A Stitch in Crime by Betty Hechtman Read Free Book Online

“You must have lost, what, twenty pounds?”
    Was it my imagination, or was there an edge in Jeen’s voice?
    “Give or take a few pounds,” Izabelle said, trying to shrug off the comment. “It’s been a long time. I was just showing off my crochet book,” Isabelle said, picking up the copy and handing it to Jeen. “What about you? What have you been up to?” I was just guessing, but I thought Izabelle already knew the answer to her question, and whatever Jeen had been doing, it didn’t measure up to Izabelle’s achievements. Jeen muttered something about having to catch up later. After taking the book from his wife, Jym nodded a greeting to Izabelle and handed the book back to her. She gave him a knowing smile, and he looked away quickly. I hoped that didn’t mean there was going to be some kind of drama involving the three of them.
    The awkward moment was made even more awkward as Adele stepped in the couple’s faces. “I just want you to know that for this weekend, crocheters rule. None of that ‘knitting and crochet.’ Any references will be to ‘crochet and knitting.’ Okay?”
    The Wolfs seemed taken aback by Adele’s pronouncement and watched her flounce back to her seat. “She’s a little intense,” Jeen said.
    I tried to smooth things over by introducing the new arrivals to the rest of the group. Jym knew who Bennett was right away. He was a fan of the show and started reeling off all the clever devices that had been on the show lately. I didn’t have to introduce Commander Blaine.
    “You have the copy shop, right?” Jym said, extending his hand.
    Commander’s cheerful expression wavered and recovered. “It’s a complete office and mailing center. But my workshop is all about entertaining.”
    The rest of the introductions went without incident, and the Wolfs got their food and joined the others. A short time later one of the kitchen employees came from the other side of the room with a cart of vacuum pots of coffee and slabs of candy-bar-topped cheesecake.
    My plate of food was still untouched, and I left it on a tray stand. The woman made the rounds with her cart, leaving everyone but Izabelle with a piece of the cheesecake.
    “She probably heard how many calories and almost fainted,” Dinah said when she accepted a piece. She took one for me as well and set it on the table, even though I hadn’t eaten my dinner. I glanced over the rhinestone clipboard. All the presenters were accounted for except the tai chi person.
    When everyone had finished dessert and coffee, I stood up and gave my little welcoming speech. I said the retreaters would be arriving throughout the next morning, and the workshops would begin after lunch. Commander Blaine raised his hand, and when I gestured for him to speak, he stood.
    “I just wanted to add that in addition to my workshops on entertaining, I’ll be putting on little events during the weekend. The first is the campfire and s’mores reception.”
    As he continued, describing how most people just thought of the regular ingredients of milk chocolate, marshmallows, and graham crackers, he took the concept to a new gourmet level. I tuned out, as I imagined everyone else did, as he ran through the different variations on the common camping treat. When he finished, I took the floor again. I’d been dreading dropping the bomb, but there was no choice. I broke the news that Mrs. Shedd had promised a local shelter that the retreat would donate handmade afghans. Izabelle and the Wolfs responded as I’d expected. They already had plans for their workshops, and there wasn’t enough time over the weekend.
    Adele stepped in—or, more correctly—overstepped her boundaries. “I’m sure the crocheters will figure out a way to come up with something.” Izabelle and the Wolfs glared at her. I quickly asked if anyone else had any announcements, and when there were none, the group broke up. Dinah and I hung behind to finish our coffee and cake. At least, she ate