Dropped Dead Stitch

by Maggie Sefton

  “We’d better stay in the background,” Kelly said as she left the main room. “Peterson might get annoyed with us hovering around, like Mother Hens.”

  Lisa followed Kelly. “Yeah, not to mention how aggravated Jen would be.”

  Kelly headed through the hallway toward the café and down a narrow passageway only the kitchen staff used. “We can hide out here in the corner.” She pointed to the windows that overlooked the patio garden outside and the parking lot beyond.

  The outside tables were still filled with breakfast customers. Warm, sunny mornings brought out the crowds even on weekdays. Kelly looked beyond the customers and over the garden fence with flowering vines and spotted Peterson exiting his car.

  “You were right,” Lisa said. “Where’s Jennifer?”

  Kelly scanned the garden area outside, not spotting her friend, then turned to Eduardo, who was working at the grill. “Is Jennifer working inside or outside this morning?”

  “She and Julie are covering both,” he said, flipping a cheesy omelet onto a plate.

  “Look, there he goes,” Lisa said, pointing out the window.

  Kelly followed Lisa’s direction and saw Jennifer approach Detective Peterson by the gate to the garden patio. Peterson gestured toward an empty table away from the others. Jennifer nodded, then followed behind Peterson to the secluded spot.

  “Who’s that guy with Jen?” Pete’s voice came from right behind Kelly’s shoulder.

  Kelly hesitated for a second before answering. She couldn’t protect Pete, either. “That’s Lieutenant Peterson from the county police. He’s interviewing all the retreat attendees again. He interviewed me yesterday and Lisa this morning.”

  Pete’s normally smiling face sobered quickly. “Why? Did they miss something?”

  “Apparently the medical examiner wants to make sure Everett’s death was accidental. So he’s asking more questions.”

  Pete’s eyes popped wide. “Please tell me you’re kidding.”

  Kelly gave a rueful smile. “I wish I were. He even questioned me because I’d had a discussion with Everett myself. I told him to stay away from Jennifer or else.”

  “Oh, God, you didn’t.” Pete looked appalled.

  “That’s precisely what we all said last night.”

  Pete looked from Lisa to Kelly and back again. “It’s no accident the two of you are here, right? You’re here because of Jennifer.” He glanced through the window toward Jennifer and Peterson, clearly engrossed in conversation at the shady table. “And that means . . . oh, God . . . Jen didn’t tell him, did she?”

  Kelly shook her head. “Nope. When he was questioning us at the retreat, I kind of danced around and distracted him so he wouldn’t ask her straight out if she had ever met Everett before. I mean, I figured he’d dived off the deck himself, so it didn’t matter if Peterson found out. I—I just wanted to protect Jennifer.”

  They all stared out the window again, watching Peterson clasp his hands together and lean forward over the table. Jennifer folded and refolded a napkin in her lap as she spoke.

  All three friends watched in silence for several minutes.

  “Oh, God . . .” Pete whispered.

  Kelly leaned her arms on the café table in the quiet alcove. “What did Peterson say? I mean, what questions did he ask?”

  Jennifer stirred the coffee in her mug and took a sip before answering. “Actually, he did more listening than questioning. He started out by asking if I’d ever met Everett before the retreat.” She ran her index finger around the rim of the mug. “I said ‘yes,’ then I told him . . . everything.”

  “Was he understanding? I mean, how did he act?” Lisa probed, worry lines furrowing her brow.

  “Oh, he was very understanding . . . and very kind,” Jennifer replied, clasping the mug. “But then, we’ve had a chance to talk before.” A small smile tugged at the corner of her mouth. “In fact, he gave me some fatherly advice over a year ago. If I’d taken it, I probably never would have met Cal Everett.” She took a long drink.

  “Did he ask anything about the retreat?” Kelly continued. “Or the night Everett died.”

  Jennifer nodded slowly. “Yes, he did. I told him that after the campfire, I took a walk alone around the grounds while you and Lisa went back to the cabin.”

  Lisa looked pained. “Did he focus on that?”

  “No, he simply asked me how long I walked and where and did either of you two see me return.” Jennifer held the mug tightly between her hands. “I told him that I walked for about an hour around the grounds and near the creek, not the ranch house, and you and Kelly were asleep when I returned.”

