Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder (Hannah Swensen #1)(81)

“I don’t have the foggiest idea.” Hannah took a moment to ponder the question, but it really didn’t make any sense. “Are you sure it was Del Woodley’s ring?”

“I’m positive. I admired it at their party last year and I noticed this tiny little scratch on the band. The ring I just saw at the jeweler’s had the very same scratch. Do you want to know what I think?”

“Sure,” Hannah agreed. It wouldn’t do any good to say no. Delores would just tell her anyway.

“I think Del’s in financial trouble. That’s the only reason he’d part with that ring. He told me that he just adored it.”

“You’re right, Mother.” Hannah began to smile. This opened up all sorts of intriguing possibilities. “Did you find out how long the ring has been there?”

“Of course I did. The jeweler said he’d had it for six months.”

“Did he confirm that it belonged to Del?”

“No, dear. He said that whenever he accepts any expensive jewelry on consignment, he keeps the identity of the original owner confidential.”

Hannah thought about that for a moment while her mother went on to describe every detail of her conversation with the jeweler. The Woodleys had spared no expense at their party, but that meant nothing. Judith was proud and she was the type to keep up appearances. If Del’s business was in trouble, he could have borrowed money from Max. And if Max had called in his loan, as he’d done with Norman’s parents and several other people in town, Del Woodley would have had the perfect motive to murder him.

“I’m sure I’m right, Hannah,” her mother went on. “You know how good I am at noticing little details. We stopped in at the antique shop, too. Do you remember those lovely dessert dishes I gave you?”

“Yes, Mother.” Hannah glanced over at the dessert dish she’d used for Moishe’s ice cream.

“Be careful when you wash them. I only paid twenty dollars for the set at an auction, but they had two in the window of the antique store. They’re selling for fifty dollars apiece now.”

“Really?” Hannah was highly amused. She could imagine her mother’s reaction if she mentioned that Moishe had just finished eating from a fifty-dollar dessert dish.

“I’ve got to run, Hannah. Carrie wants to shop for some new linens, and there’s a line of people waiting to use this phone.”

“I’m really glad you called, Mother,” Hannah said. And this time she meant it.



There was a spring in Hannah’s step as she walked up to the Plotniks door and rang the bell. Delores didn’t know it, but she’d been a big help. Phil Plotnik was a night supervisor at DelRay and he might know if Del’s business was in trouble.

The door opened and Sue Plotnik stood there, juggling a dishtowel and a crying baby. She looked surprised to see her upstairs neighbor, but she smiled. “Hi, Hannah. I hope Kevin didn’t disturb you. He’s got an ear infection and Phil’s out getting his prescription refilled.”

“I didn’t even hear him,” Hannah reassured her. “Did I come at a bad time?”

Sue laughed. “There isn’t a good time, not with a new baby, but that doesn’t matter. Come in and have a cup of coffee with me. I just made a fresh pot.”

Hannah didn’t really want to intrude, especially when it looked as if Sue had her hands full, but she really needed to talk to Phil. At least she could help while Sue got the coffee.

“I brought some cookies for you.” Hannah walked in and placed the bag on the table. Then she held out her arms and smiled at Sue. “Let me hold the baby for you. I’ll walk him around while you get the coffee.”

Sue handed over the blanket-wrapped bundle with visible relief. “Thanks, Hannah. He’s been crying all morning and I dropped his bottle of medicine. That’s why Phil had to make a run to the drugstore. Did you get my message about catering next week at Mommy and Me?”

“Yes. Thanks for thinking of me, Sue. I’ve already written it on my calendar.” Hannah jiggled the fussing baby a bit and then she started to pace the floor with him. Michelle had been a colicky baby, and Hannah was no stranger to crying infants. As the eldest sister, almost eleven at the time, Hannah had taken over when Delores had needed a break.

It didn’t take long for the baby to quiet. Hannah paced rhythmically back and forth with a satisfied expression on her face. It was pretty obvious that she hadn’t lost her touch.

Sue came in with two cups of coffee and a plate for the cookies. She set them down on the coffee table and then she stared at Kevin with openmouthed amazement. “How did you do that?”

“It’s easy. You just have to keep your steps slow and a little bouncy. I used to pretend that I was an elephant in a circus parade. I’m going to put him down, Sue.”

Sue watched while Hannah walked over to the cradle and tucked the baby inside. There was an anxious expression on her face, but it faded after several long seconds of silence. “You’re a genius, Hannah.”

“No, I’m not. I’ve just had plenty of practice, that’s all. Michelle had at least four bouts of colic before her first birthday.”

“You should be a mother, Hannah. All that talent going to—” Sue stopped in midthought and looked very uncomfortable. “I shouldn’t have said that.”