“Hummph! What friends?” Hilda fumed.
“Hush, Hilda!” Lizzie shushed.
“I have a feeling Claudia doesn’t even know about Juliet’s death,” Burt said from the corner, fingers working the roving as it fed onto the wheel. “She probably never knew Jeremy was seeing someone else.”
“Self-absorbed, of course.”
Lizzie simply rolled her eyes and didn’t respond.
But Kelly did. “Keep it to yourself, Hilda. They’re coming this way, and Mimi will not be pleased at your barbed comments,” she warned.
“Amen,” Burt said over the hum of the wheel.
Hilda darted a look at Claudia and Mimi as they approached. “Archangel Michael, give me strength.”
“Why don’t you take a seat over there next to Burt?” Mimi suggested as she led Claudia into the room. “I’ll have the café bring us some tea and chocolate.”
Claudia darted a quick glance around the table. “Good morning,” she said in an uncharacteristically hesitant voice. Clearly, Claudia’s confidence had taken a beating during the last few days.
“Good morning, Claudia,” Kelly said, sending her a bright smile. “It’s so good to have you back. We’ve missed you.”
“And all the saints!” Hilda declared.
Claudia gave a little start, then glanced at Hilda before scurrying around the table to a chair beside Burt. Refuge.
“I’m so glad you came, Claudia. The shop isn’t the same without you.” Lizzie beamed, her rosy cheeks dimpling.
Hilda gave a snort, but said nothing.
Mimi gave Claudia a dazzling smile. “I think we all need some hot chocolate. To celebrate the holidays, right? After all, it’s the season of good cheer.” She clamped her hand firmly on Hilda’s shoulder, causing the elderly knitter to glance up. “I’ll be sure to make yours extra sweet, Hilda. It sounds like you need it.” With that, Mimi spun around and stalked out of the room.
Burt bent his head, ostensibly to focus on his spinning, but Kelly spotted the unmistakable signs of laughter.
“I’d like some hot chocolate. How about you, Claudia?” Kelly gave her a smile.
Claudia sent a small smile in return and withdrew the nearly finished magenta shawl. “That would be nice.” Then she glanced up, and what color had come to Claudia’s face drained away in an instant. She stared toward the central yarn room, blue eyes huge.
Kelly turned to see what on earth had caused such a change and saw two Fort Connor police officers walking through the yarn room, heading their way.
“Burt, I think we have visitors,” she said in a quiet voice.
Burt glanced up, spotted the approaching officers, and rose from his place at the wheel. “Can we help you, Officers?” he offered as he walked around the table.
Kelly darted a look at Claudia. She was staring openmouthed at the officers, who now stood in the archway between the two rooms. With their broad shoulders, police paraphernalia, and weapons on their hips, they seemed to fill the opening. The officers looked completely out of place amid the soft, warm, and fuzzies of Lambspun.
“Are you the owner of this shop?” the blond officer asked Burt when he drew nearer.
“No, Officer. The owner and manager is in another room right now, but I can get her for you,” Burt replied. “Is there a problem?”
“Not with the shop, no, sir,” the dark-haired officer said. “We just want to ask some questions, that’s all. We’re looking for a woman who is reported to be a regular customer here.”
Burt paused. “Do you have a name?”
The blond officer consulted a notepad. “Yes, sir, we do. We’re looking for Claudia Miller. Are you acquainted with anyone by that name?”
A gasp escaped from Lizzie, and she clamped her hand over her mouth. Kelly let her knitting drop to her lap, and glanced over at Claudia again. Claudia was shaking like an aspen leaf in fall.
Burt addressed Claudia in a gentle voice. “Claudia, these officers want to ask you some questions. Would you like for us to leave the room or would you like us to stay here with you?”
Claudia opened her mouth, but nothing came out at first. She licked her pale lips and tried again. “Stay . . . please,” she said in a tiny voice.
Burt turned to the officers again. “I’m sure you officers don’t mind if Mrs. Miller has her friends around her while you’re asking questions.” More a statement than a question.