  That meant neither she nor Lisa could corroborate Jennifer’s version of what time she returned. Kelly kept her worries to herself. She knew Peterson would be drawing his own conclusions after speaking with Jennifer. There was nothing any of them could do to help her now. No dancing around, no distractions would keep Peterson from putting Jennifer at the top of his list. She placed her hand on her friend’s arm.

  “It’ll be all right, Jen,” she said, trying to calm the worries that must already be forming in Jennifer’s brain. “Peterson is a reasonable man.” She found herself repeating Burt’s line.

  Lisa placed her hand on Jennifer’s other arm. “We’re here for you, Jen. All of us are, and so is Dr. Norcross.”

  Jennifer looked up and smiled at the two friends across the table. “I know, guys, and believe me, I appreciate it. Even the hovering. Don’t think I didn’t spot you two looking out the window.”

  “Busted,” Kelly said in mock irritation. “Man, I’m gonna have to turn in that junior detective badge.”

  Pete approached the table then and placed his hand on Jennifer’s shoulder. His face clouded with concern. “It’s okay for you to leave now, Jen. The rush is over. Julie can handle it now.”

  Jennifer glanced up at him. “That’s okay, Pete. I can stay and help her.”

  He shook his head. “No, no . . . you go ahead and take some time. Drive over to your office, go up into the canyon, go sit by the Poudre. Whatever. Take some time for yourself. It’s a beautiful day.”

  “Okay, I’ll go to my office,” Jennifer said with a knowing smile. “The chairs are more comfortable than those rocks beside the river.”

  Kelly watched her friend give a goodbye wave and leave the café. Kelly, Lisa, and Pete stared after her, then exchanged a look with each other. Kelly recognized the same worry in their eyes as she felt inside herself.

  “Is that Pete out there in the garden?” Steve asked, peering out the cottage front window. “It’s after five. The café has been closed for hours. What’s he doing out there?”

  “He’s pacing,” Kelly said, lacing up her baseball cleats. “He’s been pacing ever since he learned what happened at the retreat.”

  “You’re kidding.”

  “I wish I were. Eduardo told me that Pete paces two or three times in the morning. And Mimi and I see him pace every afternoon after the customers leave.” She joined Steve by the window. “And now that Peterson has heard Jennifer’s story, she’ll go to the top of his suspect list, and poor Pete will pace himself to death.”

  “Damn . . .” Steve said softly.

  “My sentiments exactly. I wish I could help him,” Kelly said as she grabbed her spring jacket. Spring nights were chilly once the sun dropped behind the mountains. “Mimi said he confided to her that he has borderline high blood pressure.”

  Steve grabbed his jacket and headed out the front door, Kelly following behind. “Not good. All that worrying about Jennifer is probably sending his pressure sky-high.”

  “What he needs is some way to channel all that worry into something that would actually help him, like running,” she said as they reached Steve’s big red truck.

  Steve clicked the lock and opened the door. “I agree. But Pete’s a workaholic. He’d never take time to work out.”

  “Hey, we’re workaholics, too, but we take time to run in the mor
ning.” Suddenly an image flashed before Kelly’s eyes. Pete running beside her along the golf course. An idea wiggled from the back of her mind. “Wait a minute, maybe we can help him.”

  “How?” Steve asked as he climbed into the driver’s seat. “Buy him a membership in a health club?”

  “Better than that. I can go running with him.”

  Steve slammed the door, then started the engine. His window whirred down. “C’mon, we’re gonna be late for practice. Our team is working out on the field next to yours.”

  Another idea danced in front of Kelly’s eyes now. “You go on. Tell Megan I’ll be a little late and tell her why. Hand me my glove, willya?” She pointed behind his seat.

  “What are you gonna do? Run with Pete now?” he said, handing her the baseman’s glove.

  “No time like the present. I’m going to tell Pete I’ll run with him every afternoon. Starting right now.”

  Steve grinned as the engine roared into life. “Okaaaay, but if Megan gives first base to someone else, don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

  “Hey, it’ll only be a few minutes. It’s a worthy cause,” Kelly said, backing away as Steve drove off.

