The Quick and the Thread (10 page)

“That you’re cute? Sure, I do.” He gave me a half grin.

I rolled my eyes.

“Okay,” he said. “I seriously doubt Timothy Enright wanted to ask you out on a date. He had to have been head over heels for Lorraine in order to put up with her for as long as he did.”

“Do you know her? Lorraine?”

“Barely. I did know Tim fairly well, and I know that woman gave him a ton of grief.”

“In what way?” I pulled the storeroom door shut and walked slowly to the sitting area. “Someone mentioned she’d been after Mr. Enright to move his business for quite a while.” I sat down on one of the red chairs, while Detective Nash took a seat on one of the navy sofas.

He picked up a pillow and ran a hand over the Colonial knots making up the candlewick design. “That was only part of it. It seemed she was never satisfied. She’d come into the store and have a tantrum right there in front of everyone, because she wanted some piece of jewelry or furniture they couldn’t afford.”

“How embarrassing for Mr. Enright and his customers.”

Detective Nash nodded. “It was. I have an ex-wife, and we never had blowups like that. Of course, it was only Lorraine blowing up. Tim always tried to quietly placate her.”

“I’ve only met Mrs. Enright a couple of times,” I said, “but she isn’t quiet.”

“If anyone drove Timothy Enright to an early grave, it was her.” He traced the pillow’s design with his index finger. “But I didn’t say that.”

“Do you think Lorraine Enright might’ve poisoned her husband?” I asked.

“I didn’t say that, either. Everyone is still a suspect at this point, Ms. Singer. Even you.”

“Ah, now, there’s the Detective Nash I’ve come to know.”

The bell above the door jingled, heralding Sadie’s arrival. She greeted Angus and then stopped short at the sight of Detective Nash sitting on the sofa.

“Ted, what are you doing here? I thought it was your day off.”

“It is.” He put the pillow aside. “I’m just here seeing if Ms. Singer had any additional information . . . seeing if we can add any more pieces to this puzzle.”

“Uh-huh.” Sadie crossed her arms and walked around to the other red chair.

“Hopefully, Sadie and I will have more information to report tomorrow evening. We’re going—”

Sadie collapsed into a coughing fit. I waited until she was finished before continuing.

“We’re going to the prison to see Norman Patrick.”

Detective Nash looked from me to Sadie—who was now covering her eyes with her hand—and back to me. “You’re what?”

“Going to talk with Norm Patrick. It was Sadie’s idea. She said he likes blondes.”

Again, Detective Nash looked back and forth from me to Sadie, his mouth gaping open.

“I know it sounds like a harebrained idea,” I said. “I thought so, too, at first. But I’m going to ask Mr. Patrick if Timothy Enright had anything to do with Four Square Development.”

“And, of course, he’ll open right up and tell you,” Detective Nash said. “Will you be carrying sodium pentothal in your gigantic yellow purse?” He raised his eyes to the ceiling. “Oh, wait . . . it won’t matter. The guard who checks your gigantic yellow purse and makes you walk through a metal detector will confiscate it.” He smirked.

It was that smirk that sent me over the edge. I leaned forward and licked my lips. “What makes you think I’ll need truth serum?” I asked in a hushed, sexy voice.

“You c-can’t go into a prison and . . . be . . . seductive!” Detective Nash practically yelled. “Are you out of your mind?”

I snapped my fingers, and Angus trotted over to sit by my side. I scratched his head. “I’m going to get to the truth about all this. I’ve worked too hard to let a shadow hang over this shop—or over me.”

L
ater that afternoon, I was unpacking the Halloween products that had arrived that morning. The scarecrow designs were adorable. There were also cross-stitch cards with characters and sayings. A cross-eyed bat was combined with the phrase “You drive me batty.” A mummy said, “I’m all wrapped up in you.” A black cat declared the card’s recipient “purrrfect.” Yeah, corny; I know. But the cards really were cute. And if I got a card like one of these, I would adore it. How nice it would be to know someone thought enough to actually make me something, especially for Halloween.

