“Michael, where do you think that awful note came from, really?”

  “I like the game idea, don’t you, Savannah? Let’s just leave it at that.”

  “For Adam, yes, but for me, no. That was another threatening note. Someone must be targeting us. But who? We don’t even know anyone in this town.” Her eyes widened when she said, “Except for two angry, probably deranged men. Are they after us? Oh Michael, I’m frightened.”

  “Angry men?” he repeated. “What angry men?”

  “Well, that man who almost killed little Lucy by leaving her in that pipe and a man I met just yesterday in this very neighborhood. When I couldn’t find the cats, I went to his house looking for them.”

  “Why?” he asked, lowering his brow. “What made you think he had the cats?”

  She sighed impatiently. “Well, Holly said he takes things and he’s been known to pick up people’s cats. So I went there to ask him if he’d seen them or if he’d taken them. He was not nice, Michael. He kind of scared me. He said he didn’t have the cats, but I’m not sure I believe him. In fact, maybe after I left, they escaped from his house or he let them go.”

  She grabbed his arm and squeezed. “Michael, do you think he has a key to this house? You know how neighbors exchange keys for emergencies, like we do with Auntie and Max? He could be coming in here and leaving those notes. Think about it—anyone could have a key.” She thought for a moment, then said, “We don’t actually know anything about the Veranos. Maybe they have an enemy. Or…or…or someone might object to the Veranos renting their house out.” She faced him. “Michael, I want to get the locks changed. I don’t want people wandering in here randomly and leaving things in this house—especially threats!”

  He wrapped Savannah in a bear hug and kissed the side of her head, murmuring. “It’s okay, honey. I’m sure it means nothing. Let’s just try to relax, shall we? You’re safe with me. We’re going on a nice outing today. Let’s just focus on that. Okay? There’s no reason for us to overreact.” When he felt her stiffen, he stepped back and looked into her eyes. “I know, Mama Bear. I know you’re in protective mode and I don’t blame you. But honey, I don’t think we have anything to worry about.” He reminded her, “The cats are fine. I don’t believe they escaped yesterday. They probably just curled up someplace and slept for a while. And those notes—most likely that’s an innocent coincidence that has nothing to do with us.” Now come on, let’s go have fun with our family, shall we?”

  She swallowed hard and took a breath. “Of course you’re right, Michael. I’m sorry.” She chuckled. “You know, I’ve been working on Rags’s memoirs. Maybe I’m developing a talent for fiction.”

  Michael took his lightweight jacket from the closet. “I thought you were writing true stories about Rags—things he’s actually done.”

  She nodded. “I am, but it takes some…um…flair, if you will, to enhance his escapades so they’re more interesting to read. Know what I mean?”

  “I guess so.” He kissed her. “Okay, hon, let’s go fishing.”

  ****

  That evening before dinner at the Iveys’ house, the two families talked about their epic fishing trip.

  “Did everyone get some of Cassie’s fish?” Holly asked, holding a small plate with a few bite-size pieces of trout on it. “There are two pieces left. Who didn’t get one?”

  “I think everyone who wanted one got one,” Savannah said. “Adam, you got some fish, didn’t you?”

  “Yeah,” he grumbled. “But I still say that’s my fish.”

  “Why is that, Son?” Michael asked. “As I saw it, Cassie caught it fair and square.”

  “No she didn’t,” he protested. “That fish nibbled on my bait first. I saw it. It was my fish.”

  Michael chuckled. “Then how did it end up on Cassie’s line?”

  “I don’t know,” Adam complained. “She stole it, I guess. …and she wasn’t even using a good fishing pole.”

  Michael grinned at the boy. “As we discussed this morning, Adam, it doesn’t matter what kind of pole you use.”

  Keith leaned closer to Adam. “That’s right. Your great grandfather probably cut a piece of willow or bamboo to use as a pole and made his own fishhook.” He continued, “And, in those days, they caught a heck of a lot more fish than any well-outfitted angler does today.” He added, as if sharing a secret, “And there’s something else you should know about fishing.”

  “What?” Adam asked.

