Free Claws for a Cause (A Klepto Cat Mystery Book 15) by Patricia Fry

found in Harrison’s room was more than twice that much. But if he needs it, he needs it, right?”
    After an awkward silence, Savannah said, “It sounds like you’ve talked yourself into giving Harrison the benefit of the doubt.”
    “Savannah, you knew my brother once. What was he like then? Do you think I’m making a mistake by helping him?”
    Savannah paused, then said, quietly, “That was a long time ago, Colbi. We were both young and frankly, we did more partying than dating—saw each other at beach parties and mountain parties. It was all rather superficial, if you know what I mean. He has probably changed in many ways. Besides, you have a much different relationship with him than I did. He’s your flesh and blood, after all.”
    “Yes, my only living relative…well, except for maybe some kin in Phoenix.”
    “Really? When did you find out about relatives in Phoenix? Who are they, do you know?”
    “Well, Harrison mentioned them the other night. Mother was an only child and so was her mother. Her father had a sister, but I guess she never married. Now, Dad had a brother, but he told me he died young. Harrison said that was a lie. He overheard Mom and Dad talking once and said that Dad was ranting about his no-good, conniving older brother and wondered if his kids were as no-good as he was. Harrison remembered this, and last year, he took one of his computer-savvy friends to the library and asked him to check on the name. He actually located our uncle’s obituary, which said he was survived by two children, who would be about eight years older than us. Roberta Stanton Friedman is divorced with two teenagers and Klint Stanton never married. I think Harrison planned to hit them up for a place to stay if he couldn’t find me or if I wouldn’t take him in.”
    “Gosh, that must be a shock—to learn you have family you didn’t know about. Are you going to contact them?”
    “I might.”
    “What do they do, do you know?”
    “Evidently, she’s some bigwig at a local farm bureau and runs a small ranch, where she breeds and boards horses. He follows the carnival circuit and travels most of the time.”
    “Carnival?”
    “Yeah, can you believe it?”
    “Well, Colbi, about your brother—maybe doing nothing right now is the best thing to do. Let your brother prove himself. Give him more time as long as he’s not costing you money or causing you heartache. Hey, it might be a good idea to draw up a contract with him. Do you think he’d go along with that? Have him sign something saying he’s welcome to stay until a certain date, but if he’s doing illegal drugs or there’s any criminal activity, he’ll be evicted. If he doesn’t leave, you have something in writing—a contract that should hold up in court. Do you think he’d sign something like that? It would be a good way to find out if he’s serious about changing and if he’s being truthful with you.”
    “Hmmm, that may be a good idea, and it might actually put Damon’s mind at ease, too. Yes, I’ll think about that. Thank you, Savannah.”
    “You’re welcome. Yawwwn. Hey, three thirty comes early; I’d better get ready for bed.”
    “Oh yes, you’re leaving in the morning. Hey, have a wonderful time. And Savannah, thank you so much for letting me bounce this stuff off you. I really don’t have anyone else I can talk to about it…well, except Iris, and I don’t want to discuss Damon’s and my private differences with his mother.”
    “Yeah, not a good idea. You’re welcome, kiddo. Take care and do call me if you need to talk. I should be able to get service on the island.”
    “ Aloha ,” Colbi said, chuckling.
    Savannah sounded a bit giddy when she responded, “Yes, aloha .”
    ****
    Late the following afternoon, the photographers from Hammond landed in Honolulu.
    “She did pretty well,” Shelly said, referring to Lily, who was asleep in Michael’s arms.
    “Yes, she did,” Savannah said, brushing a wisp of hair from the