Knitting With the Dead

by Nancy McGovern

  “Don’t you talk about my Peter that way,” Brooke hissed.

  Nora stepped forward and gave Harvey a look. “Harv. Sweetheart. Go to bed now, please.”

  Harvey tapped his other hand lightly with the hammer. “I’ll sit in here while you two talk in the kitchen. That’s the best I can do. I’m not leaving you alone with Brooke until I’m sure she’s not the killer.”

  Brooke started to protest, but Nora knew Harvey wouldn’t be budged. She grabbed Brooke’s hand and dragged her into the kitchen instead.

  “The nerve of that man!” Brooke exclaimed.

  “We’re all on edge right now,” Nora said. “It’s not his fault. He’s pretty upset about Tyler’s death. We all are.”

  “I guess so.” Brooke’s voice softened a bit. She pulled out a chair and sat down at the table. “I just can’t believe he’s gone. There are rumors that it’s suicide, but that’s ridiculous. Isn’t it?”

  “Is it?” Nora shrugged. “You tell me.”

  “I knew Tyler,” Brooke said. “He’s not the kind of man to commit suicide. He just isn’t. No. I don’t believe he killed himself. Then again…” She hesitated. “Maybe it was him. You know, who killed May. Maybe he was overcome with guilt, or maybe he panicked at the thought of going to jail and just ended it instead.” She gave Nora a pleading look. “Will you help me? Tell me he was the killer.”

  “I could tell you a lot of things.” Nora said. “But how about you tell me some things, too. Like the truth, for one.”

  “The truth?”

  “Maybelle met you at the swimming pool that day,” Nora said. “After you talked, you looked miserable and said that you hated her. Why?”

  Brooke looked away. “It isn’t what you think. It’s got nothing to do with May.”

  “Then what’s it about?”

  Brooke took a deep breath. “Do I have to tell you?”

  “Do you see any other way out?” Nora asked. “With Tyler gone, suspicions are going to fall on the people left behind, Brooke. That means you. Sheriff Ellerton is going to ask hard questions. It’s better you tell me first, so I can tell him to go easy on you. Don’t you think?”

  Brooke twisted a strand of hair round and round with her fingers. “I guess…” She took a deep breath first. “Think I can get that coffee before I start?”

  Nora, who’d been working her mini-espresso machine, poured a latte for each of them. She sat down at the table, facing Brooke, and raised an eyebrow. “Well?”

  Brooke hung her head. “I don’t know where to begin.”

  “At the beginning,” Nora suggested. “What did Maybelle have on you? What did she know that nobody else did?”

  Brooke took a deep breath. Plaintively, she asked Nora, “Can’t I just say it’s personal and leave it at that?”

  “No,” Nora said.

  “Fine then.” Brooke frowned. “A year ago, I…I did something. Something my husband has no idea about. May found out and…she wouldn’t stop badgering me. She kept telling me that I did a horrible thing.”

  “What was it?”

  “See, Peter’s a wonderful man,” Brooke continued. “But he’s always wanted a bunch of kids. I thought I wanted that, too…until I started loving my job with the school board. Until I realized how hard actually raising a child was.”

  “Ok?” Nora frowned.

  “Men never get it,” Brooke said bitterly. “Men never truly get how much you have to think and plot and plan when raising a kid right. Every little detail needs to be smoothed out. One was hard enough. Two was alright. But more than that? I knew my body and my mind couldn’t take it. I was happy with what we had. But Peter? He wasn’t. And Peter’s family is just like him, too. Every one of his brothers and cousins has three or four kids. His parents had four, too. Every barbeque we went to, they were constantly nudging and hinting and winking. I got so sick of it. But I didn’t know how to say that I didn’t want more kids. Peter’s so…well, he’s a man who knows his own mind, and he’s a lawyer, too. He can argue around in circles till you think up is down and right is left.”

  “I see,” Nora said.

  “So, finally, I gave in. I told Peter we should have more kids. Peter was ecstatic. What he didn’t know was…I’d visited a hospital and taken certain measures. I’m never having kids again. Medically, it’s…just not possible.”

