A Murder in Mohair

by Anne Canadeo

  “Thanks, Edie,” Lucy said laughing, smoothing herself out.

  “Finally, some good news.” Edie sighed as she dropped down in a wicker chair.

  Maggie nodded. “Yes, it is a bright spot.”

  “And nice to end our chat on a high note,” Dana said. “I have to get to the office. See you all soon.”

  Suzanne was also ready to go and Lucy decided she ought to head home, too.

  They wished Maggie and Edie goodbye and Dana walked Lucy down to the drive to see her bike.

  “It’s a beauty, Lucy. Light as a feather, too,” she said with a note of envy as she tested the weight. “Now we have to plan a long trek.”

  Lucy already had her helmet on and swung herself up on the seat. “That will be great; maybe the Cape?”

  “Perfect. But you’ll be the one leaving me in the dust,” Dana noted with a grin.

  Lucy answered with a shocked look as she began to pedal away. “Never, Dana. Sheep always stick together. Even on bicycles.”

  Dana just laughed and waved. “Enjoy your new ride.”

  “I am already!” Lucy shouted back. Her new cycle couldn’t have been nicer, with all the extras she could ever want, including a gorgeous ruby ring that seemed to wink at her as she tugged on her riding glove and headed home.

  * * *

  Maggie was content to sit with Edie without talking, after all the excited conversation this morning. She and Edie watched from the porch as Lucy pedaled up Main Street, heading back to the Marshes. Lucy waved and Maggie waved back.

  “It is nice to see Lucy so happy. She said the new bike is like floating on a cloud. But I think she’d be floating even without it right now.”

  Edie sighed and laughed. She fanned herself with a knitting magazine she’d found on the side table. “She just about sparkles. I nearly had to put my sunglasses on just to chat with her.”

  “Hmm.” Maggie nodded. “And you’re sparkling a bit, too, this morning, I noticed.” She met Edie’s glance. “Your father’s watch is back?” she asked quietly.

  Edie looked down at her wrist and the heavy gold watch. “Yup, back safe and sound. Talk about out of the blue. Never thought I’d see this again. Unless I scoured every pawnshop in the country and even then, the chances would have been doubtful.”

  “Did the police return it to you?” Maggie did wonder how the police were going to sort out any property they’d found in Cassandra’s possession. She’d expected that would take a long time.

  Edie shook her head. “Nope. The cops had nothing to do with it. You’ll be surprised to hear who did.” She leaned back and pulled a folded piece of paper from the pocket of her dress. “Here . . . read this. It came in the package. With the watch.”

  Maggie was curious now. She put her knitting aside, adjusted her glasses, and unfolded the sheet. It was a letter, handwritten in cursive script. But neat and legible.

  “Dear Mrs. Steiber,” she began aloud.

  “It’s all right. I’ve read it. A few times. Read it to yourself.” Edie sounded impatient.

  Maggie saw that the letter was from Daphne Mullens, Cassandra’s daughter, and quickly scanned the lines:

  I believe this gold watch belongs to you and I want to return it. My mother sent it to me and asked that I keep it in a safe place. It is doubtlessly, very valuable. I’d guess, even more precious to you for sentimental reasons. My mother didn’t tell me much, but I can imagine how she persuaded you to give it to her. She did ask me to pretend to be the long-lost granddaughter of an older woman that she was working with in your town. I assume it must have been you. I didn’t want to participate in that ruse. For better or worse, her relationship with you never progressed to that point.

  I did want to speak to you face-to-face, Mrs. Steiber, and return this while I was in Plum Harbor. I came into your diner several times, and even found out where you lived. But I could never work up the nerve. I didn’t give it to the police to return, because I was afraid it would lead to too many questions asked of me and get lost in their bureaucratic system. Also because I know that many of my mother’s clients would have been too embarrassed to report their loss. Even something so valuable.

  I can understand that. I’m deeply ashamed of my mother’s behavior. I know that this small gesture means nothing compared to the unhappiness she brought to so many, including your family. I know you have your own opinion of my mother and there’s little I can say or do that would ever change that.

