Frankencat (Whales and Tails Cozy Mystery Book 13)

  Frankencat

  by

  Kathi Daley

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  Copyright © 2017 by Katherine Daley

  Version 1.0

  All rights reserved, including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form.

  Table of Contents

  Table of Contents

  Books by Kathi Daley

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Sample Chapter for Finding Justice

  Recipes

  Double Layer Pumpkin Pie

  Pumpkin Cinnamon Pancakes

  Marie’s Gingersnaps

  Streusel Apple Pie

  Books by Kathi Daley

  Giveaway:

  I want to thank the very talented Jessica Fischer for the cover art.

  I so appreciate Bruce Curran, who is always ready and willing to answer my cyber questions, and Peggy Hyndman for helping sleuth out those pesky typos.

  A special thank you to Darla Taylor, Vivian Shane, Marie Rice, and Patty Liu for submitting recipes.

  And, of course, thanks to the readers and bloggers in my life, who make doing what I do possible.

  Thank you to Randy Ladenheim-Gil for the editing.

  And finally I want to thank my sister Christy for always lending an ear and my husband Ken for allowing me time to write by taking care of everything else.

  Books by Kathi Daley

  Come for the murder, stay for the romance.

  Zoe Donovan Cozy Mystery:

  Halloween Hijinks

  The Trouble With Turkeys

  Christmas Crazy

  Cupid’s Curse

  Big Bunny Bump-off

  Beach Blanket Barbie

  Maui Madness

  Derby Divas

  Haunted Hamlet

  Turkeys, Tuxes, and Tabbies

  Christmas Cozy

  Alaskan Alliance

  Matrimony Meltdown

  Soul Surrender

  Heavenly Honeymoon

  Hopscotch Homicide

  Ghostly Graveyard

  Santa Sleuth

  Shamrock Shenanigans

  Kitten Kaboodle

  Costume Catastrophe

  Candy Cane Caper

  Holiday Hangover

  Easter Escapade

  Camp Carter

  Trick or Treason – September 2017

  Reindeer Roundup – December 2017

  Zimmerman Academy The New Normal

  Ashton Falls Cozy Cookbook

  Tj Jensen Paradise Lake Mysteries by Henery Press

  Pumpkins in Paradise

  Snowmen in Paradise

  Bikinis in Paradise

  Christmas in Paradise

  Puppies in Paradise

  Halloween in Paradise

  Treasure in Paradise

  Fireworks in Paradise – October 2017

  Beaches in Paradise – June 2018

  Whales and Tails Cozy Mystery:

  Romeow and Juliet

  The Mad Catter

  Grimm’s Furry Tail

  Much Ado About Felines

  Legend of Tabby Hollow

  Cat of Christmas Past

  A Tale of Two Tabbies

  The Great Catsby

  Count Catula

  The Cat of Christmas Present

  A Winter’s Tail

  The Taming of the Tabby

  Frankencat

  The Cat of Christmas Future – November 2017

  The Cat of New Orleans – February 2018

  Seacliff High Mystery:

  The Secret

  The Curse

  The Relic

  The Conspiracy

  The Grudge

  The Shadow

  The Haunting – September 2017

  Sand and Sea Hawaiian Mystery:

  Murder at Dolphin Bay

  Murder at Sunrise Beach

  Murder at the Witching Hour

  Murder at Christmas

  Murder at Turtle Cove

  Murder at Water’s Edge

  Murder at Midnight – October 2017

  Writers’ Retreat Southern Seashore Mystery:

  First Case

  Second Look

  Third Strike

  Fourth Victim – October 2017

  Fifth Night – January 2018

  Rescue Alaska Paranormal Mystery

  Finding Justice – November 2017

  A Tess and Tilly Mystery

  The Christmas Letter – December 2017

  Road to Christmas Romance:

  Road to Christmas Past

  Chapter 1

  Tuesday, October 24

  Talk about déjà vu. One year ago tonight, on October 24, I, Caitlin Hart, attended a book club at Coffee Cat Books. One year ago tonight, a storm blew in and, very much like tonight, thunder and lightning created a spooky backdrop just above the horizon. I glanced out the huge picture window my best friend Tara O’Brian and I had installed when we’d remodeled the old cannery to open the coffee bar/bookstore/cat lounge. The pumpkin-scented candles Tara lit earlier in the evening flickered, creating a warm and cozy feeling when coupled with the roaring fire in the floor-to-ceiling fireplace we’d built into the reading room and cat lounge. Even with the warmth of the room, I couldn’t help but notice that the sky was dark with heavy clouds and the sea appeared angry as wind whipped its surface creating waves and white caps as far as the eye could see. The storm seemed to be inching closer to shore as the minutes ticked by and I wondered if we shouldn’t call our discussion of Mary Shelley’s classic Frankenstein to a close in favor of sending everyone home.