  “Wow,” Nora said. “That’s…that’s a pretty serious thing to hide from your husband.”

  “Maybe it is, but what else could I do?” Brooke sighed. “I didn’t even think it was a big deal, really. Peter was disappointed that we weren’t conceiving, but he just shrugged it off. It was the kind thing to do, really. No fighting, no arguments, no hurt feelings. Just us and our little family - the way it should be,” Brooke said. “But when Maybelle found out, she acted like I’d robbed Peter of some kind of a birthright. She was angry on his behalf, like I’d cheated him or something.”

  “Really?”

  “I think it was because she and Tyler were trying for kids without much luck. She said that if Tyler had done something like this, she’d never forgive him, and that I needed to tell Peter. I told her it was different - I already have two kids, after all. But she thought that I shouldn’t lie to him. She gave me an ultimatum that day- told me I needed to tell Peter. Or else.”

  “And it made you hate her.” Nora frowned. “It made you angry. It made you scared, too, that Peter would find out. Scared and angry. Is that right, Brooke?”

  “Yes, but-”

  “It’s a powerful combination, anger and fear. Did it make you do something stupid, Brooke? Something you regret?”

  “No!” Brooke exclaimed. “I didn’t do anything of the sort! I did not kill her!”

  “Effectively, she was blackmailing you,” Nora said.

  “She was my friend, Nora! She thought she was helping me!” Brooke exclaimed. “I know it’ll sound weird to you, but Maybelle was like that. If she thought something was right, she’d pressure you and pressure you until you did it. Look at how relentlessly she was insisting on matching up Jess and James, for example. She didn’t care what they wanted. She just thought that she knew better, and that they’d be happy together. So that was that.”

  “Interesting.” Nora frowned. “So you don’t think Jess and James want each other?”

  “If they did have any romantic feelings, all of Maybelle’s interference probably killed it,” Brooke said. “I tell you, she was a wonderful friend, but also an absolute idiot at times. She didn’t understand that different people could have different ideas about happiness. She always had our wellbeing in mind, but if she thought I shouldn’t keep things from my husband, then I didn’t get to have a say in it. No matter the cost, she’d find a way to make me do what she wanted.” Brooke put a hand over her eyes. “I guess I knew deep down that she was right - I needed to tell Peter. I was just angry because she was so high-handed about it. As if she wasn’t hiding things from Tyler herself!”

  “What kind of things?”

  “Money,” Brooke said. “Maybelle had come into a small fortune and was trying to decide how to use it without telling Tyler. Well, he found out eventually anyway. They even had a fight about it at James’s party.”

  “I know that part.” Nora nodded. “May was trying to decide whether to give the money to Jess or to use it herself for a photography course, isn’t that right?”

  “Right,” Brooke confirmed. “Of course, she did end up giving it to Jess, after all.”

  “She what?! When?”

  Brooke frowned. “The day after James’s party. It was a loan, not a gift, of course.”

  “But with Maybelle and Tyler dead, that means Jess has nobody to repay the loan to,” Nora said. “She’s in the clear now.”

  “I…” Brooke opened her mouth and then shut it. “No, I’m sure that’s not…” She stared at Nora. “Stop it!” she said suddenly. “I hate it when you imply things about people. Jess is a good, decent person.”

 
“Good, decent people can be tempted into sinning if money’s involved,” Nora said. “How come Jess never mentioned this to anybody? Not even the sheriff?”

  “I...” Brooke shook her head. “I don’t know.”

  “Well, I don’t either. But I intend to ask her.”

  “So you really don’t think Tyler did it?” Brooke asked miserably. “I was so hoping that his death meant the end of it all. That it was a confession of sorts.”

  “I’m not sure it’s anything of the kind,” Nora said.

  “But if it’s not Tyler, then...” Brooke looked horrified at the thought. “Nora, do you really think it’s one of us?”

  “All I know is that, whoever it is, needs to be caught and brought to justice,” Nora said.

  *****

  Chapter 17

  Love and Money

  Nora readied herself early the next day, intending to go see Jess. Remembering that Jess had mentioned she'd be staying over at Natalie's house, Nora headed directly there. She just hoped Jess was there because it was time to get to the bottom of things, once and for all.

