Cinnamon Roll Murder (Hannah Swensen, #15)(33)

“Of course,” Sally agreed quickly. “For what it’s worth, I like Tommy the best.”

“Tommy Asch,” Hannah said and waited until Sally nodded. “Why do you like him best?”

“He seems the most genuine, and he doesn’t have an oversize ego like Karl does.”

“Karl’s too full of himself?” Hannah used an expression that was common in Lake Eden.

“I’ll say! That young man thinks he’s Art Blakey and Max Roach all rolled into one, and he doesn’t have one tenth the talent they did.”

Hannah understood. She knew a bit about the legendary jazz drummers. “What do you think of Tommy’s wife?”

“Annie’s as sweet as they come. She told me she helped the bus driver rescue the puppy.” Sally stopped and looked slightly worried. “She also told me that you took him. How’s that working out?”

“It couldn’t be working better. Lisa adopted him.”

“That’s perfect! The last time she was out here with Herb, she told me that Dillon needed a companion dog.”

Hannah glanced down at her sheet again. “How about Conrad Bergen?”

“Connie’s okay, and he’s going to be very popular out here. He’s so handsome, he’ll have plenty of the Lake Eden girls trying to pick him up. I know a couple of my younger waitresses tried last night, but that didn’t work. Lynnette stuck out her claws and ran them off.”

“Let’s talk about Lynnette.”

“That girl is big trouble. Last night she was hanging all over Connie, but this morning she switched her attention to Karl. I was there at rehearsal, and there was some heavy tension going on between Connie and Karl. Lynnette seemed to enjoy setting the two of them against each other. She’s an instigator, pure and simple.”

Sally stopped speaking, and her eyes seemed to focus at a point just above Hannah’s head. She gave a little nod, and then she made a thumbs-up gesture.

Hannah stared at her, thoroughly mystified. “What does that mean?”

“It means I approve.”

“You approve of the fact that Lynnette is an instigator?”

“No!” Sally gave a little laugh. “Did you forget that the window behind you looks out on the kitchen?”

“I forgot all about that window. Did someone show you something?”

“Yes. It was a Pucker Up Lemon Cake, and it looked just wonderful. They have to check with me before I’ll let them put it on the dessert cart.”

Hannah made a note to try the cake the next time she came out to the Inn for dinner. Then she got back to business. “Let’s talk about Eric. What do you think of him?”

“I didn’t really get any strong impression of him. He’s not sinfully good looking like Connie, but he’s not bad looking, and my waitresses seem to like him. A couple of them told me he was really funny. I know he cracks jokes during their performances, and I don’t think they’re rehearsed. He’s just really quick on his feet.”

“How about Drake?” Hannah asked, since Sally hadn’t mentioned him.

“I’m not sure. Drake seems to be a nice boy, and I know he’s the youngest member of the band. He’s talented, and he seems very serious about his music. He’d be a handsome guy if he lost a little weight, but I don’t think he really cares that he doesn’t get very much female attention. I don’t know if that’s because he discourages it, or because he’s totally focused on the music.”

“Lee’s next. Tell me about him.”

Sally’s eyes narrowed, and she frowned slightly. “I don’t like him,” she said.

“That sounded pretty definite for a first impression.”

“It wasn’t a first impression. I dealt with him when Dick and I booked the band. He’s very cold and businesslike, and I’m almost sure he’s got money.”

“From managing the band?”

“Maybe, but I don’t think they’ve hit it big enough for that. My guess is that Lee has another source of income.”

“An illegal source?”

“I wouldn’t put it past him. I don’t think Cammy would be that interested in waiting on him hand and foot, and doing the other things she does for him if money weren’t involved. He’s really not very nice to her, you know.”

“I didn’t know. Give me an example of what you mean.”

“She said something last night about the bus driver and how awful she felt that he was dead, that he was almost like a father to her. I was bartending and I heard the whole thing. It was plain that she was grieving, but Lee just told her to shut up and stop bellyaching about it.”

“That’s cold.”

“You bet. And the surprising thing is, she did exactly what he told her to do. She put on a smile and didn’t mention the bus driver at all for the rest of the night. Lee’s got some sort of control over her. I’m just not sure what it is.”

Hannah jotted a few more notes, and then she stood up. “Thanks, Sally. You’ve been a big help. Can I get a list of the band’s room numbers?”

“Of course. I’ll call Ruth Ann at the desk and tell her to print out a list for you. Just don’t leave without poking your noses in the kitchen. I’ve got something I want you to taste.”