“But she had a minor in drama. And you’ve got to admit that my quotes weren’t obscure. Pop, I’m a dime a dozen and so are you.”

“Biff in Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller,” Hannah answered, and then she drew a deep breath. Ross was right, the lines he’d quoted had been so well known that any drama student should have recognized them. But there was no way she’d say anything negative about Linda, especially since she wasn’t here to defend herself. Hannah looked around for the old friend in question, but she didn’t spot her. “You said Lind

” Hannah stopped to correct herself. “You said Lynne was here, but I don’t see her. Where is she?”

“She’s sitting right over there with Burke Anson. You recognize him from those Surf ’n Turf commercials, don’t you?”

Hannah nodded. According to the financial column in the Lake Eden Journal, Surf ’n Turf, the national chain of steak and seafood restaurants, had tripled their business after hiring Burke as their spokesman. “But

Lynne is the blonde?”

“Right. You probably don’t recognize her, because she had some work done.”

“Work? Like in plastic surgery?”

“That’s right. A new nose, some nips and tucks, a couple of enhancements, liposuction, cosmetic dentistry, a good hair stylist, and the best personal trainer in L.A.”

Hannah didn’t say anything. She couldn’t. She was too surprised. Lynne didn’t look at all like the slightly plump, brown-haired girl with the gap between her front teeth. Now, she was thin and glamorous, with a nose that looked much straighter and teeth that were white and even.

“I never would have recognized her,” she said, shaking her head. “Is Larchmont her stage name?”

“Yes, but it’s also her married name. After we split up, Linda changed her name to Lynne and went out to California to try to make it in the biz. She was there for over six months and almost ready to give it up and catch the next Greyhound home when she got lucky and landed a small part in a TV drama. That led to another, slightly bigger part in a made-for-cable movie, and that’s when she met Tom Larchmont. She always says that being Tom’s wife is the best part she ever landed. He’s rich, a lot older than she is, and he’s totally crazy about her.”

Hannah could hear the sincerity in Ross’s voice. “You don’t sound at all bitter.”

“I’m not. Tom’s a nice guy and I’m glad Lynne found someone. It worked out great for me, too. Tom’s financing this whole project because Lynne read my script and she told him she wanted to play the lead.”

“What’s the movie about?” Hannah asked him.