A Killer Stitch (11 page)

Rosa peered up at Kelly, looking distracted. “I think they're in that cabinet behind the counter. I'd get it for you, but I have to find these needles for a customer. Ask Connie.”

Kelly was about to join Diane in line when her cell phone rang. “Be back in a minute,” she said as she hurried from the noisy sales room into an adjoining, quieter yarn room. Ellen looked up from a bin of lollipop yarns she was inspecting.

“Hey, Kelly.” Jayleen's voice came over the line. “I'm driving through the north of town now. How's Diane doing?”

“Jumpy as hell,” Kelly replied, giving Ellen a wave. “I'm drowning her in hot chocolate, hoping that will calm her down.”

Jayleen chuckled. “Hot chocolate, huh? Can't hurt. I'll be there in a few minutes.”

“What's this about hot chocolate?” Ellen asked as Kelly clicked off her phone.

“Oh, I'm just trying to calm down a friend who's strung pretty tight right now. I figured hot chocolate would be soothing,” Kelly said, fondling the same bright fluff balls that Ellen was.

“What's wrong? Is someone in trouble?”

Kelly glanced toward the library table where Lucy was surrounded by nurturing knitters. Then she looked back at the line of shoppers where Diane was standing alone, consuming the fourth hot chocolate and not talking with anyone. “Actually, she's trying to get over Derek Cooper's death, just like Lucy. Unfortunately, Diane has some other problems mixed in as well. It's kind of complicated.”

Ellen paused for a moment. “Sounds like Derek messed up lots of people's lives.” Glancing around, she asked, “Where is she? Not with Lucy, I hope.”

“Believe me, I got Diane away from the table as soon as I could. She's saving my place in line,” Kelly said as her cell phone rang again. Recognizing a client's number, Kelly pointed to the front room. “Ellen, I've gotta take this call. Could you do me a favor and tell Diane I'll be there in a minute? She's wearing a denim jacket.”

“Sure,” Ellen said with a friendly smile.

Kelly sped through the foyer and stepped outside, only to see the phone screen read
MISSED CALL
. Brother, talk about impatient clients. Checking the number, she listened for messages as she peered through the large front window and noticed Diane was almost at the register.

Phone tag could wait for later, she decided as she hurried back into the shop. Right now, babysitting Diane was more important.

“Was that you outside? I thought you were in the other room,” Diane said as she stepped to the counter. Their turn at last.

“Yeah, I had to talk to a client. Didn't someone—”

“Hey, Kelly, how can I help you?” a weary Connie asked.

“Hang in there, Connie, only a couple more hours to go.” Kelly encouraged the normally exuberant clerk. “I just need a flyer with Lucy's spinning logo on it. My friend and I need to see one.”

“Sure, let me get it.” Connie opened a lower cabinet and began flipping through file folders. “Here's one,” she said, handing a flyer to Kelly.

“Thanks, Connie, you're a jewel.” Kelly stared at the logo at the top of the sheet, beside Lucy's name. A little spider was nestled in the middle of a delicate spiderweb.
LUCY ADAIR, SPINNER AND TEACHER
was printed beside the drawing. “See, it is her logo. That's why she wears the necklace,” she said, handing the flyer to Diane.

Diane stared at the flyer for a minute. Whether she was picturing Derek or reading about Lucy, Kelly didn't know, so she gave one last deflective comment. “It's just a coincidence, Diane, that's all.”

Diane shook her head. “I don't know. It looks exactly the same. That's what's so…so spooky.”

Feeling a slight break in Diane's skepticism, Kelly ventured, “Well, when you think about it, wouldn't every drawing of a spider on a web look the same? I mean, it would have to, right?”

Diane started to nod, when Jayleen Swinson's voice cut through the shop noise. “There you are, Kelly,” she said as she strode past the customers. “Why don't you introduce me to your friend?”

Kelly sent another silent prayer of gratitude out into the heavens. “Jayleen Swinson, this is Diane Perkins,” she said, gesturing to both women.

