Dropped Dead Stitch

by Maggie Sefton

  Jennifer gazed into Kelly’s eyes. “You can stop digging, Sherlock. Dr. Norcross and I are working at the edges of it right now.”

  Kelly felt a smile start inside. “Okay. I’ll put my shovel away.” Taking another sip, she switched directions. “By the way, have you seen the rock on Mimi’s hand?”

  Nine

  Kelly polished off the last bite of huevos rancheros and chased it with Eduardo’s coffee. Glancing through the café window beside her, she watched the dark thunderheads forming over the mountains, heading their way. Thunder-storms this early in the morning usually meant it would be raining all day and maybe into the evening. One never knew. Capricious was the word for Colorado weather.

  “Hungry, were you?” Jennifer teased as she refilled Kelly’s cup.

  “Oh, yeah. Would you fill up my mug, please?” She pulled the mug from her bag. “Those clouds look like it’ll be raining all day.”

  Jennifer stared out the window. “Yeah, Pete’s had a cancellation already. We were scheduled for an outdoor event tonight, but the woman just called and switched to the rain date tomorrow night.”

  “Hey, that means you’ll be free to join all of us for pizza and beer.” Kelly watched the stream of black nectar fill her mug. “You’ve missed the last two Friday nights because you’ve been working so many catering jobs.”

  “Have to. Real estate has slowed down to a crawl. Clients are just sitting and waiting. They search the listings and call and ask questions, but they don’t even want to go out and look.” She shook her head. “I tell you, the increase in Pete’s business came at just the right time for me. It’s steadier income.”

  “That’s for sure. People will always eat,” Kelly said with a laugh as she rose from the table, her bag over her shoulder. “We’re gathering at our place right after work. So bring some chips until the pizza’s delivered.”

  “Better put Carl outside. We’ll be cheek by jowl in that cottage. You guys should think about moving into one of Steve’s houses.”

  “That’s a thought.” Her cell phone jangled then, and Kelly dug into her jeans pocket. Lisa’s voice came on the line.

  “Hey, Kelly, I wanted to tell you that Greg and I won’t be able to make it to your place tonight. We’re up to our necks with boxes and want to do a final push at packing so we can start moving into the house tomorrow.”

  “Wow, you two have really been working. You only started packing a few days ago.”

  “After Steve took us to the subdivision to pick out a house, Greg and I couldn’t wait to get there. We went to the box store that night and started packing.”

  “Would you like us to help?” Kelly offered, saluting the grill cook, Eduardo, with her mug as she walked through the café. He replied with his friendly smile. “Hey, why don’t we have the pizza delivered to your condo? We’ll gather over there and help you guys.”

  “Are you sure? That would be great. I’ll tell Greg to buy the beer. We’d be guaranteed to finish by tonight.”

  “I’ll spread the word. Looks like Jen’s gonna be free because Pete’s catering job was canceled by rain. Hey, I’ll ask Pete, too. He needs to get out more.”

  “I’m not sure this will be Pete’s idea of relaxing away from work, but we can use all the hands we can get.”

  “Okay, I’ll have the pizza delivered to your place. See you tonight.” Kelly clicked off and headed toward the kitchen area. Both Pete and Jennifer were working behind the counter. “Hey, guys, I just heard from Lisa, and she and Greg are really swamped packing boxes for their move. So I thought we’d all go over tonight and help them out. We’re ordering pizza and beer, and I figured both of you could come since your catering gig got postponed.”

  “Sure,” Jennifer agreed. “I’ll go over right after I’ve checked the office. That won’t take long, because nothing’s happening. Unfortunately.”

  Pete glanced toward the kitchen. “I’d like to, Kelly, but maybe I should stay here and get some things prepared. You know, work ahead.”

  Kelly gave him an indulgent smile. “Pete, if I know you, you’ve already worked ahead. You need a break. Now, I know that packing boxes sounds like work, but it’ll be a lot of fun with all of us. Plus, you don’t have to cook.”

  Jennifer gave Kelly a “I-know-what-you’re-up-to” glance, then added, “She’s right, Pete. Everything’s ready for tomorrow night. You can relax.”

  Pete’s ingratiating grin spread, and he swept that errant lock of blond hair off his forehead. “Okay, I’m in.”

