Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder (Hannah Swensen #1)(56)

“That’s true,” Betty agreed.

“If he calls in, don’t mention that I told you about his meeting. He’ll just think that we were nosing into his personal life. I’m concerned for your job.”

“You’re right, Hannah!” Betty’s eyes widened. “Max would fire me if he thought I was gossiping about him, even if I wasn’t!”

“Exactly. If anybody asks you what we were talking about tonight, just say that we were making small talk about the buffet table. I’ll say the same thing.”

“Thanks, Hannah.” Betty looked very grateful. “I sure don’t want to risk my job. I just love it at the dairy. My lips are sealed—you can count on that.”

“Mine too.” Hannah walked away, confident that Betty wouldn’t repeat their conversation. She’d also discovered a wonderful new tool for social intercourse. It was intimidation and it worked. And if the glower on Andrea’s face was any indication, Hannah knew that she was in for a dose of it herself.



Andrea sighed as they walked down the hall together. She still didn’t look happy about being left to dance with Norman for so long, but when Hannah had whispered that she’d been doing legwork for Bill, Andrea lightened up a little. “I still can’t believe that you stuck Norman with the Hollenbeck sisters. You know they’re going to chew his ear off for at least fifteen minutes.”

“That’s what I’m counting on. Norman said he wanted me to introduce him to prospective patients, and Marguerite seemed really interested in having her teeth whitened. If she does it, she’ll tell all her friends at the church and they’ll do it, too.”

“Here’s the ladies’ room.” Andrea stopped at the door.

“I know, but that was just an excuse. I need you to make a phone call for me, Andrea. You’re a lot better at sweet-talking people than I am.”

“You can say that again!” Andrea laughed and Hannah could tell that the last vestige of her anger had disappeared. “Who am I calling?”

“The Holiday Inn in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. That’s where they’re holding the Tri-State Buttermakers’ Convention.”

“You want me to talk to Max Turner?” Andrea sounded very reluctant. “I don’t think I should do that, Hannah. Bill hasn’t talked to him yet and he doesn’t know about Ron.”

“I don’t want you to talk to Max. I want you to get Gary Mielke from the Mielke Way Dairy on the phone. I need some information from him.”

Andrea looked dubious. “Does Bill know about this?”

“No. I just learned something from Betty and I have to confirm it with Gary.”

“But are you supposed to…I mean, shouldn’t Bill be the one to—”

“Bill’s not here and I am,” Hannah interrupted her. “This could be important, Andrea. It can’t wait for Bill to get back from the accident scene. We’ll use the phone in Del Woodley’s den. That’s private, and God knows the Woodleys can afford one long-distance call to Wisconsin.”

Andrea thought about it for a minute. “Okay, I’ll do it. Bill always says that I can sweet-talk anybody into anything.”

Hannah led the way to the den and got Andrea settled behind Del Woodley’s desk. Then she took a seat on the couch and listened in awe as her sister charmed the desk clerk into leaving his post to search for Gary Mielke. Bill was right. Andrea could talk anyone into anything, and knowing that caused a heavy load of guilt to drop from Hannah’s shoulders. Bill might want Andrea to quit her job, but her sister would just sweet-talk him into letting her go right on selling real estate.





Chapter Seventeen




Hannah was frowning as she approached the ballroom entrance with Andrea. What she’d learned had confirmed her suspicions. Max Turner wasn’t at the Buttermakers’ Convention. He’d been scheduled to give the opening speech, but he hadn’t shown up and Gary Mielke had filled in for him. Gary had arrived at the Holiday Inn on Tuesday night to meet some friends of his. They’d gone out to a late dinner and spent the night with some “other friends.” Hannah hadn’t asked whether those “other friends” had been male or female. It didn’t really matter. The point was that Gary Mielke had an alibi and he couldn’t have had anything to do with Max’s disappearance or Ron’s murder.

“Come on, Hannah.” Andrea took her arm. “We have to rescue Norman before the Hollenbeck sisters drive him crazy.”

“I know. I just wish I could go home and think about this. There’s something I’m missing.”

“Later. I’ll come over and you can run your theories past me. Bill won’t be home until late, anyway.”

“How do you know that?” Hannah turned to her in surprise.

“Reverend Knudson told me.”

“How does he know?”

“Sheriff Grant paged him a couple of minutes ago. He said that some of the crash victims needed spiritual comfort.”

“Uh-oh.” Hannah winced. “They don’t bring in the reverend unless it’s really bad.”

“I know. Sheriff Grant paged all three of them. Reverend Knudson is driving out there, and Father Coultas and Reverend Strandberg are riding with him.”