Fudge Cupcake Murder (Hannah Swensen, #5)(24)

Hannah thought fast. It was obvious that her mother had found out about Bill's suspension. "I would have told you yesterday, but it wasn't my place. I knew Andrea wanted to be the one to break the news to you."

"Oh. That's different." The hard expression in Delores's eyes softened. "I do wish Andrea had told me sooner, but I suppose the poor dear was probably trying to spare my feelings."

"I'm sure that's it, Mother," Hannah managed to choke out the words.

"Poor Bill!" Delores sighed and shook her head. "Poor Andrea! And in her condition, too! Can't you talk some sense into Mike? Surely he doesn't actually believe that Bill killed anyone!"

"I tried, Mother. I talked to Mike about it yesterday, but he wouldn't budge an inch. He's as stubborn as an ox."

"Well… I'm glad you found that out now. Just think how terrible this would be if you were married to him."

"I don't think there's any danger of that, at least not right now," Hannah said under her breath.

"What was that, dear?"

"Nothing, Mother. Just thinking out loud."

"At least you've been warned about Mike's true nature. That's certainly worth something."

"True."

"Andrea said that you're going to investigate. I want to help you, dear. What would you like me to do?"

Hannah was about to say she'd have to think about it when she realized that she did have something Delores could do. She needed to find out who'd received that stuffed bear chair from the Pink Giraffe and her mother was the perfect person to find out for her.

"What is it, dear? You thought of something, didn't you?"

"Yes, and here's the situation," Hannah said. And then she proceeded to tell her mother all about the fight Nettie'd had with Sheriff Grant on the day of his death and the fact that Nettie had wanted to rent to a family with a little girl. She explained about the Christmas present Nettie had ordered from the Pink Giraffe and then she asked the important question. "Do you think you can find out who got that present?"

"Why of course I can!" Delores sounded pleased at being asked. "But why don't you just ask Nettie?"

"I don't think it'll do any good. I already asked her about the fight. She said it was personal and she didn't want to talk about it."

Delores shrugged. "You struck out, dear. If Nettie says she doesn't want to talk about something, wild horses couldn't drag it out of her. But finding out about the present should be no problem. They know me at the Pink Giraffe. It's where I get most of Tracey's gifts."

"Could you call right now and ask?"

"I could, but it would be better for me to go there in person. It's much more difficult to say no face-to-face."

"You're right. Could you take a couple hours off this afternoon and drive there?"

Delores shook her head. "I could, but it won't do any good. They're closed during the day on Wednesdays. They open at seven this evening, but I can't go there tonight."

"Why not?"

"Because I have… plans."

"Oh?" Hannah waited a moment, but her mother didn't elaborate. "What kind of plans, Mother?"

"Personal plans."

Hannah digested that answer and when no more elaboration was forthcoming, she began to worry. "Is there something wrong, Mother?"

"Like what, dear?"

"Like… your personal plans don't include a visit to Doc Knight, do they?"

"Of course not!" Delores gave a little laugh. "If I get sick, you'll be the first to know about it. This is just something… personal. And I don't want to discuss it."

Hannah took one look at her mother's set face and knew she'd get nowhere by further probing. Delores could rival Nettie in the wild-horses-couldn't-drag-it-out-of-her department. Rather than annoy her mother with more questions, Hannah switched gears. "Will you be able to drive to The Pink Giraffe tomorrow?"

"Yes. I'll pick up Tracey after morning kindergarten and take her with me."

Hannah started to grin. "That might not be a good idea, Mother. It could be dangerous."

"What do you mean? How could going to a children's store be dangerous?"

"Oh, it won't be dangerous for you or Tracey personally," Hannah said, her smile growing wider. "But taking Tracey inside could put your credit cards in jeopardy."

Delores laughed. "You're right, dear. But Granny's Attic is doing very well and I can afford to indulge my only granddaughter a bit. Did Claire tell you what Nettie bought?"

"Yes, a child's chair shaped like a seated plush bear and she had it delivered in time for Christmas."

"I'm sure I can…" There was a crash outside the door and Delores stopped in mid-sentence. "What was that?"

"I don't know. It sounded like someone dropped something heavy that rolled…"

"Sorry." Luanne Hanks, Delores and Carrie's assistant, stuck her head in the doorway. "I was carrying a brass umbrella stand and I tripped. Don't worry. It's not damaged. I checked."

Delores walked over to put her arm around Luanne's shoulders. "I don't care about the umbrella stand. I'm much more concerned about you. You're shaking, Luanne. And you're as pale as a ghost. Are you hurt?"