Page 52 of Dead to Me

“In my room.”

“You told China you went walking.”

“That was last night.”

“Where were you between seven and eight?”

I cocked my head.

“Why?”

“Because Warren died sometime this morning.”

“You seem to know a lot.”

“The police questioned me.”

“Why?”

Malcolm paused. I smiled.

“Interesting.”

“They're questioning everyone who knew him.”

“Did you tell them you paid him twenty thousand dollars to frame me?”

The color drained from his face. For the first time since I entered the room, Malcolm stopped moving.

“What did you say?”

“You heard me.”

“Milan.”

“Twenty thousand dollars.”

He stared at me. I moved a little closer.

“That’s all I was worth?”

“Who told you?”

I smiled.

“You did.”

He frowned.

“Just now.”

Malcolm realized what he’d done. He glanced at the door.

Then he looked back at me.

“I never said I paid him.”

“You didn't have to.”