Kee Patterbee - Hannah Starvling 01 - The Chef at the Water's Edge (17 page)

Upon breaching the door and assessing the situation, both maintained weapon position. The older of the two, a man whom Hannah sized up as being in his late thirties early forties, asked, “Anyone injured?”

“We’re okay.”

“What happened?”

Hannah pointed to the wall. “Someone shot through the window.”

“Is there a back door?”

Louie pointed down the hall. “Through the kitchen.”

“Stay here and away from the window,” the first officer said. He then looked to the second officer, a young, red-haired female who Hannah sized up as being in her late twenties. In silent agreement, the young officer nodded and moved toward the back of the house, leading the way. Everyone watched as they made their way down the hall and heard as the door opened. Although it seemed an eternity, after just a few minutes both returned, weapons stowed. The older male was reporting in. Hannah knew that the various lingo meant that the perimeter was secure. No other persons needed. After he completed this task, he sent the younger officer to the car for some forms.

Hannah again began sizing the man up. Tall.
Maybe 6’2” or 6’3”. Muscular. Thick, blackish brown hair with hints of graying. Blue eyes. Tall. Muscles. Handsome. Rich blue eyes…

“You okay, Miss?”

Hannah shook her head. “Uhmm, yeah. I’m … I’m okay. Ms. Starvling. Hannah Starvling.”

The officer gave a warm smile. “Okay, Ms. Starvling. I’m Officer Miles. This is Officer Pepper.” He indicated to the young officer who had reentered the room. “We’ll need to get some statements. Is that okay?”

“Oh. Of course. Yes, fine,” Hannah managed. “Could I get you some coffee or something to drink or…”

She noticed the man smiling rather amusedly. “Or maybe I’ll just shut up and answer your questions,” she scolded herself.

“Coffee would be fine. Can my partner get some as well?”

“Oh. Of course.”

“Then come right back. I need you.”

“Pardon me?” Hannah said. She could feel her face turning red but for the life of her, she did not know why.

“I need you,” the officer said.

Hannah’s mouth fell agape.

“To answer some questions. Make a statement.”

“Oh. Of course. Right.” Hannah turned and exited. “Of course. Of course. Of course,” she mumbled. “What the heck’s wrong with you Hannah,” she said to herself as she made her way to the kitchen.

When she returned with the coffee for the two officers, Hannah handed one cup to Pepper, who was talking with Buster and Cate. She then tuned into the conversations. Officer Miles questioned Louie and Vera about the exact moment when the gunshots rang out. “You were standing where?” he asked of Louie.

“Here,” Louie pointed. “Buster was there and my daughter over here.”

Miles looked at the spots. He was silent as he scrutinized the placement.

“What are you thinking?” Hannah asked.

Miles put his hands on his hips and answered without looking up. “Just trying to get the lay of the land. Where were you before that? What were you doing just before?”

“Cate and I were…” Hannah started to answer.

“Not you, him.” Miles pointed to Louie, again not raising his head to meet Hannah’s gaze, an action that irked her just a bit.

Louie thought back for a moment. He then reenacted his movements. “I had just hugged my daughter and kissed her on the forehead. I turned and got to here.” Again, he pointed to the spot. “That’s when the shots came, and we hit the ground.”

Miles twisted his jaw back and forth like the chime on a clock. Hannah so wanted to interject, but she felt it pertinent to let the man do his work. After his assessment, he looked at Hannah. He reached for the coffee she was holding, took a swig of the drink, and asked, “Okay, what have you got?”

The question took Hannah by surprise. “What do you mean?”

“Well, you wanted to know what I was thinking. Not what I’m going to do next. Not questioning why this happened. You came into the room observing. Someone removed the photos and set them to one side to see the holes. I’m guessing that was you. And of the four of you, you are the one who is calm and organized. Well, for the most part anyway.” He held up the coffee and drank again. Hannah gulped. “So. Tell me, Ms. Starvling. What have you got so far?”

“They were shooting at Louie, Officer Miles,” she said matter-of-fact in a cool tone.

“What?” Louie shouted.

Neither Hannah nor Miles answered. They were locking eye to eye. Miles looked disbelieving. “Is that so?”

“Yes, Officer Miles.”

“Call me Hym. Everyone just calls me Hym.” Hannah looked at him with contempt. “It’s short for Hymnal,” he added.

