Page 66 of Dead to Me

“No.”

Her lower lip shook.

“You know him. You know Malcolm.”

I nearly smiled. I knew him better than she did. China reached out for my hand.

“Tell me this is some mistake.”

I let her grab me.

For a second, I considered telling her. Not everything. Just enough.

I pictured myself leaning in and whispering that Malcolm had begged. That he cried. That he died thinking about the woman he betrayed.

But instead, I just squeezed her hand.

“I’m sorry.”

China collapsed. Her knees hit the carpet, and her wedding dress fanned out around her. She screamed. I had never heard anything like it. I stood over her as everyone rushed forward.

Sierra knelt next to her. Two bridesmaids tried to help her up. China screamed Malcolm’s name, then screamed it again. My chest felt oddly light. I had dreamed of hurting her. I pictured blood, pain, and fear. I never thought grief would be the first wound. It was beautiful.

China sobbed into Sierra’s shoulder. I glanced at the roses Malcolm had sent, then at the broken champagne glass on the carpet. A thin line of champagne crept toward the hem of China’s dress.

For a moment, it looked like blood. I smiled before anyone noticed. The police arrived twelve minutes later. Two officers came in first, then a detective. No one mentioned Warren, which surprised me.

Maybe the hotel hadn’t connected the deaths yet. Either way, the wedding floor turned into chaos.

Guests were told to stay in their rooms. The ballroom was closed for now. Security blocked the elevators, and phones rang nonstop. China sat on the edge of the bed, staring into space. Someone had taken off her veil. Her makeup was ruined, mascara running down her face. I sat next to her.

She hadn’t said a word to me in several minutes. The detective finished speaking with Malcolm’s best man.

Then he approached us.

“Ms. Hart?”

China looked up.

“Yes.”

“I am Detective Ramos.”

She nodded.

“I need to ask you a few questions.”

“Who killed him?”

Ramos hesitated.

“We’re still investigating.”

“How did he die?”

I kept my eyes on him. China repeated her question.

“How did Malcolm die?”