Knitting With the Dead Read online

  Contents

  Knitting With The Dead

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  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Epilogue

  RECIPE!

  One More Thing

  Let's Connect!

  Disclaimer

  RETURN TO MILBURN

  A Sequel Series To “A Murder In Milburn”

  BOOK 5:

  Knitting With The Dead

  By

  Nancy McGovern

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  At the end of this story there is an offer to join my mailing list, through which you will receive updates, special offers & discounts on my future books as well as information about joining my Street Team. Plus, you will receive a FREE BOOK as a Thank You for signing up! If interested, the link is immediately after this story…

  Chapter 1

  The Party

  Nora loved watching people when they were in conversation. You could tell so much from the tilt of a chin or the raise of an eyebrow. Sometimes you could learn more about a person by simply looking at them as they spoke, rather than listening to the things they said.

  The woman she was watching, Maybelle Abelard, tipped back her head to laugh out loud, her teeth gleaming. Then, with a sip out of her wineglass and a shake of her curls, she laid her head upon her husband’s shoulder. Her husband, Tyler, gave Maybelle an absent smile, unconsciously stepped a bit away from her, then continued to speak, his hands moving constantly as he described something. Maybelle lifted her head and gave him the briefest look of disappointment before turning back to the others. Across from the couple, their friend, Jessica, seemed to have caught the uncomfortable exchange and Nora noticed a glimmer in her eye that subsided as quickly as it had appeared.

  They were at a party to celebrate the victory of the local high school basketball team and Coach James’s home was full of excited people, many wearing Milburn’s blue and yellow colors. Some had even painted their faces - Nora’s husband, Harvey, among them.

  Nora, herself, was sitting on a couch with her best friend, Tina, and Tina’s husband, Sam. The couple was bent over an issue of Autocar, passionately discussing which car they should buy next.

  “I’m so over sensible mini-vans,” Tina said. “I need something with a little va-va-voom, Sam. Something quick and…sexy. After all, we’re not chauffeuring toddlers around anymore!”

  “We already have 'quick and sexy'. The Mustang is the very definition of 'quick and sexy'," Sam argued. "We’re replacing our minivan, so we should just get the newest and best minivan. Besides, you need something more practical like that for delivering your catering orders.”

  “I don’t care," Tina said, folding her arms defiantly. "If you ask me, we should get rid of the Mustang. That thing is older than our house and twice as heavy.”

  “That’s the beauty of it! It was my grandfather’s Mustang!” Sam shook his head.

  “I know, I know. You’d rather get rid of me than that Mustang.” Tina rolled her eyes. Turning to Nora, she asked. “What do you think?”

  “Are Jessica Bentley and Maybelle Abelard good friends?” Nora asked, completely ignoring Tina's question.

  “Huh? Of course. They’ve known each other forever,” Tina said. “Why?”

  “Oh, no reason. Just something I noticed.”

  “Well, how about noticing us?” Tina waved her hand in front of Nora’s face. “Sometimes you just go off into your own little world.”

  “Yeah, and so do you, Tina, if you think we’re buying anything but a minivan,” Sam interjected.

  “What I’d love is a nice Porsche! Cherry red.” Tina gushed. “Imagine it, Sam - the two of us holding hands, Wyoming bursting into spring all around us as we zoom down the highway, bison and antelope watching enviously as a crimson streak blurs past them. Imagine the roar of the engine as I push the pedal to the metal…”

  “Yes, that does sound nice." Sam sucked on his tooth for a second, then drifted back toward reality. "Though I doubt the wildlife would be jealous. And just imagine how cramped it would be living in that car.”

  “Huh?”

  “We’d end up living in it because we’d probably have to sell the house to buy a Porsche. Look, how about a Prius? It’s environmentally friendly and it wouldn't be too hard on our budget.”

  Tina frowned dramatically. “Your problem, Sam, is that you have no imagination. There’s such a thing as a used Porsche, you know.”

  “Hey, Nora.” Jessica Bentley stepped up to them and offered Nora a bright smile. “I’m not interrupting something, am I?”

