Free Red Velvet Cupcake Murder by Joanne Fluke Page B

hereafter.”
    Delores considered it for a moment. “That might be what she thought when she mentioned her father, but I know for a fact that Barbara’s mother had only one child and that child was Barbara. I’m almost sure I heard your grandmother say that there were complications when Barbara was born and Mrs. Donnelly couldn’t have any more children.”
    “Did she have a hysterectomy?” Hannah mentioned the first thing that occurred to her.
    “I have no idea. That was years ago, when I was a child. Adults didn’t discuss anything like that in front of children. The only reason I remember as much as I do is that your grandmother shushed my mother and pointed to me. And then she said something about little pitchers.”
    “Little pitchers have big ears?” Hannah guessed.
    “That’s it. And since they’d said the same thing when they were discussing Christmas presents, I knew that meant whatever they’d said was important.”
    “Would Doc Knight know for sure?”
    “I think so, dear. When he came to town to take over the practice, all the old charts were stored in a back room. He probably still has them in storage somewhere.”
    “Could you check on that? I need to make sure that Barbara never had a brother.”
    “I understand, dear. And of course I can check. I’ll ask Doc just as soon as he comes back to his office.”
    “Thanks, Mother.” Hannah waved at Norman’s mother, Carrie, who was pushing a cart down the hallway toward them. Carrie, like Delores, was also wearing black pants, but her blazer was bright turquoise. Hannah’s neighbor, Marguerite Hollenbeck, was walking at the side of the cart and her blazer was bright pink. It was part of the Rainbow Ladies’ attire. When Delores had agreed to take over as leader of the Grey Ladies, she’d immediately given the volunteer organization a new name and a new cheerful look.
    “What’s on the cart?” Delores asked as they approached.
    “Milk and cookies,” Carrie answered her.
    “What kind of cookies?” Hannah asked.
    “Store-bought chocolate-covered graham crackers,” Marguerite told her. “The children just love those. We’re taking them down to the family waiting room.”
    Once they’d passed, Hannah turned to her mother. The fact that there had been cookies on the tray had reminded her of the cookies that were still sitting in the back of her truck.
    “I baked some cookies for Barbara, but when I found out she was on a liquid diet, I left them in my truck. Do you think the nurses would like some Tickled Pink Lemonade Cookies?”
    Delores gave her a look of pure disbelief. “Of course the nurses would like them. Anybody who’s ever tasted them likes them. They’re very good cookies, dear.”
    “Great. If I put them on a platter and bring them back here to you, will you pass them around?”
    “I’ll be glad to as long as I can keep some for Doc.” Delores thought about what she had said for a second and then she added, “And for me.”
    “Of course. That goes without saying. I’ll go out and get them right now.”
    “I’ll go with you. That way you don’t have to come all the way back inside.”
    Once the cookies were plated and the platter had been covered with plastic wrap, Hannah told her mother goodbye and climbed into the driver’s seat of her cookie truck. She was about to start the engine and back out of her parking space when Norman pulled in next to her. Hannah wasted no time lowering her window and he lowered his at the same time. “Hi, Norman,” she greeted him.
    “Hello, Hannah. What are you doing here?”
    “Visiting Barbara. Is that where you’re going?”
    “Yes, but it’s an official visit. Doc Knight called me in to consult about her broken teeth.”
    Hannah thought fast. She wanted to learn Norman’s assessment of Barbara’s condition and it would be easier to ask him questions in person than on the phone. She also wanted to find out whether Doctor Bev had contacted him and that would take a