Nine Deadly Lives Page 10

  “Abby?” Ryan called. “Would you like to help me with my project? It would go much faster with an assistant.”

  “What do you need me to do?”

  “Well, tomorrow is Saturday. I’m planning to go to the shelter and spend some time with the cats. I need to decide which ones I’m going to cast for the remaining roles. Once that’s done, the actual filming can begin.”

  “I’m here to rescue you.” Lucas wandered to the door as if he were planning to leave with her.

  “Oh, no you don’t.” Ryan stopped the tabby before he could escape again. “Since the recording devices are a bit of a bust, you could also help with the voices, if you’re willing.”

  “Really? I’ve always thought it would be fun to do voiceovers.” Abby cocked her head and studied her new acquaintance. “Okay, I’m in. I’ll see you in the morning. I’m an early bird, so, just knock when you’re ready.”

  o0o

  Abby had just finished breakfast when there was a knock at her door. She looked through the peephole and saw Ryan, as expected. She took a few extra seconds to look him over in private and decided he was definitely easy on the eyes. When he knocked again, she realized she might have been staring longer than she thought. She smoothed her hair and ran her hand over her shirt checking for errant crumbs as she unlocked and opened the door.

  “Good morning, are you re—” Ryan’s words fizzled as he stared, open-mouthed at her chest. “Holy video games! Is that a Massive Age of Dragons shirt?” He raised his eyes to hers. “You’re a gamer?”

  “Yes. I take it you are too?”

  “Absolutely. MAD is my all-time favorite game.”

  “Mine too.”

  “What’s your gamer name? We’ll have to play together some time.”

  “No way.” Abby held her hands up to ward off the suggestion. “I don’t do multiplayer online. I’m a campaign girl only. By the time I get home from work, this introvert has had enough of dealing with people.”

  “Oh, that’s a shame.” Ryan drummed his fingers against the leg of his jeans as he thought. “What if we just play campaign together? No online. What sort of character do you play?”

  “I’m a spell-slinger. You?”

  “I’m a warrior. We’d make a killer combination.”

  “Tell you what, I’ve never played with anyone, but I’ll at least think about it. So, are you ready to get this party started?”

  “Absolutely.”

  “Let me grab my purse and we’ll hit the road.”

  o0o

  Several hours later, they returned to Ryan’s apartment armed with blankets, a rough draft of project plans, fast food, and two more cats.

  As Ryan unlocked the door, he teased, “So, do you think you know me well enough now to actually enter my apartment?”

  “I’ll take my chances,” Abby responded. “I don’t expect trouble, but I know if it manifests, Lucas will be there to rescue me. Or, so I’ve heard.”

  “Well, he will be quieter now. I removed the voice unit from his collar. It got to be a little creepy hearing it at all hours of the day and night.”

  “I can imagine.” Abby lifted her arms to display the cat carriers in each hand. “What do you want me to do with these guys?”

  “Oh, hang on.” Ryan tucked the blankets under his arm and opened the door to his bedroom. Abby watched as he laid the blankets on his bed. He then returned to the living room, picked up Lucas and Jellybean, deposited them in his room, and shut the door before they could dart out. “Now, you can let them out.”

  Abby set the carriers down and opened the door to the first one. The dainty calico inside stepped to the door, her nostrils flaring as she scented her new surroundings. “Welcome to your new temporary home, Princess Organza.” When she opened the second carrier a self-assured gray cat strolled out as if he owned the place. And you as well, Han Pawlo.” She nodded toward the bedroom. “What was all of that with the blankets?”

  “The blankets are from the shelter and have the odors of the new cats. Lucas and Jellybean can now get used to the scents of Callie and Smokey while the newcomers get used to their smells out here. Tomorrow, I’ll open the door and let them meet face-to-face. Hopefully, by then, there will be a minimum of hissing and no bloodshed.”

  “Sounds like you’ve done this before.”

  “A few times.” Ryan checked to make sure the newbies were okay and motioned for Abby to join him on the couch. “Let’s get started.”

