“How about when you left? Did you drive around the building?”

Danielle shook her head. “There’s a turnaround on the side, and Ron used that. We didn’t drive past the parking lot at all.”

“Thanks, Danielle.” Hannah walked over to unlock the door. “You’ve been very helpful.”

Danielle gave Hannah a timid little smile. “I feel really bad that I didn’t ask Ron who was with Max in his office.”

“That’s okay.”

“But it’s important, isn’t it?”

“It could be, but you had no way of knowing. Besides, we can always ask Max.”

“That’s right.” Danielle looked very relieved. “I’d better get back to Boyd. And I suppose you need to get back to Norman.”

After Danielle had left, Hannah sat down on the cushioned bench in front of the mirror and thought about what she’d learned. Ron had seen Max at six-fifteen, meeting with someone in his office. It could be something, or it could be nothing. Only time would tell.

Chapter Sixteen

Hannah groaned as she approached Andrea and Bill’s table. Somehow Delores and Carrie had found them, and both mothers were looking impatient. She felt like turning around and going back to the ladies’ powder room, but her mother raised her hand and wiggled her fingers. It was too late. She’d been spotted.

“There you are, dear!” Delores gave her a wide smile. “We’re ready to take the pictures now.”

“That’s just wonderful.” Hannah’s reply sounded sarcastic, even to her own ears, and she smiled to take the edge off her words. She glanced at Norman. He didn’t look at all upset about the upcoming photo session, but perhaps he was one of those lucky people who were photogenic. Hannah knew she wasn’t. No trick of the light or instruction from the photographer could make her look good on Kodak paper.

The mothers led the way across the room. Norman left Hannah to take his mother’s arm, and Bill followed suit with Delores. Hannah pulled Andrea back just a bit so that she could apologize. “I’m sorry, Andrea. I didn’t mean to be gone so long.”

“That’s okay. You were right, Hannah. Some of the things that Norman said were really funny. We were having a good time until the mothers found us. They want us to pose, too.”

“Great.” Hannah was more than happy to have company in her misery. “Maybe you’ll make me look good by osmosis or something.”

Andrea laughed. “Come on, Hannah. You know you look wonderful tonight. That dress is so perfect on you, it even makes your hair look nice.”

“Thanks…I think.” Hannah grinned. Then she realized that the mother brigade was turning down the hallway that led to the ladies’ powder room. “Where are they going?”

“I’m not sure. Mrs. Rhodes said she found the perfect setting for the pictures. I just hope we’re not going to barge into someplace we shouldn’t be.”

The group stopped at the end of the hall and waited for Hannah and Andrea to catch up. Then Carrie opened a door and ushered them into a large room lined with bookshelves. It was done in a masculine style, with leather couches and armchairs, a massive wooden desk, and hunting prints on the walls. There was an incredible river-rock fireplace in the corner, and Hannah stared at it in awe.