She’ll Stitch You Up

by B K Baxter

  Reeves’s eyes widened. “I like the sound of that. They have the best coconut cream pie on the planet.”

  “You’re a fan too?” asked Velma.

  “Oh yeah, it’s my favorite. I send out for a slice every now and then.” He patted his middle, even though he was as skinny as a porch rail.

  “Ethel?” Velma asked. “Does that sound like a good idea to you?”

  “I’d really like it if you let me make up for my behavior.” Harrison seemed sincere, and Velma knew that Ethel would give him another chance, and she’d be planning their imaginary wedding by the end of the night.

  Ethel’s eyes widened. “I guess all could be forgiven. But no more of those Dirty Shirley drinks. I do not drink alcohol, Mr. Spoke.”

  Harrison let out a chuckle. “I’ll remember this time. Are you ready to go?”

  Reeves patted his pockets. “I guess I am. Just let me lock up the house.” He reached in his pocket and pushed a button, which lifted the garage door. “Nope, that ain’t it. I guess I’ll have to go and do it the old-fashioned way.”

  “Take your time.”

  “We’ll follow you there,” said Ethel. “I’m not leaving my car here again.” She pulled out her keys, and then she and Velma went to the car.

  As they waited for Reeves to get in Harrison’s truck, Ethel grinned ear from ear.

  “Ethel, don’t make too much of this now. Harrison is just trying to be a polite gentleman, and from how he acted the other day, he should.”

  “He was under a lot of stress. You know how these things happen. But it wasn’t Harrison that I was thinking about. It was you.”

  “What the hell did I do?” She couldn’t imagine where Ethel’s brain was.

  Ethel giggled. “You not only solved another one, but you called Ray Wetzel your friend.”

  Ethel was laughing at her, which was never a good sign. “Careful, Ethel. I’ll come down with a case of the bends, and you’ll miss another steak dinner with Harrison.” She had only called Ray her friend as a way to separate him from others. What other word should she have used? Asshole? It wouldn’t have come across as dramatic.

  “You wouldn’t dare ruin this dinner. But I have to say I’m really proud of you. A little angry about you leaving me in the dark, but proud. You really did it again. Just when I think you’re about to have me killed, you pull off another stunt and solve the crime.”

  “Yeah,” said Velma, still feeling the big head.

  “So, tell me how you did it. You wore a wire and everything.”

  “When I went into Chief Rayne’s office, she wasn’t happy to see me, but when I told her about the little device that Alice had, it all made sense. She was the only one with motive and opportunity, and even though they were already onto her, I gave them the last bit of what they needed.”

  “But what about poor Ray? He had to stay locked up there all alone in jail to fend for himself all of those days.”

  “Chief Rayne said she was letting him go. She had to make sure he wasn’t guilty, and prove that someone else was before she just let him out while his hands had been on the knife that killed Everett. They were processing him as I was being wired. He’s probably harassing some poor, unsuspecting woman as we speak. And I’m sure we’ll see him at the crochet class.”

  “I just wish I’d have known.” Ethel followed Harrison’s truck across the bridge and out of the drive to the access road. Velma knew she wasn’t going to let him get too far out of her sight. There was no leaving her behind.

  “The chief asked me not to tell you about it. She felt you might be nervous.”

  “Weren’t you?” asked Ethel as the car hit a huge pothole. “What if Alice had seen the wire or suspected something?”

  “The only thing that bothered me about that wire was that it itched. I’m glad to be rid of it. It made my boobs sweat, and I kept waiting for it to short out.”

  “I’m just glad it’s all over.” Ethel slowed the car as they approached the main road and then followed Harrison out toward Ruby Jack’s.

  As she drove, Velma couldn’t help but wonder if this would be the last time she got the opportunity to work on a big murder case again. Nothing exciting ever happened in Bliss, Texas. And when they did, they were usually few and far between. Two cases in a matter of months was a lot, and she knew it was bound to be a while before anything new occurred. Back to boring.

