“No.”
“You haven’t heard it.”
“I’ve heard statements before.”
Sophie opened a folder.
“Savannah was enjoying a private excursion with a local dive instructor during a short break from touring.”
I looked at her.
“Ellie wasn’t taking me on an excursion.”
“It’s neutral.”
“It makes her sound like part of a hotel package.”
“Fine. Savannah was spending time with a friend.”
“No.”
Richard exhaled.
“It’s not inaccurate.”
“It is.”
Three faces turned toward me.
I looked at the frozen image of Ellie on the screen.
She was pulling me through the market with one hand and pointing ahead with the other.
No hesitation.
No calculation.
No idea that within hours, strangers would be searching for her dead sister.
“She isn’t a friend,” I said.
Silence.
Rachel lowered her eyes to the table.
Sophie spoke carefully.
“What language would you prefer?”
“None.”
Richard’s jaw tightened.
“You understand that silence encourages speculation.”
“People are speculating that Ellie controls a turtle administration.”
“That is not the central problem.”
