Murder in Merino (28 page)

I
t was Jules Ainsley’s idea, and one that Ben Endicott declared brilliant. A stroke of genius, he said.

That’s how it happened that Nell and Ben, on the anniversary of their forty years of marriage, drove a British racing green Sprite through the gates of Ravenswood by the Sea on a gorgeous autumn day.

And that’s how it happened that friends and family, storekeepers and councilmembers, waitresses and bartenders, children and dogs lined the long, winding driveway of the bed-and-breakfast and cheered wildly at their entrance.

Birdie had outfitted Ben in a herringbone driving hat that she’d purchased for Sonny on a trip to England. Sonny would have been thrilled, she said.

And Nell—looking like Isadora Duncan and hoping to avoid the dancer’s fate—looped a long, flowing scarf and a waist-length string of pearls around her neck.

Izzy had picked out her aunt’s dress, shimmery silk in a deep liquid blue that matched Nell’s eyes.

Angled over the back of the soft leather seats, catching the fading afternoon sunlight, was a ruby red afghan, the hearts and cables and twisted panels a tribute to forty years of a life well lived and a promise of the years to come.

Birdie, Izzy, and Cass had given it to Ben and Nell that morning when they were barely awake. The threesome stood on the bottom step and called them down from their bedroom. Mimosas and sweet crepes from the bakery were waiting. And dear friends.

And an anniversary afghan knit with love.

It was all quite perfect.

The day, the event, and the gathering of family and friends.

A true celebration.

Nell and Ben spoke little on the drive over, cherishing the only time they’d be alone together that day. Nell leaned her head back against the leather seat, her eyes on the man who had entered her life the first day of a Harvard logic class—and had never left. Ben insisted, however, that he had fallen in love with her before that fortuitous class schedule. It was a beautiful fall day and she was alone, he remembered. She was walking across the quad, her hair tangled by the wind and her high cheekbones blushed by the sun. And smiling. At what? he wondered. The day? The sky?
Wicked amazing
was how he remembered the day and the woman.

Forty years ago today . . .

They were married on the Kansas ranch that Nell’s family owned. It was a unique and splendid affair, with the Boston Brahmins landing their planes on a strip in the middle of a field smoothed clean by Nell’s dad and ranch hands. Guests donned cowboy hats and rode horses and licked their plates clean of barbecue and beans. Nell loved Ben’s desire to embrace her roots.

She watched the curve of his lips now, reading his eyes as his mind went back over those forty magnificent years—years filled with learning about each other, with suffering through the heartache of failed pregnancies, years of opening their arms to friends and family and to dear Izzy, as close as a daughter could be. A marriage that grew with understanding, with togetherness, with separateness. Years nurturing a dynamic love as strong as the Cape Ann granite that fortified their town.

Their eyes met now, smiled, and held for a moment as their memories merged.

Then Ben slowed the car and pulled up in front of the bed-and-breakfast, turning the engine off.

“One dream to cross off my bucket list,” he declared as he helped Nell out of the car. He bowed slightly to the crowd, then looked up at the sky and tipped his British driving hat to the heavens. “With special thanks to Jimmy Brogan and Jeffrey Meara,” he said in a booming voice that even those standing on the B and B’s porch could hear. “I know you’re up there keeping an eye on us.”

Maeve stood next to Mary Pisano, beaming. Her Jeffrey was watching; she knew he was. As she told Ben later, “There was no way on earth he’d let that car be driven by anyone without being there to guide it to safety. He had promised Jimmy as much.”

“Everyone in back,” Mary called, fluttering her hands in the air. Don Wooten stood beside her, taller by a foot and a half, and helped direct traffic.

As if choreographed, the mass of people moved around the wide, sweeping porch, along the pathway that led around the carriage house, and out to the carefully kept lawns behind the inn. Narrow paths wound like pieces of yarn past flower beds and stone benches, all the way to the backwoods.

Ben waved at Jules and thanked her with a courtly bow and tip of his cap. She blew him back a kiss, then melted into the crowd to join the celebration. Happier than she’d ever been.

Mary had wound dozens of trees in the back with tiny Christmas lights and then laced the lights through the gazebo.

