CATS THAT PLAYED THE MARKET, THE Read online

  “Go to the next room and get on the house phone. Dial 911. Ask for an ambulance.”

  “Yes. Yes,” Mum said as she rushed out of the room.

  Katherine knelt next to Jake, continuing to apply pressure to the wound. “Oh, you can’t leave me. I love you. I don’t want to let you go,” she cried.

  Katherine could hear sirens in the distance, getting louder and closer. An ambulance pulled in front of the mansion with Chief London’s cruiser behind it. Mrs. Murphy went to the front door and opened it wide. She directed the paramedics to the living room. They dashed over to Jake. Chief London and Officer Troy ran in after them. They quickly sized up the situation, and went to Patricia.

  Katherine was on autopilot. Voices around her were close but sounded distant and distorted. Maybe it was because of the deafening sound of the gun blasts. She didn’t know. She heard Chief London pronounce Patricia dead. Another voice said, “We’ve gotta get him to the trauma center in the city.” She heard a second voice call it in. Another person came in. “Chopper’s goin’ to land at the high school football field. Gotta get him in the bus and transport him there ASAP.” A female medic’s voice said to Katherine, “Ma’am, please move aside. I’ll take over.”

  Chief London said to Officer Troy, “Make sure no one is on the football field and secure the area. Katz,” he said, moving over to her and helping her to her feet. “It’s going to be okay. I’m calling Jake’s parents right now. I want them to swing by and pick you up to take you to the hospital.”

  Katherine said, “I can drive.”

  “No hell you ain’t. I’ve seen you drive.”

  “Okay, agreed. Chief London, I didn’t mean to kill her, but she kept firing.”

  “The way I see it, it was self-defense. We’ll talk about this another time.”

  Katherine was in shock. This was her worst nightmare. All she could see was the man she wanted to spend the rest of her life with, bleeding on the floor of the pink mansion. If only I’d stayed in Manhattan, she thought. Jake wouldn’t be dying on the floor.

  The gurney was wheeled in and Jake was carefully lifted and placed on it. He moaned once but his eyes didn’t open. Katherine tried to move with him, but too many people were surrounding the gurney. Jake was rolled outside, then loaded up into the bus. When the ambulance left with lights flashing and siren wailing, she collapsed on her knees on the frozen sidewalk and began sobbing. Daryl and Colleen drove up and got out of the Impala. Daryl ran over, “Is Jake alive?”

  Katherine nodded.

  He squeezed her shoulder and then joined the officers and medical personnel pouring in and out of the mansion, including the coroner, who had just arrived. Colleen ran for Katherine and knelt down next to her. She held her friend in her arms and rocked her. “Katz, I’m here. It’s going to be okay. What happened? Katz, talk to me. What’s going on?”

  Katherine stammered, “She shot Jake and then I shot her. She’s dead.”

  “For the love of Mary, who is she?” Colleen implored, terrified.

  “Patricia Marston. I killed her. I shot her and she’s dead.”

  Colleen comforted. “Katz, we’ve got to go inside and make sure Mum and the cats are all right,” she said, getting up. She held her hand out to Katherine who slowly got up. They walked into the mansion and began looking for the cats.

  They found Mrs. Murphy sitting on an atrium Eastlake chair, drinking from her flask.

  “Not now, mother,” Colleen thundered. “I need your wits about you to help us. Have you seen the cats?”

  Mrs. Murphy said, “I want to go home. This wretched place is terrible. Get me out of here.”

  “Calm down, Mum.”

  “Colleen,” Katherine cried from the dining room. “We’ve got to get the cat carriers out of the office. After we find the cats, I want you to drive mum and the kids to the bungalow. Stay there tonight. Put the cats in their room.”

  “Of course, Katz.”

  Katherine removed her car keys from her pocket and handed them to Colleen.

  Daryl came into the room and said, “Katz, can you come here quick. We’ve got a problem with your cats.”

  Katherine hurried into the living room and found Scout and Abra doing their Halloween death dance in front of Patricia’s lifeless body. “Hiss,” Scout shrieked. Abra was foaming at the mouth, ejecting spittle around her as she shook her head. Scout hissed again and growled a long, menacing growl.

