Hounds of the Basket Stitch

by Anne Canadeo

  Maggie opened the door and greeted her. “What a nice surprise. Let me help you with that.”

  Holly passed the bag to her. “It’s just the pans and dishes everyone brought over last week. And I brought you some pansies. A shipment was delivered this morning.”

  “How thoughtful. They’re one of my favorites. There’s something so optimistic about pansies. Even if it’s still cold out, they always make me feel as if spring is really here.”

  Maggie set the shopping bag down just inside the door and took the potted plants, one in each hand. The bold-colored blossoms were just starting to open. She stepped outside and placed them at the bottom of the porch steps. “I guess this is a sign. Time to get into those beds and start digging. Sometimes I wish I hadn’t planted such a big garden here. Though I do enjoy it when it’s in bloom.”

  Holly had followed her outside. She looked over the flower beds in front of the shop, bordering the white picket fence, the brick path, and the front of the porch. “I can see that there’s enough work here to keep you busy all spring and summer. But if it makes you feel better, we have acres to weed right now.”

  “I bet you do. But not on your own, I hope.” Maggie recalled that Holly hired a staff of workers this time of year. More helpers than just Carl Thornton, Dana had said.

  “At the height of the season, there are about six to eight in the crew. Right now, I’m down to zero. Well, as of tomorrow.”

  Maggie was confused. “What happened to Thornton?”

  “I don’t know. A better-paying job probably. He didn’t give a reason. He just told me this morning he was quitting and needs to collect his pay by the end of the day.”

  “How strange, and it’s not very responsible to leave so abruptly, with no notice . . .”

  “What can you do? I thought he was a bit of an odd duck, but I was willing to give him a chance. There are a few men and women who come back every year to work for me. They’ll start soon. We’ll manage fine.”

  “I’m sure you will.” Maggie wondered if Dana knew Thornton had quit. She’d be happy to hear it.

  “Would you like to come in for a minute? There’s fresh coffee. Or I can make you some tea.”

  “I can’t stop long, but I would like to see the shop. I don’t think I’ve ever been inside.”

  Holly followed Maggie inside and looked around with interest. Phoebe was at the back table, helping a customer choose buttons from the many drawers in a wooden cabinet, but the morning had been quiet otherwise.

  “This is a lovely place. Very cozy. Have you been in business long?” Holly asked.

  “Oh, about eight years now, I guess. I’d always wanted to run a knitting shop someday but thought I’d do it once I retired. I was a teacher at the high school. After my husband, Bill, died, I needed a fresh start. I quit my job, found this place, and gambled a chunk of my retirement savings.”

  “Looks like the bet paid off.”

  “I can’t complain.” Maggie smiled. “There are highs and lows, as you know, running your own business. I love knitting, and I’m pretty good at it. But there’s a big difference between a fun hobby and a successful business.”

  “I never imagined I’d take over the nursery from my parents,” Holly admitted. “But that’s the way life worked out for me. When I was a teenager, I wanted to be an actress. I had the lead in the school play senior year. I was Emily in Our Town. I guess the success went to my head, as silly and naive as that sounds.” She smiled, remembering. “I imagined I’d live in New York or California and be a big movie star. No wonder my parents were against it.”

  Dana had told them that Holly was set to go away to college but changed her plans when Rose was injured. She’d never mentioned acting. Maggie didn’t want to pry, but she was curious to hear more.

  “It doesn’t sound silly, not at all. Did you ever find a way to pursue your interest? There are a lot of amateur theater groups around. It’s hardly the same, but it could be fun.” A way for Holly to socialize more and have some life of her own, besides taking care of Rose, she thought.

  “It was just a childhood daydream. I like running the nursery. I like working outdoors and growing things. I couldn’t imagine living in a city. Sometimes I think I’m stuck right where I am, like one of the old oaks next to our house. But it’s fine for me.”

  Maggie wondered at her resignation. Wasn’t she too young to feel that way? “You’re more of a graceful willow or a cherry blossom, if you’re a tree at all. I think so anyway.”

