Page 85 of Dead to Me

“Did she cut you?”

“I don’t know.”

That answer felt safer than telling the truth. Everything was chaotic. People kept coming and going. The questions came too fast. I answered some and ignored others.

Whenever I didn’t know what China would say, I cried harder.

It worked.

Grief let people act in ways that didn’t always make sense. Shock made it easier for them to forget things. I had learned that from watching victims testify.

Eventually, Detective Ramos entered the suite. His eyes moved over the room slowly.

Then he looked at me.

“China.”

I flinched at the name. That part wasn’t acting. He walked closer.

“Can you tell me what happened?”

I shook my head.

“Not right now.”

“I understand.”

“No, you don’t.”

My voice cracked. That was something China would do. Ramos sat down in the chair across from me.

“She knew I knew.”

Ramos frowned.

“Knew what?”

I let my face change.

“She hated me.”

“Why?”

I stared at him.

“Because of Malcolm.”

Ramos leaned forward.

“Tell me about that.”

I swallowed.

“My sister used to date him.”

“I know.”

“She never forgave us.”