Page 152 of Every Time I Go on Vacation, Someone Dies

“I wasn’t at the Vatican when you were pushed. I was with Eleanor the whole day.”

“Oh,” I say. “That’s right. We were together. She couldn’t have pushed you.”

“And the witness who died the next day? Davide. I was with Eleanor that whole day, too.”

Connor sips at his tea slowly. “You could be each other’s alibi.”

“So now we’re in on it together?” I say. “Come on.”

He gives me a cold stare. “She does everything else for you. Packs your bags, organizes your life, unsubscribes you from newsletters.”

Oh my God, the ego on this man.

“Neither of us tried to murder you, Connor. And what are you saying? Either Harper tried to kill me or we were working together to kill you. You can’t have it both ways.”

“Right,” Oliver says. “And what about Shek? How does he fit into all of this?”

“And what’s the motive?” I say. “Is it your financial shenanigans, or is it because you’re just a disgusting jerk who treats other people’s hearts like toys?” I point to Isabella. “You should get out while you can, Isabella. Honestly, I can’t believe you’re still here.”

She doesn’t answer me, just gives a shrug with her shoulders while a small smile plays at her mouth.

It occurs to me that she might be enjoying herself. Like she’s in a murder mystery come to life. A choose-your-own-adventure where you’re a bystander.

But bystanders can catch stray bullets.

“The problem,” Allison says, “is there are too many suspects. Everyone on this trip has a motive to kill Connor.”

“And Eleanor,” he says petulantly, but I don’t think anyone agrees with him.

At least, I hope not.

“It’s a good point,” Oliver says. “Something we haven’t thought of before.”

“What’s that?”

“Who put this tour together? The publisher, I know, but it had to be more specific than that. Who gave them the idea to put all of us on this tour? How did this many people with a reason to kill Connor end up together?”

“That’s probably easier than you think.”

“Hey!”

“Fine, fine.”

“Harper, do you know?” Allison says.

“It wasn’t me, if that’s what you’re asking. Someone in publicity approached me about it. Her name is Marta. She’s pretty new. She pitched it to me about six months ago, and mentioned Connor and Allison and Guy, of course, because of the—”

“Vacation Mysteries Extended Universe,” I complete.

“Okay, those were obvious choices. But how did Oliver get here? Or Shek? And Emily…”

We all look at one another.

“What?” Emily says. “I don’t have that kind of pull. I just go where they tell me.”

“Who knew about you and Connor?” I ask.

“There were some TikToks,” Harper says.

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