Murder of a Needled Knitter by Denise Swanson Read Free Book Online Page A

didn’t knit, but guessed the discount store crack had been an insult.
    â€œYou think?” May glared at her daughter. “It’s like asking a fashion model if she bought her outfit at Sears.”
    â€œI see,” Skye said, exchanging a puzzled glance with the security chief.
    â€œThen today on Countess Cays, she was so late for the group photo your dad wouldn’t wait around any longer,” May continued. “He said her time was no more valuable than his, so I had to miss being in the picture and now I won’t have it as a souvenir.”
    â€œSo that’s why Wally and I didn’t see you and Dad there.”
    â€œThat’s the reason, all right,” May confirmed. “Your father can’t abide tardiness.”
    â€œAs I well remember, considering he used to leave me standing in the driveway if I was two seconds late getting to the car,” Skye retorted, then asked her mother, “What did Guinevere do next?”
    â€œThis afternoon, when we got back to the ship, and I complained to Ms. Snobbiness about her not being on time, she said that only peasants watch the clock.” May scowled. “Then the witch had the nerve to say to me that if I was willing to be at some man’s beck and call, it served me right to miss out on the photo op.”
    â€œOh, no, she didn’t.” Skye was surprised May hadn’t belted Guinevere then and there. Her mother didn’t take that kind of sass from anyone.
    â€œWhat happened in the theater?” Officer Trencher asked, her expression sympathetic. “Did Ms. Stallings make another rude comment?”
    â€œWorse. I could have handled that. I was already working on a letter of complaint to the cruise line about that woman’s complete lack of professionalism.” May glared. “But she went too far tonight. She made a pass at my husband, Jed.”
    Skye fought to control her expression. Although May’s revelation explained why Skye’s father had chosen to go with Wally to the Internet Café to help research maritime law rather than accompany his wife to the interrogation room, Skye couldn’t figure out why a beautiful and elegant woman like Guinevere would go after Jed, an ordinary man twenty-plus years her senior. Was she the type of woman who flirted with any male in the vicinity? Did she have a need to prove her superiority over other women?
    â€œWhat did Ms. Stallings do?” Officer Trencher asked as she made a note in the file.
    â€œShe’d been flirting with Jed ever since she took the seat next to him.” May seemed a lot more sober now than she had a few minutes ago. “She kept touching his arm and his leg, and teasing him about his impatience on the island.” May’s lips formed a disapproving line. “She said that in the future he should realize that she was worth the wait.” May turned to Skye. “And that fool man was eating it up. He was actually talking to her.”
    â€œWow.” Skye shook her head. Jed was a guy whonever used two words when one would do. His chatting with Guinevere was akin to another man inviting her for a drink back in his cabin. He had definitely been flattered by the knitting guru’s attention and responding to her flirtation, which made Skye realize just how ticked off her mother had been.
    â€œAnd just FYI now that you’re a married woman,” May went on, pursuing another tangent, “never let your husband’s mind wander.” May giggled, apparently forgetting that she was angry with her own husband. “It’s too little to be allowed out alone.”
    â€œRight.” Skye wondered if her mother had been memorizing the sayings on T-shirts again. “Got it. Now, how much did Dad have to drink?”
    â€œStop that.” May swatted Skye’s shoulder. “Neither your father nor I were drunk. Just because you can’t hold your liquor doesn’t mean we