A Killer Stitch (15 page)

Kelly
slipped through the front door of her cottage and stamped the snow from her running shoes. “You were smart to stay inside, Carl. It's brutal out there.”

Carl gave her his humans-are-crazy, brown-eyed doggie stare. Even chasing after squirrels in this weather was curtailed.

Peeling off her jacket and scarf, Kelly headed toward the bedroom and a hot shower. The cell phone's jangle stopped her.

Burt's voice came over the line. “Kelly, I know it's early, but I wanted to let you know. I spoke with my friend with the county police, and he said several of Diane Perkins's bar buddies gave statements to Peterson about her actions that night. So I'm afraid that Diane has definitely moved to number one on Peterson's list. I'd be surprised if he didn't ask her to come down to the department for more questions this week.”

Kelly felt even colder. “Oh, brother. I hope she holds up better this time.”

“Yeah, I feel kind of bad, too,” Burt admitted. “She seemed like a nice girl when I met her this weekend. It's too bad. But, you know, Kelly, she did lie to the police.”

“Because she was afraid,” Kelly found herself replying.

“Or she was drunk. I know she looks okay now, but remember, she was known to drink so much she had blackouts.”

“I know,” Kelly agreed reluctantly. “But those barflies aren't Diane's friends. They're gossipmongers, that's all.”

“Maybe so, Kelly, but Peterson will sort it out. Listen, I'll see you later at the shop, okay?” Burt said before hanging up.

Kelly tossed the little phone to her bed then stripped and stepped into the shower. Hot water. That's what she needed. Hot water and lots of it. She turned the handles and steaming water poured into her face. Kelly closed her eyes and pictured Lieutenant Peterson. Peterson, the pit bull. He was relentless. Would another interview push Diane off the wagon again?

“More,
Eduardo, more. Here's a second cup,” Kelly instructed, handing an empty cup across the counter.

“Kelly, we're going to have to cut you off,” Pete teased, as Eduardo obligingly filled both mug and coffee cup. “You're addicted. Have you thought about joining Coffee Drinkers Anonymous?”

“Stop, Pete, you don't know what she's like without caffeine,” Jennifer intervened, slipping into her winter jacket. She beckoned Kelly to walk with her. “Listen, Kelly, I'm off to the office now, but I've got a lead on this Gary guy. You remember, he's the one at the bar I talked about?”

“Yeah, he's the guy who did a deal with Derek, right?”

“Right, and Derek screwed him, too,” Jennifer said as she wrapped a peacock blue and mint green knitted wool scarf around her neck. “I've been trying to track him down, but it's like looking for a needle in a haystack. I mean, I wasn't sure if he was a real estate agent or a developer or what.”

They wove around and through the customers milling about the knitting shop. Less than two weeks before Christmas. Last chance for help with projects.

“You could ask Steve,” Kelly suggested as they reached the entryway, only to step aside for more customers who were escaping from the cold into the shop's inviting warmth.

“I was going to, but there was a message on my cell this morning. Another agent returned my call, and she thinks she knows him. I'm going to talk with her this afternoon.” Jennifer pulled a matching wool knit hat over her lustrous auburn hair. She looked at Kelly with concern. “Wish me luck. It may be a straw in the wind, but I don't know anything else to do to help Diane.”

Kelly hesitated, not wanting to add to her friend's concern, but she had to. “I had a call from Burt this morning. He said several of those barflies gave Peterson statements about Diane and her behavior and her threats to Derek. He says it doesn't look good. Peterson will want to interview her again.”

Jennifer closed her eyes. “Damn, damn,
damn
,” she whispered. “They're jackels! All of them at that bar. I swear, I'm never going back there.”

Kelly took a deep breath, hoping Jennifer was serious. Maybe something good would come from this tragedy. “I told Burt that, too, not in the same words, of course.” She gave Jennifer a smile.

“I've got to go,” Jennifer said, checking her watch. “Listen, I'll let you know what I find out from that agent, okay? I'm not ready to throw in the towel.”

As she watched her friend exit into the blustery cold, three other customers entered, snowflakes glistening on their winter coats. Kelly stepped out of their way and headed toward the library table, hoping there was a seat left in the holiday crush. Spying two empty chairs, Kelly made a beeline for the one closest to Lizzie, who was instructing a fellow knitter beside her.

“Hello, Lizzie,” Kelly greeted, then pointed to the colorful red and green bows adorning Lizzie's silver hair. “You're looking all Christmasy. Very pretty.”

