Page 79 of No One Was Supposed to Die at This Wedding

“What were you doing down here, Fred?” Oliver asks.

Fred moves his head slowly from side to side like he might be able to figure it out if he can shake the memories back into place. “I got a text.”

“From who?”

“He said his name was José. He wanted to talk about what happened at the hot tubs today.”

“José the electrician? Why would he call you?” I ask.

“You’d have to ask him that.”

“I will. Why did he want to meet down here?”

“He said he had something to show me and that it was easier to explain in person.”

“You didn’t find that suspicious?”

“I didn’t think...I didn’t believe anyone was truly targeting Emma.”

Plus,he’snot Emma.

“What happened when you got down here?” Connor asks.

“There wasn’t anyone. I tried to call José, but I had no reception. And then, the next thing I knew, there was thisthunk, and I passed out.”

“What time did you come down here?” I ask.

“What time is it now?”

“Just past seven,” Allison says.

“It was around five. And...Oh.” Fred looks around at all of us, taking in our attire. “The wedding rehearsal...I missed it.”

“It’s fine, Fred,” I say. “Don’t worry.”

“Emma will be so disappointed.”

As if this was her cue, Emma rushes into the room and drops by Fred’s side. “Fred! You’re okay.”

He hugs her to him. “I’m fine. I’m so sorry.”

“What happened?”

“I was trying to figure out what happened to those hot tubs.”

“Oh, Fred! You should’ve let El do that.”

“I have a question,” David says, his hand hovering above his pad of paper and a devilish glint in his eye. “What was the number that called you? Or texted you, is that right?”

Fred shrugs.

“Why don’t you check your phone?”

I narrow my eyes at David, and he gives a little shrug of his shoulders.

I should’ve seen this coming, it implies.

And also, he’s going to use this in his next work.

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