Chocolate Cream Pie Murder (Hannah Swensen #24)(40)

“I love the color of the frosting,” Hannah said, staring down at the brownie. Good for you! Her rational mind said. Don’t let Lisa know that you’re still feeling sick to your stomach.

“It smells wonderful, and the texture looks perfect,” Hannah went on, not listening to her mind’s running comments. Atta girl! her rational mind complimented her.

Oh, yeah? her suspicious mind argued. If Lisa’s White Chocolate Brownie is that perfect, why don’t you take a bite? If you don’t, Lisa will know you’re just paying her compliments to keep from tasting her brownie.

Hannah forced herself to open her mouth and take a big bite. She chewed, swallowed, and took a sip of coffee. “Delicious,” she declared. They’ll be perfect for Valentine catering, Lisa.”

“Oh, good! I was hoping you’d like them,” Lisa said with a big smile. “Thanks, Hannah.”

“They’re going to be a huge hit with our customers. As a matter of fact, I think I’ll take another and run next door to give it to Mother. She adores white chocolate.”

That said, Hannah rose from her chair, grabbed a brownie, wrapped it in a napkin, and hurried out the door, totally ignoring Lisa’s warning about taking her parka. As she hurried across the parking lot to the back door of Granny’s Attic, her mother’s antique shop, Hannah began to feel slightly better. The cold air was having a bracing effect and her stomach was no longer roiling. Perhaps she’d overdone it on the coffee this morning and that was why she’d felt sick. Or perhaps skipping breakfast hadn’t been a good idea and she’d just been hungry, after all.

*

Several hours later, Hannah stood outside the door to Lake Eden First Mercantile Bank and knocked loudly on the glass. She could see several workmen and the bank president, Doug Greerson, inside. Since one workman was holding a nail gun and the other was using a framing hammer, Hannah assumed that they were probably making too much noise to hear her knock. Since Doug was out in the main part of the bank and not in his office it probably explained why, that despite her repeated telephone calls, Doug hadn’t answered the phone.

Hannah stood there, waiting. Although it was cold, the bank had a covered portico and she was out of the wind. This made it fairly comfortable. She didn’t bother to knock until the workman with the nail gun put it down and turned to say something to Doug. Then she knocked again, as loudly as she could.

This time, Hannah got results. Doug looked up, saw Hannah standing under the portico, and walked quickly to the door. He pointed to the sign and Hannah gave a nod. She knew that the bank was closed, but she still had to speak to Doug. She motioned toward him, mouthed the words I need to talk to you, and began to smile as Doug held up one finger and hurried back to the counter to pick up his key ring.

“Let’s go in my office,” Doug said after he’d unlocked the door and let her in. He relocked the front door behind Hannah and led her toward his office in the back.

“Thanks, Doug,” Hannah said, following him through the corridor and into his private space.

“Coffee?” Doug asked her, gesturing toward the espresso machine that his wife had given him for Christmas several years ago.

“Thanks. That would be great,” Hannah responded, even though her stomach still felt a bit unsettled.

“You drink cappuccino, don’t you?”

“Yes. Thank you, Doug.” Hannah waited until the coffee machine had finished brewing her coffee and then she reached out for the cup and took a sip. The chocolate that Doug had sprinkled on top of the cappuccino seemed to settle her stomach and Hannah began to feel much better.

“How can I help you, Hannah?” Doug asked, settling in his chair behind his desk with his own cup of coffee.

“I brought you some of Lisa’s White Chocolate Brownies.” Hannah set the small bakery box on top of Doug’s desk and lifted the lid. “They have pink frosting because we’re going to use them for Valentine’s Day. Have one with your coffee, Doug.”

“Thanks. I will.” Doug took a brownie, bit into it, and made a sound of approval. “They’re really good!” he said once he’d swallowed his first bite. “Now tell me why you needed to see me.”

Hannah took another sip of her coffee and drew a deep breath. “Ross asked me to come in and . . .”

“You saw Ross?” Doug asked, interrupting her.

“Yes. Don’t worry, Doug. Mike knows about it. Ross claimed he needed the money from the safe deposit box so he could ask his wife for a divorce and marry me again. Except, it’s not really again since we weren’t married in the first place.”

“Oh, Hannah!” Doug looked thoroughly disgusted. “You didn’t fall for that, did you?”

“Good heavens, no! And that’s what I told Ross. I said I wouldn’t marry him if he was the last man left on earth!”

Doug nodded. “I’m glad to hear that, Hannah. I didn’t think you could possibly be that much of a . . .” He stopped himself and looked slightly embarrassed. “Well . . . you know what I mean.”

“I do. And you’re right. I’m not that much of a fool. You’ve heard the old saying, Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me!”

“I certainly have. My mother used to say that.” Doug looked thoughtful. “So what do you want me to do, Hannah?”