Probable Claws Read online

  Probable Claws is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  Copyright © 2018 by American Artists, Inc.

  Illustrations copyright © 2018 by Michael Gellatly

  All rights reserved.

  Published in the United States by Bantam Books, an imprint of Random House, a division of Penguin Random House LLC, New York.

  B ANTAM B OOKS and the H OUSE colophon are registered trademarks of Penguin Random House LLC.

  Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

  Names: Brown, Rita Mae, author. | Brown, Sneaky Pie, 1982– author. |

  Gellatly, Michael, illustrator.

  Title: Probable claws : a Mrs. Murphy mystery / Rita Mae Brown & Sneaky Pie

  Brown ; illustrated by Michael Gellatly.

  Description: First Edition. | New York : Bantam Books, [2018] |

  Series: Mrs. Murphy ; 27

  Identifiers: LCCN 2018005055 | ISBN 9780425287156 (hardback) |

  ISBN 9780425287163 (ebook)

  Subjects: LCSH: Haristeen, Harry (Fictitious character)—Fiction. |

  Women cat owners—Fiction. | Murphy, Mrs. (Fictitious character)—Fiction. |

  Women detectives—Virginia—Fiction. | Cats—Fiction. | BISAC: FICTION /

  Mystery & Detective / Women Sleuths. | HUMOR / Topic / Animals. |

  FICTION / Suspense. | GSAFD: Mystery fiction.

  Classification: LCC PS3552.R698 P76 2018 | DDC 813/.54—dc23

  LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/​2018005055

  Ebook ISBN 9780425287163

  randomhousebooks.com

  Book design by Diane Hobbing, adapted for ebook

  Cover design: Victoria Allen

  Cover illustrations and hand lettering: Sara Mulvanny

  v5.2_r1

  ep

  Contents

  Cover

  Title Page

  Copyright

  The Cast of Characters

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Chapter 34

  Chapter 35

  Chapter 36

  Chapter 37

  Chapter 38

  Chapter 39

  Chapter 40

  Chapter 41

  Chapter 42

  Chapter 43

  Chapter 44

  Chapter 45

  Chapter 46

  Dedication

  Books by Rita Mae Brown & Sneaky Pie Brown

  About the Authors

  THE CAST OF CHARACTERS

  THE PRESENT

  Mary Minor Haristeen, “Harry” —Hardworking, task-oriented, she runs the old family farm in Crozet, Virginia. A loyal friend to both human and animal, a quality not lost on those who care for her. If she has a weakness—perhaps best explained as a personality trait—it is that psychology has no interest for her. Harry doesn’t care why you do anything. She simply deals with the result.

  Pharamond Haristeen, DVM, “Fair” —Tall, powerfully built, at forty-three he is one year older than his wife, Harry. His equine patients trust him as do most humans. He is more sensitive, more introspective than his wife.

  Susan Tucker —Harry’s friend since cradle days, she loves Harry as only an old friend can. The two can disagree but will always come to each other’s aid. Susan’s deceased grandfather was a former governor of Virginia. Her husband, Ned, is a representative to the House of Delegates.

  BoomBoom Craycroft —Another childhood friend who can find herself swept up into one of Harry’s messes. BoomBoom often asks the obvious question. Obvious to her.

  Deputy Cynthia Cooper —She rents the old Jones homeplace, a farm next to Harry’s. As she was not raised in the country, Harry and Fair are a great help to her. She does her best to deflect Harry’s curiosity. If Susan and Fair can’t contain Harry, it’s a sure bet Coop can’t, despite her shiny law enforcement badge.

  Reverend Herbert Jones —He’s known Harry all her life. She is a faithful congregant of St. Luke’s Lutheran Church. He learned to lead men as a young combat captain in Vietnam. On his return after the seminary, he did his best to lead women, too—to faith, charity, and peace. He is a good pastor to his flock.

  Lisa Roudabush —Heads Nature First’s Charlottesville, Virginia, office. Nature First is a statewide environmental group growing in power. She’s in her mid-thirties, married to her work.

  Raynell Archer —Assists Lisa. She worked her way to Nature First through other nonprofits.

  Felipe Zaldivar —The second-in-command at Nature First. He’s intelligent, steady, devoted to Lisa and the cause.

  Gary Gardner —A local architect with good sense, who is able to keep costs down and loves to work.

  Marvella Rice Lawson —In her sixties, she will never be described as easygoing. She’s one of the powers-that-be at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. She and her late brother Pierre, each an art collector of vastly different tastes, amassed art worth a small fortune. When the highly intelligent Marvella walks into a room, she parts people like the Red Sea.

  NOTE: Harry was an Art History major at Smith College, Northampton, Massachusetts. Her father couldn’t believe she’d major in something so useless. Her retort was that this was her only chance in life to do so, as once she was out of college she would need to work. Both parents were killed when she was in college, before her father had the chance to appreciate the woman she became. Now, at forty-two, some lights are being turned on upstairs.

  THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY

  Catherine Schuyler —At twenty-two, intelligent, level-headed, and impossibly beautiful, she is learning from her brilliant father about business. She already has a reputation as a leading horsewoman.

  John Schuyler —A former major in the Revolutionary War, only a few years older than his smashing wife, he is powerfully built and works hard. As he is from Massachusetts he can miss some of the undercurrents of Virginia society.

  Rachel West —Two years younger than her sister Catherine, she, too, is beautiful, but her beauty is softer, sweeter. She’s easy to please, ready to help, and possessed of deep moral conviction.

  Charles West —Captured by John Schuyler at the Battle of Saratoga, the then nineteen-year-old marched all the way to The Barracks prisoner-of-war camp outside Charlottesville. The second son of a baron in England, he had the good sense to stay in America. Like John, he is dazzled by his wife and knows how lucky he is.

  Karl Ix —A Hessian also captured. He and Charles became friends in the camp and continued working together after the war.

  Maureen Selisse —The daughter of a Caribbean banker, she was a great catch for her ruthless late husband, Francisco. Keenly aware of her social position, she is also accustomed to getting her way. She hated that he carried on with a beautiful slave, making little attempt to
hide it.

  Ewing Garth —The father of Catherine and Rachel, a loving man, brilliant in business. He is a creature of his time, but one who can learn. He helped finance the war and hopes the new nation can hold together. A widower, he misses his wife, a true partner. The economic chaos of the Articles of Confederation affect his business as well as everyone else’s. He sees doom ahead for the new nation and no way out.

  Jeffrey Holloway —Young, not well born but divinely handsome, he married the widowed Maureen Selisse to everyone’s shock.

  Yancy Grant —Infuriated more than anyone by the above hasty marriage, he hates Jeffrey. Being challenged to a duel by Jeffrey wounded both men, yet a respect resulted from this.

  THE SLAVES: BIG RAWLY

  Sheba —Maureen Selisse’s lady-in-waiting. Really, she’s Maureen’s right hand and she enjoys the power. She’ll destroy anyone who stands in her way. She is believed to have run away after stealing jewelry. No one knows where she is.

  DoRe Durkin —He works in the stable and limps from an old fall from a horse. He mourns his son Moses, after Moses’s flight up North in the wake of the death of Francisco Selisse, who brutalized Moses’s love, the beautiful Ailee.

  William —Works with DoRe. Has riding talent but not as much as he thinks he has.

  THE SLAVES: CLOVERFIELDS

  Bettina —A cook of fabulous abilities. She’s the head woman of the slaves, thanks to her fame, her wisdom, and her wondrous warmth. She also has a beautiful voice. Bettina’s view: “I could be a queen in Africa, but I’m not in Africa. I’m here.” She made a vow to Isabelle, Ewing’s wife, as she died. Bettina vowed to take care of Catherine and Rachel. She has kept her pledge.

  Serena —A young woman, learning from Bettina both in the kitchen and out. She has uncommon good sense and will, in the future, wield power among her people.

  Jeddie Rice —At nineteen, he is a natural with horses. He loves them. He’s been riding, working, and studying bloodlines with Catherine since they were children. Like Serena, Jeddie has all the qualities of someone who will rise, difficult though the world they live in is.

  Tulli —A little fellow at the stables who tries hard to learn.

  Ralston —Nearly sixteen and thin, he, too, is at the stables. He works hard.

  Father Gabe —Old, calm, and watchful, he accepts Christianity but practices the old religion. Many believe he can conjure spirits. No matter if he can or can’t, he is a healer.

  Roger —Ewing’s house butler, the most powerful position a male slave can have. He has a sure touch with people, black or white.

  Weymouth —Roger’s son, in his middle twenties. The hope is he will inherit his father’s position someday, but for now he’s fine with being second banana. He’s a good barber and in truth not very ambitious.

  Barker O. —Powerful, quiet, he drives the majestic coach-in-four. He’s known throughout Virginia for his ability.

  Bumbee —Fights with her husband. Finally she moves into the weaving cabin to get away from him and to comfort a lost soul.

  Ruth —Mother to a two-year-old and a new baby. How she loves any baby, kitten, puppy, as well as the master’s grandchildren.

  RICHMOND

  Georgina —Early middle-age, quite attractive but putting on weight, she runs a tavern that also serves ladies. She knows everything about everybody, almost. No one uses last names in this world except for the male customers, men of means, in the small city.

  Sam Udall —As a dedicated customer of Georgina’s, he appreciates her shrewdness. He realizes the financial world has changed since the colonists have won the war. He also understands that the old Tidewater grandees are slipping. A new man is emerging with new money if the financial chaos can be corrected.

  Mignon —A runaway slave from Big Rawly, she serves in the kitchen. A tiny woman with big eyes, she eluded discovery.

  Eudes —As the outstanding chef at Georgina’s, he brings the customers in for the food. He is quite an independent thinker; he’s a free black man who, like Georgina, doesn’t blab everything he knows.

