The Billionaire Chef Page 17

  Although Gran produced a disappointed smile, Papa Jay agreed with enthusiasm. While the former enjoyed sleuthing, the latter felt most at home on guard duty, ‘protecting the ladies’. Hannah then insisted they go back to the hotel and enjoy the room. “You’ve got to be exhausted. Besides, what good’s a comp’d room if you don’t put it to good use?”

  Gran snuggled up to Papa Jay and squeezed his arm. “Well, when you put it that way…” She pulled up a devious smile.

  Papa Jay gave a knowing wink. Everyone made their goodbyes and the elder Starvling’s headed out.

  Hannah and Hymn settled in. They could see down the hall toward Janine’s room from where they sat.

  “Should one of us be in there?” Hannah asked.

  “The nurse said no, unless we were family. This is the best we can do.” He pointed toward a long couch. “I’ll keep an eye out for now. You get some sleep. You’ve got to meet this Grimm fellow in the morning.”

  “What about you? You’ve not slept much either.”

  “I’m good for it, besides, I couldn’t sleep much, anyway. You’re meeting this guy alone.”

  Hannah leaned over and turned Hymn’s face to hers. She leaned in and kissed him, soft at first, then deeper. Pulling back, she smiled. “I’ll be fine, Mr. Miles. We’ll be in a public place, and I’m not the only one who can take care of themselves. Besides…” She patted his injured leg. “I’m also not the one who got shot and then attacked by a rabid planter.”

  “Alright, Sherlock, just keep your eyes open. I haven’t met him, but I don’t trust him.” He grinned. “You never know, he might fall in love with that sweet face, just like me.” He pulled her in for another kiss.

  Hannah enjoyed the moment. Pulling back, she studied his eyes. “So, you’re in love with my face? I’m more than a face, you know. There’s my mind, my person, my…”

  “Butt.”

  “Oh, you like that, do you?” Hannah gave an incredulous look.

  “I do, in fact.” He twisted his jaw before letting his expression fall into a grin. “I like it all.” Hymn regarded her for a moment. His expression morphed into what Hannah considered as one of contemplation. He reached out and ran his finger along the length of the side of her face. “You know I’m in love with you, right?”

  The words floored Hannah. She stood stunned, her mouth fallen slightly open. The corners of her lips curled upward, and she leaned over. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she whispered, “I love you too.”

  After a long embrace, she smiled. “You’re not just saying that to get a better look at my butt, are you?”

  Hymn threw his head back and slung his arm over his forehead in mock distress. “Curses, foiled again.”

  Both laughed as they spent a long night talking about the future.

  Chapter Sixteen

  At some point during the night, the tired sleuth fell asleep on a long seat next to Hymn. She woke from her deep slumber with a start. Someone or something was pushing on her cheek. From where she lay, she turned her head to see a face. It was that of a small child, a little girl, maybe five years old, with a stoic expression. Hannah blinked.

  “Are you dead?” the little girl asked in an inquisitive, yet flat tone.

  “I don’t think so.”

  The child nodded. “People die here, you know.”

  Pushing herself up, Hannah looked over at Hymn. He too had fallen. The crook in his neck and the slight snore almost made her laugh. She turned to the child. “Is that so?”

  “Yup. Are you going to die?”

  Unsure what to say, Hannah thought back to Gran and Papa Jay. They were always honest with her, so she took the same approach.

  “Someday I suppose,” Hannah stretched and said, “but not today. At least that’s the plan.”

  “That’s good. You want some coffee?” the girl asked through a cheerful, if somewhat unnerving smile. “Mom said it could wake the dead.”

  The idea sounded good to Hannah. “Yeah, I could use some coffee.”

  The girl pointed to a pot of coffee on a small table in the waiting room. A sign placed above it read ‘complimentary.’

  “Joe’s over there.”

  “Heather Cory!” a voice called out.

  Hannah looked up to see a young, overweight young woman approach.

  “I am so sorry. Did she wake you?”

  “It’s fine. I needed to get up.”

  “You two have been asleep for quite a while,” the mother said.