Hannah pointed around the room at the spots indicated by Louie, where each had lain. She then went to the wall, where the holes were in the wall. She then looked back at Hym. “Clear as day.”

Hym considered her words. “That’s my thinking, as well.” He paused to take in Hannah, looking her up and down. “You’ll forgive me, Ms. Starvling. But if I had a dollar for every amateur sleuth who wanted to help me solve a case…”

Hannah’s eyes lowered, and her face became taut and aired of intensity. “You’d be a rich man. People are often generous where they see a need.”

“Wow. Uncalled for.”

“I’m not some Miss Marple. I was FBI.”

Hym threw his hands up. “Apologies. Truce?”

Hannah considered his offer for a moment. “Truce,” she conceded.

“So. Given your training, anything I should be aware of.”

Hannah paused. She was not sure she could trust this man. He was local law enforcement and could be in Asa’s pocket. The others were giving statements. She was uncertain about what they related. So she chose to disclose as little as possible and vet the man through Alexander Borg later. Finally, she admitted, “It may relate to the case I’m working.”

“You said you were FBI. Are you a private investigator now?”

“When needs be.”

Hym sighed. “Okay. Can you tell me about this case, please?”

“Can I just stop by your office tomorrow and fill you in?” She motioned around the room. “All this has us all worked up a bit. And I’d like to be fresh when I give it all.” She gave him her best charming smile.

After a moment, he said. “I suppose that will do.”

“Do you think they’ll come back,” Vera asked, clinging once again to her father.

“I doubt it,” Hannah interceded. She looked at Hym, who indicated for her to continue. “I’d don’t imagine they will try anything twice in one night.”

Hym agreed. As Louie and Vera moved to join Buster and Cate, he leaned over to Hannah. “I don’t have an officer to post outside your door or anything. Do you still carry?”

“No. I don’t have the aim anymore.” Hym gave her a questioning look. “It’s why I’m no longer an officer,” she added. “Long story. Later date.”

“All right, then. It’s a date.” Hym smiled. “You ready, Peppy?” The pretty young red-headed officer frowned and sighed. Hannah could tell she hated the nickname. Smiling, the young officer handed Buster a card. He smiled back. Cate watched from one side and rolled her eyes. And with that, the officers left.

A few minutes later, Cate and Hannah insisted everyone recover in the office while they swept up. Turning to Hannah, Cate asked, “How about him?”

“What about him?”

“Hym is quite the tasty bit, wouldn’t you say?” Hannah said nothing. “Oh, come on girl! You couldn’t get two words out to the man before you went all ‘I was FBI’ on him. Admit it. I saw that twinkle.”

Hannah stopped sweeping and offered, “He’s a local officer in Boonyville. I’m going to settle in Twilight. I don’t believe in long distance romances. You know that. So, yeah, even if he is cute…” She paused for a second. “Okay. Good looking.

“The word you are looking for is gorgeous.”

“Yeah, okay. But still, he’s just…”

“Tasty. The word you are looking for is tasty. Admit it.”

Hannah laughed. “Okay. Fine. He’s tasty.”

“Then what better for a former FBI’er, turned chef who happens to be an amateur sleuth than a tasty cop?”

The next morning, as everyone readied for breakfast, Hannah made a quick call to Alexander Borg. He described Hymnal Miles as dedicated, honest, trustworthy, and dependable. The news came as a relief. Borg also made sure that Hannah knew Hym was single. As she hung up the phone, she had to wonder why by both her best friend and a complete stranger was trying to set her up. When she mentioned it to Cate, she said, “Because even strangers see that you need someone.”

As Hannah dressed to go to the police station as promised, she tried to dismiss the attraction. She tried to dismiss all possibilities. “It just wouldn’t work out,” she told herself. When she finished dressing for the third time, she looked in the mirror and then stepped back. She had dressed while considering her noticeable attraction to Hym Miles, and in doing so, put on a form fitting sun dress, full make up, jewelry and high heels. Laying her forehead against the mirror she asked, “Hannah? What are we? Thirteen?” She redressed again in her jeans and a cavalier shirt, redid her makeup and tied her hair up in a ponytail. When she was ready, she went downstairs to find Hym waiting for her.

“I figured you might like a ride over, he said.

Cate and Louie, who were talking to him, both grinned.

“Sure. Why not,” she agreed.

As he headed out the door, Hannah picked up her hat. As she passed by her friends, she pointed a finger. They just smiled and waved. “Have a good time,” Cate called after her.

