Lemon Meringue Pie Murder (Hannah Swensen #4)(54)

Rose laughed and Hannah knew she was pleased. Her coconut cake was legendary, but she never got tired of hearing people rave about it.

"Mind if I sit for a minute?" Rose asked.

"Not at all," Hannah said. Rose was already sitting, so the question was moot

"Everybody loves that coconut cake. When Irma York was in this morning, she ordered two for Reggie's bachelor party."

Hannah's ears perked up at the mention of Reggie's name. "I didn't know Reggie was getting married."

"Neither did Irma until Friday night. He's been dating this girl in Hawaii. She's a reservations agent for Worldways. When Reggie found out he got promoted on Friday morning, he flew straight to Honolulu to ask her to marry him."

"That's wonderful news," Hannah said and she silently added, in more ways than one. If Reggie had flown to Hawaii on Friday, he couldn't have murdered Rhonda.

"Irma's all excited about going to Hawaii for the wed-

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ding. They're getting free tickets from Worldways since the kids are both employees." Rose glanced at her watch and slid out of the booth. "Lisa's burger should be ready by now. I told Hal to put on extra pickles and mustard, and he's throwing in an order of fries for you to share. People on diets should have more vegetables. I read that in a magazine."

"Here you go, Lisa." Hannah handed her partner the bag from the cafe and gestured toward the kitchen. "Go eat. And then find something to do for an hour. And I don't mean baking, either. You need a break."

"Are you sure?" ,

"I'm sure. You haven't had any time off in a week."

"Okay." Lisa gave her a big grin. "When I'm through with lunch, I'll run down to Kiddie Korner. All the seniors are there and they're helping Tracey's class decorate the float."

"That's nice. Have you seen it yet?"

"I saw it last night. It's going to be spectacular, Hannah. Andrea really had a great idea."

"She did?" Hannah felt her curiosity rise. "What colors are they using?"

Lisa shook her head. "I can't tell you. I've been sworn to secrecy about everything. Andrea and Janice don't want you to know anything about it until the day of the parade."

Hannah gave up. Lisa could keep a secret better than anyone she knew and it was a lost cause.

"Hi, Hannah." Andrea popped through the front door of The Cookie Jar just as Hannah had finished refilling the coffee mugs. "I've got great news. Danielle Watson is back in town. She looks absolutely wonderful, much better than she did when she was married to the coach."

"I'm really glad to hear that." Hannah knew she'd never forget how terrified Danielle had been when everyone in town thought she'd killed her husband. "Is she back for a visit?"

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Joanne Fluke

"No, for good."

"Really? I thought you sold her house for her when she went to stay with her mother in Florida."

"I did. Danielle said there were too many unhappy memories and she didn't want to keep it. Now that she's back, she's looking for a condo. Are there any units for sale in your complex? There's nothing listed, but sometimes people try to sell on their own."

Hannah tried to think of any likely candidates. "You could try Mrs. Wozniac. Her sister's husband died and she was talking about moving in with her."

"Thanks. That's a good lead." Andrea pulled out her leather-bound appointment book and jotted down the name. "Anybody else?"

"Not that I know of, but check with Sue Plotnik. Phil's president of the homeowners' association and nobody can put up a For Sale sign without his approval."

"That's another good lead. Have you ever thought of going into real estate, Hannah?"

"Never." Hannah knew she'd better change the subject before Andrea tried to recruit her. "Is Danielle going to look for a job in town?"

"Not exactly. She's opening a dance studio and I found the perfect spot for her. I showed her the loft above Red Owl Grocery and she rented it on the spot. She absolutely fell in love with the high windows and the hardwood floor. And that reminds me, did you know that Red Owl used to be a big grocery chain? The chain went under, but our store petitioned the board of directors and got permission to keep the name."

"That's interesting. When is Danielle going to open for business?"

"In September, right after school starts. She said it wouldn't take much work to convert the loft. All she needs to do is resurface the floor, install floor-to-ceiling mirrors, and decorate it."

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"Good for her." Hannah was pleased.

"I'm just glad I thought to show it to her. It's been on the books for over three months and I thought I'd never get it rented. I really hope Danielle can make a good living teaching dance in Lake Eden and it won't end up on the books again."

Hannah clamped her lips shut. She knew that Danielle could afford to run her studio at a loss, but Danielle's finances were her own personal business.

"I just popped in for a minute. I've got a million things to do before Tracey gets out of preschool. You're going to the dinner tonight, aren't you?"