The Cats that Stalked a Ghost Read Online Free Page A

Katherine tried to pick up the sassy Siamese, Scout dug her front claws into the grass.  “Let go,” she said, grabbing a paw and trying to unhook five entangled claws.
    Scout released her claws and charged toward the yellow brick American Foursquare next door to the mansion.  During Prohibition, the house had a speakeasy in the basement, and a tunnel that connected it to the mansion.  The previous year, Katherine’s great-uncle’s skeleton had been found in the tunnel. 
    “Scout, slow down.” 
    A dark gray Ford Taurus pulled up and a silver-haired woman got out.  “Are you Katherine?” the woman asked.
    Katherine noted the logo on the passenger-side door — Erie Realty.
    “Yes, and you are?” she asked, as she picked up Scout and held her in her arms.
    “I’m Ava Franklin.  I’m a Realtor with Erie Realty; been there over twenty years.”
    “How may I help you?” Katherine asked, suspecting Ava wanted more than to stop by and chat.
    “I heard through the grapevine that you’ve let the listing on this house expire. I stopped by to let you know I’m available in case you want to relist it.”
    “Let’s talk,” Katherine said.  “Would you like to go inside the house and take a look-see?”
    “Sure, I’d love to.”
    Katherine directed the way with Scout struggling in her arms to be set free.  “Quit it!” she said sternly.
    Ava looked perplexed.  “Quit what?”
    “I’m sorry.  I was talking to my cat.  She’s not being very cooperative today.  This is our first time taking a walk on a leash. She’d much rather walk me.”
    The realtor laughed.  “I’ve gotta admit, this is the first time I’ve ever seen anyone walk a cat.”
    Stepping up to the porch, Katherine rummaged for her key ring with one hand while holding Scout with the other.  She opened the door.  “Come in.”
    Ava stepped into the house and her jaw dropped.  “This is fabulous!”
    Katherine shut the door.  “I’m going to let my cat roam the house,” she said, removing the leash.  Scout darted into the main living room, and began her reconnaissance mission to scan-and-sniff every nook and cranny.
    Katherine explained, “The Foursquare was built in the early 1920s, and belonged to my great-aunt Orvenia Colfax.  Last February, I inherited this house from her estate.  Margie Cokenberger did the restoration, and did a super job.”
    Ava admired.  “I like the way the modern meets the old.  The walls are a nice neutral color, and the original, stained woodwork really complements them.”
    Katherine agreed.  “Let’s head back to the kitchen.”
    Ava stepped into the room.  “Fantastic,” she commented.  “In my business, the kitchen is the number one room to improve.”
    “Stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, island, 42-inch cherry cabinets — ”
    Ava interrupted, “and the most gorgeous oak floors.”
    “They’re original.  Margie’s team sanded and stained them.”
    Katherine showed Ava the rest of the house.  Mid-way through the impromptu tour, and now on the second floor, she wondered where Scout was.  “Excuse me just a minute.  I need to find my cat.  I’ll be right back.”
    Leaving Ava in the front master bedroom, Katherine began calling Scout.  She checked two bedrooms, then headed to the back hallway.  She thought she heard a woman sobbing.  What the hell . Who is that ? 
    As she rounded the corner and peered into the farthest bedroom, she spied an antique rocking chair, rocking back-and-forth, in a noisy, frantic fashion, but no one was sitting in it.  Katherine felt an eerie, tingling feeling on the base of her neck.  She started to back out of the room, but stopped when she heard a cat hissing.
    Scout was crouched in the opposite corner.  She’d arched her back and began lurching up and down like a deranged Halloween cat.  Her eyes were glowing red, and fixed on the rocking chair. 
    Katherine moved toward her.  “Scout, it’s okay.  We’re