Kee Patterbee - Hannah Starvling 02 - The Gourmet Who Kept Diamonds in the Kitchen Read Online Free PDF Page A

balanced beside him on the roof holding an IV bag, as a second fireman stood by with a backboard. Another paramedic pulled a stretcher alongside the vehicle. “Ducky’s on his way. He’ll take you. I’ll be along after,” she added before clicking off.
    Hannah sat watching from the curb, a slight bit away from the majority of the crow d. Several people snapped photos of the scene and Elias, whom paramedics worked on. She frowned in disbelief, and rose to step forward, but the officer who halted her intervened. He approached the interlopers and ordered them back. Several verbal protests came forth.
    Watching the display, she drifted into investigative mode. She considered possible explanations for Elias ’ balcony plunge. Three possibilities, she logged. Accident. Suicide. Murder attempt. All left a distaste in her mouth. The sound of sirens and the ambulance pulling away from the scene interrupted her considerations. So deep in her thoughts, Hannah missed the paramedics loading Elias for transport.
    Hannah stood up, eyes following the vehicle speeding away. She wanted to rule out suicide. Not in his nature. Too much to live for , she consoled herself. Nevertheless, as usual, her logic and training caught up to her. Consider all possibilities , she chided herself. Every angle. Painful or not . From this point on, Hannah invested herself in full investigative mode.
    The police officer who grabbed her earlier walked up to Hannah. She made her usual mental list. First, she took in the officer’s nameplate, which read Bland. She turned to the officer, and assessed him.  Mid to late thirties. African American. Medium build. Average looks . Almost bald . He began questioning her.
    “ Miss, you knew the victim?”
    “ Hannah. Hannah Starvling. Yes.”
    “ His name?”
    “ Elias Babel.” As Bland wrote down notes, she added, “Where will they take him?” she asked.
    Without looking up, Bland responded. “Islands Memorial. They may transport him inland, depends on the seriousness of his condition.”
    “ I’ve informed his wife, and I have someone taking her to the hospital. She’ll be there when you’re ready to question her.” Hannah pushed her fingers through her hair and looked around. “I need a taxi.”
    The officer glanced up. “Thank you.” He studied her face for a second. “You’re calm,” he noted.
    “ Not my first rodeo,” Hannah replied. She took in Bland’s questioning face, and attempted to explain further. “Former FBI. Part of the training.”
    Bland nodded and looked around.
    Bland looked up and scratched his forehead. “Your relationship to the victim?”
    “ A friend.”
    “A friend?” Bland questioned.
    Hannah looked into the officer ’s eyes. In a clear and emphatic voice, she said, “Just a friend. We’re both working the festival. His wife and I were in the lobby with my grandparents when this happened. They’re with her now, and I need to get to the hospital.”
    “ Well, a few more questions, okay?”
    Hannah agreed.
    “Did you get here before or after the event happened?”
    “ After. Again, I was in the lobby with his wife and my grandparents when I heard the commotion.”
    Bland eyed Hannah. “And this made you want to investigate, why?”
    “ I put two and two together. Did anyone else see anything?”
    Bland indicated no.
    Not surprising , she admitted. It’s four stories up, so most people wouldn’t have been looking .
    The officer turned back to his notes. “Did you notice anything unusual about his behavior?”
    “ We never got together. His wife met us in the lobby for dinner, at least we planned to, but I can tell you this. It would surprise me if this turned out to be a suicide attempt.”
    “ Why’s that?”
    “ Because he’s a friend. He has too much to live for.” Hannah gathered herself, clearing her throat before continuing. “His wife is six and a half months pregnant. He’s successful, rich and happy.”
    “ Not to sound cold, but that