Apple Turnover Murder (Hannah Swensen, #13)(46)

It was difficult not to react when one’s sensibilities had been so badly injured, but Hannah did her very best. She knew it was only a matter of time before the pleasant expression on her face slipped.

“I’d better pack up Cuddles and get home,” Norman said. “Rose is booked for an early morning checkup before she opens the cafe, and it’ll be close to midnight before I get home.”

“But aren’t you going to stay to say hello to Mike?” Delores asked. “He should be here any minute to take Hannah’s statement.”

Norman turned to Hannah. “Do you need me to stay?” he asked her.

“No, not really.”

“Good. I’ve had two really late nights in a row, and all I can think of is getting some sleep.”

“I’ll help you get Cuddles in her carrier,” Michelle said, jumping up from her seat on the couch.

Hannah said nothing. She was too surprised to speak. Not only had Norman refused her baked goods, he’d chosen to go home when he knew Mike was coming to see her.

“Something’s wrong with Norman,” Delores whispered, mirroring Hannah’s thoughts.

“I know.”

“Aren’t you going to find out what it is?” Andrea asked, keeping her voice low.

“He’s probably just tired,” Hannah said, covering for Norman even though she agreed that he was behaving strangely. “I’ll see what he says when I walk him to the door.”

“All ready,” Michelle said brightly, coming into the living room carrying a bag with all the things Norman had brought for Cuddles. She was followed by Norman, who was carrying Cuddles in her carrier.

“Thanks, Hannah,” Norman said. “I know she had a really good time.”

Hannah jumped up and took the bag from Michelle. “Watch Moishe, will you? I’ll see Norman and Cuddles out.”

When Hannah stepped out the door with Norman, she took a deep gulp of the warm night air. The humidity was high and the air felt heavy, laden with the scent of lilacs from the hedge that bordered the back of the condo complex.

“I can take that,” Norman said, holding out his hand for the bag.

“But can you handle that and the carrier, too?”

“Not a problem.”

Norman took the bag and was about to leave when Hannah grabbed his arm. “Is there something wrong?”

“Other than murder, you mean?”

Hannah laughed. Perhaps it was a lame joke, but it was a joke nonetheless. “Yes, other than murder. It’s just that you seem so … distant.”

“I told you. I didn’t get much sleep. Other than that, everything’s fine.”

“Okay. Goodnight then.”

Hannah turned to go, but Norman pulled her back. He dropped the bag and wrapped his free arm around her waist. “Everything’s going to be all right, Hannah. I promise.” And then he kissed her.

The kiss was warm. Friendly. Nice. It lasted only a second or two, and then Norman picked up the bag and hurried down the stairs.

Hannah stood there for a moment, breathing in the scent of lilacs and blinking back tears. Something was definitely wrong. Norman’s kiss had been the type of kiss you might give to an old friend.





Chapter Fifteen


By the time Mike knocked on the door at twelve twenty-five, Delores and Andrea had left, and Michelle had gone off to bed. Hannah was sitting on the couch, feeling about as deserted as a woman can feel. Mike wanted her to marry Norman, Norman had kissed her like an old friend, and she hadn’t heard from Ross in at least three months. The only bright note was that Bradford Ramsey was dead.

“Uh-oh,” Mike said when she opened the door. He took in her baggy old gray cotton sweats with one glance, and his gaze lingered on the pair of red socks she was wearing with the hole in the toe. “Are we feeling a little sorry for ourselves?”

“I can’t speak for you, but I am!”

A grin swept over Mike face. “Where’s your entourage?”

“Moishe’s sleeping with Michelle, Mother and Andrea left at eleven-thirty, and Norman took Cuddles home.”

“Norman’s back?”

“In a manner of speaking.”

“What do you mean?”

“Nothing really. He didn’t seem very glad to be back, but he was probably just tired.”

“It could be the wedding, too.”

“The wedding?”

“His mother just got married again. Maybe that made him feel a little strange. It doesn’t matter how old you are. If your mother gets married again, it’s still an adjustment. It might even have made him miss his dad more … you know?”

“You’re right! I didn’t even think of that.” Hannah felt a bit foolish for ignoring the obvious.

“Okay. Let’s get this done.” Mike took out his notebook while Hannah poured him a cup of coffee from the carafe on the table. He took a sip, ate one of the Chocolate Marshmallow Cookie Bars she served to him, and gave her a thumbs-up. “These are my new favorites,” he declared, taking another sip of coffee and setting the mug down on the table. “Ready?”

“I’m ready.”

“Tell me everything that happened from the time you left the ladies dressing room until you called me on your cell phone.”