Yappy Hour by Diana Orgain

replied, glad not to have to explain about Dan. “Do you need help setting up?”
    â€œNah,” she said. “I’ll just move some of the tables over there so we can get our amp system going. Where’s Rachel? Will she be back in time for the fund-raiser next weekend?”
    The question of the day.
    The more I considered what Grunkly had said, the more likely it sounded. If Rachel needed space, she would have found solace at Stag’s Leap. It seemed more rational than eloping … but then again, rational wasn’t a word I’d used to describe Rachel.
    I watched Evie as she pushed the chairs and tables aside. She was rail thin and barely seemed to have the strength to move the tables, which all had wide wooden bases. I helped her push one of the tables, and she flashed me a big crooked-tooth grin.
    The bar door pushed open and man in dark clothes and combat boots stepped in. Involuntarily, I stiffened.
    â€œHey Bish,” Evie said. She turned to me and said, “Bishop is our guitar player. Stage name, The Burning Bishop.”
    He grunted at us. He had a piercing in his lip and bulging biceps. His stance was imposing and I felt vaguely threatened.
    Suddenly the bar seemed too dark, and I rushed to prop open the door. While I searched around on the patio for something to secure the heavy door, I saw Gus DelVecchio approaching. He waved at me enthusiastically.
    â€œHi, Maggie! Getting the bar ready?”
    â€œYeah, we have a band tonight,” I said. “It’s a dress rehearsal for the big fund-raiser next weekend.”
    Gus walked over to me. “I’m sorry our breakfast was interrupted this morning.”
    He grabbed my hand and a jolt of electricity coursed through me, which I tried to ignore.
    â€œThat wasn’t your fault. What did Officer Brooks tell you? Do you have any more information about Dan?”
    Are you a suspect?
    â€œHe told me about Dan. I remembered you weren’t supposed to have told me, so I pretended I didn’t know, but then somehow he knew that I’d called Dan’s parents last night, so he called me a liar. I’m afraid it didn’t go well.”
    â€œI’m sorry. I feel like it’s my fault,” I said.
    Not only had I gotten Gus into trouble, but now Officer Brooks would think I was a blabbermouth. It seemed like I’d gotten off on the wrong with foot with practically everyone in town. A heaviness settled into my belly.
    â€œIt’s not your fault. How could it be your fault?” He sighed. “Anyway, I managed to walk out of there without having to hire a defense attorney. So that’s a bit of an accomplishment. But it doesn’t bring Dan back.” He ran a hand through his thick dark hair and for a moment looked like a lost little boy. I fought the impulse to hug him.
    Across the patio, Yolanda and Beepo clicked and clacked toward us, Beepo on his Day-Glo leash and Yolanda sporting leather pants and leopard halter top.
    Gus watched her approach and suddenly made himself scarce. “I’ll catch you later, Maggie,” he said, giving my hand a final squeeze and retreating into the restaurant.
    So he wasn’t friendly with Yolanda .
    â€œWow, that’s some outfit,” I said to her when she reached me.
    She flicked her hair. “It’s my dancing outfit.”
    Beepo snarled at my feet and I inched away from him.
    â€œHe won’t bite you,” Yolanda said.
    But he might relieve himself on my shoes!
    â€œYolanda, do you know if Rachel was dating someone?” I asked.
    Yolanda crinkled her delicate nose. “As far as I know, she wasn’t. Why?”
    I shrugged. “It’s not important.” I wasn’t ready to confide in her. First, I didn’t know her all that well, but more importantly, she didn’t seem all that trustworthy at the moment, what with the fact that I’d found her hovering over Dan less than twenty-four hours