There was the most adorable haunted-house project. Darling little ghosts peeped out of the windows, and a black cat sat on the porch. Of course, a full moon loomed overhead, with a bat flying nearby. Two tombstones stood by a bare-limbed tree. The tombstones had names and little epitaphs:
I told you I was sick!
and
Ima Goner
. There were other suggestions on the back:
Myra Mains
,
Emma Ghost
,
Will Knott Rest
, and
Yul B. Next
. I absolutely had to have one of these haunted houses of my own, and promised myself I’d start it as soon as I finished my tote bag. Okay, or the MacKenzies’ Mochas logo. What can I say? I like to multitask.

I heard the bell over the door jingle and called, “I’ll be right there!”

“That’s all right,” Sadie said. “I’ll come to you. What are you doing?”

“Getting ready to stock these Halloween kits.”

Sadie picked up a kit depicting a teddy bear wearing a pumpkin costume. “How sweet!”

“Do you want it? I owe you after all the free coffees you’ve given me.”

“Do you think I could do it?” Sadie turned the kit over to read the back. “It looks a little hard.”

“You totally could. Have you ever done needlepoint?”

“No.”

“I’ll teach you. It’s easy, and it goes really fast.”

“Good. I like fast.” Sadie gave me a pointed look. “At least, I
usually
like fast. What was with you making eyes at Ted Nash today?”

“I did
not
make eyes at Ted Nash. I merely wiped that arrogant smirk off his face.”

“Well, you certainly did that. But I think you might’ve melted his shoes, too.”

I laughed. “No, I did not.”

“I, uh . . . thought you liked Todd.”

“I do like Todd.”

“And?” Sadie prompted.

“And what?”

“What was Ted Nash doing here on his day off?”

I shrugged. “He called me last night and asked if he could come by. He said he said he wanted to take another look around.”

“On his day off.”

“I hadn’t realized it was his day off. But I’m serious, Sadie, I want to get to the truth about this whole Enright /Trelawney/Four Square thing.”

“I get that, but—”

“But what?” I put my hands on my hips.

“There appeared to be some serious sparks flying between you and Ted today, that’s all.”

“He’s investigating me for murder. That’s such a turn-on.”

“It’s just that Todd likes you, and—”

“And what? I’m acting like a tramp? I’m sorry. Please pass my apologies along to whomever else you think needs one.”

“I’m not accusing you of anything, Marcy. I’m just saying that if Todd likes you and you like Detective Nash, I’d appreciate your not leading Todd on.”

I went back to my box of embroidery kits. “I need to get these put up. I’ll see you tomorrow when I get back from the prison.”

“Oh, so now Blake, Todd, and I aren’t going?”

“Why would you want to? I might lead Todd on.”

Sadie huffed, pitched her bear pattern back into the box, and left.

I finished putting up the kits. I did like Todd, but he and I had not even been on an official date. It’s hard to get to know someone when you’re usually part of a foursome or—in the case of the grand-opening party—a crowd. And there was something a little exciting about wiping that smirk off Ted Nash’s haughty face . . . the way his full lips parted slightly when I leaned closer to him, the way his eyes darkened, the way he caught and held his breath. It was a powerful feeling. Maybe I did like him a micro bit. Maybe not having had a date in more than a year was getting to me. Maybe I should “get thee to a nunnery.”

I blew out a breath and looked down at Angus, who was lying on his bed. He looked up at me without raising his head. He was so adorable when he did that. I bent and kissed the top of his head.

“I’d never go to a nunnery without you, Angus.”

“I hope you don’t go to a nunnery at all.”

I stood so quickly, I nearly fell. “Hey, Todd. I didn’t hear the bell.”

“No wonder. It seems your thoughts were a million miles away.”

“Not a million, but they were wandering.”

“To a nunnery, no less.” He grinned.

I bit my lower lip. “Long story. Sometimes I’d like to simply run away and disappear.”

“One of those days, huh?”

I nodded. “Sadie and I had an argument.”

“Have you made up yet?”

I shook my head.

He looked at his watch. “It’s nearly closing time. Come on.”

I looked down at the almost-empty box.

“It can wait until Monday, can’t it?” He cocked his head and looked at me with those milk-chocolate eyes. “Please?” He smiled. “I was looking forward to the four of us going to the prison tomorrow.”

