“I heard Mother and Claire talking about it while I was trying on jeans. The mayor dumped Phyllis when she asked him to set her up in her own furnished condo. And Phyllis got even with him by telling Stephanie Bascomb that she’d been having an affair with the mayor.”

Hannah didn’t hesitate. She wrote Mayor Bascomb’s name on her list of suspects. “Did you hear any other gossip while you were there in the dressing room?”

“No, but I’m willing to bet that Claire knows more. And if she doesn’t she can find out. She told Mother that Stephanie bought a whole new wardrobe from her. And Claire said that she had to alter everything before this afternoon because Stephanie was coming in to make sure everything fit.”

The wheels in Hannah’s mind were churning so fast, she could almost feel a breeze near the top of her head. It didn’t take long for her to formulate a plan, and she began to smile.

“What?” Michelle asked, noticing the smile.

“I think we’ll have to pay a visit to Beau Monde this afternoon. I’d like to try on a couple of outfits.”

“You’d like to try on clothing? Come on, Hannah. Everybody knows that you hate to . . .” Michelle stopped and rolled her eyes. “Never mind. I get it. We’re going to drop by a few minutes before Stephanie is due to come in?”

“That’s the general idea. Let’s drop by Claire’s shop before The Cookie Jar opens. Claire probably knows what time Stephanie plans to come in.”

“And if Claire doesn’t know, maybe she can call to arrange a time,” Michelle suggested.

“Exactly right.” Hannah got up from the table, rinsed off her plate, and put it in the dishwasher. “Go get your jacket, Michelle.”

“Okay. Are we going where I think we’re going?”

“You’d better believe it! Claire’s probably at the shop early, working on Stephanie’s alterations.”

“Do you want me to take Claire some pancakes for breakfast? I know she’s got a microwave in her back room and I can reheat them for her.”

“That’s a great idea. And don’t forget to bring some toppings, too. Claire’s got a real sweet tooth.”

GINGERBREAD PANCAKES

1 large egg

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

¼ cup molasses (Michelle used Grandma’s)

1 and ½ cups water

1 teaspoon ground ginger

1 teaspoon cinnamon

¼ teaspoon ground cardamom (if you don’t have it, just add a little more cinnamon)

¼ teaspoon nutmeg (freshly grated is best, of course)

1 and ½ cups all-purpose flour (pack it down in the cup when you measure it)

¼ teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon baking powder

½ teaspoon salt

In a small bowl, whisk a large egg with the vanilla extract.

Add the quarter-cup of molasses and whisk that in.

Add the cup and a half of water and whisk that in.