  Chapter 29

  With all of the excitement winding down, Velma and Ethel were slowly getting back into their routine. With their next crochet class just hours away, Ethel was going through her crochet bag while having a cup of coffee after breakfast. She was still beaming over Harrison Spoke.

  “Did you see the way Harrison cut my steak?” asked Ethel.

  “You practically pushed your plate into his lap when you asked him to do yours. He was just being polite.”

  “I know. He’s a very polite and respectful man. Did you see the way Daisy Pratt stared at us across the restaurant? She was pea-green with envy. We’ll be the talk of class today, just you wait and see.”

  “We’ll be the talk of class because we were at Gaines Manor the night Everett Gaines and Balthazar Unker were murdered. You know that word travels fast in Bliss, and with Ray on the loose, I’m sure everyone knows everything that went down, and a few things that didn’t.”

  “That might be true, but it still puts us in the same class as Harrison Spoke, and the way you and Reeves got along, well, I wouldn’t be surprised if Calvin gets jealous.”

  “Reeves is a good man and just a friend. We see things in a whole different light than most of you, and we’re both smart enough to recognize it. It’s how we bonded.” Velma hadn’t expected to make a friend, but Reeves was an okay guy after all, and she was good with calling him a friend.

  “You said Ray was your friend too,” she reminded her.

  “And we’ve already talked about that, Ethel. You keep it up, and I’ll make you sit by him in class. Or better yet, I’ll plan some illegal driving and steal your car. That’ll teach you when you have to ride home with him.”

  “I don’t have to worry about that. I have the keys.” She stuck her tongue out at Velma who walked over from the counter and sat across from her with her own cup of coffee.

  “You know I’m not disillusioned about me and Harrison. But it’s nice to pretend now and then. Besides, I’ve learned something from all of this.”

  Velma was afraid to ask, but her curiosity got the best of her. “What’s that?”

  “Well, if I can get the attention of the most handsome, richest bachelor in town, and land a date with him, then I could have my pick of the litter.”

  “The word you’re looking for is delusional. And yes, you are if you think you can have your pick of men in this town. You’re letting one friendly dinner go to your head.”

  “And you’re letting one case go to yours.” She looked up from her crochet bag and took out another skein of yarn.

  “What are you doing with your bag?” asked Velma who was content to change the subject. She needed to clean hers out too, but she was just too lazy and tired from all the crime solving.

  “I thought I’d reorganize it. I want all of my hooks in alphabetical order and all of my extra yarn color coordinated. Then there’s this mess of patterns.” She shook her head, looking lost.

  About that time, Landon Jr. came in. “Hey, Grams. Aunt V.” He dropped his bag to the floor.

  “You’re supposed to be in school again, aren’t you?”

  “We don’t have to be in until eight-thirty. We’re having a day of testing, so I might even get out early.”

  “So, you came to grace us with your presence?” asked Velma, wondering how much money and food the kid would leave with.

  Landon made himself at home. “I hoped you might have something for me to eat. I can take it on the run, but the teacher said we’d do better if we had a good breakfast. Oh, and I need a couple of number two pencils.”

  Vel
ma rolled her eyes. “Are there really any other kind on the market for school use?”

  Ethel reached into her bag and pulled out a pencil case where she kept her extra hooks. “Here you are. I have these, but you’ll have to sharpen the one.”

  “Thanks, Grams.”

  She got up and kissed her grandson on the head, and then she went the fridge where she grabbed a pack of cheese and the carton of eggs. “How about a toad in the hole?” She had been making those for him since he was a kid, and he’d always wanted to put cheese on them too.

  “Those are my absolute favorite, Grams. Thanks. I knew you’d have something. Mom’s been working late again, and we haven’t gone grocery shopping in weeks.”

  Velma felt bad for the kid’s fate, but he was getting old enough to run to the market alone. “Here,” she said, reaching into her handbag that hung on the back of her chair. “Take this, and you go to the store after school and get what you need.”

  Ethel smiled. “You know you’re going to have to help your mother, Landon. She’s only one woman.”

