Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder (Hannah Swensen #1)(52)

“I have to talk to you, Danielle.” Hannah moved in to claim her before the coach could. “Let’s go to the ladies’ powder room.”

“But I’m waiting for Boyd. He told me to stay right here and he’ll be angry if I go off without—”

“It’s important, Danielle,” Hannah interrupted her. “Just tell him you need to fix your face or something.”

“Is there something wrong with my face?”

“No, it’s fine. I just need to talk to you about a mutual friend.”

Danielle stared at her for a moment and then the light dawned. “All right, Hannah. Just let me tell Boyd and I’ll be right with you.”

Less than a minute later, Hannah led Danielle into the ladies’ powder room. She was in luck. The large space was deserted and she flipped the lock on the door. “I need more information, Danielle.”

“But I’ve told you everything I know. You shouldn’t lock the door, Hannah. What if someone needs to get in?”

“They’ll wait. You told me that you were with Ron from eleven until seven-twenty the next morning.”

“That’s right. I was. I told you the truth.”

“I’m sure you did, but I need you to think back to the time you spent with Ron. Did you see anyone else? Anyone at all?”

“No. All of his home delivery customers were still asleep and we didn’t meet anyone at the school. That’s why I said I’d go along. Ron promised that no one would see me.”

“Was there any time that Ron was out of your sight?”

Danielle frowned as she thought about it. “Only when he was loading the truck, but there wasn’t anybody else around.”

“Then Ron didn’t meet anyone at all?”

“No, I don’t think…” Danielle stopped and her eyes widened. “Wait! After Ron loaded up for his commercial route, he had to run back inside the dairy for another box of pens with the Cozy Cow logo on them. He was leaving them with every order and it was some kind of promotional thing. When he came out, he said that Max had better get a move on or he’d be late for the Buttermakers’ Convention.”

“Then Ron saw Max?” Hannah felt a prickle of excitement. “What time was that?”

“Six-fifteen. Ron asked me to check to make sure he was on schedule. He was so organized, Hannah. He…he had everything worked out to the minute so he wouldn’t b-be late.”

Danielle’s voice quavered and Hannah reached out to pat her on the shoulder. Danielle couldn’t break down now—there wasn’t time. “You’re helping a lot, Danielle. Ron would be very proud of you.”

“You’re right. I think he would.” Danielle took a deep breath and let it out in a quivering sigh.

“Do you know why Max was at the dairy so early?”

“He was meeting with someone in his office.”

“Max was in a meeting at six-fifteen in the morning?”

“That’s what Ron said. I don’t know who was with him, Hannah. Ron didn’t say.”

Hannah drew a deep breath. She wished she had time to think about how this new information fit into the picture, but there would be time for that later. “Try to remember what everything looked like at the dairy when Ron drove in to reload the truck. Did you see any cars in the parking lot?”

“I know Ron’s car was there. That’s where we parked when we got there at four in the morning. I don’t know about later, Hannah. The parking lot’s in the rear, behind the building. When Ron came back to load up for the second time, he used the truck road at the side. That’s where the loading dock is.”

“How about when you left? Did you drive around the building?”

Danielle shook her head. “There’s a turnaround on the side, and Ron used that. We didn’t drive past the parking lot at all.”

“Thanks, Danielle.” Hannah walked over to unlock the door. “You’ve been very helpful.”

Danielle gave Hannah a timid little smile. “I feel really bad that I didn’t ask Ron who was with Max in his office.”

“That’s okay.”

“But it’s important, isn’t it?”

“It could be, but you had no way of knowing. Besides, we can always ask Max.”

“That’s right.” Danielle looked very relieved. “I’d better get back to Boyd. And I suppose you need to get back to Norman.”

After Danielle had left, Hannah sat down on the cushioned bench in front of the mirror and thought about what she’d learned. Ron had seen Max at six-fifteen, meeting with someone in his office. It could be something, or it could be nothing. Only time would tell.





Chapter Sixteen




Hannah groaned as she approached Andrea and Bill’s table. Somehow Delores and Carrie had found them, and both mothers were looking impatient. She felt like turning around and going back to the ladies’ powder room, but her mother raised her hand and wiggled her fingers. It was too late. She’d been spotted.

“There you are, dear!” Delores gave her a wide smile. “We’re ready to take the pictures now.”

“That’s just wonderful.” Hannah’s reply sounded sarcastic, even to her own ears, and she smiled to take the edge off her words. She glanced at Norman. He didn’t look at all upset about the upcoming photo session, but perhaps he was one of those lucky people who were photogenic. Hannah knew she wasn’t. No trick of the light or instruction from the photographer could make her look good on Kodak paper.