Red Velvet Cupcake Murder (Hannah Swensen, #16)(6)

“Of course. People almost always buy up.”

“Buy up?”

“It’s like cars and trading up. They almost always buy something more expensive than what they’re selling. The only exception I’ve had is when I handle a property where the kids leave the nest and they’re downsizing. And even then a few people want more luxury than they had. There are people in this town with money, Hannah. And remember, all you really need is the down payment, a good credit rating, and a good job. I’d say nine out of ten people that come here tonight can afford to finance one of these condos. Roger invited two hundred and fifty people and that means over two hundred could afford to buy if I can manage to impress them.”

“How about the penthouse? Could nine out of ten afford that?”

“No, definitely not. The penthouse is pricey. But Del Woodley’s coming. He could afford the penthouse. And so could Mayor Bascomb if Stephanie would kick in some of her money. As a matter of fact, Mother could probably afford it.”

Hannah frowned slightly. She was the only one who knew the state of her mother’s finances. Andrea was right. Their father had been very astute when it came to buying stock and at this stage, Delores could afford it and then some. She thought about saying that, but neither Andrea nor Michelle knew exactly how much money Delores had and Hannah had promised never to divulge the details. “Maybe Mother could afford it, but I’m not sure she’d want to give up her house.”

“You’re right. That’s the house that Dad bought for her and it must have a lot of happy memories for her. She’s used to living there and she likes the neighbors. I think the only way that Mother would move is if she got married again. And I really don’t think that’s going to happen.”

The penthouse elevator doors opened, and Andrea and Hannah stepped out. “Hold on a second,” Andrea said, turning her elevator key in the lock so that it would remain accessible. “We want people to go up to the penthouse, even if they can’t afford to buy it. If they’re impressed, they talk about it and they might mention it to somebody who can afford to buy it.”

“Good thinking,” Hannah said. “Are you going to work now?”

“Yes, but Roger wants me in the lounge for a while. He told me to wait until people had some of the free champagne and free food before I started selling.”

“Because then everyone will be in a good mood?”

“That’s the theory, and he’s right. That’s why I always set out cheese and crackers, or some of your cookies when I host an open house. If I get really busy showing the condos, will you do a favor for me?”

“What?” Hannah asked, not about to get trapped by agreeing to something blindly.

“Snag me about six of your Red Velvet Surprise Cupcakes, will you, Hannah? I’d really appreciate it. I’m going to need a couple more to keep up my energy and I want to take some home to the girls and Grandma McCann. That surprise in the middle is a stroke of pure genius!”
RED VELVET SURPRISE CUPCAKES

If you’re going to make these cupcakes right away, preheat oven to 350 degrees F., rack in the middle position.

Hannah’s Note: To make these cupcakes, you must first make Chocolate Apricot Surprises. Don’t worry. They’ll only take you 15 minutes at the most. If you’d prefer to make them at night and not bake the cupcakes until morning, preheat the oven at that time.

CHOCOLATE APRICOT SURPRISES

6 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips (that’s one cup

of chips)

2 Tablespoons apricot jam

2 Tablespoons salted butter

If the apricot jam has big pieces of apricots, cut them into smaller pieces before you measure out the jam. You can also simply pick them out and only use the clear part of the jam.

Place the 3 ingredients in a microwave-safe bowl. (I used a 2-cup measuring cup.)

Microwave on HIGH for 1 minute. Take the chocolate mixture out of the microwave and stir the contents smooth.

Tear off a piece of waxed paper and place it on a piece of cardboard or a cookie sheet right next to the chocolate mixture.

Use a quarter-teaspoon measuring spoon to scoop out the chocolate mixture. Scrape it out of the spoon with your impeccably clean finger and drop it onto the waxed paper in little mounds. If it spreads out too much and won’t mound, let it cool for a minute or two longer.

Once you start making the chocolate mounds, keep in mind that you will need 24 Chocolate Apricot Surprises for your cupcakes. If you end up with less, pinch a little off the larger mounds and transfer it to the smaller mounds. If you end up with too much chocolate left, either make the existing mounds bigger, or make several mounds on a different piece of wax paper and hide them in a small container in the back of your refrigerator for the times you have a chocolate deficiency.

Refrigerate the Chocolate Apricot Surprises until you’re ready to use them in your cupcakes. (You can make them the night before you make your cupcakes, but only if you live alone. If you have a family, someone is bound to get up in the middle of the night to eat them.)

RED VELVET CUPCAKES

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F., rack in the middle position.

1 and ? cups white (granulated) sugar

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

softened to room temperature

? cup vegetable oil

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking powder