“Chad Norton?” Hannah guessed.
“So they say. He’s never had an outburst like that in front of me, but the story around here is that Chad exploded in front of another judge when he lost what he thought was an open and shut case. That judge threw him in jail for contempt, and in order to be released, Chad had to apologize to the judge, pay a hefty fine, and complete an anger management course.”
“From what I hear about his personality, something like that must have stuck in Chad’s craw.”
“I’m sure it did. And it would have put an end to his career plans if it had been made public, but it wasn’t.”
“Why not?”
“I’m not sure, but the matter was kept under wraps. The whole thing was like it never happened. Nobody except Chad and the judge know about it.”
“Except for whoever told you.”
“That’s true. Word gets around in these hallowed halls, but we know the rules. We talk to each other, but never to any outsiders.”
“You’re talking to me.”
“Yes, but you’re investigating Judge Colfax’s murder. And Howie told me that you can be trusted. I want to give you any information I have that’ll help you catch the killer.”
Hannah’s eyes narrowed. “I was under the impression that you didn’t like Judge Colfax. Was I wrong?”
“You’re not wrong. Judge Colfax was a royal pain in the you-know-where, but he was murdered while I was on duty. That makes me partly responsible. If I’d been in his chambers at the time, it never would have happened.”
Guilt,
Hannah’s mind told her.
Dave feels guilty because he wasn’t there to protect Judge Colfax.
“You probably couldn’t have stopped it even if you’d been there,” Hannah said, in an effort to make him feel better. “It looked to me as if the killer went berserk with anger. Getting back to Chad Norton . . . has he ever gotten violent again?”
“Not that I’ve heard of. And I would have heard. People tell me things.”
“So as far as you know, he’s never had an outburst in court since he took that anger management course?”
Dave shook his head. “If he has, I haven’t heard about it.”
“Tell me what you know about Judge Colfax’s personal life. Does he have a family?”
“One son by his first wife. They’re divorced. Bitterly from what I hear. The son is trying to make his living as a musician. His name is Seth, but he took his mother’s family name when they divorced.”
“You said the son was
trying
to make his living as a musician. Isn’t he doing well?”
“I don’t think so. One of the clerks heard him once and she said he wasn’t very good. He sings with a band called Liquid Steel.”
Hannah wrote that in her book. “What else can you tell me about him?”
“He’s a mama’s boy. Judge Colfax told me Seth doesn’t work at a regular job and that Sheila is supporting him.”
“She works?”
“No, Sheila doesn’t work. She doesn’t have to. Her father died and left her enough money to set her up for life, but she still cashes her monthly alimony check from Judge Colfax. I know because he told me the alimony check was a day late and she’d already called him about it three times. He asked me to hand it to her personally so that he would know exactly when she got it.”
“Did you happen to notice what her last name was?”
“Sure did. It’s the same as my wife’s grandmother’s last name. Dortweiler.”
Hannah jotted Sheila Dortweiler in her book. “What was Mrs. Dortweiler doing when you handed her the check?”
“She was sitting in her living room drinking coffee and eating a peanut butter and banana sandwich.”
“Do you remember where Mrs. Dortweiler lives?”
“I do. She’s got a big place on the lake in Annandale. It’s less than an hour from here. I’ll give you the address. Judge Colfax told me that after I’d hand delivered his check, I could take the rest of the day off. I thought that was really nice of him until my paycheck came and I found out that what it amounted to was taking the rest of the day off without pay.”
Hannah held her pen poised over a blank line. Was telling someone to take the day off and not paying them a motive for murder?
“And don’t start writing my name in that book of yours,” Dave said. “I didn’t do it and I’ve got an alibi. I was talking to my wife on the phone when the judge was killed and it’ll be on my phone records. Have the cops check, if you like. The phone company won’t give the records to you, but they always cooperate when the request comes from someone in law enforcement.”
“That’s not necessary,” Hannah said, even though she was already wondering if the deputies in charge would do that with all their persons of interest and if Michelle would ask Lonnie to make a copy for her. “What’s Judge Colfax’s current wife’s name?”
“Nora. She’s really nice. I’ve met her and I like her.”
Hannah noticed the omission. Dave had met Nora and he liked her. He’d also met Sheila if he’d delivered Judge Colfax’s check to her house, but Dave hadn’t said he liked her.
“Did Judge Colfax and his current wife have any children?”
“No.”
“Then he had only the one son?”
“Actually . . . no. He has a daughter by a woman named Margaret George. He was reminiscing about her one afternoon. I guess she was a really nice gal and he was going to marry her, but he met Nora and that was that.”
