How and why she’d chosen an insurance company, I had no idea, but in September, when Gardner had launched a complete new look, I knew who’d been behind the clean and fresh design.

So I wandered downtown and into Older Than Dirt. Pam was busy with a pair of customers, so I took advantage of the opportunity to play a little game.

After Pam had filled two big bags with purchases, topped them off with brightly colored tissue paper, and waved good-bye to her customers, she put her elbows on the glass countertop, her chin in her hands, and gave me a look. “You’re doing it again, aren’t you.”

The game I’d taken to playing was a twist on Where’s Waldo. Pam made the bulk of antique purchases for her store in the winter and supplemented those throughout the year by various mysterious means. In additional to the antiques, she also sold new items, ranging from bubble bath to teakettles to floor lamps. What I did every time I came into the store was look around to see what was new. This was harder than it sounded because Pam was a rearranger, and what looked like a new product might have just been relocated. She’d caught me last month when I’d mistakenly thought an adorable tiny dollhouse was new after she’d moved it from a shelf on one side of the room to the front window, and I was determined not to let that happen again.

I squinted and cast an eagle eye over the display on a large round table. “Of course I am. But that’s not why I’m here.”

“Coffee?” Without waiting for an answer, she vanished through a set of damask curtains into the back and returned with two full mugs. “What’s up?”

“You’re doing the graphics for Gardner Insurance, right? How well do you know the employees?”

She shrugged. “Professionally, reasonably well. Before even starting the design, I interviewed everyone. There are only six, so it didn’t take long, but it was thorough. A good design matches and enhances corporate culture, and deep discussions are critical.”

“Um.” I’d never before heard Pam go into corporate design mode. No wonder she’d been so successful. “How about Warren Jorgenson?”

Her mug froze halfway to her mouth. “And you’re asking about him why, exactly?”

I paused, wishing I’d planned this conversation all the way through before starting it. “He rides with the bike club I’ve gone out with a few times, and he gives off a weird vibe, if you know what I mean.”