  “With what?”

  “Lunch and research.”

  “What kind of research?”

  “We need to watch Star Wars.”

  “The original?”

  “Not just the original–the original trilogy.”

  “Sounds good. When do you want to do this?”

  “How about now? Today? We’ve got lunch and can order in dinner.”

  Abby cocked her head, grinning as Ryan added, “Pleeease?”

  “You’re cute when you beg. Okay, I’ll stay.”

  “Yesss!” Ryan pumped his fists in triumph. He patted the couch. “Make yourself comfy. I’ll start the first movie.”

  “The least I can do is contribute some snacks. I’ll get them while you get set up.” Abby dashed across the hall to her apartment and returned within minutes with a cloth bag full of a variety of salty snacks, candy, and sodas. “Excuse me, Han.” She moved the gray cat off of the coffee table and spread the bounty out for easy access.

  Ryan plopped down on the sofa, remote in hand, stared at the table, and selected a soda. “You had all of this at your place? How much junk food can one person eat?”

  “When that person is me, quite a bit. In addition to being a closet nerd, I’m also a certifiable junk-food-aholic.” Abby snagged a snack-sized bag of cheddar cheese flavored potato chips and a diet soda and settled on the unoccupied end of the couch. Callie climbed into her lap before her full weight had settled.

  “Ready, padawan?”

  “Ready.”

  When the credits rolled, it had taken them almost four hours to watch a movie that lasted just over two. They stopped the movie often to make notes for the project, and, in true nerd fashion, to debate the relationships between the characters and how they would have reacted in the same situations. Their discussions contained a lot of good-natured teasing and occasional popcorn battles. The cats were happy to dispose of any ammo not consumed by the humans.

  “Okay, okay, I surrender!” Abby threw her hands up in defeat after losing yet another round of Star Wars trivia. She used the internet search feature on her phone to make sure Ryan wasn’t feeding her a line of horse hockey. He wasn’t. “You are indeed the master and I will be your student for years to come. But now, Obi Wan, I must go home. My apartment isn’t going to clean itself. What’s on the agenda for tomorrow?”

  “I think we should start filming.”

  “What happened to watching the rest of the trilogy?”

  “We’ve got enough notes to get started.”

  “Do you need some help?”

  “Sure.”

  “All righty, then. I’ll see you in the morning. Say, nine? Breakfast is on me. Callie, you have to move now.” Abby laughed when she looked down at the cat who had been in her lap almost all afternoon. She was now curled into a furry, multi-colored ball, the only distinguishing characteristics were the paw sticking out of the middle of the mass and the golden eye that stared unseeing. “You’re kind of creeping me out, you know.” Abby laid one hand on the cat’s side to make sure she was still breathing. Callie gave a deep sigh and pulled her paw back, covering her eye as if to block out the light.

  “That, my friend, is a very happy cat.” Ryan leaned back against the arm of the couch, the corner of his mouth quirked up in a grin as he watched the couple.

  “Can I ask you a question?” Abby continued to stroke Callie as she turned her attention to him.

  “Sure.”

  “Why do you do this?”

  Ryan dropped his he
ad, studying his fingernails. He took a deep breath before speaking. “I know how they feel.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I lost my family when I was young. They died in a car accident. I was supposed to be with them, but wasn’t.” He laughed, but it wasn’t a happy sound. “Devastating grief and puberty aren’t a good combination. I wound up in the foster care system and got passed around a lot.”

  “How terrible!”

  “I don’t blame the families. I acted out and pushed everyone away. Not everyone is willing–or able–to deal with that type of behavior. But, I was lucky. Eventually, I wound up with a family who wouldn’t let me go. They told me that they would love me, no matter what.” When he looked back up, his eyes were filled with tears. “And, they did. As soon as they could, they adopted me.”

  After a moment, he went on. “So, I know how these guys feel. They just want someone who will love them. They don’t want to spend their lives cooped up in a cage or shelter. I found my new family. Now, I want to help them find theirs.”

