Knot in My Backyard (A Quilting Mystery) by Mary Marks

from the reserve, but he won’t be able to see us because we’ll be hidden fifteen feet above him on the off-ramp.”
    “What about me? Will you be able to see me?”
    “If you stand under the streetlight, we’ll see you. Your job will be to stay in sight at all times. If we lose sight of you, we’re coming in. If he makes one suspicious move, we’re coming in. So you better get your information fast and get out of there fast. Once you’re safely in your car, we’ll book it on out and escort you home.”
    “Okay. Sounds like a plan. I have to tell you, I’m pretty scared.”
    “You’d better be scared. This dude is nobody to mess with.” He pulled out a cell phone from inside his black leather vest. “We’d better exchange cell phone numbers.”
    Two minutes later, he opened the passenger door to leave.
    “I’ll see you tonight, Yossi.”
    “Don’t leave your house until I call your cell phone. Don’t wear any jewelry and don’t take a purse. Don’t worry. We’ll be in place by the time you get there. I won’t forget what you’re doing for Ed. None of us will. And, Martha?” He cupped my chin in his hand. “Beavers is a lucky man.”
    I stopped at the bank on my way home. If Switch demanded two hundred dollars for a name, how much would he demand for a location? I pulled four hundred dollars from my savings account. Ed would pay me back.
    I returned home to the phone ringing.
    “Hey, honey. How was your day?”
    Every time Beavers called me “honey,” my skin rippled with excitement. “Oh, you know. Lucy and Birdie and I spent our usual quilty day together. Birdie made my favorite applesauce cake. How was your day?”
    “Same-o.”
    “Can you tell me what’s happening with Ed?”
    “He’s still here.”
    “Has he been charged with murder?”
    “You know I can’t talk about an ongoing case. Listen, I’m afraid I’ll be working late, so I won’t be coming over tonight. I left a bag of Arthur’s food next to your washing machine.”
    “Oh, don’t worry, Arlo. I’m planning on an early night, anyway.” I blew kisses and hung up the phone.
    I felt dreadful. I’d never told Beavers a lie. If I didn’t want him to know about something, I just failed to mention it. This was the first time I’d told a deliberate falsehood. Instead of staying home, I planned to meet a dangerous criminal to get important information that might exonerate Ed—information the police couldn’t get on their own.
    I consoled myself with the thought that after this meeting I’d have solid information to give to Beavers. I was taking a chance he might be angry as heck I lied to him. I might be jeopardizing the best relationship of my life in order to help my friend Ed. I prayed the outcome would be worth the risk.
    According to Ed’s research, something very wrong went down between the Army Corps of Engineers and the Joshua Beaumont School. Was Ed being framed for murder in order to stop him from digging for information? If so, who was really responsible for Dax Martin’s murder?
    I had to go through with Crusher’s plan. Ed’s freedom might depend on it. So much hinged on what the homeless people might have seen. The stuff about Beavers and me? I’d just have to figure that out later.

CHAPTER 10
    Crusher’s phone call came at nine-fifty, his voice a whisper. “We’re in place. Looks good. It should only take you five minutes to drive here.”
    “Are you sure you’ll be able to see me once I get there?”
    “I’ve got a straight shot. Just remember to stay under the light.”
    I paced nervously for the next five minutes and then headed for the door. Arthur stood and trotted over to me. This dog was preternaturally smart. He sensed something wonky and planted himself between me and the door.
    “Come on, Arthur, move.”
    The dog twisted his ears back, creased his forehead, looked at me, and gave me one anxious whine. I moved to the left, and so did he. I moved to the right. Ditto.
    This