Michelle rushed into The Cookie Jar at eleven-thirty, right before the noon rush, and handed Hannah a package. “Here,” she said, puffing a little. “Clark showed us how to make a copy of the important footage and we left on the time codes.”

“Thanks, Michelle. I’ll go over to Andrea’s and watch it.”

“Better not. Dean’s murder is on the tape, and it’s not something Tracey should see.”

“Okay. I guess I’ll have to run home after lunch then.”

Michelle shook her head. “I’ve got a better idea. Why don’t you use Dean’s trailer? I’ve got a key and you can use his screening room

unless that’ll creep you out?”

“It won’t creep me out,” Hannah said, jumping at the chance to get a better look at Dean’s trailer. If she had time, she might even do a little snooping to see if she could find any other motives for his murder.

“Well, it would creep me out, especially if I had to go in alone. But I won’t be alone. You’ll be with me.”

“You want to watch the tape again?”

“No, that’s just an excuse. I want to help you do what you’re really going to do in Dean’s trailer.”

“You mean

”

“That’s right,” Michelle interrupted her. “I want to help you snoop through Mr. Big Shot Director’s things.”

Chapter

Chapter

Twenty-Five

Hannah glanced around uneasily as they ducked through the trees in the vacant lot and emerged in front of Dean’s Winnebago. She tried to squelch the feeling, but it wouldn’t go away.

“What’s the matter?” Michelle asked, noticing her big sister’s nervous expression. “You look jumpy.”

“I am. And I don’t know why.”

“Is it because we’re going to snoop?”

“I don’t think so. Heaven knows I’ve snooped before! Maybe it’s because we don’t have to break in and it’s not the middle of the night.”

Michelle laughed as she climbed the steps and unlocked the door. “Come on, Hannah. I’ve got a perfect right to be here. Ross asked me to pick up Dean’s shooting script and look for any changes he indicated for the skating scene we’re shooting tomorrow afternoon. Frances was supposed to drive over here to get it, but Lynne needed her for something else.”

Hannah stood back as Michelle opened the door, and then the two sisters stepped inside. The interior smelled musty, as if the owner had left it untouched for an extended period, but Hannah figured that was all in her imagination.

“It smells funny in here,” Michelle said, echoing what Hannah was thinking. “I wonder what it is.”

“This could have something to do with it.” Hannah plucked a crumpled sock from the top of a bookcase and held it up for Michelle’s inspection.