Apple Turnover Murder (Hannah Swensen, #13)(39)

“Thanks.”

“I want you to go home and rest. I’m going to be tied up here for at least two hours, probably three. We have to question all the members of the audience.”

“To see if they noticed anyone who went backstage between the time the victim got his turnover and the time I discovered him?”

“That’s right. It shouldn’t take too long. I called in my whole squad to help. I’ll stop by your place when I’m through to take your statement. Let’s say around …” Mike glanced at his watch. “Is eleven-thirty too late?”

“No. I probably couldn’t sleep anyway.”

Mike gave her a sympathetic smile. “It’s not easy finding murder victims. And you seem to do it an awful lot.”

“That’s what Mother always says.”

“Okay, then. I’ll see you …”

“Wait!” Hannah interrupted. “I almost forgot to ask you about the talent show. They’re not going to do the second act, are they?”

“No. The stage is a crime scene. Since there were so many performers in and out of the area, it’ll take the crime scene team the whole night to investigate. After that, the charity event can resume. Mrs. Bascomb is telling everyone to come back for the talent show on Saturday night. They’re going to repeat both acts then.”

“Do you mean …” Hannah cleared her throat. It was difficult to force out the words. “Do you mean that Herb has to do his magic act again?”

“That’s right. Mrs. Bascomb didn’t think it would be fair if the judges had a three-day lapse between the acts. They’re going to do the whole show over again on Saturday.”

Hannah felt her knees buckle and she sat back down. She told herself that it was the shock of finding Bradford dead that had made her a little light-headed, but she knew the real reason for her weak knees, her clammy palms, and her pounding heart. She’d thought it was over, that she could put it all behind her and dwell on more pleasant things. But how could life return to normal when she’d have to wear that awful purple dress again?

Of course they’d stopped to pet the cats who were snoozing on the back of the couch. Hannah buried her face in Moishe’s soft fur and smiled as she heard him start to purr softly. It must be true that stroking a pet’s fur can lower blood pressure and reduce stress. It certainly seemed to be working for her, because she felt much better than she had only moments before.

Michelle, who had been petting Cuddles, glanced over at her. “Do you want me to hang your purple dress in your closet?”

“No, I want you to hang my purple dress in your closet. I don’t even want to look at it until I have to put it on again Saturday night.”

While Michelle took care of the despised dress, Hannah went to the kitchen to put on the coffee. Then she went to the pantry to get out a bag of chocolate chips, a package of miniature marshmallows, and a box of unsweetened chocolate squares. She was standing at the counter, reading through the recipe she’d just taken from a drawer when Michelle came into the kitchen.

“I just can’t believe he’s dead! Why would someone … I mean, what reason did the killer have for …” Michelle stopped speaking as Hannah took a stack of mixing bowls out of the cupboard and reached for a baking pan. “What are you doing?”

“I’m baking.”

“But you just found Bradford’s body! You’ve got to be horribly upset!”

“I am.”

“But you’re going to bake?”

“That’s right. Some people cry when they’re upset. And some people yell and punch holes in the wall with their fists. I bake.”

“I think that’s … that’s good.” Michelle drew a shuddering breath. “Can I bake with you?”

“It’s may I.”

The corners of Michelle’s mouth turned up just a smidgen. “May I?”

“Yes. Set the oven for three-fifty, will you? And go get an apron. I think we should make something with chocolate, don’t you?”

“Chocolate would be good.”

Hannah pointed to the handwritten recipe on the counter. “Jerry Meek, one of the contestants from the first Hartland Flour Bakeoff, gave me this recipe. He told me it was his favorite, and I’ve been meaning to try it. I think I’ve got everything I need on hand.”

“Two kinds of chocolate?” Michelle surveyed the lineup on the counter.

“Yes. And marshmallows. And I know I’ve got cream cheese and chopped pecans.”

“You can’t go wrong with chocolate, and marshmallows, and cream cheese, and nuts,” Michelle said, blinking hard several times. And then, even though she did her best to control her emotions, Hannah saw the tears begin to roll down her face.

“Don’t you dare cry for him,” Hannah admonished her. “He wasn’t worth it.”

Michelle wiped away her tears with the back of her hand and lifted her head to stare at her big sister. “How … how do you know that?”

“I found out the same way you did. We both misjudged him and made a bad mistake.”

“You …” Michelle stopped and took a deep breath. “You knew him?”

“I knew him years ago, and he was a snake back then. He wasn’t the type to change his ways.”