  I glanced at Tara, who was leading the discussion. She was certainly in her element. Her face mirrored her happiness as she discussed the novel while fingering the necklace her boyfriend, Dr. Parker Hamden, had given her. I was happy Tara had found a man worthy of her love. She was such an awesome person, but before Parker came along she seemed to have hopped from one failed relationship to the next.

  I thought about the cute Halloween costume Tara was making for Parker’s niece, Amy. Tara had spent a ton of time on it, making sure every detail was absolutely perfect. Personally, I didn’t think a child’s costume warranted quite so much attention, but Tara seemed to really be in to the whole surrogate-mother thing. Amy was currently living with Parker while her mother was in prison. I wasn’t certain what Amy’s mother had done to land herself in so much trouble, but Parker had never mentioned it and I’d decided it wasn’t any of my business, so I’d never asked.

  Tara stopped speaking as thunder rolled in from the sea, shaking the shop, which was perched on the end of the wharf.

  “That one sounded close,” I commented as the lights flickered.

  “I heard the storm is supposed to be a strong one, but it should pass quickly,” Giselle Bowman, one of our regular book club members, informed us.

  “I could use a bathroom break as long as the conversation’s been interrupted anyway,” Barbara Jenkins, a stay-at-home mom with two children, said.

  “I’ll second that,” Stephanie Abrams and Alice Jones both voiced at the same time.

  T
ara looked at the clock on the wall. “Okay; we’ll take a twenty-minute break. There are coffee and cookies in the other room. If Giselle is correct and the storm is going to blow through quickly we can finish our discussion after the break. If it looks like the storm is going to linger we’ll break for the night.”

  Everyone other than Tara and I got up and wandered into the bookstore section of the building, where the coffee counter had been stocked with the coffee and cookies Tara had mentioned. I had to hand it to her; she was really embracing the Halloween spirit this year. Not only had she made three different types of cookies, all with a Halloween theme, but the entire bookstore was decorated from top to bottom, giving the space a magical feeling that made me want to abandon the book we were discussing and play make-believe with Tara’s minivillage.

  “Everyone seems to be enjoying the discussion,” I commented as we watched the storm roll in.

  “It’s a great novel. You can’t help but both fear and feel empathy for the monster. I’ve seen the movie, which I’ll admit caused me more than a few tears, but as I read the novel, I found myself experiencing the pain and emptiness of living in a world where you’d never fit in.”

  “It sounds like you bonded with the monster.”

  Tara glanced at me. “Yeah, I guess I did. We all want to know who we are, why we are, and exactly where we came from. We all want to feel like we belong.”

  I took Tara’s hand in mine as lightning crisscrossed through the sky. “It sounds as if you’ve been talking to Sister Mary again.” Tara had been struggling with some issues as a result of learning that not only were the mother and father she had always believed to be her real parents had adopted her, but her actual parents were a nun and the man who had kidnapped her when she was just a girl.

  “I have been speaking to her,” Tara confirmed as the sound of thunder grew closer. “When I first discovered my real parentage I was surprised but not really upset about it, but the more time I’ve had to think about it the more I realize I have questions and issues I need to work out. Sister Mary has been so great. She’s been patient and kind and has answered all my questions despite the fact that I can tell it’s painful for her to revisit that part of her life.”

  “Sister Mary is awesome. You’ve always liked and admired her, while you never felt you fit in with your family. I know it must be hard having such a huge secret to keep, but I’d think you’d be happy you finally know the truth.”

  “I’m happy to know the truth and I’m happy to know Mary is my mother.”

  “But you’re worried that you also carry the genes of your father,” I realized.

  Tara squeezed my hand as the storm grew closer. “Spending time with Amy has made me realize I very much want to have children of my own someday. I think I’d be a good mother, but I have to wonder if there isn’t some latent evil residing in my genes.”

  I was about to respond when Paula Wainwright, one of our longtime book club members, interrupted. “Excuse me,” she said, holding up her phone. “I’m sorry to bother you, but I need to make a call. My cell is dead. Would you mind if I used the phone in your office?”

  “Certainly; help yourself,” I answered. “The light switch is just to the right of the door when you enter.”

  A clap of thunder shook the building as the dark sky lit up with streaks of lightning overhead.

  “Wow. That was really close. I hope we don’t lose power,” Tara said as we walked closer to the large windows and looked out over the dark sea. The heavy clouds blocked the light from the moon, making it hard to see, but the white-capped waves and lightning on the horizon were hard to miss.

  “I’d be surprised if we don’t, the way things are shaping up, but I think it’s too late now to send everyone home.” I paused as a clap of thunder echoed through the building. “It’s safer in the bookstore than it would be on the road.”

  “I agree. Letting everyone go at this point would be a bad idea. The roads will be treacherous once the rain starts, which it looks as if it will be any minute.”

  “Yeah. It looks like it could get bad.” My heart was beginning to pound as bolts of lightning neared. “We should probably step away from the window. In fact, we should tell everyone to move to the center of the building.”