  The coroner, police and medical personnel stood back, not knowing what to do. Katherine stooped down in front of the frenzied pair and began talking to them in a soothing voice. “It’s okay. Mommy’s going to take you out of here.” She managed to snatch both and take them into her office. Colleen was right behind and grabbed the carriers out of the closet. After Katherine placed Scout and Abra in one carrier, Iris appeared out of the kitchen and ran to that carrier’s door. The Siamese was shaking and had her tail between her legs.

  “It’s okay, Miss Siam,” Katherine said, putting her inside. Iris began washing Abra’s face.

  Daryl came in. “How can I help?”

  Katherine said with a trembling voice, “I have two more cats to find. I think I know where they are.” She handed Daryl the second cat carrier and walked back to the living room. She avoided the location where Jake and Patricia had been shot and moved to the front of the room, where Abby’s and Iris’s favorite wingback chair was located. She got down on her knees and gently felt inside the torn chair lining under the seat until she felt a cat. She brought it out. It was a terrified Abby. She kissed her on the head, then placed her inside the carrier. Reaching back again into the chair, she found Lilac, who was quivering.

  “Me-yowl,” she cried.

  “It’s okay, Lilac. Calm down, sweetie.” She cradled the upset Siamese next to her chest, kissed her, then placed her next to the Abyssinian.

  Once the cats were safe in their carriers, Daryl said emphatically, “Katz, we’ve got to get them out of here. This is a crime scene.”

  “Can you take Mum, Colleen and my cats to the bungalow I own? It’s two houses down from Cokey’s and Margie’s.”

  “Yes, I know where it is,” he said, then to Colleen, “Pack a bag. I’ll come back for you and your mom.”

  Katherine walked back to the kitchen and removed the bungalow keys, which were hanging on a key hook mounted on the wall. She went back and handed them to Daryl. “The cat’s room is the second bedroom on the right. When you get there, let them out, but first make sure the bedroom door is closed. I don’t want them running amok in the house.”

  “Will do. Katz, listen, as soon as I can, I’ll bring Colleen to the hospital. Jake’s in good hands. The trauma center is the best in the state.”

  Tears started streaming down Katherine’s face. “Thank you,” she choked.

  Chapter Nine

  Jake’s mom and dad — Johnny and Cora — drove up to the mansion in their extended cab pickup. Katherine was waiting for them on the front step — shivering. She’d forgotten her coat. It seemed like an eternity before they got there. Daryl had already taken the cats to the bungalow and had just returned to take Mrs. Murphy and Colleen there, as well. He shouted from his car, “Everything’s okay.” Katherine shouted back, “Thanks!” She was impatient to get to the hospital. Johnny got out and opened the passenger door. Katherine stepped up, slid over and sat down. She said hello to Jake’s mom, but Cora didn’t answer. She sat up front with a box of Kleenex on her lap. Johnny got back in and pulled out onto Lincoln Street.

  “I’m so sorry it took us so long, but we were half-way to the city when we got the call,” Johnny apologized. “Jake was just at our house.”

  Cora began crying. “We were planning our Christmas dinner . . . ” her voice trailed off into silence.

  Johnny finished, “Every Christmas, the Cokenbergers get together for dinner and afterward exchange gifts. Jake asked if it was okay if he brought you, and we said of course. It would be our pleasure.”

  Kathe
rine said, “How sweet! I’d love to go.”

  Cora said sadly, “In the past, Jake always brought Victoria, but when she passed away, he just went to pieces. He adored her.” Victoria was Jake’s wife, who died from cancer. Katherine suspected Cora and Victoria had been very close.

  “My son thinks the world of you,” Johnny countered. “He talks about you all the time.”

  Katherine didn’t answer. She didn’t want to engage in any conversation. She just wanted to quietly look out at the snowy landscape. Her head was still throbbing from the loud gunshots. Her mind was racing with dozens of tumbling, disorganized thoughts, but one thought was like a steady drumbeat beneath the mental noise. I’ve just killed someone, she thought.

  Johnny read her mind. He didn’t talk again until they got to the city. A long line of cars were stalled outside of town. “Damn, Christmas shoppers,” he complained.

  Cora scolded, “Watch your mouth.”

