Kee Patterbee - Hannah Starvling 02 - The Gourmet Who Kept Diamonds in the Kitchen (11 page)

“
No need for that.” Hannah cleared up. “But for now, that friend is in the hospital, and I need answers, so if you’ll excuse me.” 

“
Of course,” Lukas said, the disappointment obvious in his voice.  “Listen, I know that we cannot talk today, but perhaps I could be of some help to your investigation later.”

Hannah shifted her weight. She eyed the man with suspicion.
“How so?”

“
I, too, have a background in law enforcement. My first career was as an investigator with the Swiss military. I could call you later at the hotel? We can arrange a time to meet.”

“
I don’t know what my schedule is going to be like,” Hannah said, ill at ease with his insistence.

“
I understand,” Lukas replied with another charming, sympathetic smile. “Perhaps tomorrow, or the next day then?”

Hannah felt more and more uncomfortable.
Then his eyes darted around and he looked straight at her. His smile was gone, replaced with a serious look in his eyes. He looked over to Gran.

“
Ms. Starvling, could I have a moment alone with your granddaughter?”

Gran said nothing
, but her eyes moved from the man over to Hannah. After a second, the culinary detective bobbed her head once in agreement. Gran agreed, but added as she pointed to a nearby booth. She spoke in deliberate, short, sentences. “I’ll be just over here. With my phone. Calling Jayland. To tell him where we are. So he’ll know.” After a brief glare at Lukas, she stepped away. Hannah caught onto her grandmother’s threat to Lukas and she was glad for it.

Once the elder snoop was at a distance, Lukas
peered at Hannah. “It is imperative to me that we talk,” he insisted. “Is there anything I can do to convince you to meet with me?” 

Hannah went into analytic mode. Under normal circumstances, she would have sent the man packing. She took in his eyes, his face, and his body language. There was more to his insistence than simple interest in her. It went beyond that. Something about the case intrigued him. He wanted to keep up with her, so she decide
d to let him. In turn, she would keep up with him.

Still, there was more to this. Something in his face told her that he was serious. He knew something. Logic told her to dismiss him. Gut instinct said otherwise. She chose to follow the latter.

“Is there something you know? Something you’re not telling me?”

Lukas shook his head and to
ok a slow look around the room. “I would prefer we not discuss anything here.” Glancing past Hannah, he seemed to see someone he recognized. “How about the day after tomorrow?” he asked with an intent tone.

Hannah was not sure what he was up
to, but she could not afford missing the opportunity to find out what the big mystery was about.

“
Okay,” she agreed. “Leave a number at the reception desk. I’ll get in touch when I can.”

Lukas nodded. His face was serious before. Now, it relaxed into a
nother smile. “I will schedule it. I hope everything turns out as it should with your friend.”

“
Thank you,” Hannah replied. With that, Lukas left, heading toward the exit. On his way out, he gestured to Gran, letting her know he was through.

Gran, having watch
ed the whole exchange, now showed curiosity on her face. “What the heck was that all about?”

“
I’m not sure yet, but I put him off until the day after tomorrow. He seemed pretty anxious, so by then…”

“
He’ll be bursting at the seams to tell you everything. Sweet plan.”

Hannah grinned.
“Should be, I learned it from you.” She leaned over and gave her grandmother a kiss on the forehead. “Come on now, let’s find our men. Burgers on me.”

“
I’ll have that fudge instead,” Gran said as the two exited the room.

Chapter 9

After finding Hym and Papa Jay in the lobby, fresh from a ride down in the elevators, Hannah suggested they grab something quick. She had something she needed carried out that afternoon. The sleuth also expressed a need to do something she would explain as soon as they had settled in. In truth though, she felt guilty. All she wanted was to have a few minutes alone with Hym before all of them headed to dinner on the yacht. The four ended up at Star Burger, a fast food chain with an impressive and quick franchise record.

After placing orders,
Hannah found a booth to discuss Elias’ change in condition, and the case up until this time. When it arrived, she dove into the food.  Though she consumed it in a ravenous manner, she complained about how it failed in comparison to its source.  “They killed your burgers, Papa Jay,” she commented. Popping the last of her fries in her mouth, she added, “And your taters.”

Hym gave a quizzical look.
“You own Star Burgers?”

Papa Jay shook his head.
“Nope, I owned Starvling Diner. That’s where they came from. Big northern outfit bought me out, turned it into a chain. That’s how I got the money to send Sweetness to that fancy smancy cooking school. Left us with a decent enough retirement too.” Holding up one of the French fries, he studied it for a second. “Can’t say much for my legacy, though.”

Gran gave a harsh look.
“Oh shush. Michael and Hannah are your legacy. They turned out perfect.” She looked at Hym smiling. “Besides, you never know. There’s still time for more.”

Papa Jay leaned over to Hym but motioned toward Gran.  In a low voice, he said,
“Remember, son, DNA, it’s built in.” He then looked at his granddaughter who eyed the front counter menu. “Remember that before you make any crazy decisions.”