  Holly laughed and seemed to appreciate the compliment. “I guess I’d pick a willow,” she replied. “It’s been fun talking to you, Maggie, but I have to run over to the bank. The money goes out faster than it comes in lately. I wish I knew how to grow some dollar bills alongside the daffodils.”

  “No worries. We’re still on for Thursday night, right?”

  “Absolutely. Rose has been grooming the dogs for their night on the town.”

  Maggie smiled at the thought. “That reminds me, I have something for her. Some yarn she might like.” Maggie quickly located the skeins under the counter, where she’d put them aside. “I thought this weight was perfect for the collars she’s been making. It knits into stripes automatically. It has a little stretch, too.”

  Holly took the skeins and looked back at Maggie. “That’s very thoughtful. Please, let me pay you something?”

  “It’s my pleasure. You’ve already paid me in pansies. Rose is keeping up with her knitting, right?”

  “She’s really taken to it. It might be too soon to say, but I think it’s helped her already.”

  “When I have a stressful day, even five minutes of stitching can calm me down. I’m not surprised to hear Rose got some benefit after five days.”

  “I think she has. You can ask her yourself when we come on Thursday.” Holly headed to the door. “I’m looking forward to it.”

  “I am, as well,” Maggie replied. She wished Holly a good day and said good-bye.

  * * *

  After dinner that evening, Maggie sat knitting, wondering what she’d teach the group on Thursday night. She still hadn’t fixed on a special stitch or project. Dog outerwear came to mind, but it was still too advanced for Rose and wouldn’t interest everyone.

  Charles was watching a show about the archaeologists who uncovered the tombs of the ancient Pharaohs. He’d always been keen on Egyptian history and was taking a class in the subject at a college nearby.

  “I’d love to go to Egypt and see the pyramids. Wouldn’t you?”

  Maggie couldn’t quite picture herself on the back of a camel, wobbling over the dunes, but tried to sound open minded.

  “That would be exciting. Though they say most of the ancient treasures ended up in the British Museum. I’d love to go back to London sometime.”

  Before Charles could counter with his preferred itinerary, a promo for the local news flashed on the television screen. Maggie saw a video of a building ablaze. Fire trucks and other emergency vehicles rushed into the chaotic scene.

  In a long-distance shot, the sign for Piper Nursery appeared as the broadcaster said, “A greenhouse on the outskirts of town went up in flames tonight. Two victims found at the scene were rushed to Harbor Hospital and are listed in serious condition. Details at eleven . . .”

  Maggie dropped her knitting, her mouth hanging open in shock. “Did you see that? It was Piper Nursery. Can you wind it back so I can watch it again?”

  Charles peered through his reading glasses and fumbled with the remote. He managed to rewind the clip, and they watched until Maggie yelled, “Stop . . . right there. See? That’s their sign. It’s Holly and Rose’s place. Oh my goodness. . . I wonder if Dana knows.”

  She grabbed her phone and dialed Dana, who picked up on the first ring.

  Maggie’s words came out in a rush. “I just saw the news. Maybe you already know. There was a fire at the nursery . . .”

  “We just heard. A friend of Jack’s on the police force called w
hen the report came in. We went straight to the hospital. We’re there now, with them.”

  “Oh my goodness . . . How are they? Were they badly hurt?” Maggie hated to think the worst but couldn’t help asking.

  “Firemen found them outside the building, thank goodness. There are only very minor burns. Holly is in intensive care. She’s had serious smoke inhalation and some other injuries. She’s on a breathing device and sedated, so we haven’t been able to speak to her. Rose is getting treatment, too. She’s not nearly as bad as Holly. But she’s in shock. She can’t tell us yet what happened, either.”

  Maggie guessed that Rose was experiencing some of the stress issues that plagued her. Good thing Dana was there to explain her medical condition to the doctors and oversee Rose’s treatment.

  “Oh, Dana . . . I’m so sorry. How did the fire start? Do they have any idea?”

  “No one knows yet. It could have been faulty wiring or a problem with the heating system. The fire department will investigate as soon as they’re able.”