  The cars began to slowly pull forward.

  Cora started crying again. No matter what her husband said to try to console her, it clearly wasn’t working. Once they arrived at the hospital, Johnny let the two women off at the Emergency entrance, then pulled into the parking lot to find a spot. Reuniting in the hospital lobby, the group headed for the front desk, where a busy receptionist directed them to another part of the building. They found the waiting room and walked in. Curiously, Mark Dunn was sitting on one of the chairs against the windowed wall.

  When he saw Katherine, he stood up.

  “Mark,” she said, surprised. “How did you know?”

  “Chief London called. I was filing some papers down at the courthouse when I got the call. I thought you’d like some company.”

  “Thank you. That was sweet.”

  “Good to see you, Mark,” Johnny said, shaking Mark’s hand.

  Cora looked at Mark and Katherine suspiciously, as if they had a thing for each other.

  Mark led Katherine to a different part of the waiting room. “Let’s sit here,” he suggested.

  People started coming in and swarming around Johnny and Cora. Katherine assumed they were members of Jake’s huge, extended family.

  Mark began, “Hasn’t been the best month for either one of us.”

  Katherine nodded back at him without speaking.

  “I’m so sorry about Jake. He’s a good man,” he said, then whispered, “I regret looking so hard to find you. I’m beginning to think the Colfax fortune is a big curse — ”

  “Shhh,” Katherine interrupted. “If you hadn’t have found me, I would have never met Jake. I’m in love with him, Mark.”

  “I think the feeling is mutual,” Mark said, taking her hand. “I’m very happy for you.”

  “The chief probably also told you I shot Patricia.”

  “Yes, he did. I’m sorry, Katz. You did what you had to do. How did she get in? Is there something wrong with the new security system?”

  “The problem is there’s a manual override named Mrs. Murphy. Maybe Patricia tried to get inside and it set off the alarm. Mum turned it off and answered the door.”

  “Wow, wasn’t a scholarly moment on Mrs. Murphy’s part. I know it’s probably not the time and place,” Mark said hesitantly, “but I’ve been meaning to call you about Robbie Brentwood.”

  “What’s up? Maybe it will get my mind off of things for a few minutes.”

  “You were right to be suspicious of Robbie. I owe you an apology. I’m sorry I didn’t trust your instincts.”

  Katherine didn’t answer. She thought he should have said he never trusted her instincts.

  Mark continued, “I just found out the FBI was closing in to arrest him. It seems there really wasn’t a specialized mutual fund in New York. It was just a clever Ponzi scheme.”

  “I tried to warn you,” Katherine said solemnly. “The pic Colleen took in Manhattan — the one I texted you — had ‘red’ flag written all over it.”

  “Dozens of Erie residents were bilked out of their hard-earned savings.”

  “How about you? What did you lose?”

  “A lot.” Mark looked down at his hands and nervously wrung them.

  “I hesitate to ask this question, but did you invest any of my great aunt’s estate money in Robbie’s scheme? Am I poor now?”

  “Well, I wouldn’t exactly say you were poor. You still have five million.”

  “I take that to mean yes, you did,” she said.

  After a long, awkward pause, Mark said, “I don’t have legal access to your great aunt’s money, so the answer is no. The bank’s trust department always controlled investment of the estate assets and believe me, they are very conservative. I didn’t invest any of your soon-to-be inheritance.”

  Katherine felt relief. She had plans for the fortune and wanted to spend it to help others.

  “But there will be a happy ending to this mess. I think Robbie didn’t know the New York investors were ripping people off. I think he genuinely believed that the mutual fund was the real deal, at least until very recently.”

  Katherine rolled her eyes and said, “No way.”

  “Robbie deposited nearly all the money from the most recent investors into a separate account, payable to his mother upon his death. The bank notified Elizabeth this morning and she contacted me. She is adamant about returning the money. She’s authorized the bank and me to take care of this. Hopefully, everyone in Erie who invested will be reimbursed. She’s devastated that she lost her son — her only child. And she’s convinced of his innocence.”

  “I’m sorry for her loss,” Katherine said. “I won’t feel relieved until Cokey gets his kids’ college fund back. Mark, I hope you get your money back as well.”