Jayleen stepped forward, snowflakes on her denim jacket, her hand outstretched to an obviously startled Diane. “Glad to meet you, Diane. I hear you're looking for a lotta work and a safe place to land. I can offer you both.”

Kelly
hurried across the driveway toward the shop entrance, the icy wind whipping her knitted scarf behind her. The light snowflakes had been chased away in the night by a frigid storm front that threatened to bring several inches of snow by this evening. As was typical in Colorado, the storm was being introduced by strong and blustery winds. Even Carl wanted to stay inside the cottage this morning.

Stomping both feet on the sheep-shaped mat, Kelly pushed through the entry door and into the warmth. “Brrrr,” she said noisily, in case someone was nearby. Hearing no response, Kelly wiggled out of her winter jacket and left it and her bag on the knitting table in the main room. She paused for a moment to enjoy the peacefulness of the empty knitting shop, then grabbed her mug and headed toward the café and coffee.

Yawning as she rounded a corner, Kelly nearly bumped into Mimi, who had her arms laden with skeins of colorful yarns.

“Oops,” Mimi squeaked, jumping out of the way. “We've got to get mirrors for these corners.”

“My fault, Mimi,” Kelly apologized. “I wasn't paying attention. I'm still not awake yet. Didn't get much sleep last night.”

Mimi made a sympathetic noise as she walked toward an antique cabinet in the corner of the main yarn room. “You're working too hard again,” she chided as she deposited the yarns and arranged them in the cabinet. “I thought your consulting schedule was easier.”

“Well, it wasn't my consulting that kept me up,” Kelly said as she leaned against a bin that spilled over with red, white, and green striped yarns. Sock yarns, already imprinted with the colors so that, once knitted, they revealed a Fair Isle pattern. “I was at Jayleen's last night helping with her client accounts.”

“Why? Is Jayleen sick?” Mimi asked, looking concerned.

“No, she was helping a friend of Jennifer's who's a friend of mine now, I guess.” Kelly shrugged. “She's got a real drinking problem, and Jayleen was kind enough to volunteer to help her stay sober. She's up there at Jayleen's now, working at the ranch.”

“What a wonderful thing for Jayleen to do. It's…it's exactly like Vickie helping her.” She gave Kelly a maternal smile. “So, while Jayleen was helping this girl, you were helping Jayleen. How like you, Kelly.”

Kelly felt a slight flush. “Well, it wasn't only me. Jennifer was there, too, finishing all the lists for the kids' party this Sunday. Jayleen had her hands full trying to keep Diane from panicking.” She gave another big yawn. “Boy, I need some coffee, bad.”

“How late did you stay?”

“Actually, all night. Both Jen and I fell asleep about two this morning, then woke up and came back into town early.”

“Goodness, have you had breakfast yet? C'mon, I'll join you.” Mimi didn't wait for Kelly to answer, taking her arm instead and escorting Kelly down the hallway and into Pete's café. They settled at a bay window table where they could watch the snowstorm approach over the mountains.

Jennifer walked over, coffeepot in hand. “You look as bad as I do,” she joked as she filled Kelly's mug.

“Just keep this coming. I've got to catch up on my work today. This weekend is going to be super busy with the kids' party and decorating Curt's ranch house.”

Jennifer took both their orders and hastened away, while Kelly indulged herself with Eduardo's rich brew, hoping to stay awake in front of the computer. Glancing across at Mimi, she decided to take a risk. Maybe it was sleep deprivation, whatever. Kelly decided it was time.

She leaned forward over the table and—in her customary go-for-it manner—jumped in. “You know, Mimi, I've noticed that you've been looking radiantly happy lately. And I think I know why.”

Mimi looked at Kelly, obviously startled. “Wh-what do you mean?”

“Mimi, you and Burt make a great couple. Everyone thinks so. There's no reason to be shy about it.”

Mimi's cheeks flushed a bright pink. “How—how did you guess?”

Kelly decided to fess up. “Well, I didn't notice at first. Actually, Lisa and Jennifer figured it out first, then they told me.”

