“I’m pulling a double today. One of the day guys called in sick. How are you girls coming along with the investigation?”

Hannah was surprised. When they’d talked to Tad at the security station, none of them had mentioned that they were attempting to solve Ronni’s murder. “Who said we were investigating?” she asked, answering his question with one of her own.

“A couple of the ladies in your classes. They said you and your sisters always get involved when there’s a murder. I was just wondering if you found out anything.”

“Nothing yet,” Hannah said, deciding it couldn’t hurt to share that information. “How about you?”

“Me? It’s not my job to investigate murders.”

“I know that. I just wondered if you’d noticed anything unusual since the night Ronni was killed.”

“Like what?”

“Like somebody who used to come out here every night and hasn’t been seen since Ronni died. The regular detectives would miss that, but you’d notice.”

“You’re right. I would. I don’t think…no, I haven’t noticed anything like that. The only unusual thing that happened since she died was the attempted break-in at Bianco Shoes. They didn’t get anything. The alarm scared them off.”

A cold wind whipped around the corner of Hannah’s truck. She shivered and pulled up the zipper on her parka.

“You’re cold. You’d better get going,” Tad said, opening the door of her truck for her. “It’s supposed to get down to fifteen below tonight, and that’s not counting the wind chill.”

Hannah shivered again and climbed into her icy cold truck. She reached back for a roll of Molasses Crackles and handed them to him. “Thanks, Tad. Here’s a roll of cookies for you. They’re frozen, but they should thaw in about twenty minutes after you get back inside.”

“That’s really nice of you. Thanks, Hannie.”

“Hannie?”

“When I like someone, I give them a nickname. You know, like Susan is Suzie. Hannah’s a tough one.”

She certainly is! Hannah thought, but she didn’t say it.

“I hope you don’t mind the nickname thing.” Tad looked a bit worried. “If you’d rather, I can call you Hannah.”

“No, it’s okay,” Hannah said quickly. She just wanted to cut this conversation short and get on the road. “Good-bye, Tad.”

Hannah started her truck to cut off any further dialogue. She was just too cold to chat. Tad took the hint by giving a little wave and heading for the entrance.

As she drove home, Hannah began to smile. It was a good thing Tad hadn’t known that Louise was her middle name. He might have decided to call her Weezie instead of Hannie, and she didn’t know which nickname she disliked more.

“Again?” Hannah stared down at the empty Kitty Valet. “Good heavens, Moishe!”