Purl Up and Die Read Online Free

Construction had a very profitable month. Now, if only expenses were in line, all would be well.
    Mimi walked into the main knitting room, a stack of magazines in her arm, and pulled out a chair at the knitting table. “I thought I’d do a pattern search in here. Connie can handle whatever happens up front.”
    â€œGood to have the company. It’s really quiet this afternoon for some reason.”
    â€œIt could be the hot weather. People forget about yarns and fibers on hot July days. Your team is playing tonight, right, Kelly? Make sure you all have enough water,” Mimi said, glancing up at Kelly.
    Kelly had to smile. Mother Mimi. Always worrying about her people. “Don’t worry. We always bring a couple of huge water containers. That way we can keep refilling our water bottles. We decided last year we needed to cut back on those plastic bottles, so we’re going back to the way we handled it years ago. Save the planet.”
    Mimi smiled as she paged through a magazine. “I think that’s a wonderful idea, Kelly. You and your team deserve to be commended for their efforts.”
    Just then Barb strode into the main room. Her face was red as if she’d been hurrying. “I’m so glad I found you two alone,” she said, sinking into a chair beside Mimi.
    â€œBarb, what’s the matter? You look so . . . frazzled,” Mimi asked. “Your class isn’t until an hour or so.”
    â€œIt’s not that,” Barb said, glancing about the room and then over her shoulder. “I heard some
awful
news from Tommy a little while ago . . . and I have to tell someone. Someone sensible.”
    Kelly noticed Big Barb was sweating, water had ringed the sleeveless shirt she wore, and it trickled down her neck.“Well, Mimi and I are nothing if not sensible. A business owner and an accountant. So what’s up? Has Tommy’s scholarship run out or something?”
    â€œOh, Lord, I don’t know. But if these awful accusations become police record, Tommy may lose his scholarship entirely!”
    â€œGood heavens!” Mimi said with a shocked expression. “What accusations?”
    Barb frowned and her lips tightened as she leaned over. Kelly leaned closer so as not to miss anything Barb was about to say. “Tommy told me last night he was covering the emergency clinic during the nighttime hours like he does every week, and this young woman came in the middle of the night. No other patients were there, just the nurse on duty and him. This woman complained of stomach pains, so the nurse took her into the examining room and had her remove her slacks and then get on the examining table and cover herself with a drape.” Barb took a deep breath.
    â€œTommy said he came in then, asked her several questions on the medical information form she filled out, and started to examine her. The nurse was out front answering a phone call. The young woman said she had these recurring stomach pains that started yesterday and were getting stronger. Tommy said he started pressing on her stomach in various places, trying to eliminate obvious things like appendicitis, when all of a sudden the woman sat up on the table and yelled ‘Stop that!’ Then she jumped off the table, grabbed her clothes, and ran out of the room, crying. She stopped at the nurse’s desk and accused Tommy of groping her during the exam! Can you
believe
that!”
    Kelly stared at Barb, trying to digest what she’d heard, shocked. She’d met Tommy. He was a good guy.
    â€œ
What!
” Mimi cried, sinking back in her chair. “That’s
ridiculous
! Whatever is wrong with that young woman?”
    â€œI don’t know! Tommy swore to me he did nothing wrong. He was pressing on her stomach and never put his hand between her legs . . . or anything like that. There has to be something wrong with the girl. A mental problem or