A Killer Stitch

by Maggie Sefton

  “C’mon, Lisa,” Kelly objected, “you were only trying to help. Just like Ellen.”

  “Yeah, I know,” Lisa said distractedly. “Listen, guys, I have to leave for the clinic. I’ll see you later.” With a quick wave, she was gone.

  After a murmured goodbye Ellen also headed for the doorway, leaving Kelly alone once again. Even the main room was temporarily empty of holiday shoppers.

  She let the comfortable relaxed feeling of knitting quietly settle over her. Meditative and peaceful, ordering her thoughts, freeing up new ideas. Even knotty accounting problems loosened as her fingers worked the yarn, moving through the familiar stitches. This time, however, Lucy’s panicked expression interrupted the peaceful feeling.

  Poor Lucy. Pregnant and alone. Just like Kelly’s aunt Helen years ago. Helen had a family, true, but they practically disowned her when they discovered she was pregnant, particularly when Helen refused to reveal the father’s name. Aunt Helen must have felt equally abandoned, until she went to Wyoming to stay with her cousin Martha’s family. At least Helen had someone she could confide in there, someone who cared and supported her. Kelly watched the gray and white stitches gather on her needle as she imagined how her aunt would have felt in small-town Colorado being an unwed mother. Alone and unwanted, just like Lucy.

  Lucy had found someone to confide in with Ellen, but clearly, Lucy needed more. She needed someone who could convince her she needed help. If Lucy’s friends couldn’t get through to her, who could?

  The answer to Kelly’s question appeared right before her eyes. Snowflakes glistening on her cherry red wool coat, Lizzie bustled into the room, settling herself in her usual place at the knitting table. “Good morning, Kelly,” she said cheerfully. “How’s that alpaca scarf coming? It appears you’re nearly finished.”

  Kelly looked up at Lizzie and gave her a huge grin. Lizzie. Yes. Kind-hearted, solicitous, gentle Lizzie, who loved nothing better than to listen to other people’s stories. Maybe Lizzie’s warmth could penetrate the barrier Lucy had built around herself. “Matter of fact, Lizzie, I am,” she said, holding up the scarf proudly. “Look how nicely it turned out.”

  Lizzie examined the scarf, making appropriate sounds of approval. She beamed at Kelly. “It’s lovely, dear. That gentleman at the gallery will wear it everywhere, I’m sure.”

  Kelly resumed her knitting, while Lizzie turned to her multicolored yarn. “Where’s Hilda?” she asked, waiting for an opportunity to confide in Lizzie, and hoping they wouldn’t be invaded by others in the meantime.

  “Oh, she’s checking the class schedules out front. Hilda has been inspired by Lucy’s students, and she’s convinced she can finally learn to spin.” Lizzie’s dimple showed in her round cheeks.

  Ahhhh, Kelly exulted, as Lizzie provided the opening she was waiting for. “Speaking of Lucy, I was hoping you could help us, Lizzie,” she said, in an attempt to catch Lizzie’s considerable curiosity. “Several of her friends are concerned for her well-being.”

  Lizzie’s attention left her knitting immediately. “Goodness, what’s the matter? I thought she was slowly recovering from her grief over losing her lover so tragically.”

  “Well, we thought so, too, but we’ve learned it’s, well, it’s more complicated than that.” Kelly deliberately dangled the vague comment.

  “Oh, really?” Lizzie said, bright blue eyes widening as she leaned closer. “What are the, uh, complications, so to speak?”

  Kelly let her needles drop to her lap and leaned closer. “You’ll have to swear you won’t repeat this to a soul, not even Hilda,” Kelly said solemnly, trying to ignore the sting of her own conscience at invading Lucy’s privacy again.

  Lizzie’s eyes grew huge. “I swear.”

  “Lucy is carrying Derek Cooper’s child,” Kelly announced in a hushed voice. “She was about to tell him, when Derek was murdered. So you can understand why she’s been an emotional wreck since his death.”

  “Oh, my,” Lizzie said, catching her breath.

  “Apparently, she’d only told her friend Ellen, in class. Ellen confided in Megan and me because she was worried about Lucy. She needs to talk to a counseler. A grief counseler, at least. And she needs to see a doctor about the baby.”

  “Oh, goodness, yes! You mean she hasn’t spoken with anyone?” Lizzie looked horrified. “Oh, she must, she must! That poor child! Bereft and alone…and with child. Oh, my, we must help her.”