  Maggie’s heart went out to both young women. What a horrific experience. But she felt especially bad for Holly, who was already dealing with so much. She hoped Holly would recover quickly, and also hoped her business could withstand this loss.

  “What can I do? I can come right now and keep you company,” Maggie offered.

  “Oh, thank you, Maggie, but Jack is here. We’ll be fine.”

  “If you need anything at all, please let us know. And please keep me posted on how they’re doing,” Maggie added.

  It sounded as if Holly, at least, would be in the hospital awhile, and there would be other opportunities to help as time went on.

  “I’m sure I’ll be back here tomorrow, but maybe I can stop by the shop at some point. I’ll let you know,” Dana said good night and ended the call.

  Maggie sat in stunned silence a moment, then glanced at Charles. “Holly and Rose are both in the hospital. Sounds as if Holly is in bad shape, with smoke inhalation. Dana said there are some other injuries, too. She’s being treated and sedated. Rose was hurt, but not as badly.”

  “That’s awful. Those poor girls.” Charles frowned. “What were they doing in a greenhouse at this time of night?”

  “Good question . . . Maybe they saw the fire start and thought they could put it out by themselves?”

  “Maybe. People panic. They don’t realize what they’re dealing with. Must have been bad wiring or something mechanical.”

  “That’s what Dana said. Thank goodness they weren’t caught in the flames. I hope Holly’s insurance will cover the damage.”

  “A lot depends on the cause of the fire. These insurance companies are very good at avoiding paying out on a claim. Bad wiring or bad sprinklers. Arson isn’t covered, either,” Charles noted.

  “How could it be arson? Are you saying Holly may have set the fire herself?”

  “I’m not accusing anyone. But some business owners do set fire to their property. Or pay someone to do it. It’s a common tactic when a business is in trouble . . . and the owner usually gets caught.”

  Holly was feeling financial pressure. Dana had mentioned that a few times, and Holly had even alluded to it on Tuesday at the shop, Maggie recalled. But she definitely seemed optimistic about the new season.

  Would Holly really set her own greenhouse on fire? Maggie didn’t know her well but doubted Holly was the type to sink so low, no matter how far her business had fallen behind.

  “From what I know of Holly Piper, I sincerely doubt it’s even a question,” Maggie said.

  “I hope that’s true,” Charles replied in his infuriating “always leaving room for the possibility” way. “The fire marshal will conduct a full investigation, and the insurance company will send their own inspectors, too. They’ll sniff it all out. It doesn’t take them long.”

  Maggie didn’t reply. She felt sure that the findings would be something wrong with the building. The house was comfortable but in need of repair. The greenhouse was probably in the same worn condition.

  There were more calls and text messages exchanged with her friends before Maggie finally headed to bed. “Dana said she might stop by tomorrow and give me an update,” she told everyone.

  They decided to meet at the shop once Maggie knew when Dana would arrive. It was what she called their “rapid response” strategy.

  * * *

  It was hard to carry on business as usual the next day, but Maggie knew she was such a creature of habit and her body had an automatic setting, even if her mind was worlds away.

  Phoebe came down early from her apartment, almost as soon as Maggie turned the key in the front door. Highly unusual, but she looked as if she had not slept well or spent much time on her outfit, and her first words were about Holly and Rose.

  “Good. You’re here early. Any news from Dana?”

  “Not yet. I don’t want to bother her. She was going back to the hospital this morning. She promised to be in touch.” Maggie put her purse and knitting bag on the counter and took off her sweater, a thick cabled coat sweater that she had knit for herself a few years back and that draped down to her knees. It was plenty warm, but it was definitely a sign of spring when she was able to wear it.

  “We can call the hospital and see how they are,” Phoebe suggested.

  “I guess we should. I’d like know how they are, too. Do you want to call? I need to make coffee. I didn’t have time for a cup at home.”

  After all the text messages last night and getting to bed late, Maggie hadn’t been able to sleep. The flashing images of the fire had kept replaying in her head.

