That response wasn’t very friendly either, but Hannah shrugged and opened the door. “It’s about Brandi’s engagement ring. Was it on her body?”

“You don’t need to know that.”

“Fine. But then you don’t need to know what kind of ring it was and what it was worth. And you also don’t need to know that Martin and Brandi were fighting about whether she should wear it in public, or not.”

“Okay … sorry, Hannah.” Mike gestured for Hannah to come in and shut the door. “I shouldn’t have yelled at you. I apologize.”

“That’s okay. I know you’re under a lot of pressure.” Hannah sat down in the chair in front of the desk. “What do you want to know first?”

“Describe the ring. I’ll take notes.”

Hannah emptied her pockets of crumpled napkins and found the correct one. “Emerald in the center, at least two carats, perhaps larger. Surrounded by Tiffany-cut diamonds of approximately a half-carat apiece. The setting was platinum. That’s very expensive.”

“And the total estimated cost?” Mike asked, looking up to meet Hannah’s eyes.

“Uh … “ Hannah took a deep breath and tried to keep her stomach from doing aerial gymnastics. Mike looked tired and haggard, and sexier than any other man on earth. “Andrea saw it, and she estimates close to fifty thousand. Do you think Brandi was killed for her ring?”

“It’s possible.”

“Then it wasn’t on her finger?”

“I didn’t say that.”

“You didn’t have to,” Hannah said, giving him a smile. Perhaps it wasn’t fair when he was so tired, but she always felt good when she could outwit Mike. “I’ll let you know if I hear anything else. And just send someone to get me if you need me for anything.”

“I always need you, Hannah.” Mike bent over the desktop to touch his lips to hers. “Don’t ever think I don’t. Now go back and amuse yourself. I’ve got work to do here.”

Hannah headed out door not sure whether she should be pleased or angry. Mike had said he always needed her, a compliment if she ever heard one. But he’d also told her to go amuse herself because he had work to do, a thinly veiled insult that negated his earlier compliment. Did that mean they were even?

Still debating the scorecard between them, Hannah headed back to the banquet room. As she descended the stairs, she saw Michelle at the bottom waiting for her.

“Good, you’re back. I’ve got something. It’s not exactly what you were expecting, but it’s something you should know.”

“Okay, what?” Hannah asked, leading Michelle over to an unoccupied corner.