“But there’s no alcohol allowed on the premises,” Andrea said. “It’s in the rules. Is Lonnie sure she had vodka?”

“That’s what he said. And he also said he was pretty sure it wasn’t her first Green-teani of the night.”

“She shouldn’t have brought in vodka.” Andrea still sounded shocked. “I’m sure that’s grounds for dismissal and…”

“Never mind that now,” Hannah told her. “The important thing is that she was drinking and Lonnie was there.” She turned to Michelle. “What did he say happened next?”

“They moved the party to the gazebo, and Lonnie went along. That’s where he told her he needed to cancel their date for Friday night. And she said, ‘Oh, do you have to work a late shift?’ Lonnie didn’t want to lie to her, so he told her that he just didn’t feel right going out with another woman when he was in love with me.”

“What did she say to that?” Norman asked.

“Plenty, but Lonnie didn’t go into details. He just said that she insulted me and he said something back, and then she said something back, and before he knew it they were shouting at each other. He knew he had to leave, but he was so mad, he knocked over a couple of stools on his way out of there.”

Hannah thought back to the crime scene. The stools had been made from anodized aluminum, and they had a smooth mirrored surface. “So the crime scene techs might find his fingerprints on the stools?” she guessed.

“That’s right. That’s why he needs you to catch the killer. Since the camera wasn’t working and nobody actually saw him leave, it’s the only way to prove he didn’t hide out somewhere and kill Ronni when everyone else left. He’s in big trouble, Hannah. He told me what he wants me to do, and I promised him I’d help.”

Hannah nodded. She could understand that. But then a terrible suspicion dawned. “Wait. Don’t tell me Lonnie wants to tell me how to run the investigation.”

“Well…not exactly. He just wants to make suggestions. He says that Bill is taking a hands-off position.” Michelle turned to Andrea. “Is that right?”

“That’s right. As Ronni’s employer, Bill feels he’s a little too close to the situation to be entirely impartial.”

Hannah turned to stare at Andrea in awe. It seemed that her sister doubled as a spin doctor. Andrea had spun Bill’s departure from the case in the best possible light.