Page 124 of No One Was Supposed to Die at This Wedding

Don’t ever let anyone tell you that Hollywood is full of imagination.

They take “write what you know” literally.

“So it stands to reason that it could be Mr. Liu who’d do that.”

“But why?” I ask.

“I’ve heard that Mr. Liu believes that Ms. Wood had him fired off an earlier movie?”

“But that was years ago.”

“And there was also an issue with rewrites in this film, too, wasn’t there?”

“Surely you don’t try to murder someone because of changes in a script,” Oliver says.

I bite my tongue. Iwasfeeling murderous about that very thing.

Not that I did anything about it.

I swear.

“I agree with Oliver. That’s not enough of a motive,” I say. “It happens all the time in the business. David’s a professional. He knows how to roll with the punches.”

“There’s a sequel, though, I understand. And some doubt about who’ll get to write it?”

“But if Emma and/or Fred is killed, wouldn’t that end hopes of a sequel?”

“Hmmm. You might be right there.”

“Anyone else?” Oliver presses. He always has liked summing up a list of suspects. When we used to watch crime shows together, we always tried to guess who it was before the third act. We kept score and everything.

Do I need to tell you Oliver had a winning record?

No, right?

“We have to examine the possibility that it’s Mr. Winter and/or Ms. Wood themselves.”

“What? Why?”

“To get out of his money troubles. To get out of the wedding. To drum up some publicity for the movie. Take your pick.”

“I don’t think they’d do that. Certainly not Emma.”

“But Mr. Winter?”

“No, no, I...”

She squints at me like she needs glasses. “You’re keeping something from me.”

I’m impressed she can tell.

Then again, maybe she learned everything she knows from my books?

Iamfull of myself, aren’t I?

“Only that he had a second phone. I’m sorry I forgot to mention it. I meant to turn it over to you.” I rise and go to get it from my backpack.

But it’s not in there.

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