  “Would you grab another slice of pizza when you bring the boxes?” Steve called to Kelly as she wove her way around the already-packed boxes that filled Lisa and Greg’s living room.

  “Will do,” she said as she maneuvered past Jennifer in the small, cramped kitchen. “Whoa, you’ve cleared practically all the cabinets, Jen. Fantastic.” Kelly grabbed some pizza and napkins and loaded two more flattened boxes under her arm.

  “Kitchen duty is slow, but you simply can’t throw all these spices and small stuff into a box.”

  “Why not?” Marty asked from across the living room where he was packing books from the two tall bookcases along the wall.

  Megan tossed a roll of packing tape his way. “Now you know why I don’t let you in the kitchen.” She returned to loading compact discs and DVDs into a box.

  “Remind me never to let Marty downstairs with the fridge and freezers. Too much temptation,” Pete added with a grin as he packed silverware in towels and linen napkins.

  “Got that right,” Jennifer called from the kitchen.

  Greg wrapped newspaper around dinner plates before loading them into a box. “Maybe we should put one of those electronic collars on Marty. That way we can zap him when he tries to open a fridge.”

  “I think we need two collars,” Megan said, clearing another shelf. “One for you, too.”

  “Comin’ through,” Kelly said as she made her way back to the hallway where Steve was almost finished with a storage closet. The linen closet was hers. She handed Steve his pizza, then sank her teeth into a double-cheesy slice. “Ummmm, I love cheese.” She glanced over her shoulder. “Where’s my ale?”

  “I drank it,” Steve said before devouring his pizza slice.

  “Man, I can’t trust you.”

  “Helped get me through the closet,” he said, folding the next box into shape.

  “Greg, could you hand me another Fat Tire, pretty please?” she called down the hall.

  “Coming up,” Greg said, flipping the cap off the dark brown bottle then handing it to Pete who handed it to Megan who walked it down the hall to Kelly.

  “Thank the assembly line,” Megan said as she handed it over.

  Kelly upended the bottle and let the tasty microbrew slide down her throat. Okaaaay. “Thanks, guys,” she called out.

  “It looks like the storm has let up,” Lisa said, carrying two large garment bags from the bedroom.

  “Finished loading the clothes already?” Greg asked.

  “Yep. Everybody’s working at fever pitch, and we’re almost finished.” Lisa laid the garment bags on the edge of the sofa. “Boy, we don’t have any more room to stack boxes and stuff. We can barely get around each other now.”

  “I’ve got an idea,” Marty said as he cleared the last bookshelf. “Why don’t we start taking stuff over now while the rain’s let up? It’ll clear space here, plus save time tomorrow.”

  “Inspired suggestion,” Steve said. “Let’s do it. I’ve got my truck, and Greg’s got his SUV. If everyone loads up, we can probably get most of this over to the house tonight. That’ll leave the furniture for tomorrow.”

  “Then we can come back and finish the pizza and watch the latest DVD I got last week.” Greg glanced up. “Unless Megan’s packed it.”

  “Too late,” Megan said as she taped the box shut. “All done.”

  “Not to worry, I’ve got some DVDs in my car,” Jennifer offered.

  “Okay, sounds like a plan,” Marty sa
id. “I’ll bet we can be finished packing in ten minutes.”

  “Five bucks says fifteen,” Greg countered.

  “You’re on.” Marty’s smile spread.

  “Quick, before it pours!” Kelly yelled to Steve, Greg, and Marty as they hastened across the new green lawn.

  A huge crack of thunder shook the sky, causing shrieks and laughter from the rest of her friends who had already reached the safety of the garage. The sky lit up with jagged forks of lightning. Rocky Mountain thunderstorm.

  Steve and Greg sped into the open garage just as the heavens opened up. A deluge of rain poured down. “Boy, that was close,” Greg cried, raindrops dripping down his face.

  “Close, my butt, you’re both soaked,” Kelly said, running her hand over Steve’s hair.

  “Hey, is it raining in here?” he joked as droplets fell into his eyes. “I’d better check the roof.”

  “To heck with the roof, let’s get this stuff inside,” Marty said, heading toward the door that lead into the house.

