Fudge Cupcake Murder (Hannah Swensen, #5)(78)

"Thanks, Florence, but all I need is maple," Hannah interrupted what was surely going to be a lengthy description of the new items the Red Owl was stocking. "Lisa's waiting for it back at the shop."

Hannah turned on her heel and headed for aisle three, but Florence had other ideas. Before Hannah could blink, she'd flicked off the light above her register, and stepped out from behind the counter.

"You really should take a look. Those new flavors are really special." Florence linked arms with Hannah and headed toward the rear of the store. "Come along with me and I'll show you."



"There you are!" Lisa looked relieved when Hannah came back into The Cookie Jar. "It's been an hour and I was getting worried."

"Remember the television ad for the Roach Motel?" Hannah asked, setting her bags on the counter.

"I think so. Isn't that the one that said, Roaches check in… but they don't check out?"

"That's the one. Well, Florence was working the check stand at the Red Owl."

It took Lisa a moment, but then she burst of laughing. "She wouldn't let you check out?"

"That's right. She followed me back to aisle three to show me the new pancake syrups, but what I thought was going to be a real delay turned out to be a lucky break."

"Florence told you something about the murder?" Lisa guessed.

"It wasn't that lucky, but she did teach me something about Alma's cupcakes." Hannah opened the grocery bag and pulled out a bottle. She held her hand over the label and asked, "Does this look familiar?"

"That bottle looks just like the ones Beatrice brought in when she was testing salad dressings."

"And where did Beatrice say she got the bottles?"

"From her mother-in-law's basement. And she also said that Alma had lots of them and Ted thought she was crazy for bringing them home."

"Turns out that Beatrice was brilliant for bringing them home. I never would have guessed Alma's secret ingredient if I hadn't seen those bottles."

"You mean you know what it is?" Lisa looked excited when Hannah nodded.

"If I'm right, this is it."

Lisa took the bottle and looked at the label. "Raspberry syrup? That's got to be it, Hannah! And it explains why Alma put a raspberry on top of the cupcakes. You and Edna both thought that it would be a thick liquid and syrup is thick. And Beatrice said they tasted fruity."

"She also said that they tasted German and they're very big on chocolate and raspberry in Europe."

"You've got it, Hannah. I don't think I ever would have figured it out."

"You would have if Florence had gotten a hold of you," Hannah said, smiling at her partner. "But let's not crow too much until we test it. Do you want to do it, or shall I?"

"You do it. I'll stay out here since I'm in costume."

"And that reminds me…" Hannah grinned as she handed Lisa the white bag from the drugstore. "This ought to fix that tail of yours."

"A sling?" Lisa asked, looking dumbfounded as she drew it out of the bag.

"A sling and a bandage. You know how Moishe's tail is bent at the tip?" Hannah waited until Lisa nodded. "Doctor Bob said it's common for street cats to break the tips of their tails."

"So you want me to break my tail?"

"Yes. Just bend it at the tip and bandage it. Then you can put it in a sling that hangs around your neck and it won't get in your way."



"Those cupcakes smell wonderful!" Lisa sighed in longing as she opened the swinging door between the kitchen and the coffee shop. "You frosted them, too?"

"I thought I should. This has to be a complete test."

"Of course it does. And I really love that fudge frosting. You want me to taste a cupcake, don't you?"

"Help yourself. I'm so sure this is it, I baked a double batch."

Lisa made a beeline for the bakers' rack and grabbed a cupcake. Her mouth headed for the frosting like a child bobbing for an apple and, in keeping with her costume, she practically purred as she tasted it. "This frosting is so good, Hannah."

"I know. I licked out the pan. Do you want me to take a turn up front while you eat your cupcake?"

Lisa shook her head. "There's nobody there. We haven't had a customer for the past thirty minutes."

Hannah considered what Lisa had said. Almost everybody in town was getting ready for Halloween and there wouldn't be many customers for the remainder of the afternoon. It was silly for both of them to stay here, especially when Hannah knew that Lisa was itching to go down to the community center and help her father and the seniors put the finishing touches on the decorations for the Halloween party.

"Here you go, Lisa," Hannah put six cupcakes into a takeout box and handed it to Lisa. "Take off your apron and get out of here."

Lisa caught Hannah's meaning immediately and she began to grin. "You're kicking me out?"

"I am. There's no reason why both of us should be bored, and I have to stay here to make some phone calls anyway."

"Well, if you're sure you don't mind…”

"I don't mind," Hannah said. "Go help your dad decorate."