Mark kept his hand on my shoulder, saying the same thing over and over to the guests crowding in.
“She’s got a heart condition. She’s unstable. Everybody back up.”
Somebody pulled Tyler off to the side, like they were afraid the bleeding woman might lunge at him.
“Tyler.”
I didn’t fight. I just said his name.
“Tyler. Look at me.”
Half his face came out from under Diane’s arm.
“I’m not gonna touch you. You just have to answer one thing.”
Diane cut in.
“Don’t listen to her! Where did she grab you? Tell the police where she grabbed you!”
I kept my eyes on Tyler.
“Did I touch you?”
Tyler looked at Diane first.
Her fingers tightened on his shoulder.
“Say it.”
Tyler was crying now. He turned back to me.
“No.”
Everything went quiet.
Diane’s fingers twitched.
“Who set off the firecracker?”