Lizzie dimpled, cheeks flushing rosy. “Why, thank you, dear. How sweet of you to notice. Tell me, did you finally send that scarf to the gentleman in Denver? How did he like it?”

Kelly pulled out another skein of alpaca wool from her bag, this one black and white and gray, resembling a tweed. “I sent it on Saturday, so he should be receiving it soon.” She started casting the tweed alpaca onto her knitting needles. “I sure hope he doesn't hold mine up next to Jennifer's. She knitted a scarf for his partner, Ronnie. I'm afraid mine won't do well by comparison. I mean, I could still see little mistakes and stuff.”

Lizzie gave a dismissing wave of her hand. “Don't worry, dear. We all find those mistakes, especially when we're starting out.”

“I'll bet you and Hilda never made mistakes.”

The other knitter beside Lizzie giggled as she rose from the table, shoving her yarn into a large purse. “I'll bet they didn't, either. Lizzie and Hilda went straight to master level.”

“Oh, bosh.” Lizzie blushed, waving at the departing knitter. “You two exaggerate so.”

Kelly returned to her casting on, counting until she had the required amount, then she began the knit stitch once again.

“Are you doing another scarf, dear?” Lizzie inquired, looking up over her eyeglasses, her fingers working a peach mohair yarn.

“I decided that I deserved a warm alpaca scarf, too, so this is my Christmas present to myself.” Her fingers picked up speed as she settled into the knitting rhythm. The holiday hubbub swirled around them and others chattered away at the table, while Kelly and Lizzie knitted quietly.

Finally, Lizzie broke the meditative spell. “I've made it a point to spend some time every day with Lucy,” Lizzie said, leaning closer. “I've been trying to gain her confidence.”

“That's wonderful, Lizzie.” Kelly gave her a huge grin. “See? I told you she needed mothering.”

Lizzie knitted silently for a few minutes more, then spoke up. “I fear she may need more than that, dear. I couldn't help myself, I had to say something. She looked so anxious and sorrowful since that dreadful incident. So I told her I was worried about her and asked if there was something bothering her. I promised she could tell me anything. I was hoping to inspire a healing conversation. Well, the poor thing burst into tears. I took her aside and tried to comfort her. And when I asked if there was anything I could help her with, well, she blurted the whole sorrowful story to me.” Lizzie shook her head, clearly saddened by what she heard.

“She told you about the baby?” Kelly asked, relieved that Lucy had opened up at last.

“Yes, she did. And just as we feared, she hasn't been to a doctor yet. I told her I'd be happy to take her, but she acted like she didn't hear me.” Lizzie looked up at Kelly with a worried frown. “Instead of accepting my offer to take her to the doctor, she asked me about my church and the priests. She wanted to know if the priests listened to people and tried to help them. I told her that they did, and she immediately begged me to take her to see the priest. I was so taken aback, that I agreed. I called Father Riley to explain the situation, and he said he'll gladly spend some time with Lucy.” Lizzie shook her head again. “Poor little thing. Perhaps he can get through to her.”

“When are you taking her?”

“This afternoon. I declare, it was the only way I could calm her down.”

Kelly mulled over what Lizzie said, glad that Lucy had responded to Lizzie's nurturing, but wondering why Lucy was so adamant about wanting to see a priest. The stitches added row upon row as Kelly knitted, tweed alpaca piled in her lap.

“She worries me, Kelly,” Lizzie said softly. “There's something else bothering Lucy, I fear. Something else that's haunting the poor child.”

Kelly let Lizzie's concerns sift through her, letting them resonate with her own worries about Lucy, as she added row upon row of tweed stitches. Lucy's reactions were so extreme. Or were they? A stray wisp of a thought drifted from the back of Kelly's mind.
Why would Lucy want to see a priest? What did she want to confess?

Was something else simmering inside Lucy? Something other than being pregnant and abandoned and alone? Kelly knitted on those thoughts for several minutes, but no answers came. Not a one.

Whrrrr!
The tennis ball whizzed past Kelly as she raced to the sideline. Too late. Once again, Marty's skillfully placed shot landed right inside the baseline, kicking up a puff of gray dust.

“Man, you've got one wicked backhand, Marty,” she yelled as she retrieved the ball. “I thought you said you hadn't played in months.”

“Haven't played since September,” he called across the net, where he danced along the baseline.

“I'm glad we don't have to actually play you guys,” Steve said as he strolled toward the net, beckoning Kelly.