  “When you go fishing with girls…” Keith looked at Holly, “…or women, they’re always bound to out-fish you anytime, anywhere, no matter what kind of rod and reel they’re using.” He leaned closer to the boy. “A girl could tie a safety pin to a piece of string and catch more fish than any guy around.” When Adam appeared doubtful, Keith said, “It’s true. Fish like women better. If there are a dozen lines in the water and only one belongs to a female, the fish will bite on the girl’s bait almost every time. I think it’s some sort of proven scientific fact.”

  “Well, I never heard of it,” Adam complained. “Guys are supposed to be better fishermen.” He frowned. “Is there even such a thing as a fishergirl?”

  “I guess there is, Son,” Michael said. He smiled broadly and pointed at Cassie. “There she is right there.” When Adam continued to grumble, Michael stood up. He said more sternly, “Adam, come with me, will you? I want to show you something.” Once he was alone with his son, Michael sat down so they were at eye level with one another and he said, “Adam you’re being a poor sport.”

  “No, I’m not. Fishing isn’t a game or a sport.”

  “Oh yes it is. It’s a sport. In fact, it’s a sport where anything can happen. A huge fish could bite on your line or mine or Uncle Keith’s or even Lily’s. No one knows when the big fish or any fish will bite. That’s one of the fun things about fishing. When we went fishing with your Uncle Clay, you were the star. Those fish happened to bite your bait and you reeled them in. Today, Cassie got lucky. Do you remember how good you felt when you caught those fish up there in the mountains a few weeks ago? It was awesome to have everyone else happy for you, wasn’t it?”

  Adam nodded.

  “Now, Son, I think you owe the same consideration to Cassie. She landed the only fish caught today and she feels good about that. You did nothing wrong. There’s nothing you could have done any differently to catch a fish today.” He nudged the boy. “And you had fun, didn’t you? It was a fun day.”

  Adam nodded.

  “Okay, I think you need to crawl out of your funk and sincerely congratulate your cousin.” He took his son’s arm and squeezed gently to get his attention. “Adam, can you do that?”

  After thinking about it for a moment, Adam looked up. “I’m sorry, Dad. I didn’t know I was being a bad sport or making Cassie feel bad. I guess I was just thinking about myself. Are you mad at me?”

  Michael hugged his son. “No. I’m not mad at you. I was just concerned that you were hurting yourself and your cousin by the way you were looking at the situation. I wanted to give you another perspective.”

  “So, just because Cassie caught a fish today doesn’t mean I’m a bad fisherman?”

  “Absolutely not,” Michael said, smiling. “I didn’t catch a fish, Uncle Keith didn’t catch a fish, and he’s been fishing for a long time.”

  “Hey, I guess that’s right. Okay, Dad, I’ll try to be a better sport,” he said, turning to walk away.

  Michael stopped him. “No, Adam. Trying isn’t good enough. Be a good sport. Okay?”

  Adam smiled. “Okay. I can do that.” He hugged Michael. “Sorry, Dad.”

  “It’s okay, Son.” When Adam started to dart away, Michael pulled him back again. He smiled. “Son, I love you and I’m awfully, awfully proud of you.”

  “Thanks, Dad,” Adam said, running into the dining room. When he caught up to Cassie, he said, “Good catch, cuz. I’m glad you got to catch a fish too.” He added, “Hey, want to play tunnel with Rags and Lucy?”

  “Sure,” she said.

  “Tunnel?” Gladys asked.

  “Yeah, the cats like it when we build them tunnels and tents.”

  Holly called out to the children before they were out of sight, “Hey there, let’s have supper first, shall we?”

  Michael grinned at the children, then asked Keith, “You and Cassie are going with me to take Adam to the airport tomorrow, right?”

  “Yes. Don’t want you to make a wrong turn and get him there late. You might have to bring him back here for another week.”

  Michael grinned and joked, “Yeah, wouldn’t that be a shame?”

  Keith gazed at Adam. “He’s quite a boy.”

  “Yes, he is,” Michael agreed.

  ****

  The next afternoon when Michael returned from the airport, he found Savannah in the living room pretending to be interested in a magazine. Upon seeing him, she tossed it across an end table and jumped to her feet. “Oh, Michael, I’m glad you’re home.”

