Fleece Navidad Part 20

"You'll have to ask them," Mimi replied tartly. "Excuse me, I have to return to the shop now. Customers are waiting." She executed a turn with almost military precision and walked away.

"This is insane." Sheila continued her rant. "The police are not doing their jobs. Are they incompetent or something? They've got the killer right here, and they're letting her go!" Her hand jerked out in emphasis.

Kelly sensed the emotional temperature of Sheila's tirade was red hot about now. Perhaps, with a little more prodding, the controlled, tight-lipped woman would let something slip. It was worth a try.

"Who knows what the police found, Sheila?" Kelly offered with a shrug. "Claudia's motel is right next to the interstate. Maybe some guys stole her car and went carousing around town. Burt said there was a wild college party going on that night. Maybe some guy confessed that he was drinking and didn't see Juliet on the street."

Sheila gave a disgusted snort. "Some drunken driver wearing a red cape? That's ridiculous."

Kelly and Burt exchanged glances. The only way Sheila would know about the red cape was if she was the driver. Kelly had been scrupulously careful not to tell anyone else at Lambspun, and she was certain that Mimi hadn't mentioned it, either. And Claudia certainly wouldn't reveal details about her case. That would only add fuel to the gossip fire.

Burt ran his finger around the edge of his coffee mug. "How did you know the hit-and-run driver wore a red cape?"

Sheila darted a glance his way, then back to her coffee. "I heard it here at the shop. Everyone's been gossiping about this murder since it happened."

Burt took a sip of coffee. "I don't think that particular piece of information was released by the police."

"Well, it got out anyway. Because I'm certain I heard it around the table." She gestured toward the shop. "Apparently some guy was driving by and saw Claudia in that red cape."

Kelly's pulse raced. The pa.s.sing motorist was also part of the information police had kept from the public. Once again, wily, scheming Sheila had tripped herself up. Tangled in her own lies.

A man stepped from the shop into the hallway beside the cafe, a uniformed police officer behind him. Kelly recognized Burt's old partner, Dan. She looked at Sheila and decided to give her just another little nudge.

"You really hate Claudia, don't you, Sheila?" Kelly barbed.

Sheila shot her a glare. "Of course I do. She's an evil, wicked woman. Who's gotten away with murder countless times. And I cannot believe the Fort Connor police are about to let her off again. What is the matter with them? Are they blind?"

"Well, you can ask them yourself," Burt said, glancing over his shoulder as his old partner approached. "Sheila, this is Detective Dan Patterson of the Fort Connor Police Department."

Sheila jerked around in her chair, clearly surprised. "Well, it's about time the police showed up. I hope you're here looking for Claudia Miller," she snapped.

Kelly had to hand it to Sheila. Strike first. Best defense is a strong offense.

"You're Sheila Miller?" Dan asked politely.

"Yes, I am, and I'll be glad to tell you anything you'd like to know about Claudia Miller. She's gotten away with murder three times already in other states, and you have no business letting her get away-"

"Actually, we're here to ask you some questions, ma'am," Dan explained in a low voice. "If you'll accompany us to the department, please, we'd appreciate it."

Sheila went rigid, her face contorting in a scowl of disbelief. "Me? Why do you want me to come to the police department? I can answer your questions right here. You should be taking Claudia Miller to jail instead of sending her to Florida."

"I think it's better if you come with us, Ms. Miller. We have more than a few questions for you. Plus, we've executed a search warrant for your hotel room and your car." Dan flipped open the notebook in his hand and studied it. "We've identified a vehicle parked outside this shop, a 2005 Pontiac, Florida license number 456457, registered to Sheila Miller, 222 Azalea Drive, Sarasota, Florida. That is your car, is it not, Ms. Miller?"

"Of course it's my car," she retorted. "Why on earth would you want to search my car?"

Dan withdrew a piece of paper from his jacket pocket. "We've just confiscated a package from your vehicle that contains a woolen cape. The cape had a tag pinned on it with your name and Florida address. That is the same woolen cape you purchased from this shop, Lambspun, on December eighth this month, is it not?"

