Apple Turnover Murder

from the get-go he wasn’t the killer. Anyone who finished two chocolate cookies in less than a minute couldn’t possibly be capable of murder.

She was just crossing Tim’s name off her suspect list when her sister barreled through the door separating the kitchen from the coffee shop. “This is it!” she said. “I’m finished!”

Hannah took one look at her usually immaculate sister and knew chocolate was in order. Andrea’s eyes were wild, her hair was escaping the neat French knot she’d fashioned at the nape of her neck, and she’d chewed her lipstick half off. Since Andrea would never appear in public this way unless she were dying or a crisis was on the horizon, Hannah led her to a stool at the workstation, poured her a soothing cup of coffee, and set a whole plate of Brownies Plus within easy reach.

Andrea reached for a brownie and ate it. And then she reached for another. Hannah waited until her sister had eaten three of the chocolate-laden cookie bars before she asked her question. “What’s wrong, Andrea?”

“It’s Tachyon. They’re ruining my life!”

“They offered Bill an even better deal?” Hannah guessed.

“Yes! Those…those home wreckers! Those family breaker-uppers! Those…” Andrea stopped and gave a shuddering sigh. “I just don’t know what to do, Hannah. I can’t fight this kind of thing.”

“What kind of thing?”

“What they offered Bill this time. They said that if I didn’t want to move, they’d fly him back home every other weekend so he could spend time with us. They promised him first-class tickets and a car service to drive him to and from the airports.”

“Oh boy, do they want him!” Hannah breathed.

“I know! I just don’t know how he can resist something like this. It’s really an incredible job offer.”

Hannah thought about it for a minute. “You’re right. It is an incredible offer. What is Bill going to do?”

“I don’t know. He told them he’d give them his decision by Monday. I think he’s going to take it, Hannah. I really do!”

“Without consulting you?”

“Of course not. He did consult me and I told him to do what he thought was best for all of us. What else could I say? He knows how I feel about moving.”

“You’ve done all you can,” Hannah said, reaching out to touch her sister’s hand. “But…”

“What?” Andrea asked, noticing Hannah’s frown.

“I’m not sure, but…” Hannah stopped to think about it for another moment. “There’s something wrong. I’m sure of it. It’s not that Bill isn’t worth all these perks. It’s just that…”

“What?” Andrea interrupted, leaning forward.

“It’s just that no big company should offer that much for a single employee. Sure, Bill’s qualified, but there must be other qualified people who’d jump at the opportunity. Did you or Bill think to check them out to see if the offers he’s getting are legitimate?”

“No, but they’ve been calling him for over a week now. They must be serious.”

“Has Bill ever called them back?”

“I…I don’t think so. I think they’re always the ones to call him.” Andrea stopped and began to frown. “What do you think is going on?”

“I’m not sure. The question I’d be asking is, Is Tachyon really calling Bill? And if the answer is no, I’d be asking, Who could be playing this kind of horrid joke on Bill, and why are they doing it?”

Andrea sat back and looked dazed. She was silent for several long moments. “You could be right. We never thought of anything like that.”

“Have Bill call Tachyon and see if they’ve called him.”

“I’ll run out to the station to see him right now!” Andrea exclaimed, jumping up from her stool. “Have I ever told you what a great sister you are?”

Hannah smiled. “Yes, but I never get tired of hearing it.”

WATERMELON COOKIES

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F., rack in the middle position.

1 package

(.16-ounce)

watermelon

(or any other flavor)

Kool-Aid powder

(Don’t get the kind with sugar or sugar substitute added.)

1 and

²

/

₃

cup white

(granulated)

sugar

1 and ? cups softened butter

(2 and ? sticks, 10 ounces)

2 large eggs, beaten

(just whip them up in a glass with a fork)

? teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking soda

3 cups all-purpose flour

(pack it down in the cup when you measure it)

? cup white

(granulated)

sugar in a bowl

Hannah’s 1^stNote: When Brandi makes these cookies, she rolls them out on a floured board and uses cookie cutters. Rolled cookies take more time than other types of cookies, so Lisa and I modified Brandi’s recipe for use at The Cookie Jar.

Mix the watermelon Kool-Aid with the granulated sugar.

Add the softened butter and mix until it’s nice and fluffy.

Add the eggs and mix well.

Mix in the salt and the baking soda. Make sure they’re well incorporated.

Add the flour in half-cup increments, mixing after each addition.

Spray cookie sheets with Pam or another nonstick cooking spray. You can also use parchment paper if you prefer.

Roll dough balls one inch in diameter with your hands. (We use a 2-teaspoon cookie scooper at The Cookie Jar.)

Roll the cookie balls in the bowl of white sugar and place them on the cookie sheet, 12 to a standard-size sheet.

Bake the Watermelon Cookies at 325 degrees F. for 10 to 12 minutes (mine took 11 minutes) or until they’re just beginning to turn golden around the edges. Don’t overbake.

Let the cookies cool on the cookie sheets for no more than a minute, and then remove them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Yield: Approximately 6 dozen pretty and unusual cookies that kids will adore, especially if you tell them that