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Chapter Forty-Two

Naomi

February 2023, three months before her death

The next morning, the sound of my phone vibrating jerks me awake. It’s a text from Ben: Hey Naomi. I know you might not want to hear from me, but there’s something I think I should tell you. Call me when you get this?

I sigh. Ben had come to the BAC show and sat right in the front row with his friends. It was sweet. But it’s too late for anything to happen. That ship has sailed.

“You’re up,” someone says, and I look up to find Zee and Amy standing in the entryway to the common area.

“I must’ve fallen asleep here. I was visiting my sister in the city yesterday.”

“Did she say anything?” Amy asks, taking a seat in the chair across from me.

I look from her to Zee, wondering why she’d bring this up around her. “I’m not sure what you mean,” I say, pointedly.

Zee and Amy exchange a glance. After a moment, Zee says, “I have a confession: Amy’s laptop was open on her desk…and I looked through her email. I wanted to know what you two were being so secretive about. I want to help you guys.”

I looked at Amy—having someone go through your emails was pretty violating, especially when she’s been so worried about making sure no one knows what she’s working on. “I was pissed, of course, but it’s been done, and she convinced me I had to show you this…”

Amy folds open her laptop. “These are the emails Professor DuPont forwarded to Theodore Hunt. I think he was trying to convince him to help in order to protect his wife, Cecily. The reporter I’m working with had asked me not to show anyone, to protect her source. But, Naomi, you cannot say anything about them to anyone. It could put my source in very real danger.”

September 2, 2022 7:56 AM

TO: Matthew DuPont

FROM: Marta Koval

Hello, Mr. DuPont,

I received a message from a man by the name of Trevor Jones. He insists he is the brother of Miss Lila Jones. He found her cellphone in his parents’ garage while going through their belongings. I’ve ignored his calls, but he is now asking to meet. He is being very persistent.

Regards,

Marta

September 2, 2022 8:01 AM

TO: Marta Koval

FROM: Matthew DuPont

Don’t worry about him, just block his calls.

September 2, 2022 8:05 AM

TO: Matthew DuPont

FROM: Marta Koval

Mr. DuPont, this man has been calling and emailing me every day. He even reached out to my daughter on Instagram. I do not know what to do. He sent me this…

Attached to the email are two photos. The first is one of DuPont and Lila, what looks like a selfie, and when I see the second, my vision swims with a watery jolt of déjà vu. It’s the same photo Liam showed me, the one of my sister and her friends in ski gear. This time though, in higher resolution, I notice the person taking the photo reflected in the mirror behind them—Marta.

September 2, 2022 8:06 AM

TO: Marta Koval

FROM: Matthew DuPont

Understood. I will come speak to you in person, no need to send any more emails.

“He killed her,” Zee says. “He obviously had plenty of reason to. All the documents she pulled and gave to Professor Williams? That’s enough to shut Greystone down, to shut Sterling down, and to ruin Matthew personally.”

I pull my head back from the screen. “It feels like Marta might know something…like she was there that weekend too.”

Amy nods. “I tried, but she won’t talk to me. Maybe one of you can try? And Naomi, maybe you can try again with your sister.”

I nod but, as much as I want to, I don’t tell them that if Maya did have something to do with it, even if it was an accident, she would try to shut this down. Getting her involved could put her at risk.

I’m standing, pacing the room, when I realize…I have to talk to her friends.