Cui Bono

XXI

Jean returned to Preston and Victoria's home, and followed voices to the living room.

"I can't believe she actually came here," Woodrow grumbled. "I wish everyone who comes to Whistler would ban her."

"Katherine, you mean?"

Everyone looked at her.

"How is she?" Clayton asked.

"Why do you care, Rheims?"

"Katherine got into a fight with Sven Ericksen. They're both dead, as is Cammy."

"Katherine's dead?" Woodrow didn't bother masking his expression or tone of pleasant surprise. "Ding dong, the bitch is dead."

Jean sent a message from her cell phone.

Andreas met Jean at the Stonesedge Kitchen for lunch.

"Katherine's dead. She and Sven Ericksen got in a fight very early this morning, and they, and Cammy, died."

Andreas stared at Jean. "Katherine's dead?"

"As the proverbial doornail."

A buzzing sound pierced the atmosphere. Andreas retrieved his cell phone from his shirt pocket, and checked the screen. "I just got a message from Jocelyn. She wants to see me for dinner."

"Then go see her. And make sure the recording function on your cell phone is on."

"What's this about, Jean?"

Jean raised her eyebrows.

"Fine." Andreas sighed, and left the table.

Jocelyn grinned when Andreas entered the dining room. "It's good to see you."

Andreas just looked at Jocelyn.

"Come on, Andreas. At least try to look happy to see me—or pretend to be. Or do you actually have feelings for Katherine?"

"Katherine's dead. Jean told me. She and someone named Sven Ericksen got in a fight, and they and Cammy died."

"Oh."

Andreas rolled his eyes. "I know you're no fan of Katherine, but people died, and all you can say is 'oh'?"

"People die all the time. It's not that big a deal." Jocelyn looked at Andreas. "So the bet's really off?"

"It is."

"What happened?"

"I did a lot of thinking over the last couple of months, and it was the right thing to do."

"Did you fuck Katherine? At all?"

Andreas gaped at Jocelyn.

"I'll take that as a no. You know, you have over a month until Christmas."

"Jocelyn, the bet's off. I told you in New York." Andreas looked at his watch. "I don't think I need to be here any longer."

"At least have dinner with me, Andreas. Like friends."

Andreas turned his head in time to see Mark looking into the room. He approached. "Look, Professor, I..."

Mark held up a hand, silencing Andreas. Then he left.