“Yes, we’re expecting you. Please come in,” she invited.

  Just then, Michael walked into the room carrying Lily in his arms. “Hello June.”

  “Oh, Dr. Mike, I don’t know how my Mazie Mae found her way here, but I can’t thank you enough for rescuing her and taking care of her.” She glanced around the room. “Now where is that little scamp?”

  Michael peered toward the big wire pen where the Himalayan lay still on the blanket. “There she is.” He then turned to the two women and suggested, “Why don’t you sit here on the sofa and I’ll bring your kitty to you.”

  “Yeah, I’d better sit down,” June said, “before I fall down. I’ve pretty near lost my legs, you know. They barely get me around these days. Dang shame, ‘cause the rest of me is still raring to go.”

  Savannah watched as the well-dressed elderly woman eased onto the sofa, letting out a sigh as her slender frame made contact with the cushions. “Much better,” she said, pushing a strand of her expertly coiffed silver hair away from her face.

  “June, I’d like you to meet my wife and daughter,” Michael said. “This is Savannah and our little girl Lily.”

  “Hello,” the woman said, briefly acknowledging Savannah, then focusing on the baby. “How old is this cherub?”

  “Thirteen months,” Savannah said, taking her from Michael.

  June smiled. “Precious.” She motioned to the other woman. “This is Megan. She’s my helper. Been with me for a hundred years.”

  “Now, Junie, we’re not that old,” the shorter, slightly plump woman who appeared to be in her fifties said, chuckling. She addressed Michael and Savannah, “You’ve made Junie’s day, you know.”

  “Here she is, all toasty and warm,” Michael said, placing the cat in June’s arms. “She’s been on a heating blanket for a while.”

  “Oh my sweet baby,” June said. She buried her face in Mazie Mae’s silky fur. “You had me so worried. What happened?” she asked, gently positioning her on her lap. Holding the cat’s furry face in her hands and looking into her large round eyes, she asked, “How did you get so far away from home?” She hugged the cat again, peering up at Michael. “If only they could tell you.”

  “So she’s an indoor cat?” Savannah asked, sitting down across the room and placing Lily on the floor.

  June nodded. “Never goes outside. Doesn’t have any experience whatsoever being out of doors.”

  “And you don’t know how she got out?” Michael asked.

  “I’ve thought about it over and over again. There’s simply no way she would go outside, unless…”

  “Unless what?” Savannah asked.

  The woman leaned slightly forward, her piercing dark eyes visible above a pair of red-framed granny glasses. “…unless someone let her out on purpose.” She lifted her chin in defiance. “But they’d have to push her out. She’d never go out on her own. I just know she wouldn’t.” She spoke as if in confidence, “I think she was snatched.”

  “Who would take her, June, and why?” Michael asked, hoping he didn’t sound too patronizing.

  June sat back and took a deep breath. “Because of my recent…rather unpopular decision, I suppose.”

  Michael and Savannah glanced at one another.

  “She looks pretty good for a cat who walked five miles,” Megan muttered, petting Mazie Mae briefly.

  Michael chuckled. “Oh, I don’t think she walked all that way. I doubt she could have walked a mile, let alone five. Oh no, I’ll bet she was brought out here.”

  June gasped. “So my fears are confirmed.”

  “Could she have hitched a ride with a delivery driver?” Savannah suggested. “Have you hired any workers at your place, lately?”

  June’s eyes lit up. “Well yes, actually.” She looked at Megan. “What day was Sal and his crew there trimming the roses?” Before Megan could respond, June continued, “I had a new chair delivered Wednesday.” She waved one hand in front of her, saying, “And that big brown truck is always bringing me something.”

  Savannah looked confused. “Big brown truck?” She smiled. “Oh, you mean UPS.”

  “She likes to shop,” Megan said, twisting her dark-blond hair into a bun on top of her head. “There’s always something being delivered…or being picked up. She gives as much away as she buys. People are coming and going all the time.”

  “Well, there you go,” Michael said, sitting back in his chair. “She probably jumped into a box and was loaded into a vehicle or she slipped out when someone was going in or out and climbed unnoticed into a van or a truck. That’s probably what happened.”

