"Can I talk to you?” she said to Avanell, and looked down. A line of sweat dampened her forehead.

Avanell's face lost its animation. “What's wrong now, Carla?"

Carla looked at Harriet and back to Avanell.

"It's all right, Carla. Tell me what's happening."

"Mr. Tony, he's got Misty in the office. He says she's been stealing vitamins and that's why we been missing inventory. He's called Sheriff Mason and says he's pressing charges."

"Is she stealing vitamins?” Avanell asked in a no-nonsense voice that was nothing like the friendly tone she'd used during lunch.

Carla looked at her feet. “Not exactly,” she said.

"Don't keep me waiting, Carla,” Avanell said. “Tell me the truth. All of it, now.” She signed the Visa receipt and picked up her purse and sweater.

Carla hesitated, looked at Harriet again and finally spoke.

"Misty is pregnant. Maryanne and me have been saving the broken and chipped prenatal blends for her. We just throw them out after we count them anyways. The sheriff is on his way now,” she finished.

"Go ahead and go,” Harriet said. “I'll just take advantage of this nice spring day and walk home. It isn't that far."

It was clear Avanell was torn.

"Really, I'm fine. The exercise will do me good after this lunch."

"Thanks, I'll make it up to you,” Avanell said and hurried after her employee, who was already shuffling out the door.

Harriet watched her leave. Aunt Beth was right; something was definitely wrong.

Chapter Four

Harriet turned left toward Post Office Street. Pins and Needles was located around the corner and up the block. Aunt Beth had told her the previous store had been ten blocks down in a less prosperous part of downtown Foggy Point, but over the years had traded its way up as other, less enduring shops folded. Eventually, it moved into the coveted center-of-the-block location on Main Street that it currently occupied.