  “What’s wrong, hon?” When Savannah seemed unable to speak, he led her to the sofa. “Here, let’s sit down. Now tell me what happened.” He looked at the infant rocker and asked with more urgency, “Is Teddy okay?”

  She nodded. “He’s fine. I’m sorry, Michael. I must be acting like a hysterical female.” She grinned sheepishly. “I have no patience for hysterical females.” Forcing a smile, she asked, “Did you get Adam on the plane okay? How did that go? It must have been hard for you to say goodbye.”

  He looked down at her hand in his. “It’s always hard to say goodbye to my son. It was so much fun having him with us.” He spoke more excitedly. “I talked to one of the flight attendants and she said she’d make sure Adam gets everything he needs during the flight. She’ll even walk him out to meet his mother when they land in California.”

  Savannah smiled. “Good. I always worry when I see children flying alone.”

  “Not only that,” Michael added, “I happened to meet the couple who’ll be sitting next to him. They have a grandson his age and said they’d be glad to show Adam the ropes.”

  She tilted her head. “The ropes?”

  “You know, how to order snacks, get something to drink, and all.”

  She squeezed his hand. “Good. That must have put your mind at ease.”

  “Sure did. But I’ll still be eager to hear from Marci and Eric once Adam lands and connects with them.” Michael faced his wife. “Now tell me, what has you so upset? Did something happen today?” He looked around, then blurted, “Where’s Lily?”

  “She’s okay. She’s down at Holly’s and Keith’s playing with her cousins.” She smiled. “…her cuzzes, as Lily calls them.” She said more quietly, “Michael, I found something.”

  He slumped. “Oh no. Not another…”

  “Yes.”

  “Where?” he asked, not absolutely certain he wanted to know.

  She took a couple of quick breaths. “In…in Lily’s room. Michael, I want you to move her bed into our room. I can’t stand that she’s so far away from us at night.” She choked up. “In fact, I don’t want to stay in this house a minute longer.” She stood up, walked across the room, and looked down at Teddy. “Can’t we just go home?”

  Michael winced, “Hon, don’t you think you’re overreacting? There’s been nothing to indicate we’re in any danger here.”

  Savannah looked at Michael, narrowing her eyes. “Overreacting? Threatening notes are showing up in this house—notes that appear to be soaked in blood—and you think I’m overreacting? How are they getting in here, Michael? What’s going on?” she cried. “Does someone want us out of here? Why? Are they sneaking in here while we sleep? What sinister secrets are hidden in this house? Michael, can you give me a logical explanation?”

  He wrapped her in a bear hug. “Okay, honey, we don’t have to stay here. In fact, when I realized how upset this has made you, I spoke to Keith and he has invited us to stay with them for a couple of days while we try to figure out what’s going on here.” He lifted her chin and looked into her eyes. “Would you like to do that? They have that great basement area where we could live until you feel more comfortable here and a spare room upstairs for your mom. Besides,” he added, “we only have, what—four more days before we head home. What do you say, hon?”

  She nodded. “Yes. Let’s do that. Or we could stay at a hotel. I don’t care. I just want out of here.” More intently, she said, “Michael, I still think someone is coming into this house.”

  Michael hesitated. “But hon…”

  “What?” she challenged.

  “Well, I just don’t think anyone’s coming into the house. That’s all. I still think your cat…”

  She broke away from him and spoke as if to a child. “You and Keith have checked every inch of this place and you agree that there are no escape routes anywhere in this house…no place where Rags can possibly get out, no hidey-holes where he’s been finding or stashing things.”

  Michael thinned his lips. “Yeah. I guess we did do that. Okay, let’s bundle up the baby and go tell Keith and Holly they’re having overnight guests.”

  Savannah smiled weakly. “Thank you, honey.”

  Before she could walk away, he asked, “By the way, what was it this time that you found? Another death threat letter? More jewelry?”

  She shook her head. “No, a scarf—you know, a kerchief with what looks like blood on it.” She shuddered. “Freaked me out, Michael.”

