A Case Of Cat And Mouse

chapter 20

Things were a blur after that. Kate was brought out in handcuffs. Even though she’d held me at gunpoint, all I felt was sad. She was lost and broken and part of that was because of Kassie.

“You need to be checked out by the paramedics,” Marcus said.

I waved away his words. “I’m fine.”

He looked down at my leg. The ankle was so swollen the top of my shoe was cutting into the skin of my foot. “Yeah, you look fine,” he said with an eye roll.

One of the paramedics was walking toward me.

“Hi, Ric,” I said.

He smiled. “Hi, Kathleen. You know, when I heard the words ‘flour bomb’ I had a feeling I might see you.” He caught sight of Hercules. “And you,” he said. He reached into his back pocket and pulled out half a piece of beef jerky.

The cat’s eyes lit up.

Ric gestured at Marcus’s SUV. “How about we put him in the car and then you can sit on the driver’s seat and I can get a look at that ankle?”

“That works for me,” I said. I picked up Hercules and hobbled around the car door, holding on with one hand while Marcus hovered. I set Hercules on the driver’s seat and he hopped over to the passenger side. Ric leaned around me and handed him the piece of beef jerky. He murped a thank-you and began happily chewing.

I dropped sideways onto the driver’s seat with my legs sticking out the open door. Ric crouched at my feet and began feeling my ankle with gentle pressure.

I looked at Marcus. “Go do police stuff. I’m fine,” I said.

Ric looked up at him. “Go ahead,” he said. “I’ve got this. She’s not going anywhere with that ankle.”

Marcus caught my hand and gave it a squeeze. “I’ll be back,” he said.

In the end, Ric decided my ankle was likely just badly sprained. “You really should have it x-rayed just to be safe,” he said.

I pulled a hand back through my hair and flakes of flour floated down around me. “Tomorrow, I promise,” I said. “I just want to go home and have a shower.”

“First thing tomorrow.” He pointed a finger at me for emphasis. “I know where the library is. I will come find you.”

I made an X on my chest. “First thing tomorrow I’ll go.”

Ric wrapped my ankle, then he checked my lungs and the small burn on the back of my hand. Marcus came back as he was finishing the dressing on my hand.

“She’s good to go,” Ric said. “She needs to get that ankle x-rayed in the morning.” He shot me a look. “First thing in the morning. And that dressing will need to be changed. Otherwise she’s fine.” He smiled at me. “Kathleen, as my grandmother would say, you’re as tough as a boiled owl. I’m glad you’re all right.”

Marcus helped me into the backseat since Hercules was settled on the passenger side and didn’t seem in any rush to move.

“Don’t you need to stay here?” I asked.

He leaned down and kissed my forehead. “I need to get you home,” he said. “Right now that’s the only thing that matters.”

Maggie pulled up in front of the house as we turned into the driveway. Rebecca was with her. Marcus helped me out of the SUV. Hercules got out on his own. “Are you all right?” Rebecca asked.

“I’m fine, really,” I said. “Ric checked me out. I have a little burn on my hand and I sprained my ankle. That’s all.”

“That’s enough,” Maggie said, leaning down to hug me.

“Thank you for calling Marcus.” I suddenly had a lump in my throat, thinking about what might have happened if she and Abigail hadn’t guessed that something was wrong.

“I knew something wasn’t right when you didn’t answer your phone.”

“Kate took my phone,” I said to Marcus.

“I’ll find it,” he said.

We made our way to the back door, Hercules leading the way, Marcus with one arm around me and the other holding my hand, and both Maggie and Rebecca close by. He eased me onto a kitchen chair. “I have to go back to the crime scene for a while,” he said, leaning over me. “But I will be back.” He kissed me. I put a hand on his chest for a moment before he straightened up.

He looked at Maggie and Rebecca. “Don’t let her do anything.”

Rebecca reached over and patted his arm. “Don’t worry, dear,” she said. “We’ve got this.”

And they did. They fed me tea and toast and Maggie got me in and out of the shower and somehow managed to wash my hair without flooding the bathroom. Once I had my pajamas on she helped me into the bedroom. Rebecca came in with another cup of tea for me, trailed by both cats. They smelled like fish. I decided to pretend I hadn’t noticed.

I wasn’t tired, but Rebecca insisted I at least stretch out on the bed. Maggie sat cross-legged at my feet. Rebecca took the chair. Owen and Hercules sprawled on the floor.

“That poor child,” Rebecca said.

“This means Elias is in the clear,” Maggie said. “Ruby will be happy.”

“That’s one good thing, at least,” I agreed.

It was pretty much the only good thing as far as the show was concerned. The revival of The Great Northern Baking Showdown was over. At least for now. Sunday afternoon Rebecca and Everett threw a farewell party on the set for the cast and crew.

“Thank you for everything you did for Elias,” Ruby said, taking both my hands in hers. She glanced at Marcus. “Both of you.”

“I’m just glad that Kate didn’t hurt anyone else,” I said.

“What’s going to happen to her?” Ruby asked.

“She’s in jail for now. A judge will order a psychiatric evaluation,” Marcus said. “I don’t think there will be a trial.”

Ruby nodded. “I’m glad. I don’t mean what she did was okay but she isn’t a bad person. She just got knocked down one too many times.”

Over the course of the afternoon I talked to everyone. Russell and Stacey were going to continue their relationship. The way they looked at each other made my heart smile. Richard sent his regards to my mother, of course. Caroline promised to send me the recipe for her banana pancakes and I promised the stinky cracker recipe in return. She and Ray stayed away from each other the entire afternoon and I crossed my fingers that relationship had run its course.

Ray had resigned from the co-op. To his credit he had come clean with Ruby and Maggie and the other members before I said anything. He wished me well and I returned the sentiment. I was never going to know for sure, but I still suspected he’d used the serendipity of Kassie being one of the judges on the show to help secure himself a place, not that it had ended up benefitting him. I wasn’t sure if Ray had learned anything from all of this. I hoped he had.

Charles had already left. He was auditioning for another cooking show. I hoped things worked out for him.

Marcus was talking to Everett, and Eugenie came to join me. “I’m very happy you’re all right,” she said. “I’ve very much enjoyed getting to know you.”

“I feel the same way,” I said. “Now that this show is over, what are your plans?”

She smiled. “I already have another job on a show that’s quite similar to this one. I had to turn down their offer before because I’d made a commitment here. Luckily they were still interested.” She pushed her glasses up her nose. “You could have the job as my researcher if you’d like it. I’m sure the library would give you a leave of absence. We worked very well together.”

“We did work very well together,” I said. “And your offer is hugely flattering but I have to say no. Mayville Heights is where my heart is. I don’t want to be anywhere else.”

“I understand,” Eugenie said. “If you change your mind let me know.” She made her way over to Elias.

Rebecca came up behind me. “I heard what Eugenie said. The board would give you a leave of absence, you know.” She bumped me with her hip. “I have an in. Are you sure you don’t want the job? It’s a wonderful opportunity, and it could lead to better things.”

I looked around the space at all of the people I cared about. Susan and Eric, Abigail, Mary and Ruby. The Taylors. Burtis and Lita. Everett. Rebecca standing there beside me. Roma and Eddie. Maggie and Brady.

Marcus.

I put my arm around Rebecca and smiled. “There isn’t anything better than this.”