  Abby leaned forward and snagged a napkin from the coffee table. Callie grumbled as her human bed shifted. Moving the cat to the cushion she had just vacated, she turned her attention to Ryan, wiping away his tears. She then leaned forward and planted a kiss on his cheek. The stubble of his whiskers was soft and damp against her lips. She wondered what his lips would feel like against hers, and pulled back before she could act on the impulse.

  “What was that for?” Ryan raised his hand to his cheek, his eyes growing large in surprise.

  “You’re a pretty cool guy, Ryan. I’m glad I met you.”

  A rosy blush touched Ryan’s cheeks.

  Abby patted him on the knee and stood up. “Now, I really am out of here. I’ll see you in the morning.”

  “Bye.”

  o0o

  “Knock, knock!” Abby sang out at exactly nine the next morning.

  Ryan opened the door to find her holding a picnic basket in both hands.

  “Come in, come in.” He stepped back, giving her room to enter. “You look like you’ve got enough food for an army.”

  “I love to cook.” Abby smiled and ducked her head. “It’s been a long time since I’ve had a chance to cook for someone else.”

  “Well, I’m glad I could give you the opportunity. It’s been a long time since I’ve enjoyed a home-cooked meal. What culinary delights await in yon basket, milady?”

  “Ham and cheese omelets, pancakes, and bacon. We need to eat up while it’s still hot.”

  “I’ll grab some dishes.”

  “Don’t bother.” Abby opened the basket, displaying the plates and flatware stored in the top. “My basket comes fully equipped. Well, almost fully equipped. Mugs would be good. I have carafes of coffee and hot chocolate. Choose your poison.”

  “Hot chocolate for me.” Ryan dashed to the kitchen, grabbed mugs, and then returned to the living room and cleared the coffee table, which still held snacks from the night before. He then helped Abby set everything out. They piled their plates with foods and balanced them on their knees as they sat on the sofa.

  “You do know there are tables designed for the sole purpose of supporting plates while meals are consumed, don’t you?” Abby asked, swallowing a mouthful of omelet.

  “Ooh, the lady is a smart aleck! If you are referring to a dining room table, what do you think is holding all of my equipment?” Ryan pointed across the room.

  “Ah. Point taken. Tell you what, next time I cook for you, we’ll eat at my place.”

  “Next time?”

  “Sure. Why not? Even nerds have to eat, right?”

  “Uh, yeah. Of course.” Changing the subject, Ryan said “Don’t look now, but we’re surrounded.” Four furry faces peered over the edges of the coffee table.

  Abby paused in the act of putting a forkful of pancakes in her mouth. “Hey, the whole crew is in one room! When did that happen?”

  “This morning. They hissed at each other under the bedroom door last night. I decided to let them meet face-to-face this morning. So far, so good.”

  “I’ve been thinking. I think you should change the name of your movie.”

  “Why? Star Wars, Claw Wars. It’s perfect.”

  “Well, claws are sharp, pointy, and dangerous. Paws are soft and warm. Why not use Paw Wars instead?”

  Ryan stared at Abby thoughtfully. “You might be right. Okay, Paw Wars it is.” They clinked mugs companionably.

  When Abby moved to put her mug down, she noticed a black paw snaking onto her plate, heading for the bacon.

  “Hey, Jellybean! What do you think you’re doing, dude?”

  Jellybean didn’t comment, just licked his paw.

  Ryan laughed. “C’mon, let’s clean up and start filming.”

  “So, what exactly do my duties as your assistant entail?” Abby began stacking plates as she talked. “Do I escort the guests to and from the green room? Make sure they have bowls of green kitty treats, or what?”

  “Nothing that difficult. I’ll get a lot of footage of them just doing what they do. But, I’ll also need you to stand behind me with toys and treats to help with action shots. Think you can handle it?”

  “Point me at the toys and watch me work. You will be ah-mazed.” Abby removed a scrunchie from her pocket and pulled her hair into a ponytail.

