“What matters to humans? Is it always money?” Mrs. Murphy wondered.
“Money certainly drove Wesley and Neil,” Tucker answered.
Cooper continued, “Wesley is already turning against Neil, obviously. He says Buddy was out there in the field because he was going to walk to Mount Carmel in costume to scare more people after the last wagon took off. I don’t believe it for a minute. Buddy says Wesley offered him another big sum for his land, Buddy refused, and Wesley threatened him. Wesley pulled a gun, Buddy deflected it, then ran out of the schoolhouse. Wesley, shrewdly, called Neil to intercept Buddy. At least that’s what I believe. If they killed him, the men figured they could break down Buddy’s wife by throwing money at her. After all, being a widow would probably have reduced her income. Wesley swears that when he heard the shots, he fled. He knew Neil had lost it. Once Neil can talk, we’ll have his side of the story.”
“Idolatrous capital,” Harry said, then noticed their blank stares. “Mother used to say that. People worship capital, money. Things are more important than people.”
“That’s nothing new,” Fair quietly said.
“Tazio and Harry really were the last impediments. Tazio might not have been, except they killed Hester. Tazio picked up the torch,” Cooper said. “As for Harry, Wesley knew she was on the trail and getting way too close.”
Harry said, “Taz’s okay, by the way. A knot on the head and the doctors think she might have had a slight concussion, so she has to be a little careful.”
“Barry will be fine, too,” Coop reported. “He said he heard the dirt bike, heard it stop somewhere behind him, but not close to him. He didn’t hear the footsteps, no surprise given all the screams. You know what I think about? They might have gotten away with it. They killed and dressed both Josh and Hester. Wesley says they did it to create confusion, make us think the killer was mad, nuts. But you know, I think they both got caught up in it, the theater of it. It became a high for them. Neil, getting arrogant, figured he could pull this off without too much trouble. Wesley says he tried to talk him out of it, but I doubt he tried too hard.”
Cooper exhaled. “Anyway, I expect they’ve brought about what they most feared. Once all this is out in the open, the public will clamor for Random Row to become a museum. The lynchpin will be Buddy. Will he give up the forty acres that used to belong to the Monacans?”
“Buddy usually does the right thing.” Harry stroked Mrs. Murphy’s soft fur. “I do think the animals should get something.”
“I’ll work on it.” Cooper smiled.
“You know what surprised me the most?” Harry suddenly said. “Neil and Wesley are Lutherans. Really.”
Fair burst out laughing. “Honey, I’m certain Lutherans have committed heinous crimes in the past.”
The humans laughed, then Pewter piped up, “Murphy, see if you can get them to understand you don’t want a medal. Tuna! We want tuna and catnip.”
“Or bones,” Tucker remarked.
“Tuna is better. You can eat tuna. Bones you just chew.”
“Pewter, who says I’m going to share?” Mrs. Murphy replied.
“Of course you will, because I am your very best friend.” Pewter purred this with uncommon sweetness.
The tiger cat and corgi just looked at each other.
Finally, Mrs. Murphy said, “If you promise to help Mom and Tazio fulfill Hester’s dream, save the schoolhouses and the land, I will share lots.”
Without hesitation, Pewter passionately agreed. “Of course I will. You know very well Mom can’t do anything without me.”
Dear Reader,
The Monacan Indian Nation celebrates an annual powwow usually during high spring. Kathleen King, a friend made way-back-when through basset hunting, often attends. The dancing, food, storytelling, paintings, carvings, baskets, and more underscore this old culture that has survived despite all.
Thanks to Kathleen and her research, I became interested. The federal government’s refusal to acknowledge the Virginia tribes took me by surprise. Then I got mad. Perhaps you will, too.
Many nations on earth have subjugated others at one time in their history and often with astonishing brutality. Each government, each nation, has to study its errors and learn from it all, and redress the sorrows where possible.
As Americans we are in a better position than most to do this. We live and work in the light of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights.
Let’s live up to them.
Always and Ever,
Dear Reader,
While it is true that Kathleen King provided much information, I really did all the work.
Yours,
Dear Reader,
Liar!
The true artist,
To Whom It May Concern,
Cats are crazy.
Yours,
For
Kathleen King
Who knows the past is always with us.
Books by Rita Mae Brown & Sneaky Pie Brown
WISH YOU WERE HERE • REST IN PIECES • MURDER AT MONTICELLO
PAY DIRT • MURDER, SHE MEOWED • MURDER ON THE PROWL
CAT ON THE SCENT
SNEAKY PIE’S COOKBOOK FOR MYSTERY LOVERS
PAWING THROUGH THE PAST • CLAWS AND EFFECT
CATCH AS CAT CAN • THE TAIL OF THE TIP-OFF
WHISKER OF EVIL • CAT’S EYEWITNESS • SOUR PUSS
PUSS ’N CAHOOTS • THE PURRFECT MURDER • SANTA CLAWED
CAT OF THE CENTURY • HISS OF DEATH • THE BIG CAT NAP
SNEAKY PIE FOR PRESIDENT • THE LITTER OF THE LAW
Books by Rita Mae Brown featuring “Sister” Jane Arnold
OUTFOXED • HOTSPUR • FULL CRY • THE HUNT BALL
THE HOUNDS AND THE FURY • THE TELL-TALE HORSE
HOUNDED TO DEATH • FOX TRACKS
The Mags Rogers Books
MURDER UNLEASHED • A NOSE FOR JUSTICE
Books by Rita Mae Brown
ANIMAL MAGNETISM: MY LIFE WITH CREATURES GREAT AND SMALL
THE HAND THAT CRADLES THE ROCK
SONGS TO A HANDSOME WOMAN • THE PLAIN BROWN RAPPER
RUBYFRUIT JUNGLE • IN HER DAY • SIX OF ONE
SOUTHERN DISCOMFORT • SUDDEN DEATH • HIGH HEARTS
STARTED FROM SCRATCH: A DIFFERENT KIND OF WRITER’S MANUAL
BINGO • VENUS ENVY
DOLLEY: A NOVEL OF DOLLEY MADISON IN LOVE AND WAR
RIDING SHOTGUN • RITA WILL: MEMOIR OF A LITERARY RABBLE-ROUSER
LOOSE LIPS • ALMA MATER • SAND CASTLE
About the Authors
RITA MAE BROWN has written many bestsellers and received two Emmy nominations. In addition to the Mrs. Murphy series, she has authored A Nose for Justice and Murder Unleashed, the first two mysteries in a new dog series, and the Sister Jane foxhunting series, as well as many other acclaimed books. She and Sneaky Pie live with several other rescued animals.