  “Yes, ma’am. Thanks, Aunt V.”

  Velma looked up and offered a half-smile, which was as good as anyone would get on that particular morning. But she could tell that Landon still had something on his mind. “Is there something else bugging you?” She wasn’t going to give him any more money. Between her and Ethel, it was surprising that his mother had to work at all.

  “I saw they arrested that woman and let the man go. Chief Rayne said you helped them.”

  “Yes, she did,” said Ethel. “She got to wear a wire and everything. Just like on the movies.” Ethel was excited and smiled at them from the stove, where she cracked an egg into the bread. She’d used a small star-shaped cutter to make it special.

  “Awesome!” said Landon. “That’s the coolest thing I’ve ever heard, Aunt V! Did you have it solved all along?”

  “Not all along. Sometimes, it takes time. Your old grandmother helped a bit too, you know?”

  “Did you really see the dead bodies?” he asked.

  “Both of them, but we’re old pros at this point,” said Velma, enjoying herself for once. It wasn’t so bad talking to the kid about something other than mowing the lawn, especially now that he couldn’t be any detriment to the case. “The killer even came at us with garden shears, but the cops swooped in and arrested her. Your grandmother hid behind a tree the whole time.”

  “Dang. You two are crazy. And lucky.”

  “Now, Velma, I’m not sure it’s healthy to be talking about such things with my grandson. He’s an impressionable boy, and you might just give him nightmares.”

  “It’s okay, Grams. I watch horror movies all the time.”

  Ethel gave him a hard look. “You shouldn’t pollute your mind with that garbage.”

  “You know, she’s right, Landon. And you know what else happened yesterday? Your grandmother was asked to dinner by a very special man.”

  Landon narrowed his eyes. “The same as the other night, or a different man?”

  “The same,” said Velma with a sly smile. “I think she’s smitten. She got all starry-eyed and swoony.”

  Landon made a face. “Please, don’t tell me more. I’d rather talk about dead bodies than Grams dating. No offense Grams.”

  “None taken. And I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I’d rather you go back to talking about dead bodies too.” She gave Velma a pointed look. “Or how about we change the subject completely?”

  “Fine.” Velma giggled.

  Ethel handed Landon his breakfast. “I hate to eat and run, so I’ll just run with my eats.” He smiled at them both, and Velma knew the kid thought he was very clever. “Thanks again, Aunt V. I’ll go to the store when I get out of school. You two have a good one, and don’t stumble over any dead bodies.” He threw his backpack over his shoulder and took his napkin-wrapped egg toast and left.

  “Velma! You shouldn’t have put those images in his mind!”

  “Which ones? The murders, or you and Harrison Spoke?” She couldn’t help but be amused. “At least I didn’t tell him who.”

  “You’re not being very kind to me and Harrison.”

  “Ethel, there is no you and Harrison. I’ve already told you that he was just being nice.”

  Ethel walked over to the back door where Landon was getting on his bike. “He reminds me so much of Alfred.”

  “Who? Harrison?” There was nothing similar about the men, and Velma didn’t like her brother being compared to the man.

  “No, silly. Landon. He looks even more like Alfred than Landon Sr. More and more every day.”

  “You miss him, don’t you?”

  “Every day. Don’t you?”

  “Of course.” She thought it funny she had to ask. “He was my brother. I will always miss him. Even if I did date a hundred men like Harrison Spoke, I’d never find another as good to me as our Alfred.” The longing look in her eye made Velma realize just how much she missed him too.

  “I think that’s why I tend to be a little boy crazy. Alfred spoiled me to having someone take care of me, and I guess I’ll always be looking for him in others. He was my biggest blessing in life, and I don’t think I’ll love anyone more.”

  She wiped a tear from the corner of her eyes and went back to her seat across from Velma. “You should get your bag and clean it too. We have class soon, and you don’t want to be showing up with all of the attention on us and you with a dirty bag.”

  “I doubt anyone is going to care about my bag. It’s going to do its job and carry my shit to class, and that’s all it has to do.”

