“That’s what I told Conrad.” His tone was almost pleading, but the gun didn’t move. His arm had to be aching by now. “After that speech of his, I knew he’d discovered the truth.” That speech when both Vienna and I had thought he’d been talking to her. “I’d almost forgotten about the place, didn’t even realize what was there until what he said. I cornered him afterward to beg him to let me buy that building and destroy all the records. Nothing against your organization, Pom—I would’ve donated an equivalent building or amount of money in its place. I couldn’t let the secret get out.
“But Conrad laughed at me,” Kevin continued, his voice growing choked. “He told me I’d been lying to people for far too long, and he couldn’t wait to see the movie based on my life. Which I wouldn’t get to see, because I’d be in prison for fraud.” He cleared his throat. “I didn’t mean to kill him. Just shove him and make him shut up. But he was injured already from some other altercation”—the one with my dad—“and he staggered back.”
I let the words hang there in the air for a moment, much like Conrad Phlume hadn’t hung there for a moment after toppling over the railing. “Wow,” I said. “So. Even if I sell you the building, you know I know your secret. One you’ve already killed to protect.”
“I meant what I said about not wanting to hurt you,” he said earnestly. “You’re my girlfriend’s friend. We should go on a double date sometime.”
An absurd laugh couldn’t help but bubble up my throat. “They do say the best way to make couple friends is to hold them at gunpoint. They can’t say no.”
“I like you, Pom,” Kevin said, smiling in what almost seemed to be a genuine way. “Let’s be friends.”
“?‘Let’s be friends,’?” I repeated. “Hmm. Would you like to tell me how Vienna’s earring wound up in Conrad’s hand?”
That smile vanished in what might as well have been a puff of smoke. “I…”
“You thought it was mine, didn’t you?” I said. “That’s why, after you noticed it on the ground and picked it up, you gave it to Conrad before you pushed him off the ledge. Which would seem to suggest you didn’t just shove him a little to stop him from talking. You pushed him. Hard. Intending to kill him, and to frame me.”
Something dark glinted in his eyes. “I would stop right there, Pom. I don’t want to have to hurt you.”
“You’re not going to hurt me no matter what,” I said. “Because there aren’t any bullets in that gun.”
He scoffed. “You’re wrong. I loaded it myself this morning.”
“I’m right,” I said. I so did enjoy saying those words, and my God, hopefully they were correct. “Persimmon unloaded it herself this afternoon. She sent me a video. Would you like to see?”
“You’re wrong,” he said, but he sounded less sure of himself this time. “She wouldn’t do that.”
“Oh, but she would,” I said. “She helped me put it all together, by the way. Although she thought you were having an affair. With Denise Ryan, at first. You weren’t, were you? You were just trying to help her cover up her own secret.”
“You can’t think—”
“I think we’ve got enough.” I raised my voice. “It’s time.”
The whole area lit up like a Christmas tree. All of a sudden, I was surrounded by a crowd of people: Gabe, Vienna, Persimmon, my security guy, a bunch of cops. I very nearly collapsed with relief. I’d been pretty sure this would all work out, but not 100 percent sure. “I’m not stupid,” I said, staring at Kevin. He was blinking hard, his eyes still adjusting to the light, but I hoped he could see the triumph on my face. “And I win.”
Kevin didn’t have anything to say back to that. He appearedto be in shock, blinking hard and fast as the police cuffed him and read him his rights, as if he’d never thought he wouldactuallysee the consequences for what he’d done.
I supposed that was one thing about being William Melrose that remained.
Gabe emerged from the crowd of people and immediately enveloped me in his arms, bringing me in so tight it was almost hard to breathe. “I wish you’d let me come with you.”
“You know it had to be me alone,” I said, my voice muffled by his chest. “That’s why we had to fake that fight. Otherwise he’d never believe I was out walking alone.”
“I know.” His own voice was a growl. “But I didn’t like it. Never again.”
I looked over toward the security guy. “And he’s okay?”
“Yes,” Gabe said. “Kevin pushed him into the trunk of a locked car. We let him out right away.”
Vienna let out a tinkling, almost musical laugh, reminding me she was there. “Of course you’ll never have to do this again, Gabe. What are the odds that you’ll ever have to solve another murder?”
Gabe and I exchanged a dark glance. That was almost exactly what we’d said the last time. It had to be true this time, though.
Right?
Persimmon had been silent, turning her back to us as she watched the police lead Kevin away. I disentangled myself from Gabe and, with a quick look and raised eyebrow, left him to talk with his brother the cop while Vienna and I descended on our friend. “Thank you again for helping us earlier,” I said. “This whole thing was stressful enough, but it would’ve been a lot more stressful if there had been bullets in that gun.”
“You’re welcome,” she said quietly, her shoulders drooping forward as if she were a wilted flower. “I’m glad you’re okay. But I’m sorry this all happened.”