“Do you know anything about Judge Colfax’s high profile cases?”
“Not really. He just filled in around here. All the high-profile cases were delayed until the regular judges got back.”
Hannah glanced down at her notes. Dave Johansen had given her a wealth of information and it was a good place to start her investigation. She had only one question left to ask. “Do you know anyone in addition to Chad Norton who had a motive to kill Judge Colfax?”
Dave thought for a moment and then he shook his head. “No, not unless someone he convicted wanted revenge. He didn’t have any cases like that here, but if I were you, I’d check his case records. Even murderers get out on parole eventually. And there’s always the families of the victims. Someone like that might have thought their loved one’s killer or rapist got off too easy.”
“That’s a good idea,” Hannah said, even though she’d already thought of it. “Thanks, Dave. You’ve been a big help.”
“You’re welcome. He wasn’t a bad guy, you know. He just got crotchety in the last year or so. Maybe he was in pain. That’ll make some people cantankerous.”
Hannah said her goodbyes and went out to the lobby to meet Howie. He wasn’t there yet and she sat down in a chair to write another note in her Murder Book.
Check with Nora C. about Judge Colfax’s health.
Chapter Fourteen
W
hen she walked in the back door of The Cookie Jar, Hannah found Norman waiting for her at the stainless steel work island. There was a cup of coffee in his hand and a welcoming smile on his face.
“We didn’t get a chance to talk very much last night,” Norman said, patting the stool next to him. “Sit down, Hannah, and tell me all about Vegas and the wedding.”
“Vegas was good. Michelle and Andrea took me to buy a new bathing suit and all three of us enjoyed the pools. We really loved the show tickets you gave us, too.”
“That’s great. How was the wedding?”
“It was fun. You’ll see the video at the party. The wedding chapel was small, but it was nice, except for the videographer in the Elvis wig.”
“Oh, no!” Norman laughed. “Was your mother really upset about that?”
“Not really. She was having too much fun to be upset. She said the wig was so awful, she was going to ask them to play ‘Love Me Tender’ at the ceremony.”
“She didn’t!”
“Oh, yes she did. It was a great wedding, Norman. Mother and Doc looked very happy.”
“They deserve to be happy. Did you meet anyone interesting?”
He knew! Hannah felt an instant of panic and her heart jumped up to her throat. Somehow Norman knew about Ross! What should she do? What should she say? Somehow she had to handle this without hurting Norman’s feelings.
The truth
, Hannah’s mind instructed.
Tell him the truth.
Hannah knew her instinct was right and fair. There was no way she could lie to Norman. But caution prevailed. The whole truth could wait until they were in private . . . if she told him at all. Perhaps she’d change her mind about Ross when she saw him again.
Fat chance!
her mind mocked her.
You’re in love with Ross and you know it. It’s a lot different from the way you feel about Norman. Norman’s a friend, a wonderful friend, and there’s no denying that you do love him. But, as you’ve thought so many times in the past, you don’t love him enough to marry him.
Was she thinking clearly? Or was she deluding herself? She had to consider the fact that her mother’s wedding was very romantic. Just seeing Delores and Doc together had made her long for someone she could love the way that they loved each other. There was also the romantic atmosphere of Las Vegas to consider. She had been on vacation and alone in a hotel room. Ross had been in a suite only a few steps down the hall. It was possible that what she was feeling for Ross was a vacation fantasy that had no part in the reality of everyday life. She should wait to tell Norman until she was sure that her feelings for Ross were real.
Nice job of rationalization,
her mind said sarcastically.
Are you going to tell him, or not?
Not,
Hannah’s inner voice answered.
I won’t tell him everything until I find out if it’s real.
Hedging your bets?
Hannah made a conscious decision to stifle her sarcastic mind. She would refuse to listen and go with her heart.
“I didn’t meet anyone that interesting,” she responded, hoping her answer hadn’t taken too long, “with the exception of Doc’s best man. That was a complete surprise.”
“Who was it?”
Norman didn’t know, and Hannah drew a deep breath of relief. “Ross Barton,” she answered. “You remember him, don’t you?”
“Sure I do. What happened to the friend from medical school that Doc was going to ask?”
“He was doing something for Doctors Without Borders and couldn’t get back to the States in time.”
Norman looked thoughtful. “Was Ross working on a project in Vegas?”
“I’m not sure, but he did have a meeting with someone while he was there. He told us he wasn’t happy in Hollywood and he was looking for something else.”
