Double Fudge Brownie Murder (Hannah Swensen series Book 18) Read Free

it?” Mike asked, grinning widely.
    “It’s . . . beautiful,” Hannah answered quite truthfully, staring down at the pendant inside the little jewelry box.
    “It’s a four-leaf clover encased in silver, and it’s on a silver chain. They had silver rabbits’ feet and little horseshoes, and lots of stuff like that, but I thought this would be better. So did Sharon. She said it would be perfect for you.”
    “Sharon?”
    “She’s the woman who works at the jewelry shop. The minute she said it, I knew she was right. Four-leaf clovers are harder to find than rabbits’ feet or horseshoes. And Sharon personally guaranteed that there’s a real four-leaf clover under that silver.”
    “Well, I’m not about to break it apart to find out!” Hannah slipped it on over her head and touched it gently with her fingertips. “Thanks, Mike. It’s really beautiful.”
    “She said you’d say that. She told me she wanted one the minute she saw the display.”
    Hannah wasn’t about to ask if Mike had gotten one for Sharon, too. She really didn’t want to know. Mike was a flirt, pure and simple, and even though he wasn’t Irish, he had an even bigger helping of Irish blarney than Cyril Murphy did!
    “I didn’t,” Mike said.
    “You didn’t what?”
    “I didn’t buy one for Sharon.”
    Hannah frowned slightly. “I didn’t ask you if you had.”
    “I know, but you were thinking about asking. I heard you loud and clear. This is just for you, Hannah. It’s special because you’re special.”
    Hannah didn’t say anything. She just hugged him. Mike could be really sweet when he wasn’t playing his officious cop role. She was wondering if she should thank him again, she really did love the silver clover, when there was a knock at her door.
    “I’ll get it,” Mike said, pulling the door open without looking through the peephole.
    Hannah had the urge to remind him that what was good for the goose was good for the gander, but she didn’t when she saw Michelle’s excited face.
    “Hi, Mike,” Michelle said, stepping in with her suitcase. “Are you all ready, Hannah?”
    “I’m ready. Did you see Andrea on your way in?”
    Mike, who was still standing by the open door, pointed toward the visitor’s parking lot. “Bill just dropped her off and she’s wheeling her suitcase down the walkway. And your limo just pulled in. The driver’s parking out by the road.”
    “Great!” Hannah felt a hoard of nervous butterflies take flight in her stomach. She’d never been on a plane before and she wasn’t quite sure what to expect. There was something about being up in the clouds with nothing but air beneath her that was terrifying, but the thought was also exhilarating.
    “I’ll carry your suitcases down for you.”
    “But the limo driver will come to get them,” Hannah said.
    “That’s okay. I’ll do it.” Mike grabbed both suitcases and started down the stairs. “Hannah?”
    “Yes, Mike.”
    “Make sure you double lock your door.”
    “But the deadbolt doesn’t fit right.”
    “It’ll work if you lift up on the doorknob. Just do it, Hannah. It’s important.”
    Hannah sighed. “All right, Mike. I’ll do it.”
    “All cops are alike,” Michelle grumbled just as soon as Mike was out of earshot. “I’ll help you, Hannah. I’ve double locked your door before and it’s a two-person job.”
    “Thanks, Michelle.”
    Hannah inserted her key and Michelle lifted up on the doorknob so that Hannah could throw the deadbolt that wasn’t quite lined up correctly. It took three tries, but the bolt finally slid home.
    “Mike always tells me to double lock the door,” Hannah said with a sigh, dropping her keys into her purse, picking up her large carry-on by one strap, and following Michelle down the stairs. “It’s a royal pain to do and I don’t really have anything for anyone to steal.”
    “I know, but Mike’s a cop and they all say that. Lonnie told me to double lock my door when we left my place, and