Hooks Can Be Deceiving

by Betty Hechtman

  I found something in the pages Mason had given me about our planned trip that changed Marianne’s life. When we had our do-over gathering, I showed the piece to her that mentioned that there were known to be ticks in Point Reyes Station that carried Lyme disease. I reminded her how much worse she’d been when she had come back from her trip.

  She got tested and came in the bookstore several days after she got the results. Errol was with her, and she gave me a big hug.

  “I never thought I would be hopeful after testing positive for a disease. I do have Lyme disease, but it’s treatable with antibiotics. They’re already weaning me off all the mental meds. Since I’m doing it gradually, there’s no crazy seesaw of emotions.”

  I could see the difference in her already. There was a sparkle in her eyes and her face looked more animated. “The best news is no more companions. And Errol can stay home with Kelly and the kids instead of having to take care of me. And I’ll be able to tell a joke again. I feel like I got my life back, and I owe it to you.” She hugged me again and said that Errol had shown her a proposal for developing the property and she was thinking about it. Then she nudged her brother. “Errol has something to say.”

  He seemed uncomfortable, but after a couple more nudges, he finally spoke. “I’m sorry for what I did—the phone call and the other stuff. I was trying to protect my sister. That’s all I was ever trying to do—to take care of her. It’s lucky she’s better, because I wasn’t very good at it. I wish now that I had thought to help her get a second opinion when she fell apart.”

  Marianne gave him another nudge and told him to tell me the rest of it. He had a sheepish expression as he looked at me. “I’m sorry about calling the cops. When I saw you with the knife standing over Janine, I thought my sister had gotten you to help her get rid of another companion.” Marianne nudged him again and said she still couldn’t believe he’d thought she’d killed Connie.

  “It all worked out in the end,” I said, but inside I was thinking that Errol wasn’t the jerk I’d thought. More like a doofus.

  * * *

  Dinah and I celebrated the success of the shoot and the solution to Connie’s murder with a girls’ night at my place. Things were a little better at her house. Cassandra’s visit was almost over, but Dinah had overheard her on the phone telling someone she was thinking of moving back to town.

  My son Samuel finally came home with his new girlfriend in tow. She was a musician as well, and they were planning to do some gigs together. Though, I was a little concerned when she brought a dog with her and then left without remembering to take it with her.

  * * *

  The night after the taping, Mason called and asked if I’d come over. “Sunshine, there’s something we need to talk about.”

  The words and his serious tone made my stomach do flip-flops as I drove over. He had the front door open before I’d even gotten all the way up the walk.

  Spike seemed to be aware of his master’s mood, and the toy fox terrier barely yipped when I came in the door. Mason gave me a welcome embrace and took me back to the den. I kept waiting for him to talk about whatever was on his mind, but instead he insisted on making us cappuccinos, maybe as a stalling tactic.

  He put the frothy drinks on the coffee table, but he didn’t join me on the couch.

  “What is it?” I said. “The suspense is killing me.” For the first time, he noticed the worried look on my face.

  “I’m sorry. It’s nothing terrible.” He reached down and gave my arm a reassuring squeeze. “I’ve been thinking about this for a while, but the thing with Michael was the final straw. I didn’t think he was responsible for his wife’s death, but even if I had, my job would have been to do whatever I could to get him off. And then the thing with Connie Richards and almost you.”

  He looked down at the ground. “Is that who I want to be?” He answered with a sad shake of his head. “The answer is no. It’s time to make some changes. I’m not giving everything up at once, but I want to devote some time to pro bono work, maybe working with the Innocence Project.” He gave it a moment to sink in before he continued. “It’ll mean changes in my life.” He was looking at me directly now. “How do you feel about that?”

  “I completely agree,” I said. “The whole thing with Michael was so upsetting. What a relief that you see it too.”

  Mason suddenly looked as if a weight had been lifted off of him, and he sat down next to me and cuddled close. “It doesn’t mean we won’t still have fun or take that trip to Point Reyes Station.”

  “We’re bringing insect repellent,” I said with a smile and leaned in closer.

  * * *

  By Monday, the bookstore was back to normal, at least until the next taping. When five o’clock rolled around, the Hookers gathered for happy hour. It was just the core group for a change. There were no Make-and-Take projects to worry about or hovering over Rory to see if she could crochet. We had all pulled out our own projects and were happily crocheting and talking about our lives the way old friends do. I thought how lucky I was to have them.

