Raspberry Danish Murder (Hannah Swensen #22)(74)

“Respond politely, of course. And Hannah?” Delores addressed her. “I’ll take the lead, but I’ll need you to play along with my plan. You’re exactly the right age for it.”

“What is your plan?” Hannah asked.

“We don’t have time to go into it now. P.K.’s parents are back. You’ll catch on, I’m sure.”

Everyone quieted as P.K.’s parents, accompanied by his aunt and uncle, stepped into the meeting room. Father Coultas led them to the private table that had been reserved for the family, and two of the parishioners rushed over with coffee for them. Hannah noticed that P.K.’s mother was shaking slightly, but she couldn’t tell if it was from grief, or from the exposure to the cold weather at the graveside. Hannah had attended enough local funerals to know that Digger Gibson, their local funeral director, always made sure that his driver delivered the family to a spot that was as close to the gravesite as possible. In the winter and in any other inclement weather, a long runner of all-weather carpeting was stretched down a shoveled walkway, all the way to the graveside. Even though a canopy was always erected over the grave and surrounding area, the wind was blowing today and heavy, wet snow was falling. Although P.K.’s family had been standing under the canopy, it would not have completely protected them from the elements.

“Let’s go,” Delores said, once P.K.’s parents and relatives had warmed themselves with the coffee. “I want us to be first in the condolence line. Follow me, girls.”

Hannah and Michelle stood up obediently and followed their mother past tables of people who were eating the funeral food. Hannah glanced at the buffet table as they walked by and spotted the cookies she’d brought. She didn’t have to squelch the urge to reach out and take one, an urge she usually felt when she took sweets to a buffet. As a matter of fact, she wasn’t even hungry any longer. Perhaps that was because she was anxious about responding incorrectly when her mother broached the subject of P.K.’s high school and spoiling their chances of following that line of inquiry.

“Edith? Arnold?” Delores sounded very solemn. “I know I’ve said this before, but I am so terribly sorry for your loss.”

“Thank you,” P.K.’s mother responded. “It was so kind of you to come out to see us the day after we received the news. You have been a great comfort to us.”

Mother’s been a comfort? Hannah’s mind inquired incredulously. How ever did she pull that off?

Hannah shut off the critical part of her mind and gave a polite smile. But perhaps smiling was not a polite thing to do at a funeral. She wiped the smile off her face and assumed a solemn expression again and did her best to concentrate on what Delores was saying.

“This is my oldest girl, Hannah.” Delores gestured toward Hannah. “And this is my youngest, Michelle.” She turned to them. “Girls? I’d like you to meet Edith Alesworth, P.K.’s mother, and Arnold Alesworth, P.K.’s father.”

“I’m so sorry for your loss,” Hannah said quickly.

“And I’m sorry, too,” Michelle said. “P.K. made the commercials for the plays I’m directing. He was wonderfully talented.”

“Thank you,” P.K.’s mother said.

“I think Hannah went to high school with P.K.,” Delores told his mother, giving Hannah a look that said, Pay attention! This is important!

It was her cue and Hannah took it. “He would have been a year behind me,” she said. “I thought I knew everyone at Jordan High, but I don’t remember P.K.”

“No wonder, dear,” P.K.’s mother said. “P.K. attended Clarissa High. We didn’t move to Lake Eden until the year after he graduated.”

Bingo! Hannah’s mind chimed in. You got it!

Delores cleared her throat. “We really must go. People are starting to line up behind us, and I know they all want to offer their condolences. The next time you’re free, please do drop by to see me. I’m in the penthouse at the old Albion Hotel. There’s a lovely little garden under that dome on top. It’s climate controlled, and we can sit there in comfort and watch the snow fall.” She turned to Hannah and Michelle. “Come along, girls. This is a very trying day for Edith and Arnold, and we mustn’t take up any more of their time.”

When they got back to their table, Hannah remained standing and motioned for Michelle to do the same. “We have to go, Mother. We have to get back to work. We have tons of baking to do.”

“Of course, dears. But you didn’t get anything to eat.”

“We’ll pick up something on the way,” Hannah told her. “Don’t worry about us, Mother. And thank you very much for the opening you gave me with P.K.’s parents.”

“It worked, didn’t it!” Delores said proudly.

“It certainly did!” Hannah agreed. “You’re a real genius, Mother. I never would have thought to do that.”

“You’re wonderful at situations like that, Mother,” Michelle complimented her.

“Why thank you, dears,” Delores said graciously, and then she turned to Doc. “Would you like to get in the buffet line, dear? Or would you rather go somewhere else to eat?”

Since their mother was busy, talking to Doc, Hannah nudged Michelle, gave a little wave to Delores and Doc, and they made their escape.