It was as she had promised: simple and casual, but perfect in every way.

Ben had invited Stan Hanson to come, but the former mayor said the time wasn’t right and Ben concurred. No matter what she had done, Stan loved his wife. She had devoted her life to him, and although it might not have always been a healthy love, it was a deep love.

Karen had lived only a day, the swelling caused by the accident inoperable. She awoke once, told Stan she loved him, and then she was gone. Stan’s grief was profound.

Although Chief Thompson and the lawyer Ben had recommended had worked out a deal that wouldn’t involve criminal action, Stan’s reticence to go to the police with his suspicions about Karen, about their past, was a decision that would follow him.

But Stan would survive this, and no one doubted that he would make up for what he had done in a manner that would benefit Sea Harbor and make him whole again.

Nell found Ben again, and they stood together on the edge of the crowd. Danny came up, bringing hugs and a smile. She had checked on him the previous day, making sure he was coming. He had missed Friday dinner the week before and it concerned her.

“I don’t miss Ben’s martinis and grilled fish lightly,” he’d assured her, explaining his absence involved a book signing—nothing more or less. “You’re not rid of me, not by a long shot.”

She hugged him now, and he read her thoughts. “Don’t worry, Nell. Things will work out, however that’s meant to be.”

They watched him walk off, waving to friends, smiling.

“The way I see it, Nellie,” Ben said, “he and Cass are apart, but within reach. They’ll do what’s best for them. Give them time.”

Nell was trying to do exactly that. As was Birdie. And Izzy.

She looked around for Izzy and spotted her standing with Sam near the gazebo, watching Abby roll on the grass at their feet. Behind them, the Fractured Fish were tuning instruments, ready to make music.

Pete strummed and Merry trilled her fingers up and down the keyboard. Andy Risso sat behind them, his blond ponytail moving to the practiced beat of his drums.

All across the lawn, waiters carried trays of cocktails and Tyler Gibson’s special anniversary drink, a ruby red concoction that he promised they’d remember forever. Jeffrey had taught him how to make it.

Food stations were scattered beneath the trees—lobster rolls and calamari, Harry’s salads and mounds of fruit in Jane Brewster’s beautiful handmade bowls.

Nell found Mary Pisano walking along the back porch checking the drinks, the food, the music, the guests. Nell came up behind her and wrapped her in a hug. “It’s absolutely perfect, my dear friend.”

Mary turned around and hugged her back. “Yes, it is, isn’t it? It’s a perfect celebration. And we have much to celebrate. Amazing friends, good food. It’s not all about you, you know. So let’s get the toast over with, shall we? And then get on with the party and dance the night away.”

Izzy was already at the microphone, gathering the crowd and promising to be brief.

Ben walked up to the gazebo and picked Abby up off the blanket, swinging her into the air until her giggles became contagious and a wave of laughter vibrated through the crowd.

Nell hooked her arm into Ben’s, and before Izzy could have her say, they took the microphone away. Nell kissed her niece on the cheek and whispered, “You’re next, my Izzy.”

Then Ben thanked their friends for being in their lives.

“You are the threads that add richness and support and joy to our lives together,” Nell added. And then her voice gave way and she took the handkerchief Mary had ready.

Ben kissed his wife full on the lips with a passion that had only grown richer over the forty years. The crowd cheered. And that was it. Simple and sincere.

Izzy was next, with Sam standing next to her.

“No toast,” Izzy said. “Just love. Lots of it . . . forever and ever. And a gift that you loaned to Sam and me for our own wedding. Here it is, back at you . . .”

She turned to Pete, who turned to Merry and Andy.

Izzy and Sam stepped away, their arms looped around each other, their eyes on Ben and Nell. Pete strummed the first chords as Mary brought the keyboard to life and Andy joined in with the drums. Then Pete and Merry took to the microphones and began, their voices filling the air.

Our love is here to stay . . .

The song Ben and Nell had danced to on a ranch in western Kansas forty years before . . .

Not for a year, but forever and a day.

The same song Izzy and Sam had danced to in Sea Harbor, Massachusetts, just a short memory ago.

Together we’re going a long, long way.

Our love is here to stay.

And they danced the night away.