Although the ride to the station was just ten minutes, Hannah was sure she had gotten stuck in a time loop. It felt like she was repeating the same silent moment over and over. After what seemed an eternity, Hym cleared his throat. “So. What’s with the hat?”

“It’s a long story.”

“Victorian?” he asked.

Shocked, Hannah smiled. “Yes. You know Victorian clothing?”

Hym grinned, finding a point of commonality. “Yeah. I’ve been interested for years. Historically. I find the period all so … I don’t know. Interesting. But I just don’t have time to spend researching it. Job and all.”

“Me either,” Hannah admitted. “But I like the clothes. The spirit of the period.”

After the brief exchange of looks, Hym gave a broad smile.

“I could use some coffee,” he confessed. “Would you like some coffee?”

“Uhmm, sure. That works.”

Hym turned the car into a small parking lot. To Hannah’s surprise, they didn’t go in the drive through. Instead, they stopped at a small coffee shop called the
Saucer Full of Secrets
.

Once inside, they placed their orders. Hym insisted on carrying their drinks and pastry. They settled into a small side table looking out the front window.

Looking around, Hannah said. “I take it Zebulon police are not that big on formality?”

Hym sat up straight. “If this makes you uncomfortable…”

“No. No. Not at all. It’s fine. Just … unexpected, that’s all.”

“Well, it’s a fabulous place. I come here almost every day.” He held up his donut. “You know. Cops. Donuts. You can’t have one without the other.”

Hannah half laughed. “I suppose not.” Taking a bite of her own, she said, “Man. These are good.” She rolled the flavors around in her mouth. “Cinnamon. Not too sugary. And…” She thought for a moment. “Nutmeg. Interesting.”

“You sound like a gourmet.”

“Chef.”

Hym gave Hannah a quizzical look. “FBI. Sleuth. Chef. I’m intrigued.”

“It’s a long story.”

“You seem to be full of those.”

“You wouldn’t believe how many.” She took another bite and then looked at the last bit. “Man. I have got to get this recipe.”

“I can get it for you,” Hym said with a wink. “I know people who know people.”

“Can you, now?” Hannah leaned in and put her elbows on the table, bringing herself ever closer to her host. As she looked into his eyes, the color reminded her of the ocean off the coast of Belize. Rich, deep, blue.

“Yes, I can. Matilda is the owner. She’s one of my son’s godparents.”

Hannah jerked back, pulling her elbows to her side. “Oh. A son. I didn’t know you were…”

At first Hym looked at her as if he were looking into the face of something strange. Then a look of knowing came across his face, followed in short by the need to explain. “Oh. Oh. No. Nothing like that. No. I’m not married anymore. I mean … what I mean to say is…” He stopped and sat up straight. He dipped his head to find the right words, looked up and said, “I was. She died when Ed was two. Her name was Lacy. She had a weak heart. Just one of those things.”

Not sure what to say, Hannah leaned back into her chair. “I see. How old is...Ed?”

“He’s eighteen.”

Hannah cocked her head. “I’m sorry. When you said son I just thought, you know…”

“Eight to ten, right?”

“Yup.”

“To answer it now, we married young. Not because of him. But he wasn’t unexpected.”

Hannah looked up at the ceiling and then at her coffee. “Wellllll…”

Hym stood up. “Yeah. I’ll get us some more. Would you like something stronger? An espresso maybe?”

“Please. Triple shot.”

Hym chuckled and headed to the counter. Hannah put her hand over her eyes and rubbed them. “Case. Case. Stay with the case, Hannah. Stay … with … the … case.” A few minutes later, Hym set the small cup and another donut in front of Hannah. She took a drink and closed her eyes. When she opened them again, Hym was smirking. “Better?”

“Much. Now, I believe I was going to talk to you about the case.”

Hym settle back into his chair. “Indeed, you were.”

“I came here in part for the Karas event and part because Louie wasn’t convinced of the circumstances of her death.”

As the two talked, Hannah explained her initial disbelief of Louie’s notions. She continued to explain why she was now convinced that there was more to Julia’s death than initially conceived. Hym listened as she wondered about the lack of water in Julia’s lungs, and the cover-up of reports. She talked about the arguments with Asa, the rumored affairs, the hidden will, and the revelation of a secret daughter. She concluded with which suspects had the most to lose and why. When she finished, Hym’s face told of his concentration and consideration he was giving the matter.