Page 76 of My Sister is Going to Kill Me

“I think we should camp across the river,” Liv said.

“Why?” Devon asked.

“There’s a wide, flat beach over there. Here it’s cramped with rocky caves, and the waterfall is shooting spray everywhere.”

She hoped she wouldn’t have to spell out why these things mattered. Why it might be not only unpleasant but dangerous for them to stay in a place where they’d have to bed down in individual little coves, where the noise of the pounding waterfall would make it difficult to sleep or hear if someone sneaked up on them.

Lucinda looked at Liv. “If someone killed Babette, then aren’t we putting ourselves at greater risk if we isolate ourselves across the river?”

“If one of us killed Babette, perhaps. But if someone else hurt her and then took off, they’ll be on this side.”

“What if they have a boat?” Imogen asked.

“Do you see a boat?” Liv said.

“It could be, like, in a backpack.”

“Then we’ll see them when they paddle across,” Liv said. She turned to her father. “Marc didn’t have a boat with him, did he?”

Guy shook his head. “Just one of those camel packs that holds water.”

“Good,” Liv said. “And there’s one more thing. Lucinda is also right. If one of us is the one who hurt Babette, we need to find a way to stay safe.”

“We were all in groups when she died,” Imogen said.

“Not all of us,” PK said. “Charlie was alone when he found her.”

“The damage had already been done,” Charlie protested. “And I wasn’t the only one alone out there.” He narrowed his eyes at Stefan. “You said you wanted time on your own at the junction.”

The Dutchman looked surprised. “I just needed some water.”

“But you didn’t catch up with me,” Charlie continued. “And it sounds like you didn’t immediately double back to Lucinda and Fiona either.”

“What about you and Tarzan?” Fiona said, looking at Mandy. “You took a totally different path. Were you together the whole time?”

“Of course,” Thor said quickly. “Stayed close as shadows.”

“I think we’re ignoring the person who spent the most time with Babette,” Devon said. “Him.”

Everyone turned to look at Guy.

“How many times do I have to tell you? She was alive and well when I last saw her.”

“I thought you said she was overheating,” Liv said.

Guy frowned. “Not in a going-to-die way. She just needed water, and a rest. Why are you cracking my nuts on this, Livvie?”

“This is Dad,” Mandy said. “He wouldn’t—”

“I’m well aware of what he’s capable of.”

“Enough,” Big Pete said. “We’re going across the river to make dinner and camp. Katy, Thor, get the PFDs. Everyone else, make sure you have your things.”

“Are we taking the mule?” Imogen asked.

The animal had wandered into one of the pools fed by the waterfall and was wallowing in the mud.

“The mule will be fine,” Big Pete said.