“I don’t know. I didn’t mention it, that’s for sure. I figured the less said, the better.”

“How about Herb? Is he here at Tory’s meeting?”

“I don’t know. He hasn’t come in since I’ve been here, but I didn’t come straight out. I stopped at the community center to drop off some books I collected for the library. And then I ran past the house to store some things that came for the school.”

“Are you still filling in as the librarian when Marge can’t make it?”

“Yes, I tried to get out of it this year, but they couldn’t find anyone else. I’d like to back off a bit, but I guess I just can’t say no, especially if something is school related. Gil doesn’t like me to work, but he’s okay if I do volunteer things. And I really do enjoy working with the students. And of course I love the Lake Eden Players. I’ve been working with them for years now.”

Hannah was still thinking of that table in the center of the room and exactly who was attending Tory Bascomb’s meeting. “Speaking of the Lake Eden Players, do you know if Phyllis Bates is here?”

“She hasn’t come in since I’ve been here. If you want to pop in to look, I’ll hold your stool for you.”

“Thanks, Bonnie.” Hannah got up from her stool and walked over to the entrance to the dining room. The Lake Eden Players weren’t difficult to spot since Bonnie had told her that they had the big oval table in the center of the room. Hannah scanned all sides of the table. Herb wasn’t there, and neither was Phyllis. She breathed a sigh of relief as she turned to walk back to the bar. If either Herb or Phyllis had been at the table, she would have called Lisa on her cell phone, made some excuse about how the Corner Tavern was too crowded to get a table, and suggested that they meet at Bertanelli’s for a pizza instead. As it turned out, Hannah barely had time to finish her soda water before Lisa came in.

“It’s a madhouse out there,” Lisa said. “I’m just lucky I got here when I did.” She noticed Bonnie on the stool next to Hannah and gave a little wave. “Hi, Bonnie.”

“Hi, Lisa. What’s wrong out there? Are people driving badly?” Bonnie asked, moving over one stool so that Lisa could sit next to Hannah.

Lisa shook her head. “No, it’s not that. The drive out was fine, but everyone must have decided to come out here for a hamburger at the same time tonight. There were four cars behind me when I pulled into the parking lot, and I got the last empty spot.”