“I know it’s a tough thing to do. But I figured, if anyone could help me feel safe, it’s you.”

I was worried he’d see through everything. Especially my hesitant expression and the slight flutter of my eyelashes.

But his chest puffed up a little, and I thought I saw a slight smile play on his lips.

Piyadasa, the more-than-just-a-driver, was making his way back to us, and Mahesh turned around.

“I’ll see what I can do,” he said, sliding his sunglasses back down.

My heart didn’t ease up, but I leaned back in my seat. At least that’s plan C taken care of.

TEHANI

Interview Transcript: Tehani Fonseka (abbrev. TF) Part 1 of 3

Date: January 25, 2020

Location: The Mount Lavinia Hotel

EP: Thank you for speaking to us. I understand it must be difficult with your older sister missing.

TF: Why are you interviewing me, anyway? This is ridiculous. My father hired you to get to the bottom of what happened to my sister. Not waste our time. You should be demanding the police arrest Amaya. Or questioning her, at the very least.

EP: And why is that?

TF: Because she did it, after all. I know it was her. I found Kaavi’s top in Amaya’s room this morning. All bagged up separately, like she was trying to get rid of it. It was a Pink Sapphires T-shirt Kaavi had gotten made just before the wedding. There’s no way Amaya could have it without—well, something bad happened. I’m sure of it. And that’s not all—

[Pause]

EP: Yes?

TF: I saw her outside Kaavi’s room last night. We bumped into each other in the corridor. We, well, we had a few words, and I think—I know she knocked me out.

EP: She knocked you out? Could you please elaborate further?

TF: I—yes, she attacked me.

[Pause]

EP: You sound hesitant.

TF: Okay, look. I—I had a bit too much to drink last night. My room was in the new wing, which, well, do you know how far the new wing is from the beach? It’s kind of ridiculous. And I was wearing this monstrosity of a sari that was so hard to walk in, and these ridiculous heels that kept getting stuck in the sand, and anyway, I was struggling to walk all the way back to my room. I was, you know, feeling dizzy and nauseous, and I think I even hallucinated my mother being pissed at me as I was walking down the corridor. I always hallucinate shit like that when I’m drunk. And Kaavi’s room was closer, so I figured I’ll just go crash there for the night.

I was just about to knock on the door when Amaya stopped me. Told me not to disturb Kaavi, like, who the fuck was she to tell me what to do? I told her not to be ridiculous, and, well, that—that was the last thing I remember.

[Pause]

Okay, look. I know I sound hysterical and upset right now, but hear me out, okay? It was her who did it—who hurt Kaavi. That’s what she does. She’s had it out for Spencer and Kaavi since she got here. She—well, she’s fucking crazy. Completely nuts. She wanted to break up the wedding.

[Pause]

You know that she and Spencer dated when she was in university, right? No one talks about it. I think even my parents don’t know. Kaavi was trying to keep it a secret from everyone because, well, you know her. But it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure it out. Just someone like me who’s known them both and was prepared to do a little digging online, back to their university days. Amaya—she’s jealous and still in love with Spencer and wanted to stop the wedding. She even trashed Kaavi’s wedding dress. I know she did!

EP: You’re claiming that the wedding dress she was supposed to wear today was destroyed by Miss Bloom? Do you have proof?

TF: Obviously, I don’t have proof. If I did, then she would be locked up by now, wouldn’t she? The original dress that Andre designed was destroyed mysteriously. Kaavi had no choice but to wear the Hayley Paige she brought from Singapore to the church, and my mother threw a fit because apparently it’s too low-cut to wear before God.

[Pause]

Do you—do you think that was Amaya’s way of trying to send Kaavi a message or something?

EP: This is a serious allegation, Miss Fonseka. How are you sure it’s Miss Bloom who did it?

TF: I know it’s her. I know, trust me. If you did your job, you’d know it too.

EP: I can assure you, Miss Fonseka, that we will be investigating Miss Bloom thoroughly, but first, and most importantly, we are trying to investigate what happened to your sister. That would take precedence over any other accusations, wouldn’t you say?

TF: Yes. Okay, look, I’m just—I’m worried, okay? How can I help?

EP: You can start by helping us with this.

[EP holds up phone found in Miss Kaavindi Fonseka’s room]

We found this in your sister’s room.

TF: You found her phone? Kaavi doesn’t even go to the bathroom without it.

EP: Would you happen to know the passcode? We could get a team to come down here and unlock it, but that might take some time, which is of great value right now.

TF: Um, sure, the last time I checked it was—could I try?

[Sound of phone being slid across the table]

TF: [Pause] Here we go. Unlocked. Would you mind if I—

EP: Actually, Miss Fonseka, it would be better if we—

TF: Hang on, oh fuck, there’s a video from last night. Here, let me play.

EP: Miss Fonseka, please hand—

[Kaavindi Fonseka’s voice fills the room]

If someone is watching this, then chances are that I’m already dead.

I don’t even know why I’m recording a video. Call it a force of habit. Maybe later on I’ll see it and it’ll be hilarious. But tonight, well, [nervous laughter] this isn’t the kind of nerves I was expecting the night before my big day.

I’m having my dream wedding. I’m tying the knot at this beautiful hotel where my parents got married. Where I spent so much of my childhood playing down by the beach. I should be out of my mind with joy.

And maybe I’m wrong. Maybe I’m just being paranoid. But I’ve had this feeling for a while now, that things aren’t right.

Maybe it’s just—

Hang on.

[Whispering] I hear footsteps.

I think someone’s outside my door.

[Knocking]

Oh god.

[Louder] Who, um, who is it?

[Whispering to the camera] They aren’t saying who it is.

[Knocking again]

Oh god, here goes.

TF: I guess it’s time you start taking my accusations seriously, huh?