Page 96 of The Engagement Party

Mitch’s eyebrow lifted. “That’s quite a statement. It’s also a lie.”

Ruthie gave Mitch credit for staying calm. His old friends probably thought he’d back down or keep the arguments private. They weren’t counting on him maturing and tackling his trauma without flinching.

“Jake and I went back to the apartment. My uncle was there and ate with us. I told that to the police. Jake told the police. My uncle told the police.”

“No... no, wait. He was covering for you. There was that news conference where the police spokesperson talked about not being able to confirm your whereabouts,” Alex said.

“I found the ripped-up food receipt in my trash can once I left police questioning. I produced it. Maybe I never specifically told you that I found it, but I never thought I had to prove my alibi to you. It never dawned on me that you actually believed I killed our friend.”

Some of the confusion cleared from Alex’s expression. “It’s why the police stopped looking at you and Jake as suspects.”

Mitch let out a sigh before nodding.

Ruthie thought about all she knew and the evidence, and Mitch’s explanation fit. Of course, he couldmakeit fit... but she really wanted to believe him. “Emily must have dropped her purse and keys while she was on campus and before going to the labyrinth... or someone dropped them off there after she was dead. Trying to throw the police off, maybe?”

“I guess you’re an expert at hiding things. Don’t think we forgot your role in what happened to Will and the terror you brought into our lives,” Cassie said.

Ruthie found Cassie exhausting. Her spouting a rabid defense while her story unraveled called every word she uttered into question.

“I take responsibility for bringing you here this weekend.” But every time Ruthie said the words her regret lessened. Cassie deserved whatever she got. “That’s it.”

“Wait. You said it was Mitch.” Alex didn’t stammer that time. His voice regained its usual strength as he confronted his wife. “All these years. You blamed Mitch.”

Ruthie could see the realization pumping through him, fueling him. She decided to give him another verbal push. “You were her ticket, and she couldn’t let you get in trouble and ruin her future plans.”

Cassie snapped. “Shut up.”

But Alex didn’t let go. “You blamed Mitch. You lied to me. How could you do that?”

Cassie’s mouth hung open for a few seconds as if she’d realized she lost the support of her strongest defender. “Don’t—”

“You selfish bitch.” Alex fully turned on Cassie. Physically, emotionally, he separated from her. It was as if the truth had welled up in him and the bitter memories flooded his brain. “You let me think Mitch killed Emily. You blamed me for being too drunk to stop him and forced me to shoulder that guilt, and it wasn’t real.”

Instead of fighting back or defending herself, Cassie pulled out the gun. She didn’t wave it around or hesitate. She aimed it at Ruthie. “This is your fault.”

The sight of the weapon trapped Ruthie in slow motion. Thoughts of running or dropping bombarded her brain. Theystood ten feet apart. A bullet would tear through her. The horrible realization hit her as she heard the bang.

A weight rammed into her side. Her body fell and gray swirled around her. Her breath hitched then turned into a labored gasp as she slammed against the ground. The force of the bullet surprised her, not giving her a second to brace.

The weight grew heavier, cutting off her remaining air. She lifted her hands and hit an arm. Alex? She laid in a sprawl with Alex pinning her down. Did he tackle her?

Then she saw the blood and heard the yelling. Cassie’s voice.

“No!”

Chapter Sixty-Seven

Alex

She shot me.

The thought broke through Alex’s muddled mind as he tried to move. He felt softness below him and a sharp chill against his back. His muscles ignored every order from his brain and his eyes begged to close.

“Alex, no.”

He could hear Mitch and a skidding sound like shoes running across pebbles. Alex’s hand slipped into a pool of wetness. The rain... a puddle, probably. He felt banging against his chest and tugging on his useless arms. He wanted the punching to stop but he didn’t know how to make that happen.

“I’m sorry. Please don’t ... I’m so sorry.” Cassie’s voice. Breathless. She kept repeating the words with a panicky edge that sounded off.

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