Hym glance
d over at Hannah as she and Gran talked of ordering more. A smile crept across his face. “Will do, sir,” he replied.

After ordering several small, fried lemon and apple pies, Hannah explained her plan.

“We have some things we need to do, including checking in on Elias,” she thumbed to Gran, “and checking out his and Janine’s room.”

Gran
’s eyes perked up and her attention focused on Hannah. “We? As in you and me?” she said, gesturing between herself and her granddaughter.

“
As in you and me.”

Hannah
smiled at Gran, causing her grandmother to return the same, but one riddled with excitement. Keeping the older gumshoe out of her love life proved itself as an impossibility. Hannah’s only remaining option was to distract the woman with the case and tap into her talents as an investigator.

Papa Jay gave another concerned frown.
“That might be dangerous. What if whoever did this sees y’all there? If they catch you two snoopin’ around, they might not take kindly to it. Send you both out the window. Just like Elias.”

Studying Hannah,
Hym added, “Do you have some way of protecting yourselves?”

“
You mean other than her fancy moves?” Gran made a mocking martial arts hand move.

“
We’ll be fine.”

“
I never considered cooking to be a dangerous business,” Papa Jay said. “Knew I should have packed my weapons.”

“
You haven’t fired those things in half a century,” Gran scolded.

“
Clean ‘em once a month though. Never forget. You never forget how to fire. Like riding a bike. Ain’t that right, son?”

Hym nodded and gave a slight grin.

Hannah interrupted. “Regardless, we need to do this.”

“
What do you plan on doing?” Hym asked.

“
Get in. Investigate. Find out who did this. Why they did this? Who this Dahlia is?” Hannah replied. “I can tell you this. I’m sure it was deliberate.”

“So, someone did target Elias,”
Gran said, tugging at her ear.

Hannah watched her grandmother
’s particular, signature move. Now, the elder Starvling invested herself in Hannah’s proceedings.

“
I don’t understand any of this. Elias is just a chef, right?” Hym queried. “I mean, it seems pretty obvious he got mixed up in something dangerous and almost paid for it with his life,” Hym suggested.

“
I suppose so, but I never thought of him as being criminal by nature,” Hannah admitted. “But now, I couldn’t say. It may all be about his mushrooms.” With those words, she thought of Wexler and Ducky. Then, she recalled Madeline, and added, “It could be about something else altogether.”

“
Sweetness,” Papa Jay said, sporting a stern face and harsh tone. “Don’t let Scooby talk you into anything you’ll regret. I only got enough of a credit line on my card to bail one of you out.” He eyed Gran. “And guess which one it would be. Here’s a clue. I don’t call her Scooby.”

Gran harrumphed.
“Like I need your money, you old coot. Hannah and I can sweet talk our way out of anything.”

“
That so?” Papa Jay crossed his arms and gave an incredulous look.

Gran leaned over and gave her husband a smooch.
“You’d come get me, now wouldn’t you? Admit it.”

Papa Jay unfurled his arms and rolled his eyes.
“Guess I’d have too. For Sweetness sake.”

A mischievous smile crept across Gran
’s face. “Hah! See. I can sweet talk my way out of anything.”

She gave Papa Jay one more quick smooch, much to Hannah and Hym
’s amusement, adding, “See you back at the hotel, and don’t get caught up with anything, Grumpus. Love you.” She looked at Hym and winked. “Watch after the old coot for me, will you.”

Hym gave a quick Boy Scout salute.

As the two exited the eatery, heading toward the hotel, the elder Starvling recounted one of her adventures. She found it akin to the case at hand. Hannah half listened as her mind drifted off to what was about to occur. Gran and she needed to get into the room as quiet and efficient as possible. Thinking it through, she wondered if her bringing the old snoop along was such a good idea, but seeing how animated her grandmother was since she invited her along, she could not back out. So, she proceeded.

Glancing down
the street toward the hotel, Hannah noted it was well after two PM and that everything appeared normal. She was certain that the police would have the room blocked off still.
If they’re worth their salt
, she conceived. Now, it was just a matter of finding a way in. She needed a plausible explanation to access the room. The first thing that came to mind was to feign tears. She would pretend she was there on Janine’s behalf and that they needed access to his personal items. This presented itself as a definite possibility, but if the hotel staff sent someone along with them, she would not be able to do her work. She then considered asking Ducky to help if he were working. He could get them access to the room, she imagined. Still, she wasn’t sure if he was somehow involved. If he was, he might have already altered some of the evidence. If she did find evidence while he was there with them, the situation might turn ugly. In the end, she decided bringing him into it was too risky.

Thinking along further, Hannah decided on another plan. In part, it included seeing how the situation presented itself.
This was her usual method of approach. “Listen to your gut and go with it,” Gran told her often while recounting her investigative adventures. With her along for the adventure, Hannah was certain she would approve of the plan.