  “Not at all. You’re saving me from a volcano on the verge of eruption.” Nora cocked her head toward Sam and Tina, then heaved herself off the couch. “I was about to go get myself a drink. Want to come along? Best to leave these two alone right now.”

  Sam and Tina were still arguing, blissfully unaware of the world around them.

  “Yeah...” Jess gave the couple a brief glance before looking back at Nora. “I was actually hoping to get your advice about something.”

  “Sure.” Nora smiled. “Always glad to help.”

  They moved through the crowd and into the kitchen where numerous family-size bags of potato chips and Tostitos lay half-open on the counter, along with nearly-empty bottles of soda the size of tankers. Nora poured herself a glass of Coke and looked over at Jess, who was emptying the last drops of a bottle of wine. In one shot, Jess upended her glass and finished the wine.

  “Whoa! Easy, girl. Are you alright?” Nora asked, giving Jess a concerned look.

  Jessica Bentley owned one of Milburn’s finest boutiques. She’d inherited Donna’s Closet from her mother and, over the years, imbued it with her own personal sense of style. Half the appeal of shopping in 'The Closet' was getting style tips from Jess herself. Even today, dressed in a powder-blue, boat-necked top with a long, sunny-yellow skirt, Jessie managed to look chic in a house full of basketball jerseys. She also looked a little tipsy - her cheeks were blotchy and her normally-sharp eyes a little dull.

  “Do you have a ride back home?” Nora asked. “Harvey and I could give you one.”

  “Yeah…thanks. That’s what I wanted to ask you.” Jessica smiled and leaned back against the counter. “I guess I lose my head at these things. I was a cheerleader for the Bulldogs once upon a time, you know? Milburn’s Mutts…I still feel like a teenager at these games.”

  “You’re only in your thirties.” Nora smiled. “That’s hardly older than a teenager! At least, it feels that way to me.”

  “Ah, and you’re way past sixty. Old and bold and wise and experienced. I wish I had your experience.”

  Nora, who was not “way past sixty” but rather just a little under it, thank you very much, chose to take Jessica’s words as a compliment instead of an insult. “Wisdom and experience don’t always go hand-in-hand, I’ve found." Nora said. "Anyway, you didn’t bring me to the kitchen because you wanted a ride. You said you wanted my advice, Jess. What is it?”

  Jess looked down at her hands and bit her lip. “I don’t know. You’ve got enough problems of your own, I don’t want to load mine onto you.”

  “Nonsense. That’s what good neighbors are for, aren’t they? Remember when I had that arthritic flare up and you knitted me some mitt
ens? I still owe you for that.”

  Jess smiled brightly, the memory warming her. “You supplied me with cakes and cookies for months after. I’d say we’re more than even.”

  “I still use those mittens, you know,” Nora said. “They’re really lovely and so warm.”

  “I lined them with fleece.” Jess smiled. “I picked the colors out to suit you, too - mint and magenta. I don’t know why I always associate those colors with you.”

  “My diner was painted those colors for all the years that you were just a kid. I suppose that’s why.”

  “Ah, yes…our weekly stop at the diner after church on Sundays. My mom used to love your pancakes so much.” Jessica’s eyes glazed over a little. “I wish she were here. She’d tell me exactly what to do. She was an amazing woman.”

  “She really was,” Nora agreed. “She juggled raising you and managing the boutique so effortlessly.”

  “When I was a kid, I really thought she was a queen,” Jessica said, her eyes still misty. “But now, I’m five years past the age she was when she gave birth. I know how terrifyingly-young twenty-five is. I’ll never know where she found the guts to go at it alone the way she did. I never saw a trace of fear in her. But me…I feel like I live with fear and anxiety all the time. The smallest of things makes me freak out.”

  “So what is this thing that’s freaking you out?” Nora asked.

  “I...” Jessica shook her head. “I don’t think I can tell you. I’m sorry. I know I asked for advice, but it’s just so embarrassing. Besides, it involves other people.”