  Natalie’s house was neat as a pin from the outside, and a riot of colors, fabrics and textures on the inside. A bright yellow painting of a sunset over the ocean hung at the entrance, welcoming in visitors and giving the illusion of space. Mirrors were placed opposite windows, broadening the tiny rooms, and tapestries hung on the walls of her kitchen, giving it the feel of a farmhouse in the 1800s.

  Nora admired every bit of it as Natalie led her inside and poured her some lemonade.

  “Jess is still in bed, fast asleep,” Natalie said. “We stayed up late talking, you see.”

  Nora nodded. Even at eight in the morning, Natalie had her makeup on and was dressed in a light blue skirt-suit with an olive green silk shirt. But the makeup didn’t hide the exhaustion in her eyes or the dark circles under them.

  “I have a client meeting in half an hour,” Natalie explained, pointing to the dining table, where a computer was set up with a pair of headphones and mic. “Even if it is just videoconferencing, I have to look as professional as possible.” She rested her head against the fridge for a moment. “I wish I could cancel it all but I need my clients and, somehow, I feel being busy helps more than brooding about things.”

  “I understand.” Nora nodded.

  “Brooke messaged me earlier this morning,” Natalie said. “She…she told me about Tyler. Is it actually true? He’s gone?”

  Nora didn’t know what to say. Natalie was looking at her as though she wanted Nora to deny it, to say it was all a lie. “I’m sorry.”

  Natalie shook her head. “This is a nightmare. I don’t even know how I’ll break this to Jess. He killed himself? The sheriff’s department is saying he did.”

  Nora shrugged, wanting to remain non-committal. “I suppose we need to wait for forensics.”

  “At least it’s all over.” Natalie took a deep breath. “Horrible as it is, it’s over. Nora, can you stay? I’ll be busy with my client call and I don’t want Jess to read Brooke’s message and have no one to talk to.”

  “I’ll stay.” Nora put a hand on Natalie’s. Natalie gave her a grateful squeeze in return.

  On the kitchen counter, Natalie’s phone buzzed and Nora looked at it. The caller’s name was “Babe”. Natalie blushed. She picked it up and moved away as much as she could without appearing obvious.

  “James, I’ll have to call you back. I have a client meeting soon,” she said.

  Catching Nora’s look as she hung up, Natalie blushed. “Don’t tell Jess, okay?” she said. “But James and I…we’re…well, this whole horrible thing sort of drew us closer. I met him for a walk in the woods a few days ago to talk and clear my mind and...we decided to start dating and see where things go. He’s such a good man, and he’s been like an emotional rock for me.”

  Nora smiled, knowing she’d witnessed the start of this particular romance. “So why don’t you want me telling Jess?” Nora asked. “Are you afraid of how she’ll react?”

  “Well, she had her heart set on James for a while,” Natalie said. “I don’t know…it’s awkward. Especially the timing. I’ll tell her when things calm down a bit. She’s a good friend - she’ll understand, of course. It’s not like she and James were an item or anything.”

  “But she had dated him.”

  “In high school.” Natalie waved it away.

  “Recently, though. Wasn’t May trying to set them up?”

  Natalie rolled her eyes. “Maybelle was a compulsive matchmaker. I don’t think either of them particularly wanted it, though James mentioned he was willing to try a few dates with Jess to see how it worked out.”

  “And Jess?” Nora asked. “Did she want it to work out, too?”

  Natalie’s face colored. “I…I’m not sure. Do you think I should call the whole thing off? I can tell James that the timing just isn’t right. I don’t want to hurt Jess...”

  “No, no. Of course not. After all, if you like James and James likes you, then everyone else has no business butting in,” Nora said. “Just…” She didn’t know what to say, really. What could she tell Natalie? That she was afraid Jess might have an obsession with James? That she was afraid James wasn’t everything he seemed to be? She opted for, “Just don’t rush into anything too soon.”

  The computer gave a loud ping, and Natalie started.

  “Ok, time for my client,” she said. “Do you mind waiting in the living room, Nora? I’ll have to shut the kitchen door while I talk in here. Just half an hour max.”

