Page 151 of No One Was Supposed to Die at This Wedding

I shudder. I have a terrible feeling of déjà vu. In Italy, someone invited Cathy on the book tour to divert suspicion and create chaos. And here she isagain.

But why?

No matter how crazy Cathy is, and she’s notthatcrazy,88no one would reasonably think that she had anything to do with a plot to murder Emma or Fred. But Connor, on the other hand...

Connor is another story.

If Connorwasthe intended victim, then bringing her here makes sense.

You’d want to have more than one person who had a motive to kill him on the scene.

Like me.

Like Oliver.

Like Harper.

Like Allison.

Like Cathy.

LikeItaly.

Because I’ve seen this movie before.

I’ve lived it.

I search the faces sitting around me. Fred is consoling Emma, stroking her hair like she’s a child. Mr. and Mrs. Winter are in a similar position, like a fast-forwarded version of Emma and Fred. Simone is standing over Cathy, with an expression that’s daring Cathy to try something, anything. Oliver’s by the door, watching me. Connor, Allison, Harper, and David are clutched together, waiting for something to happen.

Maybe for me to provide the solution.

And Inspector Tucci has his notebook out, but God knows what he’s writing.

Doodles, probably.

But wait.

Someone’s missing.

“Where’s Shawna?” I ask.

Harper’s head swivels, like she might be hiding in a corner. “She was just here.”

“When’s the last time you saw her?”

“I...”

“Anyone?”

“She was here before the lights went out,” Oliver says.

“I haven’t seen her since then,” Allison says. “But she’s so quiet, it’s easy to overlook her.”

“Simone?” I say. “Did you see her leave?”

“No, but that girl isn’t reliable.”

“She’s been at your beck and call formonths,” Harper says with a flush to her face. “Making your movie happen, making this wedding happen. Doing everything.”

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