  Heading toward her own car, Kelly popped the trunk and tossed her glove beside the two baseball bats inside. Louisville Sluggers, both. Beside them were bags of soft-balls and baseballs. Always prepared for a pickup game. It was springtime and ball games were in the air. She and her friends had been practicing with their teams for four weeks. The season started this weekend.

  She waved to Pete as she headed his way. He was still pacing in the empty café garden. “Hey, Pete, come here. I’ve got something to tell you.” She motioned him over.

  Pete strolled across the driveway, his familiar smile in place. Kelly noticed he was already wearing sneakers. Good.

  “What’s up, Kelly?”

  Deciding that a no-nonsense approach would be best, Kelly took his arm. “Follow me, Pete, we’re going to take a little jog around the golf course.”

  Pete stopped in his tracks. “What? I don’t have time to jog, Kelly. I’ve got work to do in the kitchen, pies need—”

  Kelly urged him forward again, pulling his arm. “You got time to pace, you got time to jog. Besides, jogging is better for you.” She grabbed his arm again and pulled Pete forward once more.

  Pete kept resisting, trying to pull away from Kelly’s grip. “C’mon, Kelly, this is silly.” He started laughing.

  “I’m not joking, Pete,” Kelly insisted and grabbed his arm with both hands.

  A familiar car turned into the driveway at that moment, and Jennifer pulled to a stop beside them. “Where are you taking Pete?” she asked.

  “Kelly has this crazy idea she wants to go jogging with me. Don’t you have softball practice or something to go to, Kelly?”

  “Yes, I do, but this is more important. We’ve all watched you out here pacing every day. Eduardo says you come out three times every morning.”

  “At least,” Jennifer said, looking solemnly at Pete.

  “Jogging is better for you than pacing. If you have time to pace, you have time to jog.”

  Jennifer looked from Kelly to Pete and back again, then pulled her car into a spot.

  “C’mon, Kelly, the team needs you,” Pete teased. “Let me get back to work.” He turned to Jennifer as she approached. “Did you leave something, Jen?”

  “No, I was coming back to make sure you weren’t slaving away downstairs making more pies. We’ve got enough already.”

  “See?” Kelly insisted, taking Pete’s arm again, glad for Jennifer’s support. “C’mon, Pete, no more excuses.”

  Pete held up both hands, his genial smile still intact. “Guys, I appreciate your suggestions, but I don’t want to take the time—”

  “We’re not giving you a choice, Pete.” Kelly faced off with him, hands on hips. Serious Coach stare in place. “You have to do it for your health. Mimi told us about your blood pressure.”

  Pete’s smile disappeared. “Man, a guy has no privacy around here.”

  “Give it up, Pete. The Lambspun network knows everything,” Jennifer said.

  “Yeah, so, give up any idea of resistance. I’m going to go jogging with you every afternoon unless there’s a downpour. And don’t try to hide. I know where you live.”

  Pete shook his head with a rueful smile. “You’re serious about this, aren’t you?”

  “Oh, yeah.”

  “Trust me, Pete. You’d better do what she says. When Kelly gets her mind set on something, she’s like a dog with a bone. She won’t leave it alone.”

  Kelly had to laugh. “She’s right about that, Pete. I’m relentless.”

  Pete stared off at the golf course. “Every day?” he complained.

  “Monday through Friday. You get weekends off.”

  “Man . . .” He shook his head.

  “Listen, Pete,” Jennifer said, slipping off her jacket. “I’ll come along with you guys. That way you’ll have someone else to complain to who’s equally miserable. And we can torture Kelly with stereo complaining.”

  Pete looked at Jennifer and started laughing. Kelly just stared at her friend.

  “Wait a minute, wait a minute,” Kelly said, leaning against Jennifer’s car. “I gotta make sure I wasn’t hallucinating just now. Did I actually hear you say that you were going to come jogging with Pete and me?”

  Jennifer gave her a disarming smile. “Yes, you did.”

  Kelly stared at her friend in disbelief. “I’ve been asking you to join me running for two years now. How come you haven’t done it before?”

  Jennifer shrugged. “Pete’s coming this time. That makes it different.”

