"It's because I know what this looks like," she said with a long sigh. "You see, every year for Christmas, Mr. Seymour would give the library staff gifts. That's just the kind of man he is, and he is a good man, despite the rumors of his affair. Anyway, last Christmas, he gave the entire female staff these earrings that said Ha-Ha Made You Read."

"Including Louise, the assistant director?"

Isabella nodded. "She was the one who called me in near hysterics that Mr. Seymour had ...