Apple Turnover Murder (Hannah Swensen, #13)(60)

“I don’t think this is one bit funny,” Andrea said.

“I do.” Hannah knew she had to come up with an explanation that Andrea would accept, and she glommed onto her sister’s reference to the Disney movie. “I was thinking about Lady and the Tramp,” she explained. “I just love that scene with the spaghetti. It’s funny, but it’s so sweet … you know?”

Andrea smiled. “I do know. I feel the same way. It’s my favorite part of the movie, even better than the ending with the baby and the puppies. Tracey loves it, too.” Hannah watched as Andrea stopped speaking and began to look worried again. “What do you think we should do about Mother?”

“Nothing.”

“Nothing?”

“Nothing yet. Carrie’s wedding seems to have inspired all the eligible men in Lake Eden, and Mother’s simply enjoying all the attention.”

“Then you don’t think she’s serious about Doc?”

“I don’t think so, not when I happen to know that she had dinner with Bud Hauge last night.”

“Really?”

“That’s what she said. And then they went to the talent show together.” Hannah gave her sister a reassuring smile. “I really don’t think we have to worry about Mother unless she dates the same man a couple times in a row.”

“Dates?” Andrea picked up on Hannah’s word choice. “Then you think Mother’s dating?”

From the horrified expression on Andrea’s face, Hannah knew she had to backtrack fast. “Not dating exactly,” she said. “It’s more like renewing old acquaintances with everyone she knew years ago when she went to Jordan High.”

“Oh.” Andrea looked relieved. “Well … I guess that’s all right then. It’s good to keep in touch with old friends.”

Andrea stopped speaking and nudged Hannah. “Here comes Norman and he looks upset.”

Hannah looked up. Norman was still half a basketball court away, but he did look upset. “He went outside to take a phone call. I hope it wasn’t bad news.”

Both sisters watched Norman bob and weave around stationary people. He was making good progress even though the auditorium was crowded with human obstacles. When he arrived at their sides, he gave a sigh of relief. “Why do people always stop in the middle of the aisle to talk? They do it in grocery stores, too.”

“I don’t know,” Andrea said.

“Me either,” Hannah concurred. “Just one of the peculiarities of human behavior, I guess.”

“I’m sorry that took so long,” Norman said to Hannah. And then he turned to Andrea. “I ran into Bill when I was outside. He was just leaving, and he asked me to find you and tell you he got called in.”

“Wonderful,” Andrea said in a tone that clearly said it wasn’t.

“Anyway,” Norman turned back to Hannah. “I’m afraid I have to leave. Something’s come up. Do you want me to give you a ride to The Cookie Jar to get your truck?”

Hannah shook her head. “No, I’ll stay here with Andrea for a while.”

“Okay then. Thanks for a fun evening and … I’ll probably see you tomorrow.”

Both Hannah and Andrea watched as Norman turned and headed for the exit. Once they lost sight of him in the crowd, Andrea turned to Hannah. “What was all that about?”

“I haven’t the foggiest idea. Something’s been bothering Norman ever since he came back from the Cities and he hasn’t told me what it is.”

Andrea looked concerned. “Do you think he’ll tell you?”

“I’m sure he will … eventually. But in the meantime, both of us are here without partners … right?”

“That’s right.”

“Good. Does Lake Eden Realty still handle rentals on that new apartment complex at the community college?”

“Yes. I rented a unit just the other day.”

“Is there a master key that will let you into all of the apartments?”

“Yes, but …” Andrea stopped and stared at Hannah in disbelief. “You want me to let you into Bradford Ramsey’s apartment?!”

“Bingo,” Hannah said. And smiled.





Chepter Twenty


“I shouldn’t be doing this,” Andrea whispered as the elevator doors opened and they stepped in.

“Would you rather wait in the truck?” Hannah asked. “No. Bill told me he was a real ladies’ man. Is that true?”

“That’s what I heard,” Hannah replied, hoping Andrea didn’t ask her for details.

“Well, I want to see if he’s got one of those bachelor pads you read about in magazines, the ones with the round beds, and the mirrors on the ceiling, and fur bedspreads.”

Hannah was about to laugh when she remembered Bradford’s old apartment. There had been a fake fur bedspread.

The hallway was deserted, and the two sisters walked quickly to Bradford’s door. Andrea used the master key and pushed the door open. “Flashlights?” she asked, once they’d both stepped inside.

“Yes,” Hannah said, after one glance at the living room window. It faced a wooded area, but there was a patio with tables and chairs next to the building. Any resident who stepped out on the patio could see the lights and they’d wonder why someone was in Bradford’s apartment on the night after his death. “Let me close the drapes before we turn them on.”