later, Lisa came back into the kitchen. “Tom Larchmont is out there. He says the heater went out on his rental car and he’s freezing. He wants to know if we still have the coffee on.”
Hannah glanced over at the kitchen coffeepot. “Let him in and bring him back here, Lisa. I’ve got half a pot left.”
A moment later, Tom came through the swinging door with Lisa. “Hi, Hannah,” he greeted her. “Did Lisa tell you that I’m freezing?”
“She did.” Hannah gestured toward one of the stools at the work station. “Sit down, Tom. I’ll get you a cup of hot coffee from the kitchen pot. I’m glad you came in before I left.”
“Oh?” Tom looked curious. “Why’s that?”
“Because I want you to take some candy out to the Lake Eden Inn for Lynne and now I can give it to you.”
“I should get my coat and hat. I left them on the rack by the front door.”
“That’s okay. You can get them right before you leave. If you’re parked in front, I’ll let you out that way.”
“That’s where I’m parked. Thanks, Hannah.” Tom cupped his hands around the hot mug of coffee that she’d set in front of him. “I’m chilled to the bone.”
“Do you want us to help you with the candy?” Aunt Nancy asked Hannah.
Hannah shook her head. “You two go ahead. I can do it once Tom warms up and is ready to leave. Go home and I’ll see you both in the morning.”
“How about the front door?” Lisa asked Hannah. “Do you want me to lock it?”
Hannah shook her head. “You can leave it open. I’ll lock it when Tom leaves.”
Once Lisa and Aunt Nancy had left, Hannah sat down across from Tom. “Lynne called to tell me that you were coming back late tonight or early tomorrow.”
“Yes, and I decided I’d come back tonight. I’ve been away too much lately. And I feel really guilty because I promised Lynne that we’d come to Lake Eden early and it would be like a mini-vacation. And then I had to leave on the second day we were here.”
“I know she missed you,” Hannah said truthfully. “She said you two hadn’t been able to spend much time together lately.”
“It’s true. And that’s why I didn’t take the time to switch to a rental car with a better heater. I wanted to get back here to Lynne.”
Hannah smiled. This boded well for their marriage. “I hope everything works out, Tom.”
“So do I. I know we should spend more time together. It’s just that Lynne’s been busy doing commercials for a cosmetic company and I’ve been swamped with work. It seems like we’re never home at the same time anymore. And that’s why I called this morning and booked a twenty-day cruise. I know Lynne doesn’t have any assignments until the middle of next month, and I’ve told all my clients that I won’t be available by phone or e-mail during that time.”
“That’s wonderful, Tom,” Hannah said. “Does Lynne enjoy being on the ocean?”
“She loves it. And I booked the owner’s suite on her favorite cruise line.”
“Which one is that?”
“Gala. Lynne really enjoys their specialty restaurants and the Jacuzzi on the top deck. She likes to sit in the Jacuzzi with me and watch the sun set over the water.”
“That sounds lovely,” Hannah commented, but her mind was racing. The beach towel that Norman had found in the clubhouse had been taken from a ship in the Gala fleet. “Does Lynne have a favorite ship?”
“Yes, the Expedition. We were on it for our honeymoon.”
Find out more, Hannah’s suspicious mind prodded her. But before she could open her mouth, her rational mind reminded her, Lots of people go on cruises. This may not mean anything at all.
But it could mean something, her suspicious mind argued. Think of a way to find out more.
Okay. Think of a way, but be very careful, her rational mind cautioned. If Tom is the person who pushed Clara down and stole her phone, you don’t want to ask anything that’ll let him know that you suspect him.
Hannah thought fast, remembering what she’d noticed in her condo clubhouse. Ask Tom if he lost a pair of binoculars, her suspicious mind prodded.
No, don’t do that! her rational mind argued. That question is way out of left field.
What do you mean? Hannah’s suspicious mind asked.
It’s simple. If Tom is the person who pushed Clara down in the snow, stole her phone, took her door key, and gained access