Party Perils by Patti Benning (reading list txt) 📗

“I don’t understand what I did wrong,” Caroline said, wiping at the tears on her face. “It’s all my fault. Oh, my goodness, Hannah, I killed someone.”

“It’s not your fault,” Hannah said immediately. “He must have been allergic to something you weren’t aware of. That’s not on you.”

“They’re allergic to peanuts,” Caroline said. “I’ve known that for years.”

Hannah felt a strange swooping sensation in her stomach. “Did… did you forget?”

“No, of course not,” Caroline said shocked. “None of what I made tonight had peanuts or anything that might have ever touched peanuts in it. All of my dishes were thoroughly washed and bleached. I’m careful, Hannah. I know you’re the only one of us who has actually had much restaurant experience before Hawk’s Place, but I’m still careful. Just as careful as you are. I would never make a stupid mistake like that.”

“Then what happened?” Hannah asked. She winced, realizing it sounded like she was blaming Caroline. “I believe you when you say that you didn’t include any allergens in the food. I do, trust me. But something must have happened – he must’ve been allergic to something else, something they didn't think to tell you about.”

“Now you’re saying it’s on them?” Caroline asked, her voice shaking. “It’s their fault that Edward is dead because they didn’t remember to tell me he had a new allergy?”

“No!” Hannah groaned, realizing just how badly she was messing this up. “It’s not anyone’s fault. Maybe he had an allergy they weren’t even aware of. But it definitely wasn’t your fault, and that’s what I'm trying to get through to you.”

“I’m the one who made the food that killed him, Hannah,” Caroline said quietly. “How is that not my fault?”

Hannah wrapped an arm around her, pulling her into a hug. She didn’t really have an answer to Caroline's question. She knew it wasn’t her friend’s fault, but she couldn't think of how to phrase it in a way that Caroline would accept right now. She knew that if she was in the other woman’s position, she would likely feel the same way.

Then she frowned as something occurred to her. “Caroline, Dean mentioned people took turns stirring the soup while you focused on the rest of the food. Any one of them could have slipped something into it without you noticing.”

Caroline pulled back, her eyes wide. “I didn’t even think of that. This might not be an accident at all.”

Hannah nodded. “It might be murder.”

It wasn’t long until the police arrived, and the others came out for questioning while the police looked through the house. Thankfully, the detective who questioned them was kind and gentle as he asked them all individually to relate their stories. Still, it took a long time, and they were all exhausted by the time he was done.

“What happens now?” Dean asked, back beside Caroline.

“The cause of death is still uncertain. Right now, we’re going to be treating it as an accidental death, but we’re still going to need to go through the house for evidence in case the case gets kicked up to manslaughter or homicide. Do the two of you have anywhere else to go tonight? You'll likely be able to return to your home shortly, but even so you will probably need to stay somewhere else until tomorrow, at least.”

“They can say with me,” Hannah volunteered quickly. Caroline gave her a grateful look and Dean nodded.

“If we can go inside and pack our bags, we will be out of your hair soon. When do you think we will be able to be back?”

“You’ll receive a call tomorrow with further details, but I expect you will be able to be back in your home within forty-eight hours at the latest.”

They thanked him, then Hannah followed Caroline and Dean back inside. Rebecca had already left, and Rich was in the process of getting into his car. The police officer gave Hannah a grim nod as she moved past. She leaned back against the wall inside with a sigh. Even with all of her grumbling about the dinner party, she had never expected something like this to happen. She would have taken boring and stuffy over someone’s death any day.

Chapter Four

Once they were back at her house, Hannah left Caroline and Dean alone to get settled in the guest room and went downstairs to make a call. She knew Caroline was scheduled to work the shift on Sunday and wanted to see if Brian could take it instead.

Even though she wasn’t willing to give away any specifics, she managed to get the gist across that this was important, and he agreed to take the single Sunday shift. It probably helped that she promised to cover him for next Sunday, when he’d originally been scheduled. Relieved, she ended the call just as Caroline came downstairs, Dean close behind her.

“Thanks for letting us stay here,” Caroline said. She gave Hannah a weak smile, but Hannah was just relieved that she wasn’t breaking down.

“Of course,” Hannah said. “You know you’re always welcome here, both of you. I have way too much space for just myself.”

“We probably would have wanted to stay here tonight anyway,” Dean said, rubbing Caroline's shoulders gently. “We really do appreciate it, though.”

Hannah waived his thanks off, and sat down on the couch. “So, listen, Caroline, about your shift tomorrow.”

“I completely forgot,” her friend gasped. “I – I won't be able to go in. Is there any way you could –”

“I already called Brian,” Hannah said. “I didn’t tell him exactly why, but I asked if he could take the shift and he agreed. I wanted to be free tomorrow in case you guys need me to do anything.”

“Thank you,” Caroline said. “Sorry I'm such a wreck.”

“Anyone would be, in your shoes,” Hannah said. “I’m so sorry this happened. I promise, I'll help you get to the bottom of it.”

Dean chuckled and sat on the couch, leading Caroline to sit next to him. “I’m