Page 55 of Murder on the Upper East Side

‘She’s like a fucking slave driver. I’m so over it.’

‘Bruno.You can’t say that.’ Ethan gave his boyfriend a little shove.

‘Whatever. You know it’s true. And it’s been worse than ever this year. Ever since Hannah and Ami got here.’

Her step faltered.

‘I wish they’d go back to Plattsburgh,’ Ethan said.

‘Pittsburgh.’

‘Whatever.’ Ethan threw up his hands. ‘I mean, they’re fine, no offense to the Millers. But they’re like dolls to Madison and Elle, and it’s only gotten worse. The queens of Prescott are constantly on the warpath, and who catches Madison’s worst moods?Us.I’m so over it.’

‘Girl, same.’ Bruno hooked his arm through the crook of Ethan’s elbow. ‘Madison is way out of control. Organising this whole fucking singles party “for Elle” but really so she can remind everyone that Elle and Theo are done. It’s cruel.’

Ethan’s shoulders went up and down. ‘She’scruel.But what are we supposed to do? Stage a rebellion? Slit her throat?’

Bruno laughed, a harsh barking sound. ‘That’s morbid as fuck.’

‘Really, though.’ Ethan’s voice was serious now. ‘How would you do it?’

Bruno’s pace slowed, then he stopped walking altogether. He turned slowly to face Ethan, who had also halted in the centre of the sidewalk.

‘How would Ikill Madison DuPont?’ Bruno asked.

‘Don’t tell me you’ve never thought about it.’

Hannah stepped beneath the green awning of a bodega, out of sight. She wasn’t sure she wanted to keep listening.

‘I’d probably go tyre iron. Or the butt of a pistol.’ Bruno sounded contemplative, his voice soft now. ‘Sometimes, when she’s all up in my face, telling me what a worthless prick I am, I think it would be so fucking satisfying to bash in her pretty little head.’

20Saturday, 13 June 2026

3:11am

The guests were getting restless. Around half of the group had been too antsy to eat dinner, and hunger was shortening already short tempers as the detectives conducted their seemingly endless stream of interviews. After Ami had been escorted upstairs, Hannah had migrated from the library to the lounge, where she’d allowed herself a brief rest on the Chesterfield sofa by the fireplace, one of the club’s cashmere shawls pulled over her. She’d been woken a few moments ago by a cringeworthy exchange between Beatrice and Alice, which began with Alice enveloping Beatrice in a sloppy hug and ended with Beatrice telling Alice to get lost. Another explosion of tears had followed, and Alice had rushed to the bathrooms.

At after three in the morning, everyone was at the end of their ropes – or had given up entirely. Tyler Marsden had collapsed on the couch Hannah had vacated. The low flames from the fire turned his skingold, then tangerine, and his loud snores could be heard throughout the club. Other guests curled into sofas and easy chairs in the library, or were slumped over tables in the lounge. Edward and Elle sat at the bar, nursing fifth or sixth drinks and snacking on a fresh supply of nuts and truffle popcorn.

Hannah was now settled on the dining room floor beneath a landscape of the Long Island Sound. Ami had returned from her interview a few minutes ago, and her head rested on Hannah’s shoulder. She should really be trying to get a few moments with Bash, or trying Elle again, but Ami had drifted off, and she couldn’t bring herself to wake her little sister.

At a quarter after three, Bash stood at the bar and clapped his hands. After a few more attempts, a hush fell over the crowd.

‘I’ve just spoken with the detectives,’ he began. ‘I’m afraid it seems we’ll be here a while longer. With this—’

Disgruntled murmurs swelled all around. Bash waved his arms in the air, a half-hearted attempt to regain control. Everyone was spent, including Bash.

While the crowd grumbled, Hannah straightened up. A while longer was good. It meant they didn’t have enough to make an arrest. She still had time. In a moment, Edward was at his brother’s side, loudly clearing his throat. Slowly, the murmurs began to die down. Beside her, Ami stirred and rubbed her eyes.

‘Thank you,’ Bash continued. ‘I’m truly sorry, but there’s nothing we can do about the timeline of theinvestigation. But we’ll do our utmost to make the rest of your night comfortable. Our staff will be coming around shortly with slippers and blankets, and the kitchen is working on a full breakfast buffet. In the meantime, Chef Bernard will be setting up cheese and charcuterie boards in the dining room.’

Hannah took off her shoes and rubbed her feet. They ached, and a blister had formed on her right heel. She could definitely use a pair of those slippers.

‘What did I miss?’ Ami asked.

‘Not a lot. Bash started to say he’d spoken to the detectives, and we’re all still stuck here. Then everyone got pissy. Also, they’re going to feed us.’

Ami’s lips twisted to the side, her thinking face.