  “When did you notice she was missing?” Savannah asked.

  “Day before yesterday.” Suddenly, something caught the woman’s eye. “Oh, look here, will you? Who is this?” June asked, staring at the large grey-and-white cat as he sauntered into the living room.

  “This is Rags. He’s actually the one who found Mazie,” Michael explained.

  “Rags?” June said, as if the word caused a bad taste in her mouth. “Does he have a… more formal title?”

  Savannah smiled. “Well, it’s Ragsdale.”

  Everyone watched as Rags stopped in the doorway and peered at the guests. He then marched over to June, stood with one paw on her knee, and began sniffing Mazie Mae. He licked the cat’s cheek, then stepped down and sat gazing at June.

  “Aren’t you a handsome boy,” she crooned. “And you found my Mazie Mae?” She turned to Megan. “Do you have my pocketbook?”

  “Yes,” the woman said, handing June a small purse.

  Trying her best not to disturb the Himalayan on her lap, June opened a zipper compartment and pulled out a check. “This is for you,” she said handing it to Michael. “Make sure Ragsdale has everything in life he wants, will you?”

  “Oh June, don’t worry about the bill yet. I’ll send an invoice at the end of the month like I always do.”

  “No, Dr. Mike, this isn’t payment for your services; this is the reward I promised. Now take it!”

  After looking briefly at the check, he handed it back. “No, I can’t accept this.”

  “Well, give it to your wife—Georgia, is it?”

  “Savannah,” she said. “Michael’s right, we can’t accept the reward. We’re just happy that she’s okay.”

  June peered directly into Savannah’s eyes, then glanced at Michael. “Now, I insist. End of story!”

  “She won’t back down,” Megan said. “When she has her mind made up, that’s it. I know; I’ve been with her for fifteen years. That’s the way she is.”

  Savannah thinned her lips. “Well then, how about if we donate this to the Hammond Cat Alliance. That I would do.” She looked at Michael, who smiled and nodded.

  “Cat alliance? I didn’t know there was such a thing. Tell me about this…cat alliance, Savannah.”

  “Well, my aunt Margaret Sheridan started it maybe five years ago for the benefit of all cats, but mostly those who’ve been abandoned or neglected. We have a membership of around forty.”

  A glint of recognition in her eyes, Megan said, “I’ve read in the papers about some of the things you’ve done.” She turned to June. “They rescued a colony of cats living near the old Fisher building last year. Remember, we went out there to a flea market fundraiser thing?” She looked at Savannah. “Didn’t your organization get involved in a crazy catnapping ring a while back?”

  Savannah nodded.

  “I want to know more,” June said, her eyes bright. She stroked the cat on her lap. “In the meantime, I need to get Mazie Mae home and safe. When do you think she’ll be ready, Dr. Mike?”

  Michael cleared his throat. “I’d like to observe her for the rest of the day. If she remains stable, she should be able to go home tomorrow. You know, June, she was almost unconscious when we found her. She probably would have died if Rags hadn’t escaped and gone to her in the night.”

  “Yes, he gave us a terrible scare, running off like that,” Savannah said. “He’s a total indoor cat, too, only we do take him for walks on a leash fairly often because he loves being outside. I was worried sick all night that a coyote would get him. When we found him this morning, there he was, cozied up to Mazie Mae, keeping her warm.”

  With tears in her eyes, June reached down and petted Rags. “Thank you, Ragsdale. What a courageous and smart boy you are,” she murmured. She hugged the Himalayan to her one more time, then said, “Okay, Dr. Mike, as much as I want her with me, I’ll leave her until tomorrow. Please let me know if she needs anything.” Once Michael had lifted the cat from June’s lap, she stood with assistance and smiled. “It’s obvious that Mazie Mae has friends here.”

  “Oh yes,” Savannah said, standing with Lily in her arms.

  “Ki-ki boo-boo,” Lily said, pointing at the cat—a worried look on her face.

  Michael chuckled. “Yes, this kitty has a boo-boo, doesn’t she?”

  The two women had almost reached the front door, when June turned and asked, “When is the next cat alliance meeting? …if you don’t mind my attending.”

