Page 29 of Dead to Me

Mr. Voss stated that if anything happened to him, police should investigate his business partner, Malcolm Banks.

I read it again.

The report had never been introduced at trial. I would’ve remembered. My attorney would’ve used it.

I turned the page. A handwritten note was attached.

REPORT CLOSED. COMPLAINANT RETRACTED.

Signed:

DET. W. COLE

The final page was a photocopy of an email.

Sender: Jeremy.

Recipient: China.

Subject: You need to tell her.

The email was short.

China,

I’m done covering this. Malcolm is moving money, and Warren knows about it. Milan has no idea what she’s mixed up in. If you care about your sister, tell her before this gets worse. I kept quiet because you asked me to, but I’m not doing it anymore.

J.

I stopped breathing. China knew. She knew Malcolm was doing something illegal. She knew Warren was involved. She knew Jeremy planned to expose them. And somehow, I became the murderer.

The burner vibrated.

I looked at the screen.

THEY DIDN'T FRAME YOU BECAUSE THEY HATED YOU.

Another message came.

THEY FRAMED YOU BECAUSE YOU WERE USEFUL.

My vision blurred. I wiped my eyes angrily. No. I was not crying here. Not in a parking garage.

I typed.

WHO KILLED JEREMY?

Nothing.

I waited.

WHO KILLED HIM?

Three dots appeared.

Stopped.

Appeared again.