Free The Last Single Girl by Caitie Quinn, Bria Quinlan Page B

main course… while she was in the bathroom. The third murder happened while she was whisper-arguing with Marcus about something.
    There was a small joy in her frustration.
    "I suppose you're all wondering why I called you here." Dessert was being set out, but the man at the front of the room was so good, he pulled everyone's attention to him. "You know we've had three deaths this evening. Now, I know you don't want to get involved, but let me make this as simple as possible—either you help me find the guilty party, or I call in the paddy wagons and shut this gin joint down. You'll all find under your plates a card for you to fill out letting me know who did it and why. If we make an arrest, you're all free to go. If not, we'll be taking you all downtown for questioning."
    Oh. He was good. I got little shivers right before the lights dimmed back down.
    I pulled my card out and glanced at it. No hints at all.
    "Who do you think did it?" John looked at his card. Also blank.
    I'd kind of expected there to be checkboxes to pick from, but these guys were hardcore.
    Claire leaned in and whispered in Marcus's ear before grinning at the table. "We totally know who it is."
    "Oh!" Becca set her card down and leaned in. "Who?"
    "I'm not going to tell you. If you don't know, you're just going to have to guess."
    Oh, yes. A fun night out with girlfriends.
    John leaned in, his nose brushing at the tip of my fake bob. "Okay, we seriously need to kick her ass. She's on my last nerve."
    "I didn't know you had a last nerve."
    "Well, you're seeing it. So, who is it not?"
    We weeded through the characters and realized the only person who'd been around for everything was the sweet, innocent daughter of the mobster. The one we'd seen dancing earlier who we'd almost bumped into.
    "Wasn't she dancing with the first dead guy?"
    "That's right. And he called her sugar."
    "Do you think she killed him?"
    "Why not. Jealous lover rage and a cover up? Maybe he was cheating on her with the woman who was killed next."
    "Ohhhhh…" I liked how he thought. "Write that down. And what about the third one? He handed the woman the drink. Maybe he knew who poisoned her, so the daughter had to kill him off."
    "Brilliant." John scratched it all down and handed our slip to the waiter.
    The rest of the table finished theirs and handed them off. Becca, Angie, and John immediately started comparing notes as Claire sat off refusing to share.
    "But we already put ours in. We can't change it." Becca always saw the best in everyone, even Claire. She'd assume Claire just didn't understand.
    But Claire wasn't willing to share, and really, who cared? No one. Everyone else was enjoying the game and the brilliant chocolate cake with hazelnut ice cream and the company.
    "Gents, ladies, I believe I've solved the crime. But it wasn't without your assistance. We have some really smart people in here. Maybe even fed level." He went on to explain that several people had gotten the answer right and they'd drawn winners for a dinner at the house's wine and cheese festival in a few weeks. "And the inspectors are, Sarah and John. Without them we never would have known Rosebud had killed Billy because he was cheating on her with Dolly. And that Sammy the Gun had poisoned Dolly then turned on Rosebud, who shot him. But we've got her in cuffs now folks, so there's no need to worry. Sarah and John, why don't you come up here and let us thank you properly?"
    "You won!" Becca bounced in her chair. "That's so cool. I can't believe you guys came up with that."
    John took my hand and led me to the front of the room. The detective gave us a bottle of champagne and a gift certificate for the dinner. I stood there grinning like an idiot, my hand clutching John's. When we got back to the table, John waved a waiter over to pop our bubbly.
    "Looks like they gave us the good stuff. Perfect for a New Year's Eve toast." He stood and filled everyone's glasses, even Claire's and Marcus's. "To a new year and