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I nodded, pretending I was blissfully unaware of her outrage. I lowered my voice. “Me too. I didn’t want to come tonight. Told him I was scared, but Marco said I had nothing to worry about.”
“Scared of what?” demanded Tina.
I twisted my ring around and around my finger. “Dolly, the girl who was murdered, told me something earlier that night. I couldn’t tell the police. I really should tell Marco, but he’s been so busy today. It’s been hectic after what happened. I’ve barely had a moment alone with him.”
“Tell Marco what?” said Georgina, her eyes wide with glee.
“Just… well, actually, I might not even tell him. I thought maybe I would just speak to them and see if we can reach an arrangement first…”
“Speak to who?” Georgina demanded.
Tina’s eyes narrowed. “You mean a financial arrangement?”
“Of course she doesn’t,” Tammy protested.
But Georgina’s mouth dropped open. “Are you saying that you know who the killer is?”
I froze, eyes widening. Clapped my hand over my mouth. Whispered, “Please don’t tell anyone I said that!”
Then I scooted away as if horrified at what I had let slip.
Chapter 17
BETH
The trio of girls burst into a flurry of gossip behind me. My job here was done, so I left them behind.
I had no idea why Marco thought the killer would be here tonight. I had a feeling he knew something more about Dolly’s death than he was telling me. Like why had she been up at his apartment? I couldn’t get that out of my head.
But why would one of his acquaintances kill her?
And where the heck was Toby? I scanned the room again, and to my utter relief, there he was, making an entrance with his mother on his arm and his father at his side. I recognised his parents from photos I’d seen online.
I stood on my tiptoes, trying to catch his eye, but he got too busy chatting to some older people who must be friends with his parents.
I was going to have to go nearer to catch his attention. A quick glance told me Marco was still across the room, now having a rather intense conversation with Sandro.
I set my empty glass down on the tray of a passing waitress, and made a beeline for Toby.
A hand snagged my elbow, bringing me to an abrupt halt.
My heart lunged into my throat and I almost screamed. Turning wide eyes on my assailant, I was utterly relieved to see it was someone I knew.
“Mr Landry! You startled me.”
Jonathan Landry had been a friend of my dad’s, and would soon be my new boss. He chuckled and planted a light kiss on my cheek.
He was big, with a slight beer belly, but he was affable and had a softness in his manner that put everyone at ease.
“Call me Jonathan, please. Mr Landry makes me feel old! And we’ll be working together soon, so you may as well get used to it.”
I laughed. “That feels like all the more reason to stick with Mr Landry.”
I had known him since I was a little girl, and it was a relief to see a friendly face in this place. He even smelled of the same cigars that my dad used to smoke.
“You’ll find it’s very informal in my office,” he teased. “If you’re still joining us, that is?”
“Of course I am. Why wouldn’t I be?”
