Page 81 of Over Her Dead Body

“Can they tell us who sent the server?”

“They haven’t even told me who they are.”

Another pause.

“Was it authorized?”

“If it had been authorized, Daniel, I would not be learning about it from someone with literary ambitions.”

“What do you want me to do?” he asks.

“Start with the server. He crossed a crowded room to hand Emma that glass. I want to know his name.”

I glance at the report. “Emma also received a message from an unknown number. Two words: Wrong glass. Find the sender.”

“And whoever wrote the report?” Daniel asks. “You want me to find them too?”

“Carefully,” I say. “I like the writing.”

“Emma’s flight leaves tonight.”

“I’m aware.”

“Do we stop her?”

I look again at the last line.

Manners are deteriorating everywhere.

“No.”

I end the call.

Someone has tried to kill Emma, someone has warned her, and someone has documented both with an enthusiasm I would ordinarily appreciate. I do not yet know how many people that makes. I know that at least one of them considers my permission optional.

The writer knows enough to describe the attempt and the warning, but has left me to find the people responsible. Apparently, names are where their commitment to detail ends.

I arranged Lisbon to make Emma predictable. Whoever chose the glass may be counting on that.

Predictable women are easier to protect.

They are also easier to kill.

CHAPTER 31

EMMA

By the time Owen knocks, four black dresses and two pairs of shoes are strewn across my bed. The open suitcase contains no evidence that I have learned anything.

He is holding coffee and a paper bag from the Italian market across town. Olive oil has already begun to seep through the bottom.

“You went to Bellini’s.”

He shrugs. “I was in the area.”

Inside is the porchetta sandwich with extra peppers. My favorite.

“I told you I could book a car.”