Page 48 (1/2)

"What's your bid?" Roy helped himself to a pretzel as he studied his own hand Her husband and Bob Beldon had walked aith the first three galoried in their triuuys have already won three in a row," Corrie said "I think Peggy and I could use a break"

"Ah, it's just getting good," Bob protested

"I'llthe two

"All right, all right," Royhis disappointy followed Corrie into the kitchen and leaned against the counter as Corrie set up the hot air popcorn popper She took a stick of butter froenerous cube to melt in the microwave "I can't bear to eat popcorn without real butter," she explained With theits usual racket, Corrie joined her friend at the counter

"I still can't believe it" Peggy let the words fade

"You're in shock about Hannah, aren't you?"

Peggy nodded "Not for even a second did I suspect she was capable of murder"

"Have you been to see her at the jail?"

Peggy shook her head "She's refused all visitors, including ht as she due bowl and poured on the melted butter

"I talked to Troy Davis earlier in the week and he told alities have been dealt with, she'll be transferred to the woine how difficult this rown close to Hannah over the last feeeks The horror of learning that the young woman was responsible for her parents' deaths had, needless to say, distressed her At this stage, Peggy couldn't influence the girl's situation at all The authorities in California had been notified and were in the process of arresting the friend who'd ta Extradition papers would be filed against Hannah soon Unless a deal could be made, she'd stand trial in her home state of California

"I' her friend's arm

"I know I ay bowed her head for a moment, then looked up "What I want to knohen Roy and the sheriff figured it out"

Not sure what to tell her, Corrie shrugged "I can't answer that Although ork in the same office, my husband usually keeps his suspicions to hih that thick head of his What I can tell you is that he and Troy discussed the case now and then and coy's expression was pained, as if she was reliving the uess is that Roy and the sheriff went over their ideas together and came to the sa about ain?" Roy asked as he stepped into the kitchen, Bob directly behind him

"Obviously we've so outplayed you woly

"We could always put on a DVD," Roy suggested, scooping up a handful of buttered popcorn "Nothing goes better with popcorn than a movie"

Bob yawned "I don't knoe should It's getting to be the witching hour for y said reluctantly She turned to Corrie "Dinner onderful An evening out was just what Bob and I needed to get our minds off this mess"

"It was our pleasure," Roy said He slipped his arm around Corrie's waist and they accompanied their friends to the front door When Corrie had retrieved their jackets froy's for her

"Look," Peggy said when they opened the door "Soed fruit basket stood on the porch Filled with apples, oranges, bananas, grapes and a variety of nuts and chocolate, it rapped in silvery cellophane and decorated with a large plaid bow

"Who would send us so like this?" Corrie asked, surprised and pleased, but when she bent to reach for it, Roy stopped her

"Aour doorbell?" His ar the basket "Leave it where it is," he said, frowning