Designed for
Murder in Merino
by Cindy Craig

Cindy Craig—a gifted designer, teacher, author of
The Kids’ Knitting Notebook
, and guru of all things knitting—is the manager of the Studio Knitting & Needlepoint store in Kansas City, Missouri. Cindy designed this shawl for Nell and Ben’s anniversary, working into the pattern symbolism of their forty years together.

The ruby red color symbolizes forty years of marriage. The main section of the blanket—a heart cable—represents marriage as the center of a family’s life. The zigzag cable reminds us of those times in life when a couple travels through curves and turns and unexpected happenings. The two lacy heart panels are symbols of the openness and flexibility partners maintain to ensure a long and honest relationship, and the diamond cable border symbolizes a couple’s relationship to the world in which they live and love.

For more information about the Studio and Cindy’s creations, please visit their Web site: www.thestudiokc.com

The Pattern

This blanket is knit in strips and sewn together. It simplifies knitting a large afghan and also lends itself to a group project. The panels vary in textures and skills required, to keep it interesting. You can customize the finished size of the blanket by adding or reducing the number of panels.

Finished Size:
48 inches wide by 60 inches tall

Gauge:
4 sts per inch and 6 rows per inch in stockinette stitch

Yarn:
20 skeins Trendsetter Yarns Merino 8, 100 percent merino wool—50 grams/skein. Motto 10 ply, 100 yards/skein

Needle:
U.S. No. 9/5.5 millimeter, or needle needed to obtain gauge; a cable needle (cn)

Crochet Hook:
If desired to attach panels

ABBREVIATIONS

cn cable needle

CO cast on

k knit

k2tog knit 2 stitches together

p purl

rep repeat

RS right side

ssk slip, slip, knit

st(s) stitch(es)

WS wrong side

yo yarn over

2/1 RPC Slip next st onto cn and hold in back; k2; p1 from cn

2/1 LPC Slip next st onto cn and hold in front; k2; p1 from cn

2/2 RC Slip 2 sts onto cn and hold in back; k2; k2 from cn

2/2 LC Slip 2 sts onto cn and hold in front; k2; k2 from cn

2/2 RPC Slip 2 sts onto cn and hold in back; k2, p2 from cn

2/2 LPC Slip 2 sts onto cn and hold in back; k2, p2 from cn

Seed Stitch Over Even Number of STS

Row 1: *K1, P1; rep from * to the end

Row 2: *P1, K1; rep from * to the end

Repeat these 2 rows

Seed Stitch Over Odd Number of STS

Row 1: K1, *P1, K1; rep from * to the end

Row 2: P1, *K1, P1; rep from * to the end

HEART CABLE PANEL (MAKE 1 10
"
PANEL)

CO 58 sts

Work seed stitch for 7 rows

Work heart cable pattern stitch until piece measures 59 inches from cast-on edge

Work seed stitch for 7 rows

HEART CABLE PATTERN STITCH

Row 1: (RS) (k1, p1) twice, 2/1 RPC, p3, k4, p3, 2/1 LPC, (2/2 LPC) twice, 2/2 RC, 2/2 LC, 2/2 RPC, 2/1 RPC, p3, k4, p3, 2/1 LPC, (p1, k1) twice

Row 2: (WS) (p1, k1) twice, p2, k4, p4, k4, p2, k2, p12, k2, p2, k4, p4, k4, p2, (k1, p1) twice

Row 3: (k1, p1) twice, k2, p4, 2/2 RC, p4, k2, p2, 2/2 RCP, k4, 2/2 LPC, p2, k3, p3, 2/2 RC, p4, k2, (p1, k1) twice

Row 4: (p1, k1) twice, p2, k4, p4, k4, (p2, k2) twice, p4, (k2, p2) twice, k4, p4, k4, p2, (k1, p1) twice

Row 5: K1, (k1, p1) twice, 2/2 LPC, 2/2 RC, 2/2 LC, 2/2 RPC, p1, 2/1 RPC, p2, 2/2 RC, p2, 2/1 LPC, p1, 2/2 LPC, 2/2 RC, 2/2 LC, 2/2 RPC, (p1, k1) twice