“Then he was probably flying to Vegas anyway for that meeting. What’s he looking for anyway?”
“I don’t know. He didn’t go into specifics with us. But I do know he’s coming to Lake Eden for an interview at KCOW Television.”
“Good. He’s a nice guy, and I’d like to see him again. How long is he staying?”
“I don’t know that either,” Hannah answered quite truthfully since Ross hadn’t told her . . . yet. And then she said something off the top of her head that she wished she could call back the instant the words left her mouth. “Michelle’s making dinner on Thursday night and we invited Ross. Would you like to join us?”
“Sure. I haven’t seen Ross since he shot that movie here in Lake Eden. And if there’s food involved, Mike will probably show up, too. It’ll be like old home week.”
Not exactly,
Hannah thought, but she didn’t say it. What on earth had gotten into her, extending the invitation to Norman?!
“What time is dinner?” Norman asked her. “And do you want me to bring Cuddles?”
“Come at six o’clock and yes, please bring Cuddles. That’ll make Moishe very happy.”
“Now I have an invitation for you,” Norman said, smiling at her. “Will you come to dinner with me at the Lake Eden Inn tonight? I already invited Michelle and Lonnie, and I’m going to invite Andrea and Bill. I thought it would be fun to celebrate the fact that your court case was dismissed.”
“How nice!” Hannah was genuinely touched at Norman’s thoughtfulness. “Are you going to invite Mike?”
“I’d better. After all . . .”
“There’s food involved!” Norman and Hannah said together. And then they shared a laugh.
Hannah was just slipping the last pan of cookies in the oven when Michelle came into the kitchen from the coffee shop. “Did Norman invite you to dinner at the Inn?”
“Yes. And I invited him to dinner Thursday night.”
“Then Ross isn’t coming?”
“Ross
is
coming. He thought he’d finish his interview by four at the latest and then he’s coming to my place.”
“So Norman is coming and Ross is coming.”
“Yes. And Mike will probably show up. He usually does . . .”
“When food is involved,” Michelle finished Hannah’s sentence with a laugh. But then she quickly sobered and a worried expression crossed her face.
“What’s the matter?” Hannah asked her.
“I was just thinking about dinner with Norman, and Mike, and Ross. Won’t it get ugly with all three of them there at the same time?”
Hannah thought about that for a moment and then she shook her head. “I don’t think so. Norman likes Ross and so does Mike. Norman even said that it would be like old home week.”
Michelle didn’t say anything. She just stared hard at Hannah.
“What?” Hannah asked her, puzzled by that reaction.
Michelle gave a little sigh. “Sometimes Hannah, you’re a babe in the woods, especially when it comes to men. You really don’t know what you’re doing, do you?”
“What do you mean?”
“You’re clueless. I can tell. You’re getting the three rivals together in one place at the same time. That means what you’re doing is comparison shopping!”
Hannah blinked. And then she blinked again. Finally she said, “Maybe you’re right, but I never
meant
to do that! Really I didn’t.”
“I believe you. I said it before, you’re clueless.”
“Can’t you at least say guileless? It sounds much better.”
“Okay, you’re guileless. I think I knew more about men in high school than you do now.”
Hannah was silent for a long moment. Perhaps she had made a big mistake. Unfortunately, she didn’t know how to correct it. “What do you think I should do, Michelle?”
“There’s nothing you can do to reverse things. My advice would be to sit back and let it all play out between Norman, Mike, and Ross.”
“But you said it might get ugly!”
“It might. That depends on how you act and how Ross acts. I think Ross will be fine. I’m sure he’s been in situations like this before.”
Hannah caught her sister’s inference. “But you’re not so sure about me.”
“That’s right. I think we need a distraction. So far it’s just you and me and the three guys. I’ll invite Lonnie. That’ll help. And I’ll give Andrea a call at the office and ask her to come over here to discuss it.”
“I’ll do it,” Hannah said. “I have to talk to her anyway. I want Tracey to run out to the mall with me when she gets out of school.”
“Going comparison shopping?”
Michelle eyes were twinkling and Hannah knew she was kidding. “I think I’ve done enough of that, at least for today! I’m going out there to pick up a new phone.”
“You’re emerging from the Dark Ages?”
“I guess you could say that. It shouldn’t take long. Tracey’s an expert when it comes to the new phones. She’ll steer me in the right direction.”
“I have no doubt of that. Tracey’s a genius when it comes to anything electronic. When you talk to Andrea, ask her to think of another couple we can invite. The more people we have, the more the distraction. And the more the distraction, the less the tension.”
