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Alex was in love with Leigh.

But she would deal with that another time. Or possibly never. Never sounded quite appealing, actually.

‘How did you do it?’ Alex asked Leigh.

‘Well, first off, I spent ten minutes talking through how risky it was.’

‘Interesting play,’ Alex noted.

‘Ihadto. You know that,’ Leigh said earnestly

‘But then?’ Alex pushed.

‘I told her about the others. Everything Steven said. I think that made her feel better, knowing she wasn’t alone. And then she said, “If I wasn’t the first, I won’t be the last. I can’t let some other poor naïve idiot wander into either of those spider’s nests.”

‘So, she’s doing it? Like right now?’ Alex asked.

‘Yeah. She’s gonna text it over when she’s done,’ Leigh confirmed.

Alex did a small air punch of victory. ‘The other yeses just got a lot more likely. If everyone knows one person was willing to talk…’

‘Then what are we waiting for?’ Leigh asked. ‘Gimme the next name.’

***

It was midnight. Alex walked back into the party. The room was half-empty. Every gift bag was gone. It was gonna be a thin screening.

Alex was surprised and delighted to find Erin was still hanging around. She was drinking coffee now, presumably so she could keep on her feet.

‘Hey, you get your big moment with Isabelle?’ Alex asked.

‘I think she left,’ Erin said irritably.

‘That narcissist? Miss her own movie? Doubtful,’ Alex told her. ‘Hey, you still want to see the smile wiped off her face?’ she asked.

Erin looked interested.

‘Why don’t you come to the midnight screening? I think you’ll enjoy it.’

Erin sniffed. ‘Yeah?’

‘Yeah. I promise you, it’ll be worth a look,’ Alex vowed.

Erin was intrigued. ‘Alright.’

‘Just out there,’ Alex gestured. ‘Staff will point the way.’

Erin did as she was told. One domino was set. But what about the other?

Alex headed out of the party, along with the faithful few who’d made it to the end. Isabelle was just coming in from outside, looking like she’d collected herself from the earlier fracas. She looked very pleased with herself, no doubt looking forward to everyone seeing how great she was at dying on screen.

But when Isabelle saw Alex, her smile slipped. ‘What are you still doing here?’

‘I arranged this thing. I wanted to see it through,’ Alex said.

‘You know I’m going to report you to the police for assault in the morning, don’t you? Try spinning that to future clients,’ she said with contempt.

‘You’re reporting me?’ Alex asked, trying to look worried. ‘Isabelle, is therenothingI can do to make it up to you?’