“Was to him. Greed I suppose. I know he didn’t like losing. Maybe he was at it so long, he just couldn’t let it go. It was his last hoorah. I don’t know. The way some people think, you just can’t explain.”
Hymn dipped his onion ring into ketchup and studied it before taking a bite. “One billion in diamonds. Over how many years, I wonder?”
“At least twenty-two. He got started while working as an investigator. The details are fuzzy, but we never get the full story, do we?”
Hymn agreed. “I suppose Ducky, Samori, and you are going to have to work with this for some time to come, what with all the trials.”
Hannah frowned. “I suppose so. Hadn’t given it much thought though. Ducky’s already having to deal with bits and pieces, even though he left HSI. I got an email. Loves Paris. Settling in well enough. Starts school next month.”
As a frown moved across her face, Hannah sighed. She looked across the table at Hymn with guilt in her eyes. “The clerk who died. Her granddaughter, Madhu. The one who worked at the hotel. She took Ducky’s place.”
Hymn reached over and took hold of Hannah’s hand.
“Hey, that wasn’t your fault. It isn’t on you. You were just investigating.”
Though her head bobbed in agreement, Hannah’s face told another story. She still felt guilt over having led the criminals to Turnbull and the storage clerk where each was killed. She turned her sight downward toward the table for a moment.
“I guess, but in part, it’s still on me, especially after Turnbull.”
Saying nothing more, Hymn squeezed Hannah’s hand. He could do nothing to ease her pain, so he waited for her. When she finally looked up at him, he gave a supportive, sympathetic smile and changed the subject.
“Well, at least you were able to get Ducky in at the last minute. You must have left one serious impression there.”
“I suppose I did. Anyway, the festival is giving him their first ever scholarship. All this business brought them more publicity than they’ve seen in the last twenty years. They’re already three quarters booked for next year. So they asked us back again.” Hannah gave a cheesy smile. “I said we would on the condition they consider Ducky.”
Hymn leaned back. “Hmm, I did enjoy the week after.” Rubbing his leg, he added, “The week before, not so much.”
“Ah, come on. You got to have dinner on a big boat, see Vera and Louie, and play with Critic,” Hannah wiggled her eyebrows in mock seduction, “and you spent the week in bed with me.”
“Yeah, sleeping, watching old movies, and reading cold case files. You solved two before we left.”
“But I never left the bed.”
“Well, there is that.” He leaned over the table and motioned her in for a kiss. “Still, we’re not getting any younger you know, wink, wink, nudge, nudge.”
“All in due time, Mr. Miles. Getting around on that leg has been problematic, and it was Dr. Tompkins who said to stay off it. Period. Not the slightest pressure. That involves pressure. And you shouldn’t have gotten up.”
“If I didn’t, he’d have killed you. Anyway, it’s frustrating, that’s all. We’re adults.” He pulled out his cell and handed it to Hannah. “I’ve been meaning to tell you, Janine called.”
“How are the twins?”
“Good.” He held it out for her to see. A picture of two babies graced the screen.
“Oh, so cute.”
“Anyway, tomorrow night, Elias is going to be on Jazlyn’s show, and so is Samori. They’ve partnered up. Your friend, the ambassador, he’s sending them out on an awareness tour. They’re highlighting both the food and diamond smuggling operations. They’ll be talking truffles of course. Louie and Vera are going to be there. They wanted to know if we were sticking around. Maybe grab dinner before. Stick around for the taping.”
Hannah nodded, popping in another onion ring. “Sounds good. On that news front, get this. Guess who bought out Rosanna’s?”
“Madeline’s chain?”
Hannah nodded. “Asa. Now that she’s gone, he thought it was a good investment.”
“Well, I’m sure he’ll fix it up. Kind of sad if you think about it. She’s going to get what she wanted, only she’s not around to see it. I’m telling you right here and now, if it isn’t a normal mushroom from here on out, I’m not interested.”
“Umm, about that,” Hannah offered before she sat her burger down, “Vera called me too. Asa wants to hire me to help revamp the menu and make suggestions.”
Hymn eyed Hannah with one eyebrow lifted.
“I promise, no truffles, just straight out, up and up chef slash consultant work. I don’t even have to leave the apartment.”
“Good deal. I’m starting to like this job of yours. If you’re home, I can keep an eye on you.”
“You better keep them both on me, and only me.”
Hannah paused and looked around the restaurant.
“Are you sure about this? This is your hometown.”