  “Well, both Ellen and Lisa have suggested counseling, but Lucy refuses. In fact, she burst out in tears when Lisa offered to take her to see a therapist she’d used in the past.”

  Lizzie wagged her head. “Poor dear.”

  Kelly paused. “I thought maybe you could get through to her, Lizzie. I was sure that Lisa could reach Lucy, because Lisa had helped with Lucy’s therapy years ago. But no. Lucy ran out of the room crying at the suggestion.”

  “How could I help, Kelly? I’m certainly not trained like Lisa.”

  “Actually, I think that might be better. You’re a warm, caring, maternal woman, Lizzie.” Kelly emphasized with an encouraging smile. “And if anyone is in need of some old-fashioned mothering right now, it’s Lucy.”

  A small smile tweaked Lizzie’s lips. “You’re very sweet to say that, Kelly. And if you think I can help, I will gladly try my best to get through to the poor girl.”

  “See if you can convince her to see a counselor, someone, even a minister.”

  “Hmmmm, that’s a thought. I’ll do my best, dear. Oops, here comes Hilda. Not a word.” She shushed dramatically.

  “Good morning, Kelly,” Hilda broadcast as she marched toward the knitting table and took her customary seat at the end. The better to teach class. “I have officially registered to resume my quest to learn to spin. Let us hope the old adage ‘three’s the charm’ is correct.” Hilda withdrew a delicate azure blue yarn from her bag and began to crochet, her hooked needle moving quickly. “I see you’re nearly finished with that scarf for the Denver gentleman. Excellent. You’ll have time to knit another gift.”

  Kelly did her best to look appalled. The better to tease Hilda. “Not a chance, Hilda. One gift per holiday is my limit. It takes too long.”

  Hilda eyed Kelly over her rimless glasses. “Then you should learn how to knit socks, my dear. They’re much quicker.”

  Kelly laughed. “Quicker for you, maybe. All those little pointy needles…I don’t think so.”

  “Nonsense, my dear,” Hilda scoffed. “You’re so adventurous in other ways. You must try socks.”

  Socks as an adventure. Now, there was a new concept. “I’ll make you a deal, Hilda. I’ll give socks a try when you learn how to spin. How’s that?” Kelly challenged.

  Twelve

  Kelly’s new boots sank into the melting snow as she walked through her front yard. Yesterday’s snow was fast changing to slush. Turning her face toward the bright sunshine, Kelly had to stop and admire the snow-covered golf course, glistening—and melting at the same time.

  Colorado weather. If you didn’t like it, wait a minute. It was bound to change. Yesterday’s frigid cold had thawed quickly that morning with the return of brilliant blue skies and bright sunshine. Temperatures were already in the forties, and it wasn’t even noon yet.

  Returning to the slush, Kelly trekked toward the Lambspun front porch, then stamped the mud from her boots. Reaching for the door, she nearly fell backward when Burt burst through the doorway.

  “Whoa! Now I know what it feels like,” Kelly exclaimed with a laugh.

  “I’m sorry, Kelly,” Burt said, hand outstretched. “Did I hit you?”

  “No, no. Softball reflexes saved me. Besides, it serves me right for all the times I’ve rushed around corners and run into people. Where’re you going in such a hurry?”

  “Where aren’t I going.” Burt corrected with a good-natured smile. “Mimi gave me another list of stuff for Jayleen’s party tomorrow.”

  “Oh, brother, that reminds me. I’ve got a bunch of
things to buy, too. Including a frozen breakfast entrée.”

  “Anything but cooking, right?”

  “You bet,” Kelly agreed with a laugh. “Maybe I’ll bring a platter of hearty sausage. I can microwave with the best of them.”

  “Sounds good to me, Kelly. See you tomorrow,” he said, bounding down the stairs.

  Kelly was about to enter the shop when she remembered something. “Hey, Burt, did you hear if a necklace was found on you-know-who?” she called after him, reticent to broadcast her curiosity to whomever might be nearby.

  Burt barely slowed his stride as he answered over his shoulder. “I called yesterday, and nothing like that was found, Kelly. Not on the victim or at the scene.” He gave a quick goodbye wave as he jumped into his car.

  That was curious, Kelly thought as she entered the shop and headed toward the knitting table. Diane said Derek Cooper never took off the necklace, calling it a “good luck charm.” Why then wasn’t it found on his body? she wondered.

