“And she’s trying to prove that the murderer’s not you,” Michelle added.

Lisa smiled. “There’s that, too. I do have a vested interest. And it just so happens I’ve got the perfect treat for you to take to Danielle.”

“What?” Hannah asked.

“You’ll see.” Lisa hurried to the walk-in cooler, disappeared inside, and returned with a tray of candy. “I happen to know that Danielle loves caramels. Try these and tell me what you think.”

Hannah and Michelle each took a piece and bit into it. And then both of them smiled.

“Incredible!” Hannah pronounced.

“You said it!” Michelle took another bite. “These are worth a boatload of information.”

“They’re the chocolate caramels I told you about yesterday. Marge took over for me out front and I made a batch and stuck them in the cooler. And a couple of hours later, I came back here and wrapped them in wax paper. I hope Danielle likes them. And I hope she knows something about the murder. It’s really unnerving to be a suspect.”

* * *

“I’ve never been up here before,” Michelle said, as Hannah pulled open the heavy door a few feet from the entrance to the Red Owl Grocery store.

“You’ll love it. It was just an empty space until Danielle rented it, but it has big floor-to-ceiling windows in the front and Danielle’s walled off part of the back for living quarters.”

Hannah led the way up the long, carpeted staircase. As they climbed, she gestured toward the walls. “What do you think?”

“Very clever.” Michelle obviously admired the sets of footsteps that diagrammed classic dances, each set depicted in a different color. “Listen, Hannah. I think I hear a waltz.”

“You do. Danielle must have an adult class.”

As they climbed, the music changed to a polka. “Music for a wedding reception?” Michelle guessed.

“It sounds like it. Danielle mentioned that wedding parties were a big part of her business.”

“Because of the first bride and groom dance?”

“Yes, but there’s a new trend around Lake Eden. After the bride and groom dance, the whole wedding party gets out there for the next dance. And then the bride’s mother dances with the groom’s father, and the groom’s mother dances with the bride’s father.”

“That’s a lot of dancing. Who started all that anyway?”

Hannah shrugged. “I don’t know, but I wouldn’t put it past Danielle. She’s always looking for ways to increase her business.”

The music switched again and a slow dance began to play. It rolled out in a wave to greet them as Hannah opened the studio door. “Let’s wait right here in the reception area until Danielle’s class is over.”