Chapter 21 Chapter Twenty

After the police sent me home, I was at a loss because I kept repeating my words. I felt like a traveler who had been wandering for many years.When I got home, I met Mike in the foyer.He looked at me worriedly.Met the police?he asked. Yes, I said, they'll come and interrogate each of you later.So you'd better think of a good way to explain where you went at ten o'clock this morning. I didn't get up until three o'clock in the afternoon, Mike said, so I was sleeping. Can someone testify for you? No way. Then this statement is not unassailable. See you later.Mike said as he walked around me and stepped out the door.

I knocked on Pipa's door, but she beckoned me to go in without saying a word.She took a half-bottle of Scotch and a tumbler from the shelf, and looked around.There was another tumbler on the desk, next to her open laptop.A wine glass filled with pens, pencils and a bunch of paper clips.She poured them all out with a splash.Don't worry, she said, I'll drink this one. She lifted up her T-shirt to wipe the glass.Then pour the whiskey into two glasses.Do you want to add water?she asked. Pure is fine.I said. I really want to say that we must keep our heads clear at this moment, Pipa said, but after thinking twice, I don't think it is necessary at all.cheers.

We both drank a little too much, and we flinched at the same time.Pipa smiled slightly.Is Seth okay? Half the time he was busy telling me to shut up.But thanks anyway.How is the situation now? Gritting his teeth, Pipa said, weeping loudly, the pain pierced his heart.Otherwise, what do you think will happen? Is anyone home? I go home early.Although I didn't see Mike and Owen, I'm sure they are all at home.Miles wandered around like a ghost, sobbing.I went upstairs to visit Dalio and found him frantically scrubbing the room with bleach, terrified that the forensics department would find clues to his drug use.I managed to explain to him that bleach would only make the police look more suspicious, so he started babbling about what he should do to get the bleach off.I met Mei in the kitchen, and she was sobbing, with Davy comforting her.The behavior alone is weird enough.Someone who would feel sorry for Leah must be a little bit of ada ada.

Pipa, for heaven's sake, I say, she was murdered.This is not what you really mean. Pipa took a sip of the spirits.What I said didn't seem to make her particularly restrained.It's a weird feeling of guilt, she said, that you wish someone bad and didn't expect her to be worse than you wished. I understand what you mean. Pipa lit a cigarette and took a puff.I'm sorry she died, she said, surprised too.But I'm not going to pretend I don't hate her. Don't you think life is too short to waste it on hating people? This way of speaking sounds too Zen to me.Pipa said.

Have the police been here? Two officers have been questioning Miles in the house for a hundred years.They just left before you came home.The police will be questioning the rest of us tomorrow.I am not surprised at all. That's right. I have my alibi ready.I was at work at the time.Where's your alibi? I found her body, but I didn't kill it. Your friend Campbell called.The police also brought him in for questioning. Why? Who taught him to keep you running into corpses. I don't think he had any motive, I said, other than hating the client.But who doesn't hate customers.Besides, it doesn't explain Peggy.Farrell's murder.

So it's all about this family.Pipa said. Ingrid.De.Soto is an exception. it's you, right?Pipa mused and said, the only thing the three murders have in common is you.Don't you think there are people who just kill people who piss you off?As if doing you a favor? Thanks, I said, but the police are already investigating in this direction. I looked down at the tumbler.The wine is gone.How did I do it? What will happen next?I said. What's the meaning?Pipa asked, for us?Or to the whole world? to us.to this home. I'm going to start packing tomorrow.Pipa said. Do you have a place to stay?

I'm still asking.By the way, I'm sorry. sorry for what? Owen's business. Oh, that thing.It feels like a long time ago.You sleep with Owen and I sleep with Owen.What is there to apologize for? I went into the kitchen and saw David, May, and Miles huddled together at the dining table. Scary, right?Davy asked. Next stupid question please.I said. The police will question all of us.Xiaomei said. I know. We were shopping, she said, would the police want to know the details? Most definitely.Anyway, you will be cleared of the crime.I said.I'm not very interested in other people's alibi.

Miles stood up.He looked ages; his face had lines and wrinkles I hadn't seen before.I walked up to him and hugged him hard.I could feel his whole body trembling as he wrapped his arms around me.After a while, we both took a step back.He tried to speak, but his voice was hoarse, and none of the words could be understood. I regret.I said. Miles just stared at me, still speechless.He swallowed.The last few words we said to each other were acrimonious.Whenever I think of her, I remember those words. It's not your last moments together that matter, I can't say that, but all your time together.

He shook his head back and forth like a wounded animal.did you see her right. she looks likeHe hesitated to speak. Her face was very peaceful.As I say, come with me to Andrew.De.Soto said the same.That's how you describe the dead.Saying that might comfort the living. I can't believe she's gone, he's in tears, she's so vibrant.So energetic. indeed. I have something for you.He took out a thick envelope from his pocket, stared at it as if he, too, was surprised, then glanced at Dawei and Xiaomei.I need your help with something. No problem, Miles. Take a step to speak.He said.He led me out of the kitchen and up the stairs.When we reached the corridor, he took a deep breath.I don't know if everything has changed.Now I can't think well.But I did it anyway.Leah said I had to.This was probably the last thing she said before she died.It is also a topic we are arguing about.

What?What's up? Here.He said.He thrust the envelope into my hand. I opened it and saw that it was full of money.I took a closer look, and there were fifty-pound notes all over the place.There are so many sheets, as thick as a paperback book. what is this? Twenty thousand pounds, he said, for everyone.It is the first installment payment.Maybe you should all stay.I do not know anything.Just take it.I don't care about anything anymore.I don't know who to give the money to. Miles, I can't take twenty thousand pounds in cash! Share it with others.I don't care how you want to divide it.

This is too ridiculous.I can't walk around with this large sum of money.I have never even seen so much money.Miles looked out of his mind and didn't take my word for it.I'll keep the money first, I said, and then we can have a good talk.You shouldn't be thinking about this right now.No decisions should be made. I feel like a murderer.He said. Don't think so.Although we all performed poorly, but When I heard footsteps on the stairs, I immediately stopped talking.I closed the envelope and stood with Miles speechless, like two people hiding a guilty secret, I watched Dawei and Xiaomei pass us by. everything fine?Davy asked. I'll talk to you later.I said. if anything Okay, I answered too quickly, okay, thanks. Then Mike walked down the corridor too.Though he said nothing, the footsteps echoed on the uncarpeted steps.