Purl Up and Die (22 page)

Kelly blinked in surprise. Who would have thought? “Wow, Connie, I am impressed. Really. Good for you. Those are some challenging activities. I'm not handy at all, so I would probably shoot a nail through my thumb with a power drill.”

At that, Connie cackled. “You probably would with a drill, Kelly. You need a hammer for nailing.”

“Whatever.” Kelly gave a smiling shrug. “I'll leave that stuff in the hands of the talented folks like you.”

Burt suddenly appeared in the central yarn room ahead.
Barb stood beside him. “Hey, Kelly. Barb and I were going to have a coffee break. Why don't you join us?”

Kelly recognized Burt's subtle way of including her in the conversation, so Kelly played along. “Sure. Connie is making me feel inadequate because I can't tell the difference between a power drill and a hammer, so I feel the need for caffeine.” She started toward them.

“I'm as bad with power tools as you are, Kelly,” Burt teased. “Pretty soon, Mimi and I will start calling Connie if we've got a leaky faucet.”

Connie simply laughed and gave them all a dismissive wave. “Go have that coffee. I've had my quota of Eduardo's brew for the day.”

Kelly followed Burt and Barb through the yarn room and into the hallway leading to the café. Kelly noticed an empty table in the back alcove, small but private. Burt headed right for it.

Jennifer walked up to them as they all settled into chairs. “Good morning, folks. What can I get you?”

“A small hot coffee this time, Jen,” Burt answered. “I've had a lot already.”

“Nothing for me, thanks,” Barb said.

“You can fill my empty mug with Eduardo's gold, if you don't mind,” Kelly said, digging out her mug from the large briefcase bag.

“Coming right up,” Jennifer said before hurrying off.

“How's this advanced class going, Barb?” Burt asked as he leaned his arms on the table and inclined slightly forward. Kelly recognized his “talking” position, especially when Burt wanted answers.

“They're all doing very well,” Barb said, folding her hands on the table. “Some are more talented than others, but that's always the case in a class.”

“That's for sure,” Burt agreed with a nod.

“You can put me in that ‘less than' category,” Kelly joked.

Barb gave her a wry smile. “You're much better than that, Kelly. And you know it.” She glanced to Burt, then back to Kelly. “Is that why you asked me to join you for coffee, Burt? I sense you've got something else on your mind.”

Burt glanced down at his hands for a second. “Well, you're right, Barb. You've been under a whole lot of stress lately, and several of us are worried about you. Mimi is, for sure.”

“And your friends, Patty and Susan. They both told me they were concerned about you,” Kelly added in a matter-of-fact voice.

Barb simply listened and nodded. Burt spoke again. “You seem distracted most of the time and stare out the windows a lot. That's not like you, Barb. I've known you for years. You're a take-charge woman and you're always going a mile a minute. So this sudden personality change definitely caught our attention.”

Barb continued to listen, not saying a word.

Kelly decided to add the others' comments. “Both Patty and Susan said you even missed your bridge club meeting a couple of weeks ago. They said you'd never missed in all these years.”

Barb looked up then and glanced briefly at Kelly, but didn't say anything.

“Susan was so worried she actually went to your house to make sure you weren't sick or something. But you weren't there. That really caused Susan to worry,” Burt detailed in his calm voice.

“Susan said you told her you'd gone to a late-night movie,” Kelly added, matching Burt's quiet tone.

“Did you really go to the movies, Barb?” Burt asked.

Barb looked right back at Burt, lifting her chin. “Of course. Why wouldn't I?”

“That's really not like you, Barb. I don't recall your ever mentioning a movie.” Burt had a half smile.

“Which movie did you see, Barb?” Kelly asked.

Barb looked back at Kelly and paused. “It was that Disney film about the two sisters. Lots of snow and ice.”

This time Kelly paused. “That movie left the theaters over two months ago.”

Barb stared at Kelly for a long moment, then a crooked smile formed at the edge of her lips. She glanced down at her hands.

Burt leaned forward over the table. “Where did you really go that night, Barb?” When Barb didn't answer, Burt tried again. “Was it Laura Brewster's apartment?”

