A Killer Stitch

by Maggie Sefton

  “Whoa, sorry, my fault. I’ve gotta watch the curves,” Kelly said as Megan backed up.

  “No problem. You coming to see the class? Lucy’s back.”

  “How’s she doing?”

  “She’s really wound tight,” Megan whispered as she headed through the doorway. Kelly could hear the spinning class in session.

  Kelly followed Megan into the classroom where four other spinners sat beside their wheels. Each one of them was immersed in various stages of drafting fleece into roving or attempting to feed the roving through their fingers onto the wheel. Both Anne and Ellen seemed to be succeeding, for Kelly noticed much more yarn wound around their bobbins.

  Megan returned to her spinning wheel, and Kelly observed that her friend had exceeded all others in spinning. Her bobbin was fat with pink yarn—bubble gum, cotton candy pink. Kelly wasn’t surprised. Megan was a classic overachiever.

  Megan might be shy and awkward in certain social situations, but put her in a competitive environment like sports and watch out. Megan could outplay anyone. Kelly already knew how good Megan was at softball, having played all summer and fall on the same team. Now, however, Kelly got to witness Megan in action on the tennis court and was extremely grateful she wouldn’t have to face her friend across the net in a real game. Megan would wipe up the court with her.

  “All right, everyone, keep your hands and feet together,” Lucy instructed as she hovered over each spinner in turn. “That’s right, Ellen, fingers open a little, just a little. That’s good.”

  Kelly leaned against the doorway watching the blue wool gathering slowly on Ellen’s bobbin. Catching Lucy’s gaze when she glanced her way, Kelly gave her a smile. “Wow, everyone’s doing so much better than when I last visited.”

  The words had barely left Kelly’s mouth when one of the newer spinners cried out, “Oh, no! It’s twisting. Make it stop, Lucy!”

  Kelly watched the spinner release her fingers’ grip while her feet kept working the wheel’s treadle, and sure enough, the fluffy gray roving in her lap coiled up like an angry snake.

  Lucy rushed beside her to stop the wheel, but nothing could stop the spinner’s wailing. “Ohhhh, noooo!”

  The other new spinner glanced to her fellow student, gave a start, then let the wool drop from her hands while the treadle kept moving. In the blink of an eye, the roving in her lap began to corkscrew, too. This spinner emitted a high-pitched shriek. “Make it stop, make it stop!”

  Lucy tried to reach out and stop that wheel, but it was too late. The white roving was already twisted in the spinner’s lap, sending her into even louder squeals. Lucy stared at the chaos, a panicked expression claiming her face. She backed away from the others, her hands at her throat, then fled from the room, nearly knocking over Megan’s spinning wheel as she ran.

  “Oh, my God! What happened?” cried the first casualty. “I thought she was feeling better.”

  “Well, you thought wrong,” Ellen retorted. “Lucy’s still not herself. And all this screaming doesn’t help.”

  “I’m sorry,” the second casualty apologized meekly. “I didn’t mean to shriek. I—I—I never saw anything like that before. It was like the yarn was alive in my lap!” She gave an exaggerated shiver.

  Megan rose from her wheel. “Okay, okay, settle down, everybody. Let’s get started again. Lucy needs more time to calm down. Meanwhile, we can do our part by practicing, so we won’t freak out, okay?”

  The others murmured agreement as Megan stood between the two new spinners, guiding each one through the basic movements. Kelly watched her friend coaching and encouraging, exactly like she would a new player on the field.

  “Good luck,” Kelly said as she headed toward the knitting table. She needed some peace and quiet after all that shrieking. Who would have thought spinning could make someone scream?

  Finding the table empty, Kelly settled and resumed her scarf. Only twelve inches to go. She’d definitely finish Eugene’s present in time for the holidays. Several peaceful, relaxed minutes passed before she heard Jennifer’s voice sound behind her.

  “What was all that noise in class? Pete was about to call the cops.” Jennifer settled into a chair beside Kelly and resumed knitting the blue and white patterned sweater. It looked almost finished to Kelly.

  “Oh, a couple of novice spinners got their yarn all in a twist. It would have been funny, except their shrieking sent poor Lucy over the edge and she went racing from the room. Poor thing. She’s hanging on by her fingernails, it seems.”