  Deborah —The most expensive of the delicious offerings at Georgina’s thanks to her beauty and her self-possession. She can drive a man crazy. She’s a runaway slave, as are many of the girls. The white girls also ran away. Spared slavery, they were not spared brutality, unwanted sexual congress, or poverty. All of which binds the girls to Georgina, who treats them decently—plus they make good money.

  THE ANIMALS

  Mrs. Murphy —Harry’s tiger cat who knows she has more brains than her human. She used to try to keep Harry out of trouble. She gave up, knowing all she can do is extricate her human once she’s in another mess.

  Pewter —A fat gray cat who believes the world began when she entered it. What a diva. But the Queen of All She Surveys does come through in a pinch, although you’ll never hear the end of it.

  Tee Tucker —Bred by Susan Tucker, this is one tough, resourceful corgi: She knows she has to protect Harry, work with the levelheaded Mrs. Murphy, and endure Pewter.

  Owen —Tucker’s brother. They adore being with each other. For Tucker it’s a relief to sometimes be away from the cats.

  Shortro —A young Saddlebred ridden as a hunter.

  Tomahawk —Harry’s old Thoroughbred hunter who hotly resents being thought old.

  Pirate —An Irish wolfhound puppy who loves everyone but is confused by Pewter, who does not.

  THE EIGHTEENTH-CENTURY ANIMALS

  Piglet —A brave, smart corgi who went through the war and imprisonment with Captain Charles West. He loves living in Virginia with the other animals and people.

  Serenissima —Francisco Selisse’s fabulous blooded mare whom he sent to Catherine to be bred to her stallion, Reynaldo.

  Reynaldo —An up-and-comer with terrific conformation, but hot. Catherine and Jeddie can handle him.

  Crown Prince —A younger half brother to Reynaldo. Both are out of Queen Esther, and fortunately, Crown Prince has her temperament.

  King David —One of the driving horses. He’s heavier built than Reynaldo and Crown Prince. Solomon is King David’s brother. They are a flashy matched pair.

  Castor and Pollux —Two Percherons who do heavy-duty work. They are such good boys.

  Sweet Potato —A saucy pony teaching Tulli to ride.

  Black Knight —Yancy Grant’s fast Thoroughbred.

  1

  December 23, 2016

  Friday

  “It’s a madhouse out there.” Harry leaned on the checkout counter at Over the Moon bookstore in Crozet.

  “Can’t complain. Business has been good.” Anne de Vault, the owner, glanced up as more customers entered the store as if to prove her point.

  The store, finally settled in its new location, boasted good floor display space as well as wall bookcases. Mrs. Murphy and Pewter, Harry’s two cats, and Tucker, the corgi, inspected the books closest to the floor.

  “No books on catnip,” Pewter, the gray cat, complained.

  “Who would write about catnip?” the dog wondered.

  “An herbalist,” Pewter replied. “Humans drink catnip tea. It’s a waste of good dried leaves but they do drink it. Catnip is meant to be chewed, inhaled, and then rolled in.” This was pronounced with authority.

  Harry watched as customers picked up books, put some down, kept others. There was no accounting for taste.

  “Even the post office parking lot is full. I was lucky. Just as I pulled in here a big SUV, big as in big as the state of Illinois, pulled out. Before I start browsing, did my order for Susan come in?”

  “ Capability Brown. In,” Anne replied.

  “Susan is getting as serious about gardening as she is about golf. Saw the book written by the Duchess of Rutland. Thought she’d like it.” Harry commented on one of her best friend’s deepening interest in gardening, and who better to write about it than an Englishwoman?

  The English excelled at gardening. Rich, poor, in-between, they had the touch.

&n
bsp; “The book is enormous. Lots of photographs, drawings.” Anne placed it on the counter.

  “Give me a minute to cruise. I need to find some other gifts and nothing is better than a book.”

  The door opened again.

  Anne called out, “Lisa, your books are in.”

  Lisa Roudabush, mid-thirties, medium height, was the director of the Albemarle County office of Nature First, a statewide environmental nonprofit. The headquarters was in Richmond but small offices were in every town with a university since the young were environmentally conscious.

  Raynell Archer, Lisa’s assistant, began to turn the card cylinder looking for clever cards. They had walked into the store together, both lingering.

  “Harry.” Lisa smiled. “Come to the office after you buy your books and I buy mine. Gary Gardner is almost finished and it’s a terrific design.”

  Raynell, now looking at books displayed artfully on a table, added, “Harry, the walls run diagonally.”

  “Do they?” Harry was curious.

  “Well, I need to go to his office to pick a few last plans, approve more drawings, but we are nearly finished.” Lisa would be glad when the remodeling was over.

  “He’s doing a workshed for me. It’s a gift from my husband. Isn’t Gary fun to work with?”

  “He is.” Lisa looked out the large front windows, one of the best features of the store. “Are we ever going to see the sun again?”