  “Oh,” Hannah responded. She looked up to the clock on the wall. It read 8:22. Hannah covered her mouth as she yawned. Rising, she said, “She’s a cutie.” She smiled at the girl. “Smart. And… adult.”

  “She is.” The mother reached down and scuffed her daughter’s head. “No one’s a stranger, though,” she added. “It’s going to get her in trouble someday.” The mother then turned and led her daughter back to the other side of the room.

  Watching, Hannah thought over the odd interaction. After readjusting Hymn’s head, she made her way to the coffee. She poured herself a cup and made adjustments of powdered cream and sugar. Taking a swig, her face winced. She recalled Heather Cory’s words, “It could wake the dead.” She then made a series of links between the child’s conversation and the ongoing situation. Attempting to further wake herself, she took another swig and shuddered as it went down. Didn’t know a stranger, Hannah thought. Something about the little girl’s mother’s words stuck with her. No one’s a stranger. She thought back over Elias and Janine’s room. It wasn’t broken into. Elias opened the door to his attacker, but he was paranoid about his truffles. He wouldn’t just open the door. He would had to have recognized them, she continued in her mind. And trusted them. He knew his attacker. Gulping down one last mouthful of the distasteful liquid, Hannah revised her considerations. Or the attacker had a means of entry. A card or a bypass system and was already in the room. “Bypass system,” she pondered half aloud. “Turnbull.”

  Hannah was about to wake Hymn when Papa Jay entered with two coffees and two small bags. He presented them to his granddaughter as he gave her a kiss on the cheek.

  “Morning, Sweetness. Second watch reporting for duty.”

  Hannah opened the bag and removed a Danish. She took a big bite before waking Hymn. She then explained she needed to see someone before running back to the hotel to get ready for her meeting with Grimm. Hymn suggested he join her, but Hannah declined.

  “If you come along, it might spoil things. I can’t explain it right now, but trust me. I won’t be long and I’ll meet you back at the hotel.”

  Papa Jay crossed his arms. Hannah took this as a sign of displeasure, but the sleuth, feeling pressed for time, ignored the response. She could also tell from his body language that Hymn was not pleased either. She leaned down and gave him a kiss. “It’ll take more time to explain than I have at the moment. Just meet me there, okay?” He agreed with some reluctance. Taking a coffee and the rest of her Danish, she made her way down and out of the hospital. She took a taxi back to the electronics shop.

  As the taxi made a brisk pace along the way, Hannah found herself looking back. She had no reason to suspect anything but felt as if someone followed her. Betts, she wondered. She finished her meal as she reached the shop. It was almost 9:00 AM, opening time, according to the sign in the window. Seeing Turnbull inside, she knocked against the windowpane. The man spotted her and opened the door, letting her in.

  “One question. Did you sell any readers like mine, just before I came to you?”

  Turnbull started to speak when time froze for Hannah. She heard the sound of something pop twice, then there was a crunching. A cracking sound followed, then two ‘whoosh’ sounds. Staring into the shopkeeper’s face, she saw the color roll away. Time caught up with Hannah as Turnbull took two steps back and collapsed. Her instincts and training kicked in, and she rolled to the ground. Three more pops sounded. Several items in the storefront shattered. She heard the squealing of tires an
d the faint gasps of horror and shock. After a moment, she rolled over to check on Turnbull. His eyes stared wide, but lifeless. Blood trickled from a cut on his head. As she glanced down his body, his shirt was blood soaked. A large wound showed over his heart.

  Hannah pushed herself up. She checked herself for wounds, but found none. Looking back to Turnbull, she let out a breath. I am so sorry, she mouthed. The sounds of gasps and screams from the street once again made their way through the shot out windowpane frames, then came the rush of wheels coming to a stop. Not asking questions, Hannah darted to the back of the store, behind a rear counter and through the door. Several pops sounded and the doorframe beside her exploded, sending wood splinters everywhere. She felt one graze her cheekbone and forehead, but did not ease up on her run. Making it to the rear exit, she burst through the door and out into the alley. Her initial instinct was to take cover behind a dumpster bin, but her training told her this would be of little use. She carried no weapon, and sooner, rather than later, they would shoot her. Therefore, in an instant, she ran out toward daylight.