“How did they know?” Mimi rasped, clearly clueless.

Kelly gave Mimi a wicked smile. “They saw you and Burt having lunch and dinner together. And laughing together. And gazing at each other with that special look.”

This time, Mimi went crimson, her hands at her cheeks. “Oh, goodness! Does everyone know?”

“Pretty much,” Kelly teased. “C'mon, Mimi. It's nothing to be embarrassed about. Burt's a great guy, a jewel. And you're an absolute sweetheart who's been alone too long. You two belong together. I can't think of a more perfect couple.”

Mimi found her smile. “Thank you, Kelly. I was hoping you all would be pleased. You're my family, you know.”

Kelly reached out and patted Mimi's hand. “You're family to me, too, Mimi. So take it from one of your ‘Lambspun daughters,' it's time to tell the world that you and Burt are dating. In fact, you could announce it on Sunday at the party.”

Mimi laughed softly. “Dating again at my age. Who would have thought?”

Kelly was about to say something reassuring to “Mother Mimi” when Jennifer approached with their breakfasts. The scent of bacon tickled Kelly's nose and swept away everything except hunger.

Her
chin in her hand, Kelly closed her eyes as she sat in front of the computer screen. Two minutes. That's all. Maybe she could drift off for a couple of minutes. Kelly felt the warm fuzzy sleepy feeling close in around her—until her cell phone rang.

Startled awake, Kelly rasped into the phone, “Kelly here.”

“Whoa, Kelly, you do sound sleepy.” Burt's warm voice came over the line. “Mimi told me you and Jennifer were up at Jayleen's last night. How's Diane doing?”

“Well, she was pretty bad off, Burt.” Kelly decided to be totally honest. Maybe it would strike some sympathetic chord. “She was shaking like a leaf, trying to stay sober, scared to death by Peterson, and on top of everything else, her boss fired her yesterday morning. Right before Peterson knocked on her door.”

Burt paused. “That's too bad.”

“Yeah, it sure is. Make sure you tell Peterson, would you? Apparently he really turned up the heat on Diane yesterday. That's why we called on Jayleen. She's been in this situation and pulled herself out.”

“So now she's trying to help Diane Perkins?”

Kelly yawned. “Yeah. Jayleen's got her up at the ranch, working with her today. Tonight they're coming into town for an AA meeting.”

“That's admirable of Jayleen to do that.”

“I thought so, too, so that's why Jen and I went up there. We helped out with other chores so she could talk with Diane.”

“Let's hope it takes,” Burt said, his voice sounding a shade less judgmental than before, Kelly noticed. “I wanted to let you know that I passed along your comments about other people visiting Derek Cooper that night. Apparently, Diane told Peterson yesterday that she saw a car driving up when she left.”

“Did they find out anything?”

“My friend said there were several voice messages from girls on Derek's cell phone. One of them was garbled and static-filled, but they could pick out a few words, like ‘I need to see you,' then static again. They couldn't tell much. But there was another message that was clearer. Sounded like a jilted girlfriend who held a grudge.”

“Could they trace either of the numbers?”

He shook his head. “Pay phones.”

“Darn it. I was hoping that would lead somewhere. Jennifer learned Derek had a fight with another guy at the bar last month. Apparently this other guy, Gary something, had a business deal that Derek promised to invest in, then pulled out of it at the last minute. Jennifer said the bartender told her this Gary went after Derek in the bar when he found out.”

“Did this Gary threaten Derek?”

“Not then, but two guys had to hold him back. Just like Diane,” she couldn't resist adding. “But the bartender also said Gary came in a week later telling people, ‘One of these days Derek Cooper will get payback.'” Kelly paused. “That sounds like a threat to me, Burt.”

“I'll pass it along, Kelly. Does Jennifer know Gary's last name?”

“She's looking into it,” Kelly said, then remembered something else. “By the way, Burt, could you check to see if Derek Cooper was wearing a gold chain when the police found him? The chain had a charm, too. A spider on a web.”

“I'll ask, but I don't recall my friend saying anything about a chain. Anything else on that laundry list of yours?”

