Karen Anne Golden - The Cats That 05 - The Cats that Watched the Woods Read Online Free Page A

on this planet.”
    The chief interjected, “I think Margie is referring to the houses down by the tracks. The Smiths have six children, ranging in ages from two to twelve. I know about them because the kid’s father, Kyle, has been in and out of trouble with the law for years. Right now he’s under house arrest for being a habitual DUI driver. He stays at home with the kids while his wife, Debbie, works at the diner.”
    Katherine said, “I don’t know a Debbie at the diner.”
    “That’s because she works in the kitchen. She’s the cook’s helper—assistant, or whatever.”
    “How can my fortune help—?”
    Margie finished the sentence, “—without it seeming like charity.”
    The chief said, “Debbie needs a car—one that will accommodate her family. Last winter, I’d see her walking to the diner in a foot of snow. That’s a good mile. I’d pick her up sometimes and take her to wherever she needed to go; so did my officers, but we can’t be there for her all the time.”
    Katherine smiled. “Poor soul. She must be exhausted before she even makes it to the workplace. Chief, I like your idea. I’ll buy her a minivan and have it delivered. I want to do this as an anonymous donation.”
    “Anonymous because of the moocher factor,” the Chief laughed.
    “When you get a chance, I need a list of the needy from you two. Personally, I’ll have great fun with this, so I need a name a month.”
    Margie offered, “Many of the needy are not computer savvy to apply for government help. My friend Susan’s mother has dementia, and needs to be placed in a nursing home. She doesn’t have any money, so Susan was at a loss about how to go about it. There are agency offices, but you have to have a lot of documentation to prove who you are. Much of this information is on the Internet. Susan doesn’t know how to use the computer.”
    Katherine thought for a moment. “Because I’m still doing my computer training course, maybe I can come up with an idea of paid processors to help the elderly and their children find the help they need.”
    Margie smiled. “I think that’s a fantastic idea.”
    Katherine smiled. “And, my crowning achievement—drum roll, please—the animal rescue center should be finished in early October.”
    “Bravo!” Margie complimented.
    “I second that,” the chief said. “I have several questions. Is the center for just the critters in Erie, or for the entire county?”
    “County,” Katherine explained. “I foresee working with neighboring counties, as well.”
    “Is it just for cats and dogs?”
    “No, I plan on other animals, as well—whatever creature is in need. It could be an elephant or a snow leopard.”
    “Not likely in Erie,” Margie laughed.
    “Actually, there will be areas for horses, cattle, sheep—I mean larger animals.”
    “Erie’s Ark,” the chief tipped his head back and snorted.
    Scout and Abra looked at him with great interest, then at the floor, where Iris was deftly pawing the chief’s back pocket, attempting to extract a protruding set of keys.
    Katherine saw the gesture and looked under the table at the Siamese thief. “Iris,” she scolded.
    The chief turned in his chair and observed the pickpocket. “I heard about you,” he said to Iris. He grabbed his keys while Iris scampered off. “You’re the one I need to make the handcuffs for,” he called after the mischievous cat.
    Katherine corrected, “That was Abby. However, they are both thieves. Better check your pockets to make sure she didn’t steal anything else.”
    The chief patted his back pockets, “Nope, everything is where it’s supposed to be,” then the chief coughed nervously. “Not to bring you down, Katz, but there’s been some gossip around town about the new rescue center. I call it mean-spirited diner talk. You might want to watch your back.”
    “What do you mean?” Katherine asked, shocked.
    “The folks down at the Erie animal shelter are spitting bullets, if you