Karen Anne Golden - The Cats That 02 - The Cats that Chased the Storm by Karen Anne Golden

reality he was a criminal?”
    Mark nodded. “By the time he married Orvenia, he was distancing himself from a life of crime. He was elderly with health problems. He drank too much, probably his own brew. Orvenia threatened to throw him out. So when he disappeared, she assumed he’d left her.” Mark put the Honda in gear and drove out of the cemetery.
    A thousand thoughts raced through Katherine’s mind. Suspicions. Doubts. Accusations. She didn’t speak to Mark until he parked in front of the car rental business. Then she said firmly, “Gut feeling tells me that skull in the tunnel belongs to my great uncle.”
    “Katz, we don’t know that. Let’s just wait for the CSI findings.”
    “And I think my great aunt knew it. Why else would she have a brick wall put in front of the entrance to the tunnel? She had lots to gain – William’s entire fortune – yet she had a family in Brooklyn barely making it. When my great granny was alive, she told stories of standing in bread and soup lines just to stay alive. Yet, my great aunt had a fortune and did nothing to help them.”
    She started to get out, but Mark touched her arm. “I could kick myself for not telling you about your great uncle earlier. I’m so sorry.”
    Katherine recoiled from his touch and said, “Thank you for bringing me here. I’ll talk to you later.” Shutting the door, she made her way into the rental office. Mark remained parked outside for a few minutes, then left. Before the clerk came to the counter, Katherine thought, I need to try to decipher the journal word-for-word. If Scout thought it was important enough to bring to my attention, there’s probably a valuable clue in the book .
    *       *      *
    Angry and depressed, Katherine drove the rented SUV to the closest hair salon that offered walk-in service. She had several hours to kill before picking up Abby, so she thought a manicure and new hairdo would do the trick.
    Once Katherine was ensconced in the chair, the hair dresser said, “You have such pretty black hair. What can I do for you today?”
    “I want the latest Jennifer Lawrence haircut. You know her , right? Hunger Games ?”
    “Yes, why of course, but you have such gorgeous long hair. I just saw her on the TV. You really want me to cut it all off?”
    “Yes, exactly. Chop away! But, save it for me so I can donate it to charity.”
    “Oh, we can do that for you,” the hair dresser said. “Now, you head over to the washing station,” she pointed, “I’m going to have Marcy at the front desk do an Internet search on this haircut you’re talking about.”
    “Oh, search her name and Golden Globes,” Katherine suggested.
    After several hours of being pampered, with the new haircut Katherine felt pounds lighter. She paid the bill, then glanced at her new look in the mirror. With her phone, she took a selfie and sent it to Colleen who texted back immediately, “Who is this?” Katherine answered, “The new me!” “You look fabulous,” Colleen commented. Walking out the door, she smiled happily. She thought, a new look will do me just fine .
    *       *      *
    Arriving at the vet school, Katherine approached the reception desk and said, “I’m Katherine Kendall. I’m here to pick up Abby.” The twenty-something man behind the counter checked his computer screen, glanced up and said, “We don’t have anyone listed by that name. Could you spell it, please?”
    Katherine spelled her last name.
    The man laughed. “Oh, here you are. Someone entered your last name as Kindle .”
    “Do I look like an e-reader?” she kidded. “Is Abby ready?” she asked, trying to prod the receptionist forward.
    “I’ll check you in. Just have a seat and someone will come out and get you.”
    Katherine barely sat in her chair, when a bubbly young vet student whizzed out. “Are you Abby’s mom?” she asked.
    “Yes,” Katherine smiled.
    “Great, follow me.” The student directed Katherine to an empty