Cast On, Kill Off (A Knitting Mystery)

by Sefton, Maggie

  Leann’s face flushed with obvious anger and frustration as she scowled. “That’s what’s so unfair. Everyone who looks at the two gowns sees that they’re the same. Maybe I should send a photo of my gown to the magazine. They deserve to know they awarded a cheater!” She bit off the words.

  “Why don’t you do that, Leann?” Mimi offered, patting her hand again. “That sounds like a good idea. Even if the magazine doesn’t change the winners, you will at least get some recognition for your design.”

  Leann pressed her lips together, clearly trying to keep her emotions in check. “You bet I will,” she said, refolding the photo and shoving it inside the magazine as she closed it. “Meanwhile, I’m going to make sure I tell everybody what Zoe did. She entered my design in that contest. I’m telling all my customers, and I’ve heard she’s teaching a class tonight. I think I’ll go over there and warn those students to keep their ideas to themselves around Zoe.”

  With that, Leann turned and rushed from the shop as fast as she’d come in. Kelly looked over at Mimi and saw her friend’s face crease with worry.

  “Oh, no. I don’t think that’s a good idea, Kelly,” Mimi said.

  “I agree, Mimi.” Kelly nodded her head. “That is definitely a bad idea.”

  Five

  “Hey, perfect timing,” Lisa’s voice called across the driveway separating the Lambspun shop from Kelly’s cottage. Kelly was walking down the concrete walkway that led from her front steps past the planters filled with shade-loving purple and white violas mixed with lavender impatiens.

  “Are you coming or going?” Kelly asked as she crossed the driveway. “I’m substituting a knitting break for a coffee break between client accounts. Tomorrow I have to be in Denver all day.”

  “I finished with my physical therapy clients for the day and had some free time, so I headed here,” Lisa said, standing on the sidewalk leading to Lambspun’s front door. “Also I’m curious how your date with Steve went last night.”

  Kelly couldn’t keep from smiling. Her friends were so funny as they tried to keep their curiosity in check these past few months. Every time she and Steve had lunch or dinner together, one of her friends would call and ask “how it went.” Like clockwork.

  Jennifer, Megan, and Lisa took turns checking on what Kelly referred to as the “Kelly-Steve Project.” She had no doubt that after they received an update from her, they would share it with the others. And whenever Kelly joined the gang for a Friday night get-together, there were more questions. Subtly phrased, of course. Everyone was cautious so as not to appear to be pushing. Everyone except Megan, that is. Megan left no doubt what her agenda was: getting Kelly and Steve back together as a couple. She was a more dramatic version of Burt. Kelly simply smiled through all attempts.

  “We’re going tonight. Steve had to reschedule his flight due to a late meeting,” Kelly said as they headed toward the front steps.

  “Jazz Bistro, right?” Lisa asked.

  “That’s right. I called and rescheduled us—”

  Just then, Mimi rushed out the front door, her face ashen. “Kelly! Lisa! Come inside, quickly! There’s someone here from the women’s shelter. Zoe is dead! She was found in her car in the church parking lot last night.”

  Kelly halted on the steps, held in place by the shocking news. “What?”

  Lisa gasped beside her. “What happened? Did that brute Oscar get to her?”

  Mimi raised both hands in a helpless gesture. “I don’t know! The woman doesn’t know, either. It’s so awful! She got here a few minutes ago to tell me because the shelter had my name as the place where Zoe was working during the day. Quick, come inside.” Mimi beckoned, then hurried through the door again.

  Kelly and Lisa rushed inside the knitting shop after Mimi. Customers were still browsing the yarn bins and tables, wandering about the inviting rooms. Any other time Kelly would be tempted to pay attention to the sensuous fibers that spilled from the baskets and bins along the wall. But not now. She followed after Mimi, who was weaving a path through the central yarn room, then around the corner to the hallway which led to Pete’s Café. The café would be empty of customers and staff this late in the afternoon. A perfect place for a private conversation.

  Mimi approached a table at the back of the café, where a tall, slender woman stood in tee shirt, jeans, and sneakers. She looked to be in her forties.

  “I’m sorry to keep you waiting, but I wanted to bring in two of Zoe’s friends to hear all this. They helped Zoe move out of her house and escorted her safely here to the shop. She could never have gotten away from Oscar without them!”

