Devil's Food Cake Murder (Hannah Swensen, #14)(4)

“That’s what everyone thought, but looking back on it now, I’m afraid it was the start of something bigger, almost like a trial run just to see if he could get away with it.”

“What makes you think that?” Claire asked.

Matthew drew a deep breath, and Hannah could see that he was uncomfortable talking about his cousin. “Well…things escalated when our parents finished their mission and Paul’s family moved to Cedar Rapids.”

“What do you mean, escalated?” Grandma Knudson asked.

“Let’s just say that Paul didn’t grow up to be an outstanding citizen, if you know what I mean.”

“Oh, dear! I was afraid of something like that. Paul didn’t seem the least bit remorseful when I talked to him about the school lockers.” Grandma Knudson gave a sigh, and then she reached out to pat Matthew’s hand. “You don’t have to sugar-coat it for me, Matthew. Did Paul commit a crime?”

Matthew hesitated briefly, and then he dipped his head. “Yes, he did. I don’t know all the details, but we heard he was serving ten to twenty in a prison in Iowa.”

“Ten to twenty is a stiff sentence,” Bob remarked. “Your cousin must have done something fairly serious.”

“It was a burglary gone bad. I had a private detective look into it, and he said Paul got out in five.”

“But that’s only half of his sentence,” Hannah pointed out.

“I know. The detective thought it was probably due to prison overcrowding and a reduction in funding. All I really know is that Paul was released and a few days later the trail went cold.”

“Maybe he learned his lesson and decided to become an honest person,” Claire suggested. “He could have moved to another state and started a new life.”

“Maybe.”

Hannah noticed that Matthew didn’t sound at all convinced. It was clear that he didn’t think his cousin was now on the straight and narrow. “What made you hire a private detective?” she asked.

“My Aunt Sarah was diagnosed with bone cancer. She’s Paul’s mother, and I thought he ought to know, that maybe he’d come home, or write a letter to her, or something. But the detective couldn’t find Paul. There was no trace of him anywhere after he left prison.”

“Is it possible he changed his name?” Claire asked.

“He could have done that. The detective told me it’s not that difficult to assume someone else’s identity. For all we know, Paul’s in Mexico, or Canada, or another foreign country living incognito. Or perhaps he’s…it could even be worse.”

Hannah gave an involuntary shiver. She knew exactly what Matthew meant when he said, it could even be worse.

“Anyway, everything will work out in the end.” Matthew smiled, but to Hannah’s eyes it looked a bit forced. “I’m just glad to be here with you, Grandma Knudson. This room looks almost the same except…this couch is new, isn’t it?” Matthew reached out to pat the piece of furniture Grandma Knudson had described as a pink monstrosity. “I seem to remember a green couch. It was slippery.”

“Green taffeta,” Grandma Knudson said, reaching out to touch the pink davenport. “This is it re-covered. And after that it was cream-colored silk. That didn’t last long. Then it was forest green voile. That was the best. And now there’s this…pink!”

Hannah laughed. She couldn’t help it. Grandma Knudson spit out the word as if it were a bug that had flown in her open mouth.

“I’m so glad I ran into Bob at the hospital,” Matthew said, smiling at Grandma Knudson. “I stopped to say hello to Doc Knight, and he introduced us. And then I met Claire and learned that they were newlyweds. We’re going to have plenty of time to catch up on old times, Grandma.”

“What do you mean?” Grandma Knudson asked.

“I’ll be right here for the next two weeks. I promised I’d take over Bob’s pastoral duties for two weeks so that he can take Claire on a real honeymoon.”

A delighted smile spread over Grandma Knudson’s face. “Why, that’s just wonderful! And it’s so kind of you to offer to help out here. But can the seminary spare you for that long?”

“They’re sparing me for longer than that. I’m on a four month sabbatical.” Matthew turned to smile at them all and then he turned back to Grandma Knudson. “Now how about some of that coffee and cake? Bob’s been telling me how good your Red Devil’s Food Cake is.”

“That’s because it’s Bob’s favorite. It always has been, ever since he was a little boy. And I’ve got some Lemon Poppyseed Cake for you, Matthew.”

“That sounds good, but I’d rather have the devil’s food.” Matthew gave a little chuckle. “I’d better not let anyone at the seminary hear me saying that, though!”

Everyone except Grandma Knudson laughed. Hannah turned to look at her elderly friend and found her staring at Matthew in shock. “What’s the matter?” Hannah asked her.

“Matthew can’t have chocolate. He’s allergic. It’ll make him break out in hives.”

“Not anymore,” Matthew told her. “I outgrew my chocolate allergy. I’ve been eating chocolate for twenty years now, and it’s my favorite flavor. Corrine, my secretary at the seminary, says I eat so much chocolate because I’m making up for lost time.”