Both the young officers looked at each other. The darker-haired one replied. “Actually, we’ll need to take Mrs. Miller down to the department, sir. You see, we’re following up on a stolen automobile report from the Sarasota, Florida, police department.” He glanced at his notepad again. “Mrs. Miller is charged with stealing a 1999 Ford Taurus, green in color, license number 233234, on or about the date of October tenth of this year. Charges were filed yesterday by the family of the vehicle’s owner, one Mary Ann Howard, who is now deceased.”
A strangled cry came from Claudia, and she clapped both hands to her mouth, her whole body shaking. Burt stepped beside her and placed his hand on Claudia’s shoulder.
“Do you have a warrant for Mrs. Miller’s arrest, Officers?” he asked quietly.
“Yes, sir, we do.” The blond officer pulled a paper from his shirt. “We’ve also located the vehicle in question, parked at the Happy Traveler Inn on East Mulberry Street, near the interstate. It has been impounded and is being taken to the police garage at this time.”
“I believe you’re presently residing at that motel, Mrs. Miller, is that correct?” the other officer asked.
Claudia didn’t answer. She just nodded her head, her hands still at her mouth. She was white as a sheet.
Burt pulled out the chair beside Claudia and took both her hands. He held them between his as he spoke in a gentle tone. “Claudia, these gentlemen need to take you downtown to the police department. I’ll be glad to come with you if you’d like.”
Claudia turned a terrified gaze to his. “Y-y-yes, please, please . . . don’t leave me alone,” she begged.
Burt patted her hands and rose. “Don’t worry, Claudia. I’ll be right there beside you. Do you have a jacket?”
Claudia stared blankly. “Uh, no . . . no.”
Burt reached over and helped Claudia to stand. It took a second try. The first time, her legs seemed to give way beneath her. “Officers, would you be so good as to contact my old partner, Detective Dan Patterson, and tell him I’ll be accompanying Mrs. Miller?”
Kelly had held her tongue throughout the entire shocking episode but could no longer. “Burt, do you want me to call Marty? Claudia will need a lawyer.”
“You’re right, Kelly. Give Marty my cell number,” Burt said as he half-escorted, half-pulled Claudia around the table toward the officers of the law waiting for her.
“Here we go, everyone, hot chocolate,” Mimi cheerfully announced as she rounded the corner, carafe in hand. She came to an abrupt stop and—like Claudia—went white as a sheet. “Burt . . . what’s the matter? Is Claudia sick?”
“No, I’m just accompanying her to the police department. These officers have a few questions. I’ll call you as soon as I can,” Burt said as he and Claudia reached the archway. The two officers had already retreated into the central yarn room, heading for the front door.
The café waitress following behind Mimi nearly crashed into her with the tray she was holding. Her eyes popped wide at the sight of Claudia and Burt leaving with the police.
“What . . . what was that all about?” Mimi surveyed the shocked faces around the table. Tears already trickled down Lizzie’s pale cheeks. Even Hilda looked shocked, either that or appalled.
“The Florida police filed an arrest warrant. They’ve charged Claudia with auto theft, just like Burt said they would,” Kelly explained. “Now the Fort Connor police are taking her in. Burt’s going with her because she’s scared senseless, as you can see.”
“Oh, no . . .” Mimi breathed, quickly setting the carafe upon the table.<
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Kelly shoved the alpaca scarf back into the knitting bag and dug out her cell phone as she rose from the table. “I’m calling Marty. Claudia needs a good lawyer, and she needs one right now.”
Checking the directory for Marty’s number, Kelly punched it in as she headed into the central yarn room. She was startled into a stop when she saw someone in the corner.
Sheila. Standing in the corner out of sight, clearly watching and listening to the entire incident.
She glanced at Kelly briefly before turning her back and walking toward the front of the shop. It was a quick look, but it was long enough for Kelly to glimpse Sheila’s expression. The light of triumph shone in her eyes.
Ten
Kelly pushed away her half-finished breakfast. She didn’t have her usual appetite this morning. Even Eduardo’s huevos rancheros couldn’t tempt her today. Leaning both arms on the café table, she looked across at her friends. “Thanks, Marty, for coming to Claudia’s rescue yesterday. Talk about short notice. I’m glad I caught you in your office.”
Marty draped his arm across the back of Megan’s chair. All decked out in lawyerly dark gray suit and burgundy silk tie, there was no hint of the impish court jester who lurked within the conservative exterior.
