If Hooks Could Kill

CHAPTER 21


“I missed all the excitement,” CeeCee said in a disappointed tone. It was the next day and the Hookers were assembled at the worktable in the yarn department. I’d just finished fixing the last of the mess from the night before. CeeCee glanced over the wall with the cubbies of yarn and the cabinets beneath. “Did they take anything or just make a mess?”

I looked at Adele, who’s eyes had suddenly become big with fear. She made eye contact with me and even put her hands together in a prayer posture as she threw me a silent plea.

She didn’t have to worry. I wasn’t going to bring up the fact that the crochet pieces Kelly had given us for the street fair were missing. It would only open a bunch of problems. CeeCee would want to know why she hadn’t been told about the pieces in the first place and then she would be upset with all of us for keeping them from her. It was better to just avoid the subject all together.

“The biggest thing they took was the e-reader even with the do-it-yourself alarm Mr. Royal installed.” I said that Eric had called in the robbery, and a whole contingent of cops had shown up, although there was nothing to do but take a report. Well, there was something else they’d done. They’d chuckled at Eric who looked like a giant carrot.

“What happened to the surfer?” CeeCee asked. “You said he was such a charming man. I’d hate to think his moment in the spotlight was ruined.”

I laughed inside. As with my other mini disaster book signings, this one had turned out okay, too. Once the cops had talked to Mrs. Shedd, Mr. Royal and me, and we’d all come to the same conclusion that it was the neighborhood kids out for a thrill, they’d noticed Stone. A couple of the cops were surfers and knew who he was. They told their fellow cops and they all stayed while he finished talking about what it was like to surf some place called Banzai Pipeline. He said something about thick curls of waves that he was able to tube ride. It didn’t mean a lot to me, but the crowd seemed fascinated. They all seemed interested in the coconut energy drink, but were sorry to hear there wasn’t even a bottle of it to see. He’d won the crowd over and thirty of the books sold, along with some of the DVDs.

CeeCee was relieved to hear it was a success. She looked over at Adele who was working on a purple cowl. “Adele, you’re such a good crocheter. I can’t believe you’re working on something so simple. And, dear, I can’t see the cowls being a success at this time of year.”

Adele sputtered a few times. “A lot you know. I have been working on some very complicated things. I stand by my decision to make cowls for the sale. You’ll see, they’ll be a big success.”

Elise produced her vampire version and said she thought hers would be even more in demand. Dinah knew better than to say anything. Sheila avoided the fuss and kept her eyes on her crocheting. She was churning out pot holders and other small items.

“I can’t wait for this foofie vampire trend to be over,” Rhoda Klein said with a harrumph. “Dracula would never wear one of those.”

Eduardo just chuckled and showed off the water bottle holder he was making for the sale.

“Now that is seasonally correct,” CeeCee said. “Someone should bring a cooler full of bottled water.” CeeCee looked over the group for a volunteer and Rhoda waved her hand.

“I forgot to mention that North Adams was there for the whole event,” I said. CeeCee seemed surprised.

“He must be a big surfing fan. He’d probably been on the set since eight in the morning. I know when my day on the set of Making Amends wraps, all I want to do is go home,” she said.

I just nodded in agreement. My son Peter had sworn me to secrecy about the rest of last night, so I made no mention that when Peter didn’t get there in time I’d taken North to my house, via the side streets. Or that he had acted as if he was smitten with me. He’d even kept up the charade once we were back inside my place, which was very awkward when we walked into the kitchen and saw Barry was hanging around, hoping he and I would have tea together. I didn’t have to be a mind reader to see he had something on his mind and to figure it had something to do with his sudden departure from the bookstore.

“What’s he doing here?” Barry said to me, when North went on into the living room. I was saved from answering by the sound of my front door opening, followed by male voices. A moment later Mason and Samuel came into the kitchen asking why North Adams was sitting in my living room.

While I was trying to answer without really saying anything, Peter finally showed up and took North with him. When the door clicked shut, all eyes were back on me. I went the politician way and simply turned the questions back on them, asking what Samuel and Mason were doing there together.

Mason let out a sigh. “Would you believe I’m trying to round up musicians for Thursday’s wedding?”

Samuel had touched him on the shoulder. “You won’t be disappointed. My guys can do anything you want.”

Barry had moved to the edge of the group. Usually he was able to hide his emotions under the mask of his cop face, but not tonight. He appeared distracted and distressed. He glanced in my direction and there was worry in his dark eyes as he muttered “good night” and headed up the hall. Probably he was embarrassed about driving away instead of helping Eric chase down the shoplifters. Poor Barry. Would he ever get his mojo back?