I glanced at my watch. “I need to get back. I’ve got a final inspection in less than an hour.”
We paid for our meals and then made our way down the mountain.
The inspector was waiting in the driveway when we got there. He’d already inspected once, so this visit was merely verifying that the few repairs the bank requested had been completed. In record time, the inspection was over, and I was cleared for closing the next day.
David and Madison were going to dinner and then a play at the Tivoli Theatre in downtown Chattanooga. He showered, dressed, and then hurried off. Stephanie and Joe also had plans, so she dressed, and then they headed out for dinner on the riverboat, leaving Turbo and Lucky to play in the yard with Aggie and Rex. When Red arrived with Steve Austin, it was a rousing good time of rough-and-tumble play, with several rounds of Catch Me If You Can. Red and I sat on the back deck and watched the dogs racing around the yard with a zeal and enthusiasm that brought a smile to my face.
Red cooked penne pasta and sausage in a red sauce that was spicy and delicious. I made a chopped salad and opened a bottle of wine.
I shared Dr. Morgan’s revelation about the animal hair found on the lead used to kill Naomi Keller. Red had already read the forensic report, but he was excited to learn that they might be able to trace the hair to a specific cat.
“I’m curious how they can pull that off,” he said. “We have to run human DNA through a database and hope to find a match. I guess if we could get DNA from the cats of our suspects, we may be able to narrow things down, but . . . I can’t imagine it’ll be admissible in court.”
“Stephanie said a prosecutor did it in Canada, but . . . I have no idea.”
We talked about cats, dogs, and the wonders of modern science. Then I told him about our visit to the building and the possibility that I would invest in the doggie day care with Dixie. I watched his face carefully. “What do you think?”
“I think if that’s what you want, then you should do it.”
“I mean, do you think it’s a good investment?”
He smiled. “I didn’t know much about dogs before I met you and Dixie and your crazy dog club friends, but now . . .” He glanced across the yard at Steve Austin, who had just taken a stuffed toy from Lucky and was running around the yard with a look of pure joy on his face. “Now I realize there are a lot of dog owners out there who love their animals. I also know there are a lot of energetic dogs that need exercise.” He pointed at Steve Austin. “Normally, when I come home from work, he’s so excited that he just wants to play for hours, but I’m exhausted by then, and I just want a nap. When he comes here and plays or when he can play with Turbo, he’s worn out, and when I get home, he’s content to just snuggle up on my lap and watch television.” He glanced at me. “Are you having second thoughts?”
I shook my head. “Not at all. I’m just . . . I don’t know, nervous. I feel . . . a little frightened.”
“About the money?”
“No. I’m just so happy. I mean, I have Aggie and Rex. My friends, the dog club, and my new job. Tomorrow, I close on this house, and . . . I have you.” I smiled.
He leaned over and kissed me. “Your happy place?”
I nodded. “I guess I’m afraid something will go wrong.”
“Well, I can’t guarantee that nothing will go wrong, but I can promise you that whatever happens, I’ll be here.”
The next day, I was nervous, but my early-morning closing went by without a hitch. The title company received the funds, and I signed my name until I got a cramp in my hand. I was so excited to have Stephanie and David there, and when I was handed the keys, they hugged and celebrated with me.
Since I had been renting the house, I didn’t expect to be as emotional as I was, but there is something very permanent about buying and owning your own home.
We spent the rest of the day picking up decorations, food, and supplies for the housewarming. Unfortunately, Red had to work late and wasn’t able to join us for dinner, so I was able to enjoy a little quiet time with my children at the end of the day.
It was another lovely summer evening, so we ate outside and reviewed our decorating handywork.
“I think everything looks great.” Stephanie scanned the flowers we’d spent the afternoon planting to brighten up the yard.
David mowed and edged the grass, and Stephanie and I filled planters with annuals, which we used to line the edge of the deck.
“I love your yard,” Stephanie said. “I was only half joking about getting married here.”
I squeezed her hand. “I’d love that. What does Joe want?”
She smiled. “Whatever makes me happy.”
“What will make you happy?”
She thought for a minute. “Actually, being closer to family.” She smiled. “We’re talking about possibly relocating to Chattanooga.”
I gasped. “Do you mean it?” My eyes filled with tears. “I would love that so much.” I hugged my daughter.
“Red thinks he could get Joe a job at TBI. I’d have to pass the bar in Tennessee to be able to practice here, but I love the weather, and if we start a family one day, then I’d want to be closer to you.”
I hugged her again. “Oh, my goodness. That’s just the most amazing . . .” I choked up. When I was able to talk, I turned to David. “What about you?”
“I’m not ready to give up my career and move to Tennessee . . . not yet anyway. Madison and I are still feeling each other out and testing the waters. I’m hoping she’ll come to New York for a visit.” He shrugged. “Who knows? She may like it; she may not. But if both of you are here, then I will definitely have a lot more reasons to come for a visit.”
“You are always welcome.”
We spent a long time sitting out and talking about the future. When I eventually went to bed, I spent a long time thinking about my life and how incredibly blessed I was. I thanked God for the direction my life had taken and for everything that had led me to Chattanooga and this place.
Aggie slept next to me and gave a short woof. I glanced at my sleeping dog and couldn’t help wondering if she was dreaming about playing Catch Me If You Can in her sleep. After a few minutes, I reminded myself that tomorrow I needed to get up early to go with Dixie to pack up Naomi Keller’s clothes to donate to the homeless shelter. I tried not to dwell on the contrast between the path that Naomi Keller’s life had taken and my own. She must have been extremely unhappy in her marriage. Warren Keller was a hard man, who was, if the rumors were to be believed, very controlling. I wondered if she’d loved Dixon Vannover. He too had been controlling of his wife. Had June gotten tired of his philandering and murdered him? She had a motive. She had the opportunity to kill both Naomi and Dixon. June Vannover didn’t have a dog. She could have killed Naomi Keller at the dog club and used one of Naomi’s leads, but would she have taken an extra lead to finish off her husband?
Brittney Keller also had a good reason to kill both Dixon and Naomi. Red’s sister heard her arguing with him. She openly admitted that she hated her stepmother. She was at the dog club when Naomi was murdered, and she had access to the lead that was used to garrote both her cheating boyfriend and her stepmother, whom he’d cheated with. She had motive. She had the opportunity, and she had the means. She would now get the money from her stepmother’s insurance policy. Plus she had a cat.
My muscles ached from the yard work and planting, and I struggled to think. I was missing something important, but for the life of me, I couldn’t remember it. I hoped whatever the missing piece to this puzzle was, I’d remember it when I needed to. I just hoped that need would come quickly.