Sheila's eyes narrowed. "Why do you ask?"

"Just for confirmation. We have the receipt signed by you, Ms. Miller. That is your signature, is it not?" He held the receipt out for Sheila to read.

Instead, Sheila stared back at him, not answering. Her face was growing paler.

"That is your signature, isn't it, Ms. Miller? We have signed statements that you purchased the cape on that date from this shop."

"Why . . . why do you want the cape?"

"We want to send it to the state crime lab for a.n.a.lysis for traces of blood."

Sheila drew back, staring at the detective for a long moment before she spoke again. "That's impossible. I just bought it."

"That's what the crime lab will determine, Ms. Miller. We have a statement from the night watchman at the Happy Traveler Inn stating that your car was parked in that motel lot for over two hours the night of Juliet Renfrow's death. During that same time period, Claudia Miller's car was missing."

All color drained from Sheila's face. "That . . . that's not possible . . . I was at my hotel the entire time."

Dan flipped the pages in his notebook. "We also have records from your hotel showing that you drove out of the parking garage at eight oh two p.m. and did not return to the garage until eleven fifty-eight p.m."

Sheila's gaze darted from Dan to Burt to Kelly. "What are you saying? Are you suggesting I had something to do with that woman's death? You're crazy!"

"Why don't you come down to the department, and you can explain everything to us there," Dan suggested again.

Sheila's features froze into an icy mask. "I want to speak to an attorney. Right now."

"You'll be able to contact your attorney as soon as we get to the department." Dan stepped to the side and gestured toward the cafe's back door. "We can leave by this door, if you'd prefer."

Sheila hesitated just a minute before she pushed back her chair. In that minute, Kelly thought she glimpsed a hint of fear flash through Sheila's eyes. Then it was gone. Sheila grabbed her coat and stalked out of the cafe without so much as a backwards glance.

Dan, however, gave a silent goodbye wave to Burt and Kelly before following the officer who had hastened after Sheila.

Kelly stared at the nearly empty cafe, grateful that there weren't many customers to witness this unpleasant exchange.

"What do you think, Burt? Will Sheila confess or try to stonewall like she has so far?"

Burt drained his coffee. "I think Sheila's going to 'lawyer up.' Dan won't get one more word out of her. She is as hard as they come."

Kelly swirled the last of the coffee in her mug. "Well, let's hope Sheila's Christmas cape will do the talking for her."

Kelly walked Carl across the driveway and down the stone path leading around the knitting shop, putting her dog through his paces. Carl's sits and heels and stays were still sharp.

Spotting Jayleen's truck pull into the driveway, Kelly walked Carl back along the pathway and waited for Jayleen to approach. Carl sat obediently by her side. "Hey, Jayleen, what are you doing here? I thought you'd be helping Curt with dinner." Pointing at the darkening sky, she added, "It's getting close to dinnertime."

Jayleen s.h.i.+fted the large white plastic bag in her arms. "Curt's got it covered. Besides, Mimi called and said she needed more fleeces. I swear, you folks are about ready to sell the wool right off the sheep, you're so busy."

Kelly laughed. It felt good to be outside in the fresh air, even though it was cold. The twilight sky was turning a silky blue over the foothills. "You're right about that."

"You taking a break from helping in the shop?"

"Actually, I thought I'd give Carl a workout while I waited for Claudia to show up. A Florida court revoked her bond and has ordered her back to face those car theft charges. She and her police escort have a flight out of Denver tonight. Claudia told Mimi she wanted to stop by and say goodbye on the way out of town."

Jayleen stared toward the empty, desolate golf course. "I sure am sorry Claudia's having to go through that ordeal, but it could be a blessing in disguise."

"How do you figure that?"

"Sounds like this will be the first time Claudia hasn't had some man show up to rescue her. So now it's up to her. Maybe this time, she'll discover that she has to rescue herself."

Kelly nodded. "Let's hope so."

Car headlights pierced through the dusk as a police car pulled up in front of Lambspun. A uniformed policewoman stepped out of the cruiser and opened Claudia's door.

