“Was she angry when she said that?" Mel asked.

Jane and Shelley realized at the same instant that they'd been making a case against the Dohertys. "No, no!" Shelley said hastily. "More wry and embarrassed than angry. It was a couple years ago and they've got it together now and I'm sure—”

Jane put her hand over her mouth. "What?" Mel asked.

“Nothing."

“Janey," he said sternly.

“Well, you'll find out anyway, I guess. I was reading that little 'good news' newspaper/ shopper thing we usually let turn to mulch in the driveway last week and saw something about the city council meeting. Apparently Stonecipher was threatening a lawsuit against a dry cleaners. Something about hazardous chemicals. I don't think the article mentioned which one it was, but it could have been the Dohertys."

“I'll check it out," Mel said. "So they were both there at the deli opening?"

“I'm the one who saw them," Shelley said, closing her eyes to picture it. "But I'm not positive I saw both of them. It's just that they usually do go everywhere together. I know I saw LeAnne because she had on that navy and white sweater I tried to get you to buy, Jane. Remember, I told you if you waited for it to go on sale you'd miss your chance?”

Mel cleared his throat.

“Well," Shelley huffed, "LeAnne was there, but I'm not sure about Charles.”

Mel went back to the list. "I understand both Stonecipher and a man named Foster Hanlon were trying to get the deli shut down, and Hanlon was there as well."

“They came together," Jane said. "Well, at about the same time, anyway. But Hanlon was on Stonecipher's side of the dispute."

“As far as we know," Shelley said ominously.

“What do you mean?" Mel asked.

“Just that sometimes generals disagree with each other," Shelley said. "They were both almost professional troublemakers. Maybe Stonecipher took the lead and Hanlon didn't like the way he handled it and blamed Stonecipher for losing the battle."