Deadly Notions - By Elizabeth Lynn Casey Page 0,57

not to bother. Said it wouldn’t do any good. And, had I put two and two together and figured out who Penelope belonged to, I would have understood her concerns a bit more quickly.”

“So you didn’t call?”

“Samantha said it was a losing battle. When I tried to disagree, she simply spouted that thing about going around and coming around that your generation seems to love to say.”

“What goes around, comes around,” she whispered.

“That’s it. That’s what she said. Only she didn’t say it quite the way you did just now.”

Tori looked a question at the woman. “I don’t understand.”

“She said it more like this.” Gritting her teeth, Dixie repeated the saying, the venom in her voice hard to miss. “ ‘What goes around, comes around. And trust me, Ms. Dunn, Penelope Lawson and her precious mommy dearest will get theirs. Soon.’ ”

Her mouth gaped open. “She said all of that? Even the part about Penelope and her mom getting theirs?”

“I said she did, didn’t I?” Dixie snapped. “In fact, my memory is quite clear on the subject.”

“Did you tell Chief Dallas that?”

“Why on earth would I do . . .” Dixie’s words trailed off as understanding dawned in her large puppy dog eyes. “You think she’s the one who strangled that hateful woman?”

Reaching out, she patted Dixie’s arm, the gesture as much to calm her own nerves as Dixie’s. “I don’t know. But it certainly bears a closer look, don’t you think?”

“I reckon. Though, if you’re right, it bears more than that.”

“What are you talking about?” she asked.

Dixie pushed off the chair and shuffled over to the door, her leathery hand grasping the doorknob before Tori had even stood. “If Samantha did it, and I mean really did it, there’s a whole slew of Sweet Briar women who’ll think she deserves a round of applause.”

Chapter 21

She’d just put the finishing touches on the dessert table when the first knock sounded signaling the start of the Sweet Briar Ladies Society Sewing Circle. With a quick swipe of her hand across the top of the white linen tablecloth, Tori turned and headed toward the door.

Peeking through the screen door she couldn’t help but smile at the sight of the plump woman on the other side juggling three foil-covered plates along with the prerequisite sewing gear. “Margaret Louise, let me help you with that.” She pushed the door open and reached for two of the plates. “You’re only supposed to bring one thing.”

“I know, I know. This one is mine and those”—Margaret Louise pointed at the plates in Tori’s hand—“are from Beatrice and Melissa.”

She glanced down at the plates. “Beatrice and Melissa? Why? Where are they?”

Margaret Louise stepped inside, her sneakers making a soft thud against the hardwood floor. “They’re not coming.”

“They’re not?”

“No. They’re both too upset. Seems Chief Dallas was fishin’ in the clouds again today.”

“Fishing in the—” She stopped, the meaning of Margaret Louise’s words hitting their target without interpretation. “Are they okay?”

“They’ll feel better when it quits hurtin’. Just wish I knew when that might be.” Margaret Louise dropped her sewing gear onto the floor then took the plates from Tori once again. “And short of that, I’d like to come up with an idea that’s horse high, bull strong, pig tight, and goose proof. Anything to put that smile back on Melissa’s face again. Not used to seeing that child so down in the mouth.”

“I know. I saw it the other day when I stopped by to visit. Sad just doesn’t seem to go with her, does it?” A swell of voices on the other side of the screen pulled Tori’s focus back to the door. “Sounds like Rose and Dixie are here now, too.”

“I’ll put these on the table.”

“Is there any chocolate?” she asked.

Margaret Louise let out a chuckle from somewhere deep inside her soul. “Do you think I’d show my face in this house if there wasn’t?”

It was Tori’s turn to laugh as she met the next group of sewing sisters at the door. “Good evening, Rose. Good evening, Dixie. I’m glad you could make it.”

“We’ve got work to do.” Rose pushed her way through the door, her trademark cotton sweater pulled tightly around her shoulders. “I found some felt that will work perfect for a chip bag and a strawberry.”

“I found some for the lettuce and the cheese.” Dixie followed her friend down the hallway only to stop midway and turn. “I want to thank you, Victoria, for the kind things you said yesterday. They meant