Free Yarned and Dangerous by Sadie Hartwell

job, Mrs. Graves.”
    â€œI think my daughter-in-law here could do a much better job. When are you going to promote her?” Evelyn folded her arms across her sweater-clad chest and stared at him.
    The man squirmed. “Dorset Falls has a small police force, Mrs. Graves. You know that from the town budget meetings. There’s only room for one detective.”
    â€œHmmph. Maybe it’s time for a new one. Stop bothering Josie here, and go find out who killed poor Lillian,” she ordered.
    â€œUh, why don’t I go talk to Eben first? I can release the site to you as soon as the techs clear out, which should be any minute now.” As if on cue, two people came out of the back room, carrying containers and briefcases that presumably held their equipment and samples. “Finished?” he said to one of the techs. The woman nodded and exited onto the street.
    â€œSo where’s Eb? I just need to ask him a few questions, that’s all.”
    â€œEb’s not home,” Josie said.
    A frown creased the detective’s forehead. He consulted his notebook. “Eben’s got a broken leg from that car accident he was in. How’s he getting around?”
    â€œNone of your business,” Evelyn said, her eyes narrowing.
    â€œOh, it’s okay.” Josie smiled. “He’s out in the middle of the lake.”
    â€œWhat?” The detective was clearly confused.
    â€œIce fishing.” Josie had managed to dodge the ice-fishing bullet this morning. She hoped Eb would get it out of his system before he asked her again.
    â€œHow’s he getting around?”
    â€œHis neighbor, Mitch Woodruff, picked him up this morning and took him out.” Josie would have to figure out some way to thank Mitch for sparing her. She pictured his tall, lean frame. He’d look nice in a dark green Ralph Lauren pullover. Maybe a friend back in the city could find one for him.
    The detective’s eyebrows rose. “Woodruff, you say? The dead woman’s nephew?”
    â€œWell, yes. He’s been helping Eb with some things around the farm—carrying in wood, shoveling, that kind of thing.”
    Potts wrote something in his little notebook. “So where were you between the time you arrived in Dorset Falls and yesterday morning?”
    Apparently the questioning had started whether she was ready to talk or not. Evelyn opened her mouth to protest, but Josie held up a hand. “It’s fine, Evelyn. I have nothing to hide, and of course Eb and I want to cooperate.” She wasn’t actually too sure how cooperative Eb would be, but she’d have to deal with that later. “Let’s see. I got into town around noon. I went to the chicken coop and got the eggs, then Eb and I came into town to deliver them to the general store. You can verify that with Lorna.”
    â€œI will. Then?” The pen was poised above the notebook.
    Josie recounted everything she remembered, including Lillian’s tirade the afternoon before she died.
    â€œShe was fit to be tied,” Evelyn added. “Wanted to buy the inventory and take over this shop, said Cora always planned to sell her a share of the business. Complete poppycock.”
    â€œYou were here?” the detective asked.
    Evelyn rolled her eyes. “Of course I was here. How else would I know what she said?”
    â€œWhere did you ladies go when you left here?”
    â€œI . . . don’t recall. Oh, yes, of course. There was a meeting of the Dorset Falls Charity Knitters Association, which we all attended.”
    â€œYou’ll need to let me know who was at that meeting and where you met.” The detective’s eyes bored into her face.
    â€œYes, yes, I’ll have to think about it and call you later. My memory’s not as good as it used to be.”
    Interesting. Josie wondered just how often Evelyn played the age card. From what Josie had seen, Evelyn was sharp as a tack. So why was