Joanne pulled a strand of hair out of her ponytail, examined it for split ends. ‘I guess you think they’re all such angels, they’d never do drugs. I mean, God, Rebecca, she’s just so innocent, right?’

‘I haven’t met her yet. Would they do drugs, yeah?’

Another quick look at Houlihan. Shrug. ‘I’m not saying they did. I’m not saying they’d have, like, done anything with Groundskeeper Willy.’ Smirk curling the corners of Joanne’s mouth. ‘I’m just saying they’re freaks and I don’t know what they’d do. That’s all.’

She would’ve been delighted to play this game all day, drop hints like farts and mince away from the stink. I said, ‘Pick one thing to tell me about Chris. Whatever you think was most important.’

Joanne thought. Something unpleasant pulling at her top lip.

Said, right on cue, ‘I wouldn’t feel comfortable saying anything bad about him.’

Under-the-lashes look at me.

I leaned forward. Grave, intent, eyebrows down while I focused on the noble young girl who held the secret that could save the world. Deepest voice: ‘Joanne. I know you’re not the kind of person who speaks ill of the dead. But there are times when the truth matters more than kindness. This is one of those times.’

I could almost hear my own soundtrack rising. I felt Conway, at my shoulder, wanting to laugh.

Joanne took a deep breath. Gearing herself up to be brave, sacrifice her personal conscience on the altar of justice. The fake spread out, the whole thing felt fake, Chris Harper felt like someone I’d made up.

‘Chris,’ she said. Sigh. A little sad, a little pitying. ‘Poor Chris. For such a lovely guy, he had seriously crap taste.’

I said, ‘Do you mean Selena Wynne?’

‘Well. I wasn’t going to name names, but since you already know . . .’

I said, ‘Thing is, no one says they saw Chris and Selena doing anything couple-y. No kissing, no holding hands, not even going off on their own together. So what makes you think they were going out?’

Lashes fluttering. ‘I’d rather not say.’

‘Joanne, I understand that you’re trying to do the right thing, and I appreciate it. But I need you to tell me what you saw, or heard. All of it.’