Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder by Joanne Fluke Read Free Book Online

a category with a woman who was at least twenty years older than she was. She had half a notion to remind Edna of that, but it might be counterproductive. “Did you wash the cups, Edna?”
    â€œNope. I threw them in the trash.”
    â€œYou threw them in the trash ?”
    Edna laughed at Hannah’s astonished expression. “They were the disposable kind.”
    â€œThey could be evidence,” Hannah informed her, and Edna’s laugh died a quick death. “Bill’s in charge of the investigation and he’ll need to see them.”
    Hannah turned and headed for the wastebasket by the sink, but before she could start to rummage inside, Edna stopped her. “Mr. Hodges emptied my trash right after lunch. I’m really sorry, Hannah. I never would have thrown them away if I’d known that they were important.”
    Hannah realized she’d been abrupt. “That’s okay. Just tell me what Mr. Hodges does with the trash.”
    â€œHe throws it all in that big orange Dumpster in the parking lot. Somebody’s going to have to dig through it before it gets hauled away.”
    â€œWhat time does that happen?”
    â€œAround five.”
    Hannah muttered a curse under her breath. She couldn’t stand by and let the trash truck haul away important evidence. She’d try to reach Bill, but if he wasn’t here by the time the awards banquet was over, she’d have to go through the trash bags herself.
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    â€œGreat job, Hannah!” Gil Surma, the Lake Eden scoutmaster and Jordan High counselor, gave her a friendly pat on the shoulder. “It’s a good thing you brought extra cookies. I never thought that eighteen boys could eat seven dozen.”
    â€œThat’s less than five apiece and they’re growing boys. I just figured that since I was catering a Boy Scout banquet, I’d better live up to the Boy Scout motto.”
    It took Gil a minute. As Hannah watched, the corners of Gil’s eyes began to crinkle and he chuckled. “You mean, ‘Be Prepared’? That’s very clever.”
    Hannah smiled and carried the punchbowl out to the kitchen. When she came back, Gil was still there. “You don’t have to stay, Gil. I can clean up.”
    â€œNo, I’ll help you.” Gil began to gather up the plastic cups and plates and toss them into the trash. “Hannah?”
    â€œYes, Gil.” Hannah paused to stare at him. Gil looked very earnest.
    â€œYou found Ron, didn’t you?”
    Hannah sighed. Everyone she met wanted to know something about Ron. She was becoming a local celebrity, but being catapulted to instant fame by virtue of Ron’s murder made her feel rotten. “Yes, Gil. I found him.”
    â€œThat must have been very upsetting for you.”
    â€œIt wasn’t exactly my idea of fun.”
    â€œI was just thinking…that’s a terrible thing you had to go through and you might want to talk to someone about it. My office door is always open, Hannah. And I’ll do my best to help you through this.”
    Hannah wanted to tell him that she didn’t need a shrink. Even if she did, a Jordan High counselor who dealt with the heartbreak of acne and dateless Saturday nights wouldn’t be the shrink she’d choose. But then she reminded herself that she’d vowed to be tactful, and she took a deep breath, preparing to lie through her teeth. “Thanks for the offer, Gil. If I need to talk to somebody about it, you’ll be my first choice.”
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    Edna had left by the time Hannah had packed up her supplies and carted them out to her Suburban. She’d tried to call Bill several times, but she’d been told that Bill was out in the field and couldn’t be reached. Hannah glanced at her watch. She’d promised Lisa that she’d be back by four, and she had only five minutes to make it. But finding the cup with lipstick was more important than getting back to