Page 46 of Murder on the Upper East Side

‘Very.’ Ami looked suitably impressed. She ran her fingertip down the stack of rare books on the little table.

‘Still glad you flew back for this?’

Ami laughed. ‘I’m having some regrets. This is… intense.’

‘To say the least.’

Ami frowned. ‘How are you holding up?’

‘Okay. Having some regrets myself. If I’d had any idea my boss was going to send me here, I would have bagged my article last month. I just keep thinking if I’d never written that piece, no one would have given me a second glance tonight.’

‘I mean, you couldn’t have possibly known someone was going to off Madison DuPont at the gala. Right?’

‘Jesus, Ames, of course not.’

She held up her hands. ‘Sorry. I know you didn’t do it.Obviously.’

‘Obviously.’ Hannah rested her head against the back of the chaise and drew her knees into her chest. ‘Haven’t seen you much tonight. Where have you been?’

Ami frowned. ‘I’ve been around.Youdisappeared.’

Hannah thought back. She didn’t remember seeingAmi when she was talking to Gemma or Theo. The club was crowded, but it wasn’t that big. She had the uncomfortable sense her little sister was holding out on her.

She decided to try a different tack.

‘Anyone else from your class here? Who’ve you been catching up with?’

‘Not really,’ Ami said quickly. ‘I had a drink with Bruno and Ethan, from the class between ours. Remember those two?’

‘Sure.’ Hannah winced, just slightly, and hoped it escaped Ami’s notice. ‘They still tight?’

Bruno Alvarez and Ethan Astor had broken up during the last month of school – Hannah’s senior year, their junior year. The breakup had been messy – lots of cheating speculation that had given Hannah flashbacks to the Gemma Phipps scandal – and she wondered if either Bruno or Ethan had any idea of the role Hannah had played in their split. It hadn’t been malicious; she’d been backed into a corner. Chances were, they would have broken up eventually anyway. High school love rarely lasts, and the cheating rumours were true, but she still felt a twinge of guilt when she remembered what she’d done…

‘Not really,’ Ami said. ‘But I don’t think there’s any bad blood. They seemed to be having a good time catching up. Speaking of which, did I see you dining à deux with dear Teddie?’ She batted her long, dark lashes.

Hannah kept her expression even. Ami hadn’t beencalled up to speak to the detectives yet, and while her sister would never say anything to intentionally incriminate Hannah, she knew it was best not to take any chances. The less she knew, the better. ‘You did. Seems like he’s one of our only former classmates who doesn’t think I had it in me to poison Madison.’ She dropped her voice low. ‘But I’m not so sure I think the same of him.’

Ami leaned in. ‘You think Theo did it?’

‘No? Maybe?’ She pressed her lips together, thinking. ‘Oliver told me about some drama between Madison and Theo that played out on Instagram lately. I would give my left pinkie toe for my phone right now.’

Ami laughed. ‘Not much of a sacrifice.’

‘Hey! Pinkies are very important for balance.’ She sighed. ‘I just wish I had some first-hand information I could bring to the detectives, to get them off my case. But I’m not throwing Theo under the bus over something I heard second-hand and can’t verify. Besides, Gemma and Elle are equally sus. And Bash for that matter.’

Ami reached out and placed her hand on top of Hannah’s. ‘They’re talking to a lot of people tonight. Someone’s going to slip up. Trust me.’

Hannah nodded, feeling only moderately reassured. Something about their conversation nagged at her. She gave her sister’s hand a squeeze, wondering what Ami wasn’t saying.

17 January 2017

Instagram

Image: A lush table laid out on the covered deck of a beautiful Hudson Valley property in wintertime, showcasing gorgeously arranged dishes made from local produce, heirloom varietals and wild-foraged touches.

TheUpperEdgeSpring term is underway, and all of Prescott is buzzing about the opening of Orchard & Vine, the Concord Group’s latest venture. To launch the hottest new farm-to-table restaurant in Hudson, the Fitzgeralds are throwing a spectacular party for family and friends this Saturday night. Anyone who’s anyone will be there – and everyone else will have to read about it onPage Six.

1717–21 January 2017