  “You know, I’m sick and tired of hearing everybody talk about ‘poor little Lucy,’ who’s crying all the time. She’s not the only one who was hurt by Derek’s death. I’m a lot more concerned about Diane. She’s sinking lower and lower.”

  “Is she drinking?”

  “Oh, yeah. That’s all Diane knows to do when she’s depressed, and of course that only makes her more depressed.” Jennifer shook her head sadly. “I took her out for dinner last night and told her she’s got to try and stay sober so she can think clearly. The police will probably want to question her again. I mean, they already caught her in a lie, so you know Peterson will follow up on that.”

  “Definitely.”

  Jennifer’s needles slowed. “Kelly, can I ask you a favor?”

  “Sure,” Kelly responded automatically as she examined the neat rows of gray and white stitches she’d created. The scarf was turning out better than she imagined. Eugene Tolliver would love it.

  “Would you poke around and see what you find? You’re so good at seeing things that others don’t pick up on, including the police.”

  Kelly looked up, startled. “You mean look into Derek’s death? I wouldn’t know where to begin.”

  “I didn’t mean you’d be doing it alone,” Jennifer said. “I’ve already started poking around myself. Asking questions and all that. I simply wanted your help in case I turn up something.”

  Feeling more comfortable with that suggestion, Kelly nodded. “Sure. I’ll be glad to help you any way I can, Jennifer. Have you turned up anything yet?”

  “Actually, I have.” Jennifer gave her a sly smile. “I learned from the bartender that one of the guys who hangs out pretty regularly had tried to do a deal with Derek earlier this year. Some guy named Gary. He wanted Derek to buy into this franchise he was selling. Apparently, Derek strung this Gary along for months, telling him he would definitely be joining him as a partner or something, then wham! Derek pulls out. Tells the guy about it at the bar. And get this, he laughs as the guy is sputtering, getting madder and madder. But that was Derek’s style. I think he really enjoyed being cruel to people.”

  Intrigued, Kelly probed, “Did this Gary guy threaten Derek in front of others?”

  Jennifer looked her in the eye. “Oh, yeah. Seems he’d made some big financial commitments based on Derek’s promises. The bartender said Gary lunged for Derek, but another guy held him back. While Derek laughed, of course. He was such a bastard.”

  “But did Gary actually threaten him, Jen?”

  “Not then, no,” Jennifer admitted with a sigh. “A couple of guys took him outside to cool down. But the next time this Gary came in, he was bad-mouthing Derek a lot, saying ‘one of these days Derek Cooper will get payback.’”

  “Hmmmm.”

  “That’s what I thought,” Jennifer said, fingers moving faster. “It sounds suspicious to me. So I’m poking around and asking questions. Trying to find out more about this Gary. What kind of business he does, see what I can find.”

  “Let me know what you turn up, okay?” Kelly said.

  “That’s what I was hoping you’d say. Oh, and you’ll keep asking Burt about the murder, right?”

  “Absolutely. He already knows I’m curious and want to find out for Lucy’s sake. So he’ll keep me in the loop.”

  Jennifer sighed. “I know I’m reaching for straws, Kelly, but Diane is deep in depression, and she’s not able to look out for herself. I have to do something to help h
er. I know she didn’t do it.”

  The impassioned tone of Jennifer’s voice touched something within Kelly. Jennifer thought Diane was innocent and needed help. Perhaps Kelly was being too hasty. She decided to shed all former opinions of Jennifer’s friend and take a look herself.

  “Listen, Jen, I want you to do something for me.”

  “Anything.”

  “I want you to bring Diane here tomorrow for lunch, so I can meet her face-to-face. If I’m going to try and help this woman, then I need to know who she is. I need to talk with her. Listen to her side of the story.”

  Jennifer smiled warmly at Kelly. “You’ve got it. I’ll bring her for lunch tomorrow if I have to go drive her here myself.”

  Voices spilled through the doorway then as the spinners spilled into the room, converging on the yarn bins and bookshelves, sharing their obvious excitement and newly discovered appetites for fibers and textures.

  “Break’s over,” Jennifer said, rising from her chair as she slung her knitting bag over her shoulder. “See you tomorrow for lunch.”