"Kelly, how sweet of you to stay and say goodbye," Claudia said as she approached, a white shopping bag dangling from her arm. "And, Jayleen, so good to see you. Thank you both for being here." She glanced over her shoulder at the attractive policewoman standing right behind her. "Officer Johnson was nice enough to let me stop by on our way out of town. I didn't want to come earlier in the day. Too many people in the shop."

Kelly noticed that Claudia's voice wasn't breathy or gasping or panicked. Claudia actually sounded calm. She guessed that answering to car theft charges in Florida was a lot less threatening than being a murder suspect in Colorado. Amazing how perspective altered things.

"I just wanted to tell you that we'll be thinking of you, Claudia. We won't forget you, I promise." She grinned. "You're pretty unforgettable, as a matter of fact. Take care of yourself, okay? Tell your lawyer to keep Marty posted." She reached over and gave Claudia a big hug.

Claudia held on to Kelly for a minute before letting go. Kelly saw some moisture glisten on Claudia's face, even in the twilight. "Thank you, Kelly, so much. For everything you and Burt have done to help me. I'll never forget you."

"Do you want me to take that package into the shop for you, Mrs. Miller?" Officer Johnson asked, pointing to the bag over Claudia's arm.

"No, I'll take it, Officer. I want to say goodbye to Mimi and Burt and all the others." She glanced toward the brightly lit shop window looking into the front room, customers still browsing.

"You're gonna be all right, Claudia," Jayleen suddenly said. "No matter what that Florida judge rules, you're gonna be okay. You know that. Deep down inside, you know that. You're stonger than you think you are, woman. Now, you latch on to that strength. And it'll get you through those tough times, you hear?"

Claudia stared back at Jayleen. "Thank you for saying that, Jayleen. No one's ever said that to me before."

"I'm only telling you the truth," Jayleen said with her good-natured grin. "Take care of yourself, Claudia."

"I will," Claudia said as she turned toward the shop.

Kelly's curiosity got the better of her. She had to know. "What's in the bag?" she called as Claudia and Officer Johnson walked away.

Claudia paused on the brick steps. "It's my Christmas cape. I heard Mimi needed one to send to a customer in Michigan. I certainly won't have need of a woolen cape in Florida." She gave a little smile that Kelly could see from the driveway. The old playful Claudia was still in there.

Twenty.

"Should we save you and Jennifer a seat?" Steve asked as he settled into the pew beside Megan and Marty. Burt, Mimi, Curt, and Jayleen were already seated across the aisle.

"No, Jen and I will be supervising our troops," Kelly said, standing in the aisle. "Hey, Marty, slide down a little more, would you? I think I spotted Greg and Lisa."

Marty waved his camera as he and Megan slid across the wooden pew. "My photographer fees are astronomical, but I can be bribed. Those gingersnap cookies will work."

"Forget about it," Steve said. "Kelly already took them to the shop. They're probably in Pete's cafe with the rest of the food."

Kelly glanced about the crowded pews of Saint Mark's Catholic Church, which were filled with excited children and chattering adults, proud parents and indulgent relatives. The church was packed. Any latecomers would have to stand in the back. Kelly was glad to see that her friends had all heeded her advice and arrived earlier. Hilda and Lizzie were stationed in the front pew. The better to keep watch.

The fresh scent of evergreen hung in the air, mixing with the aroma of scented candles. Lighted candles were nestled in all the evergreen boughs. The entire church seemed to s.h.i.+mmer with a soft golden light.

"Wish us luck," Kelly said, holding up crossed fingers to her friends before heading down the aisle.

The vestibule, which separated the front doors of the church from the sanctuary, was the perfect place to gather antsy, nervous teenagers. Jennifer was stationed there, rounding up the cast. Fortunately their depiction of the Nativity would occur early on in the service. Kelly had already noticed performance jitters the last time she'd checked on the troops.

"Hey, you got in under the wire," Kelly teased Lisa and Greg as they met in the center aisle. "Marty's saving a place for you. Fifth pew from the front, right side."

"You know, the last time I was in a church was for my grandmother's funeral a few years ago," Greg said. "So this better be good. That service took forever as I recall."