Row 6: (p1, k1) twice, k1, p9, k3, p2, k3, p4, k3, p2, k3, p9, k2, (k1, p1) twice

Row 7: (k1, p1) twice, p2, 2/2 RPC, k4, 2/2 LPC, p2, 2/1 RPC, p3, k4, p3, 2/1 LPC, p2, 2/2 RPC, k4, 2/2 LPC, p2, (p1, k1) twice

Row 8: (p1, k1) twice, k2, p2, k2, p4, k2, p2, k2, p2, k4, p4, k4, p2, k2, p2, k2, p4, k2, p2, k2, (k1 p1) twice

Row 9: (k1, p1) twice, p1, 2/1 RPC, p2, 2/1 LPC, p1, k2, p4, 2/2 RC, p4, k2, p1, 2/1 RPC, p2, 2/2 RC, p2, 2/1 LPC, p1 (p1, k1) twice

Row 10: (p1, k1) twice, k1, p2, k3, p4, k3, p2, k1, p2, k4, p4, k4, p2, k1, p2, k3, p4, k3, p2, k1, (k1, p1) twice

DIAMOND TWIST CABLE PANEL (MAKE 2 3
"
PANELS)

CO 32 sts

Work seed stitch for 7 rows

Work diamond twist cable pattern stitch until piece measures 59 inches from cast-on edge

Work seed stitch for 7 rows

Bind off all sts

DIAMOND TWIST CABLE PATTERN STITCH

Row 1: k1, p1, k1, p11, 2/2 RC, p10, k1, p1, k1, p1

Row 2: p1, k1, p1, k11, p4, k10, p1, k1, p1, k1

Row 3: k1, p1, k1, p10, 2/1 RC, 2/1 LC, p9, k1, p1, k1, p1

Row 4: p1, k1, p1, k10, p6, k9, p1, k1, p1, k1

Row 5: k1, p1, k1, p9, 2/1 RC, k2, 2/1 LC, p8, k1, p1, k1, p1

Row 6: p1, k1, p1, k9, p8, k8, p1, k1, p1, k1

Row 7: k1, p1, k1, p8, 2/1 RPC, 2/2 RC, 2/1 LPC, p7, k1, p1, k1, p1

Row 8: p1, k1, p1, k6, p1, k1, p2, k1, p4, k1, p2, k7, p1, k1, p1, k1

Row 9: k1, p1, k1, p7, 2/1 RPC, p1, k4, p1, 2/1 LPC, p6, k1, p1, k1, p1

Row 10: p1, k1, p1, k7, p2, k2, p4, k2, p2, k6, p1, k1, p1, k1

Row 11: k1, p1, k1, p6, 2/1 RPC, p2, 2/2 RC, p2, 2/1 LPC, p5, k1, p1, k1, p1

Row 12: p1, k1, p1, k6, p2, k3, p4, k3, p2, k5, p1, k1, p1, k1

Row 13: k1, p1, k1, p5, 2/1 RPC, p3, k4, p3, 2/1 LPC, p4, k1, p1, k1, p1

Row 14: p1, k1, p1, k5, p2, k4, p4, k4, p2, k4, p1, k1, p1, k1

Row 15: k1, p1, k1, p4, 2/1 RPC, p4, 2/2 RC, p4, 2/1 LPC, p3, k1, p1, k1, p1

Row 16: p1, k1, p1, k4, p2, k5, p4, k5, p2, k3, p1, k1, p1, k1

Row 17: k1, p1, k1, p3, 2/1 RPC, p5, k4, p5, 2/1 LPC, p2, k1, p1, k1, p1

Row 18: p1, k1, p1, k3, p3, k5, p4, k5, p3, k2, p1, k1, p1, k1

Row 19: k1, p1, k1, p3, 2/1 RPC, k2, p5, 2/2 RC, p5, k2, 2/1 LPC, p2, k1, p1, k1, p1

