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W e d n e s d a y, 3/4/19

Dear Diary,

BBRRIINNGG. BBRRIINNGG.

Come on, Spence, pick up, pick up, I inwardly pleaded.

"Hello?"

"Spencer!" I cried out in relief, my words tumbling over themselves. "My day's a complete and utter mess! Dad called me into his office and Andrea was there and they want me to be a part of the bridal party! They were picking out colours and flowers and seemed so excited and I couldn't refuse so now I'm a bridesmaid and I really, really need your help because I cannot let that woman marry my father and..."

"Slow down!" Spencer practically yelled down the line. "I can't keep up. All I heard was something about a bridal party?"

"I'm a freakin bridesmaid for my Dad's wedding!" I shouted. "I'm wearing a pastel pink silk dress! I hate pink! I hate dresses! And I hate Andrea! I need help."

"Hang on, I'm just going up to my room so I can talk to you in peace," Spencer tried to calm me down. "Just breathe, alright? This isn't the end of the world. We'll think of something."

"What?" I argued, on the verge of tears.

"I've been going through some of Dad's old law-books and received some advice from his end," Spencer explained. "I think I know how to make Tiffany spill it. But we're not on good terms at all. She won't even say hello to me. So, it's up to you. You need to talk to her. Try and get to know her. Sift through topics until you get to one that she likes and won't stop banging on about, then spring the question, okay? I have a few strategies in mind but I'm sure you'll be fine. The more we find out about the Laharts' mysterious past, the closer we get to uncovering this mystery."

I nodded, pushing back my emotions. "Okay. Okay. I'll do it. I'll get Luna to arrange a 'get-to-know-each-other' meeting tomorrow."

"And while you're doing that, I'm gonna go visit the real Miss Andrea Melcox and see if I can pick up on anything," Spencer went on. "Don't worry. You'll do great."

I swallowed. "You better hope so because there's no way in hell that I'm being Barbie's bridesmaid. Oh, yeah, did you get rid of the gun?"

Spencer hesitated.

"Spence," I frowned disapprovingly.

"No-o," she got out haltingly. "I decided to keep it and the license as evidence. They're in a safe place that no one knows about, though, don't worry. I'll show you when you come over next. Has Andrea found out about the missing items from her bag yet?"

Letting out a soft hum, I slowly crept to the top of the stair-case and peeked around the wall dividing the passage from the polished wood rails. "No, I don't think so," I returned. "I can still see the bag on top of the vanity in the hallway. She still hasn't left yet."

Spencer uttered a low groan of annoyance. "I don't understand why Lane would go for someone like Barbie! It's just not like him at all. Sure, he likes vain, conceited blondes but Barbie Doll is a little too over the top. She can't even tie her own shoes. Luna had to do it for her."

"Seriously?" I crinkled my brow up in disgust as I retreated back into the confines of my bedroom. "Maybe I should try and ask Dad about Barbie as well ... if I can catch him alone without her trying to get into his pants."

Spencer made a gagging sound on the other end of the line. "Ew. Gross. Don't ever say that again."

A small smile made its way to my lips as I laid down on my bed and stared wistfully up at the ceiling. "Alright, Sleuth Sister, let's get cracking. The sooner we figure out what's going on, the better ... for all of us."

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