Lilian Jackson Braun - Cat 14 Who Wasn't There

"It's set up in type and ready to go, and we'll break it as soon as your burglar is arraigned. Is this why you ran out of the theatre last night? You must have some kind of burglar alarm implanted under your skin! Or did Koko alert you via mental wireless?" Riker never missed a chance to make a mocking reference to the cat's remarkable abilities, which were beyond his understanding. He handed over the galley: BREAK-IN EXPOSES GOOD WINTER HOAX A suspect has been charged with breaking into the Pickax residence of James Qwilleran Wednesday night, bringing to light a six-year-old hoax.

The suspect, Charles Edward Martin of Charlestown, MA, is in fact Emory Goodwinter, allegedly killed six years ago in a car crash on the New Jersey Turnpike. Records show his name was legally changed at that time. He is the son of the late Dr. Halifax Goodwinter. Articles stolen from the Qwilleran residence have been retrieved. The cost of damage is not yet known. Stolen articles in the suspect's possession have been identified as those taken from Purple Point cottages in the last week, total value $7,500.

Loitering and shoplifting charges also have been brought. The suspect is a police prisoner at the Pickax Hospital, where he is being held for treatment of injuries incurred during Wednesday night's break-in.

Qwilleran taunted Riker in return by saying scornfully, "Is that all the information you were able to get?" "Why? Do you know something we don't?" "Plenty!" he said, looking wise. Junior appeared in the doorway.

"How'd you like my headline, Qwill? I hated to do that to cousin Melinda, but this is the biggest news since Van Brook We've been trying to reach her for further details. Can't find her. Emory had a police record before he left town, so the burglaries won't surprise her." Uh-huh, Qwilleran thought.

"He was running with a gang of vandals from Chipmunk while he was still in high school. The big surprise was to find him alive after his father insisted for six years that he was dead. Do you think she was a party to the hoax, or an innocent dupe like the rest of us?" Riker said, "Do you have something you want to tell your old buddies, Qwill?" "Not yet." He had no desire to relive the painful moments of Yum Yum's abduction.

As for the identity of Emory's partner, that was something for Emory to disclose.

"See you later!" he said with a debonair wave intended to confound them. He was eager to talk to the police chief. Brodie hailed him as soon as he crossed the threshold at headquarters.

"I see you're gonna get your name in the paper again!" "You should be thanking me for doing your work!" Qwilleran retorted.

"How'd you find him?" "Nick Bamba, who has an eye like an eagle, had tracked the Boulevard Prowler to the Dimsdale area, and I'd already decided he was Emory.

When he broke in and kidnapped my female cat--was "What! You didn't report anything like that!" "I didn't know it when I gave the report to the officers. As soon as I learned she was missing, Nick and I found Emory in Shantytown, rescued her, and radioed you. Did Emory identify his accomplice?" The chief looked at him sharply.

"You know about that?" "I knew he had to have an accomplice, and Melinda was the only person who qualified. Her behavior has been irrational ever since she returned from Boston.

Some of us suspect drugs." "I'm glad the good doctor isn't alive to face this mess. It'd kill him!" "What are you going to do about her?" Qwilleran asked.

"That'll be up to the prosecutor... If you ask me, there was bad blood on her mother's side." "I assume Emory answered questions cooperatively." "Best damned suspect we've ever had! Answered questions before we asked 'em. His sister knew about the hoax; they were in touch all the time she was in Boston, and after Dr. Hal died, she sent Emory money once a month. He didn't come for his dad's funeral last June; he came expecting to collect his inheritance in instant cash. When that didn't work out, Melinda told him another way to get rich quick: Get rid of Mrs. Duncan." So that was the plot! Qwilleran realized in horror.

Murder, not ransom!

His expression caused Brodie to say, "Sit down. Have a cup of coffee.

" Qwilleran took his advice.

"Melinda had always wanted to marry into the Klingenschoen fortune. She hounded me all summer and halfway across Scotland. Last Sunday, Emory again failed to grab Polly, as you know. The next night, Melinda showed up at the barn after rehearsal, and she was playing America's Sweetheart, without the curls. I couldn't fathom her motive. Now I know. She was plotting with Emory to kidnap one of my cats! For ransom! That woman needs help!" After his visit with Brodie he stopped at the drug store to buy a few items and chat with the pharmacist, a young man more congenial than the crabby old pill counter who used to be on duty in the prescription cage. Then he went home to brush the cats.