At that, Barb glanced up at Burt, then Kelly, then glanced down at her hands again. “I knew this is why you asked me to coffee. I figured Kelly had sniffed it out. But I was hoping, maybe, just maybe . . . you hadn't.” She looked up at both of them again. “Yes. I had just gotten off the
phone with Tommy. He was so depressed and distraught at how things had changed at the clinic. People were looking at him differently. I could barely listen to him. Later, I went to that evil girl's apartment to try to convince her to withdraw her complaint against Tommy. They were lies, and I knew she did it on purpose. Just like she did to that professor years ago. Lies. All lies.”

“What happened when you got there?” Burt asked.

Kelly watched in fascination as Barb's features hardened. “She listened to me without saying a word, just stood there with this smirk on her face. I pleaded with her to withdraw the charges. Then she sneered and said she would never do that. She swore she was telling the truth. Then she taunted me by saying, ‘Your son isn't the wonderful young doctor you think he is. I've been in classes with Tommy, and he was always acting so superior. He was the smartest one there. He always got the highest grade. And
he
got the scholarships and the honors and awards. Well, some of us worked just as hard as he did, but there were no awards for us. Tommy got them all. Some of us didn't have it so easy growing up, either. I didn't have a doting mother hovering over me, helping me. I never got any help.
Never
.'”

Barb's voice went cold. “I sensed the malice in her words and could feel it radiating off her, like a foul smell. It was clear that girl had a personal grudge against Tommy and sought to hurt him for the pure malicious pleasure of doing so. She was purposely hateful. That's when I knew she was evil. Pure evil.”

After a moment, Burt asked softly, “What did you do then?”

Barb exhaled a short breath. “Something snapped inside. I knew I couldn't allow that evil girl to spread more malicious accusations. What other evil acts was she capable of?” Barb looked out toward the empty hallway. “Suddenly, this overwhelming sense of anger and . . . and something else. Something powerful swept over me. Laura stood smirking at me, so I grabbed her by the throat and choked the life out of her. She struggled, her eyes bulging out, but I'm very strong and I kept squeezing. Hard, until she went limp in my hands, then I let her drop to the floor.”

Kelly stared, captivated by the cold, matter-of-fact description of how Barb killed Laura Brewster.

Barb drew another breath. “As I stared down at her, I slowly realized what I'd done. Strangely, I felt no regret. None. I'd killed an evil presence in our midst. However, I realized I didn't want anyone to suspect me. So I tried to make her death look accidental. Make it appear as if someone was caught ransacking her apartment, encountered a screaming Laura, then panicked and killed her. That's why I opened desk drawers and tossed out papers on the floor. And I deliberately left one page of a bank statement and took the rest. That way it would look like the thief wanted her account number. I left her patio door slightly open and one lamp on. Then I took her purse and slipped out the front door, ducking my head in case there was a camera. I went to my car, emptied her purse, and threw it out the window into the parking lot. I put the purse contents into a plastic bag and tossed it into a Dumpster in a strip mall.” Barb leaned back into her chair and stared at the table.

“You did a good job of removing any identifiable traces,” Burt said. “Did you wear gloves?”

“No, but I had some driving gloves in my pocket. So I put them on and proceeded to clean everything I might have touched. I used the spray cleaner I found under her bathroom cabinet on the surfaces then used rubbing alcohol on Laura's neck.”

“That was clever,” Kelly couldn't help commenting. “It must have worked.”

Barb gave Kelly a crooked smile. “Well, I knew I had to be thorough because the police would find the slightest trace to investigate. And damned if they didn't find some skin cells under one of Laura's nails. I don't even remember her scratching me, but her arms were flailing around so it must have happened.”

“That was puzzling, too. The DNA didn't match Tommy's but there were certain similarities,” Burt added.

“But it was enough to continue suspicion. That's when I knew this was going to unravel. And all it took was one tiny bit of skin cells.” She shook her head. No sign of remorse. Just disappointment that her elaborate subterfuge hadn't worked.

“What did you do then? Go home?” Kelly asked, curious. “It must have been in the middle of the night.”

“Three in the morning when I got home. I threw away my driving gloves, took a hot shower, had a stiff drink of whiskey, and went to bed. Slept like a rock.”

“No regret?” Burt asked, looking surprised.

“None,” Barb retorted. “I removed an evil presence from the world. No guilt whatsoever.”

Burt stared at his folded hands for a long minute. “Well, Barb. It pains me to say this, considering our friendship, but I'm going to have to report all this to the police. You could come down to the department with me, but you need to speak to your family lawyer first.”

