Fudge Cupcake Murder (Hannah Swensen, #5)(14)

"Nothing. Come on in, Hannah. Bill's in the kitchen waiting for you."

Hannah followed her sister down the hallway and into the bright, sunny kitchen. When Andrea and Bill purchased this house, the kitchen had been a prime selling point. It was called a "gourmet kitchen" and Hannah envied the built-in double ovens, island stovetop with a barbecue grill in the center and padded benches around it on three sides for entertaining. It would be great fun to grill shish kabob appetizers while your guests watched. Even main courses would be more fun. There was a rotisserie attachment that allowed you to cook roasts or a whole chicken while your guests watched their entree turn slowly over the grill.

Andrea's kitchen was truly ideal. To start with, it was huge, the size of most dining rooms and kitchens combined. There was an alcove for the round oak kitchen table and a rustic brick fireplace that made the huge room cheery. There was a fire in the fireplace now, and Hannah was almost positive that Bill had built it. Andrea didn't like to bother with a fire, because she seldom spent much time in the kitchen.

Hannah spotted Bill at the window seat in front of the bay window that overlooked the tree-lined back yard. As she walked over to greet him, she thought again of what an attractive couple her brother-in-law and sister made. Andrea was gorgeous with her long blonde hair, china blue eyes, and petite figure. She even looked good now, when she was eight months pregnant. Bill was Andrea's exact opposite with dark brown hair, brown eyes, and a football quarterback's physique. Last year he had started to put on a little weight around the middle, but since he had been working out with Mike every morning, his spare tire had completely disappeared. "How are you doing, Bill?"

"Okay, considering. Andrea said you've got some ideas."

Hannah glanced over at her sister, but Andrea was busy assembling sandwiches at the counter. "Um… sure, I do. We'll figure something out, Bill. Don't worry."

"Here's lunch!" Andrea announced, carrying a tray to the kitchen table. "We can talk about it after we eat."

"Thanks, honey."

Bill gave Andrea a smile as he walked to the table and sat down in a chair. Hannah followed suit, but her smile slipped alarmingly as she caught sight of the sandwiches piled on the platter. She knew they were toasted peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, but she wouldn't have guessed it if Andrea hadn't told her what she was planning to make. The toast was just this side of incinerated and the filling that leaked out between the slices of toast was tan and bright green!

"What kind of jelly is that?" Hannah asked, staring at the plate of sandwiches.

"Mint. I thought I had a full jar of grape in the pantry, but all I could find was the mint. Help yourself, Hannah. They're better when the toast is still hot."

Hannah sighed, hoping she sounded disappointed. "Thanks, Andrea. The sandwiches look delicious, but I'm going to have to pass."

"But why?"

"I did a stupid thing. I filled up on cookies while I was catering."

"Oh, Hannah!" Andrea's lips tightened. "I made these just for you."

"I'm sorry," Hannah said, and she was. But she was pretty sure she wasn't as sorry as she would be if she ate one of Andrea's peanut butter and mint jelly sandwiches.

"But you knew I was making lunch. I told you."

"I know you did. It's just that Mother came over to talk to me and…"

"Say no more," Andrea waved away any further explanations. "I always eat when Mother's around, too. It's comforting. I think it's a throwback to childhood when she was always criticizing us."

"Was?" Hannah's brows shot up at her sister's use of past tense.

"Yes, at least as far as I'm concerned. I did what she wanted. I got married, I gave her a granddaughter, and pretty soon she'll have a grandson to spoil. I don't get criticized anymore. Mother saves it all up for you."

"It's true," Hannah said with a sigh. "Mother doesn't seem to realize that what's right for you isn't necessarily what's right for me."

"Of course it's right for you. You just haven't found the right man yet. And it's certainly not the man we thought it might be! That rat! I still can't believe that he could…”

"Great sandwiches, honey!" Bill interrupted, heading Andrea off at the pass. "The mint jelly's really different. I like it."

"Really?" Andrea gave Bill a radiant smile.

"Absolutely." Bill turned to Hannah. "Since you're not eating, talk to me, Hannah. Do you have any great ideas for proving my innocence?"

"Maybe. At least I got some information. I know that Sheriff Grant was killed between eight and nine-thirty last night. And I know that you had a fight with Sheriff Grant before you left the station."

"We did exchange words," Bill admitted, "but that's all we exchanged. Sheriff Grant offered me a raise if I backed off on the campaign. I told him I wouldn't."

"And that's when he shouted that you'd only win over his dead body?"

"That's when. Of course he didn't mean it. He said that a lot. Ask anyone at the station."

"I believe you," Hannah said, meeting Bill's eyes. "How about calling in some markers at the station? I'm sure you have friends who could tell you what's going on in the investigation."