  Two hours later, both she and the cats were exhausted. “Cut!” Abby flopped onto the couch–after moving Jellybean to the side. He pulled himself into her lap and collapsed into a purring pile. “You never told me you are such a slave driver.” She glared at Ryan as he pointed the camera at her and continued to film. “Turn that thing off! You have no need for footage of me in a movie starring cats.”

  “You’ll be in the part that shows after the credits. Audiences have come to expect extra scenes.”

  “Whatever.” She began stroking Jellybean who turned turtle, inviting her to scratch his belly. She obliged. “Darth and I have bonded today. He’s a really cool guy.” Abby turned to Ryan, her expression soft. “Your movie’s already found a home for one cat.”

  “Seriously?”

  “Yeah. I want Jellybean. He already has me wrapped around his paw.” She stroked the sleek black fur again. “You’ve got your work cut out for you, playing the role of a bad guy. You’re a total softie.” She looked back at Ryan. “What do I have to do to make it official?”

  “I’ll let the adoption coordinator know. She’ll draw up the paperwork and you’ll have to answer so many questions you’ll think you’re adopting a human child. Are you sure about this?”

  “Absolutely. I’m excited…I’ve never had a pet of my own!”

  “Between your expression and your hair, you look like a big kid.” Ryan tucked a strand of loose hair behind her ear. “But, no pets? Wow, I can’t even imagine.”

  “My dad is allergic to almost everything with four feet so, our house was a fur-free zone. I’ve gotten so used to not having animals around that I guess I’ve never really considered getting a pet before. I may have to rely on your expertise sometimes.”

  “Of course. I’ll be here whenever you need me. Now, have you got your second wind? We need to start looking through the footage to determine what can be used and what we still need. Excuse me.” The Imperial March began issuing from Ryan’s back pocket. He dug his cell phone out and glanced at the screen. “It’s the animal shelter director. I need to take this.” He swiped the screen to answer and wandered into the kitchen as he talked. When he rejoined Abby, his skin had taken on a decidedly grayish hue.

  “Are you all right?” Abby struggled to move Jellybean, who was sleeping hard. He had gone limp and was about as easy to move as a sack of potatoes–if the sack was small and covered in slippery black fur. Giving up, she leaned forward and grabbed Ryan by the hand, tugging until he took the hint and sat beside her.

  “That was Mrs. Hill.”

  Abby nodded. “You said the director of the shelter was calling. What did she sa
y that has you so shaken up?”

  “She, uh…” Ryan stopped, cleared his throat, and tried again. “The shelter is having its annual fundraiser in three weeks. It’s a really big deal–it’s even black tie. They have all sorts of auctions and giveaways and all of the proceeds go to the support of the animals at the shelter.”

  “Okaaaay. So far, I haven’t heard anything earth-shattering.”

  “She wants Paw Wars to be the highlight of the night. What if it’s not good enough? What if we can’t get it finished in time? What if…” Ryan’s gaze darted from one place to another and he began jiggling one leg nervously. Abby wouldn’t have been surprised if he had gotten up and run out of the apartment.

  “Ryan, look at me.” He didn’t respond, so she tried again. “Hey, you.” Abby placed her fingers under Ryan’s chin, forcing him to face her. “You need to breathe. C’mon. In and out. In and out. That’s right, keep going. Everything will be all right. This is what you wanted, isn’t it? You wanted your movie to find homes for these guys. What better place to show it than at the biggest shelter event of the year?”

  “But, three weeks?” The color that had just started returning to Ryan’s cheeks fled as the hunted look returned to his eyes.

  “Yes, three weeks. You don’t want to let the shelter down so, you work with what you’ve got. And, it’s not like you’re in this alone. I’m here, and I’ll do whatever it takes to make sure you’re done on time. Okay?”

  “Okay.” Ryan took a deep breath, then reached over, took Abby’s hand in his and squeezed. “Thank you for sticking with me—and for talking me off the ledge.” He chuckled, the sound cutting off abruptly. “Oh no. It’s black tie and I don’t have a tux! What—”