Expecting to Die (Alvarez & Pescoli)

Maddie said, “Well, who do you think it was?”

“How would I know? For God sakes. That’s what the homicide detectives are for.”

“I was talking about the baby’s father.” Maddie took another drink from her can. “Who do you think he is?”

“Don’t have a clue.” Bianca was abrupt. “I didn’t know her that well.”

“Probably could be anybody,” Lara said. “All the boys liked her. And they’re all horny as hell.” She nodded, her blond hair catching in the low light. “I know.”

“Not all of them,” Maddie said pointedly.

Lara laughed. “What? You think Teej wouldn’t go for it, if she came on to him?”

“He wouldn’t!”

A sly smile curved over Lara’s full lips. “Why don’t you go ask him?”

“Lara!” Maddie sputtered as Simone joined the group.

Lara turned to Simone. “What do you think? Would Teej have banged Destiny if he had the chance?”

“He’s a guy, isn’t he?” she replied with a shrug. “Hey, where did you get that?” she asked, pointing to Maddie’s soda.

“You guys are sick!” Maddie spat. “Who knows who Destiny slept with, and who cares?”

“You were the one that brought it up,” Lara reminded her. The mean undertone in her voice couldn’t be missed.

“Teej wasn’t interested in Destiny,” Maddie said darkly.

“Think we hit a nerve?” Lara asked, and both she and Simone tittered. When Maddie looked like she was about to cry, Lara added, “Oh, come on. It has noth

ing to do with love or romance or any of that shit. It’s about wanting to fuck. Guys—all guys—want it all the time. Why wouldn’t he? Because Alex had already fucked her? So what? That would probably only make him want to do it more. Kind of a brother competition or sibling rivalry thing. You can’t take it personally.”

“Teej isn’t like that,” Maddie said angrily.

“Uh-huh.” Lara smirked.

“You are such a bitch, Lara. Such a bitch.”

Lara laughed as Mel yelled over to the group. “Okay, places, everyone! Bianca? You and your mom. Over by the Jeep.” Michelle straightened and took a couple of steps, getting in position for the correct camera angle that would include the sheriff’s department vehicles and Bianca. Before she could answer, Mel looked over at Bianca and, from the pull of her eyebrows and tightening of her lips, it was obvious she was running out of patience. “Bianca? Today?”

Bianca hobbled to the Jeep and heard Simone snigger, “Break a leg,” followed by giggling.

Idiots, she thought and had a fleeting thought that maybe, this time, her mother had been right. Maybe agreeing to be part of the production and recreating the discovery of the dead girl’s body was a big, big mistake.

CHAPTER 24

She couldn’t breathe!

Huge hands clasped over her throat, cutting off her air. Struggling, she tried to suck in any whisper of air, but it was impossible. The beast holding her wouldn’t let go. And here, deep in the wilderness, no one could hear the struggle or her strangled attempts to cry out.

No. No. No!

This couldn’t be happening!

She tried to scream, to kick, to scratch and rid herself of the manacles surrounding her throat, holding her fast. But her assailant was strong. So damned strong.

Help me, oh, please . . . someone help me.