  I do want you to know that my mother’s claims weren’t entirely bogus. She was gifted with incredible intuitive and psychic powers. She just chose, most of the time, not to use them for good.

  I’ve learned that this is a choice we all make, wherever our life path, and our unique gifts, lead us.

  “Yours truly, Daphne Mullens,” Maggie murmured when she came to the bottom of the page.

  She put the letter down and stared at Edie. “This is surprising. You were lucky, Edie. Lucky that she’s an honest, thoughtful person. Or at least, chose to be in this situation.”

  Maggie didn’t know much about the law. But she was aware that receiving and holding stolen goods was illegal and did make a person an accessory to a crime. But then again, Edie had willingly given the watch to Cassandra—to have it cleansed of bad energy. So perhaps mother and daughter both believed themselves to be in the clear in that regard.

  “I guess I was lucky about that much,” Edie said in a measured way. She adjusted the watch a bit on her wrist. “But she’s lucky she never gathered up her moxie and introduced herself to me. Especially once Nora was in the hot seat with the police. I don’t know what I would have done. You would have been talking to me through a pane of bulletproof glass right now.”

  Maggie didn’t reply. She knew Edie just needed to vent but also knew that wouldn’t have been a pretty scene.

  “I don’t care what she says about her mother,” Edie added. “That Cassandra was no good in my book and never will be. I will say, just between us for now, that one good thing came out of this. For me, at least. Getting this watch back is the least of it.”

  Something better than the lost heirloom? What could that be? But Maggie didn’t have to ask.

  Edie leaned closer. “Remember when I told you about my Sara?” Maggie nodded. Of course she remembered the story about the baby Edie had given up for adoption.

  “Well, I said to myself, What kind of an idiot are you? You’re asking some phony-baloney fortune-teller about your own child—where she is, what’s she doing. Why don’t you just hire somebody to find out if she’s dead or alive? Because, I tell you, Maggie, deep in my heart, I knew Sara wasn’t dead. Call it intuition, a sixth sense, mother love . . . or just wishful thinking. But I suddenly had to find out.”

  “Really? What’d you do?”

  “I hired a private detective. Duh?” Edie mocked the teenage expression. “Out in Arizona. A few weeks ago now.”

  “You did? Good for you,” Maggie said sincerely. “Have you heard anything? I suppose it’s too soon, though. . . .”

  “Heck, no. He found her right away. Just like that.” Edie snapped her fingers. “On the Internet or something. She’s not dead, like Cassandra said,” she added with an angry edge. “Sara is alive and kicking. In her mid-fifties already, with two grown children. I’ve lost so much time,” she said sadly. “But I do have another granddaughter and a grandson. Both in top-notch colleges. Very smart. I think the girl’s on a music scholarship.”

  Maggie’s smile grew even wider. She patted Edie’s freckled hand. “That’s wonderful news. I think I might cry.”

  “Thanks, Maggie. You’re a pal.”

  Maggie smiled. “Any plans yet to meet?”

  “I’m going to Arizona in a month or so, when it cools down out there. Sara is dying to meet me. I am, too, to meet her. It’s going to take some getting used to. I haven’t even told Amy and Cecilia yet,” she confided, mentioning her other daughters. “I’m not sure how they’re going to take it.”
<
br />   She sounded nervous. With good reason, Maggie thought. These announcements were often very jarring to a family’s status quo.

  A real game changer.

  “You’re doing the right thing, Edie. It will all work out,” she said finally.

  “One way or the other.” Edie sounded resigned. “The funny thing is, if it wasn’t for that witch Cassandra, I may have never gone looking for Sara and found out what had happened to her. Though I’ve worried about her every day of my life, since I gave her up. I have to be thankful for that.”

  “And you discovered that you have two more grandchildren in the bargain.” And are already bragging about them, Maggie added with a secret smile. “At least some good has come from all the damage and pain Cassandra brought to your family.”