  The woman gave Kelly and Lisa a wan smile. “That was good of you two. I’m Rhonda, and I help out at the shelter in the late evenings.”

  Both Kelly and Lisa extended their hands to the woman and introduced themselves.

  “How did this happen, Rhonda?” Kelly asked. “Zoe was supposed to be safe at the church teaching a class that night.”

  “Was it Oscar?” Lisa demanded. “Did he kill her? That bastard!”

  Rhonda shook her head. “We don’t know what happened. I was the one who was supposed to pick up Zoe after her class last night. But when I arrived at the church, I saw the parking lot filled with police cars and an ambulance. I’d never met Zoe, but I spotted a woman inside her car, so I drove into the lot. I thought she might be sick or something.”

  Rhonda paused and took a deep breath. “A police officer came up and told me they were blocking access to the parking lot, and I would have to leave. I explained to him that I was there to pick up Zoe Yeager and take her to the women’s shelter. He looked kind of surprised, then told me to wait right there. Then he went to talk to another man, not in uniform, and that man came over to see me.”

  Kelly pictured the imposing Detective Morrison. She and Lieutenant Morrison had squared off with each other several times over the years. Morrison had frowned at Kelly’s sleuthing at first. “Was he tall with bushy gray eyebrows?”

  Rhonda looked surprised. “Why, yes . . . yes, he was. Do you know him?”

  “That’s the chief homicide detective, Lieutenant Morrison, and he’s very thorough. Tell me, what did he ask you, Rhonda?”

  “He wanted to know exactly who I was and wrote down my name and what hours I worked for the women’s shelter every week. He also wanted to know why Zoe was staying at the shelter.”

  “Because of that brute of a husband, Oscar!” Mimi blurted out. “He chased the three of them all the way from Zoe’s house here to the shop when she was bringing her things. He was following Kelly’s car, blaring his horn. He . . . he even threatened Kelly! She stood in front of the door after Zoe had escaped inside!”

  Rhonda looked down. “I asked the detective if Zoe was sick or something, and that’s when he told me she was dead.”

  “What else did Detective Morrison ask you, Rhonda?” Kelly prodded.

  “He wanted to know how long Zoe had been at the shelter, and if she had any children or other family members. I told him I thought she had a sister, but I didn’t have any phone numbers with me. I gave him the shelter contact phone so they could fill him in on the rest of the details.”

  “Well, if Zoe had her purse with her, the police would know her name and address. And her car registration would probably be in the glove compartment,” Lisa said.

  “Oscar’s name would also be on that car registration, I hope,” Kelly added.

  Mimi shook her head. “Poor Zoe. To be killed like that just when she was starting over.”

  “We don’t know if Zoe was killed or if she killed herself,” Rhonda said quietly.

  Mimi drew back, aghast. “Zoe would never do that! She was starting a whole new life! Free from that brutish Oscar. She’d even gone to talk to a divorce attorney. Burt took her over the other day.”

  Rhonda gave another wan smile. “I know how you feel. But I have seen it happen. Some women are so frightened by the idea of being alone on their own, they panic. Even with all t
he help they receive at the shelter, some women close down. If there are no children or other family members who need them, well . . . a few will fall into despair and take their own lives.” She shook her head. “It’s tragic, but we can help most of the women who come to us. That’s what keeps us going.” Mimi reached out and squeezed her arm. “Bless you, Rhonda. All of you at the shelter are saving women’s lives. I’m sure you know that.”

  This time a smile brightened Rhonda’s face. “Thank you, Mimi. We do our part.” Glancing to her watch, she began to back away. “Listen, I have to get back to the shelter. We’ve been a little shorthanded today, and they need my help.”

  “Here, we’ll show you out,” Kelly offered. “The café doors are already locked, so we have to leave through the shop entrance.” She proceeded to lead the foursome from their quiet corner down the hallway into the shop, which was empty now of customers. Rosa was straightening the knitting table in the main room, and Connie had started vacuuming the carpet in the front.

  Mimi hurried over to the front door, opening it for Rhonda. “Thank you so much for coming over and telling us. We appreciate it.”

