Red Velvet Cupcake Murder (Hannah Swensen, #16)(49)

There were times when she really wanted to answer the phone and times when she really didn’t. This was one of those “really didn’t” times. In Hannah’s case, reluctance bowed to responsibility and took center stage because she reached for the phone. “This is Hannah,” she said, trying not to sound as exasperated as she felt.

“Hi, Hannah. It’s Mike. I got through early and I would have been out there by now, but Doc Knight’s doing the autopsy and I’m waiting for the results. I’m almost sure I can be there by nine, though. Is that all right?”

“That’s fine. Are you hungry?”

“As a bear. Do you want me to stop at the Corner Tavern and pick up burgers for us?”

“Thanks, but no. I’m cooking. And just so you know, I’m about to get a houseful.”

“Who’s coming?”

“Andrea’s the first. She should be here fairly soon. And Mother and Michelle are right behind her.”

“Great. I haven’t seen Michelle in a while. Anyone else?”

“Norman. He hasn’t eaten since breakfast and I invited him to join us. You don’t mind, do you?”

“Not at all. I need to talk to him anyway. When I went out to the Inn to interview Sally, she said he had lunch with Bev.”

“Had lunch?” Hannah was a bit disconcerted. Norman had told her he hadn’t eaten lunch.

“Okay, I should have said that Norman was with her at lunch. Neither one of them ate. He had coffee and she had sparkling water. Sally also said that Norman looked the opposite of thrilled to be with Bev again. What are you cooking, Hannah? Do you need me to pick up anything on the way?”

“Thanks, but I think I’ve got it covered. We’re having pancakes and sausage with cookies and ice cream for dessert.”

“Sounds good! I’ll see you as soon as I get those results.”

Hannah took time to drink her lemonade and then she went into the kitchen to get out her electric griddle. With six for pancakes, she needed more cooking space than she could get with frying pans on the stovetop. She was just getting out the vegetable oil, butter, flour, and milk when the phone rang again.

“Grand Central,” she said as she picked up the wall phone by her kitchen table.

There was a burst of laughter from her caller and Hannah recognized the laugh. “Lisa?” she asked.

“It’s me. I just wanted to tell you that Jenny’s going to come in tomorrow to meet you.”

“Jenny?” Hannah asked, thoroughly puzzled.

“Jenny Hester, the nurse with the Easy Fruit Pie recipe. I talked to her on our break tonight. She just moved here a couple of weeks ago and if she isn’t working for Doc Knight at the hospital, she’s at the college taking classes. She told me she’s been so busy she hasn’t had a chance to get to The Cookie Jar yet, but she wants to come in and meet you.”

“Great. I’ll look forward to meeting her.” Hannah paused as she heard a knock on the door. “I’ll talk to you tomorrow, Lisa. I’ve got company coming and I think they’re here.”

It only took a moment or two to hang up the phone and cross the living room to the door. Hannah opened it without looking through the peephole and chided herself for her negligence. She had to get into the habit of looking before she opened the door.

“You didn’t look through the peephole,” Andrea accused as she handed Hannah a grocery bag.

“How do you know I didn’t?”

“Because I was looking in from outside, and nothing blocked the light behind it.”

“Then if I’d looked, all I would have seen was your eye.”

“Oh. I guess you’re right. But you really ought to look, Hannah. Bill says it’s really important.”

“I’ll try to remember.” Hannah glanced inside the grocery bag. “I’m glad you didn’t get the really small canister of oatmeal.”

“How much do you need for those pancakes?”

“Only half a cup for each batch, but a batch only makes six small pancakes. We’ll be six for dinner and I’ll need at least four batches, maybe more. I just hope I have enough cookies in the freezer.”

Andrea began to smile and it was a very happy smile. “Go put that big bag in the kitchen and then look inside the smaller bag I’m carrying.”

“What’s in there?” Hannah asked as Andrea followed her to the kitchen.

“Something I hope you’ll like. I made them when I got home this afternoon.”

The moment the large bag of ingredients was empty, Hannah took a peek at Andrea’s smaller bag. “Cookies?” she asked, looking through the almost transparent green plastic lid of the food storage container inside.

“Yes. The kids really liked them and so did Grandma McCann. Of course the kids like almost anything, but Grandma McCann is a really good cook so her opinion counts.”

“Yes, it does,” Hannah agreed, lifting the lid and removing one of the cookies. If Andrea’s nanny and housekeeper thought the cookies were good, they were definitely good.

Hannah took a bite and chewed. And then she took another bite. “Excellent,” she said, but only after she’d finished the cookie. “I’ve never tasted anything quite like them before. You’re turning into a very good baker.”