Conundrum by Susan Cory Page A

wanted to be done with any loose ends at Norman’s house. Frank, the contractor, was halfway through the punch list, and it was going to be hell to get him to pay attention to those last few details now that he had moved on to his next job. This wa s always the most tedious stage— getting that last two percent of the project done.
    Ten minutes later, the phone rang again.
    “Mack and I think that you and Luc make a great couple,” Ellie began breathlessly.
    “Good morning to you too. What’s that noise?”
    “Disposal. I’m multi-tasking. It looked like we were walking in on something last night.”
    “Merely an advanced-beginner conversation. I’m f ollowing the advice of a friend— moving at glacial speed. Maybe we’ll get to second base before I collect social security.”
    “What is second base anyway? I can’t even remember. Said friend is telling you to pick up the pace now. He definitely looks interested and seems like a nice guy. I give you my blessing.”
    “He does have some interesting miles on him. Do you know that he worked in Italy for seven years and had his own restaurant there? That kind of experience adds more than a decade of sophistication to his age, don’t you think? But then again, he’s hiring a female chef. She’s probably young and gorgeous. They’ll be working side by side. He drove her home last night. It’s really just a matter of time before they fall in love and he breaks my heart. Do you really want to watch that happen?”
    “Oh, she’s probably some old crone with a mustache. You’ll just have to keep him busy. You said he lived in Italy for seven years? Are we talkin ’ city or countryside?”
    “Rome.”
    “At least a decade.”
    “Fine then Madam. For your amusement, I’ll throw myself into the fray again. But you may have to pick up the pieces.”
    “Deal.”

Chapter 18
    “I can be subtle, Ellie. Let me tackle Jerry and G.B. I’ll do my innocent ‘ Columbo ’ bit.”
    “I know you can, Mack. It’s just that they have highly attuned bullshit detectors. If they’re the ones who murdered Will and think that we suspect them, we could be the next bodies dumped in the woods. So, be careful. If you can get them talking in some casual way, great. Otherwise, make small talk and wander off. I’ll do the same with Adam, Alyssa and C.C.”
    The car lock chirped and they set out toward GSD for the Sunday luncheon finale. The hum of activity drew them through the lobby back to the first-floor lunch room which had been set up with a buffet so alums and professors could mill around or perch on chairs with plates teetering on their laps while they chatted. Roger Barton, Norman’s reunion co-chair, appeared to have finished or given up making any more official pitches.
    After loading up his plate with mysterious pasta salads, Mack ambled toward G.B. and Jerry, sitting at a table by themselves .
    Ellie overheard him say, “May I join you? We didn’t get much chance to talk Friday night. G.B., I’ve heard so much about your theory classes from my wife.”
    They looked taken back by this boldness. A piece of potato salad fell off of Jerry’s fork as he stared. But appealing to G.B.’s vanity was a wise move. The professor’s chest seemed to puff up.
    Good , Ellie thought. Mack’s foot is in the figurative door.
    “Ellie may have ended up writing about architecture rather than practicing it, but I’d love to hear how you both go through the process of designing buildings. Do you really sketch on napkins?”
    Brother. Mack was laying it on thick. But G.B. and Jerry seemed to loosen up, and five minutes later, Ellie was amazed to see the three of them engaged in a lively discussion. Meanwhile, she had parked herself near Alyssa and was waiting for her to finish sucking up to their former architectural history professor. She couldn’t see any of the other suspects.
    “Professor Bachman, I kept hearing your words about the Minoans the entire time we wandered around