“What does Doc want to talk to me about?” Hannah asked, feeling a bit apprehensive. The last time Doc had asked to talk to her in person was on the night Bill had come to arrest her.

“I don’t know, dear. I asked, but he won’t tell me. The only thing I know is that it’s not bad news. I asked him that because I didn’t want you to worry.”

“Thanks for asking, Mother.”

“Certainly, dear. It’s all right if we come over, then?”

Hannah did the only thing she could do. She agreed. “Okay then,” she said, but it sounded rather curt even to her own ears, so she added, “Would you and Doc like to join us for dinner? Norman’s bringing pizza from Bertanelli’s.”

“That would be lovely, dear. Thank you. Shall we pick up anything on the way?”

“I don’t really need anything, unless . . .” Hannah stopped and began to grin. “Are you wearing silk stockings?”

Delores laughed. “Yes, and I have some fish-shaped, salmon-flavored treats for Moishe in the glove compartment of Doc’s car. I’ll carry them in with me so I can bribe Moishe.”

Hannah was still smiling as she said goodbye and hung up the phone. Delores knew the drill. If she wore silk stockings and arrived without Moishe’s favorite kitty treats, there could be another pair of shredded hose to add to the two dozen or so that had gone before them.

The phone rang again and Hannah picked it up. Delores must have forgotten to tell her something. “Hello again, Mother.”

But it wasn’t her mother. It was Norman. She recognized his laugh immediately. “You just got off the phone with your mother?” he asked.

“Yes. I’m glad you called, Norman. If you haven’t gone to Bertanelli’s yet, will you pick up some garden salads? Mother and Doc will be joining us for dinner.”

“Eight salads, and I’ll order a small Canadian bacon and pineapple pizza for your mother.”

“That would be great. I know she loves . . . wait a second.” A puzzled expression crossed Hannah’s face. “We’re only five for dinner. Mother and Doc, Michelle, you, and me.”

“Five so far,” Norman said.

“What do you mean?”

“Dinner at your place always grows by the time I get there. I’ll play it safe and get eight salads. And I’d better get a couple orders of meatballs, too.”

“Do you know something I don’t know?”

“A lot of things. I know how to do a root canal, and you don’t. And I can extract a tooth painlessly, which I’m willing to bet you can’t do.”

Hannah laughed. “Not dental things. I admit I don’t know much about those. I meant, do you know anyone else who’s going to come here for dinner?”