Red Velvet Cupcake Murder (Hannah Swensen, #16)(81)

“At least it’s all taken care of now,” Delores said. “Doc said Freddy replaced that screen at seven this morning. Barbara won’t have to worry about monsters anymore.”

Just the two-legged kind, Hannah thought, remembering what Barbara had said about her brother.

“I’d better start the coffee in the coffee shop,” Lisa said, carrying her coffee cup to the sink.

Michelle was right behind her. “I’ll get the tables ready,” she said.

“And I’d better go over to Granny’s Attic and get to work. Luanne brought in some items from an estate. I have to price them and put them out on the floor.”

Hannah sat there for a moment, wondering what she should be doing. Michelle and Lisa were taking care of the coffee shop, the baking was done, and the industrial dishwasher was washing all the bowls and utensils they’d used. There really wasn’t anything for her to do.

“Except to solve Doctor Bev’s murder case,” Hannah said aloud. “And figure out who attacked Barbara in the penthouse garden.”

“Hannah?” Lisa came through the swinging restaurant-type door that led to the coffee shop. “Oh! I thought your mother was still here.”

“No, she left right after you went out to the coffee shop.”

“But . . . I thought I heard you talking to someone.”

“It was no one important,” Hannah said with a laugh. “I was just talking to myself.”

“I do that all the time. But I’ve got Sammy so I can always use the excuse that I was talking to the dog.”

“Too bad he’s not here. I could have used that excuse.” Hannah pointed to the small padded envelope that Lisa was carrying. “What’s that?”

“I don’t know, but it’s for you. I stopped by the post office before I went home yesterday, and this was in our box.” Lisa handed it over. “What smells like chocolate?”

“Brownie mix cookies. I decided to use up the brownie mix that Andrea bought for me and I just threw them together as an experiment.”

“Can I have one?”

“Sure. Get it from the bottom rack. Those are the Fruit and Nut Brownie Cookies.”

Lisa went to get a cookie and Hannah looked at the address on the envelope. It was written in green ink and it read, Hannah Swensen, The Cookie Jar, Lake Eden, Minnesota. “No street address,” she said.

“I noticed that. There’s no zip code either.” Lisa took a bite of her cookie and smiled. “These are really good cookies, Hannah.”

“Thanks.” Hannah looked down at the envelope again. “Our box number’s not on here, either. It’s a good thing we live in Lake Eden and they know who we are at the post office. I wonder who sent it.”

“Maybe you should open it and see what’s inside. There could be a note or something.”

“Good idea.” Hannah pulled the tear strip on the padded envelope and peered into the envelope. “It doesn’t look like there’s anything inside.” She held the envelope open, turned it upside down, and shook it out on the counter.

There was a clink as something hit the countertop. Both Hannah and Lisa stared at it for a moment and then Lisa asked, “What is it?”

“It’s a button. And it’s shaped like a . . .” Hannah stopped speaking and grabbed Lisa’s hand as she reached for it. “Don’t touch it!”

Lisa pulled back quickly. “Why?”

“It’s a button from the blouse Barbara wore the night she jumped from the penthouse garden. There could be fingerprints on it. Do we have any paper bags?”

“Sure.” Lisa ran to the pantry to get out one of the wax-lined paper bags they used when someone bought one or two cookies to go. “Here.”

Hannah considered the bag for a moment and then she shrugged. It was lined with wax, but it would have to do. If she left the button out on the counter, someone would be sure to pick it up and destroy any potential fingerprints.

“Okay,” she said, grabbing a paper napkin and pushing the button into the bag. “I’d better call Mike.”

“I’ll do it,” Lisa said, heading back into the coffee shop to use the phone there.

A few seconds later, there was a knock on the back door and Hannah went to answer it. It couldn’t be Mike. Lisa had barely had time to pick up the phone and punch in the number for the sheriff’s station.

“Norman!” Hannah was pleased when she saw him standing there. “Come in and have coffee. I’ve got a lot to tell you.”

“What did Bev send you?” Norman asked, noticing the envelope on the countertop.

“Doctor Bev?”

“Yes. That’s her handwriting.” He pointed to the padded envelope on the counter. “And she always used green ink, even years ago when we were in dental school.”

Hannah felt her knees turn weak and she leaned heavily against the counter. It was a package from a dead woman, a woman who had been murdered.

“What is it?” Norman hurried over and put his arms around her to steady her. “Take a deep breath, Hannah. You look like you’re about to keel over.”

“I’m okay now,” Hannah said, even though she wasn’t entirely sure she was. “It was just a shock, that’s all.”