"Hannah is dialed into Bergen in a way nobody else is. People talk around her bar, especially after a few drinks."
Ben considered this. Having an ally in town, especially one with access to local gossip, could be invaluable. The police fileshad been a mess, the investigation half-hearted at best. But the unofficial channels, the things people said when they thought no one important was listening? That's where the real truth often lurked.
"Plus," Kelly added, "Hannah keeps tabs on all our old classmates. If anyone's acting strange or has changed their story over the years, she'd be the one to notice."
"Sounds like exactly who we need to talk to," Ben agreed. Having a concrete next step felt good, focusing his mind on action rather than the swirl of emotions from their earlier conversation. "When do you want to head over there?"
"Now," Kelly said decisively. "Dinner time is busy, but she can usually take a break when I stop in. We can grab an early dinner, then catch her when she has a moment. Hannah's the perfect starting point. She can catch us up on the past decade of Bergen gossip in one evening."
It was the first step in what could become a nasty investigation that would open old and painful wounds. Tonight, they’d start with Hannah Webber and whatever secrets she might reveal about the town that wanted to forget a murder.
Chapter
Eight
It wasgame night every night at The End Zone. Hannah's sports bar was like a shrine to the gridiron; a myriad of memorabilia decorated the restaurant, along with about a dozen televisions strategically placed so everyone had a good view, no matter where they sat.
Kelly's stomach growled as she pushed through the door, the yummy aroma of burgers, fries, and beer teasing her nostrils. She hadn’t even realized she was hungry until now.
Food had been the last thing she’d been thinking about when she was at her parents’ home. She was grateful that Ben had done so well. He’d joked that meeting the parents in Montana was much worse, as everyone had shotguns in their little town.
At least my parents aren’t armed and dangerous.
One whole wall near the entrance celebrated the Bergen Badgers, jerseys in glass cases, team photos, newspaper clippings of championship games, but what made Kelly's throat tighten were the cheerleading photos. Lori was in at least three of them, frozen in time with her perfect smile, her blonde hair gleaming under stadium lights.
Were we ever that young? It seems so long ago, and yet, only yesterday.
She gazed at the pictures, so many images crowded her brain, flooding in all at once. Her memories of those nights on the sidelines cheering the team were so amazingly vivid, all in bright technicolor. They’d been young, joyous, and oh so innocent. They hadn’t had a clue about the heartache and tragedy ahead.
She could remember what she and Lori had talked about, laughed about when those photos were taken. She even remembered Lori’s favorite lipstick shade. She always wore it with her red cheerleading outfit.
How can I know all of that, and still not know who killed you, Lori?
"You okay?" Ben asked quietly, his hand brushing lightly against her lower back.
Kelly nodded, not trusting her voice just yet. She'd expected to feel something coming back to Bergen, but the intensity caught her off guard. This was exactly why this town both drew her back and repelled her. She couldn’t escape the past here. She couldn’t even avoid it for a few minutes. Every corner held a memory, and too many of those memories led back to Lori.
"Kelly Bateman!" The familiar voice cut through the ambient noise of clinking glasses and sports commentary from the multiple televisions. "Oh my God, it's really you!"
Hannah Webber hadn't changed much in the more than ten years since high school. She was still petite, still blonde, still radiating enough energy to power a city block.
She rounded the bar and rushed toward them, her face split into a wide grin that seemed to erase the years between then and now. Before Kelly could prepare herself, Hannah had enveloped her in a tight hug, smelling of citrus perfume and hair product.
"I was hoping you'd stop by!" Hannah pulled back, holding Kelly at arm's length to inspect her. "Look at you! You look amazing. New York must be treating you well."
Kelly managed a smile, relaxing slightly under her old friend's genuine warmth. This was why she'd always liked Hannah. She was easy to be around, and there was nothing fake about her. It was refreshing to be around.
"It's good to see you, too," Kelly replied, giving her friend a hug. "Hannah, this is Ben Reilly. Ben, this is Hannah Webber, dear friend and owner of this fine establishment."
Hannah's perfectly shaped eyebrows rose as she took in Ben, her approval evident in the quick once-over she gave him.
"Well, hello there. You didn't tell me you were bringing eye candy to town, Kelly." She extended her hand, which Ben took with an easy smile. "Welcome to The End Zone. And Bergen. One is more interesting and fun than the other, but I’ll let you decide which."
"It's nice to meet you," Ben said, his charm effortless in a way that made Kelly wonder how many business meetings he'd navigated with that same smooth confidence.
Thinking about Ben in a business situation made her even more curious about his future plans. So far, he’d only said he was evaluating his options. Whatever that meant.
Hannah glanced around the crowded bar, tapping a plastic menu against her chin.
