“I’ll tell you, but it’s something very . . .” Hannah paused, searching for the right word. “Let’s just say that it was something very sensitive.”

“Something sensitive in what way?”

“Well . . .” Hannah paused again and took a moment to formulate her answer. “Look, Mike . . . do you really have to put what I tell you in your report?”

“That depends on whether or not it has anything to do with the investigation.”

“But if it’s just personal and it doesn’t have anything to do with the murder, then you don’t have to put it in your report, do you?”

“I’ll have to make up my own mind on that, Hannah. And I’ll do that after you tell me what it was.”

Hannah sighed deeply. She wished she’d never mentioned that second object, but she had and now she was obligated to tell Mike.

“Hannah?”

“Yes. I know. I have to tell you. But first, I have to know if you really like Lisa.”

Mike reared back in surprise. “Of course I like Lisa! She’s like a younger sister to me.”

“Okay. How about Herb? Do you like Herb?”

The puzzled expression on Mike’s face didn’t change with this new question. “Sure, I do. Herb’s a regular guy. What’s this all about, Hannah?”

“It’s complicated.” Hannah took a moment to phrase her answer. “Lisa’s worried that Herb was getting a little too close and personal with Phyllis Bates, now that Mayor Bascomb reassigned her to Herb’s office. Herb’s been coming home really late almost every night, and Lisa knows he’s not at work because she drove past his office and his car wasn’t there.”

“Okay. As far as I know, Herb’s crazy about Lisa and I don’t believe he’d get involved with another woman, but go on.”

“Lisa made chocolate caramels last night and gave some to Herb in his lunch bag.”

“That’s nice, but what does that have to do with Phyllis Bates?”

“I’ll tell you, but please be careful with this. If it gets out, it could cause a lot of trouble between Lisa and Herb.”

“Okay. That’s enough salad. Let’s get to the main course. Spit it out, Hannah.”

“The object I found was Herb’s lunch bag. It was one of the reusable, personalized ones that Lisa gave him as a present. The lunch was gone, but the caramels were still there. I’m hoping that Herb was saving them for later, Phyllis grabbed Herb’s lunch bag after he left the office, and Herb had nothing to do with the fact that she had it with her when she was killed.”

“So you want me to sit on that piece of information until I find out if Herb has an alibi?”

Hannah nodded gratefully. “Yes, that’s it exactly. Please, Mike . . . I just can’t believe that Herb could kill anyone.”