Constance Griffin:You say “nature” like you’ve already made up your mind. You’re going to believe what everyone says, aren’t you?
Officer Truchaud:That’s not how things work. I don’t have tobelieveanyone or anything. I’m looking for evidence, for clues, for corroborating testimonies, or conflicting ones.
Constance Griffin:But you’ve already decided what I did or didn’t do. I can see it in your eyes. So what does it matter?
Officer Truchaud:It matters.
Constance Griffin:I’m sure you talked to Carly Wolf. The VIPsalways come first. Am I wrong about that?
Officer Truchaud:We’re talking to everyone. But, indeed, she had some interesting things to say.
Constance Griffin:[starts sobbing] Why won’t you tell us what happened at that party? People have been talking. The rumor is all over Cannes. Is it true?
Officer Truchaud:We’re currently protecting the victim’s identity due to—
Constance Griffin:But you’re not! It’s spreading everywhere. You knew all along, and you let it all go on.
Officer Truchaud:Given the circumstances, and the people involved in the rumor, there was nothing we could have done to stop it. And if you’re referring to the closing ceremony going on as planned, those decisions are well above my pay grade. The festival is vital to the city’s economy, and a scandal of this magnitude—
Constance Griffin:[sobs harder] So it’s true?
Officer Truchaud:Miss, I can’t confirm or deny—
Constance Griffin:I don’t care what people say about me. I loved him, okay? Is that what you want to know? And yes, we had an argument that night. I’m not ashamed of it. I’m allowed to have feelings for a man.
Officer Truchaud:Earlier, you said—
Constance Griffin:You’re going to twist anything I say, but I don’t care! Yes, I’ve made mistakes. Do you think I don’t know that? I catch feelings easily. It’s a problem. I’m well aware of it.
Officer Truchaud:Would you like to take a break?
Constance Griffin:No! What I want is for you to tell me. Whathappened? What happened!
Officer Truchaud:I understand this is very painful, but I have to ask. When was the last time you saw Dorian Fisher alive?
Constance Griffin:[cries uncontrollably]
Cannes Film FestivalDay Eleven
Marnie
The risk was obvious. Odetta Olson could never know that I was on that yacht. Carmen could never find out. She wouldn’t just fire me; she’d neverstop hunting me down for so blatantly abusing her trust. Again.
I didn’t care.
When I saw Ben was on the list, I knew I had to do it. Ihadto add our names before printing the document. All three of them. I couldn’t do this alone.
Ben saw me first, before I was ready to face him. He squirmed through the crowd between us while never losing sight of me, his eyes wide open. He seemed terrified.
“What are you doing here?” he asked when he was close enough.
His voice was full of angst.
“What areyoudoing here?”
I shook my head at the server who had just approached with a tray of drinks.
Ben looked rough. Dark circles lined his eyes, and he’d missed a few spots during his morning shave. His pants were too baggy and his blazer didn’t quite fit. They were new clothes, purchased in a hurry for tonight’sfestivities. This was the guy I’d always worried was too good for me.
