Page 148 of The Jealous Girl

‘But we’re trying to get everyone away from there.’

‘Exactly.’ I nodded firmly as the idea solidified in my mind.

‘Besides,’ Ben said, tipping his head to the side. ‘From what I hear, Charlotte’s family are pushing for the stables to be investigated. At first, they blamed Atlas. They thought he was dangerous and wanted him destroyed. But, with the rumours circulating about the toxicology results, now they are demanding answers on how the stables allowed him to be overdosed.’

‘Good,’ I said, the word sounding bitter as it left my lips. ‘Maybe that pressure will make the police look in the right direction for a change. Instead of only focusing on me.’

Ben nodded and we sat in silence for a moment.

‘Do you really think the Blackwaters will go to the service under the circumstances?’

I paused. ‘We’re posting it on their account. It’ll look like they organised it. They’ll have to be there. Besides, as Denise always said, Charlotte was like a daughter to them.’

‘They’re going to be suspicious though,’ Ben pointed out. ‘They’ll know they didn’t organise it. They could just cancel.’

My hands stilled. ‘Okay,’ I said slowly. ‘Then we need to make sure enough people see the announcement first. Especially Charlotte’s family.’ I hesitated as my words resonated within me. It felt wrong to manipulate grieving parents. But what choice did I have? ‘The Blackwaters won’t be able to back out then without looking really bad,’ I said, trying to convince myself that what I was doing was right.

‘That’s actually brilliant,’ Ben said, shaking his head in awe. ‘Everyone will be there.’

I nodded. ‘The house will be empty.’

‘It’s the perfect opportunity.’

Perfect. It felt the wrong word for what I was contemplating.

‘I can’t believe I’m actually considering doing this.’

‘Do you want to leave it to the police to⁠—’

‘No,’ I said quickly. ‘I think we both know how that’s going to end.’

‘Okay,’ Ben said firmly. ‘It should give me an hour and a half at least.’

‘You?’ I said, staring at him.

Ben nodded. ‘If you get caught, it might seriously harm your case.’

I straightened my spine. ‘This is my mess. I’m not backing away from it now.’

‘Okay,’ Ben said reluctantly. ‘But this time you won’t be doing it alone.’

51

NOW

Late August

Sunday

The road was busier than last time, with weekend tourists and locals passing through. Enough for us to be seen.

‘Pull in here,’ I said, pointing to a gap in the hedgerow. ‘We’ll be out of sight from the road.’

Ben glanced at me as he braked gently. ‘You’re getting far too good at this.’

A knot twisted in my stomach. He was right. Who had I become?

Sneaking around.