Red Velvet Cupcake Murder (Hannah Swensen, #16)(29)

“Nothing. They weren’t there.”

“Neither one of them?”

“No. They weren’t out on the dance floor either. I looked around for them. I set the platter with the cupcakes down and I’d just gotten back to the display table when I saw everybody rushing to the windows.”

Hannah began to draw a time line in her head, but she wanted to check facts with Lisa. “Did you see me before the rush to the windows?”

“Yes. You and Andrea were sitting at the table with your mother and Doc Knight. I waved, but you didn’t see me.”

“How about Bill and Mike?”

“I didn’t see Mike, but Bill was talking to Lonnie in the doorway. I saw Norman, though.”

“Where was he?” Hannah’s heart beat faster, waiting for Lisa’s answer.

“Norman was crossing the lobby, coming toward the door to the lounge.”

Hannah drew a deep breath of relief. She took a moment to glory in the fact that Norman had been entirely truthful to her, and another moment to chide herself for doubting what he’d told her. When she was finished with those conflicting emotions, she asked another question. “Did you hear Barbara scream when she fell?”

“No. The elevator was too loud. I could hear it every time someone went up to the penthouse. There’s this screech when it stops at the penthouse floor. Herb heard it too, when you and Andrea went up there. He says he thinks something needs to be oiled and he’s going to tell Roger to call Otis.”

“Otis Elevator?”

“Yes, they handle maintenance, too. Do you want to taste the new cookies I made? I got the recipe from my cousin and they’re called Coffee and Cream Cookies.”

“I’d love to. I’ll get more coffee. You get the cookies.”

Lisa got up to pluck several cookies off the baker’s rack while Hannah refilled their cups. Moments later they were both seated at the work island while Lisa waited for Hannah to take the first bite.

“Wonderful!” Hannah said, taking a second bite. “Great coffee flavor, but there’s something else, too. Vanilla?” When Lisa nodded, Hannah went on. “The white chocolate chips are a good contrast. And the miniature marshmallow on top is just perfect.”

“So you think we should serve them?”

“Absolutely. Make sure you call Doug Greerson at the bank and tell him you’ve got a new coffee cookie. Ever since he got that espresso machine for his office, he’s turned into a real coffee connoisseur.”

“Do you really think he’ll like them? He’s into Blue Mountain coffee and everything like that.”

“He’ll like them. And he’ll love being asked to taste them. Better call Grandma Knudson, too. The only time her coffee pot isn’t full is when she’s washing it.”

Lisa laughed. “Just wait until I tell my cousin.”

“Which cousin is this? You have so many.”

“I know. Dad used to say that if we had a dollar for every cousin, we’d be rich. This one is my cousin, Laurie Foster. She’s my dad’s brother’s aunt-in-law’s niece. I think she’s twice, or maybe it’s three times removed.”

“Stop!” Hannah held up her hand. “I never can keep your family straight. The next time you talk to Cousin Laurie, tell her I think her recipe is great.”

“I will. She’ll be thrilled we’re going to serve them.” Lisa looked down at the traditional thumbprint cookies with miniature marshmallows in the indentations. “I just hope nobody thinks they’re too much of a cheat.”

“What do you mean?”

“Laurie told me she was going to use marshmallow cream in the thumbprint, so she could call them Coffee and Cream, but she found out that marshmallow cream is seasonal in Texas.”

“You’re kidding!”

“No. She went to five different stores and they all told her that they only carry marshmallow cream around Christmas.”

“How about black cow sundaes? Don’t they have them in Texas?”

“I don’t know, but I guess they don’t make them except during the holiday season.” Lisa paused and looked thoughtful. “I wonder if you can make marshmallow cream from scratch.”

“I’m sure you can. I know you can make marshmallows from scratch. Great-Grandma Elsa used to do it.”

“Were they good?”

“They were fabulous!”

“Do you have her recipe?”

“I’m sure I do. I’ve got boxes and boxes of family recipes. Do you want me to try to find it?”

“When you have time. It’s not a huge priority because Laurie came up with a substitute that looks a little bit like cream. Do you think that’s all right?”

“I think that’s fine. The white chocolate tastes creamy, too.”

“Then you don’t think anybody will object to the name?”

“I’m sure they won’t. The name’s close enough.” Hannah took another sip of her coffee. “Tell me more about the penthouse elevator. When I went up there with Andrea, we didn’t hear any screech.”

“I don’t think anyone inside can hear it. The screech is down in the lobby and it happens only when the elevator stops at the penthouse. The only reason Herb and I noticed it is that we were sitting right against the wall.”