  “Incredible,” Kelly muttered as she pushed off the car and headed across the driveway. She noticed that Jennifer was wearing sneakers, too. “Okay, Pete, you heard it. You’re the magic ingredient. Let’s get to it, so I can make ball practice before Megan gives away my base.”

  Pete and Jennifer followed after Kelly as she started a slow jogging pace around the cottage and alongside the golf course. Golfers were still doing their best to hit their balls in the approximate direction of the individual greens. Some succeeded, some did not.

  Rounding a corner by the edge of the course, Kelly kept her pace slow. “We should be safe from most of the drives over here. But, no guarantees, so heads-up, guys,” she warned.

  “Oh, great, now we’re threatened with injury,” Jennifer teased.

  “Some of those guys are my customers, too,” Pete said, between pants of breath.

  “Good, then they won’t hit you.”

  They all jogged silently and slowly alongside the long stretch of greens. Then, Kelly heard Jennifer’s voice pipe up behind her, like a preschooler in a car seat. “Are we there yet?”

  Thirteen

  “Hey, Kelly, did I catch you at a bad time?” Burt’s voice came over the phone.

  Kelly steered around the corner of an intersection. “Not at all. As a matter of fact, I’m driving to the mall to shop for a dress to wear to your wedding.”

  Burt’s soft laughter sounded. “Mimi told me Megan wanted all of you to dress in springtime colors, like flowers.”

  “Ohhhh, yeah. That’s Megan for you. Organizer par excellence. She even told us which colors would look best on each of us.” Kelly slowed for a stoplight. “Lisa’s violet, Jennifer’s light green, Megan’s pink, and I’m blue.”

  “Megan is something else. Once she started helping Mimi with the guest list, next thing we knew, she started giving Mimi and me daily lists of things we had to do before ‘M Day,’ as Megan calls it.”

  Kelly laughed out loud this time. “Trust me, Burt. You’d better do what she says. Megan gets fierce if you don’t follow through on her marching orders.”

  “I’ll bear that in mind. Meanwhile, let me tell you why I called. I heard from my friend in Peterson’s department. Vern said they’ve finally finished interviewing everyone at the retreat except for one woman
who’s out of town on business.”

  “Did they learn anything new? I mean, other than Jennifer’s story.”

  “Well, a couple of things got their attention, he told me. Naturally, Jennifer’s story stood out the most. Unfortunately.”

  “I was afraid of that.”

  “Yeah, well, we knew that would spark Peterson’s interest. I mean, it would spark mine if I was investigating. You have to be impartial. So, even though Peterson knows Jennifer and obviously likes her, he can’t help but see her as the one person at the retreat who had the most reason to wish Cal Everett ill, so to speak.”

  “Yeah, I know, I know. Did they interview Jane what’s-her-name? Jane admitted to several of us on Sunday morning that she’d confronted Everett the night before, just like I had. Apparently she called him a scumbag and some other colorful terms.”

  “Yeah, he did mention that they interviewed a Jane Kirchner, and she readily admitted confronting Everett.” Burt’s voice revealed amusement. “In fact, she repeated the entire colorful conversation.”

  “Hey, then she should go on Peterson’s list next to Jennifer, right?”

  “Well, it seems Jane has an alibi. She and her cabinmate, Sue, left the campfire and played cards in their cabin the rest of the evening. They went to sleep about midnight. So, I’m afraid that still leaves Jennifer alone at the top of Peterson’s list.”

  “Damn,” Kelly breathed, merging her car into another lane.

  “I know, I know . . .” Burt commiserated. “But there was one other bit of information that surfaced. Dr. Norcross said she remembered hearing the sound of a large engine, like a truck, late at night. She heard it when she got up to use the restroom. She doesn’t remember what time it was. But she did glance through the curtains and said she saw bright headlights coming up the driveway, and a big truck pulled into the barnyard. Then Cal Everett went out to meet whoever it was.”

  “How’d she know it was Everett? It was pitch-black outside. I know, because I checked out the door before Lisa and I went to sleep.”

  “Apparently Everett was carrying a lantern, that’s how she recognized him. So, that’s some good news. Everett had a nighttime visitor. Now, all they have to do is find out who he was.”