“I’m glad I was able to help, Kelly. If ever there was someone who needs legal counsel, it’s Claudia Miller. That’s quite a list of charges waiting for her in Florida. Auto theft, theft of an electronic device, and credit card fraud.” He shook his head, his usual smile missing. “She nearly fainted listening to the judge read the list of charges at her hearing. Burt had to hold her up.”
Megan toyed with a teaspoon, stirring her cup of tea. “Poor Claudia. I feel so sorry for her.”
Marty sipped his coffee. “At least Burt was able to arrange her bond so she didn’t have to go to jail.”
“That was sweet of him to do that,” Megan said, leaning back in her chair. “But then, Burt’s a sweetheart.”
“Yeah, he is,” Kelly added. “And make sure you send me your bill, Marty, okay? I don’t want you to—”
Marty interrupted her with a wave of his hand. “No charge, Kelly. I was glad to do it. I haven’t felt so needed in years. Ever since I had to stop taking pro bono clients.”
Megan grinned at her boyfriend. “Well, you could always tell those corporate clients that you’d rather work with the poor. If you really want to feel needed, that is.”
“Maybe in a few years. The corporate cases pay really well, so it becomes addictive. But you’ve got a point. I have thought about it,” he said, suddenly earnest.
“Marty, I was only teasing you.” Megan placed her hand on his arm.
“Yeah, I know,” he said, good-natured grin returning. “But it’s something I miss. So it’s always been in the back of my mind.”
“What will happen to Claudia once she’s turned over to the Florida police? Were you able to find someone to represent her down there?” Kelly asked.
“Yeah, I was able to contact my buddy in Florida, and his firm has an office in Sarasota. He said they’ve got some younger associates on staff that do pro bono work, so one of them will represent Claudia when she returns.”
“Where will she stay?” Megan asked, clearly concerned. “I mean, she gave up her apartment in the retirement home. And Sheila certainly won’t let her stay in her former house.”
Kelly gave a wry laugh. “Hardly. I saw Sheila lurking around the corner yesterday when the officers were here. She was obviously eavesdropping.” She scowled at the memory. “I swear, that is one bitter woman. She had this triumphant look on her face.”
“Well, I hope she’s satisfied now that Claudia’s been dragged away by the police.” Megan’s pretty face frowned. “I bet she was the one who told the police where to find Claudia.”
“Oh, for sure,” Kelly agreed. “Sheila admitted she was calling the Sarasota cops every day to check on the progress of the stolen vehicle charges. She was waiting to see if a report had been filed in the national database yet.”
Marty nearly choked on his coffee. “You’re kidding!”
“Nope. You can ask Burt.” Kelly leaned back in her chair, realizing her shoulders were tensed. “She even admitted that she tracked Claudia to Fort Connor with credit card receipts.”
“No way,” Marty countered.
“Yeah, way,” both Kelly and Megan chimed together.
“We were there in the shop when she marched in and confronted Claudia.” Megan shook her head. “So, Sheila should be satisfied. She’s won. And Claudia will be dragged to jail in defeat.”
“Wow, she’s one heck of an investigator,” Marty said.
“I have to admit, as a part-time sleuth myself, Sheila’s pretty impressive,” Kelly said.
Megan arched a brow. “Part-time sleuth? Are you thinking about sniffing around for clues again, Sherlock?”
“Naaaah. This case is already solved, right, Marty? I mean, Claudia’s caught red-handed with the stolen car and credit card in her possession and no proof she didn’t steal it. I have to agree. It doesn’t look good.”
“You know, you never answered my question, Marty,” Megan continued. “Where will Claudia stay once she gets to Florida?”
Marty drained his cup of coffee. “Actually, Claudia will be a guest of the state of Florida while she’s there.”
Megan brightened. “Oh, really? Why, that’s wonderful. Will they put her up in a hotel, you think?”
Marty gave her a big grin. “I love you.” He leaned over and kissed her.
Megan looked surprised at Marty’s response, but Kelly immediately picked up on Marty’s train of thought. “I think Marty means Claudia will be in jail.”
“Oh, no!” Megan said, shocked.
“I’m afraid so,” Marty said as he rose from the table. “Gotta get to the office. See you tonight, hon.” Pointing to Kelly he added, “Aren’t we meeting you guys on the court tonight?”