Kelly joined Burt's soft laughter, then decided to surprise him. “Yeah, matter of fact, there is. You and Mimi make a great couple. Just for the record.”

Burt paused for several seconds. Kelly pictured him weighing his responses. “I figured you gals would catch on eventually,” he said with a chuckle.

“Yeah, you can only fool us for so long.”

“I'll remember that.”

“Why don't you come clean at the party and tell everyone?”

“We'll think about it. By the way, Jayleen hasn't given me a list yet. What should I bring?”

“Jennifer's bringing the lists to the shop today. We've all got marching orders, and Jayleen is running this show, so we'd better stay in step,” Kelly joked. Listening to Burt's laughter, Kelly added, “By the way, Jayleen will be bringing Diane Perkins with her. She'll be helping with the party, too, so promise me you won't scowl at the woman and scare her to death.”

“I promise. It sounds like Jayleen is really babysitting her. I wonder what would happen if Diane got ‘off-leash'?” he said, a touch of skepticism in his tone.

“Hey, Jayleen knows what she's doing with Diane. We're simply following her lead. If helping with a kids' party will help Diane, then it's doing double duty, in my book,” Kelly said emphatically.

“I hope you're right. And for your sake, I'll give Diane Perkins the benefit of the doubt.”

“That's all I ask, Burt.”

“Hit
me with your best shot, Pete,” Kelly said, leaning her empty mug over the counter.

Pete glanced up from the refrigerator where he was storing homemade pies. “You're in bad shape today, Kelly. Both you and Jen are like walking zombies. You'd better get some sleep tonight.”

Kelly tried to hide another huge yawn. No luck. “Believe me, that's on my to-do list. But I have to finish this client first.” Watching Pete fill her mug, steam rising from the top, the vision of bourbon pecan pie flitted through her sleep-deprived brain. “Uhhhh, while you're at it, give me a slice of that wicked pecan pie of yours, too. I'll save it for a reward after these accounts.”

Pete's genial face spread with a familiar grin. “Will do. Lots of brown sugar and alcohol. That'll do the trick,” he said, chuckling. “One slice of pecan pie, coming up.”

“Make that two.” Curt Stackhouse's voice came from behind Kelly. “Sit for a spell, Kelly, and share that pie with me.” Curt strode to a nearby table and claimed it with his gray Stetson.

“I'll watch you eat it, Curt,” Kelly said as she joined him. “If I have that sugar and whiskey now, I'll be asleep on the keyboard the rest of the afternoon.”

“What's the matter, Kelly? Steve keeping you up nights?” Curt teased, a twinkle in his eyes.

Kelly tried to give him a reproving scowl, but the slight blush she felt staining her cheeks defeated the effect. “Matter of fact, no. As if it were any of your business, which it's
not
, I might add.”

Curt simply winked at her, then dove into the pecan pie that Pete placed before him. Kelly was about to chide her mentor, friend, and second-father figure, when Pete spoke up.

“Kelly and Jennifer spent most of the night up in the canyon at Jayleen's, helping out a friend. That's why they look wasted,” Pete said.

“Thanks, Pete. I appreciate that.” Kelly poked him in the arm before he retreated to the kitchen, laughing.

“What's happening at Jayleen's that she needs your help?” Curt asked between bites.

“It's kind of a long story,” Kelly demurred, not wanting to invade Diane's privacy any more than she already had.

“It's a big piece of pie. I've got time.”

Curt could be as determined as Steve when it came to wanting answers, so Kelly related the entire convoluted story of Diane Perkins and Derek Cooper. Curt concentrated on the pie until it was finished, then signaled to the waitress for coffee, before he turned his attention to Kelly.

“You know, that's real admirable of you and Jennifer wanting to help your friend. And I'm not at all surprised that Jayleen would go out of her way to help the girl, especially since she's walked that same road herself.” He wagged his head slowly. “But did you and Jennifer consider the possibility that this Diane really is the killer? And if she is, you've put Jayleen in jeopardy.”