A Killer Stitch (19 page)

“Okay, okay, I know how much you love the place. But I have to tell you what I found out today. My conscience demands it.” She took a big sip of chocolate, then another. “The first two buyers dumped the property because they got spooked. Strange things started happening. I never could get a straight answer from the agent for the second buyer, but the first buyer's agent finally answered my questions. His client, the developer, was going to build some mega mountain home up in the canyon. Then, two weeks after he brings a builder out there, one of his condo developments at the east of town was torched, remember?”

“I remember.” Kelly raised a skeptical brow. “But maybe it was faulty wiring. Steve's told me things like that happen.”

“Yeah, well, apparently he thought so at first, until the investigators discovered a gas can at the scene. A strange, old-fashioned gas can, not like one you'd normally find. Investigators also found evidence that the fire had been deliberately set with, you guessed it, gasoline.”

“That's too bad, but arson happens. You know that.”

“Yeah, I do. And the agent said that's what the developer chalked it up to until two weeks later when a gas can exactly like the first one appeared in the canyon property's driveway. Close enough to the road so you could see it, the agent said. And there was another can exactly like it on the front porch of the ranch house.” Jennifer gazed solemnly at Kelly.

“Hmmmm,” Kelly pondered out loud.

“Yeah, that's what I said. It also made the hair on my neck stand on end, Kelly. That was a direct message to that developer. The other agent thought so, too.”

“That's why he sold it?”

“Yep.” Jennifer nodded. “The agent told me his client decided he wasn't about to play games with some sicko, so he put the property right back on the market. And he got even more for it, too. That woman from out of state made an above-price offer and he snapped it up, the agent said.”

Kelly considered everything Jennifer told her, turning it over in her mind. “You know, Jen, it sounds like that developer has made some enemies over the years. And one of them decided to target him, that's all. At least that's what it sounds like to me.”

Jennifer sighed. “You could be right, Kelly. But my instinct tells me there's something else happening here. I don't know what, but I can feel it. I wish I could have talked with the agent for the second buyer. But I could never reach her, so I had to pump the assistant, and all she'd ever say was the client got ‘spooked.' That's all, no details.”

Kelly smiled at her well-meaning friend. “Well, Jen, you know I don't spook easily.”

“Don't I know it,” Jennifer said with a resigned sigh.

“So unless you've got photos of Marie Antoinette's ghost walking through the kitchen with her head under her arm, I want to proceed. Did you bring the new offer?”

“Right here.” Jennifer unzipped the portfolio. “By now, you're familiar with the verbiage, so we'll go straight to the signature lines.”

“What about price? How much above market should I offer?”

“Actually, considering the circumstances, I think you'll get it at market. Word's out now about this place, plus the holidays are upon us. No one's paying attention. There's only been one offer since yesterday, and it's from that weird guy in Denver.”

“Weird guy from Denver?” Kelly grinned. “Please tell me you're joking.”

Jennifer leaned back in the chair, sipping hot chocolate. “Nope. He works alone, dresses like an overage Gothboy, all in black. And he always, always underbids. Sometimes insultingly so. All of his clients are from out of town, too. Who knows how they find him. On the Web, probably, under ‘Strange People.' Maybe they threw darts at a website. Who knows?”

Kelly laughed. “Overage Gothboy. Okay, that is strange. Sure he won't change tactics?”

Jennifer shook her head. “Nope. I've checked with other agents. That's his standard operating procedure. He tries to pick up Colorado properties for rock-bottom prices. Trouble is, there aren't many in that category anymore. So I think we'll be safe offering at market. Especially since I sense this second buyer wants to sell as quickly as possible. Even the agent's assistant sounded spooked.”

“Well, overage Gothboys won't spook me, either. Let's do it.” She pulled out the chair across the table. “Will you still be able to submit this tonight?”

Jennifer nodded with a smile. “Oh, yeah. I called the agent's assistant and told her I might be bringing an offer tonight. She promised she'd stay awake till midnight.”