Kelly had almost forgotten. “Oh, yeah. You’re right. Maybe we’ll beat you. One game at least.”
“You’re getting too close for comfort,” Marty said with a wave as he headed for the café door.
Megan met Kelly’s gaze. “Good Lord. I cannot imagine Claudia in jail.”
“Neither can I,” Kelly commiserated. “When Burt and I talked to Claudia the other day, he mentioned she’d be taken to the jail for booking, and Claudia flipped out. She was nearly hysterical just thinking about it.”
“Where is she now?”
“Burt said Lizzie’s staying with her at the motel. Bless her heart. Lizzie’s a lot tougher than she looks. We’ve gotta give her credit.” Kelly looked up and saw Mimi approaching. “Here comes Mimi. Do you have time to bring her up to speed on what Marty said? I really need to get back to my client accounts.”
Megan nodded. “Sure, my consulting has already slowed down for the holidays. Corporate IT always does. I’m going to catch up on e-mail here at the shop today. Sit and knit and catch up.”
Kelly pushed back her chair. “You mean, sit and knit and gossip about Claudia, right?”
“Was that Marty I saw leaving? What’s happening with Claudia?” Mimi asked as she approached, pointing to the door.
“Megan will update you, Mimi. I’ve gotta get some work done now, so I can drop in this afternoon and finish Steve’s scarf. See you guys later.” She gave them both a wave as she headed for the café doorway.
At the rate that gossip and news spread via the Lambspun network and around the knitting table, Kelly had no doubt that the table would be crowded this afternoon with knitters and gossipers alike.
Kelly could hear the sound of voices coming from Lambspun’s main room the moment she stepped into the foyer. Too loud to be a buzz. It was a cacophony of sound. Voices rising and falling. Excited voices. Angry voices. Kelly peered around the corner into the room.
Whoa. The knitting table was beyond crowded. People were wedged into the room so tightly it looked like they’d need a shoehorn
to dislodge them. Chairs were shoved everywhere around the table, in the corners, and spilling over into the doorway to the classroom. Any more bodies, and it would be declared a fire hazard.
She hesitated in the archway leading between rooms and surveyed the scene. No sign of Mimi or Burt. They were probably preparing for the bazaar. Boxing up inventory or whatever. Or, maybe they were steering clear of the heated discussions taking place.
Kelly scanned the faces around the room. There wasn’t a calm expression visible anywhere. The passion of strongly held opinions was evident on every face. Everyone seemed to be arguing. Loudly arguing, too. The topic of discussion, of course, was the now-disgraced Merry Widow, Claudia Miller.
Claudia was a self-absorbed, conceited, arrogant, man-hungry gold digger. Claudia was a funny, fun-loving social butterfly. Claudia was a thief. Claudia was innocent. It was calculated and deliberate. It was all a misunderstanding.
Kelly noticed the room appeared to have divided into two camps around either end of the knitting table. Hilda held forth from her favorite spot at one end of the table. Sheila sat beside her, and around her were several of Mimi’s new spinning and crochet students. Clearly all wound up, and not with yarn. Two of Lambspun’s regular knitters held down the opposite end of the table as well as the opposing argument with the help of some of the other shop regulars.
Kelly hesitated, not sure she wanted to enter the maelstrom of dissent. All she wanted was a few quiet minutes of relaxed knitting so she could finish Steve’s scarf. But with all those arguments swirling around her, she might get swept up in the intense emotions and drop stitches or mess up the bind-off.
That wouldn’t do. Kelly wanted to make sure the scarf edges were smooth and even, particularly since she wasn’t using fringe. Steve wasn’t a fringe kind of guy.
She was about to retreat to the café when she scanned the faces again. Was that Megan? And Lisa right beside her? They were facing opposite directions. They looked angry, too. Were they angrily debating Claudia’s motives or just angry to be stuck in the middle of it?
Kelly couldn’t believe her eyes. What is happening here? Lambspun was normally a haven of solitude and peace and tranquility. Now, it fairly bubbled with an incendiary witches’ brew. It was the holiday season, for Pete’s sake!
Prime Crime Holiday Bundle Page 43