  “You’re more than welcome. Nice to meet all of you,” Rhonda said, giving them a good-bye wave before she hurried out the door.

  “Suicide my ass,” Lisa said, hands on hips.

  “Excuse me, girls, but I need to help Connie and Rosa close up,” Mimi said, hurrying to the front of the shop.

  “I agree, Lisa,” Kelly said as they walked out onto the covered front porch of the shop.

  “When I stopped in here yesterday morning, Zoe didn’t look depressed at all. She was worried about her customers and getting her sewing done, but when I asked her about the trip, she acted excited and happy.” Lisa shook her head again. “Man, I wish Burt was here so he could find out details from the cops.”

  “Yeah, I wondered where he was. Surely Mimi would have told him. I mean . . . I had lunch with him yesterday and he had been hovering over Zoe like a mother hen all morning. Taking her to the lawyer, then to her shop—”

  Kelly stopped her sentence when she spotted Burt’s car drive around the corner of the driveway and pull into a parking place.

  “Speak of the devil,” Lisa joked. “Or in Burt’s case, an angel.”

  “You got that right.” Kelly smiled, anxious to begin her interrogation of Burt. Maybe he’d already contacted his old partner in the Fort Connor Police Department and learned something about Zoe’s death.

  Watching Burt get out of the driver’s seat, Kelly expected to see him approach the sidewalk. Instead, Burt walked to the other side of his car and opened the passenger door. Who’s that with him? Kelly wondered at first. Then she got a look at the woman exiting the car. Vera. Burt placed his arm around Vera’s shoulders as they approached on the sidewalk.

  “Who’s that woman?” Lisa asked quietly.

  “That’s Zoe’s older sister, Vera. She’s gotta be taking this hard. Mimi said she’s a spinster who’s only had Zoe and Oscar for family all these years. She helps Zoe with the seamstress work, too.”

  “Hey, that’s nice of you girls to welcome us,” Burt said as he helped Vera up the steps. She walked very slowly next to Burt.

  Kelly noticed the tears streaking Vera’s thin pale face. “Vera, I’m so very sorry to hear about Zoe,” she said, reaching out and squeezing Vera’s arm through her light sweater. Kelly didn’t feel much meat covering the bone. A skinny little arm.

  “I am, too, Vera,” Lisa said, stepping up and touching Vera’s hand. “I think I remember seeing you at Zoe’s workshop one night while she was making my bridesmaid dress last month.”

  Vera looked up, and blinked her wet blue eyes. A spark of recognition seemed to appear. “Oh, yes, Lisa. Blonde. Yours was daisy yellow.”

  Lisa smiled brightly. “Yes, that’s mine.”

  “I made that one,” Vera said softly. Glancing to Kelly, she added, “Zoe made yours.” Vera’s lower lip began to tremble.

  “Come on in, Vera. Mimi can make you a nice cup of tea,” Burt said, shepherding Vera through the front door into the shop.

  Kelly and Lisa followed after them, pausing in the foyer. Mimi noticed their entrance and raced over to Vera.

  “Vera, dear, my heart aches for you.” Mimi grabbed Vera in a big motherly hug, wrapping both arms around Vera’s thin frame. Vera responded quickly and buried her face in Mimi’s shoulder. “You’re coming home with Burt and me tonight. We’re having dinner, and you’ll stay the night. We don’t want you alone.”

  Kelly felt like she and Lisa were unnecessary presences now. Mother Mimi and fatherly Burt would take good care of Vera. She began to edge away. But first . . .

  “Burt, do you have a minute?” she whispered as she pushed the front door open and beckoned Burt and Lisa outside.

  “You don’t have to ask, Kelly. Yes, I’ve already spoken with my old partner Dan this afternoon,” Burt said. “The shelter called Mimi a couple of hours ago when I was out doing errands. She called me immediately, right after the woman arrived and told her what happened.” He wagged his head, a sorrowful expression creasing his features. “It’s so tragic. Zoe was trying to start over. And now, she won’t get the chance.”

  “How was she killed?” Kelly probed.

  “Dan said she was shot.”

  “Was it Oscar?” Lisa demanded. “It had to be! Who else would kill Zoe?”

