Thread End: An Embroidery Mystery by Amanda Lee Read Free Book Online Page A

Even if I—or anyone else—could whip up a rug exactly like the one in which Professor Vandehey had been wrapped, it still wouldn’t be
that rug
. It would be nowhere near as valuable, especially if it were the rug from the museum exhibit.
    As if reading my mind, Mr. Benton said, “Not only am I a collector. I’m a bit of an entrepreneur. I help others create prints and replicas based on original works of art . . . for a percentage of the profits, of course.”
    “What a wonderful idea.”
    “I agree.” He lifted a shoulder in a half shrug. “It makes beautiful art available to the masses and helps perpetuate appreciation for the original. Unfortunately, Mr. Ingle, the museum curator, doesn’t seem to be open to such a venture.”
    “Maybe he simply doesn’t know how to go about creating a collection based on the current exhibit,” I said. “You have to admit, textiles are more difficult to duplicate than paintings.”
    “That’s true.” He smiled slightly. “And yet, for one so young, Mr. Ingle seems to be very much—how do I say this?—of an old mind.”
    I laughed. “I guess he prefers traditional curating methods.”
    “Do you know him well?”
    “No. I met him for the first time last night.”
    With his hands shoved in the pockets of his khaki pants, he strolled over to the counter. “You have a charming boutique here, Ms. Singer.”
    “Thank you.”
    “Would you have dinner with me?”
    My eyes widened. Had I heard him correctly? One instant we were talking about Josh Ingle, and the next Mr. Benton was inviting me to dinner? “Excuse me?”
    “Would you . . . and your husband or whoever . . . like to dine with me this evening?” he asked. “I’m only in town for a few days. At this point, I’m primarily awaiting word on the status of the museum exhibit. I know hardly anyone here, you seem pleasant enough, and I detest sitting alone in a restaurant.”
    I had no idea when Ted and Manu would finish up for the day; plus, I didn’t know how Ted would feel about my accepting an invitation for both of us to have dinner with a stranger. “I’m sorry, Mr. Benton, but we already have plans this evening.”
    “Very well. Perhaps another time.” He nodded and left.
    The entire encounter was odd, and I felt mildly unsettled as I sat back down on the sofa. Picking up on my mood, Angus sat close to me and placed his head on my lap. I caressed his ears and then leaned over to give him a hug.
    “Could today get any weirder, Angus? Wait. Don’t answer that.” I was half-afraid he might.
    *   *   *
    I glanced at the clock and saw that it was nearly four o’clock. A few customers had filtered in but not nearly as many as on a typical Saturday. I walked around the store with a feather duster, flicking it over the shelves. Angus lay by the window watching the few people on the sidewalk pass by. It dawned on me that it wasn’t just the Seven-Year Stitch that was experiencing a lull. The entire town seemed dead today. Maybe everyone was at the beach. That seemed like a wonderful place to be, in my opinion. If Ted finished up with work in time, it would be great to take Angus to the beach. The frisky pup could romp in the sand and play at the edge of the water while Ted and I enjoyed a leisurely stroll.
    I took my phone from the front pocket of my jeans and called Ted. I was going to ask how he felt about a picnic by the sea, but the call went straight to voice mail. I left a message saying I was thinking about him and hoping the investigation was going well.
    Then I called Mom. I had a sudden need to vent and was thankful when she answered on the first ring.
    “Hello, darling. Is everything all right?”
    I hesitated.
    “Oh, Marcella . . . there hasn’t been another murder in Tallulah Falls, has there?”
    She’d said it almost lightly, as if she were joking but scared that what she was asking would be verified.
    “There
has
been another murder, Mom. I found the body this morning