  A doctor came in and asked for Jake’s parents. Johnny and Cora followed the woman to the door, then surprisingly, Cora stopped and called for Katherine.

  Katherine bounced up from her seat and hurried over to them.

  The doctor introduced herself, “I’m Dr. Ruby McDermond. Let’s move into a private room so we can talk.” She motioned the three to step into a small, windowless consulting room. She quietly shut the door. Cora looked like she was going to faint, so Katherine moved to her side and took her by the arm.

  “Please sit down, Cora,” Katherine said. Johnny pulled out a chair and Cora slid into the seat. Johnny stood behind her with his hands placed reassuringly on her shoulders. Katherine leaned against the wall.

  Dr. McDermond began, “The trauma surgery team cleaned up the wound and checked for bullet fragments. The bullet did not hit a major artery and made a clean exit through the shoulder muscle. He’s out of surgery and being taken to the ICU. He’s still in shock, which typically happens in gunshot victims, but he should stabilize soon. I’ll let you know when you can see him.”

  “When will that be?” Cora asked. “I need to see him now!”

  Dr. McDermond shook her head. “He’s still under the anesthesia. I’ll let you know.” She left the room.

  Cora began sobbing again. “Oh, Johnny, how could this happen? He was just at our house. He was so happy. Then, he goes over to her house,” she said venomously with an angry side glance at Katherine.

  “Cora, stop it. Right now!” Johnny demanded. “Katherine has been through hell. Think of someone else besides yourself for a change.”

  Not wanting to hear anything else, Katherine raced out of the room and nearly collided with Colleen, who had just arrived with Daryl.

  “Katz! What’s wrong?” Colleen asked.

  Katherine collected herself. “Jake’s out of surgery and being taken to a room in the ICU.”

  Daryl spoke gently. “Katz, I can show you where the ICU waiting room is. It has limited seating, so my big family will have to either hang out here or go home. Give me a second. I need to tell my family this.”

  Daryl said, “Listen up, folks. The docs have patched Jake up. He’s in recovery and being moved to the ICU. I think it’s best that everyone go home now.” Jake’s father, Johnny, ad
ded, “Thank you for coming. I’ll let you all know more about his condition tomorrow.” Most of the Cokenbergers cleared the room along with Mark Dunn, who nodded at Katherine, “Text me!” he mouthed the words. Grandpa Cokenberger refused to go, “I ain’t goin’ till I hear my grandson is gonna be all right.”

  Johnny said to the stubborn grandfather, “Okay, Dad, let’s go to the ICU waiting room.”

  Daryl returned to Katz and Colleen and took them both by the arm. He led them to another wing in the hospital.

  They walked in silence for a few minutes, then Daryl asked, “Katz, do you know if the bullet was removed?”

  Katherine nodded. “The doctors also checked for bullet fragments.”

  “That’s good. Now we have to pray he doesn’t get an infection.”

  “I know,” Katherine agreed. She turned to Colleen. “Is Mum all right? She was pretty shaken back there.”

  Colleen’s face clouded, “Mum is fine once she sobers up. She wants to go home tomorrow. Daryl and I are taking her to the airport. Katz, I called Jacky on the way over here. He’s taking her somewhere in Manhattan for help. This drinking business has to stop.”

  “Colleen, I think that’s an excellent plan. Are you flying out, too?”

  “I’m staying until Jake gets released from the hospital, and I don’t want to hear any argument about it.”

  “Thanks, you’re a dear friend.”

  Katherine asked Daryl, “Did my kids give you any trouble when you got them to the bungalow?”

  “They were pretty shook up when I got there, but once I let them out in their room, they seemed to be okay.”

  “Thank you for taking them over there.”

  “You’re welcome,” Daryl said. “Here we are,” he said, pointing to the waiting area. “You two have a seat. I’ll let the nurse at the desk know we’re here.” As Daryl walked out, Johnny, Cora and Grandpa Cokenberger came in. Cora sat as far away from Katherine as she could. In a few minutes, Daryl returned with a cardboard tray with six steaming cups of coffee. He said to Katherine, “Colleen and I plan on camping out here with you. When we find out Jake’s been stabilized, I’ll take the two of you home.”