Red Velvet Cupcake Murder (Hannah Swensen, #16)(36)

the box of brownie mix you bought

For the Glaze:

? cup seedless raspberry jam

For the Frosting:

? cup (1 stick, ? pound, 4 ounces) salted butter

1 cup white (granulated) sugar

cup cream

? cup chocolate chips (approximately of a

6-ounce package)

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Step 1:

Preheat oven to whatever it says on the box of brownie mix you bought.

Step 2:

Spray the bottom of a 9-inch by 13-inch cake pan with Pam or another nonstick cooking spray. Alternatively, you can line the pan with aluminum foil and spray that.

Step 3:

Mix the brownies according to the package directions.

Step 4:

Bake the brownies 2 minutes longer than it says on the package directions.

Step 5:

After the brownies have baked, let them cool on a cold stovetop burner or on a wire rack for 10 minutes.

Step 6:

After the brownies have cooled for 10 minutes, put the jam in a microwave-safe bowl and heat it on HIGH for 30 to 45 seconds or until it liquefies.

Step 7:

Pour the jam over the top of the brownies and quickly spread it out with a rubber spatula.

Step 8:

Refrigerate the brownies and jam glaze for at least 30 minutes. An hour is even better. Overnight is fine, too.

Step 9:

Take the pan out of the refrigerator and place it on the counter close to the stovetop.

Step 10:

Make the frosting by placing the butter, sugar, and cream into a medium-size saucepan. Bring the mixture to a boil at MEDIUM HIGH heat, stirring constantly. Then lower the heat to MEDIUM and cook for 2 minutes.

Step 11:

Add the half-cup chocolate chips, stir them in, and then remove the saucepan from the heat and slide it onto a cold burner.

Step 12:

Stir in the vanilla extract. (Be careful—it may sputter.)

Step 13:

Pour the frosting over the glaze, grab the cake pan, and tip it so that the frosting covers the whole top.

Step 14:

Stick the pan back into the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before you attempt to cut and serve your Razzle Dazzle Brownies.

Chapter Twelve


Hannah was still thinking about Norman riding out to Eden Lake with Doctor Bev when the red Maserati pulled up in front of the Peterson house. A moment later, Doctor Bev got out and walked up the sidewalk to the front porch. “Hannah?” she called out. “Are you in there?”

“I’m here,” Hannah replied.

“What happened to my Red Velvet Surprise Cupcakes? You forgot to give them to Roger. And you charged for them. I saw the credit card receipt. If I don’t get my cupcakes right now, you owe me a refund.”

“It’s my fault,” Lisa called out. “Sorry about that. When Roger came to pick up the order I forgot to give them to him. I was going to bring them over to you at the refreshment tent, but I saw you driving around in your car and I thought I’d wait until you got back.”

“I’m back.” Doctor Bev opened the screen door and stepped in. “Nice little porch. How cozy. I suppose you’re here to watch the crane place the dome over my penthouse garden.”

“Your penthouse garden?” Andrea asked.

“That’s right. Roger sent me over here to tell you to take the penthouse off the market because I’m moving in. We picked out all the furniture last night and it’ll be delivered tomorrow. He also wants you to meet the delivery truck tomorrow to supervise the placement of the furniture and check to make sure it’s in perfect condition. The truck is scheduled to arrive at noon.”

Hannah glanced at her sister. It was clear that Andrea didn’t like being ordered around by Doctor Bev, but it seemed that Doctor Bev was wearing the pants in the relationship and there was no way Andrea wanted to antagonize an important real estate client like Roger.

“Okay. I’ll be there,” Andrea agreed.

“I knew you would. I wouldn’t want any of my furniture damaged before I even get the chance to use it. And I won’t be here. I have to drive back to the Cities to pick up a few necessities.”

And I’ll just bet one of those necessities isn’t your daughter! Hannah thought.

“Is Roger happy about moving back to Lake Eden?” Lisa asked.

Doctor Bev shook her head. “Roger’s not moving back here. His headquarters are in the Cities and he has several projects there. He may move here eventually, but not now. The penthouse is another engagement gift, just like my new car. Roger’s so generous.”

“So it’s just you in the penthouse?” Lisa asked, looking shocked. Hannah knew why. The penthouse had six bedrooms and the idea of one person living there alone was ridiculous.

“I know it’s much too large for one person,” Doctor Bev seemed to read Lisa’s mind, “but I plan on inviting a lot of houseguests. There’s entertaining, too. I’ll do quite a bit of that. I really have to do something to fill up the place. I put some of my things in the closet this morning and there’s so much room left in there. I have to go shopping for more clothing and shoes.”

“Won’t you be lonely up there all by yourself?” Lisa asked.

“Oh, I won’t be there alone. I’ll have guests staying with me and I’ll be interviewing for staff at the end of the week. Do any of you know a good live-in housekeeper? Or a maid?”