Kelly
tabbed through the spreadsheet columns, checking the amounts calculated, entering revenues and expenses methodically as the cursor moved across the screen. Only a scratch at the patio door penetrated her concentration. Carl pressed his nose against the glass, clearly asking to come in.

Kelly escaped the computer and slid open the glass door. Both Carl and a wintry blast of cold air surged inside the cottage. “I told you snow doesn't slow down squirrels,” Kelly admonished her dog as he shook snowflakes from his smooth black coat. “You've been out five times this morning, Carl. Why don't you curl up and take a nap inside where it's warm and cozy?”

Carl rubbed his head against Kelly's leg, then lifted it for a pat. “Silly boy.” She rubbed his soft ears.

Her cell phone jangled then, and Kelly grabbed her mug before settling into the leather sofa. The better to watch the snow flurries outside. “Kelly Flynn,” she said, then took another sip of coffee.

“Hi, Kelly,” Lisa's voice said. “I talked to Lizzie this morning. She's really worried about Lucy, and I can't say I blame her, judging from what she told me.”

“I'm glad to hear you say that, Lisa. I felt the same way after I spoke with Lizzie yesterday. Lucy sounds like she's getting worse.”

“Yeah, I think you're right,” Lisa said with an audible sigh.

Kelly deliberately paused, taking another sip of coffee, giving Lisa time to think. “So do you think you'd like to try talking with her again? It sounds like the priest made some progress. Maybe he kind of broke the ice, so to speak.”

“Yeah, but according to Lizzie, Lucy was weeping and distraught all the way home. Exactly the way she was when I mentioned therapy.”

Kelly could hear the reticence in Lisa's voice, so she gambled and voiced her real concerns. “You know, Lisa, I sense there's something else behind Lucy's emotional outbursts.”

“You mean other than being pregnant, alone, and abandoned?” Lisa barbed. “That would do it for most women.”

“I agree, but I sense there's something else bothering Lucy, and it has to do with Derek.”

Lisa was silent for a minute. “Kelly, you're fishing for something, I can tell. You're looking for clues to that Derek Cooper murder, aren't you?”

“Kind of.” Kelly hedged. “I think Lucy knows something that she hasn't told anyone yet, and it's eating her up inside. Maybe she told the priest, and that's why she was so upset. Who knows?”

“Damn, Kelly,” Lisa protested. “You can't go interrogating Lucy. She's too fragile right now. I won't let you, I swear I won't.”

Kelly decided to use her friend's protective instincts to advantage. “I understand that, Lisa, that's why I'm asking you to take the lead. Lucy needs help badly. We both know it. She's starting to self-destruct right in front of our eyes. Someone has to take the initiative.”

Lisa exhaled another sigh of exasperation. “I know, I know, I just don't want to push Lucy over the edge, that's all. It has to be done the right way. Lucy needs to feel safe before she'll talk. I know it.”

Thank God, Kelly thought. “Exactly. That's why I'm asking you, Lisa, instead of trying to talk to Lucy myself—”

“In your usual Rottweiler-style, right?”

Kelly grinned. “I promise, I'll be a pussycat. I'll sit quietly while you two talk—”

“That'll be the day.”

“If anyone can get Lucy to open up and talk about Derek, you can.”

“I hope so. But there's someone else who could help, too. Someone who will make Lucy feel absolutely safe. Mimi.”

Kelly sat up. That was a brilliant suggestion. No one was as warm and reassuring and comforting as Mother Mimi. “Lisa, that's positively brilliant!” Kelly enthused. “See why I asked you to take the lead?”

“Yeah, well, let's hope this works. I'll call Mimi right now. She can call Lucy and ask her to come to the shop this afternoon. Mimi will have a better chance of getting Lucy to show up. I'm also going to check with some doctors and counselors to get information I can share with Lucy. I want to be able to take her to see someone immediately if she'll let me.”

“Lisa, you're wonderful.”

“Yeah, yeah, yeah. Listen, I'll call you back. Talk to you later.” Lisa hung up before Kelly could even say goodbye.

