Free Karen Anne Golden - The Cats That 03 - The Cats That Told a Fortune by Karen Anne Golden

road, so I picked up Bella and practically flew to Erie.”
    A short, stocky man with wavy black hair and a large mustache, dressed in a black leather jacket, red sateen shirt and blue jeans, climbed out of the motorhome.  He hurried over to the women and spoke in a sultry Russian accent, “Are you Carol?” he asked Katherine.
    “My name is Katherine.  You can call me Katz.”
    He ceremoniously took Katherine’s hand and kissed it.  Katherine quickly withdrew her hand for fear of what else the man might do.  “Katsee, my name is Misha,” he said.
    “Pleased to meet you.”
    “Katz, this is Bella,” Mary introduced.  “Bella and Misha are originally from Moscow, but moved to Brooklyn several years ago.”
    Bella smiled, revealing a set of gold-capped teeth.  “Da, Katsee, we much like you house.”  Her accent was thicker than the magician’s.
    When Colleen got out, Misha ran over to her side of the car, but Colleen dodged him with her carry-on bag.  “Katz, I’m going in,” she announced.  “Can you lock the car?  We can come back later for the suitcase.”
    “Nyet!” Misha said to Colleen, eyeing her up and down. “I carry.”
    “Okay,” Colleen said.  She whispered to Katherine, who was standing close by.  “Is he a dead ringer for Boris Badenov, or what?  You know, ‘Moose and Squirrel.’”
    “Stop it.  He’ll hear you,” Katherine whispered, amused.  She opened the Subaru hatch and Misha hoisted the heavy suitcase out. 
    Katherine guided the group to the front porch and opened the door.  “Please come in,” she said.  Colleen made a dash for the back of the house.  “Let’s sit in the parlor.”  Katherine pointed the way.  Katherine, Bella and Mary sat down, but Misha remained standing. 
    Mary said, “We’ll go over the plan for the party – a quick overview.  Bella, would you like to start?”
    Bella was too preoccupied to answer.  She was staring with eyes wide open at the two felines sitting on top of the wood window valance.  “I h-h-hate kats,” she slurred, then sneezed.
    Katherine threw her a dirty look.  “And?” she asked defensively.
    “I von’t vork with k-k-kat .”
    “Mary, can I have a word?”  Katherine got up and led Mary into the atrium.  She said in a lowered voice, “My house is full of cats.”
    Mary said with sudden energy.  “Bella barely speaks English.  She meant to say she’s allergic to cats.”
    As if on cue, Bella sneezed again in the next room. 
    Abby and Lilac looked down with feline disdain for the humans invading their territory.
    “Okay, fine, but I plan on locking up the cats when the party takes place.  I’ll make sure the parlor is super clean so she won’t have an allergy attack.”
    “Cool,” Mary said, walking back into the parlor.
    Misha was eyeing the cloisonné collection that filled a glass-front cabinet.  “ Katsee, would you like to make a bizz- ness? I buy,” he said pointing at the vases.
    “No,” Katherine said abruptly.  “Can we begin the meeting?”  She was getting a headache from being called the wrong name.
    Mary began, “You mentioned in your email there’ll be cocktails before the dinner.  I suggest Bella read fortunes first.  This room will be perfect for that.  She likes to do readings individually.”
    Colleen returned to the front of the house and came into the parlor.  “Hello!  I’m Colleen,” she declared, then asked Bella, “Do you use a crystal ball or read palms?”
    Misha said to Bella something in Russian.  “Da,” Bella answered.  “Krystal ball and Kards.”
    “Tarot cards?” Colleen asked further.
    Misha said, “Da.”
    Mary explained.  “While the cocktails are served, Misha will be mingling with the guests.  He’ll perform several tricks, then take something from each person.  When he’s finished, he’ll give them to me and I’ll draw a scavenger’s hunt map.  Katz, does your printer have a copy feature?”
    Katherine answered,