Page 41 of Keeping Secrets

He knew the names of nearly everyone in the bar. The same people came to trivia night week after week. It was always a fun mix of regulars and newcomers, which kept things interesting. And of course, the same trivia questions were never asked twice. There were no repeats, not on Scot’s watch.

"Okay, first question," he said once each team was settled at a table with their own buzzer. "The Pulitzer Prize winner Demon Copperhead is based upon what classic work of–"

Keely slammed her hand down on the buzzer before he had even finished his question, hitting it so hard that the smack of her palm on the oversized plastic button was as loud as the buzz itself.

"Pretty Pelicans?" Travis smirked again at the name that Chloe had chosen for this week’s team, and Nick glared at him. He hardly noticed. He was looking at Keely, at her bright green eyes and perfect smile.

"David Copperfield!" she shouted.

"That’s correct!" He grinned at her. "First point to the Pretty Pelicans."

The tables around them twittered with laughter, and Nick glowered at them. Then Chloe smiled up at him and put her hand on his arm, and his grumpiness faded into an affectionate smile. He shook his head and took a sip of his pale ale.

"For two additional points," Travis said, "where does each novel take place?"

This time Ali was the first to the buzzer. "Demon Copperhead takes place in Lee County, which is located in the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia."

There were groans from the surrounding tables and irritated mutters of librarian.

Ali just smiled and continued, "David Copperfield takes place in several English locations including London, Suffolk, and Plymouth. The titular character also lives in Switzerland for a time."

Travis chuckled. "I would have accepted Appalachia and England, but yeah, sure. Two points to the Pretty Pelicans."

Chloe cheered and high-fived Ali across the table.

"Next question," Travis announced. "Which state do the characters Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn hail from?"

Keely had hit her buzzer halfway through the question.

"Pelicans?" Travis said.

"Missouri!" she and Ali said in unison.

"Correct!" He met Keely’s eyes with a grin. "Another point to the Pretty Pelicans."

A general groan went up from the other tables, and Keely cackled with laughter. Travis forced himself to look away from her and read the question on the next card.

"Which year was Missouri admitted to the Union?"

This time another table was first to the buzzer, and a trivia night veteran rattled off the year.

"Eighteen twenty-one!"

"Correct. One point to The Big Bang." He moved to the next card, read it, and glanced at Scot. His boss winked at him, and Travis turned back to the waiting crowd. "Where ignorance is bliss, it is folly to be wise. Who wrote those words?"

This time, Mrs. Bucheski was the first to the buzzer.

"Fireflies," Travis said.

"The immortal bard," she sang out. The other teams muttered, and he held up a hand to quiet them.

"By the name of?" he prompted.

"William Shakespeare!"

"Correct! Point to the Fireflies." He moved to the next card, and then looked at Scot.

"What?" Scot said.

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