Bake the cookies at 350 degrees F. for 10 to 12 minutes or until nicely browned. (Mine took 11 minutes.)

Let the cookies cool for two minutes, and then remove them from the baking sheets. Transfer them to a wire rack to finish cooling.

Yield: Approximately 10 to 12 dozen crunchy, nutty, chocolaty cookies that everyone will love.

This recipe can be cut in half if you wish.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Her cell phone rang just as she exited the condo complex, and Hannah pulled over on the side of the road to answer it. “This is Hannah.”

“Where are you?” It was Andrea’s voice, and she sounded anxious.

“I’m just leaving the complex. I should be there in twenty minutes.”

“Okay, I’ll wait fifteen minutes, and then I’ll pour coffee for you. Frank Hurley’s here, and he’s got something to tell you.”

“What?”

“He won’t tell us, only you. Do you think he’s interested, Hannah?”

“You mean interested in me?”

“Well, maybe not. He’s got to be almost thirty years older than you are. It’s probably because you’re leading our investigation and he wants to talk to the head person.”

“That’s probably right.”

“Lisa says to tell you that there was nothing on their Heavenly Bodies tapes. They watched all six hours. Then she went to bed, and Herb stayed up to watch a tape from the red-light camera at the mall. He says I should tell you he found out something very interesting.”

“What is it?”

“He won’t tell anybody except you and Mike.”

“Mike? What’s he got to do with it?”

“I don’t know. Herb knows he’s off the case, so it can’t have anything to do with Ronni’s murder. And then there’s Mother and Carrie.”

“What about Mother and Carrie?”

“I don’t know that, either. They’re here, but they want to wait until you come in to tell us some big news. Where are you now?”

“What do you mean, where am I? I’m right where I was when I answered the phone.”

“You’re not driving?”

“Of course not. Cell phones are distracting. I never drive and talk on the cell phone at the same time.”

“Right. I forgot about that. Only one more thing. I was supposed to remind you to call Detective Parks and ask her to check on the Macalester stalker.”

“I did that. I left her a voice mail.”

“Okay, then. I’m hanging up now. Hurry in because I’m dying of curiosity and nobody’ll tell me anything unless you’re here.”