After Michelle went back to the coffee shop, Hannah got herself a big glass of water. She felt like she’d been hit between the eyes with a sledgehammer. She’d really had no concept of the problems she’d created by inviting Norman. Now they’d have only forty-eight hours to plan and prepare a dinner party and that meant more work for both of them.
“I think we’ve got it, Hannah,” Andrea said. They were sitting at the work island and all three sisters had just sampled Hannah’s latest batch of cookies and pronounced them excellent. “Read the list of guests and we’ll see if we have enough.”
“You and Bill, Michelle and Lonnie, Lisa and Herb, Norman, Mike, and Ross. Counting me, that’s ten.”
“I think we need a couple of single women,” Michelle suggested. “They’ll be a distraction for Mike and Norman. With other women there, they won’t be concentrating so much on you.”
“Agreed,” Andrea said. “It’s really too bad Mother and Doc aren’t here. Mother could distract anyone.”
“Is that a compliment?” Hannah asked her.
“I don’t know. Mother does tend to dominate the conversation, but in this case, we need someone who can do that.”
“I’ve got an idea,” Hannah said. “How about Tracey and Bethie? I think they’d be just as distracting as two single women.”
Andrea groaned. “I
know
they’d be distracting, especially in Bethie’s case. Grandma McCann just taught her the ‘Itsy Bitsy Spider’ song and she wants everyone to sing it with her. And Tracey can take you away from the group by helping you with the new phone she helps you buy.”
“Then Tracey and Bethie are in.” Michelle sounded very certain. “Kids are a great distraction. And we’ll ask Norman to bring Cuddles.”
“He’s bringing her,” Hannah said. “I already asked him to.”
“That means
Feet Up
. It’s a perfect distraction. Let’s make sure we drop little pieces of pork chop to bait them.”
“Let’s ask Grandma McCann, too,” Andrea suggested. “That way she can take the girls home at bedtime, and Bill and I can stay until Mike and Norman leave.”
“Good idea,” Michelle gestured for Hannah to write it down.
Hannah flipped the page in her notebook and added her nieces and Grandma McCann. “We’ve got thirteen.”
Andrea frowned. “I’m not that superstitious, but thirteen is an unlucky number.”
“In some cultures it’s a lucky number,” Hannah told her.
“But we don’t live in those cultures. I think we ought to have at least one more. How many people can you fit around your table, Hannah?”
“I have fourteen chairs and a highchair for Bethie. Fifteen would be crowded, but it’s possible, especially since Tracey is small.”
“It
is
fourteen counting Cuddles,” Michelle pointed out. “Moishe and Cuddles are distractions, too.”
“And they don’t have to sit at the table,” Hannah said with a laugh.
“You’re right, Michelle,” Andrea agreed. “I think we’ve got the ideal crowd to take Hannah off the hot seat.” She turned to Hannah. “I can bring some applesauce to go with the pork. Grandma McCann makes it from scratch.”
“Applesauce would be great with pork,” Hannah told her, looking down at her notebook and flipping the page to the menu they’d come up with earlier. “We’ve got your applesauce with Michelle’s Lick Your Chops Pork.” She turned to her youngest sister. “Your pork dish has potatoes, doesn’t it?”
“Yes. It has potatoes and gravy, with onions, bell peppers, and mushrooms on the side. It’s yummy and goopy, if you know what I mean, so we’ll need some kind of bread to soak up the gravy.”
“How about a quick bread?” Hannah suggested.
Andrea looked puzzled. “What’s a quick bread?”
“A bread without yeast,” Hannah explained. “Savory muffins are a quick bread and so are biscuits. Actually, so is banana bread, but I wouldn’t serve it with pork chops. How about cranberry biscuits? Cranberries go well with pork.”
“Do you have a recipe for those?” Andrea asked.
“No, but I can wing it. I’ll try them out later this afternoon to see if they work.”
“I’ll be at the office until five,” Andrea informed her. “You can always call me and I can taste them for you. I could even take a couple home to Bill to get his opinion.”
Hannah smiled. She knew exactly what Bill’s opinion would be. He loved biscuits in any way, shape, or form and he was also fond of cranberries. “Good idea,” she told Andrea. “I’ll call you when they’re ready.”
Hannah was just sitting down with her mid-afternoon cup of coffee when Lisa came into the kitchen carrying an empty display jar. “Thanks for the invitation, Hannah. Herb and I would love to come to dinner at your place.”