Free Cinnamon Roll Murder by Joanne Fluke Page A

all over when the bus tipped upside down, we had to be careful not to trip over anything.”
    “Okay. I understand. Go on.”
    “I didn’t want Michelle to come with me, but she insisted. If I’d known how creepy it was going to be, I would have ordered her to stay put. When we got to the front of the bus, I spotted the driver.” Hannah took another deep breath. “It was a horrible sight.”
    Mike reached out for her hand and squeezed it. “I know. We cut him down. I’m sorry you had to see that, Hannah.”
    “So am I, but I’m even sorrier that Michelle saw it.”
    “Me, too.” Mike put his arm around her and leaned back on the couch. He shut his eyes and gave a big sigh of contentment. “I knew once I got out here, I could relax for a couple of minutes.”
    Hannah noticed that there were dark circles under his eyes. For a reason she didn’t fully understand, they made him look even more handsome. Maybe it was the nurturer in her coming out, or at least that was what her former psychology professor would have said. Whatever the reason, she felt a new tenderness toward him. Mike was usually so strong and self-confident that it was difficult to imagine that he could ever really need comfort and tenderness from anyone. Before she quite realized that she was going to do it, she reached out and gently stroked his forehead. “Stay as long as you like,” she said in a soft voice. “I know you’re really tired.”
    Mike opened his eyes and smiled at her. “Careful what you offer, Hannah. All I need right now is a twelve-pack and the remote, and I’ll never leave.”
    Hannah laughed, and her tender mood disappeared. Mike was okay if he could crack a joke. “Are we through with my statement?” she asked.
    “Almost.” Mike flipped to a fresh page in his notebook. “Do you remember seeing anything at the scene that was curious, or suspicious?”
    “Yes, but I didn’t realize it until I heard that the driver had overdosed on his heart medication. There was a pillbox on the floor, one of those plastic ones with little compartments for the days of the week.”
    Mike reached for his cell phone. “The crime scene techs are out there now. I’ll call and tell them not to miss it.”
    “Don’t bother. I have it.”
    “What?”
    “I almost tripped over it, so I picked it up and zipped it in my parka pocket. I didn’t know it was important then, but I thought someone might need the pills and I’d better take them with me. And then, with all the confusion at the hospital, I forgot I even had them.”
    “Did you touch them?”
    “Only to pick them up. And I was wearing gloves because Michelle and I had just waded through the ditch and it was cold.”
    “Did you take off your gloves when you stuck the pillbox in your pocket and zipped it up?”
    Hannah did her best to remember, but that part was a blank. “I don’t know. Buddy was calling us, and we were in a hurry to meet the paramedics, and … I just don’t remember.”
    “That’s okay. Don’t worry about it. If you did, we can eliminate your fingerprints.”
    Hannah heard a familiar scratching noise in the hallway, and she knew she had to warn Mike. “Put your feet up. Quick!”
    “What?”
    “Just do it. Prop them on the coffee table and tuck in your arms. And hurry!”
    “Okay,” Mike agreed, sounding amused. “What’s going on?”
    “You’ll see. It’s the midnight cat crazies.”
    “What are cat craz … oof!” Mike let out a gasp as Cuddles landed on his chest. He watched in obvious amazement as the two cats raced in circles across the living room rug, Cuddles in the lead and Moishe chasing her. “Hey guys,” he said. “What are you do … oof!”
    Hannah laughed. She couldn’t help it. This time Moishe had landed on Mike’s chest. “You’re a launch pad,” she said. “Usually they stick to the floor. That’s why I told you to put your feet up. But I guess this time they’re performing for you, and they’re trying something