Row 20: p1, k1, p1, k3, p3, k5, p4, k5, p3, k2, p1, k1, p1, k1

Row 21: k1, p1, k1, p3, 2/1 LPC, p5, k4, p5, 2/1 RPC, p2, k1, p1, k1, p1

Row 22: p1, k1, p1, k3, p3, k5, p4, k5, p2, k3, p1, k1, p1, k1

Row 23: k1, p1, k1, p4, 2/1 LPC, p4, 2/2 RC, p4, 2/1 RPC, p3, k1, p1, k1, p1

Row 24: p1, k1, p1, k5, p2, k4, p4, k4, p2, k4, p1, k1, p1, k1

Row 25: k1, p1, k1, p5, 2/1 LPC, p3, k4, p3, 2/1 RPC, p4, k1, p1, k1, p1

Row 26: p1, k1, p1, k6, p2, k3, p4, k3, p2, k5, p1, k1, p1, k1

Row 27: k1, p1, k1, p6, 2/1 LPC, p2, 2/2 RC, p2, 2/1 RPC, p5, k1, p1, k1, p1

Row 28: p1, k1, p1, k7, p2, k2, p4, k2, p2, k6, p1, k1, p1, k1

Row 29: k1, p1, k1, p7, 2/1 LPC, p1, k4, p1, 2/1 RPC, p6, k1, p1, k1, p1

Row 30: p1, k1, p1, k8, p2, k1, p4, k1, p2, k7, p1, k1, p1, k1

Row 31: k1, p1, k1, p8, 2/1 LPC, 2/2 RC, 2/1 RPC, p7, k1, p1, k1, p1

Row 32: p1, k1, p1, k9, p8, k8, p1, k1, p1, k1

Row 33: k1, p1, k1, p9, 2/1 LC, k2, 2/1 RC, p8, k1, p1, k1, p1

Row 34: p1, k1, p1, k10, p6, k9, p1, k1, p1, k1

Row 35: k1, p1, k1, p10, 2/1 LC, 2/1 RC, p9, k1, p1, k1, p1

ZIGZAG CABLE PANEL (MAKE 4 3
"
PANELS)

CO 27 sts

Work seed stitch for 7 rows

Work zigzag cable pattern stitch until piece measures 59 inches from cast-on edge