Kelly was only too eager to join him. This might have been a friendly practice session, but she and Steve were getting their butts kicked. Megan's and Marty's shots were a passing blur. She didn't have a prayer getting to most of them in time. Even when she did, it was all Kelly could do to pull off a stroke. Placement was out of the question. Steve hadn't fared much better, she noticed. Talk about being outclassed.

“I think Steve and I have seen enough,” Kelly said with a smile as Megan and Marty approached the net. “Megan, you'd be nuts not to take Marty as your partner.”

“Hey, thanks, guys,” Marty said, grinning as he bounced a tennis ball on his racket. Perfect control, Kelly noticed. How did he do that? she wondered.

Megan gave a dramatic sigh, glancing first at her friends then to her partner. “Yeah, I have to admit, he's good.”

“Told you,” Marty teased. “Poetry in motion.” He danced about, still bouncing the tennis ball.

“I wouldn't go that far,” Megan countered. “But I confess, you surprised me. You're good. Real good.”

Steve snorted. “Marty's better than good, Megan. I expect you two to take that championship.” He reached over and touseled Kelly's hair. “Kelly and I will be washed out tomorrow night.”

“Ohhhh, yeah,” she agreed. “I've seen our opponents play. We're gonna get our heads handed to us. Hopefully, it'll be merciful and quick.”

“Listen, guys, we hate to rush off, but Kelly and I have reservations at the Jazz Bistro for dinner. So we've gotta run.” Steve's arm dropped around Kelly's waist, urging her off the court.

Kelly took the hint and waved goodbye to a surprised Megan and a grinning Marty. “See you later, guys.”

“You want to hit some more?” Marty asked Megan as Kelly and Steve headed for their warm-up suits at the edge of the court.

“Smart move,” Kelly whispered to Steve as she pulled on her warm-up, watching Marty effortlessly jump over the net to the other side of the court.

“Just doing my part to move things along,” Steve said with a wicked grin.

“Refresh my memory. Do we actually have reservations for tonight?” Kelly asked as she slipped on her winter jacket.

“We will as soon as I call from the truck,” Steve said with a wink.

The
stoplight turned green, and Kelly moved ahead in traffic. Everyone seemed to be doing holiday shopping at the same time she was today. Cars clogged the streets, intersections, parking lots. Everywhere that Kelly went, the shoppers were sure to go. She'd resigned herself to completing only half of her holiday gift list today.

Her stomach growled. Food would help. At least it would get her off the crowded streets for a while. Spying her favorite “boutique” coffeehouse up ahead, Kelly assumed she'd never find a parking spot at the busy shop, until—wonder of wonders—a car backed out of a spot right in front of her. She grabbed it. Parking good fortune! Clicking the car lock, Kelly wound her chunky wool scarf tighter around her neck and walked toward the popular coffeehouse.

Her cell phone jangled, and Jennifer's anxious voice came across the line. “Hey, where are you? I thought you'd be at the shop this morning, and you haven't answered your phone.”

“I'm out in the holiday crush, shopping,” Kelly replied, noticing the cheerful expressions on the faces of the people who filled the streets of Old Town. Holiday mood. “I suddenly realized the Lambspun shop party is this Sunday, and I hadn't bought a thing. So I'm playing hooky from work today.”

“And tonight, too, I hope,” Jennifer said. “I found out all about that Gary. His name's Gary Livingston, and he's really making my antennae buzz. He's been involved in some shady deals. So I was hoping you could come with me to the bar tonight so we can grill the bartender. Maybe learn something that will help Diane.”

Kelly sighed inwardly. She really didn't want to go out tonight, especially to that bar. Listening to the description of the patrons, Kelly doubted she'd fit in. But…she'd promised Jennifer.

“Okay, but it'll have to be later this evening, and only for an hour. Steve and I have to show up at the tennis arena and get our butts whipped for charity. So it'll be nine before I can join you.”

“Why don't I pick you up at your house?” Jennifer suggested. “One hour max, I promise. We'll go in and flirt with the bartender, Ted, and see what we learn. It can't hurt.”

“Oh, yeah, it can,” Kelly countered as she paused in front of the coffeehouse door, stepping aside for customers entering and leaving the busy place. “You know I don't flirt well. I'll probably scowl at him instead, and he'll clam up.”

“Oh, you know how to flirt, all right. You do it all the time with Steve.”

Even though she heard the tease in Jennifer's voice, Kelly couldn't resist taking the bait. “I do not,” she protested.

“Yeah, you do. You smile and act coy and shy all the time.”

Coy?
Kelly cringed at the word.
“Coy!”
she snapped. “I've never been coy in my life!”

“Ahhhh, I think I hit a nerve.”