  “They don’t know,” Burt replied. “They’re just beginning the investigation. But they did find the gun inside a Dumpster on the other side of the church parking lot.”

  “Ha!” Lisa crowed triumphantly. “I knew it wasn’t suicide.”

  “That was a pretty stupid place to dispose of the gun,” Kelly added. “Obviously the killer wasn’t thinking.”

  “Maybe the killer was scared, and simply wanted to get rid of the gun,” Burt observed sagely.

  “Well, it won’t take police long to figure this one out. Kelly and I already met Oscar. And I’d say he meets the ‘stupid and not thinking’ category to a tee,” Lisa proclaimed at her most judgmental.

  Burt simply smiled. Kelly, however, couldn’t resist repeating what he’d said earlier. “Well, the police have only started their investigation, Lisa. We’ll have to wait and see what they find.”

  “I couldn’t have said it better,” Burt replied.

  * * *

  Kelly swirled the crisp sauvignon blanc in her glass and took a sip. Delicious. Not too tart. Just right. Glancing across the lounge of the Jazz Bistro, Kelly watched other couples enjoying drinks and food and each other. Laughing together.

  From the cozy curved booth where she and Steve sat, Kelly spotted the jazz pianist, Mark, who was playing a jazzed version of a familiar standard. He looked up and caught her eye, gave her a smile, then winked. Kelly smiled back and lifted her glass in recognition.

  The effusive café owner and his wife looked ecstatic to see Steve and Kelly walk in together. Kelly had come to the café alone a couple of times and had been asked no questions. It was a great spot to sit and relax at the curved polished wood bar, enjoy a yummy appetizer, maybe a steak, a glass of wine, and listen to great music. A trio always played, sometimes a foursome. Jazz singers joined them frequently, adding their own interpretations.

  Kelly was glad she and Steve had gone out tonight. After today’s tragic news, she didn’t feel like being home alone. Here, she was surrounded by warmth, music, great food and wine, made even better by sharing with a close friend. A very close friend.

  Steve set down his wineglass and leaned over the table toward Kelly. “I’m sorry you and the others lost your friend, Kelly. Zoe sounded like a wonderful person.” He placed his hand over hers.

  His hand felt warm and brought back memories. Good memories. “Thanks. Zoe wasn’t a close friend by any means. She was more of an acquaintance. Mimi had known her for several years, but the rest of us only met her when she was making our bridesmaid dresses. Each of us went to her shop for fitting
s several times.” She took a sip of wine. “But I admired her creativity and professionalism. She’d built up her business over several years. That takes a lot of effort.”

  Steve gave her a rueful smile. “Yeah, it does. I say that calls for a toast. To small business owners, past and present.”

  Kelly joined his toast as another thought came forward. Leann’s accusations that Zoe stole her designs. Maybe Zoe didn’t build her business entirely on her own.

  Letting that thought slide away, Kelly switched subjects slightly. “You’re getting back there, Steve. Working with Sam Kaufman, you’re getting back into the game.” She gave him a warm smile. “The game you love.”

  Steve returned her smile. “Yeah, I’m back in the game at last. Thanks to Sam.” He took another sip of his wine. “And maybe, just maybe, this new deal with that custom home will help me bring something to the firm Sam has never had before.”

  “You bet. You’re an architect, Sam’s not. You can turn all those design innovations that guy wants into reality.”

  “Well, I hope so. I got a lot of new ideas from that last conference in Oregon.”

  “I’m sure you did. But you’ve been incorporating creative touches into all the homes you’ve built, Steve. I watched you do it.”

  Steve’s gaze warmed even more, and he took her hand in both of his. “This is what I missed the most, Kelly. Those first six months we were apart. Not being able to be with you. Talk with you. Hell, just having you in the same room makes me feel good.”

  Kelly met his warm gaze and placed her other hand on top of his. “I know. I felt the same way, Steve. I missed talking with you about . . . well, about everything. I missed being with you.”

  Kelly glimpsed a waiter’s movement at the corner of her eye. Steve released her hand as he moved out of the server’s way.

  “Medium rare,” the young man proudly announced as he placed the delectable-looking filet mignon before Kelly.

  Leaning back into the curved seat, Kelly met Steve’s amused gaze as the young man placed another filet in front of Steve.