Cat on the Scent

            “People are saying that’s why Tommy was killed. That you and Van Allen bring in cocaine in the hubcaps of your Porsches.”

            “People will say anything.”

            Archie shrugged. “You use it?”

            “I have in the past. I don’t now.”

            “Get you in trouble?”

            “No.” Blair sat across from him. “I saw it get a lot of other people in trouble and figured I’d quit while I was ahead.”

            “Aileen wants me to resign my seat on the county commission.”

            “Not a good idea.” Blair drained his cup, rose to pour another.

            “H. would shoot me.” Archie laughed a dry laugh. “That damned Sarah is screaming all over the county that I shot H. Christ, I wouldn’t shoot him. Strangle him, maybe, but not shoot him.”

            “What went down between you two? One minute you were—”

            Archie slapped the table with his open palm, startling Blair and the watching animals. “I got sick of taking his shit. Who was taking all the risks? Me! Whatever I did wasn’t enough. He wanted to know more and he wanted it yesterday. Damn, how many times can I run up and down the road to Richmond?”

            “Our peer of the realm likes to give orders.” Blair checked the time on the old railroad clock on the wall, a duplicate of the one in the post office. It was six-thirty.

            “If my involvement comes out, I’m down the tubes.”

            “Don’t be so dramatic,” Blair admonished him. “The law is murky in this area. Someone would have to prove that you abused your office for personal gain. Furthermore, the information you passed on to us concerning road development is public knowledge.”

            “The timetable is not public knowledge.”

            “Yes, it is.”

            “The real timetable,” Archie shot back, in no mood for Blair’s rebuke.

            “So? It would have to be proved. Archie, for chrissake, you knew what you were getting into. Information is bought and sold every day in every profession. If you’re smart enough to get on the inside track, you win.” Blair, leaning against his refrigerator, shoved his hands into his back pockets. “We’re almost finished with our buying. All that’s left is the Catlett property. But even without it, we’re in good shape. After that, Arch, it’s all over but the shouting.”

            “It’s the shouting I’m worried about.”

            “Toughen up. Are you hungry?”

            “I’ve lost my appetite.”

            “I haven’t,” Pewter called from the windowsill.

            “You ditz!” Murphy would have boxed her ears if she could. Pewter had no restraint.

            The cat’s meow startled the two men.

            Blair laughed. “Pewter, you shameless eavesdropper.”

            Tucker pushed open the door, waltzing in. “Hi.”

            “Wonder if Harry’s around?” Archie rose, walking outside to check. He came back in. “No, but I hear her on the tractor.”

            “That thing is a museum piece.” Blair put out cream for Pewter and gave Tucker stale bread he’d been saving for the birds.

            Furious, Mrs. Murphy backed down the tree, practically vaulting into the kitchen.

            “Idiots!”

            “Party pooper.” Pewter licked her lips; a drop of cream dribbled from her chin.

            The aroma of rich cream overcame Murphy’s scruples. She hopped up next to Pewter.

            “Full house.” Blair scratched the base of Mrs. Murphy’s tail.

            “Damn cat.” Archie, eyes squinting, glared at Murphy.

            “She had a big time at the meeting.” Blair laughed.

            Archie held on to his coffee cup with both hands as though it might fly away. “Do you think Sarah cheats on H.?”

            Blair raised an eyebrow. “I wouldn’t know.”

            “Ridley said she was going at it with Tommy.” Archie, cunning, did not divulge that Ridley also told him Sarah had slept with Blair.

            “Was Ridley drunk or sober?”

            “Sober.”

            “I don’t know.” He did know, of course, because Tommy had told him about the affair, but Blair had given his word not to repeat it. “Sex gets us all into trouble.”

            The phone rang. Blair picked it up. “Hello.” Then he covered the mouthpiece. “H. Vane.”

            Archie got up and put his ear to the receiver. Murphy joined them. Archie pushed her away but she was persistent.

            “Blair, I’d like to have a meeting with you and Archie tomorrow at three. Can you make it?”

            “Yes.”

            “What about Arch? I know he’s with you. He drove past the post office and people saw you run out. You know how small this town is.”

            “He’ll be there.”

            Archie grabbed the phone. “I’ll be there.”

            “Did you shoot me?”

            “No.”

            “I didn’t think so.”

            “Where’s Sarah? I can’t believe she’d let you call me after the stuff she’s saying.”

            “She drove down to the market. The way she drives, that will take two minutes. I figured I’d call while I could.”

            “How will you get away for a meeting? And where do you want to have it?” Blair asked.

            “Your place. I can drive.”

            “Goody,” Murphy told the others. “H. Vane will be here tomorrow at three for a meeting.”

            “We’ll be at work.” Tucker was disappointed.

            “Leave that to me.” Murphy strained to hear more.

            “If Sarah knows you’re going to meet with me she’ll bring out the cannon,” Archie said.

            “She’ll do what I tell her. I pay the bills, remember?”

            “I remember,” Archie replied, a splash of acid in his tone.

            35