Chocolate Cream Pie Murder (Hannah Swensen #24)(60)

“Watching you do that without spilling a drop makes me think I ought to teach you some of my magic tricks,” Norman commented.

“Not unless you promise to be my assistant and you’re willing to wear that awful purple gown.”

“Never mind. I’m drawing the line at that!”

Hannah chuckled and so did Norman. They sat there, silent for a time, sipping their coffee and enjoying the feeling of being awake when everyone else was sleeping. Then Norman reached out to pat her shoulder. “Are you nervous about today, Hannah?”

Hannah knew exactly what he meant. It was Monday and Ross was scheduled to come back to Lake Eden to sign the withdrawal slip so that she could get his money from Doug at the bank. “I’m a little nervous,” she admitted.

“A little? Or more than a little?”

Hannah thought about that for a moment. “Maybe a bit more nervous than I’d like to be. I wish I knew whether Ross was coming or not. And I wish I knew what he’ll do when Doug says he couldn’t get that much money on such short notice.”

“Don’t worry. After you went to bed last night, I called Mike and we talked about that. Mike and I are going to stay with you at The Cookie Jar, and Lonnie and Rick are going to back Doug up at the bank. You don’t have to worry, Hannah. We won’t leave your side until we get the word that Ross has left town.”

“But . . . how about your dental appointments at the clinic?”

“No problem. I talked to Doc Bennett and he’s happy to fill in for me and make a little extra cash. He’s planning to go on another cruise with the widow he met on the last one.”

Hannah gave a huge sigh of relief. She hadn’t known she was that nervous about what Ross might do, but with Norman, Mike, Lonnie, and Rick looking out for her, she felt as if a tremendous weight had slid off her shoulders.

“Feel better?” Norman asked, smiling at her.

“A lot better. I guess I was more worried than I thought I was.”

“What are you making?” Norman asked, gesturing toward the ingredients that were lined up on the counter.

“Sally’s Chocolate Cream Pie. She gave me the recipe the last time I saw her and I wanted to try it this morning.”

“Is there anything I can do to help you?”

Hannah thought about that for a moment and then she began to smile. “You can help me whisk the chocolate pudding when I make it. Sally’s recipe calls for a lot of whisking.”

“Then I’m your man. I can wield a whisk with the best of them,” Norman promised. “Let’s finish our coffee and try that pie.”

It didn’t take long to make the pie with both of them working. Once the pudding had cooled a bit, Hannah poured it into the prepared pie shell, covered the top of the pudding with plastic wrap, and stuck the pie in the refrigerator. “It has to chill before I can put on the whipped cream topping,” she told Norman.

“Something smells like chocolate in here,” Michelle said, coming into the kitchen. “What is it?”

“Sally’s Chocolate Cream Pie,” Norman told her. “Hannah and I just made the pudding part.”

“Well, it smells delicious!” Michelle walked over to the coffee carafe and poured herself a full mug. “I’ll make another pot of coffee. This one’s almost gone. And then we can talk about breakfast.”

“There’s nothing to talk about,” Norman told her. “I’m taking you and Hannah out to the Corner Tavern for breakfast. We’re going to meet Mike and Lonnie there.”

Michelle looked surprised. “Lonnie didn’t say anything about that.”

“He probably doesn’t know yet. Mike and I arranged it. I’m going to be Hannah’s guard detail at The Cookie Jar today, and Lonnie and Rick are going to support Doug at the bank.”

“Then you think that Ross will show up at the bank?” Michelle asked Hannah.

“If he wants the money, he will! He’s desperate to get his hands on that money, and the last time he called me, I told him that I couldn’t withdraw it for him.”

Michelle didn’t look convinced. “Did Ross believe you?”

“I think so.”

“Okay then.” Michelle drained her coffee mug and stood up. “Is it okay if I use the guest bathroom shower first, Norman?”

“I’m sure it’s fine,” Hannah told her. “I’ve already showered, so Norman can use the one in the master bedroom. And then we can all go out for breakfast.” Hannah said no more, but her suspicious mind added a final clause to the last sentence. It was, before Ross comes to town and all hell breaks loose!





SALLY’S CHOCOLATE CREAM PIE

This pie is a pudding pie with whipped cream and does not bake in the oven.



The Crust:



8-inch or 9-inch prepared crushed chocolate wafer or crushed Oreo pie crust.



Hannah’s 1st Note: You can also use a prepared crushed cookie pie crust, a graham cracker pie crust, or a shortbread pie crust. You can even use a regular pie crust as long as you bake and cool it first.



The Chocolate Filling:



6 large egg yolks (save the whites to make your favorite meringue cookies)

? cup white (granulated) sugar 2 Tablespoons cornstarch 3 cups light cream (Half n’ Half)