Page 98 of Scatter the Bones

“No, why do they think he killed them?”

“For their money?” I shrug, but shame creeps over me, sticky and all too familiar. That I was engaged to Daniel feels like a mistake I’ll never stop paying for. “I knew he was cruel. Mean. But murder?” I shake my head. “Stealing from elderly women? I never imagined…”

“I had no idea.” She reaches out, resting her hand over mine. “I’m so sorry, Margot. This is awful.” She frowns like she’s screwing up the courage to say something else. “And I know it’s probably pointless to say this now, but...I never liked him. Didn’t like the way he talked to you. Or about you.”

Great, did Daniel say awful things to my friends about me too?

“I couldn’t tell you,” she continues, “and risk having you mad at me. It was a feeling more than anything concrete, you know?”

“Sure. He fooled a lot of people.” I gesture toward the screen. “Obviously.”

Silence settles between us, broken only by the clatter of a dish behind the counter and the quiet chatter of the other patrons.

“Margot.” April squeezes my hand. “I’m so glad you didn’t marry him.”

I nod, staring into my cup and let out a humorless snort. “Me too.”

She doesn’t say anything else about Daniel. What else can be said?

We sip in silence, the noise of the café swirling around us.

After a moment, she sets her cup down. “You don’t think they’ll drag your dad or the funeral home into it, do you?”

“God, I hope not. That’s all we need.” I rub my thumb against the side of my mug, chasing the heat. “I probably shouldn’t have told those detectives so much about my relationship with Daniel. They interviewed my dad and me, but I don’t think we gave them anything helpful.”

“How awful.” She finishes her coffee and sets the cup on the counter with aclunkthat sounds like the end of the conversation. “Forget that monster. Tell me more about that hot biker who kept eyefucking you at the Hall funeral.”

“April!” I choke on a laugh and glance around the café, cheeks warming. A couple near the door seems lost in their own conversation, thankfully.

Still a bit miffed at Jigsaw’s disappearing act, my smile fades quickly. I’m not in the mood to sing his praises to my friend tonight. I glance up at the television. The news has moved on to the weather—colorful maps and a scrolling alert.

“It’s still new,” I say. “But he’s pretty great.”When he actually communicates with me.“The complete opposite of Daniel in every single way.”

“Good. You deserve that.” She beams at me. “You’ll have to properly introduce me next time.”

If he sticks around.My phone’s in my purse, heavy with silence. Not another text or call since this morning. I don’t even know if he ended up meeting with his brother or not. I want to call and tell him about Daniel’s arrest, but I don’t want to bother him.

“Do you want to get out of here?” April asks.

“Sure.” I push my cup aside. “Let’s go.”

We step out into the night. The cool breeze nips at my cheeks. Or maybe that’s heat flaring over my face. Every time we pass someone on the sidewalk, I feel like I have a neon sign over my head, announcing that I was once engaged to a murderer.

“You okay?” April asks.

I shake my head. “Ugh, it’s just weird. Daniel.” I wave toward the coffee shop. “I saw him not that long ago at the funeral for one of the women they think…he…”

“Killed?” she whispers.

“Yes. He wassuchan asshole. Talked about wanting to get back together. Get married because he’s ‘ready to settle down’ now. Ugh, still as condescending as ever. But I never suspected?—”

“Why would you? Besides, he probably wanted to get married because it would make him look innocent or something.” She frowns. “You’re the one who dumped him. How dare he act like he wanted to takeyouback!”

“I know, right?” We share a dark laugh.

She hugs me one more time before heading to her car.

“Text me when you get home?” I call after her.

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