Chocolate Cream Pie Murder (Hannah Swensen #24)(77)

“Yes. Norman’s going to take you back to your mother’s place now, Hannah. Doc says you need to rest tonight, but I’ll be there in the morning to ask you some questions.” All this was delivered in a neutral tone, a cop’s tone that held no emotion.

“All right,” Hannah said, agreeing quickly. Now that she’d remembered what she’d seen, she wanted to leave the condo as fast as she could. “Can I . . . go now?”

Mike moved closer and put his arm around her shoulders. He gave her a little hug and said, “Yes, Hannah. Go now and get some rest. And if you need anything at all, I’m only a phone call away.”

*

Somehow, Hannah managed to maintain her composure on the ride back to Lake Eden. Norman pulled up in front of the Albion Hotel, parked in one of the reserved spots, and came around to open the passenger door for Hannah.

“Come on, Hannah,” he said, taking her hand and helping her out of the car. “I’ll take you up to the penthouse.”

Hannah wanted to thank him, but she seemed to have lost her voice again. All she could do was nod and give his arm a little pat to show that she’d understood what he’d said. They walked through the lobby, past the rolls of new carpeting that would be installed, and headed straight for the elevator on the back wall.

“Come on, Hannah.” Norman took her arm and ushered her inside the elevator. “It’s going to be okay. Just hang on for a few minutes longer and you’ll be with your mother and Michelle.”

There’s a choice? Hannah’s mind prodded her, but of course she didn’t say that. Actually, there was a choice. If she collapsed right now, Norman would have to lift her off the floor of the elevator and carry her into her mother’s penthouse. She had no doubt that Norman could do that if he had to, but she knew she could manage to maintain on her own.

“I’m okay,” she said, even though okay was not an accurate description of the way she felt. Shaky would have described the way her legs felt as they began to ascend to the penthouse floor. And faint would have been the word to explain the buzzing that was filling her head with noise. Light-headed would have explained why she felt like gripping Norman’s arm to keep her balance, and frightening would have explained the phenomenon that made the elevator walls seem to close in and then recede.

“Are you with me?” Norman asked her.

Of course I’m with you. I’m right here in an elevator with you, Hannah’s rational mind replied. But Hannah said, “I’m just hunky-dory,” hoping he would appreciate her attempt at humor.

“Don’t, Hannah,” Norman said sympathetically, putting his arm around her shoulders and giving her a comforting squeeze. “I know it’s hard, but we’re almost here and then your family will help.”

Hannah thought about that for a moment and then she nodded. “Yes. They will.”

“I’ll stay with you, too,” Norman offered, “if you want me to.”

Is this a trap? her suspicious mind asked her. Will Norman expect more than you’re able to give him if you tell him you want him to stay?

Don’t be ridiculous, the rational part of her mind countered. Norman just wants to help and he’s not quite sure what to do.

As the elevator doors opened on the penthouse floor, Hannah reached a decision. She’d tell the truth. It was always the best way. And she turned to Norman and said, “Yes, please. I want you to stay with me, Norman.”

He took Hannah’s arm and shepherded her down the hallway to the penthouse door. Then he half-supported her as he rang the doorbell.

“Hannah!” Delores said, opening the door almost immediately. “Oh, honey! Come in. Let me help you.”

“Mom!” Hannah said, swallowing hard and trying to maintain her composure. But trying to be calm and act as if her heart wasn’t breaking was impossible. Tears welled up in her eyes and rolled down her cheeks. And she sobbed as she felt her mother’s arms close around her. “Oh, Mommy! He’s dead!”

“I know, honey.” Delores held her tightly. “Thank you, sweetheart.”

It took Hannah a moment to realize what her mother had said. “Why are you thanking me?”

“Because you haven’t called me mommy since you were three years old. Oh, honey. You have no idea how much that means to me.”

And then Delores and Norman half-carried her through the living room and out into the penthouse garden, where they helped to seat her on a chaise longue.

“Here’s Moishe,” Delores said as Moishe spotted Hannah and ran toward her.

“Rrroow!” Moishe yowled a greeting as he jumped up into her lap. He crawled up her body to lick her face, and she laughed through her tears and reached down to pet him. “It’s okay, Moishe,” she told him. And surprisingly, it was okay. Here they were, nestled in the bosom of her family, surrounded by the people that loved her. Hannah felt the weight of shock and grief lighten and she drew a relieved breath. The weight was still there but wasn’t as heavy as it had been.

Moishe purred as she stroked his soft fur and Hannah knew that he was putting the trauma of hiding outside in the dark behind him. He was safe here in her lap, surrounded by Delores, and Michelle, and Andrea, and Norman. And that was when Hannah realized that she was safe too, and she managed a shaky smile.

“Thank you,” she said to all of them. “I’m so glad I’m here with you.”