“You did not!” Kelly continued to spew, even though people's heads turned as they walked by. She moved to the edge of the pavement, near the cars. The better to straighten out Jennifer's thinking. “I'm…I'm just annoyed that my natural hesitation is being misconstrued. That's all.”

“Hesitation?” Jennifer's voice turned incredulous. “What the hell are you hesitating about? Steve's a great guy and he's obviously crazy about you. Why hesitate?”

“I…I…”

Jennifer didn't wait for the answer. “You're just scared of taking it to the next level, that's all.”

“I am not,” Kelly said, not as vehemently as before.

“Yes, you are, but we'll have to talk about that later. Right now, I'm pulling into the office parking lot. Call me when you finish the tennis game, all right?”

“Why should I?” Kelly complained petulantly, still smarting from Jennifer's arrows. “Maybe I won't come. You can go flirt alone.”

“Yes, you will. You promised, remember?”

“You are so annoying.”

“I know. It's one of my finer traits. See you tonight.” Jennifer clicked off.

Kelly frowned at the little phone, forming the rest of her well-rehearsed arguments. She'd give Jennifer an earful tonight. She didn't like being teased. Never had. Why did everyone tease her? Kelly wondered. What was it about her?

All annoyance fled, however, the moment Kelly entered the coffeehouse. The aroma of coffee enveloped her, heavy and redolent. Dark. Rich. Seductive. Black gold. She inhaled deeply and headed for the counter.

A woman vacated an inviting stuffed armchair along the wall, and Kelly claimed the prize, tossing down her coat and scarf. First, parking good fortune, now, comfy chair luck. Clearly she was meant to stay in the inviting environment and relax for a while. Holiday shopping and crowds could wait.

Without even perusing the extensive menu board above, Kelly recited her familiar and healthy order. “I'll have the chicken and walnut salad and a large black coffee to—”

She paused. Her gaze fell on the glass display case, where sinfully rich, decadent desserts beckoned. Normally she could withstand their siren calls, but not today. She was tired of crowded streets and stores and…and annoying friends who loved to tease. Nope. No healthy salad today. If there was ever a time for decadence and chocolate, this was it.

“Cancel that. I'll have the Black Forest chocolate cherry thing,” she ordered, pointing at the dessert. “I need some chocolate.”

“Chocolate coming up,” the young barista said with a genial smile, obviously used to patrons losing all willpower in her presence. “And coffee, right?”

Kelly nodded, until…she spotted the holiday beverage menu overhead, decorated like the rest of the old-fashioned shop, with draped greens and tinsel. “Does that really say chocolate mint hot chocolate?”

“Oh, yeah. We sell a lot of that during the holidays. As well as the gingerbread spiced latte. It's got cinnamon and cloves and allspice and—”

“Stop,” Kelly said with a laugh, holding up her hand as she handed over her credit card. “I'm sold. I'll have the hot chocolate now and the spiced latte later.”

Awaiting her order, Kelly checked her cell to see if she really had missed calls. Indeed there were two in addition to Jennifer's. Jayleen and Steve had also called earlier, when the noise of shopping obviously drowned out the cell phone's ring—especially buried in her purse.

Waiting for Steve to answer, Kelly scribbled her signature and managed to balance hot chocolate, dessert, and cell phone through the crowded coffeehouse to her comfy chair.

“Hey, there. I called earlier, but missed you.”

“That's because I was out shopping for presents. We have the Lambspun holiday party next Sunday, remember? I totally forgot and hadn't bought a thing.” Kelly took a bite of the Black Forest wonder. The chocolate melted on her tongue.

“Me, either. Thanks for the heads-up.”

“Plus, I needed a break from the crowds, so I'm at the coffeehouse,” she said, admiring the huge version of Van Gogh's
Starry Night
adorning the wall in front of her.

“You're eating, I can tell.”

“Yep. Some decadent dessert. The shoppers made me do it. Too many of them. And the traffic.” She took another bite and hummed loudly into the phone.

Steve laughed. “Sounds like chocolate. You only make that noise when you're eating chocolate.”

Kelly stared at the blues and yellows in front of her. Chocolate noises? She didn't know she had chocolate noises. “You're right. Good guess.”

“I don't guess. I pay attention.”

Well, he did, she had to admit. She took another bite of decadence then a sip of the rich mint hot chocolate. “Oh, did I mention the mint chocolate hot chocolate?” she tempted.

Steve chuckled. “That traffic must really be bad, from the sound of it. Why don't we grab some of that good stuff after dinner tonight? I thought we could try out that new Indian restaurant.”

