Read Online Kee Patterbee - Hannah Starvling 01 - The Chef at the Water's Edge by Kee Patterbee - Free Book Online

for himself. Working beside her. Being there when she needed her. Creating. Seeing her every day. Now, more than anything, Vera was a compatriot in arms. She had reaffirmed his own suspicions. Julia’s end came, not by some natural means, but by something foul. But all this would have to wait. Hannah had questions herself and this case, the one she had been so eager to dismiss before, now just got interesting. She felt a tingle all over her body that she always got when a case was proving itself to be more than superficial. “Hannah Starvling,” she said, offering her hand to Vera. “We need to talk. But not here.” She then darted her eyes upward to point out the security camera. “Smile for the camera.”
    Understanding her meaning, Vera smiled and shook Hannah’s hand. “Where?’
    “My place, “Louie stated. “Text me when you can. I’ll send you the address.”
    Louie reached into his pocket, produced a business card, and slipped it into her hand. Vera looked it over, nodded and smiled for the camera. She gestured toward the exit and walked the group to the door. As they filed past, Hannah and Louie were the last to exit. Vera whispered to both, “Give me an hour. Then send it. I should be able to make it sometime later. I’ll let you know when.” She placed her hand on Louie’s arm as he moved by. “Thank you. Thank you so much.” He squeezed her hand. “No. Thank you.” He then walked out the door as Vera stood watching.
    ***
    Later at Louie’s, Cate watched as he paced the floor. He then checked his watch for the fifth time in as many minutes. Speaking in a fast, worried voice, he glanced toward the window where Cate stood looking out and said, “She should have been here fifteen minutes ago. You don’t think they were checking her texts, do you?”
    Cate shook her head. “I doubt it. It’s clear she hadn’t told anybody what she thought. She’s just running a little behind.”
    “How do you know? I mean, we are talking about Asa. You saw him. He’s a control freak. What if Julia was planning on leaving him? What about this supposed affair? What if she found out and he killed her? Or what if he had her killed? Then he would be all paranoid and stuff. Checking emails. Everything. Maybe that is why he kept her around. She was close to Julia. Maybe he thinks she knows something and is trying to find out. She could be in danger. She could be--”
    “Pulling into the driveway as we speak,” Cate said, pointing out the window.
    “You can relax now.” Hannah gave her new friend an assuring smile. She walked over and put her arm on his shoulder. “Listen, I realize you are hoping for some definitive answers. But let’s just take this slow, okay? She reached out, which is good. But once that feeling of not being alone wears off, who knows? It might overwhelm her. She might want to backtrack. As much love as you two share for Julia, she just might not be ready yet. She doesn’t know us, just that we are looking into the death of someone she cared for.” She then looked him square in the eyes. “It might not be just her that is in over their heads, you understand? So maybe I should do the talking.”
    Louie looked at Hannah with great pain in his eyes. “I understand,” he agreed. “I am too close, I guess.”
    Showing a smile of true affection, Buster interjected. “Tell you what, big guy. How about I make us dinner while you guys talk?”
    “No thanks, dude. I still remember the last time.”
    “Okay, well, by make, I mean I’ll have Chinese delivered. Good enough?”
    They all laughed, breaking the intense tension that had built up in the room. Their moment of relief halted by three sharp raps on the door. “I’ll get it,” Cate said.
    Cate opened the door just as Vera knocked again. “Oh, great. You made it,” Cate said, smiling. Come on in. Did you have any problems finding the house?”
    Smiling with a twinge of uncertainty, Vera held up her cell. “Just a little. I have