“Thanks, Lisa,” Kelly said out loud as she watched wind-whipped snowflakes swirl outside.

“Go
ahead and sit down. We want to look relaxed when Lucy comes in,” Lisa said, pointing Kelly toward one of the two leather armchairs tucked in Mimi's cozy corner office.

Kelly did as she was directed. This was Lisa's show, and she was going to let Lisa run it. Kelly knew her dictatorial friend would toss her out if she noticed any interference. “Yes, ma'am,” she said and sank into the comfy leather, afternoon sunshine pouring over her shoulder.

“Got your coffee, right?” Lisa asked as she sat in the other armchair. “We don't want you having a caffeine attack in the midst of everything.”

“I'm fine, don't worry about me.” Kelly gave her friend a sardonic smile. “I'll disappear into the upholstery.”

Lisa gave a skeptical look, then pointed to the doorway. “Shhhh, here they come.”

Kelly relaxed into the chair, even though she felt anything but relaxed as she heard Mimi and Lucy's voices drift toward the office. Her heart was racing, and she felt anxious, wondering if Lucy would respond to Mimi and Lisa and open up at last. Whatever was festering inside Lucy needed to be brought out into the light for healing.

Shapes were starting to come into focus. She sensed Lucy would provide key pieces to this puzzle. If Diane was telling the truth about seeing a car, then Lucy had to be the one driving up to Derek's that night. Kelly was convinced of it.

“Why don't we sit in my office and relax for a few minutes?” Mimi said as she held the office door open for Lucy. “We can have a nice cup of tea.”

“Thank you, Mimi, that would be nice—,” Lucy said as she entered. Her smile quickly disappeared, however, when she spotted Kelly and Lisa already seated.

“Hello, girls,” Mimi said nonchalantly as she ushered Lucy inside the office, then closed the door.

“Hey, Lucy, how are you?” Lisa greeted warmly.

Kelly raised her mug and gave Lucy her friendliest grin. “Lucy, I've got some bags of wool in a barn in Wyoming that need spinning. I'm hoping you can help me after the holidays.”

“Lisa, why don't you pour Lucy a nice cup of tea? And add some milk to cool it down,” Mimi suggested.

Lucy looked at Lisa and Kelly, blue eyes widening in obvious concern. “You already have visitors, Mimi. I can come back later.”

“Nonsense, dear, Lisa and Kelly are part of our Lambspun family, too. Just like you are.” Mimi gestured to the love seat against the windows. “Come, sit beside me, why don't you?” Mimi settled into the love seat and patted the leather beside her.

Lucy hesitated for a few seconds then sank into the love seat, placing her extra-large yarn bag on the floor at her feet. She glanced around apprehensively once more.

Mimi reached over and patted Lucy's arm, her voice warm and soothing. “Lucy, you know how much I care about you, don't you?”

Lucy nodded, eyes getting wider.

“Well, Lisa and Kelly and everyone here in the Lambspun family love and care about you, too. And we're worried about you. You've been keeping this grief to yourself for too long. We think you need some help. You need to talk to someone. Someone who can help, like a counselor.”

A panicked look darted across Lucy's delicate features. “I-I-I spoke with a priest Monday,” she said in a breathy voice. “Lizzie took me. I've already talked to someone.”

Mimi leaned closer, still patting Lucy's arm. “Lisa knows several wonderful counselors and therapists who could help. She used to be in a group with you, remember? Lisa can help you find the right person, Lucy.”

“I'll stay with you, Lucy, as long as you need me,” Lisa offered in a soothing voice. “If you don't like the first counselor you meet, then we'll try the next one, and the next, until you find exactly the right one for
you
.”

Lucy's gaze dropped to her lap, her hands clasped tightly. “I'm okay, I really am,” she whispered. “I don't need to see anyone else.”

Mimi bent down, clearly attempting to catch Lucy's eye. “Lucy, we know about the baby. You need to think about what's best for the baby, too. All this turmoil has tied you in knots inside. That's not good. Not for you. Not for the baby.”