  “There you go, acting just like your stubborn brother. And just when I think I’ll never see him again, you go and remind me that you’re just like him! I think we had a similar conversation over his tackle box. He had so many things crammed in it that he was reaching for a worm and hooked himself. I had never seen so much blood. Not even at the murder scene. Or so it seemed.” Ethel continued on, and Velma let her talk. “It took me three tries to cut that wire, to get the hook out. I was so upset. I kept closing my eyes. Alfred said, ‘Dammit, Ethel, you nearly cut my whole damned finger off,’ and of course, he probably used twice as many swear words.”

  The only time Velma had heard Ethel use profanity was when she was recounting a memory of Alfred. It was like she didn’t want to spoil the recollection with censorship.

  “He was stubborn, wasn’t he?” Velma wished she could turn around and see him behind her.

  “Yeah, he was.” Ethel let out a long breath and began repacking her bag. She had everything back in its special place within minutes. “But I was lucky to have him in my life, and you too, Velma. I’ll always be grateful to him for giving me a sister.”

  Velma got her bag and brought it back to the table. “I guess I will get this thing cleaned out. We will have to go soon.” She sat down and worked on the bag for about twenty minutes, and Ethel helped.

  When it was all done and everything was back in its place, Ethel held out her arms and stretched. “It’s time for us to get ready for class. I don’t want to be late today. As a matter of fact, we should be first so the others can’t talk about us behind our backs.” She grabbed her bag and the keys to the Buick.

  But Velma was still feeling a big sentimental from the chat. “I won’t be long, Ethel. I’ll meet you in the car.”

  Chapter 30

  Velma was quiet all the way to the community building where their class was held. Not only was she depending on the air conditioner since she’d grabbed her shawl, but she hadn’t wanted to draw attention to herself.

  Ethel pursed her lips. “I can’t believe you’re wearing that shawl after giving mine to a homeless man.”

  “I saw him the other day. He looked amazing in it.” She almost told Ethel that he looked better in it too, but considering what she had on, she would keep her remarks to herself.

  “Well, I hope it keeps him warm this winter. I’ll have to start another one soon
if I want to have it finished by the first cold spell.”

  “Well, hell, Ethel. In that case, you have all the way until after Christmas the way our weather is here.”

  “Well, I won’t be putting a hood on it. That’s for sure.”

  As they pulled up at the building, they saw Nicole in the parking lot unloading another armload of snacks. “Hurry up and park, and we’ll give the girl a hand,” said Velma. “She’s liable to drop all of the edible items.”

  “They aren’t that bad,” said Ethel. “I just hope there isn’t a cake this time. I’m still traumatized from last week’s.”

  “So is the man with the vasectomy,” said Velma. “But don’t worry, I think she learned her lesson about canceled cake orders.”

  They parked, got out of the car, and met Nicole at hers. “Could we give you a hand?” asked Ethel, walking over to take a jug of Hawaiian Punch from her.

  At first, she seemed surprised to see them. “Thank you, yes.” She passed Ethel the heavy gallon of punch, slid a box to Velma, and then grabbed the rest of her supplies.

  “I’m so glad to see you, ladies,” she said as she led them inside. “I heard about what happened with Mr. Gaines and that other man. It must have been horrible that you were there to see it.”

  “Yes,” Velma said. “Although it was more unfortunate for Mr. Wetzel.”

  “I know. When I heard he was locked up, I knew there had to be a mistake. Mr. Wetzel is a lot of things, but a killer? I don’t know how anyone could have believed it.”

  “We knew all along that he wasn’t the killer,” said Ethel. “Velma worked extra hard to solve the case and put the real killer behind bars so Ray could make it to class today.”

  “I hope he comes,” said Nicole. “I’ve actually been worried about him. Being in jail can change a man.”

  “Sometimes for the better,” said Ethel, thinking of her poor Landon Sr.

  “Of course,” Nicole agreed. They walked inside to the table where she usually set up the refreshments. Before they could get the last of the food in place, the others began to arrive.