  Edie nodded with a serious expression. “Very true. I don’t think many people who got suckered by Cassandra Waters can say that.” She sighed and sat back, fanning herself slower now. “I’m just grateful now for my kids and grandkids. How they’re all stepping up to help Nora, and even Richard and Dale, through the rest of this mess. And for friends like you, Maggie. And the rest of your pals. I’ve always been the independent type, you know me. But it’s nice to know you girls have got my back.”

  Maggie looked up from her work and smiled. “Anytime, Edie. The Black Sheep knitters are always happy to ride to the rescue.”

  Notes from the Black Sheep Knitting Shop Bulletin Board

  Dear Friends,

  Even I don’t think of summer as a big season for knitting, but the shop has been very busy, keeping me on my sandy toes. I held the felted tote class twice and there still seems to be interest. Especially after I put Lucy Binger’s finished tote front and center in this new window display.

  I will teach that class again in the fall, but until then, if you want to tackle a knitted bag on your own, here’s a link to a free pattern for a handy, loosely knit bag you can take to the beach or for grocery shopping. Just think how trendy and ecological-minded you’ll look, taking that choice to the market instead of plastic. This is a very flexible pattern and the author encourages creativity. Bravo! I’m sure you will enjoy her website—I Live on a Farm—chock full of quality, free patterns and recipes.

  All best wishes,

  Maggie

  From the Black Sheep Bulletin Board

  To Whom This May Concern,

  Never thought I’d give away this deep, dark family secret, but stranger things have happened to the Steibers this summer, I’ll tell you that much. Between the TV news, the local newspaper, and the gossip all over town, I bet everyone reading this note knows exactly what I’m talking about. So I won’t even go there. Some dark times, no question. But we’ll pull through. We Steibers always do.

  It does serve to remind me that I’m definitely not getting any younger. So, I’ve decided to give in to the pleading and begging I hear every time I serve my finger-licking, lip-smacking, barbeque ribs.

  Here it is. Not quite the very last of my secrets, but close to it. Right up here on Maggie’s bulletin board—my recipe for Fourth of July Barbeque Ribs. Easy as . . . well . . . pie, I guess.

  Just for good measure, here’s the recipe for the Schooner’s Summertime-Only Strawberry-Raspberry Pie. Perfect follow-up to the ribs. Along with some vanilla ice cream, of course.

  You enjoy it. That’s an order. Life’s too darned short, if you ask me. Heck, have dessert first.

  Very truly yours,

  Edie Steiber

  P.S. I will tell you right up front; one BIG secret to my ribs is that you don’t barbeque those suckers much at all. You slow cook ‘em, in the oven. So don’t wait for the Fourth of July to start.

  Edie Steiber’s Fourth of July Barbeque Ribs

  Before I get into the particulars, people always ask, “Edie, what is the difference between spareribs, also called St. Louis ribs, and baby back?” The long and short of it is—excuse the pun—St. Louis ribs are bigger. They have more meat and more fat, but can be a little chewy. Baby back are leaner and cook to that tender, fall-off-the bone texture you crave. A little more expensive, but worth it.

  Regarding barbeque sauce, it’s simple to make your own. But if you don’t have time, some quality store-bought does the trick. My favorite is Sweet Baby Ray’s, which is what I say to use here.

  This recipe serves 6 normal people (and about 3 Steibers)

  4 pounds of pork ribs

  1/2 cup light brown sugar

  1 teaspoon hickory smoke salt (smoke flavor optional)

  1 Tablespoon paprika

  1 Tablespoon garlic powder

  1 to 2 teaspoons cumin

  1 to 2 teaspoons chili powder

  1/2 teaspoon ground red pepper (optional) and/or about 10 turns of the black pepper grinder, depending on how spicy you like it

  1 teaspoon oregano

  2 cups of your favorite barbecue sauce (I like Sweet Baby Ray’s)

  Preheat oven to 250 degrees F. Line a baking pan with aluminum foil.

  Combine all of the dry ingredients in a small bowl. Prepare the meat by removing the membrane from the back of the ribs. It is best to work this skin away from the meat with the back of a spoon, slipping it along underneath.

  Sprinkle about half of the dry rub on the bottom of the ribs and rub it in. Set the ribs on the baking pan with the seasoned side down, and sprinkle the remaining rub on the top.