  Shedding her coat and scarf, Kelly settled into a comfy chair beside the library table and retrieved the completed alpaca scarf. All that remained was to tuck the ends. If she was lucky, she could finish in time to drop the scarf in the mail today.

  Kelly dug out her little plastic needle case and set about splitting each yarn tail into four sections, then meticulously weaving each one underneath and through the knitted stitches, concealing them completely. She was nearly finished when her cell phone jangled.

  “Kelly, can you do me a huge favor?” Jayleen’s excited voice came over the phone.

  “Sure, what do you need?”

  “Can you and Steve pick up some chocolate candy for the stocking gifts? You know, the loose kind that will rattle around inside.”

  Kelly laughed. “My favorite kind. We’ll be glad to, Jayleen. By the way, how’s Diane doing? You said she’d be helping tomorrow.”

  “Lord have mercy, I don’t know what I would have done without the girl this week. She’s been a lifesaver. Diane took care of all the livestock while I’ve been runnin’ around town like that chicken without its head.” Jayleen exhaled a long sigh.

  “Well, that’s good to hear,” Kelly said. “I’m glad she’s been useful. Sounds like you needed help.”

  “Boy, have I ever. Diane pitched right in, too. I mean, not everyone’s cut out for ranch work, you know what I mean? But she’s a strong girl.”

  “Has she, uh…has she been okay?” Kelly probed. “I mean, she hasn’t tried to run into town to the bars or anything? I know you don’t keep any liquor in your house.”

  Jayleen laughed her hearty laugh. “Nary a drop, Kelly, and no, Diane hasn’t run off to the bars. Of course, the fact we’re miles up a snowy mountain canyon helps, too. It’d be a long cold walk into town at night.”

  Kelly exhaled her own sigh of relief. “Thank God, Jayleen. I was half afraid you’d tell me she was climbing the walls at night or something.”

  “Well, don’t get me wrong, Kelly. It hasn’t been easy for Diane. Hell, no. She’s been pacing at night and eating sweets. And drinking hot chocolate by the gallon. Matter of fact, you can add that to your list, if you would. She’s nearly finished my huge can of chocolate mix,” Jayleen said with a chuckle.

  “Oops, I guess I got her hooked on that here at the shop,” Kelly confessed. “It was the only thing I could think of that might calm her down when she was here the other day. I guess it worked.”

  “We may need a lot more of it, too,” Jayleen added, her voice changing. “Diane had a call from one of her friends, saying that the police have visited the bar a second time, asking people questions. Diane got real nervous after that. You can understand why.”

  “Ohhhh, yeah,” Kelly said, her good mood evaporating. “I hope that doesn’t set her off.”

  “Well, we’ve got the party tomorrow, and she’ll be plenty busy like the rest of us. Don’t worry, Kelly, I’m keeping an eye on her. Gotta go. See ya tomorrow.” She clicked off.

  Maybe she should bring a whole tub of chocolate mix, Kelly thought as she returned to tucking the alpaca wool yarn. Both edges of the scarf were finished. Only the dangling yarn tails in the middle remained.

  She glanced up at the sound of someone approaching the table and was surprised to see Lucy pulling out a chair on the opposite side of the table.

  Lucy gave Kelly a quick smile. “Hi, Kelly,” she said as she retrieved a fluffy mound of yellow yarn from her bag and began to knit.

  Delighted to see Lucy actually trying to socialize once again, Kelly had to remind herself to restrain her enthusiasm. “Hey, Lucy, how’re you doing?” she said in the gentlest voice she could manage.

  “I’m okay,” Lucy said softly, concentrating on the yellow wool.

  Kelly decided not to venture another comment and returned to tucking alpaca yarn tails, hoping Lucy would relax in the peaceful setting. Several quiet moments passed, and Kelly sensed her strategy had worked. She glanced at Lucy and noticed her shoulders were no longer hunched, and she actually appeared more relaxed as she knitted silently.

  Kelly also noticed something else. Lucy was wearing the gold necklace with her logo on it. A spider on its web. It really was a pretty design, Kelly thought.

  Figuring the atmosphere was sufficiently comfortable, Kelly ventured a friendly comment. “That’s a beautiful necklace, Lucy. It’s your spinning logo, right?”

  “Yes, a spider on a web,” Lucy replied softly.

  “It’s really lovely.”