Barb released a little sigh. “I understand, Burt. I'll call him now. Hopefully he can meet me down at the department so we can get all this taken care of.”

Kelly marveled at Barb's no-nonsense manner in describing how she would turn herself in to authorities. Clearly, this confession had allowed Big Barb to return to herself. Almost as if she'd been anxious to do so.

“You amaze me, Barb. You're as matter-of-fact about all of this as you are about everything else.” Kelly wagged her head.

Finally a real smile appeared on Barb's face. “That's because in my heart I had a feeling I wasn't going to get away with murder. I've watched you sniff around police investigations for years, Kelly. I knew if they missed something, you would find it. And you did. When Susan told me you were asking questions, I knew you were onto me.” She grinned. “It's hard to outsmart you, Kelly.”

Kelly had nothing to say in reply as Barb took out her cell phone and proceeded to call her lawyer. Kelly met Burt's gaze and they both exchanged a look of amazement. Big Barb was truly amazing. Killer or
not.

Wednesday morning

“Keep
those squirrels on their toes, Carl,” Kelly advised her dog before closing the cottage front door. She heard Carl barking outside in the backyard, clearly taking Kelly's advice to heart.

Walking across the gravel driveway, Kelly could tell it would be another hot day. Clearly, monsoon season was over. It had only teased them this year. There was some rain at night, but none of the soaking rains that they needed. August now, and it was still hot. The typical cooldown wouldn't come until later in the month.

Back East they called the end of July and beginning of August the dog days. Kelly never knew what that phrase meant. Did it mean it would be so hot they'd be panting like dogs? Or lying in the shade taking naps all day? Or,
would it be so hot only dogs could stand it? Whatever, it was a picturesque way of describing summer weather.

As she entered the café's patio garden, Kelly noticed Burt and Mimi sitting at a table in the dappled sun and shade of the early morning. Burt was leaning over the table talking to Mimi. Mimi sat, looking downcast.
Uh-oh
. Kelly recognized Mimi's depressed look. No doubt she was taking the news about Barb very hard indeed.

Kelly slowly approached their table. Burt was the first to glance up and see her. Kelly gave him an encouraging smile.

“Good morning, you two,” she said in a deliberately cheerful voice. “I thought I might find you outside enjoying the early-morning temperatures.”

“Good morning, Kelly,” Burt said with his familiar smile. “Why don't you sit with us for a spell. Mimi could use another friendly face.”

“I kind of figured.” Kelly settled into a chair between them and set her briefcase bag on the ground beside her. She glanced at Mimi, who had finally lifted her gaze off the table. Kelly gave her an encouraging smile. “How're you doing, Mimi?”

Mimi looked at Kelly with a sad expression. “Not very well, Kelly. I feel like there's been a death in the family.”

Burt reached over and patted Mimi's hand in Mother Mimi fashion. Kelly decided to give some verbal pats. They had the same effect. Reassurance.

“In a way, there has been,” Kelly said in a quiet voice. “It's a death of an old relationship with someone you thought
you knew everything about. And now that's changed. The Barb we knew is gone, I'm afraid.”

Mimi shook her head sadly. “I know, I know. I guess I'm grieving. It's still hard to realize someone close to you has actually killed someone. Strangled them to death with their bare hands.” Mimi shuddered. “It's just incomprehensible to think of that.”

Burt kept his hand over Mimi's. “Well, it helps to know that Barb really wasn't herself at the time she killed Laura Brewster. Not her real self. It was a crime of passion. A rage came over her, she said.”

“Yes, she said she felt this anger sweep through her,” Kelly ventured. “She also said ‘something' came over her. I remember that. I've heard other people say that. Who knows? Maybe some kind of murderer's madness takes over their minds and their good sense.”

Mimi stared at Kelly. “Maybe it does,” she said softly. “And Barb was trying to protect Tommy, like she always has.”

“She's a fiercely protective mother, that's for sure,” Burt agreed.

Kelly turned to Burt, hoping to veer off the grim turn of conversation. “You stayed over at the police department with Barb practically all of yesterday, didn't you?”

“Yes, I wanted to be there in case she was brought up before a judge. And she was.”

“Did her family attorney agree to represent her?”

“Oh, yes. He consulted with Barb before she gave her confession to detectives. He also was able to explain to her the various steps in the criminal procedures. Barb agreed to
cooperate fully with the police. Thank God.” Burt closed his eyes, clearly giving thanks. “She even submitted a DNA sample. So when that comes back positive, she'll officially be charged with murder.”

