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Catch As Cat Can

"Suppose he insulted someone on a deep level? You know, tried to seduce a man's wife or, worse, an underage daughter. Something like that can set a normal person right off. Murder is normal. That's why we don't want to look at it. The media is fascinated with serial killers, a fairly rare aberration, but most murders are run-of-the-mill affairs committed by run-of-the-mill people."

"That theory would place Wesley's killer in his own social class. Wouldn't it? People like Wesley don't have a lot of contact with people higher up on the scale."

"My, what a pretty gray tummy and so much of it, too." Cooper laughed as Pewter rolled over in her lap."Uh- I don't know. What if he did odd jobs on a big farm, made a pass at the lady of the manor?" She shrugged."Who the hell knows?"

"He knew enough to sell hubcaps."

"And to park cars."

"My guess is he knew someone in Crozet. He wasn't just passing through. I mean, you don't just pass through Crozet. Charlottesville, yes, but not Crozet. We're a little off the beaten track." Harry's features brightened. She liked figuring things out.

"Route 64's not that far away, nor is Route 250."

"Yeah, but if you come to Crozet you usually have a purpose or a person in mind. We're a little bit nondescript, you know."

Cooper thought silently for a time."I think you're right. What next?" She ran her fingers through Pewter's fur.

"I don't know but I can help."

"No," Tucker said from under the table.

"Oh, Tucker, don't be a poopface. This will liven up the spring," Mrs. Murphy chided her.

"You're the one who always counsels prudence," the dog reminded her.

"Maybe I'm bored." The tiger placed her paw on Harry's forearm."I'm ready for a little action."

"Be careful what you ask for." Pewter turned her head so she could see Murphy from under the table.

"And what would you ask for?" the tiger replied.

"Steak tartare garnished with braised mouse tails."

Tucked on the west side of the Blue Ridge Mountains in the Shenandoah Valley sat the modest city of Waynesboro. While not wealthy like its eastern neighbor, Charlottesville, Waynesboro evidenced its own character, which was up-front, hardworking, and ready for a good time.

Cynthia Cooper liked the town, which was economically dominated by a DuPont chemical plant. Virginia Metalcrafters was also based in Waynesboro, and she enjoyed stopping by to watch the men create the beautiful brass door locks and other items for which the firm was justly famous.

She turned right past the Burger King and McDonald's, heading west. Then she turned onto Randolph Street, filled with neat, well-kept houses.

She parked in front of a brick rancher painted white with navy-blue shutters on the windows. The front door, red, had a large polished brass knocker, no doubt made at Virginia Metalcrafters.

She rapped on the knocker. Within seconds the door opened, revealing a careworn woman perhaps in her mid-

forties but appearing older at the moment. Glued to her side was a pretty golden retriever.

"Mrs. Partlow?"

The woman involuntarily took a step back."You're the second policeman to come here. My son is not dead."

"Yes, ma'am, I know that and I'm sorry to bother you. I'm Deputy Cynthia Cooper from the Albemarle County Sheriff's Department. Is your son at home?"

"As a matter of fact, he is. He works the night shift at the DuPont plant. He's asleep."

"I see." Cooper smiled at the golden retriever."Beautiful dog."

"That's Rolex. Wesley gave her to me on my birthday. He said he couldn't afford a Rolex but the puppy would make me happier than any watch. He was right, wasn't he, Rolex?" She patted the silky head as Rolex thumped her tail.

Reaching inside her chest pocket, Cooper pulled out a license, which she handed to Mrs. Partlow."Is this your son?"

Her eyebrows darted upward."No. Who is this?"

"We don't know."

Mrs. Partlow studied the rest of the license."The rest of it is correct."

"We're hoping your son will know who the man is in the photograph. Do you mind waking him?"

"No, not at all. It's about time for him to get up anyway. Please come in, Deputy-"

"Cooper." She walked through the door.

The parquet floor in the entrance hall gleamed.

"Come on in the living room. I'll go wake Wesley." Mrs. Partlow disappeared down the hall, Rolex at her heels.

Cooper heard a few grunts and groans.

Mrs. Partlow returned."He'll be out in a minute. May I get you something to drink?"

"No, thank you, ma'am."