Lucy's head jerked up, and Kelly saw real panic in her eyes. “How—how—”

“Ellen told us, dear. Out of concern for you. Don't be upset with her. She was worried sick for you and for the baby. She said you haven't seen a doctor yet—is that true?”

Tears welled in Lucy's eyes now and spilled down her pale cheeks. “No…not yet,” she whispered.

“I can take you to the doctor, dear. And Lizzie can come, too, if you'd like. She's so worried about you.” Mimi's rhythmic patting continued.

Lisa leaned forward, offering the teacup. Mimi took it from her and handed it to Lucy. Lucy unclenched her hands long enough to grasp the cup and bring it to her lips.

“Don't worry about expenses, Lucy,” Lisa continued softly. “I've checked with my doctor, and she sees patients on a sliding scale. I've already spoken with her, and she'll make room in her schedule whenever you want.”

“You see, dear?” Mimi comforted. “Everything will work out. You're not alone, you know. We're your family, and we'll take care of you. I promise.” She took the empty cup from Lucy's shaking hands.

Kelly watched the tears run down Lucy's cheeks, sensing the dam was about to break.

“I know you must feel alone, what with Derek gone. Losing him was an awful shock. I know how much you loved him, and how he loved you and—”

“But he
didn't
!” Lucy burst out suddenly. “He didn't love me! He lied! He lied! He didn't want me at all!”

The dam broke at last, and a deluge of tears burst forth. Lucy sank her head in her hands and wept, shoulders shaking. Kelly reached for a nearby box of tissues and handed them to Mimi, who was trying her best to soothe Lucy's anguish.

“There, now, I'm sure that isn't true…”

Lucy refused to be consoled. Shaking her head, she wailed, “He didn't want me or…or the baby. He cursed at me! And then he threw money on the ground! He said that's all I'd ever get from him.” Another high-pitched wail emerged, as she collapsed in tears again.

Lisa glanced over to Kelly and nodded slightly. Kelly took that as Lisa's acknowledgment that Kelly had guessed right. Lisa left her chair and sank to the floor beside Mimi and Lucy.

“It'll be okay, Lucy, it'll be okay…” Lisa crooned, patting Lucy's other arm. Mimi had never ceased her stroking. “Did you go to Derek's to tell him about the baby?” she asked after a moment.

Lucy nodded her head, face still buried in her hands. “He—he didn't answer his phone, so…so I drove up there.”

“Maybe he was simply surprised when you told him about the baby, dear. Maybe that's why he was so…so…” Mimi was clearly straining to come up with a reason for Derek's cruelty.

Lucy's hands slid away from her blotchy, wet face. She shook her head again. “No, no. He laughed when I told him about the baby and about us getting married. He laughed.” Her mouth trembled. “He said he wasn't about to be trapped into marriage by some dumb little chick who…who was too stupid to keep from getting pregnant. Then he threw money on the barn floor…in the dirt…and told me to take care of it.” Her head sank again as the tears flowed.

Kelly sat spellbound, listening to Lucy's tale of rejection. Jennifer was right. Derek Cooper was a scumbag. Or he was when alive. It was impossible not to be affected by Lucy's anguish. It was truly heart-wrenching. To be rejected so cruelly and callously was unconscionable.

But had it driven Lucy to take revenge? Had Derek's rejection of her and the baby enraged Lucy to the point of murder?

“There, there, now,” Mimi soothed, offering Lucy another cup of tea. Lucy grasped the cup and drank deeply, tea sloshing over the edge this time.

Lisa took the empty cup and offered a huge handful of tissues. Lucy took them and swiped at her face. “Did you leave then?” Lisa asked softly.

Lucy's mouth trembled. “He—he pushed me out. He grabbed the money and shoved it down my shirt and told me he never wanted to see me again. Then…then he yanked off the necklace I made for him and threw it in my face.” She bent her head and pressed wads of tissues to her face.

“There, there, now, Lucy, you're better off without that awful man,” Mimi said, a judgmental tone creeping into her voice as she patted.