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their table and freckles stood out like specks of cinnamon. “How—how do you know that?”
    â€œWe don’t know anything,” Melanie said. She didn’t blame Hank for being so shocked. She still hadn’t gotten over the idea herself. A murder was something that happened on television or in the movies—occasionally in the newspaper, but it never involved anyone you knew. She did notice that Bryan had said “we.” It helped that he was coming over to her way of thinking.
    â€œMel just thinks there are too many things that don’t add up, that don’t seem like things Paulie would do.” Seth played with his silver. He had a lot of nervous habits that Melanie had to ignore or she’d start feeling the same way.
    â€œAre you saying you think Madame Leona had something to do with Paulie’s death?” Hank shook her head.
    â€œThey had a fight. It’s the only idea we do have.”
    â€œBut why, Mel, why would Madame Leona want to kill Pauline McMasters? Because she quit the dance troupe?” Hank kept shaking her head.
    â€œIt does sound ridiculous when you put it that way.” How could Melanie explain any of this to Hank? She shrugged. “It’s just a feeling we have.”
    â€œWhat are you going to do?” Hank asked. “What can I do?”
    â€œWe don’t have much of a plan. And I can’t think of anything specific, Hank.” Melanie reached for a slice of the pizza the waiter set in front of her. “All I can do is keep my eyes and ears open. Once I get a clue that seems promising, I’ll follow up on it.”
    â€œYou could drop Paulie’s name into the conversation every chance you get,” Seth suggested. “Watch how people react.”
    â€œI think you should find out anything you can about this Madame Leona’s background,” Bryan said. “Where did she come from? Where did she teach before this? And it makes sense to find out where Ilene Greenway—is that her name, the woman who sold the school abruptly?—is now and talk to her. There are things that Seth and I can do while you’re on the inside.”
    â€œYeah, Bryan, we can’t let the female spies outdo us,” Seth quipped. “Maybe Bryan and I can read the police report on Paulie’s accident. Let’s get every detail they have. We might even talk to the officers and see if there’s anything they’ll say off the cuff.”
    After a few more ideas, they had some plans. Talking and making an agenda helped everyone calm down. They settled to eating everything in sight, including spumoni for dessert.
    Hank pushed her dish away. “Promise me we won’t have too many meetings over dinner. I’ll probably be moved to the hippo ballet sequence now.” She seemed to have gotten over her shock of hearing their idea that Paulie might have been murdered. Or, what was more likely, Hank wasn’t one to stay serious for very long.
    Melanie took her hand as they headed for the car, letting the guys settle the food bill. “You don’t have to believe all this, Hank—I’m still not sure I do. But promise me you’ll help me if you can.”
    â€œI will, Melanie, believe me, I will. Just tell me what you want me to do. I’ll listen, too. And nothing can stop me from looking on Madame L. or the troupe through different eyes.”
    â€œI hope I haven’t spoiled the dancing for you.”
    â€œNo way. Just spiced it up a bit.” Hank turned to Seth and Bryan who hurried up behind them. “I live near here, guys. Can you drop me at home?”
    â€œI’d planned to let you find a dog sled,” Seth teased, “but if you insist. Then you’ll be in my debt.”
    â€œI’ll risk it.” Hank continued her easy bantering with Seth, getting into the front seat again.
    â€œHey, Seth, have you forgotten this is my car? I say drive our new spy