“Thanks. They’re Diana Dickerson’s recipe.” Even though she was brimming with curiosity, Hannah waited until Norman had eaten both brownies and reduced the coffee in his mug by half. “The mission?” she reminded him.

“Somebody told me your slay-dar is working overtime.”

“My what?”

“Slay-dar. It’s like radar, except that you find murder victims.”

“Cute,” Hannah said, being entirely truthful. It was a cute thing to say. “So you heard the news on KCOW?”

“Not exactly. Mike just left my dental clinic, and he told me all about it. He wants me to tell you that Bill’s put him on leave until Ronni’s murder is solved.”

Hannah just stared at Norman for a moment. Then she shook her head. “I don’t understand. Mike’s the head detective. Bill needs him to solve the case…doesn’t he?”

“He does, but Mike can’t work it. It’s in the rulebook. You can’t be assigned a case where you have…uh…a personal relationship with the victim.”

“Personal relationship,” Hannah repeated. “Does that mean what I think it means?”

Norman took a sip of his coffee. When he answered, he looked down at the mug, not at her. “I don’t know. Mike didn’t volunteer that information, and I didn’t ask.”

Right. Sure, Hannah’s mind said, and that’s why you won’t meet my eyes. Norman was a terrible liar. His mother, Carrie, had mentioned it numerous times. She said that even as a little boy, he looked guilty when he wasn’t telling the truth. And here he was, trying to lie to her to spare her the steamy details.

“You know more than you’re telling me,” Hannah said, facing him squarely. “But don’t you know that if you tell me about Ronni and Mike’s relationship, I’ll probably think less of Mike?”

“I know that,” Norman said quickly, and then he looked a bit chagrined. “If there’s anything in the details to warrant it, that is.”

Hannah grinned. Norman had almost fallen into a trap, but he’d caught himself in time. “Okay. But if I think less of Mike, I’ll probably gravitate your way.” She stopped and frowned as a most unwelcome thought occurred to her. “You two are still in a kind of competition for me…aren’t you?”

“I can’t speak for Mike, but I am. It’s just that…” his voice trailed off.

“What?” Hannah prodded him.

“Mike and I are friends. And friends don’t divulge each other’s confidences. At least I don’t.” Norman stopped speaking and looked worried. “Am I being a real chump?”

“No, you’re being Norman. And the fact you won’t take advantage of Mike’s situation makes me like you even more.”