  Phoebe pulled out her cell phone and followed Maggie to the back of the shop. As Maggie put the coffee together in the storeroom, she heard Phoebe using her official voice to deal with the hospital switchboard.

  But before Maggie emerged to hear the update, a text came through on her own phone. It was Dana. On my way to the hospital now. I can stop in for a minute or two. Are you at the shop yet?

  Maggie quickly wrote back. I’m here. I’ll let the others know you’re coming. Everyone wants to see you.

  She walked out with two mugs of coffee, one for herself and one for Phoebe, who looked a bit brighter.

  “They couldn’t tell me much, but a nurse said Holly is in stable condition and Rose is in good condition. Maybe she’ll come out of the hospital today.”

  “I hope so,” Maggie replied. “Dana might have more details. She’s on her way.”

  Maggie’s alert brought Lucy and Suzanne to the shop within minutes. By the time Dana arrived, the group was already seated on the antique sofa and armchairs near the bay window, sipping coffee and nibbling bits from a box of donut holes Suzanne had brought.

  “I picked them up for the office, but this is definitely an emergency.”

  “A carb emergency,” Phoebe agreed, choosing a large hunk covered with sugar and cinnamon.

  “First, how are Holly and Rose?” Maggie asked Dana. “Phoebe called the hospital. All they’d say is that Holly is in stable condition and Rose is in good condition.”

  “Holly is better than last night, but she’s still in the ICU, with a breathing device, and she’s still unconscious. She has other injuries. Not just from the fire.”

  Maggie was surprised. “What do you mean?”

  Maggie could see it was hard for Dana to talk about it. “She was struck on the head with a heavy object. The fire department is fairly certain that the fire was intentionally set. It appears someone knocked her out and set the blaze. I guess they hoped that she would . . . that she wouldn’t wake up in time to escape.”

  No one spoke. Maggie felt a deep sense of dread.

  “That’s awful,” Lucy said finally.

  “What about Rose? Was she attacked, too?” Phoebe asked.

  “No, thank goodness. Firemen found her unconscious not too far from Holly, but it doesn’t look like she was in the burning building. We don’t know yet for sure.”

  Everyon
e waited for Dana to say more. She looked tired, with dark shadows beneath her eyes and no makeup to cover her exhaustion and stress. Dressed in jeans, with a hand-knit poncho tossed on top, she didn’t look her usual well-put-together self. No wonder about that.

  “The more the fire department and the police find out, the stranger the story gets,” she added. “The fire department can tell from the pattern of the flames and the fire’s epicenter that it was started with a flammable substance. They’re running tests but are almost certain it was gasoline.”

  “Holly keeps gas in a shed to run power tools. Remember when she told Thornton where to find it?” Maggie said.

  Dana nodded. “Yes, and the police will try to figure out if that store of fuel started the blaze or if someone arrived with their own supply.”

  Suzanne was very upset. Maggie could tell by the way she alternately sipped her coffee and nibbled a donut hole. “What awful news. It’s bad enough to have a fire on your property, but to think someone purposely put a match to the place? That’s terrifying. That person is still out there, wishing Holly and Rose harm. They could come back to finish the job.”

  Maggie had come to the same conclusions but wouldn’t have put it so bluntly in front of Dana. Not right now anyway. But Dana had likely thought of that problem already, too.

  “Who in the world would do such a thing to Holly and Rose? And why?” Lucy leaned forward in her chair, upset and angry.

  “I was up most of the night wondering that myself,” Dana replied. “Who would want to hurt Holly? Not just hurt her but kill her. Thank goodness she got out in time.”

  “Rose must have saved her,” Phoebe said. “She must have seen the fire and heard her sister call for help, so she ran out and rescued her.”

  “Possibly,” Dana agreed. “The dogs were out loose on the grounds. Rose’s special trio. Rose may have let them out to chase down a stranger on the property. But one of the firemen thought maybe Rose’s big dog Wolf pulled Holly from the fire.”

  Lucy looked at Maggie. “I hope you heard that.”