“It’s obvious, isn’t it?” David says.

“What’s obvious?”

“Who’s behind it all.”

“Oh, really? Tell us then.”

“It’s Fred.”

94Okay, maybe once when she was a teenager, but a drunk driver killed our parents. That puts a cap on alcohol consumption. Not that I don’t indulge—you know this about me—but I never drive if I’ve had a glass of wine. And I’m always checking to make sure my consumption is reasonable overall. Please note all you’ve ever seen is me onvacation.

95I feel like that all the time. One of the downsides of being a pantser. But italwayscomes together in the end.

96That Officer Anderson would assume I’d follow her directions to stay out of it is either very naive or very trusting, neither of which are great qualities for a cop. Or a mystery writer.

97No, we didn’t have sex. That would have takentoo long.

98I found this out in Italy.

99Okay, John Malkovich inBeing John Malkovich, but that movie wascool. And yeah, fine, Keanu Reeves did it, too. Whatever, you get my point.

CHAPTER 27

If Someone Dies on Your Doorstep, Are They Giving You a Clue?

“Wait,what?” I say, my brain spinning like a top that might fall over at any minute.

“It’s Fred,” David repeats. “It must be.”

“Why do you think that?” Oliver asks.

“Stands to reason. Means, motive, opportunity...”

My heart starts to race. “You’re stealing my lines now?”

David is unfazed. “I thought you complained when Ididn’tuse your words.”

“Stop it, you two. Just explain, David,” Allison says.

“I’m sorry, my dear. But Fred is definitely the prime suspect. He’s the one who needs money. And he’s marrying a rich woman who he stole from Tyler.”

“That’s not right,” I say. “He didn’tstealEmma. She’s not a painting. And things were never serious between her and Tyler. Plus, it was over long before filming started.”

Allison gives me a look. “Is that what she said?”

“What do you know?”

“Just what I’ve heard.”

“Which is?”

“That itwasserious. They were on and off for years. And then Fred came along...”

My stomach twists. Would Emma lie to me about her and Tyler? Then again, she didn’t tell me about it in the first place. Not until she had to. But there are lots of things I haven’t told Emma. That doesn’t mean anything nefarious. It doesn’t mean anything at all.

Besides, there’s one important thing David hasn’t thought of.

“Tyler isn’t dead,” I say. “So none of that matters.”