Page 169 of No One Was Supposed to Die at This Wedding

David makes a dismissive gesture with his hand. “But heisin jail.”

“What does Fred get out of that?”

“If Tyler is blamed for José’s and Ken’s deaths, he’s not going to be focused on collecting on his debts, is he? And Fred rides off into the sunset with Emma. Who would think FredWinterwould kill anyone? It’s kind of brilliant, really.”

“Don’t write the sequeljustyet.”

“You must admit it makes a certain amount of sense,” Allison says.

I think it over. It does on the surface, but it doesn’t explain another crucial detail.

Two.

“Why bring in Crazy Cathy?”

“To add to the suspect list. Emma knew about her, yes? She could have told Fred about her.”

“Okay, but...what about Shawna? How does she fit in?”

David doesn’t look concerned. “They planned it together.”

“Fred and Shawna?”

“Yes.”

“Why? How?”

“Maybeshe’sa red herring,” Oliver says. “The thing that seems like it fits but doesn’t.”

“No. She’s involved. So why would Fred bring her into this?”

“She’s unobtrusive. No one notices her and she has access to everything.”

“AndFredcame up with this plan?” My voice can only be described as incredulous. “Does he strike you as a criminal mastermind?”

“No, but—”

“We should talk to Fred,” Oliver says.

“Now youwantto investigate?”

“Hey, now, I’m not the enemy.”

“I’m sorry. But you were so against it earlier.”

“We’re here, aren’t we? In for a penny...”100,101

We stare at each other, and I can’t read his expression. But there’s a sense of urgency emanating from him, and I feel it, too.

The solution is just out of reach.

We need to grab on to it while we still can.

“All right, let’s go see them.” I check outside. The rain finally seems to be letting up, but the wind is still howling. “We need to be careful. David, Allison, you should come with us. The more people we are, the less likely someone will try to harm us.”

“Aren’t we supposed to stay in our rooms?” David says.

“I don’t personally have any desire to sit here and wait until a murderer comes knocking, you?”

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