  “You don’t have to name names if you don’t want to,” Nora said. “Sometimes just telling someone else what you’re going through can give you clarity. It won’t be my advice that’ll help, really. Just the fact that you speak the words aloud. Like I always tell my kids - just sounding it out helps.”

  “Alright, then.” Jess gulped. “What do you do when someone you loved dearly is now someone you hate?”

  “Oh, sweetheart.” Nora patted her on the cheek. “Heartbreak, is it?” Everyone knew about the on-again, off-again relationship between Jessica and Coach James. Nora had seen the longing glances Jess cast toward him every now and again.

  “Heartbreak? No, no. Nothing like that.” Jessica looked suddenly impatient. “You know what, forget it. I’m being stupid.”

  There was a roar of laughter as a group of men stomped into the kitchen, trading banter and tossing friendly insults back and forth. Harvey, his tie loosened and his hair flopping across his face, was in the center of the group. His smile brightened as he caught sight of Nora and he lumbered over, draping his arms around her neck.

  “Hey, beautiful.” He kissed her on the cheek and sneakily took the glass of cola she was holding.

  “Harvey!” Nora shook her head. “There are glasses and a bottle right in front of you.”

  “But it tastes so much better from your glass. Stolen soda is the best soda.” Harvey smacked his lips and nodded at Jess. “Hey, Jess. How’s the shop?”

  “The boutique is wonderful, thank you. I’ve got a few pieces in my new spring collection that’ll look great on Nora.” Jess smiled. “You two should stop by sometime soon.”

  “Leave me out of it.” Harvey held up his hands. “This one shops like a curator on the hunt for antiques. She goes over every piece twice and then, after five hours, decides to buy one thing.”

  “Better than your style of entering a mall determined to buy one pair of jeans and exiting with three wardrobes and a new stove.” Nora grinned, wrinkling her nose at Harvey.

  Harvey wrinkled his nose right back at her, then bent down to briefly touch her forehead with his. “Come on, it’s past midnight. Shall we head home?” Harvey asked. “You need to drive, though, because I’m a little bit woozy.” He dangled his keys in front of her.

  Nora snatched them out of his hand and linked her arm in his. She turned to Jess. “You’re coming with us, right?”

  Jess shook her head. “No thanks. I’ll stay a bit longer. Don’t worry, I’ll find another ride.”

  “You sure?” Nora paused. “We could continue that conversation of ours.”

  “No, forget it. Really.” Jessica looked embarrassed. “I just talk nonsense when I’m drunk. I’m sobering up a bit and realizing it's no big deal. Have a good night, you two.”

  “Thanks. Bye, folks! Go Bulldogs!” Harvey pushed his fist into the air and a dozen people in the room shouted, “GO!” like it was a war cry.

  In the car, Harvey tossed his jacket into the backseat and leaned against the window as Nora drove. He gave a contented sigh as he fiddled with the radio.

  “Good game today, right?”

  “Good game, perfect party.” Nora smiled.

  “What’s up with Jess? I didn’t interrupt something, did I?” Harvey asked. “She looked really serious when I walked in.”

  “I think there’s something she wants to talk about,” Nora explained. “I’ll go drop by the boutique sometime.”

  “Two birds with one stone? I know you’ve been wanting a new dress for Hazel’s birthday party.” Harvey smirked.

  “Can you believe our youngest is turning twenty-seven?” Nora marveled. “They all grow up so fast.”

  “Maybe we can invite Jess. She was in Grace’s class, wasn’t she? I’m sure they’re friends.”

  “They were in the same class, but I don’t think Grace knew her too well,” Nora said, thinking of her older daughter. “Grace was more into playing her hockey and such while Jess hung with the cheerleaders.”

  Harvey shrugged. “Just an idea. By the way, I think I know what’s bothering Jess.”

  “What?”

  “I heard through the grapevine that her shop has loans she can’t pay off,” Harvey said. “That’s probably what she wanted to discuss with you. She’s probably upset about it.”

  “No…I’m pretty sure it was a personal matter she wanted to talk about,” Nora said. “But how do you know? About her boutique, I mean?”

