Drew residence October 27,2004
Hannah sat in the living room and told Nancy to spin. She'd been begging to dress up like Sherlock Holmes for Halloween all week and Hannah had gone with her to the store, to multiple stores, and there hadn't been any costumes.
She measured Nancy's arms and waist for the thirtieth time as Nancy stood still and statuesque. At least as still as a six year old could. Hannah checked her watch wondering when Nancy's dad might get home and chided herself. It wasn't any of her business. She needed to distance herself from him and her emotions. Fear and paranoia kept gnawing at her. If she became too attached something bad was bound to happen. That's always the way it worked. Nothing was ever good for long.
She wrote down Nancy's measurements and went back to the dining room where she had her sewing machine set up. She had the fabric that Nancy had picked out, a beige colored flannel. That would be her jacket.
Thankfully they'd found a hat and a magnifying glass.
It was still odd to her that the six year old girl would want to be a detective for Halloween but there weren't rules or anything.
If anything it was endearing and sweet. Nancy wasn't like other little girls that Hannah knew.
She checked the time again just as the home phone rang.
She picked up the receiver.
"The drew residence. This is Mrs Gruen." She answered having practiced the response a few times.
"Hi Mrs. Gruen. It's Mr. Drew. I'm afraid I have to work late tonight. I should be home before Nancy goes to bed but I'm afraid I'll miss dinner." He sighed and Hannah nodded.
"No problem, sir. Are you going to be eating out tonight or..?" She trailed off and he grunted.
"We had something come up in one of our cases and need to pour over the paper work again.. I don't think we will have time to go anywhere. I'll just eat when I get home."
"Alright." She answered, "good luck, Mr drew." She hung up after he thanked her and said good bye. He wouldn't eat until he got home? She had packed him a lighter lunch today because dinner was heavier. Chicken pot pie.
She glanced to her project and shrugged it off. She began cutting the fabric and pinned the pattern. She slimmed it down to Nancy's tiny frame and began sewing along the directed lines. She found herself staring at a simple knee length coat a couple hours later and glanced to the clock. 7pm.
Nancy would need to go to bed at 8.
The phone rang and it was Mr. Drew again. He wouldn't be home before 8pm. Hannah blinked and felt Nancy's ears eavesdropping on the call.
"Is that Daddy?" She called confirming her feeling.
"Nancy wants to talk to you," Hannah informed him. She handed the young girl the phone and listened to her side of the conversation.
"Why, daddy?" She asked sadly and Hannah brushed some of her Titian hair from her face. Nancy looked sad and Hannah knew he was telling her he wasn't sure when he'd be home.
"But I want to show you the costume Miss Hannah made me!" She spun as if she was wearing it and Hannah glanced to the stove again. She could bring it to him she supposed.
"Ask how late he will be," Hannah whispered and Nancy relayed the question. She gasped.
"Midnight!"
"Ask if he's eaten."
"Miss Hannah wants to know if you've eaten." She asked and handed the phone back.
"Sorry," Mr drew sounded awkward, " I haven't, but your lunch is tiding me over."
"Okay. Well good luck with your work." She offered and they said goodbye. She ended the call and looked to Nancy.
"how about we visit your daddy and bring him dinner?" Hannah asked and Nancy lit up.
"That's a great idea." She beamed and then pointed to her new coat.
"Can I show him my costume?" She asked and Hannah nodded. She grabbed the Tupperware full of chicken pot pie and then another dish full of cranberry sauce. She had also made some chocolate cake for dessert so she cut a huge slice and packaged it up as well.
"Come on, Nancy. Let's go deliver him some food." She motioned and they walked out to the car. She helped Nancy into the back seat and loaded up the front seat with the food.
Drew & Associates Law Firm
They drove through the darkened streets to Mr Drew's office and Hannah grabbed the tote bag full of his food and helped Nancy from the back seat. Nancy grabbed her magnifying glass and her hat and led the way into the law office. The door was still open surprisingly and they made their way to the front desk of Mr. Drew's secretary. She was gone for the day already and Hannah suddenly wondered if this had been a good idea.
She shook her head. Of course it was. She just couldn't be weird about it.
She knocked on his office door and heard someone exclaim in surprise.
"Who's there?"
"It's me daddy!" Nancy burst and they heard him begin to laugh.
"Oh, come on in." He called and she opened the door and ran to him. He smiled widely at her and gave her a big hug. Hannah followed her in noting another man sitting near by and Hannah offered him a small smile.
"I'm Lance White. One of Mr. Drew's associates." He nodded.
"I'm Hannah Gruen. The new housekeeper." She smiled and turned to Mr. Drew who glanced to her.
"I know you said lunch was tiding you over but it was so small today. I brought you dinner. There should be enough for Mr. White too." She offered and Mr Drew looked at the tote she carried for the first time and stood to take it from her.
"Thank you, Mrs Gruen." He grinned and then made a face as he lifted it.
"Wow, you really felt bad about lunch,huh?" He teased and she saw the exhaustion and relief on his face. She knew he must have been hungry.
"Hey, she said there would be enough for me in there. No need to be greedy." Mr White peered into the bag and whistled.
"Is that cake?" He asked and Hannah smiled.
"I hope you have a microwave, for the pot pie," She glanced around and Mr drew nodded.
"We do. Thank you Mrs Gruen."
"You're welcome Mr Drew."
"Daddy, did you see my costume?" Nancy asked and he looked down to her coat.
"Wow! Where is Watson, your assistant?"
"I'm alone tonight," she answered with a giggle and he ruffled her hair.
"Well, thanks for stopping by ladies. It definitely brightened the evening."
"Say goodnight, Nancy," Hannah urged and she hugged and kissed her father.
"Goodnight, daddy."
"Goodnight, honey."
"Bye, Mr drew, and nice meeting you Mr. White," Hannah smiled.
"Call me Lance!" He called as she ushered Nancy out.
"Ready to head home, Sherlock?" Hannah asked her and she giggled.
"Yup!"
Carson pulled a plate full of Hannah's chicken pot pie and cranberry sauce for the microwave. It was crackling and hot.
She had been right, his lunch had been lighter than normal and he was starving. He'd just been about to suggest the Chinese restaurant down the street when they'd arrived.
He shoveled a bite into his mouth and groaned. It was the best thing he'd ever eaten.
That was probably because he was starving, but it was definitely the best pot pie he'd ever had. Her homemade cranberry sauce was warm and tart and the perfect compliment to the savory pie.
She'd also been right that there had been plenty for Lance.
The two men sat eating their respective plates and Lance shook his head.
"She's married, right? I heard her say her name was Mrs Gruen."
"She's a widow." Carson responded as he took a bite.
"Oh," Lance looked pleasantly surprised, as of her losing her husband was a good thing. It made Carson's irritation rise.
"I might have to steal her away from you." He warned teasingly and Carson's gaze narrowed.
"To be your housekeeper?"
"No, I'd like more than housekeeping," he grinned suggestively.
"She's my employee just like you are. Dating coworkers isn't allowed."
"Good one." He grinned and Carson knew he was holding back suggestive innuendos about the woman in respect to him.
He was thankful.