“Oh, Lord,” Mimi said with a sigh, looking out into the garden.

“I imagine Barb will be talking to Tommy today,” Kelly mused out loud. “That's not going to be an easy conversation.”

“Poor Tommy,” Mimi said, staring up at the gray sky darkening overhead. “He must wonder what's wrong with his family. His grandmother killed someone two years ago and was sentenced to prison. And now his mother has killed someone, and
she
will most certainly be sentenced to prison.”

Kelly pondered that for a minute. Mimi was right. It had to be a strange coincidence indeed that two murderers came out of one family. A mother and a daughter. Very strange, indeed.

“What are the chances Barb would be assigned to the same prison where Madge is serving her sentence?” Kelly asked.

Burt shook his head. “I'd say the chances are slim to nonexistent. I don't think the state would want to create a risky situation for either of them. There could be problems.”

Kelly could sense the subtext behind Burt's words but decided she really didn't want to know the details. Better left unsaid. “I guess Tommy will be visiting two prisons from now on,” she said. “I wonder how he's going to handle it?”

“We'll have to wait and see,” Burt remarked. “Some family members will retreat entirely and not visit the prisons at all. They'll simply make regular phone calls.”

“I can understand that,” Mimi said. “I wouldn't want to be anywhere near a prison.” She made a face and shuddered.

Kelly had another thought. “Well, I will try to visit Barb once she's been assigned to a facility.”

“You're right, Kelly. It can take a while for the system to assign someone to a penitentiary. And I figure it will take some time to find a place for Barb. There are not as many penitentiaries for women in the system.”

“Well, I'm going to think of that as a small rainbow on a stormy horizon,” Kelly declared. “At least we'll be able to visit with Barb for a couple of years before she gets shipped off to the Big House or whatever it is.” She gave them both a crooked smile.

“That's a good way to think about it, Kelly. And it gets us out of the deep dark mood Mimi and I were in when we first sat down at this table.”

“You're both right,” Mimi said with a nod. “And let's all send a little prayer that murder and people who want to kill other people stay far, far away from Lambspun from now on.” Mimi raised both hands in an impassioned gesture.

“Amen,” Burt said with a grin.

•   •   •

“So,
there you have it. Big Barb will soon be incarcerated since she's confessed to murdering Laura Brewster. However,
I imagine her lawyer will be able to get her out on bond for now. She's certainly not a flight risk. Then there will be a proceeding where Barb will enter her plea of guilty to the charges of murder and be sentenced. That's when she'll go to prison. Judging from how long it takes the justice system to assign some people to a penitentiary, Barb could remain in the Larimer County Correctional Facility for a couple of years.” Kelly took a deep drink of iced coffee while Lisa, Megan, and Jennifer sat quietly around Lambspun's knitting table.

No one spoke for a minute. They were all concentrating on knitting whatever pieces they were working on. Finally Kelly spoke again. “I may have missed several legal steps in between, Megan, so fill in whatever I missed.”

“I'm not an expert on all those legalities and hoops to jump through,” Megan said with a solemn expression. “But I think you've covered the most important ones.” Her needles moved at their normal quick pace, more shamrock green rows of stitches forming.

“That is so sad,” Lisa observed. “Barb was a skilled nurse and an excellent teacher. Now all her talents and skills will be lost to our community and especially our knitting community here at Lambspun.” Lisa didn't look up from the light yellow top she was finishing.

Kelly had nothing to add to Lisa's comment. They would all miss Big Barb. Bossy Barb. And a tremendously talented knitter.

Jennifer looked up from the deep purple yarn forming into a summer top on her needles. “Actually, Barb may have simply transferred her talents and skills from our
community to another community where they may be sorely needed.”

“You mean prison?” Megan asked, clearly surprised.

Jennifer nodded. “Yes. I'll bet it won't be long before Barb starts teaching knitting to the women inmates. And, who knows? Maybe those women are in greater need of someone paying attention to them than any of the knitting classes Barb's taught here at Lambspun.”

Kelly thought about what Jennifer said. It made sense. “You know, you're right, Jen. We all remember how people react when they learn how to knit. They all remark how calming it is. And how they feel better afterward. Well, think about it. Those women inmates are definitely a population of women under a lot of stress. Learning how to knit could be really good for them. Healthwise, I mean.”

