Sunny nodded, signifying that this was okay. Carlton had already started to walk down the hallway. I hurried after him. Tucked into an alcove was the bathroom, with no sign or symbol signifying what it was. I pushed open the door and hurried inside.

I’d been hoping that the facility was closer to the dining room so I could signal Andre and Viv that I was okay. They had to be seated for dinner by now, right? I had no idea if the Portises’ departure from the party had informed the rest of the guests that something was amiss. In fact, with both the bride and the groom not at the dinner, weren’t people wondering what was happening?

I know I would be. In fact, if I were Viv and Andre, I’d be looking for me. Were they looking for me? I’d bet real money they were. I’d left my handbag with Viv so I couldn’t call them or text them or touch up my lipstick—not that I wanted to do that right now.

I made quick work of my business, and then after washing my hands, I hurried outside to find Carlton still waiting for me. I wasn’t sure he would. If he hadn’t been, I would have tried to find the dining room, despite the detective telling us not to go anywhere.

“I feared you might get lost on your way back,” he said.

“I probably would have,” I admitted.

He turned back toward the library. I didn’t want to go. I didn’t want to think about Dooney or Piper or their parents or the colossal nightmare this weekend had become. I needed to call Harry and see if he could collect us right away. I didn’t want to spend another second in this castle of horrors.

When we arrived back at the entrance to the library, Piper and Sunny were still standing outside. Sunny looked sad but Piper appeared shocked, as if she couldn’t believe what was happening. I was right there with her.

The doors to the library opened and Sirus and Davina came out. He was holding her up as she sobbed into her hands. Beyond them I could see that the medics had draped a cloth over Dooney, confirming that he was dead.

“What’s happening?” Piper asked. Her voice cracked and she tried again with more authority in her voice. “Tell me what’s happening!”

Davina’s head snapped up. Her tear-soaked face turned a violent shade of red, and she shoved away from her husband and staggered toward Piper. “You!” she shrieked.

Piper backed up.

“You aren’t worth the starch in his collar!” she declared. “You’re just social-climbing rubbish—”

“Davina!” Sirus snapped. She ignored him.

“Do you want to know what I think?” Davina stalked toward Piper, backing her up against the wall. Piper leaned back, trying to maintain her space, but Davina wasn’t having it.