Free Stitch Me Deadly by Amanda Lee

money to prove that she could stand on her own and now regretted it, or if she’d been denied the money because her family had thought she was irresponsible. Or, as Vera had said, the woman could’ve simply been a miser.
     
     
    It was almost closing time, and Mom had taken Angus for a walk when Riley Kendall came in and threw herself onto one of the navy sofas with a dramatic sigh.
    “Are you over that cold yet?” she asked.
    “I’m feeling much better. Thanks.”
    “That’s good.”
    “You seem down,” I said. “What’s wrong?”
    “What’s wrong?” She took off her shoes. “Look at how my ankles are swelling. My legs are starting to look like stovepipes.”
    “Nonsense. You look great. You’ve probably just been on your feet all day.” I sat down on the opposite sofa, keeping the coffee table between us in case any of my common cold germs lingered. “Did you have court today?”
    “Yes, and my current client is an idiot,” Riley said. “Doesn’t know when to keep his mouth shut and when to elaborate.” She sighed again. “And Dad is depressed.”
    “Why?” I’d met Riley’s father, Norman Patrick, a few months ago when I’d been investigating the death of Timothy Enright. He hadn’t struck me as the type of person who’d be given to bouts of depression, despite the fact that he was only halfway into a three-year prison term.
    “He’s upset that he’ll still be in prison when the baby is born,” she said. “He says she won’t even know him.”
    “It isn’t like he’s going to be incarcerated forever,” I said. “He’ll be out by the time the baby is walking, right?”
    “Yeah, I guess. But not even Mom can cheer him up.” She looked up at me. “Would you try? He likes you . . . says you remind him of Tinkerbell.”
    Visiting the prison wasn’t high on my list of favorite things to do, but what could I say? “Well, my mom is visiting right now, and I hate to leave her.”
    “Couldn’t you bring her along?” Riley asked. “Dad enjoys meeting new people.”
    Oh, I’m sure Dad would enjoy meeting another woman. He’s something of an old lecher.
    “Please?” Riley’s eyes bored into mine.
    How could I disappoint Riley? Besides, her dad might be able to give me more information on Adam Gray.
    “Of course. I’ll go up on Sunday. If Mom is still here, maybe she’ll go up with me.”
    Riley smiled. “Thank you.” She held up her feet again. “I’m already down to two-inch heels, but I’m afraid I’m going to have to take the plunge and start wearing flats.”
    Mom and Angus returned, and I asked Mom to put Angus in the bathroom. Riley liked Angus, but I was afraid that, given her condition, he might hurt her if he jumped up on her.
    Mom dropped Angus off, then returned to the sitting area and joined Riley. “You look radiant.”
    Riley barked out a laugh. “You’ve got to be kidding. Or you’re being kind.”
    “No, I mean it,” Mom said. “You have a glow about you. I know it’s hard and that this pregnancy is taking its toll on your body, but I can take one look at your face and see that deep down you have a serenity nothing can displace.”
    “She’s good,” Riley told me with a grin. “Thank you, Ms. Singer. I appreciate your kind words.” She slipped her feet back into her shoes. “And thank you, Marcy. I’ll tell Dad you’ll be up on Sunday so he can be looking forward to it.”
    “Do you think he’d like to see some of the pieces I’ve done for the baby?” I asked.
    “You know, I think he would,” Riley said. “It might make him feel a little closer to her.” She smiled. “You guys have a fun evening.”
    “You, too,” Mom said. “Go home and let your husband pamper you for a while.”
    As soon as Riley left, Mom’s smile faded and she looked at me sharply. “I thought her dad was in prison.”
    “He is.”
    “And you’re planning to visit him on Sunday?”
    “Yeah. Riley said he’s really depressed because he’ll still be