I laughed. “Yeah, it’s not every day you get to do that.” I put the box into the storeroom, grabbed one of the teddy bear pumpkin kits off the shelf, and began shutting off the lights. “Come on, Angus.”

I turned the OPEN sign to CLOSED and locked the door behind us. As we were walking next door to MacKenzies’ Mochas, Sadie stepped out and started toward us.

“I was coming to apologize,” she said.

“Me, too.”

We hugged.

“So, we’re still on for tomorrow?” Todd asked.

“Oh, heck, yeah,” Sadie said. “Nobody’s going on a prison road trip without me.”

 

 

What does one wear to a prison?
I asked myself, my inner voice reminding me of Lovey Howell from
Gilligan’s Island
. As I looked through my closet, Angus lay on the floor, chewing an eco-friendly bone that was supposed to make his breath smell minty. I hadn’t yet broken the news to him that he couldn’t join me on my field trip to the prison and that he’d have to stay in the backyard all day. Don’t get me wrong; Angus loves his little fenced-off piece of real estate, and he especially enjoys lounging on the back porch swing. He has plenty of food, water, and toys out there to keep him occupied. It’s just the way he looks at me when he knows I’m going somewhere without him. Guilt, guilt, guilt.

I turned my attention back to the closet. If only I had an orange jumpsuit . . . or maybe an orange minidress like that girl on
Pushing Daisies
wore. No. It would be my luck for them to throw me in jail for contempt or something.

I opted for a floral-print skirt, pink V-neck sweater, and taupe platform pumps. I curled my hair, which makes me—in my opinion—look more polished and professional. I usually let it do whatever it wants, and it looks kinda wild. I like it, though; it’s fun and funky, casual and relaxed. I did a quick scalp check—no sign of roots yet. Roots suck. They tell everybody who’s thinking
That couldn’t possibly be her natural hair color
that they’re right. When really it’s none of their business in the first place that my hair is naturally a dull, mousy brown.

I sat down at the vanity to put on my makeup. “What do you think, Angus? Should I take Mr. Patrick a box of candy? Is that sort of thing allowed?” I turned to look at him, but he completely ignored me. He knew something was up. It was the hair. I should’ve explained things to him before I curled my hair.

I was putting on my lipstick when the doorbell rang.

“Coming!” I checked the clock. They were early.

When I opened the door, I was surprised to find Ted Nash there. He was back in his suit, with his badge clipped to his belt. “Good afternoon, Ms. Singer. May I come in?”

“Of course.”

He noticed me looking at the street beyond him. “You’re expecting someone?”

I nodded. “We’re going to the prison today.”

“Oh, that’s right. I honestly think you should reconsider that. It’s not a wise decision. And if Chief Myers finds out, he’ll be livid. He hates it when civilians interfere with our work.”

“What brings you by?” I asked.

“Bill Trelawney was killed by a .38-caliber slug. Would you happen to own a gun, Ms. Singer?”

“No, I don’t, but I’ll happily submit to a search.”

His lips twitched. “I can look at you and fairly conclusively ascertain you’re not concealing a weapon.”

“I meant the house. Feel free to search the house for any sort of . . . artillery.”

“Not necessary.”

Blake’s van pulled into the driveway beside the detective’s black cruiser.

“Looks like your ride’s here,” Detective Nash said. “If you insist on following through with this, be careful, all right?”

“I will.”

He turned and waved in the direction of Blake’s van and got into his car. I held up one finger to let Blake know I’d be there in a minute. As I went to the kitchen for Angus’ provisions, Sadie came inside.

“Need help with anything?” she asked.

“No. I’m gathering up a few things to keep Angus busy today, that’s all.” I knew her real question was why Detective Nash had been here, but I was still miffed enough about yesterday not to tell her.

I filled Angus’ food and water bowls, and I put his teddy bear on the porch swing. He had other toys out there already. I called him, and he came moping into the kitchen.

“I’m sorry,” I told him. “It’s only for a while.” I could’ve sworn I heard Glenn Frey singing about my lyin’ eyes.

I opened the back door. Angus took his bone and went out onto the porch, giving me an admonishing glance over his shoulder before I closed the door.

“Shut up, Glenn,” I muttered.