Lisa looked up. “You know, you make a good point. Both of you. A prison population is definitely under a lot of stress. We can't even begin to imagine what it's like.”

Jennifer smiled. “That's exactly what I mean. As much as we'll all miss Big Barb, we were lucky to have her around for so long. Now, fate has intervened and Barb will be going to a place where she is sorely needed. And her skills will be put to much better use there. Don't forget. Barb was a nurse by profession. As traumatic a change as it will be, I have a feeling that the experienced nurse inside Barb will recognize that no matter where she will be assigned, there will be a great many needy people for her to help. And her skills will be put to good use.”

Kelly smiled at her dear friend. “Well said, Jen. Even attorney Marty couldn't have said that better.”

That evening

“Wow. That is one sad story,” Steve said, reaching across Marty and Megan's glass patio table. He snagged several corn chips and settled into his chair beside Kelly again.

“Don't breathe on me after you eat those,” she warned. “They're deadly.”

Steve grinned. “I promise.”

“Yeah, it depressed me when Kelly told us this afternoon. Then I told Marty as soon as he got home, and
he
got depressed.” Megan sipped from her bottle of iced tea as she leaned back in the patio chair.

“Jen told me today. I sure feel sorry for Tommy,” Pete said, turning his bottle of Fat Tire ale on his bare knee. “And Barb, of course.”

“Leave it to Kelly to bring us all the bad news that's not fit to print,” Greg said with an exaggerated sigh. “For the record, I think Tommy would be better off starting his medical career in another city. Maybe another state. If he stays in Fort Connor, he'll constantly be reminded of what happened.” He took a drink from his craft beer.

“You've got a good point,” Steve added.

“Yeah, I was so depressed after Megan told me that I couldn't mow the lawn before you guys came,” Marty said, smiling as he popped a curled corn chip into his mouth.

“It's fine, Marty,” Kelly said with a dismissive wave. “It's grass. Nothing to get excited about.” Then she turned to Jennifer and Pete. “Where's Cassie tonight?”

“She's at a birthday party sleepover,” Jennifer said. “One of her classmates from school last year. There's a whole
bunch of girls going, Cassie said.” Jennifer smiled. “Boy, the decibel level is gonna raise the roof over there tonight.”

“That's what we need,” Greg observed, glancing up at the summer sky, the summer sun still shining brightly. “Raise some decibels. Any suggestions?”

“Yeah, that bad news has got us all down now,” Lisa added.

“I'm sorry. I promise not to be the bearer of sad tidings again,” Kelly said with an apologetic smile.

Marty set his craft brew on the table beside him. “I know what we need to turn this mood around. Some good news.” He slapped his hands on his legs. “And I've got some.”

“What? They made you partner?” Steve asked with a smile.

“Don't I wish,” Marty said, wagging his head. “No, I'm talking about another kind of good news.” He glanced at Megan beside him. “Ready?”

“Ready,” Megan said, smiling.

Marty looked around at all of them. “We're going to have a baby.” A huge grin spread across his face, which was getting redder.

Kelly stared at Marty then at Megan, her mouth open. She looked at her friends. Their reactions were identical. Shocked. Incredulous.

“What?”

“No way!”

“Yeah, way.”

“Really?”

“Oh, my gawd!”

“Fantastic!”

“Congratulations, you guys!”

“
When?
” Kelly burst out. “When's it coming. I mean . . . when's it due?”

“The OB, uh, obstetrician says I'm about eight weeks along,” Megan declared, face flushed. “So, the baby would be due late February or early March.”

Greg grinned. “A little ankle biter. I can't believe it.”

Lisa beamed at Marty and Megan. “That is such tremendous news!”

“I am
so
happy for you two, I can't stand it,” Jennifer said, rising from her chair. “This calls for a hug.”

“Oh, yeah,” Pete agreed, jumping out of his chair.

“You better believe it,” Steve said as he rose.

Kelly popped out of her chair, too, as all the Gang took turns giving both Megan and Marty huge hugs.

“You two are gonna be great parents,” Steve said, then gave Megan a big squeeze. Clasping Marty's hand, Steve slapped him on the back. “No offense, Marty, but I sure hope the baby looks like Megan.”

“You and me both,” Marty said with a quick laugh.

“Now I know why you switched to iced tea,” Jennifer said.