  * * *

  When I got home from the bookstore that night, it was raining. A definite oddity for April in Southern California, where the rainy season seemed to end in February. The flagstone patio was just getting wet and had a dusty smell of rain as I walked across it. I could see the greeting committee waiting by the door. With the upcoming tapings, there was always lots to do, and I seemed to come home later every night.

  Cosmo and Felix ran outside, not caring if they got wet. I managed to keep Mr. Kitty and Cat inside. I was glad to find a note from Samuel that he’d been home and taken care of all their needs. Though I did still get Blondie out of her chair and bring her across the house. She joined the other two outside.

  I was looking forward to having dinner, watching a romantic comedy, and forgetting about everything. When the dogs were back inside, paws wiped, and treats given, I put the movie on and heated up some leftover soup.

  I was surprised when the phone rang and more surprised at who it was.

  “It’s Barry,” he said. “Can I come in?”

  I hadn’t seen him since the whole thing with Michael. Any dog care had been taken care of when I wasn’t home. He hadn’t given a reason for his visit, but I said okay and went to the front door. I was surprised to see him come running up the stone walkway, but then it was raining.

  Droplets glistened in his short dark hair and on his suit with no wrinkles, but this time his tie was pulled loose.

  I stepped aside and he came in.

  We stopped in the entrance hall, and I waited to see the purpose of his visit. He didn’t say anything for a minute, and I finally looked at him and said, “Well…,” and gestured with my hand, hoping to get the ball rolling.

  “You’re probably wondering why I’m here,” he said, and I nodded enthusiastically. “I know I said you were off the case, but I have to admit, you bring things to the table that I don’t.”

  “Yeah, like maybe nabbing the killer,” I said.

  “And you almost got yourself fried in the process,” he said. I saw his shoulders drop, and he started looking frustrated. “But there would have to be parameters. No more keeping stuff from me, and absolutely no investigating on your own.”

  “Really?” I said. “You actually do want my help?”

  “I wouldn’t call it help as much as giving me your take on things.”

  “You’d have to tell me stuff, too. None of this one-way street business.”

  “You’re going to be difficult, aren’t you?” he said.

  “What do you think?”

  “And here we go,” he said with a smile.

  “C’mon, you wouldn’t want it any other way.”

  “Is that what you think?” He shook his head in disbelief. Then he seemed to give in and blew out his breath. “I guess we’ll have to work it out as we go along,” he said. “When I get a case I think you can help on, I’ll be in touch.” He turned to leave. />
  “I was just going to have some soup,” I said. “Want to stay?” As if there were a chance he’d say no.

  CeeCee’s Gratitude Circle

  Easy to make

  Supplies:

  15 ft. 20-pound cord

  2 9mm beads

  Small piece of thin wire to thread the beads

  Size D/3 (3.25mm) hook

  Stitches used: chain (ch), slip stitch (sl st)

  Directions:

  Leaving a 6-inch tail, ch until approx. 35 inches long. Turn work, sl st into second ch from hook, sl st across. Join with sl st to make a circle. Fasten off, leaving 6-inch tail.

  Tie the two tails together inb a double knot. Slide one bead on each tail; knot several times, making sure knot is big enough to hold bead on. Trim tail near knots.

  To wear, wind around wrist several times.

  Elise’s Color Square

  Easy to make

  Size: approx. 47 × 47 inches

  Supplies:

  4 skeins Lion Brand Homespun in 4 complementary colors

  1 skein Red Heart Super Saver, black

  Size K/10½ (6.50mm) hook

  Large-eyed needle

  Stitches used: chain (ch), double crochet (dc), slip stitch (sl st), half double crochet (hdc)

  With color A of Homespun, ch 3 and join to form a ring with sl st.

  Round 1: Ch 3, work 2 dc in ring, (ch 2, work 3 dc in ring) 3 times, ch 2, sl st to top of first ch 3.

  Round 2: Sl st over dcs to ch 2 corner space, ch 3 (counts as first dc), work (2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in same corner ch 2 space, {ch 1, work (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in next ch 2 corner space} 3 times, ch 1, sl st to top of first ch 3.

  Round 3: Sl st over dcs to ch 2 corner space, ch 3 (counts as first dc), work (2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in same corner ch 2 space, {ch 1, *work 3 dc in next ch 1 space, ch 1*, work (3 dc, ch2, 3dc) in next ch 2 corner space} 3 times, ch 1, work 3 dc in next ch 1 space, ch 1, sl st to top of first ch 3.

  Round 4: Repeat round 3, repeating * to * as many times as necessary to get to corners.

  Repeat round 4 two times, and on the last round at the sl st, attach the black yarn (6 rounds of color A).

  Repeat round 4 with black yarn, and at sl st change to color B of Homespun.