  “Wait a minute.” Megan held up her hand. Everyone else had picked up their boxes again and clustered after Marty. “Where does this door lead?”

  “The laundry room, why?” Lisa said.

  “Good. We can all take off our shoes so we won’t track mud and yuck all over the new carpets,” Megan said, stepping to the doorway. “Who’s got the box of towels? We can use those to dry off Steve and Greg.”

  “Better do as Megan says. She’s got her fierce face on,” Kelly said, shifting the load in her arms. Setting the box on the concrete floor, Kelly slipped out her Swiss Army knife and slit the tape then pulled out two fluffy towels.

  “Man, I ought to hire you to supervise the showings, Megan,” Steve said as he accepted a towel.

  Lisa and Megan held the door wide as the crew trooped into the house and complied with Megan’s orders. After removing shoes they wandered barefoot into the empty house, exclaiming as they explored each room.

  “Wow, Steve, this is so pretty,” Megan said, glancing up at the vaulted ceiling of the spacious great room.

  “Cool kitchen,” Pete observed, setting his box on the counter. “Gorgeous granite. Boy, I’m impressed.”

  Jennifer set her box on the tiled foyer floor. “Notice the details . . . the decorative tiles over the fireplace, glass-top range, brushed stainless appliances,” she said in a singsong real estate agent cadence as she gestured around the great room and kitchen.

  “Jennifer’s shown several of these houses, bless her,” Kelly said, setting her box beside Steve’s on the foyer floor.

  “And sold a couple before the slowdown got bad.” Jennifer glanced around. “These are great, Steve. You’ve really put in good stuff here.”

  “Thanks, Jen. The guys and I are proud of them.”

  Marty strolled through the foyer, glancing into the adjacent dining room with bay window that lead into the kitchen. “Beveled glass, cool tile. Like the carpet, too. Really nice, man.”

  “Uh, guys . . .” Lisa said. “We’ve got a slight problem. Since we haven’t brought the furniture over, we can’t unpack the boxes yet. There’s no place to put this stuff. Except the garment bags, which we can hang in the bedroom closet.”

  “Oooops.”

  “So much for the brilliant idea.”

  “Oh, the rain’ll let up in a few minutes, I bet,” Megan said, glancing toward the great room wall that was lined with windows.

  Another sharp crack of thunder made everyone jump with nervous laughter.

  “Then, again, maybe not,” Kelly said.

  “We can pass the time by trying out their master bath,” Marty suggested with a devilish grin. “There’s a cool Jacuzzi tub. And we’ve got a box of towels.”

  “Dude, no way you’re getting in my tub.”

  “Why don’t we relax and wait till the storm lets up,” Jennifer said, settling on the great room floor, cross-legged.

  “Is there a pack of cards in one of those boxes?” Greg asked, plopping onto the carpet.

  “No cards, but I think this is the box with board games.” Steve slipped out his pocketknife and opened the box he brought to the foyer. “Yep. There’s Speedy Trivia, Monopoly, and Battleship.”

  “The Speedy Trivia is mine,” Lisa said, slipping to the carpet beside Greg. “I forgot I still had it.”

  “Hey, I love that game,” Marty said, sinking to the floor. “I used to play it in college. Late night sessions instead of studying.”

  “You weren’t out chasing girls?” Kelly teased as she joined the semicircle that was forming on the floor.

  Marty grinned. “No, the only things I chased in college were tennis balls. Had to keep my grades up to keep the scholarship.”

  “I can relate to that,” Steve said as he sat on the floor beside Kelly and placed the board game in the middle of the circle. “I had to do the same to keep the baseball scholarship.”

  Lisa opened the box and scanned the directions. “Okay, it’s coming back to me. There’s a different category of questions each round, and everybody starts with a hundred points. Then one person at a time reads the question and works the timer.” She pulled out a small gadget. “The reader winds up this buzzer thing, and everyone has about ten seconds to answer. The first person with the right answer gets twenty points. The next person with the answer gets ten. Everyone else loses ten points. Except the reader. Whoever is ahead at the end of the round of ten questions is the winner.”

  “Hey, I remember that game,” Pete said, settling beside Jennifer.

  “Wow, you gotta move fast,” Kelly said.

