had overheard Cassie’s confession.
“I didn’t have to. She was drinking, Hannah! She was already staggering a little when she got up to go to dance with Denny. And everyone knows that when you’re pregnant, you shouldn’t drink.”
“But why in heaven’s name did you drug Lonnie?”
“Actually, I drugged both Lonnie and Brian!” Cassie explained. “I drugged Brian because I needed to get out of the house without him knowing I was leaving. And Lonnie because someone had to send the police investigation in the wrong direction. What better way to distract them than finding one of their own with the murder victim?”
Hannah’s mind was reeling. Cassie was truly insane! And Cassie was perfectly capable of killing her, and she would, unless Hannah figured out a way to keep her talking. “I’m sorry you had to through all this, Cassie. I wish there was something I could do to help you.”
“There is. You can stand still and say your prayers, because I have to make sure that Brian never knows what I did.”
The moment was here and Hannah knew it. She dropped the box on the hood of the car and a scant second later, the car alarm went off. It was joined by another car alarm, and then another, as Hannah dropped to the ground and crawled to the rear of the car.
“Drop the gun, Cassie,” a voice called out, and Hannah began to breathe again. It was Mike! Mike was here! She wasn’t sure how, or why, but she was saved.
“Did you get it, Norman?” Mike asked.
“I got it.” Norman ran around the back of the car and helped Hannah to her feet. “I started worrying about you, so when Mike showed up at The Cookie Jar we decided to come here together. And just in time! Are you all right?”
“Yes . . . now,” Hannah answered in a voice that still shook from fright. “She was going to kill me!”
“We know. I recorded her whole confession.” He slipped an arm around her shoulder and led her toward Mike, who had cuffed Cassie and was escorting her toward his cruiser.
“I’ll take her to the station,” Mike said, opening the back door and pushing Cassie in. “You drive Hannah back in her truck.”
“Of course,” Norman said, half-walking and half-carrying Hannah to her cookie truck. He opened the passenger door and helped her in. “Give me your keys. You’re in no shape to drive.”
“They’re . . . in the ignition,” Hannah told him. “I thought I might have to . . . to . . . I’m not sure what I thought.”
“It doesn’t matter now. You’re safe.” Norman got into the driver’s seat and turned the key. But before he backed the truck out of the parking spot, he pulled Hannah toward him to hug her. “I want you to promise me that you’ll never do something like this again. I love you, Hannah, and you’ve had too many close calls. From now on, when you think you might know who the killer is, you have to tell me. Will you promise me that?”
“I . . . I promise,” Hannah said, and she meant it. At least for right now.
Chapter Twenty-seven
Two days had passed since Cassie’s arrest for the murder of Darcy Hicks. They had all decided to celebrate the fact that Lonnie was no longer a suspect, and they were gathered around a table at the Lake Eden Inn. Everyone was there including Delores and Doc, Andrea and Bill, Michelle and Lonnie, Lynne, Mike, and Norman. As usual, Hannah was seated between Mike and Norman.
“To Hannah!” Bill said, raising his glass of champagne. “If I were smart, I’d recruit her as a detective for the Winnetka County Sheriff’s Department.”
Everyone else at the table raised their glasses in a salute and Hannah laughed. “Thanks, but I’m just a baker. I’m not a detective.”
“For someone who’s not a detective, you do great work,” Mike told her.
Hannah glowed under the unexpected praise. “Thank you, but I’d rather bake cookies. It’s a lot less dangerous than catching murderers.”
“Until the next case,” Mike said under his breath, and everyone laughed, including Hannah.
* * *
“Are you tired, Hannah?” Norman asked as he led the way to his den.
“Yes, but not terribly.” Hannah smiled. Norman was always so considerate. “How about you?”
“I’m fine. Would you like another glass of champagne? I have a split I can open for you.”
Hannah thought about it for a moment and then she shook her head. “No, thanks. I had a glass at