Page 69 of Dead to Me

She started crying again.

“You came here to kill us.”

Detective Ramos stepped forward.

“Ms. Hart, I need everyone to remain calm.”

China ignored him.

“You hate me.”

I looked at her.

“I told you I didn’t.”

“You lied.”

I nearly smiled. Now she knew what that felt like. China stepped back again.

“I want her out.”

“China.”

“Get her away from me.”

Sierra tried to reach for her, but China pushed her hand away.

“Sierra, don’t touch me.”

Ramos looked at another officer.

“Take Ms. Milan Hart into the hallway.”

For the second time in my life, police came toward me because my sister pointed at me. Suddenly, everything became perfectly clear.

I looked at China. She seemed terrified. I let the officer come closer. Suddenly, every alarm in the hotel went off. The noise was deafening. Red lights flashed above us. Everyone jumped.

The officer turned toward the hallway.

“What the hell?”

An announcement followed.

“Attention. Please evacuate the building immediately. Please proceed to the nearest emergency exit.”

People began shouting. China glanced around in panic. Ramos grabbed his radio. I smiled.

There was one small thing I had forgotten.

I wasn’t sure if I’d need the distraction, but it turned out I did. People filled the hallway, and hotel staff began guiding guests to the stairwells.

The officer next to me glanced away for just a moment. That was all I needed. I blended into the crowd. I didn’t run. I moved with everyone else, down one flight, then another. On the fifth floor, I slipped through the door.

No one noticed. I waited until the stairwell was empty, then climbed back up to the eighth floor. My legs ached under the satin dress. When I reached the bridal floor, the hallway was deserted.

China’s suite door was open, and the room looked deserted. I went to my room, grabbed the black duffel, and came back to the bridal suite.

I opened China’s purse. Her phone, keys, and wallet were all still inside. Perfect. I took her phone and sat by the window to wait. I knew my sister. China wouldn’t stay downstairs, not after accusing me, not after learning the truth.