“Somewhere in Europe. He told me he was taking a little vacation now that the movie was over. That’s why he made arrangements with the moving company to store the sewing machine until he got back.”

Hannah glanced at her watch. If Burke was taking an international flight, he had to arrive at the airport at least two hours in advance. That meant he had to leave the inn less than thirty minutes from now to make it on time.

“I need your help, Mother,” Hannah said, shrugging into her coat and pulling on her gloves. “Call the sheriff’s station, tell them it’s an emergency, and have them patch you through to Mike’s cell phone. Tell him Burke killed Dean and I found the prop gun to prove it.”

“Right away, dear. Where are you going?”

“Out to the inn. Tell Mike to meet me there just as fast as he can, and I’ll try to hold Burke until he arrives.”

Sixteen minutes later, Hannah barreled down the circular drive of the Lake Eden Inn. She’d probably broken the winter land speed record for the gravel road that wound through the trees to the inn, and every spring in her truck could testify to that fact. The leftover cookies that Lisa bagged every night and Hannah stored in her truck to use as samples now decorated the floorboards in the rear. Hannah knew because she’d heard them hit the sides of the truck when she’d taken the turns. One errant Oatmeal Raisin Crisp, centrifugally challenged by the sharp bends she’d taken just adjacent to the inn’s parking lot, had whizzed past her ear and was now sitting, slightly the worse for wear, on the passenger seat.

As Hannah approached the loading zone, four head-in spaces next to the entrance that were reserved for arriving and departing guests, she heard a car motor start. A second later, taillights went on and Hannah spotted Burke’s rental car, a sporty, bright yellow Toyota. She rolled down her window, zipped into the vacant space to the left of his car, and shouted out, “Hi, Burke!”

“Hi, Hannah. What are you doing out here?”

Hannah thought fast. “Mother told me you were leaving tonight, and I wanted to say goodbye.”

“’Bye, Hannah. It’s been a real pleasure knowing you. Your cookies are the best I’ve ever had.”

“Thanks.” Hannah glanced at the gravel road, but she didn’t see approaching headlights. Somehow she had to keep Burke talking until Mike got here.

“I have to run, Hannah. I’ve got a plane to catch. I’m going to London to do another commercial.”

“No you’re not!” Hannah shouted out. “Not until you answer some questions for me.”