  Repeat round 4 for 6 rounds. On sl st of last round, change to black yarn (6 rounds of color B).

  Repeat round 4 with black yarn, and at sl st change to color C of Homespun.

  Repeat round 4 for 5 rounds. On sl st of last round, change to black yarn (5 rounds of color C).

  Repeat round 4 with black yarn, and at sl st change to color A of Homespun.

  Repeat round 4 for 3 rounds. On sl st of last round, change to black yarn (3 rounds of color A).

  Repeat round 4 with black yarn, and at sl st change to color D of Homespun.

  Repeat round 4 for 4 rounds. At last round, sl st and ch 1. Sc evenly around, making 3 sc in each corner, and at sl st to first sc, change to black yarn.

  Edging:

  Round 1: Sc around, making 3 sc in each corner. Attach to last sc with sl st.

  Round 2: Ch 2. Hdc around, making 3 hdc in each corner. Attach to last hdc with sl st.

  Round 3: Ch 1. Sc around, making 3 sc in each corner. Attach to last sc with sl st. Fasten off.

  Weave in all ends.

  Molly’s Chinese Jelly

  2 cups milk

  ½ cup half-and-half

  3 tablespoons sugar

  1 envelope unflavored gelatin

  1 teaspoon almond extract

  Sprinkle gelatin on half-and-half to soften and let sit while heating milk and sugar to almost boiling. Add hot milk and sugar mixture to half-and-half and softened gelatin. Stir until gelatin is completely dissolved. Add almond extract and stir. Pour into bowl and chill until set. Approx. 5 servings.

  Rhoda’s Cake for a Break

  Cake:

  2 cups unbleached flour

  ½ teaspoon salt

  2 teaspoons baking powder

  ¾ cup sugar

  ½ cup butter, cut into cubes

  1 egg

  1 cup milk

  1 teaspoon vanilla

  Topping:

  4 tablespoons unbleached flour

  10 tablespoons brown sugar

  1 teaspoon cinnamon

  4 tablespoons butter, cut into cubes

  For cake: Sift flour, salt, baking powder, and sugar. Cut in butter with a pastry blender. Break the egg in a measuring cup and beat. Add milk to egg to make 1 cup. Beat egg and add to dry ingredients with the vanilla. Mix to form a soft dough. Pour into a greased 9 × 13–inch pan.

  For topping: Combine the flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Cut in the butter with a pastry blender until the mixture is crumbly.

  Sprinkle topping on and bake at 350 degrees for approx. 25 minutes.

  Also available by Betty Hechtman

  Crochet Mysteries

  On the Hook

  Hooking for Trouble

  Seams Like Murder

  Knot Guilty

  For Better or Worsted

  If Hooks Could Kill

  Behind the Seams

  You Better Knot Die

  A Stitch in Crime

  By Hook or By Crook

  Dead Men Don’t Crochet

  Hooked on Murder

  Yarn Retreat Mysteries

  A Tangled Yarn

  Gone With the Wool

  Wound Up in Murder

  Silence of the Lamb’s Wool

  Yarn to Go

  Author Biography

  Betty Hechtman was born in Chicago, Illinois and on a particularly eventful weekend graduated college, got married and moved to Los Angeles, California. She has a degree in Fine Arts and has had a variety of professions. Her love of mysteries started with Nancy Drew and blossomed when she began to read Agatha Christie’s books. She has been doing handicrafts since she was a child. It is like a dream come true to be able to mix mystery and yarn craft in her books.

  This is a work of fiction. All of the names, characters, organizations, places and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to real or actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  PUBLISHER’S NOTE: The recipes contained in this book are to be followed exactly as written. The publisher is not responsible for your specific health or allergy needs that may require medical supervision. The publisher is not responsible for any adverse reaction to the recipes contained in this book.

  Copyright © 2018 by Betty Hechtman

  All rights reserved.

  Published in the United States by Crooked Lane Books, an imprint of The Quick Brown Fox & Company LLC.

  Crooked Lane Books and its logo are trademarks of The Quick Brown Fox & Company LLC.

  Library of Congress Catalog-in-Publication data available upon request.

  ISBN (hardcover): 978-1-68331-884-2

  ISBN (ePub): 978-1-68331-885-9

  ISBN (ePDF): 978-1-68331-886-6

  Cover illustration by Jesse Reisch

  Book design by Jennifer Canzone

  Printed in the United States.

  www.crookedlanebooks.com

  Crooked Lane Books

  34 West 27th St., 10th Floor

  New York, NY 10001

  First Edition: December 2018

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