Raspberry Danish Murder (Hannah Swensen #22)(21)

“What is it?” Andrea looked concerned.

“I just thought of something that only you could do for me. But I’m not sure that you have the time.”

“I’ll make the time. What is it, Hannah?”

“I want you to investigate a murder.”

“But you do that.”

“I know, but I can’t investigate this one. People wouldn’t tell me the truth.”

“Are you talking about P.K.’s murder?”

“No. This investigation is about Ross.”

Andrea’s mouth dropped open. “Ross is dead?!”

“No! Or at least I don’t think he is. It’s just that Mike doesn’t know whether the drugged candy in Ross’s desk was meant for Ross, or for P.K. And that means Mike has to investigate both possibilities in order to catch the killer.”

Andrea thought about that for a moment, and then she nodded. “I get it. I knew that P.K. ate drugged candy. Mother saw the autopsy report when Doc’s secretary typed it up this morning. She called to tell me about it and she said to tell you when I got here. But it sounds as if you already knew.”

“Mike told me.”

“He’s sharing information this time?”

“He told me that when he described his meeting he had with the KCOW office staff. The candy was addressed to Ross’s office number so a temporary receptionist took it to his office.”

“I get it!” Andrea said. “I knew that P.K. was using Ross’s office, but I didn’t even consider that the candy might have been intended for Ross!”

The two sisters were quiet for a moment, and then Andrea reached out for Hannah’s hand. “That’s just awful, Hannah! How can you live with the knowledge that someone might have been trying to murder your husband?”

“What choice do I have? The reality is that it could have happened that way. I need to find out if it’s true. And that’s where you come in.”

“I see. You can’t question people about Ross because he’s your new husband and nobody would admit it if they had a grudge against him. Tell me exactly what you want me to do, and I’ll do it.”

“Thanks, Andrea. Can you stick around while I make a couple of calls? Then we can talk about it.”

“Yes. I don’t have anything to do except pick Tracey up when school’s out for the day. Is there anything else you need?”

“Actually, yes. Could you give Michelle a ride to Jordan High for her rehearsals? It’s cold out there, and I don’t want her to have to walk.”

“I can do that, no problem.”

“Thanks. And don’t ever think that I don’t appreciate the fact that you’ve already helped me a lot.”

“How?”

“Just by loving me and being my sister.”

Andrea looked surprised, but then she smiled. It was a slow smile, almost as if the clouds had rolled back and the sun had peeked through. “Go make your calls, Hannah. I’ll run out to the car and get my second container of whippersnappers for your customers. Do you care if we pass them out right now?”

“Not at all. You can judge their reactions that way.”

“Okay. Then that’s exactly what I’ll do. Come out to get me when you finish your calls, and we’ll talk about exactly how you want me to investigate.”

*

When Andrea left the kitchen, Hannah walked to the phone. A few seconds later, she had Sally Laughlin on the phone. “Hi, Sally. It’s Hannah. Michelle told me you called and she said it was important. What’s up?”

“Did you see the article Rod ran in the Sunday Lake Eden Journal about the Holiday Gift Convention I’m going to hold in our convention center this weekend?”

“Yes. It sounds like a wonderful idea.”

“It’s even more wonderful than I thought. I checked the vendor roster this morning and we have almost a hundred.”

“Wow!” Hannah was impressed. Sally’s gift show was going to be larger than any convention they’d ever held at the Lake Eden Inn.

“They’re all selling Christmas and Thanksgiving decorations and gifts. Most of their items are handmade, and if they’re not, they’re personalized. I think the customers will appreciate that.”

“You’re right, and I’ll certainly be there. It’s hard to find gifts for Mother. If she likes something, she buys it for herself. I’m always looking for something new and different.”

“You’re exactly the kind of customer we want to attract. We’re competing with the Tri-County Mall and the catalogues. Our gifts and decorations have to be unique.”

“The paper said the convention starts on Friday and lasts through Sunday. That’s right, isn’t it?”

“Yes. Friday is the opening day and I think it’ll be big. Everyone’s very excited about it and the phone at the Inn has been ringing off the hook. Some of my vendors are already here, setting up their booths.”

“And they’re staying with you, of course. That’s good for your winter business, isn’t it?”

“You bet! This is a slow time of year for us, and it should bring in quite a few hotel guests. Anyone who’s not a vendor and stays at the Inn can get into the convention an hour before we open to the general public.”