  Kelly waved goodbye to Jennifer then gestured to Megan across the room. “Thank goodness you were able to take over for Lucy,” she said as Megan appropriated Jennifer’s chair. Chairs around the Lambspun knitting table didn’t stay empty for long. Two of the spinners had already spread out magazines, enthusiastically sharing project ideas with one another, pointing at colorful yarns.

  “Yeah, I got them all back on track. Hopefully, they’ll be calmer for the next class.” She looked at Kelly with concern. “You know, I’m beginning to worry about Lucy. She’s wound so tight I’m afraid she’ll snap.”

  “Maybe that’s what we saw today,” Kelly suggested, continuing to work the stitches. Noticing Ellen nearby, Kelly gestured her over. “Ellen, you’re Lucy’s best friend. How do you think she’s doing? I mean, it looks to Megan and me like she’s losing it.”

  Ellen stared across the room at the bookshelves before she spoke. “I know; I’m worried about Lucy, too. I’ve tried talking with her about Derek’s death, but she usually bursts into tears.”

  “She needs to see someone. A counseler, someone she can talk to, to lift this cloud of grief she’s living under,” Megan suggested.

  Ellen closed her eyes and released a huge sigh. “Believe me, I’ve suggested it, but Lucy gets this terrified look and closes off. She refuses to consider it.”

  “Does she have any family you can contact?” Megan suggested. “Maybe they can get through to her.”

  “Unfortunately, no,” Ellen said as she pulled a chair closer. “Her mom died years ago and her dad remarried and started a whole new family. Lucy’s been totally shut out ever since. They don’t even stay in touch anymore.”

  Kelly felt a little tug inside. She knew what it felt like to have no family left. How alone she felt. Until she returned to Colorado after her aunt’s death and walked into the Lambspun shop. Kelly hadn’t felt alone since. She had friends now. People who cared about her. And she’d never been happier.

  “You know, Lisa shared a workshop or therapy session with Lucy two years ago. Maybe she can reach her,” Kelly offered.

  “I hope so. She’s going to need someone to help her, especially…especially now.”

  Curious, Kelly probed, “What do you mean, ‘especially now’?”

  Ellen stared silently at the bookshelves for a full minute, then turned to Kelly and Megan. Brushing her hair away from her face, she leaned forward and whispered, “Lucy’s pregnant. She found out right before Derek died. That’s what she was telling me after class the other day. And that’s the real reason she’s so upset.”

  “Poor thing,” Megan whispered, her face revealing her concern. “No wonder she’s wound so tight.”

  Kelly stared at Ellen. “Did she tell Derek?”

  “She tried to call him but couldn’t get through,” Ellen said. “Don’t let it out to everyone, okay? She told me in strictest confidence. Lucy doesn’t need people gossiping about her.”

  “I understand, but we should tell Lisa. She’s a professional who could get Lucy the help she needs,” Kelly said.

  Ellen nodded. “That’s a good idea. Lucy doesn’t listen to me anymore, but she might listen to Lisa. Maybe she can convince Lucy to see a counselor, for her baby’s sake if nothing else.”

  Kelly sat silently knitting for several moments more, letting Ellen’s news filter through. Lucy definitely needed help. With no family or support system in place, it was no wonder she felt adrift and alone. She needed to know there was help available, people who cared about her. People she could turn to in what must surely be the scariest time in Lucy’s life. Alone and bearing her lover’s child.

  Mimi bustled into the room then, arms filled with red and white striped yarn. Peppermint candy yarn. “Are you planning to knit some candy canes, Mimi?” Kelly joked. She really wished she could confide in Mimi about Lucy’s plight. If anyone needed some motherly attention right now, it was Lucy.

  Mimi gave her familiar bright smile. “Oh, no, we’ll have the real kind for our party. But I’d be glad to knit some for decorations, if you’d like.”

  “You can actually do that?” Kelly said, as she shoved her nearly finished alpaca scarf into her bag and prepared to leave. Client accounts were calling, and she needed time to speak with Lisa.

  “Sure, I’ll make some for fun. By the way, Burt and I will bring two breakfast hot dishes, which should serve all of us for that brunch at Curt’s on Sunday. You girls can bring the rest,” Mimi suggested as she headed toward the adjoining classroom.

