Page 27 of The Engagement Party

Sierra found Will really unimpressive. She didn’t exactly like Cassie and Alex either, but at least they talked. They made their positions clear. They acted like grown-ups. Will sat there without saying a word then spouted off passive-aggressive garbage.

“Get? You’re not in college anymore. All of you, grow up.” Sierra shot Mitch a look after the last comment. This was not the time for his sarcasm either. “We don’t know if these photos were on the third floor before today, but it probably doesn’t matter. The point is someone who knows you or, sorry to say,isone of you, has been on the island and in the house causing trouble. The cell jammer, the car, the messages, and now the photos. Someone killed Tyler. Someone clearly wants your attention.”

“Why?” Alex asked.

Well, since he asked...“You’re the ones who knew Emily. You tell me.”

Chapter Twenty-One

Alex

As far as summations went, Alex thought Sierra had done a good job. Impressive arguing from a woman who spent her days outside with her hands in the dirt. But all those pieces and all that talking didn’t get them one inch closer to an answer. And with the photos of Emily, he knew he had to step in and control the conversation before it veered even deeper into dangerous territory.

“Emily has been dead for twelve years,” he said. “She’s irrelevant to this engagement party.”

That’s what he needed them all to conclude. Talking about Emily, being dragged willingly or unwillingly into the past, invited trouble. They had enough of that right now. They didn’t need to go looking for more.

Cassie didn’t look convinced. “Is that true, Ruthie?”

Ruthie sighed. “Last I checked, Sierra and I are the only two in this room who weren’t around when Emily was killed.”

That was exactly the type of logical jumps Alex needed them to avoid. He couldn’t exactly call a time-out or drag Cassie away for a consultation, so he pressed his thigh against hers. Any other time she’d recognize that as a signal to back down. Notthis time. Not with Ruthie. They seemed locked in a wrestling match for control of the room, each refusing to give an inch as they launched verbal bombs at one another.

“What are you saying?” Cassie asked without breaking eye contact with Ruthie.

Mitch groaned. “Stop acting like every sentence is an accusation. Things are strained enough.”

“Emily was killed on graduation weekend. She was with all of you celebrating... until she suddenly wasn’t.” Ruthie pointed around the circle. She skipped Sierra but everyone else fell under her scrutiny. “All of you and Jake Parker, the mysteriousmissingfriend.”

The way she said it, as if she knew more than she was telling, pricked at Alex. “Jake’s not missing. He’s just not here this weekend.”

The sound Ruthie made carried a hint ofgotchain it. “Maybe we should ask why.”

“Now who’s throwing around accusations,” Mitch said.

Ruthie shrugged. “I made a simple comment.”

Will went from sneaking questioning peeks at his fiancée and remaining mostly silent to wide awake. He leaned forward with his elbows balanced on his knees. “What would Jake have to do with Mitch’s mother and the dead guy?”

“His name is Tyler,” Mitch said. “And literally nothing.”

“Do we know Tyler really is dead?” Sierra asked.

Shit. Alex hadn’t expected that.

“I didn’t touch him. When Mitch tried, I stopped him.” She didn’t blink as she stared at Alex. “You didn’t either, right?”

“Are you kidding?” Cassie asked. “It’s been hours. He would have made a sound or come into the house.”

“Only if he could move or was conscious. No, Sierra is right.” Ruthie nodded. “We need to check.”

The last thing they should do was run around outside. Alex couldn’t believe he had to explain that. “Absolutely not.”

Sierra ignored him. “We all go out. We stay together.”

“Right. It’s getting dark.” Ruthie stood up. “Let’s just go.”

Alex dreaded the idea of Ruthie and Sierra teaming up. The combination sounded formidable and problematic, especially with Cassie knocked off her game. She sat there not saying a word. But he knew he’d lost the battle when she stood up and joined the other women.

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