A Paw-sible Theory

“After dark all cats are leopards.”

––Native American Proverb

CHAPTER THIRTY: Suspicion Falls On the Cats

Alyx was finally home! “Hi, kitty-cats,” she said, picking up and hugging each of us in turn and we did what cats do––rubbed against her ankles, purring and chattering all at the same time. “I’ve missed you too, fur-babies.”

I hoped our jubilation welcoming her home wasn’t more than what she needed. She looked pale, had lost a little weight and her clothes were loose on her. She sat on the couch and we surrounded her, leaving just enough room for Maggie to sit.

“Maggie, I’m sorry I snapped at you this morning.”

Maggie smiled. “You did look funny sitting there in your hospital gown, ready to go, clothes or no clothes.”

“Well, you said we had a ten o’clock appointment to visit Ethan and I was anxious.”

“You told me to come at nine and I was early,” Maggie answered. “Visitors are required to check in ten minutes before their appointment and we had plenty of time.”

The stressful events had taken their toll on the friends. The friendship was strong, but not immune to the stresses inflicted on it by the recent events.

Alyx caught the defensive tone of the statement and hugged her quickly. “Yes, you were early, and I was anxious beyond reason.”

“That was evident by the way you sat rigid in the passenger seat, looking out the window, hands clasped tight on your lap.”

“A wave of emotions rolled over me as we pulled in the parking lot of that huge facility. I wasn’t expecting the terror that settled around my heart as I looked at the multitude of men behind the tall, razor-wire fences. I understand that Ethan is just another victim of the imperfect laws of men, and I guess the majority of those people belong there but there must be others like Ethan who don’t.”

“That’s true according to the news stories we often hear about men who have been falsely imprisoned.”

“I know there has to be law and order, and punishment for those who break the law, but seeing men caged like animals is degrading to the human race. On the other hand, I realize the crimes some of those men have committed disqualify them as humans.”

“You believe in the death penalty, then?” asked Maggie.

“That’s a tough question to answer. At one time, I did, without a doubt. Now, I’m not sure. I think you’ve already taken someone’s life when you lock him up. Once a person loses his freedom, what’s there to live for? And the possibility of killing an innocent man is appalling. It gives me the shivers thinking about Ethan among murderers, rapists, pedophiles...”

“Like you, at one time I had no doubt it was the right thing to do. Some argue that even the Bible condones it. Now, I just don’t know. Sometimes, when I hear of the crimes that have been committed, death seems too easy a punishment. I want them to suffer like they made their victims suffer.”

The two women were silent for a moment, then Maggie said, “I’m glad that’s not a decision I have to make. Anyway, tell me what happened after I dropped you off.”

“The guard behind the desk, a hard young man who lost his battle with acne, directed me to the visitation room and searched me. It made me nervous when the door closed behind me in a long, narrow room with video screens along the two long walls. I looked forward to seeing Ethan and dreaded it at the same time. The room was full. There were two chairs and two phones in front of the screens––the areas separated by short walls. Ethan was already there, on the screen. He smiled and his face brightened when I picked up the phone, but I had already seen the pale withdrawn look on his face, in my eyes, the face of a sad and frightened little boy.

My heart was breaking as I tried my best to sound optimistic about the future. Knowing him as well as I do, I knew he was trying to do the same for my sake; the weariness reflected in his eyes told a different story. Neither of us brought up the actual subject of attempted murder until the thirty-minute visit was almost up. He said not to worry, that he could take care of himself. I hope he can. I’m not sure if self-confidence is a good thing or not in this case. One good thing is that he has confidence in his lawyer, and I know it makes a world of difference to have his father involved.”

Alyx looked tired. Maggie suggested she go to bed and she didn’t argue. I followed her quietly to her room. There, she saw all the items that had been on the chest were now on the floor, the window open and the screen on the ground. She closed the window, and put everything back on the chest, changed into pajamas and lay across the bed waiting for Maggie to bring her things from the hospital.

“Can I get you anything before I leave?” Maggie asked when she entered the room.

“No, I’m fine,” she replied, pointing to the window, “but I’m wondering if you opened the window in here, by chance?”

“Yes, I did. Yesterday was such a beautiful day, I thought the house could stand some fresh air and I opened all the windows,” she answered, looking at the closed window. “Why?”

“It’s no big deal, but the window was open and the screen is outside on the ground. I was hoping it was you who forgot to close it rather than someone trying to get in.”

“Oh, Alyx, I’m sorry. I feel terrible about this. I was in the process of closing the windows when you called me yesterday and I guess I just forgot to come back to this one.”

“It’s okay; don’t worry about it. I will feel better, though, if you check the rest of the house, just in case.”

She did, and they were all secure.

Maggie hadn’t left yet when the doorbell rang. I trailed after Maggie to the front door. The police officer there asked to speak to Alyx.

“I just brought her home from the hospital and she’s probably asleep. Is it anything I can help you with, Officer?”

“No, I really need to speak to her, but I can come back.”

“No need to do that, I’m Alyx. What’s going on?” Alyx had appeared behind Maggie.

“The station received a call shortly after one o’clock this morning about a disturbance at this address. The officer dispatched to the scene found a bedroom window open and no one appeared to be home. Did you notice anything missing?”

“Maggie checked the house a short time ago and I don’t think anything is missing.”

They both turned to Maggie for confirmation.

“I’m the one who left the window open.” Maggie explained what had happened. “We thought that maybe the cats had pushed the screen out and I checked the house. Everything seemed to be in order.”

“Two men were found in a van parked down the street, both of them bleeding profusely from scratches and bites––they looked like they had been in a cat fight, but they wouldn’t say who did it. We have them in custody on suspicion of wrongdoing. Anything either of you can tell us will help.”