Kee Patterbee - Hannah Starvling 02 - The Gourmet Who Kept Diamonds in the Kitchen by Kee Patterbee Read Free Book Online Page A

asking, “I need to know if there were any issues going on with your husband that we should know about?”
    Hannah watched Janine, who at first appeared as if she did not understand what the doctor said. Then her eyes widened. “Oh no, nothing like that. I mean, he did have a prescription for some anti-anxiety medication. Something called Trazodone,” she answered, “but he took it as it said on the bottle. Every day, right as rain. But he wouldn’t do that.” She pointed to her belly. “Not with this coming on,” she insisted.
    “ That’s just not Elias,” Wexler affirmed.
    Dr. Tompkins produced an appeasing smile and said, “Of course. Are there any other medications we should know about?” 
    Hannah re-evaluated her considerations with this new information in hand. She ran through the possibilities. Was this a suicide attempt ? Could Elias be so depressed that he opened his balcony window and made a running jump headlong over the railing? She did not care for the possibility, though she filed it as though it were any other consideration on the case.
    Tompkins studied Janine and then Hannah before continuing. Then he added, “I’d also recommend both of you get some rest.” He smiled at Janine and said, “For obvious reasons.” When he turned to Hannah he said, “And, you’ve had an adrenaline spike because of this. It’s showing. That rush you experienced is starting to show. When it wears off, you’re going to crash. You’ll need to sleep it off.”
    “ Thank you so much,” Janine said, hugging the physician.
    In an unusual move for her, Hannah found herself hugging this stranger as well.
    “ You’re both more than welcome,” he said.
    A fter Tompkins exited, Hannah considered the situation for a moment. She could already feel the adrenaline working out of her system. He’s right , she admitted, I’m getting tired . She shook all over to rid herself of the feeling. Looking to her grandparents, she said, “I’m terrible at waiting.” She rose, stretched, and moved to look out the window. Gran rose, stepped up beside her granddaughter, and slipped an arm around to give her a hug.
    “ What are you thinking?”
    “ There’s something I need to check on.” She turned toward Gran. The elder held a slight looked of anticipation. Hannah could tell the elder snoop smelled an investigation. It was a matter of time before she would be neck deep in it beside her granddaughter. Gran raised an eyebrow. “Back to their room?”
    Hannah affirmed with a nod. “At some point. Whomever did this may have left a clue or two, but we need to keep her father and her out somehow until then. Everything should be fine for now. The police will be all over the place today, maybe even tomorrow. I just hope they don’t screw everything up.”
    The elder Starvling frowned and pursed her lips. “Hmm. You think they're incompetent?”
    “ No, but they’re just small town police. I doubt tourist suicide attempts are prevalent on their experience list. I’m thinking more like corrupt. Did you notice how interested Brandon was at the mention of diamonds?”
    Gran nodded. “I did. Could be simple curiosity. Big case, bucking for a promotion. Excitement. Any number of things. But I see your point. What about Mr. Wexler. Gut instinct?”
    Hannah glanced at the man ’s reflection in the glass. “He seems nice enough, but he has a gambling problem. And Janine’s phone conversation didn’t seem to go well. To top it off, her reaction to him while Brandon questioned us was weird. I don’t know. Something’s off.” She frowned and twisted her mouth around. “You two should go get some dinner, and then head back to the hotel. But be ready. I may have to get you to tail him at some point.”
    Gran again glanced back with a grin. “Fine by me. Not like he doesn’t stand out in a crowd. What about you? Don’t you have to work tomorrow?”
    Hannah sighed as she indicated yes. She rubbed her eyes, Dr. Tompkins ’