“What’s up?” Lisa breezed into the kitchen and took a stool at the workstation.

“Mother called,” Hannah told her. “It seems Mayor Bascomb is on his way here to invite you to be this year’s Mrs. Claus.”

“Really?” Lisa looked both excited and pleased, but then her expression took on a worried look. “Do you think that would be right? I mean, after Phyllis and everything?”

“The show must go on,” Michelle reminded her, “and there’s nothing you can do about Phyllis. She’s dead and she can’t play Santa’s wife.”

“I know, but . . . do you think people will think less of me if I agree so fast? I’m just wondering if it’s proper. She’s been dead less than a day.”

“They won’t think less of you, Lisa,” Hannah reassured her. “You know that the kids look forward to seeing Santa and Mrs. Claus every year. Their parents will be grateful that you agreed to step in and play the part.”

“Well . . . there is that,” Lisa conceded. “I’d hate to disappoint the children. But I’ll have to get into my costume at intermission so I’m ready in time. Do you think you can handle the candy sales?”

“I’ll help Hannah,” Michelle spoke up. “I already told her that I would. This is important, Lisa. Santa and Mrs. Claus have appeared at the end of the Christmas play for as long as I can remember. I used to sit on Santa’s lap when Santa was Earl Flensburg. And I loved it when Mrs. Claus handed me my gift bag of treats. Herb can’t do it alone, and he needs you. You almost have to do it.”

“Well, yes. You’re right. I do.” Lisa looked pleased at the prospect of playing Mrs. Claus.

“You’re the natural choice,” Hannah added. “Everyone knows that you’re Herb’s wife. And now you also get to play his pretend wife on stage.”

“Lisa?” Marge poked her head into the kitchen. “Mayor Bascomb is here, and he says he needs to talk to you.”

“Of course. Please get him a cup of coffee and some cookies, Marge. And tell him I’ll be right out.” Lisa waited until Marge had left, and then she turned to Hannah. “I just thought of something. Is Mayor Bascomb one of your suspects?”

“Actually . . . yes. He certainly had a motive. Phyllis told his wife what was going on between them when he refused to set Phyllis up in a condo. And Stephanie made him pay for his mistake in designer clothes and expensive gems. I’d call that a motive, wouldn’t you?”

Lisa nodded. “Yes, I would. So you think that the mayor might have killed Phyllis to get even?”

“There are worse motives,” Hannah said. “Anger is a powerful emotion.”

“So now all you have to do is find out if he had the opportunity . . . is that right?”