Page 179

Thescript.

Tucci is right about one thing.

Thiswasall scripted.

It still is.

“You’re not making sense, Tucci,” Connor says. “You haven’t explained half of what you’ve said, only made vague assertions without any evidence. You’re as incompetent as the original.”

Inspector Tucci puffs out his chest. “I’ll have you know that—”

“I agree,” Officer Anderson says. “Your theory leaves too many unanswered questions. Shawna, for example. We haven’t uncovered any connection between her and Emma except for a superficial one.”

“She was working for her, as I said. LikeShawnasaid. She was just doing what she was told.”

Oh,shit.

Tucci’s right. Again.

He’s right.

Not about Emma. That part is stupid, and as Emma herself just said, the worst script ever.

But Shawnawasdoing what she was told. The whole time. The whole movie.

She was taking orders from one person.

Simone.

104Did you know that some people don’t have an internal monologue? Like they don’t hear thoughts in their heads at all? It must be soquiet. I’mallinternal monologue.

105It’s actually very hard to erase texts. That’s what a law enforcement official told me when I talked to him for research purposes. Also, he was cute. Whatever. So not the point right now. All I’m saying is when you think you’ve hidden what you’ve done, you’re probably wrong.Everythingleaves a trace.

106This isnotmy way of telling you it’s him.

CHAPTER 29

Have We Gotten to the Least Likely Suspect Yet?

“That’s it,” I say.

Emma turns on me with hurt in her eyes and a layer of disbelief. “You thinkIdid it?”

“No, that’s ridiculous. You’re not capable of murder.”

“Gee, thanks.”

“I didn’t mean it that way. It was a compliment.”

“What are you talking about, Eleanor?” Simone asks, her contempt for me as evident as always.

And I should’ve seen it. I should’ve known. The least likely suspect, standing in front of me the whole time. Almost begging me to call her out.

And maybe that’s what her antipathy is about?

A shield from my eventual accusations?

But no.No.She’s too arrogant for that. She never thought I’d catch her. She had to be sure of that. Because that’s what murder really is.