Page 7 of The Anniversary Party

He nodded. “I used to work for the Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office, but I retired. Now I consult on cases from time to time. I should secure your brother’s body. At least until the police arrive.”

She blanched at the mention of the police, but managed a shaky response. “I guess it’s lucky you’re here. But I wouldn’t hold your breath for the police to come.”

“Why not?” Sasha asked.

She gestured toward the window where a snow squall painted the outdoors white. “Besides, the phones are down. The main line in the big house isn’t working, and none of us has a mobile signal.” Her eyes snapped back to Sasha’s. “That’s why I was coming here. Do any of you have a signal?”

A thick, uncomfortable silence fell over the room. Nine sets of eyes landed on Sasha.

“What?” Annette asked.

Leo coughed. “None of us has a cell phone here.”

Disbelief washed over her. “Ten people, and not one cell phone?”

The weight of the gazes on Sasha grew, pressing down on her like a physical load. She squared her shoulders, jutted her chin forward, and addressed the question. “See, Annette, here’s the thing. We all agreed not to bring our phones this weekend.”

“So, you’re on a digital detox?”

“Something like that,” Sasha told her.

“It’s nothing like that,” Maisy piped up. “Sasha has rules. You break them at your peril.”

That sparked a thought. “Did anyone?” Sasha asked eagerly.

“Did anyone what?” Carl wanted to know.

“Break the rules. It’s okay. If anyone sneaked in a cell phone, ‘fess up. You’ll get amnesty.”

A chorus of ‘nos’ filled the air.

Sasha narrowed her eyes and gave Maisy a long look.

“Why are you looking at me?” Maisy demanded.

“If anyone brought a phone, it’d be you. You know, to take photos for your podcast social media feed.”

“I brought acamera,” Maisy huffed. “Remember those?”

She relented. “Really?”

“Really.”

“I’m sorry for accusing you, then.”

Maisy rolled her wrist with a flourish. “I forgive you.” Then she turned toward Annette. “Noneof you have a signal? How is that even possible? There are ten of you, too.”

The woman flushed. “I’m not sure. But that’s what Joy said. I screamed when I found him, and she and Tessa came running. Tessa told Joy to call for help, and she came back a few minutes later, freaking out because there was no way to make a call. So I raced up to the mansion, but the line at the reception desk was dead, so I came down here.”

“What did John and Hatty say?” Leo probed.

Annette’s eyes were enormous in her pale face. “John and Hatty haven’t made it back yet. From, well, you know …”

Oh, they knew.

CHAPTER4

Two hours earlier

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