Chocolate Cream Pie Murder (Hannah Swensen #24)(32)

“Oh!” Hannah commented as Dot set a small intercom on the table. “That’s new!”

“Yes, it is. Sally thought it would be convenient and she was right. Otherwise people in these booths have to wait until the busboy or the waitress comes by to ask questions about the food or request additional service. With this,” Dot tapped the intercom, “you just press the red button and I’ll answer.”

“Very nice,” Lynne agreed, “but do you find many people abuse the fact that they can contact you?”

Dot shook her head. “No, not at all. This is Lake Eden. People here are usually very polite and patient. They’re not going to buzz me if they don’t get a second bread basket right away, or if they want a refill on their iced tea.”

“You’re lucky,” Lynne said with a laugh. “You couldn’t use something like this in Los Angeles. People would call for you if they dropped their napkin and didn’t feel like picking it up themselves.”

Dot laughed. “I’m glad I don’t work there. Our customers use the intercom mainly for questions about the items on the menu.”

“Actually, I do have a question, and since you’re here, I don’t have to use the intercom,” Lynne told her.

“Okay. What is it?”

“Which white wine would you recommend for us tonight?”

“That may depend on your entrée. What were you thinking of ordering?”

“Hannah?” Lynne asked, turning to her.

“I’ll probably have the Cornish game hens. I love the way they do those out here.”

“With apricot glaze? Or raspberry glaze?” Dot asked.

“Apricot, please.”

“Then white wine would be all right for you tonight?” Lynne asked Hannah.

“Yes, I’d prefer it. The only time I really want red is when I have an entrée with beef.”

Lynne smiled. “Good! I prefer white wine with any entrée.” She turned to Dot. “Do you have a white wine that’s a bit dry and fruity?”

Dot opened the wine list and pointed to a wine. “How about this? Dick says it’s excellent with chicken or pork.”

“We’ll try it, then,” Lynne decided. “Thank you, Dot.”

When Dot had left and the privacy curtains were closed again, Hannah turned to Lynne. “Would you like to talk about what’s happening with Tom?”

Lynne nodded and Hannah could tell that she was close to tearing up again. “It’s just that we don’t talk anymore. Tom doesn’t seem to care what I think or how I feel. We used to be close, but now we’re like strangers who barely know each other. He’s always gone, Hannah. And his business is more important to him than I am. That’s why I wanted to come here early. I was hoping we could work things out.”

Hannah was silent, but she squeezed her friend’s hand. Sometimes it was best to be silent and let the other person speak.

“Tom gets a phone call and he leaves. He already has a bag packed in the closet and he adds a couple of things and goes to the airport. He doesn’t even ask me to take him there like I used to do. He just puts his car in long-term parking and gets on a plane. And sometimes . . .” Lynne stopped speaking and cleared her throat. “He doesn’t even tell me where he’s going. All he says is that he’ll be back in a couple of days, but there have been times when it’s a week or longer. He calls me every once in a while, but usually he can’t talk long. I know it has something to do with his work, but I’m not entirely sure exactly where he is or what he’s doing there.”

Hannah sighed. “That must be very difficult for you, especially since you have your own career to think of. I knew that Tom was a successful businessman, but I don’t think I ever knew exactly what he did for a living.”

“He’s an investment counselor, but on a higher level than most investment counselors. Tom works with big corporations and he brings them investment opportunities. He knows everyone who’s on the boards of corporations and he keeps his ears open for any rumors about mergers and takeovers and things like that. When he hears something he thinks is viable, he alerts his corporate clients that there may be an opportunity for them to invest.”

“But he also does something with theater and movies, doesn’t he?”

“Yes, and he’s very good at that. Tom’s corporate clients have made a bundle investing in Broadway plays, pilots for television, and independent films. He has a real knack for it. He doesn’t get burned very often and every one of his corporate clients knows that. And that means they usually take a chance on anything Tom brings them.”

“Here’s your wine, ladies,” Dot said as she opened the curtain and delivered the white wine that Lynne had chosen. “Shall I pour for you?”

“That would be nice,” Lynne said with a smile.

Dot poured a small bit of wine in one wineglass and handed it to Lynne. “Would you please taste this and see if it’s to your liking?”

“Of course.” Lynne took a sip and nodded. “That’s lovely. Thanks for your recommendation, Dot. It’ll be perfect with our entrées.”

“And it’ll be perfect with Rusty’s Cheese and Garlic Stuffed Mushrooms,” Sally said, appearing behind Dot and placing a platter on the table between Lynne and Hannah. “They’re a little hot, so please let them cool a bit before you taste them.”