  “That’s probably a good idea. I had no idea the storm would be so strong. The way the building is shaking, I wouldn’t be surprised if we don’t end up with substantial wind damage.”

  “Let’s just hope we don’t blow away altogether.”

  A bolt of lightning hit the water just outside the window we were looking through. Tara and I screamed and jumped back. We were the only two in the cat lounge at that point. The others were either in line for the bathroom or gathered around the coffee bar, chatting among themselves. I grabbed Tara’s hand and she squeezed mine in return. The lights flickered once again and then went out, plunging the store into darkness. It took just a moment for my eyes to adjust to the dim light provided by the fire. Thunder and strong winds shook the building as lightning flashed overhead. Gusts of blustery air whistled through the cracks in the doorway, adding to the eeriness of the darkened room.

  “Cait, Tara, are you in here?” one of the book club members called from the doorway.

  “Yes, we’re here,” Tara called back. “Let’s all gather in here, where we have some light, but stay away from the windows.”

  The women filed back into the room one by one. We huddled together as the building shook so hard I was certain it was going to collapse on us. Several of the women were praying softly, while others simply clung to one another for comfort. After what seemed like hours the storm blew over and the wind died down.

  “That was a bad one,” said Jane Warton, a nurse at the local hospital.

  “The worst I’ve ever seen,” Sarah Frost agreed.

  “Is everyone okay?” I asked.

  There were general murmurs throughout the room that, while the women were shook up a bit, no one was physically injured.

  The power was still out, so we all agreed it was best to break for the night now that the worst of the storm had passed. Tara cautioned everyone to drive safely and the women began to disperse. Tara and I banked the fire and began gathering our things to leave as well. Except for the light that had been provided by the fire and candles, it was pitch-black inside the store, so we figured we’d come in early the next morning to clean up. Once we’d extinguished the flames from the candles we opened the front door and looked out into the pouring rain.

  “Paula Wainwright’s car is still here,” Tara pointed out.

  “Maybe she got a ride with someone,” I suggested.

  “Maybe, but I would think she’d have said something to us if that was her plan.” Tara was right. “Do you remember seeing her with the others?” she asked.

  I thought about it. “Not specifically, but it was dark and everyone left shortly after the worst of the storm blew through. She did ask to use the phone in the office. We should check to make sure she isn’t still in the building before we lock up.”

  Tara took out her cell phone and turned on her flashlight app. We walked side by side down the hallway, calling out Paula’s name. The bathroom door was open, so we knew she wasn’t in there. Then we searched the office, but it was empty as well.

  “Maybe the storeroom?” Tara asked.

  “We may as well look,” I answered.

  The windowless room was not only pitch-black except for the light provided by the cell phone flashlight, but it was stacked with boxes that were as many as four high around the room.

  “Paula, are you in here?” I called.

  There was no answer.

  “She must have gotten a ride with one of the others,” Tara said.

  “Yeah. There wouldn’t be any reason for her to come in here in the first place,” I agreed. I was about to close the door when a large cat shot between my legs and entered the room. “What the heck? Where did you come from?” I turned to Tara. “We did close the front
door, right?”

  “I thought we did, but you know how it sometimes doesn’t latch tight. It could have blown open. There are still some pretty strong gusts blowing through.”

  I looked in to the dark interior of the room. “Here, kitty. We need to go and I don’t want to lock you in, so come on out.”

  “Meow.”

  I could hear the cat moving around in the back of the room, but he must be behind the stack of boxes because I couldn’t see him. “I’ll see if I can get him,” I said to Tara. “Shine the light toward that stack of boxes in the back. I think he’s behind them.”

  Tara did as I’d asked and I walked slowly through the storeroom, careful not to trip on anything. I could still hear the cat behind the boxes, so once I reached the back of the room I scooted around behind them. The light from Tara’s phone didn’t quite reach where I was now, but I could see something lying on the ground. I bent down to see if I could feel what it was when my hand came into contact with a human face.

  “Tara, I think you’d better get over here. Bring the light.”

  “Did you find the cat?”

  “I did. And something else as well.”

  I could hear Tara moving slowly through the room so as not to stumble over anything. I heard her gasp when she finally worked her way around to the spot where I was kneeling.

  “Oh God. What happened?”

  Paula was lying in a pool of blood. There was a large knife sticking out of her chest.

  “I don’t know. She doesn’t have a pulse. Call Finn.”

  Chapter 2

  Ryan Finnegan—Finn to his friends—was both the resident deputy for Madrona Island and my new brother-in-law. Tara and I had decided to wait in the car for him to arrive. There was nothing we could do for Paula and we didn’t want to wait in the dark bookstore with the body of a woman who had been alive just thirty minutes ago.

  I slipped out into the rain when Finn pulled up. Tara and I ran the short distance through the downpour toward the front door. Once the three of us were inside Finn asked us to show him to the body.