Work seed stitch for 7 rows

Bind off all sts

ZIGZAG CABLE PATTERN STITCH

Row 1: (p1, k1) twice, p9, 2/1 RPC, p2, 2/1 RPC, p3, k1, p1, k1

Row 2: (k1, p1) twice, p1, (k3, p2) twice, k10, p1, k1, p1

Row 3: (p1, k1) twice, p8, 2/1 RPC, p2, 2/1 RPC, p4, k1, p1, k1

Row 4: (k1, p1) twice, k4, p2, k3, p2, k9, p1, k1, p1

Row 5: (p1, k1) twice, p7, 2/1 RPC, p2, 2/1 RPC, p5, k1, p1, k1

Row 6: (k1, p1) twice, k5, p2, k3, p2, k8, p1, k1, p1

Row 7: (p1, k1) twice, p6, 2/1 RPC, p2, 2/1 RPC, p6, k1, p1, k1

Row 8: (k1, p1) twice, k6, p2, k3, p2, k7, p1, k1, p1

Row 9: (p1, k1), twice, p5, 2/1 RPC, p2, 2/1 RPC, p7, k1, p1, k1

Row 10: (k1, p1) twice, k7, p2, k3, p2, k6, p1, k1, p1

Row 11: (p1, k1) twice, p4, 2/1 RPC, p2, 2/1 RPC, p8, k1, p1, k1

Row 12: (k1, p1) twice, k8, p2, k3, p2, k5, p1, k1, p1

Row 13: (p1, k1) twice, p3, 2/1 RPC, p2, 2/1 RPC, p9, k1, p1, k1

Row 14: (k1, p1) twice, k9, p2, k2, p3, k4, p1, k1, p1

Row 15: (p1, k1) twice, p2, 2/1 RPC, p2, 2/1 RPC, p10, k1, p1, k1

Row 16: (k1, p1) twice, k9, p3, k2, p3, k3, p1, k1, p1

Row 17: (p1, k1) twice, p2, k3, p2, k3, p10, k1, p1, k1

Row 18: (k1, p1) twice, k9, p3, k2, p3, k3, p1, k1, p1

Row 19: (p1, k1) twice, p2, 2/1 LPC, p2, 2/1 LPC, p10, k1, p1, k1

Row 20: (k1, p1) twice, k9, p2, k3, p2, k4, p1, k1, p1

Row 21: (p1, k1) twice, p3, 2/1 LPC, p2, 2/1 LPC, p9, k1, p1, k1

Row 22: (k1, p1) twice, k8, p2, k3, p2, k5, p1, k1, p1

Row 23: (k1, p1) twice, p4, 2/1 LPC, p2, 2/1 LPC, p8, k1, p1, k1

Row 24: (k1, p1) twice, k7, p2, k3, p2, k6, p1, k1, p1

Row 25: (p1, k1) twice, p5, 2/1 LPC, p2, 2/1 LPC, p7, k1, p1, k1

Row 26: (k1, p1) twice, k6, p2, k3, p2, k7, p1, k1, p1

Row 27: (p1, k1) twice, p6, 2/1 LPC, p2, 2/1 LPC, p6, k1, p1, k1

Row 28: (k1, p1) twice, k5, p2, k3, p2, k8, p1, k1, p1

Row 29: (p1, k1) twice, p7, 2/1 LPC, p2, 2/1 LPC, p5, k1, p1, k1

Row 30: (k1, p1) twice, k4, p2, k3, p2, k9, p1, k1, p1

Row 31: (p1, k1) twice, p8, 2/1 LPC, p2, 2/1 LPC, p4, k1, p1, k1

Row 32: (k1, p1) twice, (k3, p2) twice, k10, p1, k1, p1

Row 33: (p1, k1) twice, p9, 2/1 LPC, p2, 2/1 LPC, p3, k1, p1, k1

Row 34: (k1, p1) twice, k2, p2, k3, p2, k11, p1, k1, p1

HEART LACE PANEL (MAKE 2 6
"
PANELS)

CO 29 sts

Work seed stitch for 7 rows

Work heart lace pattern stitch until piece measures 59 inches from cast-on edge

Work seed stitch for 7 rows

Bind off all sts

HEART LACE PATTERN STITCH

Row 1: (RS) (k1, p1) twice, k21, (p1, k1), twice

Row 2: (WS) k1, p1, k1, p23, k1, p1, k1

Row 3: (k1, p1), twice, k10, yo, ssk, k9, (p1, k1), twice

Row 4: k1, p1, k1, p23, k1, p1, k1

Row 5: (k1, p1), twice, k8, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, ssk, k8, (p1, k1), twice

Row 6: k1, p1, k1, p23, k1, p1, k1

Row 7: (k1, p1), twice, k7, k2tog, yo, k3, yo, ssk, k7, (p1, k1), twice

Row 8: k1, p1, k1, p23, k1, p1, k1

Row 9: (k1, p1), twice, k6, k2tog, yo, k5, yo, ssk, k6, (p1, k1), twice

Row 10: k1, p1, k1, p23, k1, p1, k1

Row 11: (k1, p1), twice, k5, k2tog, yo, k7, yo, ssk, k5, (p1, k1), twice

Row 12: k1, p1, k1, p23, k1, p1, k1

Row 13: (k1, p1), twice, k4, k2tog, yo, k4, yo, ssk, k3, yo, ssk, k4, (p1, k1), twice

Row 14: k1, p1, k1, p23, k1, p1, k1

Row 15: (k1, p1), twice, k5, yo, ssk, k1, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, ssk, k1, k2tog, yo, k5, (p1, k1), twice

Row 16: k1, p1, k1, p23, k1, p1, k1

Row 17: (k1, p1), twice, k21, (p1, k1), twice

FINISHING

Block panels and make sure they are all the same length. 

Using yarn and a knitting needle (or crochet hook), sew or crochet the nine panels together in the following order:

1. Diamond Twist Cable Panel 

2. Zigzag Cable Panel

3. Heart Lace Panel 

4. Zigzag Cable Panel

5. Heart Cable Panel  (center panel)

6. Zigzag Cable Panel

7. Heart Lace Panel

8. Zigzag Cable Panel

9. Diamond Twist Cable Panel 

Weave in all ends and enjoy.

For additional tips and a diagram of the anniversary afghan pattern, go to www.sallygoldenbaum.com.