"This service should be shorter. We hope," Kelly joked. "Say a prayer that the kids stay in character." She held up crossed fingers.

Lisa glanced about the church. "Wow, it's beautiful in here. I've never been to Saint Mark's for a Christmas service before. It's gorgeous with all the decorations. Look, even the chandeliers have evergreens and candles." She pointed to the vaulted ceilings.

"Let's hope the hot wax doesn't start dripping," Greg teased as he tugged at Lisa's hand, guiding her toward the front.

Kelly hastened down the aisle. Burt waved to her, brandis.h.i.+ng his camera. Curt gave Kelly a thumbs-up as she pa.s.sed. She noticed both Curt and Jayleen were attired in corduroy rather than denim. Jayleen's jacket sported long fringe, too. Colorado Cowgirl Deluxe.

Pus.h.i.+ng open the doors to the vestibule, Kelly spotted her teenage cast cl.u.s.tered about Jennifer, each one colorfully dressed in his or her version of biblical garb, be it peasant or king.

Joseph wore a long dark robe, plain and unadorned, completely in character. Mary was dressed in a long navy blue tunic, which Jennifer had obviously accessorized as promised. A s.h.i.+mmering sapphire blue shawl was draped across the pretty teenager's head and shoulders, providing a stunning contrast with her burnished auburn hair. Mary looked both innocent and beautiful.

The Three Wise Guys, on the other hand, had gone for glitz. They appeared to be wearing velvet bathrobes that were trimmed in faux fur, satin ribbons, and something else. Something that sparkled. The shepherds were more modestly dressed in what looked like hooded fleece sweats.h.i.+rts turned inside out. No logos, just soft gray and fuzzy. Gray sweatpants completed their matched look. Shep Two even held a tall walking stick with a curved hook on the end. Clearly, his version of a shepherd's crooked staff.

Angel had gone for glamour. Not a surprise. Her blonde curls cl.u.s.tered perfectly on the shoulders of her long-sleeved snow white gown, which draped gracefully to the floor. Was that satin? Kelly wondered. A silvery halo of tinsel-like sparkles rested on her head. But the highlight of the outfit was the delicate, feathery wings that curved upward and out from behind her shoulders. She truly did look angelic.

Narrator, however, had gone for suave elegance. He wore a midnight blue velvet smoking jacket, trimmed with black satin collar. A white silk scarf was tucked neatly at his neck. He even had his hair gelled into a fifties-style pompadour. Pipe in one hand, leather-bound book in the other, he looked as if he'd stepped off the set ofMasterpiece Theatre .

Kelly figured if they looked that good, their parents would forgive any flubs. "Good job! Everybody's here on time," she said as she joined the cl.u.s.ter. Nodding to the Three Wise Guys, she added, "Looking good, you guys. O'Leary, what's up with your robe? It sparkles."

"Just my personality, Coach," O'Leary replied, striking a pose, eliciting groans from the others. "Actually, it's glitter. Hey, we're the Three Kings, right? Kings gotta glitter."

"Got that right," Caspar agreed.

"Check it out." Balthazar turned around and spread his robe. A ferocious eagle was outlined in glitter, diving toward prey, claws outstretched.

"That really works for Christmas," Angel said sarcastically.

"Angel, that outfit is gorgeous. Your mom is one heckuva designer," Kelly said as she fingered Angel's wing tips. Strips of fluffy white mohair were hand-st.i.tched to the cloth-covered wings, creating the ethereal visual appearance of feathers.

"Thanks," Angel said with a big smile. "She loves to sew for me."

"You guys look great . All of you," Jennifer said, dressed like Kelly in dark wool slacks and a bright sweater. Jennifer in shamrock green, Kelly in fire engine red. Turning to Narrator, Jennifer added, "But I gotta give the award for originality to this guy."

Narrator stepped forward and gave a deep bow. "Thank you very much," he said, imitation-Elvis style, while the others snickered.

"Please tell me you're not going to channel Elvis during the reading," Kelly joked, hoping to relax the cast. They joined in teasing Narrator. Humor to the rescue once again.