Page 75 of The Dysfunctional Family's Guide to Murder
I look at him in surprise. “I thought that’s what we’re doing here. I thought this was about trying to figure out what happened, and I’m just being realistic. Until we learned about the existence of GG’s son, the most likely scenario was that someone in the house killed GG, and the only people in the house were us. I don’t want to believe it, but it’s ridiculous not to admit that it’s a possibility.”
Dylan looks out the window, then down to the phone in his hand, which is lighting up with WhatsApp notifications. “I know, it’s just…this doesn’t seem so fun anymore. Does it?”
“Did I ever say it was fun? You’re the one whojustsaid this little excursion was your favorite part of the trip.”
“You seemed like you were enjoying it.”
“I’m just trying to keep my mind off my dead grandmother.”
“Step-grandmother.”
“That’s my line. Also, you were the one who wanted to come into town and track down Laura. Then I say Aunty Vinka took GG a cup of tea and suddenly you’re all over me.”
“Sorry.” Dylan looks uncomfortable. “It’s not really about that.”
“What is it, then?” When he doesn’t answer, I put my hand on the door handle, ready to escape inside to peruse the gas-station candy selection with Dad.
“Wait, don’t go. It’s just, ugh, I don’t know how to tell you this but I feel like I have to.”
“You have to…what?”
“Tell you something.”
“And that something is?”
“I’m sure it’s nothing.”
“Dylan. I swear…”
“I overheard your dad talking the other night.”
“Okay?”
“I think he’s having money problems.”
“What do you mean?”
“Money problems. As in not enough of it. He was talking about selling the house, that’s what I heard. Do you know about this?” My face clearly tells him that I don’t. “I’m only saying this, you know, in the interest of considering all suspects.” This is payback for daring to suggest Bec as a suspect, whatever Dylan says.
“What did he actually say?”
“Your dad?”
“Yeah.”
“He said something like how the inheritance couldn’t have come at a better time, but that he would still sell the house, something like that.”
“Sell the house?”
“That’s what he said.”
“He’s fine. We’re fine.” I try to think if this is actually true. Dad’s never mentioned money being tight except, well, now that Dylan’s being a jerk and making me think about it, Dad did say something about canceling our streaming services, although he’s always threatening to do that, and he did sell one of his guitars, although he just said it was because he didn’t play enough. He’s definitely still going to work, and I’m prettysure he’s not sitting in a park for eight hours. He’d never have the patience.
“I’m just telling you what I heard.”
“There’s no way my dad had anything to do with this, okay. Just none.”
“I’m not saying he did.”
