he thinks the police are after him, he could hide out in one of the abandoned mines. He could drive his car right into the shaft house and no one would ever know." "Okay, we'll keep in touch. Would you and Lori like to see Macbeth on opening night? I'll leave a pair of tickets at the box office in your name." "I know Lori would like it. I don't know much about Shakespeare, but I'm willing to give it a try." "You'll like Macbeth, Nick. It has lots of violence." "Don't tell me about violence! I get enough of that at work!" Next, Qwilleran called Junior Goodwinter at home and said, "You left a message on my machine. What's on your mind?" "I have news for you, Qwill. Grandma Gage is here from Florida to sign the house over to me. Are you still interested in renting?" "Definitely." Now Qwilleran was even more eager to live on the property where Polly had her carriage house.

"It has a subterranean ballroom," Junior said to sweeten the deal.

"Just what I need! Can I move in before snow falls?" "As soon as I have the title." "Okay, Junior. Are you and Jody going to opening night?" "Wouldn't miss it!" By the time Qwilleran had changed into a warmup suit and had read a newsmagazine, the Siamese started coming back to life--yawning, stretching, grooming themselves, grooming each other, and making hungry noises.

"You scoundrels!" he said.