Hymn leaned back in his seat. “And Twilight is yours.”
“Well, that and Phoenix.”
“I’m not moving to Phoenix.”
“Well, neither am I. But you’re giving up everyone you know.”
“Ed’s just a plane ride away as you’ve well proven. Besides, Mom and Dad are gone, and Ed’s at school doing whatever it is he does. I don’t keep many friends here, other than Hoo Tu. Can’t do the job anymore. So, I’m not leaving that much in truth. Have you told Jay and Sindee yet?”
Hannah nodded and then smiled. “Papa Jay was all grumpy and wanted to know why you didn’t say anything. I told him I wanted to do it myself. Gran was, of course, excited.”
“She set a date, didn’t she?”
“She keeps mentioning June. I told her to wait till you asked. In the end, Papa Jay agreed as long as you make me happy. Gran just told him to get over it. Everyone lives together first these days.” Hannah paused and studied an onion ring. “I guess we do need to talk about that something, you know. The obvious thing. Now that you’ve healed up, and the cast is off and everything.”
Hymn nodded in silence. “That’s a big elephant in the room.”
“Don’t you think we addressed it?”
“I do, but first, can you keep a secret?”
“No, but tell me anyway.”
“Al and I went to pick out a ring.”
Hannah’s eyes widened and her mouth fell open. “No.”
Hymn nodded. “Sure did. Picked out one that cost way too much, but she’s worth it. Great lady.”
Hannah reached over and took Hymn’s hands into hers. “She is. When’s he going to ask her?”
“Right now.”
Hannah lowered her eyebrows and stared as a look of confusion rolled across her face. Then her eyes widened. Hymn lifted his hand and gestured. Soft music from a guitar started from a table nearby. Hannah looked over to see an older man playing. Her mouth fell further open, and she turned back to Hymn. Hoolie approached with a plate in hand. Gran and Papa Jay followed. Papa Jay’s face beamed with pride and Gran could hardly contain herself. They sat at an adjoining table. Cate and Al followed as well, joining the elder Starvling’s.
Reaching the table, Hoolie got down on one knee beside Hannah. He held the plate up. On it lay a large silver ring with a huge emerald in the center.
“He can’t get down on one knee anymore, my dear, so he asked me to stand in for him. It is my honor.”
Tears welled up in Hannah’s eyes as she pulled her hands to her chest.
“Ms. Starvling, would you do me the great honor of becoming my wife?”
Hannah lay next to Hymn on the bed in his apartment. She held her hand out toward the roof, gazing at the ring on her finger.
“Why an emerald?”
Hymn glanced over and looked at the piece of jewelry as well. “Goes with your eyes. Besides, I figured given all, diamonds seemed just wrong.”
“Uh huh, and they cost a bundle.”
“Wel
l, there is that. That alone is enough to wipe out part of my retirement. Good thing I got you to keep me in the lifestyle to which I’m accustomed.”
Hannah rolled to one side and placed her arm over Hymn’s chest. With the other hand, she twirled his hair. A smile ran across her face.
“Are you saying you only married me for my money?”
“That, and you’re a genius. Those eyes. That face…”
They kissed. After parting, Hymn gave a devilish grin, adding, “and your butt.”
“Oh, you are such a bad man. And to think, I was going to give you your present.”
“No kidding? Is it gift-wrapped?”
“Indeed it is.”
For the first time, Hannah and Hymn spent the night together, in the bed, without clothes.
Gran would be pleased.
Author Letter
Dear Reader,
Our second adventure has concluded.
The mystery of the diamonds in the kitchen has ended. Justice has been served. Now its time for Hannah to rest.
Who are you trying to kid? Hannah’s next adventure is just beginning. I invite you to join her.
The next case will test the limits of the upcoming nuptials.
Hannah’s getting married. Plans are made. The date is set. Toss in a priest with a past, his former partner, his doctor granddaughter and her doctor husband, another clergyman, a whole lot of petit fours, and Hannah has a new case. The trick is knowing who’s who and which are which. Motivations, like ingredients to an epicurean recipe, are not always clear.
She’s going to need help. And help she will get in the form of two feisty grandparents and her soon to be husband.
If you enjoyed the first book in the series, you’ll relish Who Killed The Priest. More mystery, greater danger, higher stakes and surprising twists.
Continue your journey with Hannah now in...
Who Killed The Priest
Kee Patterbee
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The Billionaire Chef Page 23