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As she disembarks from the plane she realises she’s looking forward to getting home and that it’s the first time she’s thought of Lancaut as home since Olly disappeared.
On arrival, she says goodbye to her driver and lets herself into the Glass Barn, dragging her new luggage with her. ‘Hello,’ she calls, brightly.
‘Through here!’ Nicole replies.
Sasha walks into the living area. Nicole sits on the sofa with baby Tom in her arms and Anna beside her. Opposite them, also seated, are two uniformed police officers.
‘What’s happening?’ Sasha asks.
One of the officers stands up. ‘Sasha Dempsey?’ he says.
‘Yes. What’s wrong?’ Has Olly resurfaced? Have they found Kitty’s remains? Her heart skips a beat.
‘I’m Detective Constable Phil O’Leary and this is Detective Constable Audrey Pope. We’re arresting you on a charge of Fraud by Abuse of Position.’
‘What is this?’ she says.
‘You’re accused of misusing your employer’s credit card to buy goods and services for personal use.’
‘What? I’m authorised to use that card. I’ve been encouraged to use it.’
‘You were not authorised,’ Nicole says. ‘You abused your position. You’ve been stealing from me.’ Her voice breaks a little. ‘Not just little treats, though there were plenty of those. You’ve been on a Caribbean holiday on my money. How did you think I wouldn’t notice? Did you think I was too distracted by the baby to check what you’re spending? Is that it? Shame on you!’
Her expression is a picture of betrayal, though Sasha wonders if it isn’t a flash of satisfaction that she can see deep in Nicole’s eyes. The baby starts to cry. Nicole holds him close and shushes him gently.
‘I’ll read you your rights, and we’ll explain more at the station,’ the officer says.
Sasha looks at Anna, who shakes her head to signal that she’s appalled by Sasha, too, and when the police walk her out of the building and guide her into their car, Sasha laughs, because what else is she going to do?
She’s been played.
