“Of course you were!” Andrea glanced over at Hannah to let her know she’d taken over the questioning. “What a disappointment that must have been for you! I know how much you like Shirley, and you must have hoped that they’d put aside their difference and get back together for the sake of the boys.”

“I did hope that,” Babs admitted.

“It must have been terribly painful for you when Martin came back from Las Vegas and announced that he was married.”

“It was, especially since I had no warning. He just brought Brandi over to the house and introduced her as his new wife.”

“What did you think of her?”

“I tried not to think,” Babs said candidly. “I was polite to her, of course, but I couldn’t help feeling that Martin had made a terrible mistake by marrying her. But the were married. And there wasn’t anything I could do about that except grit my teeth and make the best of it.”

Andrea smiled and shook her head. “I’m not sure I would have been so forgiving in your place. Then you were ready to welcome Brandi into the family?”

“ wouldn’t go that far. But I love my son and there’s no way I wanted to alienate him. I didn’t have to like Brandi, but I did have to get along with her.”

Andrea glanced at Hannah, who shook her head. There was nothing more to ask Babs. Andrea expressed their condolences and made the appropriate parting comments. Hannah cautioned Babs not to tell anyone else that Brandi had been killed, and then the two sisters headed their separate ways. Andrea went up to check on Tracey at Kiddie Korner, and Hannah walked over to the Jordan High Jazz Ensemble to give them some well-deserved kudos.

“Nice job,” Hannah said to Kirby Welles, who was just getting ready to stop off the riser the ensemble was using as a stage.

“Thanks, Hannah. The kids are going to take a break for dessert. Edna said she’s save some goodies for them in the kitchen.”

“Great. I’d hate to think they missed out. I just came over to compliment you on the music and warn you that it could be a long night.”

“I know. The blizzard. It’s okay, Hannah. We’ve got a big repertoire.”

“I hope it’s gigantic.” Hannah considered it for a moment and then she decided that Kirby would have to be one of the essential people she told about Brandi’s murder. She hopped up on the riser, took his arm, and walked him a couple of steps toward the back of the stage. “I have to talk to you, Kirby.”

“Not right now, Hannah. I’ve got something really important I have to do.”

“This is more important. I need you to keep this under your hat, but it’s not just the blizzard that’s keeping people from leaving. Martin Dubinski’s new wife was murdered in the parking lot and Mike thinks the killer’s still here.”

Kirby’s face paled and he reached out to steady himself on a music stand. “You mean … Brandi?”