A Murder in Mohair by Anne Canadeo Read Free Book Online Page B

Charles didn’t mention a word about it. He didn’t catch that case. Which was why he had off the entire weekend, for once. Just as well that I wasn’t around for that get-together,” Maggie added. “You know what Oscar Wilde said, ‘I can resist everything but temptation.’ ”
    Lucy laughed. “Never heard that one, but I’ll have to remember it. You did miss another interesting moment—one that has nothing to do with police work,” she added. “Edie’s niece, Nora, was there with Cassandra Waters and Edie introduced us to the psychic. Edie wanted to see what we thought of her.”
    Maggie gave her a curious look. “What’s she like?”
    â€œFrom what Edie said about her, I was expecting some loud, brassy woman in a gypsy costume, pushing a crystal ball in my face. But she was very smooth.”
    â€œReally? That’s interesting. I got the same impression from Edie’s description, too.” Maggie headed up to the porch and Lucy followed, tugging the dogs, who were more interested to sniff the freshly watered lawn and shrubs.
    â€œShe was just the opposite—calm and quiet. Sort of New Agey? Very . . . sympathetic. Though she did press her hand a bit, pushing us a little to call her for a session.” Lucy tied the dogs to the porch rails and set up their portable water bowl. “She also said there were a lot of spirits who wanted to talk to me, to give me advice about my life.”
    Maggie looked surprised, her smile growing wider. “Hard to resist a teaser like that.”
    â€œYes, it is,” Lucy admitted.
    The comment had struck a nerve, with so many big questions looming now—her major birthday coming up, and wondering where her relationship with Matt was really going. Or not going.
    She’d been thinking about it more than she wanted to admit. Lucy looked back at Maggie. “Edie already told us that was the way Cassandra got Nora hooked. She’s sure that Cassandra Waters is exploiting Nora. She’s very concerned about it. She went to a session with the psychic last night, just to see what it was like.”
    Maggie nodded, heading for the storeroom at the back of the shop, which doubled as a kitchen. Lucy smelled fresh coffee and followed.
    â€œEddie mentioned she might do that the other day,” Maggie replied. “I’m glad she followed through. She seems convinced that Cassandra is exploiting Nora.”
    â€œSuzanne, Dana, and I thought we should set up a session, too. In fact, we more or less promised Edie that we’d help her debunk Cassandra. We thought we should all go. What do you think? Want to try it?”
    Maggie had poured them each a mug of coffee and handed Lucy one, no milk or sugar, just the way Lucy liked it. Maggie poured a spot of milk in her own mug and took a quick sip.
    â€œWhy not? I’ve never been. It could be fun. Why don’t we ask her to come to the shop on Thursday night? We’re supposed to meet here anyway this week.”
    Their knitting group met every Thursday night at seven, rotating between everyone’s house and the shop. Lucy thought it was a good suggestion.
    â€œGood idea. We already know that’s a night everyone can make it. As long as you don’t mind having a séance in your shop.”
    Lucy was teasing Maggie now a bit, though it would seem a little weird, sitting around the worktable—so far reserved for knitting, eating, and gossiping—and summoning up spirits.
    â€œOh, I don’t mind at all. Do you think she’ll make us hold hands or any of that silly stuff? Maybe we can knit while she does her thing,” Maggie mused. “It will be just like a regular meeting—except we’ll be chatting with voices from beyond.”
    â€œWhoa . . . what am I hearing down here?” Phoebe’s apartment on the second floor was connected by a stairway in the storeroom, and