  Located on a corner, the shop’s back alley was a short distance from the street. She barely reached the corner when she heard the door swing open and clang against the side of the building. Another pop and a brick beside her shoulder exploded as she rounded the corner. Without thinking, she ran full force up the street as hard as she could. All noise ceased around her. All she could focus on was making it to safety. Back to the hotel. Back to Hymn, bounced through her mind.

  Reaching a large cluster of people, Hannah stopped and looked back, though she poised herself to run again. Several people asked if she was okay, she nodded and moved further back. Breathing hard, she scanned the crowd near the alley. It was more sparse than where she was and people stood back from the alley looking in. Moments later, she saw a policeman step out. She could make out the officers named Brandon. Without talking to anyone, the first Brandon walked straight over to the brick that exploded. He glanced around the ground, looking for something. The casing. Cautiously watching, she wondered, how did he know exactly where to go? Each of the officers scanned the crowd, but Hannah took refuge behind several people talking. No one paid attention to her earlier run, as they went back to their business, or focused on what was happening down the road. When she looked again, one of the brothers reached down and picked up something. He held it out for his sibling to see before putting it in his pocket. Found the casing. No gloves. Didn’t bag it for evidence. One of the officers gestured several times for the crowd to disperse, which they did with some reluctance. Then both Brandon’s disappeared back into the alley as Hannah contemplated further. Did they think she murdered Turnbull and ran? Did they shoot? Finally, she made the inference that they did not pursue her. Instead, they let her go. Why? She looked around for a path back to the hotel. As she headed over toward another street, she was convinced the brothers were not law-abiding men.

  Passing down on another street, Hannah kept her head low. Reaching the next corner, from a distance, she saw two police cars in front of Turnbull’s store. She considered her next move with caution. She assumed she had been correct when she felt someone had followed her. When she went into Turnbull’s shop, whomever it was that shot him, be it the Brandon’s or someone else, figured out why she was there. If he told her who bought a card key reader, she would know who entered Elias room. From that, she might trace it back to whomever was behind it all. The Brandon’s were likely the ones who shot at her as she ran out of the building. Yet, she saw them as they checked the alley. They were in uniform. If they fired into the shop, people on the street would be witnesses. Someone else shot Turnbull. The Brandon’s were on hand to clean up the mess.

  Taking caution so no one would spot her, she walked to the hotel. When it was in sight, she paused on the corner to make sure there were no Gresham police cars around. Spotting none, she entered through the lobby, head still down, moving at a quick pace. She was thankful to find several people registering, which kept the staff busy. She took the stairs rather than the elevator to avoid anyone. Reaching her floor, she checked again for anyone. Hannah bolted down the hall and let herself into her room. As she stepped in and closed the door, she heard someone knocking from both interior doors.

  “It’s open,” she called out.

  Hymn opened one door, Gran the other.

  “Oh, dear,” Gran said, running over to her granddaughter.

  “What the hell?” Hymn said as he pushed his chair in the room.

  Hannah stood in the middle of the room as both approached her. “What?”

  “Sit down,” Gran ordered as she took Hannah’s hand and guided her to the edge of the bed. Once seated, she disappeared back into her room. Hymn pulled up beside the sleuth and reached up to her cheek and forehead.

  “What happened and who did it?” he said, his voice seething with anger.

  Hannah reached up and touched the spots. Pulling it down, her fingertips were red with blood. “Ah,” she commented, realizing Hymn and Gran’s reaction.

  When Gran returned with some alcohol and bandages, she cleaned and covered the three places as Hannah explained what happened. “Lucky girl.” She looked at Hymn and smiled. “I always keep a kit around this one. Have since she was a little girl.” Finishing up, she examined her work. “You’ll live, but your Papa Jay will be furious. Better let me explain this first.”

  “Who’s this Turnbull?” Hymn asked.

  Gran shook her head. “You’ll have to explain that one, dear. I still don’t get it.”

