“That’s right. If he has an alibi, he’s in the clear. If he doesn’t, he’s still on my suspect list.”

“And Herb’s on there too, especially if he noticed me leaving the auditorium after that kiss Phyllis gave him. Is that right?”

Hannah felt like groaning, but she didn’t. Lisa always went straight to the heart of the matter. “That’s right. I’m sorry Lisa. I don’t really think that Herb did it, but . . .”

“But he had a motive. And we don’t know if he had the opportunity because we don’t know where he was until after midnight last night.”

This time Hannah did groan. “I don’t like it Lisa. But Herb’s on my suspect list.”

“And I’m there, too. I have to be. I have a perfect motive. After that kiss, I was so jealous, I couldn’t see straight. I told you that I had to go home to feed the dogs, but you have no way of knowing if I actually did that, or not. Maybe I drove straight out to the Corner Tavern, spotted Phyllis getting out of her car, and killed her in a jealous fit of rage.”

“But you couldn’t have killed her. You were wearing ankle boots. I saw them. And you couldn’t have climbed down into that ditch wearing ankle boots. You would have come in with soaked feet, and you didn’t. I looked down at your boots when we were standing there in the parking lot. They’re light-colored suede, and they weren’t wet.”

“Maybe I wasn’t wearing ankle boots then. Maybe I had another pair of boots in the trunk and I used those. You don’t know that I didn’t. You didn’t check, and neither did anyone else.”

“Lisa!” Michelle sounded very upset. “Cut it out! You just gave yourself a motive and admitted that you had the opportunity!”

“I know that, but Hannah would have thought of that eventually, if it hasn’t already occurred to her.” Lisa turned back to Hannah. “I’m on your suspect list too, aren’t I?”

Hannah visibly winced, but there was no reason to lie about it. “Yes, Lisa. You’re on it. But I don’t really think that you . . .”

“That doesn’t matter,” Lisa interrupted her. “You have to investigate me, too. That’s one of the things I like best about you, Hannah. You’re fair. I can tell you right now that I didn’t do it, but that doesn’t count for anything. Mike’s going to zero in on me, too. He’s a good cop, and he’s bound to investigate me. I’m just hoping that you’ll hurry and clear both Herb and me by catching the real killer. You’ll do that, won’t you?”

“I’ll certainly do my best,” Hannah promised.