Skein of the Crime Read Online Free Page A

again. I’m amazed at the way Holly has turned herself around, Barbara. She’s even taking a class at the university.”
    Barbara looked up with a worried expression. “Frankly, I’m amazed, too. I just hope it lasts. I’ve watched Holly try to change her dangerous habits before. Unfortunately, she always falls back into those old ways after a while.”
    That wasn’t the response Kelly had expected. “Well, let’s hope this last experience scared her enough into changing for good. She’s such a nice kid.”
    Barbara wagged her head. “That’s the problem. She’s still a ‘kid.’ Holly’s never really grown up, despite all our help. She still expects other people to solve her problems.”
    One of the knitters looked up from her needles. “Who’s Holly?”
    “Someone Kelly and I tried to help,” Barbara replied in a clipped tone. “Now, let’s get back to these hats. Who hasn’t finished casting on yet? I can help you if you need it.”
    The older woman held up her hand. “I’ve been going slowly. I didn’t want to make a mistake.”
    “We all make mistakes, so don’t worry about it,” Barbara reassured. “Here, let me see what you’ve got so far.” She picked up the woman’s needles and examined the stitches.
    Patty leaned over to Kelly and whispered, “Barbara has known Holly for a long time. We all kind of grew up together and went to the same school. Plus, her son has been dating Holly ever since college. Believe me, Barbara isn’t happy that Tommy is still together with Holly.”
    Kelly glanced up at Barbara, who was immersed in instructing the older woman how to cast on in a more efficient manner. Every family had a drama, Kelly thought to herself. If you look beneath the surface, you’ll find it.
    “Oops, something’s wrong,” the girl on the other side of Kelly said, staring balefully at her needles. “There’s a stitch missing. Right there. See, it’s just a loop. How’d I do that?”
    Kelly leaned next to the girl, examining the stitches. “It’s easy. You simply dropped a stitch, that’s all. I can still do it if I’m not careful. Don’t worry.” She repeated Barbara’s advice. “Let me show you how to pick up the stitch.”
     
     
     
    “Hey, I’m glad to see you,” Jennifer said as she walked into the main knitting room. She dropped her large knitting bag onto the table beside Kelly. “How’d the class go this morning?”
    “Very well, actually,” Kelly said, continuing the hat she was knitting. “Barbara has them all knitting hats so I was in my element.”
    “All right,” Jennifer said as she settled into the chair beside Kelly. “Who’s this hat for?”
    “Steve. I thought I’d knit him one to go with that scarf I made for him a couple of years ago.” She fingered the soft gray tweed yarn. “I hope he likes it.”
    “I’m sure he will,” Jennifer said, pulling out a scarlet red sweater. Nearly finished already, Kelly noticed.
    “He’s not out on the building sites anymore, but I figured he could wear it skiing,” Kelly added. “If he can find time to ski this winter.”
    “Oooo, don’t talk about winter when it’s so pretty outside,” Megan scolded as she walked into the room. “I’m hoping for a long fall like last year.”
    “You know Colorado,” Jennifer said, looking up from her sweater. “There’s no guarantee from one year to the next what the weather will be. It’s always a gamble.”
    “Don’t I know it,” Megan said, plopping her bag on the table. Settling into a chair across the table from Kelly and Jennifer, she withdrew a shamrock green wool.
    “Your color, Megan,” Kelly observed. “No one can wear that green as well as you can with your fair skin and dark hair. Are you doing a sweater?”
    “Yeah, but it’s for Marty, not me this time,” Megan said, picking up the stitches she’d begun. Only five rows appeared on her needles. “So, I hope this green looks just as good with bright red hair. It’s against