  “It’s kind of like the television show Jeopardy, but you don’t have to answer in a question,” Jennifer explained. “I used to watch those quiz show reruns when I was working my first real estate sales agent job. I was at a builder’s site south of town, and no one came in. Talk about bor-ing. So, I turned on the kitchen television while I waited for clients to show up.”

  “Man, I hope this market doesn’t come to that.” Steve closed his eyes and leaned his head back.

  “Okaaaay,” Greg said, grabbing the lined score pads and pencil in the box. “Looks like the reader keeps score. This box is pretty worn. How old is this game?”

  “Pretty old. I remember playing it with my dad and mom when I was growing up. Maybe that’s why I’ve never thrown it away.” She examined the outside of the box, smiling. “This box brings back a lot of memories.”

  “Okay, I’ll start off as reader, then we go clockwise after that,” Marty instructed, reaching for the buzzer.

  “How do we choose the categories?” Megan asked, leaning back on her elbows.

  Lisa studied the inside of the box again. “Uhhh, I think you start off. Yeah, that’s it. The reader makes the first choice, and we go straight down the list of categories.” She pulled out a dog-eared piece of paper. “Here they are. And here’re the category cards.” Her eyes lit up. “Wow, do I remember these. I used to study up on the category cards when I was a kid, hoping I’d remember the answers. My mom and dad were super at this game.”

  “Okay, so we know who’s gonna win,” Kelly said, relaxing back on her hands.

  “Not necessarily.” Marty took the stack of cards from Lisa. “It’s not enough to come up with the answer. You’ve got to come up with it fast. That’s the tricky part.”

  “Okay, this time limit has peaked my interest. Let’s get started. See how fast we all are.”

  Steve grinned. “Spoken by the bike racer.”

  “All right,” Marty said, checking the category list. “I pick World History to start off.”

  “Uh-oh, I only took a couple of those courses in college. Accounting ate up my schedule.” Kelly looked over at Steve. “I don’t think I’m gonna be very good at this, partner.”

  “Well, I took several courses, but I’ve probably forgotten everything by now,” Steve said.

  “Everybody understand how this goes?” Marty asked, shuffling a deck of blue cards. “I’ll r
ead the question and push the timer. We’ve got ten seconds.” Placing the shuffled cards beside Megan, he said. “Cut.”

  “Sure thing.” Megan obliged. “Can I take a peek?”

  Marty looked shocked. “No! That’d be cheating.”

  “I was only kidding.” Megan rolled her eyes, then put the cards beside him.

  “Megan, I hope you know this, because I can’t answer. One of the most successful rulers of the Holy Roman Empire during the eighteenth century had a forty-year reign, sixteen children, and is credited with being the savior of the Hapsburg Dynasty. Okay, here goes.” He pushed the timer. A metallic whirring noise sounded.

  Kelly could barely understand the question and turned to Steve. “Do you know—”

  “Empress Maria Theresa of Austria,” Pete and Jennifer answered together. They both looked at each other and burst into laughter. The buzzer buzzed.

  Greg’s mouth dropped open. “Whoa! That wasn’t even five seconds. Were you guys History majors or something?”

  Pete gave a modest smile. “History and Literature.”

  “Hey, same here,” Jennifer said. She and Pete grabbed hands in a jock handshake, laughing softly.

  Steve looked at Kelly. “We’re in deep trouble, partner.”

  “Don’t I know it.”

  “Didn’t you take any History courses?” Marty teased Megan as he handed her the stack of cards.

  “Yeah, but it wasn’t Speed History,” Megan said. “I had the name, but I just couldn’t come up with it that fast.”

  “So, twenty points each for Jennifer and Pete, and minus ten for the rest of us.” Marty scribbled on the score pad. “Darn it! I knew that one, too,” he said with a frown.

  Megan made a face at him while she shuffled the cards. “Let’s see how fast you are.” She set the deck in front of him.

  Kelly smiled to herself, watching supercompetitive Megan and equally competitive Marty react to losing a game. Neither one of them had much experience at losing.

  Greg clapped his hands together. “Okay! Now, that we all see what we’re up against, let’s get serious. I had that name on the tip of my tongue, too. Couldn’t get it out fast enough.”