Cinnamon Roll Murder (Hannah Swensen, #15)(39)

“So you think that Lee is using Eric’s half of the inheritance to buy things for himself?”

“I don’t know that for sure. Lee never said how much money there is. I think there’s plenty. You ought to see the home theater setup Lee has at their condo. It’s on Lake Harriet and it’s a real showplace. Lee bought them a speedboat, a Harley, and a Jag. Eric doesn’t spend much, but Lee’s going through money so fast it’ll make your eyes swim.”

“Does Eric know that?”

“Yeah. Eric says it’s okay with him as long as he can live with Lee at the condo. He’s got that brother thing going with Lee. And ... I don’t know ... maybe because Eric’s always looked up to Lee, he thinks Lee loves him back.”

“But you don’t think Lee does?” Hannah got right to the important question.

“Maybe Lee does, and he thinks he’s doing the right thing. And maybe he doesn’t, and he’s taking advantage of Eric because he has control of the money for another two years. Whatever.”

“Can you think of any reason why Lee might have killed Buddy?”

“I really couldn’t say for sure.”

“But I can.” Lynnette spoke up. “ Cammy’s too loyal to tell you this, but Lee was jealous of the fact she dated Buddy before she wound up with Lee. Every time Lee drinks a lot after a performance, he accuses her of flirting with Buddy.”

“But I didn’t flirt with Buddy!” Cammy insisted. “Buddy was just a friend ... sort of. Lee’s a late sleeper so Buddy and I used to meet for breakfast in the morning. He’d tell me all his problems, and I’d tell him mine. It was almost like a brother and sister thing. And before you ask, Lynnette,” she turned to her friend, “we never talked about you. Buddy didn’t bring it up, and neither did I.”

“But you talked every morning over coffee?” Hannah asked.

“Over tea for me and coffee for Buddy, but yes, we talked every morning.”

“Did Buddy ever tell you he was worried about anything?” Hannah held her breath, waiting for the answer.

Cammy thought for a moment. “Yeah. Buddy told me he was worried about something that happened to him in Seattle. And he said that if anybody ever found out about it, he’d have to leave in a hurry.”

“Did he tell you he was leaving the band?”

“Yes, he told me.”

“Do you have any idea why he was leaving?”

“I have an idea, but I don’t know if I’m right.”

“Tell me,” Hannah said, leaning closer.

“I think it had something to do with the woman who came to the show at Club Nineteen. I saw Buddy backstage with her after the performance, and he looked really upset. I just grabbed my purse, that’s what I came backstage to get, and left before Buddy could see me. I didn’t want him to think I was spying on them, you know? And then, the next morning, right before noon rehearsal, Buddy told Lee that he was leaving the band.”

“Did you ask Lee why Buddy was leaving?”

“Yeah, but he said he didn’t know, that Buddy wouldn’t tell him.”

“How about Buddy himself? Did you ask him?”

“Sure, I did. I figured that since we were such good friends, he might tell me. But all he’d say was that it was personal.”

“Did you ask him if the woman had anything to do with it?”

“No. I figured I’d been nosy enough. I thought I’d wait a couple of days and then I’d mention it casually.”

“Did you?” Andrea asked, leaning forward expectantly.

“I didn’t have the chance. Buddy never met me for breakfast again. And he ... well, there’s no other way to say it ... Buddy avoided me. It was like he didn’t want to be alone with me anymore.”

“Let’s talk about the woman,” Hannah told her. “Can you describe her for me?”

“I can try, but you’ve got to understand that the lighting’s not very bright backstage. And they were standing a ways away.”

“But you said you saw that Buddy was upset, so you must have seen his expression.”

“Actually ... no. His face was in the shadows. I saw his hands and he was clenching his fists. That’s how I knew he was upset.”

“How about her?”

Cammy shook her head. “She was standing with her back to me. All I can tell you about her is that she had dark hair, and she was shorter than Buddy. That’s all, Hannah. I’d tell you if I could, but I don’t know anything else.”





Hannah bit into her herb-encrusted, center cut pork chop and gave a little sigh of pleasure. It was tender, succulent, and flawlessly seasoned, exactly what she’d grown to expect from any of Sally’s entrees.

“How is it, dear?” Delores asked, forking some of her wild salmon.

“Incredible, exquisite, and totally delectable.”

“I think you’re describing my entree, not yours,” Andrea said with a smile. She’d almost finished her slow-roasted chicken with sherry cream sauce, and now she was eating some of Sally’s perfectly cooked vegetable medley. “Mine’s the best.”

“No, mine is,” Michelle insisted. “I just love Sally’s duck with crispy skin. And these Stuffin’ Muffins she serves with it are incredible.”