Page 143 of The Jealous Girl

‘Taking all of these factors into account,’ DC Goodday said, leaning forward, ‘Charlotte’s death doesn’t really seem like an accident any more, does it?’

49

NOW

Late August

Saturday

I let the icy water wash over my feet. It stung my skin, but I didn’t move.

My thoughts drifted back to Malta. None of this would have happened if I’d just stayed there. Blackwater Stables… Charlotte… Ryan… They would all have been better off.

And so would I.

‘Hey.’

Ben’s voice drew me back from my thoughts.

I turned, squinting in the afternoon sun as I watched him cross the sand towards me, hands shoved into the pockets of his jeans.

‘I tried your flat, and then the hotel. One of your colleagues said you might be here,’ Ben said, almost apologetically.

‘Did they tell you what happened?’

Ben nodded. ‘I can’t believe they actually arrested you.’

‘It was only a matter of time, right?’ I said with shrug.

‘I’m sorry I wasn’t around.’

I shrugged again.

‘They charged me,’ I said quietly.

Ben’s expression tightened. ‘With what?’

‘Fraud.’ I swallowed. ‘And I’m still under investigation for murder.’

‘M—murder?’ Ben stared at me.

I nodded slowly. ‘They released me on bail for the fraud. But—’ my voice broke ‘—they really think I killed Charlotte.’

‘I can’t believe it.’ He shook his head. ‘How could they think that?’

‘Harcourt,’ I said, his name leaving a bitter taste in my mouth. ‘He embellished what he told us yesterday. Added my name into everything.’

Ben’s jaw dropped as he stared at me. ‘Why would he do that?’

I shook my head. ‘I don’t know. It doesn’t make sense. None of it makes sense.’

‘How are you holding up?’

I met his gaze.

‘I’m not.’

Ben nodded, as he bit his lower lip.