Apple Turnover Murder (Hannah Swensen, #13)(50)

“Was it publish or perish?”

“I think so. But the thing is, I don’t think Bradford wrote any of that paper. I’m pretty sure Tim wrote the whole thing.”

“Did Tim get his name on it, too?”

“No. We talked about that when he brought me home on Sunday night. He told me he didn’t expect any kind of credit.”

“Why not?”

“Because it’s almost never done. The professor takes full credit, and the research assistant just does his job.”

Hannah bristled slightly. Inequity always disturbed her. Perhaps it was a good thing that she hadn’t stayed in academia. “That really doesn’t seem fair to me.”

“I feel exactly the same way, but Tim told me it was a barter thing, that there was a job as an assistant professor at the community college and Bradford was going to recommend him for it. That was his payment for all the work he did on the project. Tim said the job was a sure thing and he was really looking forward to teaching in Lake Eden.”

“So Bradford recommended him and Tim got the job?”

Michelle stared at Hannah for a moment, and then she began to frown. “I don’t know. I think Tim said the selection committee was supposed to meet yesterday morning.”

Both sisters were quiet for a long, tense moment and then Michelle spoke. “Are you thinking what I’m thinking?”

“I’m almost certain I am. Do you know anybody at the college who’d know if Tim really did get the job?”

“Someone besides Tim, you mean?”

“Yes.”

“Not really, unless …” Michelle paused, and then she smiled. “Let’s ask Mother to ask her friend, Nancy.”

“Good idea! Dr. Nancy might know, and if she doesn’t, she can find out.”

“I’ll ask Mother to call her and get right back to you. But even if Tim didn’t get the job, he’s really not the kind to …” Michelle stopped speaking and gave a little sigh. “I keep forgetting.”

“What?” Hannah asked her.

“I keep forgetting what you told me after you caught Larry Jaeger’s killer. That almost everyone is capable of murder under just the right circumstances.”

When Hannah and Michelle got to The Cookie Jar, they found Lisa hard at work with Marge and Patsy. The first baker’s rack was already filled with baked cookies, and more were coming out of the ovens.

“You should have slept a lot later, Hannah,” Lisa chided her. “We’ve got everything under control here.”

“But I had to get here before you opened so I could tell you about finding the body, and you could embellish it to thrill our customers.”

Lisa laughed as she handed Hannah a cup of coffee from the kitchen coffee pot. “I was going to make the whole thing up, but it’s better if part of it’s true. Herb wants to talk to you first, though. He’s in the coffee shop having a cup of coffee. Just go on in and I’ll join you in a couple of minutes.”

Hannah took a deep breath and pushed through the swinging door to the coffee shop. The first sight that met her eyes was a reflection of the eastern sky in the plate glass window of Lake Eden Realty across the street. The sky was a dim blue glow that was only slightly lighter than the darkness that framed the window. Hannah knew that the blue glow would soon lighten to violet, and then to pink. A few moments later it would take on a yellow tone, and finally it would graduate to a golden expanse of brilliance as the sun rose.

“Hannah?” a voice called her from the back table.

“Hello, Herb.” Hannah carried her coffee cup to the table and sat down. “I hope you didn’t have a bad night because of me.”

“I sure wish I hadn’t overheard that conversation,” Herb said. “I just wanted you to know that I’m not going to say a word about it to anybody, and that includes Lisa and the authorities.”

Hannah reached out to pat his hand. “Thanks, Herb. I already told Mike all about it, but I’d appreciate it if you didn’t mention it to anyone else. It’s … well … it’s embarrassing.”

“We’ve all got embarrassing things in our past,” Herb said, giving her hand a little squeeze. “There are a couple of things that happened to me way back when that I’d rather Lisa wouldn’t know about.”

“I understand. I wouldn’t want Michelle to know about that conversation I had with Bradford Ramsey, either.”

“She won’t hear it from me.” Herb took a sip of his coffee, and then he chuckled. “Lisa’s all excited about telling the story of how you found the professor. I think I married a frustrated actress.”

“Who’s a frustrated actress?” Lisa arrived at their table and plunked down her coffee cup. “I’m just glad you’re here early, Hannah. Now you can give me some tidbits, and I can make up the rest.”

Hannah smiled at her partner. She was surprised that the Lake Eden Players, their amateur theater group, hadn’t waged an active campaign to recruit Lisa for their leading lady.

“I was still in the dressing room when I realized that it was time for the second act to start,” Hannah told her. And then she proceeded to tell Lisa the details.

“Perfect!” Lisa exclaimed when Hannah was through. “Just hide out in the kitchen and I’ll handle all the questions about the murder. We’re going to sell a gazillion cookies today!”