  Bake uncovered at 250 degrees F for 2 hours.

  After the ribs have cooked for 2 hours, remove them and pour some barbeque sauce on the top. Using a spatula or brush, spread the sauce all over the ribs. Cover the entire pan tightly with aluminum foil and return to the oven, baking for an additional 2 hours. Or test a bit earlier for doneness. If the meat is tender and pulls away from the bone, you’re in business.

  You can spread a little more sauce on the bony side of the ribs and finish them under the broiler for 1 to 2 minutes.

  Or finish on the barbeque grill—cut them into serving size portions, 2 to 3 ribs per serving. Put some sauce on the bony side and lay them on the grill 1 to 2 minutes. Total cooking time: 4 hours.

  Schooner’s Summertime-Only Strawberry-Raspberry Pie

  Ingredients for pie filling:

  16 ounces of fresh, ripe strawberries (3 cups), washed, hulled, and sliced in half

  6 to 8 ounces of fresh raspberries (about 1 to 11/3 cups), rinsed and set out in a single layer on a towel until air dried

  1/3 cups granulated sugar (add more to your taste)

  1 Tablespoon vanilla extract

  2 to 3 Tablespoons cornstarch (or white flour)

  1 egg yolk, beaten with 1 Tablespoon of water

  For pie crust:

  One recipe Schooner No-Fail Pie Crust, see below. Or use two sheets of premade pie dough found in the refrigerated section of the supermarket, or one package premade, frozen pie crust, with extra crust for top.

  Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

  If you are making the dough for pie crust, best to work on this first and refrigerate for about one hour so it’s cold when you roll it out. Otherwise, read directions on store bought crust and proceed.

  To make filling:

  In a large bowl, combine all the berries, sugar, and vanilla. Add cornstarch or flour and mix gently until everything is blended. Be careful not to break raspberries.

  To assemble pie:

  Roll out one ball of pie dough on a flat, smooth surface using a rolling pin and a little extra flour. Roll it in a circle as large as a pie plate or tin. You can measure by placing the tin over dough and making sure there will be some overhang for the crust.

  Place the circle of pie dough on the ungreased pie plate or tin. Press to form and fill with berry mixture. (Or fill premade frozen crust with berry mixture.)

  Roll out a second pie crust. (Or roll out premade dough or frozen crust for top of pie.)

  Cut dough into about 10 strips, 3/4 inches wide, with a sharp knife or pizza wheel.

  Arrange half across
filling horizontally, pinching edges to crust. Arrange the other half vertically, to form a cross-hatch pattern, pinching edges to crust.

  Trim ends of strips and fold over. Flute the edge of the crust with fingertips. Brush the beaten egg yolk over the crust and place on the center rack of the oven. (This pie is juicy and will spill over, so best to cover lower rack with a sheet of foil to avoid a tough cleanup.)

  Bake 45 to 50 minutes until filling is bubbling and crust is golden. Cool for 2 hours.

  Schooner No-Fail Pie Crust

  2 1/2 cups flour

  1 Tablespoon sugar

  1 teaspoon salt

  1 1/2 sticks (3/4 cups) unsalted butter, very cold

  2 Tablespoons shortening, chilled

  1/3 cup ice water

  Combine dry ingredients in a large bowl or a food processor. Mix through by hand with a fork or wire whisk (or pulse in a food processor to mix). Add butter and shortening.

  Mix by hand with pastry tool, or fork, until butter is in small bits—you should still see pieces about raisin-size (or pulse in a food processor to mix). Do not overmix. This dough is better to be lumpy and undermixed.

  Add water and continue to mix until dough just begins to make a ball. Pour out on floured board and shape into 2 balls of equal size. Chill for 1 hour in refrigerator before use.

  AUTHOR PHOTOGRAPH BY KATE VIBBERT

  ANNE CANADEO is the bestselling author of more than thirty books, including her popular Black Sheep Knitting Mystery series and the Cape Light series, written as Katherine Spencer. She lives in Northport, New York. You can contact her at anne@annecanadeo.com or visit her on Facebook.

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