“I’m going to drive past The Cookie Jar to make sure our Christmas lights are on,” Hannah told her. “I had to move the timer this morning, and I’m not sure I set the time correctly.”

“Why did you have to move it?”

“Lisa told me that one of our customers almost tripped over the extension cord, so I decided to move the timer to a closer wall socket.”

“That was probably smart.”

“While I was at it, I put on a new timer, too. It’s one that fits flat to the wall with the plug on the side.” Hannah drove up to Main Street and turned at the corner. The lights were on, and she gave a satisfied smile as they went past. “I must have done it right. They’re still on.”

“And they look really good. I’m glad that all the businesses on Main Street leave their Christmas lights on at night.”

“So am I. It really looks festive. Herb was smart convincing everyone that leaving on the Christmas lights was a deterrent to thieves.”

“Speaking of Herb, did you manage to talk to Lisa?”

“Yes.” Hannah turned onto the highway and drove toward her condo complex. “I think I convinced her that Herb isn’t seeing another woman. I told her exactly what Mike told me, and that seemed to satisfy her. And she was very relieved that Herb had an alibi.”

“Do you mind if I bake when we get to your place? It won’t take long.”

“I never mind when you bake. What are you making?”

“A Christmas Orange Raisin Cake.”

“Is that a new recipe?”

“Not really. It’s an adaptation of Grandma Elsa’s Christmas Date Cake. I’ve been thinking about it all day, and I’ve got everything I need to make it.”

There was very little traffic, and it didn’t take long to drive to the condo complex, and Hannah parked in her designated spot in the underground garage. The two sisters walked up the outside staircase together, and Hannah gave a little wave as she spotted Moishe on the window ledge, waiting for them to get home. “I guess it’s a little silly to wave to Moishe,” she said with a laugh. “You’re not going to believe this, but once he waved back at me.”

“You’re kidding, aren’t you?” Michelle asked.

“No. When I climbed up the stairs and waved at him, he raised his right paw and put it up against the glass.”

“Okay,” Michelle said, but she didn’t sound convinced. “Maybe he was after a bug or something.”

“Maybe, but I prefer to believe that he was waving back at me.” Hannah reached the landing first and waited for Michelle to climb the last few steps. “You, or me?” she asked.