  “Thanks, Mimi, I’ll let everyone know,” Kelly said as she rose to leave. “Ellen, thank you for sharing with us. I’ll let Lisa know right away. Megan, see you tomorrow, probably. If not in the shop, then on the court. Steve and I have another doubles match tomorrow night. Wish us luck.”

  The moment Kelly stepped outside, however, she wished she’d brought a coat. Regularly eschewing a coat for such a short walk, Kelly had been racing through the frigid winter air between the shop and her cottage every day. Reminding herself for the umpteenth time that she needed to wear a jacket, Kelly was halfway across the driveway when she spotted Burt walking from the shop storage building.

  Kelly debated for a second whether she should talk to Burt now and freeze or call him later when she was warm and cozy inside. As always, the pressure to act immediately won out. She backtracked to intercept his path. “Hey, Burt, got a minute?”

  Burt appeared lost in thought and didn’t respond at first, until Kelly got closer and called him again.

  This time Burt wheeled around, and his face broke into a smile. “Hey, Kelly, how’re you doing?”

  “Doing great,” she said, rubbing her arms. Her long-sleeved sweater was no match for Colorado’s December.

  “C’mon inside, Kelly; you’re shivering,” Burt suggested, gesturing to the shop.

  “C-can’t. G-gotta get back to my accounts,” she said through chattering teeth. “I just wanted to ask you a f-f-favor.”

  “Shoot.”

  “C-c-could you check with your f-friend and see how Derek C-Cooper’s investigation is c-coming? Do they have any suspects?”

  “Ok-k-kay, K-Kelly,” Burt imitated with a big grin as he continued toward the entrance, looking comfortably warm in his sensible Colorado ski jacket. “Now go inside.”

  Kelly did what she was told, without another word.

  Eight

  “Pete, we’re taking the table in the alcove, okay? We need a quiet place to talk,” Jennifer said as she wound her way through the café, Kelly and Diane Perkins following close behind.

  Jennifer had chosen well, Kelly decided, as the three of them settled into a cozy corner. The café was buzzing with lunchtime noise, but this corner had a little buffer of space around it. Perfect if you wanted a quiet conversation.

  Diane Perkins was tall, almost rangy, with blonde shoulder-length hair, Kelly observed. She was probably very pretty under normal circu
mstances, but now there were dark blue shadows beneath her eyes and her skin was pale and drawn. She also didn’t hold Kelly’s gaze when they first met and shook hands. Diane’s eyes darted away quickly. Kelly did feel Diane watching her while she and Jennifer spoke.

  Kelly gave her order to the waitress and surreptitiously observed Diane while she and Jennifer placed their orders. She toyed with the nice-and-easy approach to getting to know Diane, then decided against it. She needed to get a feel for this woman, and the best way would be to see how she responded to questions—uncomfortable questions.

  “I’m glad you could come, Diane,” Kelly began, leaning back into her chair, trying to appear relaxed. “Jennifer’s told me a lot about you, so I wanted to meet you in person, get to know you a little.”

  Diane glanced to Kelly, and she caught a flash of fear in Diane’s sea green eyes. “See if I look like a murderer, right?”

  “C’mon, Diane, be nice,” Jennifer chided.

  Kelly gave Diane a warm smile. “I’m here because Jennifer believes in you, and I believe in Jennifer. I trust her judgment, and she says you didn’t murder Derek Cooper.”

  Diane stared deeply into Kelly’s eyes, her gaze never wavering. “Thank you, Kelly,” she said softly. “You don’t know how much it means to hear someone say they believe me when I tell them I didn’t kill Derek.” Her mouth tightened. “The other night at the bar, no one wanted to stand near me, let alone talk to me. Oh, they’d say ‘hi’ and a few words, then they’d inch away and stare at me from across the bar…and whisper. So, I left.”

  “Blow ’em off, Diane,” Jennifer said, repeating Peterson’s advice. “They were never your friends, anyway.”

  “Yeah, I know that now. Apparently they’ve really enjoyed telling the police about…you know, Derek and me fighting and all.” She gave a disgusted snort. “I can hear them now, blowing everything out of proportion, and making it…making it sound even worse.”

  “Jennifer told me you and Derek had a rather, uh, stormy relationship,” Kelly ventured. “Apparently he was quite a womanizer.”