Lilian Jackson Braun - Cat 15 Who Went Into the Closet

"Odd, isn't it, that they chose the Klingenschoen woods?"

"Not odd. Virtually unavoidable. Do you realize how many square miles of woodland belong to the Klingenschoen estate around Mooseville and Brrr?... And here's something else I've just learned," Qwilleran told the attorney. "As soon as their Milwaukee associate was arrested in my elevator and their Florida assistant was fugitive in a stolen vehicle, they skipped the Park of Pink Sunsets."

"We should see the prosecutor fast," Wilmot said. "Let's try to catch him before he goes to lunch."

-20-

AFTER A LONG session with the Moose County prosecutor, Qwilleran telephoned Celia Robinson. "I called to sing the praises of your chocolate brownies," he said. "I assume no one is listening to our conversation."

"Nobody ever came back," she said in a tone of bewilderment. "The police have been here, asking questions. Clayton and I have sort of taken charge of the office. We're trying to keep people calm, but the oldsters at the park get very upset."

"I also want to compliment your grandson on the tape. He's a smart young man."

"Yes, I'm proud of him."

"Have you been able to recall anything about the Sunday that Mrs. Gage died?"

"Well, Mr. Crocus and I put our heads together, she said, "and we remembered that the electricity went off around suppertime. There was no storm or anything, but every home on Kumquat Court lost power, and Pete came looking for a short circuit. He went to every home on the court."

"Including Mrs. Gage's?"

"Everybody's. We never found out what caused it. The power wasn't off for long, so it wasn't serious. That's the only thing we can remember."

"Good enough!" Qwilleran commended her.

"Is there anything else I can do for you, Mr. Qwilleran?"

"I may have an idea to discuss with you later on... Excuse me a moment. The doorbell's ringing."

"That's all right. I'll hang up. Happy New Year!" It was Andrew Brodie at the door. "Come on in, chief," Qwilleran said. "Is this a social call, or did you come to talk shop?"

"Both. I'll take a nip of Scotch if you've got any. I'm on my way home." He followed Qwilleran into the kitchen. "A little water and no ice. What are you gonna drink?"

"Cider. Let's take our glasses into the library." Brodie dropped into a large, old, underslung leather chair. "Feels like a hammock," he said.

"You'll sag, too, when you're that old."

"That's some Christmas tree you've got." The chief was looking at Polly's wreath.

"Have a good Christmas, Andy?"

"The usual. Did you get your lights fixed downstairs?"

"Good as new."

Something was on Brodie's mind. His staccato small talk was a kind of vamp-till-ready until he came to the point. "What's happening on Goodwinter Boulevard?" he asked. "A lot of property's changing hands."

"Is that good or bad?" Qwilleran asked.

"All depends. There's a rumor that the Klingenschoen money is behind it."

"Interesting, if true."

Brodie threw him a swift, fierce Scottish scowl. "In other words, you ain't talkin'."

"I've nothing to say."

"You had plenty to say to the prosecutor's office today. I hear they even sent out for roast beef sandwiches from Lois's."

"Your operatives don't miss a thing, Andy."

"I knew Inchpot," the chief said, "and I'd never figure him for a blackmailer."

"Perhaps he had professional advice," Qwilleran suggested slyly. "Extortion consultation and one-stop money-laundering would be the kind of services George Breze might offer. His business card was found in Euphonia's files. Was he an intermediary?"

Brodie brushed the jest aside. "He serviced her Mercedes... How come you came up with all those clues in the Inchpot case when the state bureau was stymied? Did your psychic cat work on it?" He had learned about Koko's unique capabilities from a city detective Down Below.

"Well, I'll tell you this: Koko and his sidekick collaborated to catch the thief in the elevator. I don't know how many hours he'd been trapped in pitch darkness, but claustrophobia had made him a screaming maniac by the time Nick Bamba and I walked in... Freshen your drink?"

"A wee drop."

Qwilleran brought in the bottle and a jug of water. "Help yourself."

"By this time I thought Koko would come up with a clue to Euphonia's suicide."

"Well, let me tell you something that's just occurred to me, Andy. I think she was not the first victim of fraud at the mobile home park, and I know for a fact she was not the first suicide. I have a hunch..." Qwilleran combed his moustache with his fingertips. "I have a hunch they were all murders. The management profited by a quick turnover. Rob 'em and rub 'em out!"

"You didn't tell that to the prosecutor!"

"I had nothing to support my suspicions when I was at the courthouse, but a phone call from Florida filled in some blanks."

"You know," said the chief, "I never thought that feisty woman would cash in like they said she did. Overdose, they said."