Hannah grabbed Andrea’s napkin, turned it inside out so she could write on a spot that wasn’t covered by Santa and his reindeer, and held her pen at the ready. “Okay. Describe it for me.”

“It was a square-cut emerald, at least two carats, surrounded by a frame of Tiffany-cut diamonds.”

Hannah gave a low whistle. Even though she knew next to nothing about jewelry, the ring Andrea was describing sounded expensive.

“The diamonds were blue-white, a really excellent color, and they had to be at least a half-carat apiece. And the setting was platinum. That’s more expensive than gold or silver.”

“Okay,” Hannah jotted it all down. “Do you have any idea how much a ring like that would cost?”

“Not really, but I’d guess it was worth a lot more than her fur coat. And Brandi and Martin were fighting about it.”

“Fighting?” Hannah asked, leaning forward.

“She wanted to wear it and he told her to take it off. They stared each other down for a minute and then she took it off her finger and dropped it in her purse. Is that all you need? I want to go back to the dessert table for some Candied Pecans.”

“Hold on, Little Piggy,” Hannah said, smiling to show her sister that it was a term of endearment. “Do you have your cell phone with you?”

“Of course I do! I’m a real estate professional.”

“Could you help me out and call all the wedding chapels in Las Vegas to find out where Brandi and Martin got married? There’s something I need to know.”

“Sure. It shouldn’t be that hard, especially since I know an Elvis impersonator married them. Once I find the right chapel, what do you want me to ask?’

”Try to get them to tell you what name Brandi used on the marriage license. Michelle found out that her real name was Mary, and Brandi let it slip that she grew up not too far from here.”

“I knew that had to be a stage name,” Andrea gave a little snort. “It was just too cutesy to be real. Brandi Wyen. I mean … really! I’ll go up to the lobby to call. The reception’s better up there.”

“Okay, just stick close to Lonnie. Don’t forget that there could be a killer in the building.”

“I won’t forget,” Andrea said, looking very serious as she headed up the stairs.

As Hannah approached the dessert table, she noticed that the Candied Pecans were almost gone. Since Andrea was doing her a favor and might miss out on the dessert she wanted, Hannah got in line, grabbed one of the little paper cups Edna had set out, and took some.

“Hey, Hannah?”

Hannah turned around to see Earl Flensburg, the county snowplow and tow truck driver, standing there in his boots and jacket. “Hi, Earl. Since you’re here, why don’t you get something to eat?”