“How could I forget? Mike says that all the time. Is he coming over tonight to take your statement?”

“That’s what he said. Do I have any food in the house?”

“You do now. I brought some groceries with me on the bus, and I can make supper. The only thing I forgot was the Thousand Island dressing, but I guess I could get along without it.”

“You don’t have to get along without it.”

Michelle smiled. “Great! Do you have some in the refrigerator?”

“No, but I have everything you need to make it. All it is is mayonnaise mixed with ketchup and sweet pickle relish.”

“How much?”

“Just mix it to taste. It’ll be exactly the same as the bottled dressing. What are you planning to make?”

“Grilled Ham and Double Cheese Sandwiches.”

“That sounds like a really good sandwich!”

“It is. I made them for my housemates last night, and they said they loved them.”

Hannah smiled. “I’m sure they did. You’re a good cook, Michelle.”

“Thanks. I’ll make two for Mike and one for me. Do you want me to make one for you?”

“I’d love to try one, but I already ate a double cheeseburger, an order and a half of fries with bleu cheese dressing, and a slice of Chocolate Coffee Cake.”

“Will you at least taste a corner of mine?”

“Of course I will. What kind of bread do you use?”

“Rye. There’s a bakery near us, and they make really good breads.”

“It sounds wonderful, and I almost wish I hadn’t eaten. But I was really hungry.”

“It only takes a few minutes to make them, so I won’t start until Mike gets here. I’m experimenting with quick meals. One of my roommates is getting married right after graduation, and I want to give her a whole folder of easy, quick suppers. Her boyfriend’s a teacher, and that’s what she’ll be when she graduates.”

“That sounds like a great wedding gift, Michelle.”

Michelle looked pleased. “I thought it would be better than monogrammed sheets or a set of fancy towels she’d only get out when company was coming.”

After Michelle had gone into the kitchen, Hannah changed to her favorite wintertime at-home outfit which consisted of forest-green sweatpants, an oversized sweatshirt of the same color, and fur-lined slippers. Then she sat down on the couch again, picked up her wineglass, and took another sip. The Cookie Jar was doing good business, she’d finished her Christmas shopping early this year, and Michelle was in town. Life in Lake Eden was very good if you didn’t consider the murder rate.

* * *

The knock on the door came twenty minutes later, and Michelle got up to answer it. “Good thing I decided to put together a double batch,” she said as she saw that Lonnie was with Mike.