  Hannah produced a meek smile as she pulled out her phone and looked at the time.

  “I need a shower.”

  Hymn frowned. “No way are you still meeting this guy now. No way. Not now. At least not alone. Someone just tried to shoot you, for all that’s holy.”

  Hannah pulled up Hymn’s hand and kissed it. She looked him straight in the eyes. “I have to talk to him. He knows something.”

  “Then he’ll tell us both.”

  “He’ll tell us all,” Gran chimed in. “Whoever did this tried to kill you. Lukas knows something; he’s going to spill or…” Gran furrowed her brow.

  “What, Gran?”

  “I’ll make sure he walks funny, that’s what. Now, you can argue till the cows come home, but we’re going too. End… of… story.”

  Hannah sighed and looked them both over. She realized there was no point arguing. Gran was stubborn when she needed to be. Hymn was not going to leave her alone from here on out. That much she knew. So, she agreed and headed for the shower. Gran stopped her.

  “Use the one in Hymn’s room.”

  “Now’s not the time, Gran.”

  Gran shot Hannah a serious look. “That’s not what I’m talking about. If the police come looking for you, they’ll check your room, maybe ours, but not his.”

  Hymn agreed as he gestured toward Gran. “You are good.”

  “You better believe it,” the elder Starvling said with a smirk, “in more ways than one.”

  When Hannah stepped out of the shower, she dried and dressed in short order. Exiting the bathroom, Hymn gestured for her to be quiet. His chair was next to the door separating his from hers and his ear placed on it. Hannah stood unmoving as he listened. The handle jiggled as someone on the other side attempted to open it. Hymn never moved from his position. Within a few minutes, there was a knock at the door and Gran called out. “Clear.”

  Hymn opened it and Gran stepped in once he was out of the way.

  “Like I said, I can charm my way out of anything.”

  Gran explained it was the Brandon’s looking for Hannah. “They said someone fitting your description was there.”

  “A lot of people fit my description.”

  “I disagree, but get what you’re saying,” Hymn said. “They know it was you and they’re after you, so now what?”

  Gran re-inspected the bandages for good measure. Looking them over herself, Hannah remarked, “I’m going to stan
d out like a sore thumb.”

  “I’ll tell them you fell over me,” Hymn said.

  “For you is more like it,” she said. She gave him a quick kiss. “I love that you’d lie for me.”

  Hymn rolled back and looked at her. “So how deep into the department do you think this goes? Betts’ men are watching over Elias. Is that a concern? These Brandon brothers work under her, don’t they?”

  “Under Chief Toody. Betts’ boss. I met him before. Nice enough, but I doubt he has the wherewithal to involve himself in all this.” Hannah wiggled her nose. “I still don’t think Betts has anything to do with this. You were right, Gran. The money involved is not enough. This is bigger than just the truffles. This has to do with a whole operation. Someone has hired guns.”

  “So, are you going to let Betts know about all this? That you were a witness?”

  “I am, after we talk with Lukas. If I go to her before, she’ll have me down at the station. It will expose the Brandon’s. Everything will be out on the table for our side, but whoever is behind this will still have cards to play.” She again looked at her phone. “I’ll give him a call, and then we’ll go.”

  Hannah got up and headed for the balcony. Hymn turned to Gran and smiled. “She just got shot at and acts like someone lobbed a snowball at her. Your granddaughter is something else.”

  “Get used to it. There’s little that throws my girl.”

  Hymn looked back across the room to Hannah, who stood on the balcony. She talked as one hand tapped the railing, and her brow furrowed.

  “Yes indeed,” he said in an admiring tone.

  Moments later, Hannah tapped off her phone and reentered the room.

  “He wasn’t pleased with you two coming, but he agreed when I told him it was all for one. Brunch is out. We’re meeting him on his boat in forty-five minutes instead. Let’s go.”

  Hannah moved to push Hymn to the door, but he stopped her.

  “Sorry, but I’m taking the crutches, so no arguing. This thing on the boat is too much, and there is no way I’m letting you two go alone. Besides, my butt hurts. I need to give it a rest.”