Page 24 of My Killer Blind Date

‘Val, please—’ Liam says, holding up both hands in a pacifying gesture.

There’s a resounding crack as she slaps him. ‘Have a great life, asshole!’ she cries, and storms out, middle finger raised high.

My jaw is on the floor, the now-empty wine glass dangling uselessly from my hand.

That did not go as planned.

… but also Lady in Pink is definitely not getting murdered tonight?

Liam cradles his face, working his jaw in a circle.

‘Ouch.’ He removes his hand, revealing a brightening handprint on his cheek.

Then again, maybe Val would have handed him his ass on a platter.

‘Are you OK?’ I ask, because it seems inhumane not to, and also, he did protect me from a possible concussion. That purse looked a little bit lethal.

‘Are you OK?’ he says, and I nod. ‘Hi, by the way,’ he adds. ‘I’m glad to see you. You left the bar last night, and I realized I didn’t have your number …’ He squints his eyes like he’s about to say something painful. ‘I hope it’s OK that I asked Arjun to check in with you. I was worried.’

‘Oh! Yeah, I … sorry …’ No! Why are you apologizing?

He gestures to the bar. ‘Want to sit? Can I replace your wine?’

Suddenly, I’m frozen like a runner before the gun goes off. I should bolt. A strange feeling of déjà vu spills over me, like I’ve been here before – or done this before—

Right. It’s the bolting. I’ve been doing it a lot. From Brian the Bro. From the bridal shop. From last night’s date with Liam.

I can’t run away again tonight – not when I might be closer than ever to finding my friend’s killer.

But I do need to take five.

‘Actually, I need a bathroom.’

‘Take your time.’

In the safety of the single-room all-gender bathroom, I check the lock twice, then lean over the sink, fingers wrapped around the cool ceramic edges, breathing.

I need a plan. Think, Margot.

He’s waiting for me. But what do I do with him?

He’s the strongest lead I’ve found yet – who am I kidding, he’s the only lead. He really could be Zoe’s killer. But no one will take me seriously without evidence.

If I turn this disastrous evening into our second date … pretend I’m super into him, get him talking like he got me talking last night … get him to invite me back to his apartment and find the evidence that I need there, for instance, two severed feet … Not to mention, if the pattern with Kayleigh and Crystal’s bodies holds, Zoe is currently in a deep freezer, maybe even in Liam’s apartment. Yes, this plan is definitely making sense …

But wait – this guy is dangerous. Even if things go really well, and I’m able to get into his place – am I signing my own death sentence?

I can’t go home with him tonight, I promise myself. Not until I’ve ordered some mace. Or a taser. Can you get tasers on Amazon? Further research required. For now, I’ll string him along and do everything I can to secure the next date. That one, I’ll be prepared for.

I face myself in the mirror. My skin is pale in the overhead fluorescent light. Under my eyes, delicate purple shadows show the toll the past six months have taken on me. I rummage in my purse for makeup, but who am I kidding. I haven’t carried makeup with me in years. I’ll just have to use my many other charms on Liam – like my personality. Ugh.

I run the sink, splash cold water on my face, run my hands through my hair. Then, I pull off my flannel shirt and tie it around my waist. I turn from side to side. The tank top I’m wearing underneath is a lot more revealing than what I normally go for, but I need every advantage I can get, and if my curves earn me points toward another date, and another date gets me closer to justice for my friend, so be it.

As I dry my hands on a paper towel, I wonder, of all the women Liam dates, how he plans which ones to kill. Is it just opportunistic – like, whoever goes home with him? Or is there some twisted rubric? And what does he do with their feet?

I don’t have answers yet, but for the first time since Zoe disappeared, the answers feel like they’re within reach.

‘No more running,’ I say to my reflection.