Now Kelly was really sorry she had to join Jennifer tonight. Maybe she'd let annoying Jennifer fend for herself. But, then…she'd promised.

“Darn it, that sounds wonderful, but I can't tonight. As soon as we get thrashed at the courts, I have to go barhopping with Jennifer.”

“Excuse me?”

“I know, I know. Believe me, I'd much rather be having Indian food with you, but I promised her,” Kelly added before she consoled herself with the last Black Forest bite.

“We really do have to restrict your caffeine. You're starting to hallucinate.”

“No, really. Jennifer wants to grill the bartender about some guy who threatened Derek Cooper in the bar one night. I know it sounds crazy, but she's trying to do everything she can to help Diane.”

“Yeah, it does sound crazy. Why does she need you?”

“To keep her company, I guess. Help her flirt with the bartender, whatever.” She took another sip of hot chocolate. The sugar had kicked in and a general lethargy seeped into her veins now. The shop was so cozy and comfortable and filled with tempting goodies, just like the knitting shop. Except there was food, not yarn, tempting her here.

“Since when does Jennifer need help flirting? Never mind, I don't want to go there,” Steve said with a sigh. “In fact, I think I'll go holiday shopping after the match. With luck, I can get something for everyone before the stores close.”

“Men. I don't understand how you can shop like that.”

“It's called efficiency.”

“Yeah, yeah, yeah.”

“You'd better have some coffee. You're getting drunk on that chocolate. We've gotta play a few hours from now.”

“I'll get coffee after this. Uh, after the spiced latte, that is. I'm taking that to go.” Kelly drained the cup, licking the rim.

“Sugar high, if I ever heard one. We'd better forfeit tonight.”

“Naw, I'll be fine,” she promised, wondering again how Steve could tell so much from the sound of her voice. He really did pay attention. A stray thought swam through the sugar to the surface. “Hey, Steve, let me ask you something. Am I coy?”

“How's that again?”

“Jennifer says I'm coy with you. She says I flirt by being coy. I told her she was nuts, but I wanted to check with you.”

“Coy, huh?”

“Yeah. I don't think I'd know how to be coy if I tried. But, you know Jennifer.”

“Yeah, I know Jennifer. Coy, hmmmm. Let me think.”

He was teasing her, Kelly could tell. But she was so mellow with chocolate, she didn't even care. “C'mon, stop teasing. Tell the truth. Am I coy?”

Steve laughed softly. “No. You're Kelly. You're you. You're unique.”

Kelly pondered that. She wasn't coy. She was unique. She liked that. See? Steve knew her. Jennifer was off base.

“Unique, huh? Good. I like that,” Kelly said, admiring the imitation Van Gogh.

“Listen, forget that latte and order some espresso right now, or you'll still be sitting there looking at
Starry Night
when we're supposed to be playing.”

Whoa
. Kelly sat up. “How'd you know I was looking at the painting?”

“I told you, I pay attention. Go get some espresso, and I'll see you at the courts later,” he said amiably before clicking off.

Kelly stared at the phone. Boy, he really did pay attention. Glancing toward the counter, she was just about to get up and order the espresso when her cell phone rang again. She sank back down in the comfy chair's embrace. Clearly, she was meant to be here for a while.

Eugene Tolliver's voice came on the line. “Kelly, your scarf arrived yesterday, and it's lovely. In fact I'm wearing it now. How thoughtful of you to make that for me. And with your own little hands.”

Kelly heard the sound of laughter and responded in kind. “You're welcome, Eugene. Even though my own little hands aren't as adept as Jennifer's. I do hope you didn't compare your scarf to Ronnie's.”

“Don't be silly. Your scarf is absolutely beautiful. My scarf, now, thank you very much. And that's the other reason I'm calling. Ronnie and I will be driving up to Fort Connor this weekend, and we'd love to take you and Jennifer to lunch. That way we can thank you in person.”

“Eugene, you don't have to drive all the way here in that awful holiday traffic to thank us.”

“It is awful, isn't it? I swear, it gets worse every year. It almost makes me yearn for those earlier days when Denver was still dusty and undiscovered. Ah, well, we cannot impede progress, I suppose.”

“Well, you can certainly stay out of it. No need to drive in for lunch—”

“Actually, my dear, lunch would only be part of the reason we're coming. Ronnie was absolutely captivated by the yarns Jennifer used in the scarf, and now he's simply consumed with fiber fever, I believe you called it. He's intent upon taking a class with your mentor and shop owner, Mimi.”