  Harvey shrugged. “You don’t do business in this town without hearing a few things here and there.”

  True, Nora thought. The problem was that you never could tell if what you were hearing was the truth or just a rumor.

  *****

  Chapter 2

  The Mutiny

  From behind the counter, Nora polished a glass with a cloth while watching the townsfolk chat. The picture window of The Madness Diner showed a bleak world outside. A bare tree rustled its branches against the wind like an old man shaking his fists at a naughty young boy. The wind whipped around the block with thin snowflakes chasing it. Nora hadn’t slept too well after the party, but she was glad to be here at work and out of the house. On days this stark, one needed human company.

  Inside the diner, there was warmth and the yellow glow of light. Most folks were finishing work and dropping into the diner for a bite to eat or some coffee and chit chat. The gentle buzz of words filled the room as patrons spoke about last night’s game or the latest political scandal.

  “Coffee.” A woman sat down heavily on a counter stool. “A lot of it, please. With cream and sugar.”

  Nora smiled. “Hello to you, too, Natalie.”

  “Oh, please. After the day I’ve had, I’m in no mood for hellos,” Natalie grumbled. She was a solidly-built woman, with the eyes of a sage and the smile of an unruly young child. Her shoulders, usually thrown back with pride, were stooped today and even the bright-pink cardigan she wore couldn’t disguise the weariness in her expression.

  Nora poured her a hot cup of coffee and slid it over. “What happened? Tough client?”

  Starting out as a copywriter and illustrator, Natalie had built a small but well-known advertising firm that served clients throughout Milburn. Nora’s own husband, Harvey, had used Natalie's firm when starting a new project for his real estate business, and her fresh ideas had helped him drum up plenty of business. So Nora knew how hard Natalie worked - ideas came at all hours, and clien
t’s demands never seemed to stop.

  “I wish it were a client.” Natalie said. “Clients come and go. I’m used to that kind of stress. This…this is different.”

  “Oh?” Nora cupped her chin with both hands and leaned forward on the counter. “What happened?”

  “I…well…” Natalie’s eyes suddenly sharpened. “You know what? You’re the perfect person to ask. Maybe you can help us out.”

  “Us? Do you have a family issue?”

  “Who doesn’t? But, no, this isn’t about family. It’s about friends. My best friends,” Natalie said, shaking her head. “I mean, they’re who I go to when I want to escape stress, you know? The last thing I expected was to have a nuclear war break out in my knitting group!”

  “Hmm.” Nora whistled. “Is there trouble brewing with the Stitchin’ Witches?”

  Natalie nodded. The Stitchin’ Witches were a strange bunch. A group of thirty-something women addicted to knitting, they met up every Thursday, ostensibly to knit, but mostly to gossip. The group had even met at the diner several times, so Nora knew them all. For the most part, they were a jolly, raucous bunch led by Maybelle Abelard, Milburn’s most notorious prankster. They’d distinguished themselves by pulling off new pranks every April Fool’s Day. Last year, Maybelle and her gang had knitted a giant, fanged bat and rigged it onto the town founder’s statue. It was so life-like that many of the townsfolk had initially believed it was real.

  “So what’s the problem?” Nora asked. “I thought your group was…tight knit.”

  Natalie groaned at the joke and rolled her eyes.

  “Sorry. I couldn’t help myself.” Nora grinned. “What is it?”

  “Well, we all contribute a sum each year to the club,” Natalie said. “Mostly, we use it for snacks or a weekend away. But, this year, Jessica…you know Jess, the boutique owner, right? Well, this year she wanted to use the money to buy yarn and have us all knit hats for patients at the hospital,” Natalie said.

  “Sounds like a great plan,” Nora said.

  “Yeah, well…Maybelle didn’t think so. There’s a knitting competition in Jackson Hole next month, and she wants us all to take part. The money from our club could help with accommodations there, and it’d be a fun weekend away for us all. Plus if we win, we’d be in the papers and the first prize is a thousand dollars worth of yarn, which we could use for the hospital idea.”