  “We would welcome you,” Savannah said. “Wednesday at two at my aunt’s home next door. Would you like me to pick you up?”

  June thought for a moment and said, “Yes, that would be nice of you.”

  “Good. Let me get your number,” Savannah said, pulling her phone out of her pocket.

  After reciting the number, June said, “Yes, do call me and we’ll make arrangements. Thank you. It’ll give us a chance to chat.” She patted her aide’s arm. “…and it would give poor Megan and Andrew a break.”

  “Andrew?” Savannah asked.

  June motioned toward the dark-colored sedan waiting at the bottom of the porch steps. “My driver.”

  ****

  “How’s Mazie Mae?” Savannah asked the next evening over dinner.

  Michael winced. “She had a blood-sugar spike this morning at the clinic, so she didn’t get to go home as we expected. June was pretty disappointed. She’s eager to have all her cats together again. She does love her menagerie.”

  “How many does she have? I thought she had just the one.”

  “You would think so because they’re each so special to her. But I believe she has eight. She may be feeding some ferals, too. I’ve seen plates of food scattered around the yard when I’ve stopped by there to drop off prescription food, meds, or something.” He looked across the table at his wife. “She’s sure looking forward to the meeting Wednesday. Oh, I almost forgot; she has invited Rags over. She wants to introduce him to her other cats.”

  “What?” Savannah said. “Really? She wants a playdate with Rags?”

  “Yes, she said her driver could pick him up or you can bring him over. She was hoping he could come tomorrow.”

  “Gosh, she doesn’t waste much time, does she?”

  “Not when it comes to her cats. I told her Lily goes to day care tomorrow, so you might be able to take him then.”

  “Well, now it sounds like you two are in cahoots planning my schedule.”

  “Hey, I’m just the messenger here. You can say no if you want to.”

  “Somehow I don’t think so. The woman has power and determination. I’ll bet she’s used to getting her way.” She thought for a moment. “I like her. I’d actually enjoy spending time with her, only…”

  “Only what?” Michael asked, furrowing his brow.

  “Only I sense there’s something not quite right in her world.”

  “What?” Michael asked.

  “You heard her yesterday. She suspects someone may have taken Mazie Mae and she thinks it might have something to do with a decision she made. That’s a little scary, if you ask me.”

  Michael shook his head. “Now, we don’t know that’s what happened. As we discussed, it could have been purely an accident.”

  “Well, maybe,” Savannah said, obviously not convinced. “I just wonder what’s really going on with that poor woman.”

  Chapter 2

  “Good morning Savannah…Ragsdale,” June greeted when Megan ushered them in. After dismissing her aide, June motioned toward a settee near where she sat in her recliner chair. “Please sit down and tell me, how is Mazie Mae this morning? Did she have a good night?”

  “Yes, it seems so.” Savannah led Rags on his leash to the boldly striped satin sofa. She perched on the edge of it and continued, “We stopped by the clinic to see her on our way over. She was awake and eating her breakfast.”

  June’s shoulders slumped. “She didn’t spend the night by herself in a cage, did she?”

  “No,” Savannah quickly assured her. “Michael had someone on staff stay with her. They do that when they’re concerned the animal might have an emergency that can best be handled at the clinic.”

  “Oh good,” June said, relaxing a little.

  “Actually the other veterinarian, stayed with her. You probably know Bud, don’t you?”

  “The cowboy vet?” June asked. “He’s a nice young man.”

  Savannah chuckled. “Yes he is. Is that how he’s known, as the cowboy vet?” She paused, then added, “My sister dates him, so he may become my brother-in-law someday.”

  “Your sister? What does she do?” June asked.

  “She’s a doctor over in Straley,” Savannah said.

  June’s eyes widened. “How nice.”

  Savannah nodded. “About your Mazie Mae, Michael said he’d like to keep her at least until this evening to make sure she remains stable.” She smiled. “She seemed happy to see Rags.”