  Lucy reached up to touch the necklace before she returned to her knitting. “Thank you, Kelly. It’s my good luck charm.”

  Lucy’s reply caused a little buzz in the back of Kelly’s brain. According to Diane Perkins, that was what Derek Cooper called the necklace. A good luck charm. Maybe this necklace was her way of keeping Derek close to her. Hopefully, the necklace would bring Lucy better luck than it did Derek Cooper.

  “How wonderful to see you girls,” Lizzie’s voice interrupted as she walked into the room. “It’s such a beautiful morning, isn’t it? Bright sunshine melting all that snow, simply wonderful.”

  Lucy greeted Lizzie with a shy smile. “Hi, Lizzie.”

  “How’s that baby blanket coming?” Kelly asked, glad to see Lizzie settle beside Lucy at the table. Perhaps it would be better to finish those yarn tails at home, she decided. That way, Lizzie could have some quiet time with Lucy.

  “I’m nearly finished,” Lizzie said, holding up the delicate creation.

  Lucy reached over and touched the multicolored froth. “That’s beautiful, Lizzie. Absolutely beautiful.”

  “Why, thank you, dear.” Lizzie beamed. “But I’ve seen your work as well. You have an exquisite touch, Lucy, if I do say.”

  Lucy flushed at Lizzie’s praise. “You’re being kind.”

  “Not at all, my dear,” Lizzie continued.

  Kelly decided that was her cue to leave and quickly shoved her scarf into its bag, hastening away from the knitting table with a quick wave and murmured farewell. Pleased with being able to allow Lizzie some quiet time with Lucy, Kelly hoped the motherly knitter would be able to gradually reach through Lucy’s defenses. Warmth could work wonders.

  Heading toward the café and a coffee refill, Kelly noticed Ellen standing near the loom, staring up at the cones of novelty yarns. Shelf after colorful shelf, jammed with fat cones, in every hue and color combination imaginable.

  Kelly sidled up beside her. “Hey, Ellen,” she said in a lowered voice. “Stay away from the knitting table for a few minutes, would you? Lizzie’s in there trying to talk with Lucy. I’m hoping some maternal nurturing can penetrate Lucy’s shell.”

  Ellen turned quickly. “You think that’ll work?”

  Kelly crossed her fingers and held them up. “It can’t hurt. Lizzie is the least threatening person I know. She exudes sweetness and warmth.”

  “Boy, I hope so. Something’s got to reach Lucy.”

  “Do you have time for coffee?”

>   Ellen checked her watch. “I wish I did, but I’d better get back to work before I lose another hour to yarn lust.”

  “What do you do?”

  “Medical transcription. Get to work out of my home, too. Like you, with your accounting.”

  Kelly laughed. “Working for yourself is a mixed blessing, isn’t it? I’m still adjusting.”

  “Oh, yeah. Say, how’s your friend doing? You know, the one you were drowning in hot chocolate.”

  Kelly paused. “Not too good, as a matter of fact.”

  “That’s too bad.”

  Kelly was about to continue on her coffee quest when she remembered something. “Hey, Ellen, I’m curious about that necklace Lucy wears. She says it’s her spinning logo. It’s really pretty.”

  “It sure is. She just started wearing it, too. I guess she must have made one for herself. I remember her showing me the one she made for Derek several months ago,” Ellen said as she wrapped a colorful wool scarf around her neck.

  “Do you think she’s wearing it in Derek’s memory or something?”

  Ellen shrugged. “Who knows? See you later, Kelly.” She gave a goodbye wave as she left.

  Kelly continued down the hallway toward Eduardo’s coffee. The afternoon of holiday season errands lying ahead of her demanded a megadose of caffeine. Venturing into the shopping center on a Saturday afternoon in December wasn’t for the fainthearted.

  Thirteen

  Kelly filched another piece of crispy bacon as she passed through the sunny Stackhouse kitchen. Enticing aromas of bacon and sausage, hot breads, and cheesy egg casseroles still floated in the air, tempting her.

  “I love breakfast,” she said, depositing several empty dishes next to the sink. “We should do this more often.”

  “Anytime you want breakfast, Kelly, give me a call,” Mimi said as she loaded the dishwasher. “It’s my favorite meal.”

  Eyeing the platter of bacon and sausage, Kelly couldn’t resist. She snatched one of Megan’s yummy biscuits, added a patty of sausage, and took a huge bite as she leaned against the wood-grained counter.