Cat in a hot pink Pursuit

eyes had widened like windows and she was staring directly behind him.
    Max’s muscles tensed to jump any which way necessary.
    “What is it?”
    “This is unheard of. She’s... come out and is perching on the sofa back. Just behind your left shoulder.”
    “She. You’re not referring to a poisonous serpent or a scorpion, I assume.”
    “Lord, no. Shhh! If you move very slowly you might see her.”
    Max could move as slowly as a living statue in the Venice hotel’s central courtyard, in other words, almost beyond camera detection. In a minute, he had turned enough to stare into the most celestial sky blue eyes he’d ever seen.
    He was facing a cat whose longish silky cream hair was accented with brown and white.
    “Karma,” Electra pronounced.
    “You mean it was karma that she’s shown herself to me.”
    “Maybe so, but that’s also her name. Karma. She’s a supersensitive cat, a Birman. They were sacred to the dalai lamas.”
    “Much was.” Max rose, very slowly.
    The cat remained in place, staring at him.
    “This is so unusual. Karma doesn’t take to strangers.”
    “I’m not a complete stranger.”
    “Not until the last few months. If Temple calls, is there someplace I can reach you?”
    He jotted his cell phone number on a blank card from his pocket.
    Electra rose to see him to the door. “It’s good to see you Max. I’ll walk out with you.”
    “Not necessary.”
    “No, but I want to see what you’re driving these days. I’ve never seen anyone with such a habit of changing cars.”
    “Leases allow me to change cars as often as you change hair colors.”
    “Touché.” She took his arm once they were back in the foyer and waiting for the elevator. “I’m upset that Temple didn’t tell me about her father. You’ll keep me informed if you find out anything, won’t you?”
    “I don’t have her mother’s phone number. I wasn’t exactly a Barr family favorite.”
    “Why ever not, Max? I’d want you in my family album any day.”
    He shrugged as they rode down in the elevator. “Temple was the youngest child and the only girl. They didn’t want her running off to Las Vegas with an itinerant magician.”
    “But you were headlining at the Goliath!”
    “I’m not anymore. Maybe they were right. And families are funny.” He couldn’t help thinking of his own very unfunny family situation.
    By then they were in the lobby. Electra took a firm maternal grip on his arm. “You’re part of the Circle Ritz family, dear Max, whether you’re in residence or not. So feel free to come visit me and Karma anytime.”
    Max smiled at her innate warmth. He’d been pretty insulated from family feeling most of his life. Surprising how good her encouragement felt.
    On the back step, Electra halted them. “Wait. Let me guess which one is yours.”
    “Not much of a challenge. There are only seven vehicles out here.”
    “You are always a challenge, Max. Hmmm. The black Toyota SUV.”
    “Not the silver Crossfire?”
    “Maybe, except I know who drives that.”
    Something guarded in her tone made Max ask, “And who is that?”
    “Matt. Just got it.”
    “Devine? What happened to churchly frugality?” Electra shrugged, her arm still linked through his. “Maybe it was time he broke out a little.”
    “You were letting him ride the Hesketh Vampire.” Max referred to his vintage Brit classic motorcycle, also silver, which he’d given Electra way back when as a down payment on the Circle Ritz condo. For Temple and him. “Right. Then he bought my old Probe.”
    “Now that he has the Crossfire, I don’t suppose he gives the Vampire much exercise these days then?”
    “Not much. I could ride it. Still have my Speed Queen helmet, but I haven’t for some reason.”
    Matt stared at the low sleek silver car and the small red convertible and his own high-riding SUV, which looked ultra-conservative and dull alongside those two.
    “I feel like taking a nostalgic spin on the Vampire. Did you know that there are only three left, outside museums? Come on; I’ll give you a ride that will curl your blonde hair even more.”
    “I don’t know, Max. You sound pretty reckless right now.”
    “Speed Queen isn’t up for that?”
    “Dam wrong!” She reached into her muumuu pocket. “Just let me unlock the shed and we’ll be ready to rock and roll.”
    In minutes, Max had grabbed the no-name black helmet Matt had used. Electra had mounted behind him, her chubby hands locked around his waist.