Page 84 of My Sister is Going to Kill Me

“Hit me.”

“Imagine a situation where you have a group of people. And maybe a couple of those people could be dangerous. Or not. You’re not sure.”

“Like, they could be werewolves?”

“Mandy . . .”

Okay. Too hypothetical.

“There are a few people who had the opportunity to be alone with Babette before she died,” Liv said. “I’m worried they could be a risk to the rest of us.”

“Like Stefan,” Mandy said.

“And Charlie,” Liv said. “They each had time on their own on the trail.”

Mandy’s mind drifted back to the dark, rough-edged slot she and Thor had navigated as a shortcut around the trail. How long had she been wedged in that narrow place after Thor had abandoned her? Could he have made it down to Babette’s body and back in that time?

But Liv spoke again before she could mention Thor.

“They could be dangerous. Or they could be perfectly safe.”

“Like Dad,” Mandy said. “He’s safe.”

“Uh-huh.” Liv flicked a speck of nothing onto the sand. “What do you think we should do with them? The risk factors?”

“You didn’t happen to pack your lie detector, did you?” Mandy asked.

“It’s in my other bag, the one that went to the van that will pick us up at the end of the trip.”

The end of the trip. It was hard to imagine they’d keep rafting to Lake Mead now. Mandy tried to envision it, the river bucking and breaking for days and miles to come, their group paddling farther from Babette’s silent grave. CareFree might offer a respite tonight. But they couldn’t forget forever. Could they?

Mandy considered her sister’s question. “Let’s think of it another way. There were just a few people who could have witnessed Babette’s death. If one of them was spotted by the killer, they could be in danger. Maybe they aren’t suspects.”

“Maybe they’re witnesses,” Liv said.

“Exactly. Either way, they’re all in the same boat. They all need to be protected.”

“The same boat,” Liv said. “That’s it! Thank you.”

Mandy felt the delicious shock of her sister’s approval, even if she didn’t fully understand what she’d done to earn it. Liv’s attention had already moved on. Her sister stared out at the dark streak of the river, deep in thought.

“Still want me to tell you what Dad’s convertible was named?” Mandy asked.

Liv turned her head.

“Rita Moreno,” they said in unison.

“Jinx,” Mandy said.

“Remember when he traded it for shares in that goji berry company?” Liv said.

“You’re jinxed. Can’t talk.”

Mandy let herself slip back into the carefree pleasures of the evening: the languid fatigue in her muscles, the warm fullness of her belly, the cool sand under her bare feet. She stood silent beside her sister, all the threads and questions unraveling in her mind.

Below them, the river rushed on, fading to black.

Chapter Thirty-Seven