“Well, I’m sorry,” said Meg, though it was clear she was no such thing. “Rivera, aren’t you going to back me up about Miss Zula, sugar?”

Rivera winced. “I don’t want any part of this. This is so not kosher, Meg.”

There were blotches of color on Meg’s cheeks and her chin trembled in a way that some men might find disarming, but would get her nowhere with Rivera. She said, “I thought y’all were interested in the truth.”

Jude said, “Who said you can’t have an intellectual conversation in the Hound Dog?”

John smiled grimly. “Miss Zula is not a lesbian. Can we change the subject?”

Meg said to Rivera, “You were ready enough to help me come out of the closet.”

“That sounds like a no to me,” Wyeth said to John.

“That was your decision,” Rivera said, and Angie, compelled to speak up, added: “You don’t push somebody out of the closet.”

“Not down here, especially,” said Tony cheerfully. “Down here you lock the door.”

John gave Tony an irritated look. “You can’t push somebody out of the closet or lock them into it if they aren’t in it to start with. This is stupid. Miss Zula is not a lesbian.”

Meg said, “If you’re so smart, John Grant, then what about Miss Anabel? Rivera, tell them about Miss Anabel.”

Angie, feeling slightly dizzy, covered her face with her hands and took a deep breath.

“I’ve got nothing to tell,” Rivera said. “I’ve never even met Miss Anabel. Angie interviewed her.”

Jude had been watching the conversation escalate with an avid curiosity that did not bode well. Now she leaned across the table. “You didn’t really interview Anabel Spate.”

“She did,” said Tony. “We did. Miss Zula took us with her on a visit.”

“Anabel Spate is a legend around here,” said Wyeth.

“She is indeed,” said Jude. “Can I see the footage?”

“No,” said Angie and Tony together.

“But we sure would like to hear your Miss Anabel stories,” Tony said.

John said, “Meg, do you want to dance? Wyeth, Meg wants to dance.”

Meg said, “I’m not the only one who thinks Miss Zula and Miss Anabel are more than just friends. Rivera said—”

Rivera turned to her. “Don’t take what I said out of context, and do not quote me. Ever.”

Angie said, “I’d like to dance.” She said it loudly, but things were too far gone and not even John paid attention; he was too focused on Rivera, and he looked seriously aggrieved.

“I hope y’all have better things to do than sit around and take apart Miss Zula’s private life.”

That made Angie’s stomach clench, and Tony laugh out loud. “That’s what we’re here for,” he said. “That’s what you’re paying us to do.” He belched again, and gave his chest a ponderous thump.

“Within reason,” John said.