  “No problem,” Nora said. “I can read a magazine or something.”

  “Thanks,” Natalie said gratefully as Nora headed out.

  *****

  The living room had big, floor-to-ceiling windows that looked out into the woods behind Natalie’s house. Nora stood at them, admiring the view. Natalie’s backyard was well kept. An old bicycle leaned up against the back of the house, while a hammock that looked as though it hadn’t been used in a long time was draped between two pine trees. The living room itself had pale-yellow sofas and purple pillows with neon-green embroidery on them - a fascinating contrast. Knitting needles sat in a basket full of yarn on one side table and Nora saw a scarf that was nearly ready sitting tucked under it.

  She sat down on the sofa and picked up a Vogue magazine. Flipping through it, she could hear the muffled sound of Natalie’s voice through the kitchen door.

  The bedroom door clicked open and Jess walked out, looking bleary-eyed, with her hair sticking up at weird angles.

  “Nat?” she called out, then froze as she saw Nora sitting on the sofa.

  “Natalie’s taking a business call,” Nora said.

  “That girl works way too hard.” Jess yawned. “I told her to take a break, but she says it’s better to keep her mind off everything that’s happening.” Pausing, Jess lowered her voice. “Nora, I got a message from Brooke. Is it true? Tyler’s body...”

  Nora nodded. “It’s true.”

  “Then…he’s really the one who killed her. He killed himself out of guilt, obviously.” Tears came to Jess’s eyes. “It’s all over. Finally.” She put a hand to her eyes, then shook herself. “It’s so hard to believe.”

  “Is it?” Nora said. “It seems like it’s very easy for you to believe. Too easy, in fact.”

  “What do you mean?” Jess looked at her sharply.

  “I know about the money Maybelle lent you, Jess,” Nora said. “Why didn’t you say anything about it?”

  “The money?” Jess stared at Nora, and Nora saw that her fists were suddenly clenched.

  “Brooke told me that Maybelle lent you the money after all,” Nora said. “Right after James’s party.”

  “Well, so what?” Jess tried to look defiant.

  “So, how come nobody knew about this?” Nora asked. “You didn’t advertise it, did you?”

  “I didn’t hide it, either,” Jess shot back. “My bank account is my private business, and I didn’t wan
t to broadcast it, that’s all. The sheriff could have checked the records any time. Besides, you were accusing me of killing her because she didn’t give me money. That doesn’t fit anymore, does it? Are you coming up with new motives to pin it on me now? What’s your game?”

  Nora shook her head. “You’ve all three been so combative since Maybelle died. I just don’t understand it. Why can’t you cooperate? Why all the secrecy and lies?”

  “You don’t get it,” Jess said. “My best friend is dead, and you stand here accusing me and my friends of murder. Why should I cooperate with you? I don’t trust you, Nora. Brooke was the one who first told me to watch out for you. And she was right. At every turn, you seem to pin suspicion on someone new, with no regards for their feelings. The other day you were accusing James, now you’re accusing me-”

  “I never accused anyone of anything,” Nora clarified sharply. “I simply asked about the holes in their stories. Take you, for example. May was your best friend, yet you feuded with her over something silly like the knitting club and told Brooke to start a mutiny. You wrote in your diary that you hated her and then tore up the page. Now you reveal that she gave you the money after all.”

  “Exactly,” Jess said. “She gave me the money and I felt ashamed of the way I’d behaved. It was a loan, of course, but still a badly needed one. I guess the prospect of having it had me so excited that when she said she might use it for a college course instead, I freaked out and behaved badly. I feuded with May, I plotted a mutiny of the knitting club with Brooke, I even wrote in my diary how I hated May. Then she turned around and told me she’d decided to give me the money after all. How do you think I felt? Like a total heel. Of course, I tore that page out of my diary so I have no idea how you even knew I did all that.”

  “When?” Nora asked.

  “Huh?”

  “When did you tear out the page in your diary?”

  “Right after she gave me the money - the day before she died,” Jess said. “I would never even have dreamed of actually hurting May.”