  June clasped her hands together. “Thank the heavens she’s going to be okay. She’s only eight, you know—too young to be having such health problems. If we could just ensure her safety; that’s my concern now.” After a brief pause, she smiled at Savannah, then motioned toward a gateleg table in the corner. “I had Megan leave tea and crumpets for us.” She leaned toward her guest. “They’re cookies, actually. I prefer cookies, anyhow, don’t you?”

  Savannah nodded. She glanced around. “What a great room. It’s so bright and cheerful.”

  “It’s the cat room,” June said, smiling, “as you can tell by all the kitty furniture. If you look carefully, you’ll see some of my babies. It’s naptime for most of them.” She leaned over and said into the room, “Listen up, kitties, this is Ragsdale. He’s the cat who saved our precious Mazie Mae. You all be nice to him, now. He’s come to play.” She frowned at Rags. “Savannah, do you want to take that apparatus off him? The others might be frightened by it.”

  “Sure,” Savannah said, unfastening the harness and removing it. “This is where the cats stay?”

  “Most of the time, yes. Of course, they have the run of the place. You’ll see evidence of that throughout the house…paw prints on the counter, sheared drapes in the bedrooms, fur on the divans.” She laughed. “I even have one little girl who creates artwork on the walls.” When Savannah looked confused, she explained, “Tabitha Tabby scratches patches of paint off. While she does mostly abstracts, some of her designs are truly recognizable—a figure of a nun, a banana, an octopus.” She winked playfully. “She’s versatile in her art.”

  “Sounds like it,” Savannah said, wide-eyed.

  “If you’d like, I can take you on a tour of her gallery later.”

  Savannah laughed. “I’d enjoy that. Thanks.”

  June then spoke to Rags. “Ragsdale, dear boy, join in, will you? There’s Shadow Bob curled up in that hammock and Tondra Sue is probably in the cubbyhole on top of the jungle gym there. I see Bentley and Rambler over by that pot of cat grass, and, let’s see…Marmalade must be around somewhere. Oh, there she is with Homer Homeboy on the daybed.”

  Savannah grinned. “I’ve never met so many cats with two names. Do all of them have a first and second name?”

  June cocked her head slightly as if confused. “Oh, I guess I never thought about it. Yes, actually, all of them have two names—some of the second names have dropped off somehow, as with Bentley and Rambler.” She chuckled. “Those two names stand alone. The little tangerine tabby there is Marmalade Jam. I do leave off the Jam part, sometimes.” She peered over her red-framed granny glasses. “Don’t you think her fur looks like marmalade jam?”

  Savannah nodded, laughing a little. “Great names. I love them.” She stood. “May I pour you some tea, June?”

  “Yes. And I’ll have two of the butter cookies.” She gazed across the room at her cats for a moment, then asked, “So how did Ragsdale get his name?”

  Savannah placed a cup of tea and a plate of cookies on a small table near June, and sat down with refreshments of her own. “They told me at the shelter his mother was a ragdoll cat. He does sort of sprawl out like a limp rag sometimes. So I wanted to call him Rags. He also has a rather regal side—even as a kitten, he’d sit like an Egyptian sphinx. So I decided to fancy up the name and I came up with Ragsdale.”

  “Well, it suits him,” June said, running one hand along Rags’s back as he sauntered up to see what she was eating. She leaned back in her chair. “I’m so happy Mazie Mae will be joining the others soon. I worry about her health, and then to have her disappear like that… I thought it was the end of my sweet girl.” She chuckled and looked at Savannah. “Your Dr. Mike does a good job of keeping her healthy and happy. I’m sure she’ll outlive me—as will most of them, except for maybe Homer Homeboy. Now, he’s really showing his age.” She peered at Savannah. “He’s seventeen this year, you know—or thereabouts. It’s not always easy to pinpoint their exact age when they’re rescues.” She smiled. “But most of my kitties are young. They’ll be around for a while. That’s why I’ve made provisions for them.” She frowned. “And I fear that’s why they may be in danger.” She leaned forward and spoke softly. “Savannah, I believe there’s a scallywag about.”

  “A scallywag?” Savannah questioned.

  “Well, yes, a scallywag…you know, a scamp, rascal, scoundrel, who is out to harm my kitties.”

  Appearing confused, Savannah asked, “Why would anyone want to harm them?”