“I only let him out in the courtyard for a minute,” I insisted. “He was always whining at the door, acting all miserable. I was going to get him a leash, but…but…” I choked on another sob.
I had inherited Vermont, the orange tabby with lazy eyes and a sweet disposition, only thirty-seven days ago. The same day my grandmother passed away, leaving him an orphan. Leaving us both orphans, really. Could you be considered an orphan at twenty-five if the only person who ever took care of you was gone?
“I thought you didn’t like the cat?” Jackson asked, pursing his lips.
“I never said that, and besides, that isn’t the point!” I exclaimed. “He was hers. And we were just starting to bond.”
Which was mostly true. He’d rubbed his head against my leg the other day, and I’d finally discovered a brand of dry food he didn’t hate.
Gran had always loved cats, but I’d spent most of my childhood begging for a dog. Since we could never agree, we’d compromised, with a fish who, unfortunately, hadn’t made it that long. It wasn’t until I’d finally moved out of her house and in with my ex that she had taken the plunge and adopted Vermont. Almost immediately, like she’d been waiting for the chance. He had become her pride and joy.
Now, he was all I had left of her. Sure, we’d started out as unwilling roommates, but over the past few weeks, we’d managed to forge some kind of understanding. I was just starting to like having the little guy around. He was a comfort, something I desperately needed.
“He must have wandered off,” Ruby continued. “He’s notfamiliar with the area. You got him microchipped, right? Did you call the local vets and shelters? We can help you…”
Her voice trailed off when she noticed me frantically shaking my head.
“He’s been stolen.” My phone shook as I pulled up the text that made me want to puke.
Natalie reached for my phone, but Jackson snatched it first, his brows drawing together in confusion as he read the message. Natalie and Ruby leaned in, squinting to read over his shoulder. Their eyes flicked from the screen to me, then back to the screen again.
“That’s…” Ruby started.
“Absolutely unhinged,” Jackson finished.
The message in question included a picture of Vermont—unharmed, thank the universe. He was curled up on some nondescript hardwood floor that looked like every other hardwood floor I’d ever seen. He looked content, rolled onto his back in search of pets. I could take comfort in that, at least. But the text that accompanied the picture made my blood boil and my soul crumple all at once.
Unknown Number: I’ve taken your cat. He will remain unharmed so long as you follow my instructions. DO NOT tell anyone about this. DO NOT try and negotiate. In exchange for his return, you will pay me the sum of $40,000. I will choose the time and the place for the exchange. COME ALONE. You will only get the cat back after I’ve received a check for the total amount. If you fail to follow these instructions, I will be keeping him for myself, and you will never see him again.
“I got the text last night,” I started. “I know I shouldn’t let him out in the courtyard, but his meows sounded so sad. And he loves the grass. I never leave him unsupervised, but some jerk left a huge pile of dog crap right on the sidewalk. I swearI was only in my apartment for maybe two minutes grabbing a plastic bag. I should have never left him.”
Natalie shook a tissue box in front of my face.
I grabbed one and blew my nose before continuing. “When I came back out, he was gone. I didn’t panic at first, but when I found his collar with his GPS tracker on it, I went into full-blown hysterics. I searched the neighborhood for at least two hours before I got the text.”
I was still kicking myself for leaving him unattended.
“What kind of sicko would steal a cat?” Ruby’s lips parted and lines creased her forehead.
“I thought everything was finally going my way,” I wailed, using the now-drenched tissue to blot my eyes.
“I can’t believe someone would kidnap a cat!” Natalie exclaimed. “What is wrong with people? You have to go to the police.”
“I already filed a report,” I said. I had been hysterical at the station last night, begging them to help and pulling up every picture of Vermont I had. The officers on duty had been less than sympathetic. “I don’t think they’re going to be much help.”
“Of course not,” Ruby huffed. “They never are. If they won’t take a woman seriously when she’s being stalked, they aren’t going to do anything for a cat.”
“Do you think it’s someone from your apartment complex?” Jackson asked.
I shrugged helplessly. “I thought maybe, but I’ve only lived there six months. It’s not like anyone there would know I’ve just become a prime candidate for extortion.”
“Maybe they don’t even know you won the lottery,” Ruby offered. “It could just be some crazy coincidence.”
I snorted. “Theyhaveto know. No one living in that apartment complex would have a spare forty thousand lying around.”
“Shit, this sucks.” Natalie gnawed at her bottom lip beforetaking my phone from Jackson, bringing it two inches away from her face, and zooming in on the picture.
“It’s that story you posted about winning,” Jackson said. “I found out you won that way. Even before you brought the champagne into the salon and popped the bottle.”
