Lemon Meringue Pie Murder (Hannah Swensen #4)(21)

"There wasn't any wind."

"Interesting," Mike said, referring to his notes again. "How about the rats? Were they as large as your mother said?"

"What rats? We didn't see any rats."

Mike began to grin. "I think your mother must have embellished her story just a bit. How about the gruesome trail of glistening blood?"

"No blood," Hannah said, shaking her head.

"Okay. We'll just file your mother's statement under *f for 'fiction' and go with the ones that you and Norman gave us. At least they match what we found at the crime scene." Mike took another sip of his coffee and stood up. "Thanks, Hannah. I've got to run. The fingerprint team should be finished by now."

Hannah reached out to grab his arm. "Not so fast. Was I right?"

"About what?"

"About the shoe. Was it Rhonda's?"

Mike looked as if he didn't want to say, but then he nodded. "Yes. Doc Knight made a positive identification."

"Poor Rhonda." Hannah sighed deeply. "How did she die?"

"It's too early to tell"

"But was she murdered?"

"The autopsy report isn't in yet."

"I'm asking for your personal opinion." Hannah gave an exasperated sigh. "Do you think that Rhonda was murdered? Or did it look like an accident?"

Mike thought it over for a moment and then he relented. "This is unofficial. If you quote me I'll deny it, but it didn't

LEMON MERINGUE PIE MURDER 75

look like an accident to me. Now don't ask me any more questions, Hannah. That's all I'm saying."

"Just one more thing. Why didn't Rhonda's killer finish burying her? She told everyone that she was going on vacation and no one would have missed her for two weeks. Her killer could have bought himself a lot more time if he'd finished burying her."

"I know that."

"Then you think he was scared off before he could finish filling in her grave?"

"That's possible."

"What I can't figure out is why anyone wanted to kill Rhonda. She could be exasperating at times, but everyone I know seemed to like her well enough. How about the crime scene? Did you find any clues?"

Mike's eyes narrowed. "You're not going to interfere with our investigation, are you? You don't have any reason to get involved this time around."

"You're right," Hannah said, meeting his eyes squarely. "I've got enough to do without solving murder cases. Of course I'll tell you if I hear anything important, but that's as far as it'll go."

"Good." Mike gave her one of his melt-your-heart smiles and pulled her into his arms for a hug. "Bill and I are perfectly capable of running a murder investigation without you."

"Of course you are," Hannah said, hiding her grin against the maroon lapel of his sheriff's uniform. She'd already helped them solve several murder cases, but Mike was clearly asserting his professional independence.

"I won't deny that you helped us a lot in the past, but I don't want people to think we can't do our job without you."

"I understand," Hannah breathed, snuggling a little closer. Mike's hugs were wonderful. He was tall and rugged, and being in his arms made her feel fragile and feminine.

Mike's cell phone rang, disrupting the moment, and he answered it. He listened for a moment. "Okay. I'll be out there in ten minutes."

76

Joanne Fluke

"You have to go?" Hannah asked, already knowing the answer.

"Yes, but I'll call you later. The forensic guys are finished and Bill's waiting for me out at the crime scene."

"Take some cookies with you," Hannah said, heading for the counter to put some in a bag.

"Thanks. We probably won't get a break until late and they'll tide us over." Mike took the cookies and gave her a lopsided grin. "Remember what I said, Hannah. Bill and I can handle it."





Walnuttoes

Do not preheat oven— dough must chill before baking.

2 cups chocolate chips (a 12-ounce bag)

1 !12 cups brown sugar 3/4 cup butter (1 7/? sticks) 4 eggs

2 teaspoons vanilla

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

2 cups flour (not sifted)

2 cups finely chopped walnuts approx. 1/2 cup additional white sugar in a small bowl

Melt chocolate chips with butter. (Microwave on high for 2 minutes, then stir until smooth.) Mix in sugar and let cool. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Mix in vanilla, baking powder and salt. Add flour and mix well, then add nuts and mix in.





77

Chill dough for at least 4 hours, overnight is even better.

When you're ready to bake, preheat oven to 350 degrees E, rack in the middle position.

Roll walnut-sized dough balls with your hands. (This is messy—wear thin plastic gloves if you wish. If dough becomes too warm between rollings, return it to the refrigerator.)

Drop dough balls into a small bowl with white sugar and roll around to coat. Then place them on a greased cookie sheet, 12 to a standard sheet. Smush them down with a greased spatula.

Bake at 350 degrees E for 12 to 14 minutes. Let cool on cookie sheet for 1 minute, then remove to wire rack. (If you leave them on the cookie sheet too long, they 'II stick.)