Going over her plan, Hannah considered that u
nder normal circumstances, it would have come to mind first. However, this was not normal circumstances. Elias was a friend and former boyfriend. The whole affair set her on edge, and her usual, organized self still reeled at the image of him lying atop the car. 

“
Everything okay, dear?” Gran asked.

“
Fine, there’s an electronics store a few streets over. We need to make a quick stop in there first.”

Gran
nodded, but did not ask why. She just followed along as the two made their way to the store. After entering, Gran stood back. She watched her granddaughter engage a nervous looking young man in some general conversation. “Turnbull,” the culinary detective said, pulling out her silky, smooth voice. She placed her hand over his, then leaned forward and whispered into his ear. His face twisted and he bobbed his head once. He disappeared through a door behind the counter at the rear of the business. Moments later, he returned and handed Hannah a small bag. She offered him some money, but he refused. Gran heard her say, “Two weeks.” With that, the man agreed with a head bob. Hannah returned the same, as she motioned to Gran to follow. They exited the store and headed back in the direction of the hotel.

As they
continued, Gran studied her granddaughter, but said nothing. Sensing the elder snoop’s eyes upon her, Hannah anticipated the question and answered.

“
His name is Cody Turnbull. Second year up here for the festival, I caught him testing key code entry devices. He didn’t take anything, just opened the doors and closed them. A bit of a nerdy geek. Electronics are his thing. If it buzzes, beeps, blinks, or lights up, he’s the man for it. Brilliant at it. So rather than turn him in, I use him. Every now and again, I get stuff from him. I call him up and he sends me what I want. In return, I send him what he wants.”

Hannah's words intrigued Gran.
“What does he want?”

Hannah stopped and looked down
in a pause. She frowned and kicked at the ground. “Pictures of me.”

Gran
’s eyes narrowed.

“
In my hat.”

The corners of Gran
’s mouth pulled in, as her eyes then opened wide.

“
Wearing Victorian dress and holding swords.” She twisted her neck and looked at Gran. “Sometimes it’s pistols.”

Gran
’s mouth fell agape. “What,” she responded with disbelief?

“
He’s into women wearing Victorian dress. I’ve sent him pictures of Cate, too.”

“
You have all your clothes on, right?”

“
Of course, everything necessary covered. Just in Victorian clothing. Always in a hat. That parts a must. Sometimes with the big sword. Sometimes holding pistols.”

Gran
’s eyes held a blank look. “Weird,” she managed in a monotone voice.

“
Who am I to judge?”

“
Don’t tell your grandfather.”

“
Not in a million years.”

“
What’d you get in exchange?”

“
You’ll see.”

Under her breath, the elder snoop mumbled,
“I remember when I could get away with something like that.”

Hannah
’s shoulder bumped her grandmother as they walked along. “Still can. It’s probable Turnbull could hook you up with some people.”

Gran smiled at the thought.
“It’s probable Jayland could kill someone, in and out of prison. I’m sure he might have a thing or two to say about it.”

The
ladies made their way two blocks down to the hotel. They entered into the lobby and glanced around in a casual manner as they made their way to the elevators. Not seeing the police or Ducky, they waited until the bell rang, the doors opened, and they stepped inside.

Once the
door was closed, Hannah said, “I should have already done this. We’re working against the clock if you think about it.”

“
How so?”

“
Like Papa Jay said, the person or persons who assaulted Elias could try again to make sure to finish the job.”

Gran frowned.
“You think they’d try that at the hospital? Seems rather exposed.”

“
Not if you’re desperate. Think about it. If Elias wakes up, he could identify his attacker, or he may know something they don’t want others to know.”

The elevator dinged, and the two stepped out upon the doors opening. Given that the Babel
’s room was above her own, Hannah knew where to go. Even from down the hall, the yellow crime tape stood out.

As she made her way down the hall, Hannah considered all the questions that pres
ented themselves at the moment. There was a reason for the attack on Elias. Whether his going over the balcony was intentional or accidental, remained undetermined. Was it about his mushrooms? Or something else? Who could have done it? Of her potential suspects – Ducky, Madeline, Wexler, and Janine—only Wexler had the true physicality to pull off throwing a man from the balcony, were they to resist.
Doesn’t eliminate the possibility of two people working together
, she noted.
Two
. The word echoed through her head.
Working together or hired to do so?
And the most important unanswered question came to mind.
Who is Dahlia?

The last question intrigued Hannah the most. Was Dahlia indeed a
‘who’? Upon occasion, she ran into the word as a female name. Ever since the so-called Black Dahlia case of 1947, seldom did anyone burden a child with the name. Considering that incident, Hannah hoped it held no connection to the one she worked. In that case, a young twenty three year old female named Elizabeth Short, met a gruesome demise. Murdered in Liemert Park, a district in Los Angeles. Elias and Janine both lived not too far from the area. If Hannah recalled correct, Janine’s parents raised her there.