  Eager to change the subject, he glanced around the room and saw Lucy walking toward them. He smiled. “Well there’s our star boarder.” But his smile quickly faded and he muttered, “Uh-oh.”

  “What?” Savannah started to turn.

  “Just never mind,” he said, stopping her. “It’s nothing.”

  “What?” she insisted, looking in the cat’s direction.

  Reluctantly, he walked to where Lucy had dropped something. He picked it up. “I think it’s a necklace.” Letting out a low whistle, he said, “Wow! This looks expensive and kind of old…like an antique.”

  Savannah moved closer. “It sure does. It’s beautiful.” She took it from him. “If this thing was cleaned, it would practically put your eye out with its sparkle. Michael,” she said, “do you suppose the Verano family left these heirlooms where the cats could find them? Why would they do that? They’ve locked up what should be their most valuable possessions in that one room.” She gasped. “Do you suppose the cats have found a way into that room?”

  Michael shook his head. “No way. That room is absolutely secure. No one’s getting in there without a key or a hacksaw” He thought for a moment and added, “Unless there’s some sort of secret entrance from under the floor or…” He shook his head, saying, “Oh, that’s just plain far-fetched.”

  “So is expensive jewelry showing up all over the house,” Savannah reminded him. Just then, they noticed Rags looking under the buffet. He reached with one paw as far as he could underneath the large piece of furniture, then peered under there and pawed some more. She scowled and scolded, “Rags, what are you doing?”

  At the same time, the baby began to squirm and fuss. She smiled down at the infant and glanced at the cat, “Noisy ones first,” she said, comforting the baby while walking around the room with him.

  “I’ll see what Rags is after,” Michael said. “Maybe a mouse. If the Veranos don’t have pets, there could be some mice running around.”

  Savannah, in the meantime, carried the baby off to the bedroom, where she changed him. She was just disposing of the diaper when Michael joined her. “Look at this,” he said.

  She turned abruptly. “What?”

  “This is what your cat was after. A little bag of rings—really pretty rings.”

  Savannah reached for the bag and emptied it into her hand. “Oh my gosh! Five rings. Gads, they look like diamonds and emeralds. This one must be a ruby. Look at the size of the stones! Michael, where are these things coming from?”

  “Only the cats seem to know…about the jewelry, anyway.” He perked up. “Hey, we could put a collar cam on Rags.”

  “A what?” she asked.

  “A camera he can wear on his collar. Want to do that, hon?”

  “I don’t know, Michael. I think I’d rather just leave this place and its crazy secrets.” She handed him the bag of rings and picked up the baby. “Let’s go talk to Holly and Keith about moving in.”

  “Okay, if that’s what you want. But I think I’d like to follow this through. Maybe Keith will do it with me.” He looked at Savannah and flashed a crooked grin. “Aren’t things a little bit backwards here?”

  “What do you mean?” she asked.

  “You’re usually the curious one—always snooping, prying, and meddling to find logical answers for strange occurrences. What gives?”

  She looked down at Teddy in her arms. “I don’t know. I’m just a little spooked and my strongest instinct is to protect my children.”

  Michael shook his head and teased, “Detective Craig’s sure going to be disappointed.”

  “What? Why?”

  “Yeah, next to Rags, you’re his favorite junior sleuth. He counts on you to help him with difficult cases. What’s he going to think when he finds out you’re bailing on Colorado’s mystery of the year?”

  “Oh stop,” she said playfully. “Let’s go talk to your brother.”

  ****

  A couple of hours later, Savannah, Michael, and Gladys had moved their family’s bare necessities and some of the animals down to the Pettits’ house. Gladys would take the upstairs guestroom and the Iveys would stay in the basement room except for the first night. Keith and Michael decided to stay that night in the Verano home with Rags and Lucy. The men had borrowed a cat-harness camera from one of Keith’s colleagues. They planned to put it on Rags hoping that he and Lucy would lead them to where they found the jewelry.

  “Keith, what do you know about the Veranos?” Savannah asked that evening over dinner. “Were you two aware that they had all of that exquisite jewelry? It looks like heirloom pieces maybe passed down by rich ancestors. Does she wear any of it?”