I shut them out then returned to my girls.
Pale, Lovelyn looked between us. “For this to make sense, I need to go back to the beginning. I’ve lied to you. I hope you’ll understand why.”
She broke our hearts in confiding how her mother had died a year ago and that she’d been working hard to rebuild a life, or just keep her head above water.
“I didn’t tell you because I was trying to be someone else. A professional. Maybe the cool friend who provided intelligence. Not someone grieving. Our group was my escape from that.”
Genevieve gave her a soft smile. “My mum died when I was a teenager. For years, I was living in the tragedy. I understand where you’re coming from.”
“You don’t blame me?”
“Of course we don’t. But I’m glad you told us now.”
“Quick,” Everly said. “Your three favourite facts about her.”
Lovelyn grinned and described a lovely lady, but then she moved on to the next part of her explanation and the threats she’d received. Kane had helped her, but their breakup had set her back, and then she’d lost her job.
“I’ll throttle him when I see him,” I promised.
She peered at me through eyes red from tears. “You don’t have to. He didn’t break any promise. The emotional attachment was all on my side.”
Genevieve rubbed her arm. “Not to contradict you, but we all saw the way he looked at you.”
“Is that why you didn’t answer our messages?” I asked.
“I don’t have anything to offer you now. I can’t help with police data, and I didn’t want to make things awkward between you and your brother.”
My heart ached for her. “You must have felt so alone. You aren’t. We’ve missed you.”
From her position on a floor cushion, Cassie cocked her head. “While hiding away to deal with all those headfucks is a completely valid method, I wish you’d come to us. We aren’t your friend just because of what ye can give us. You’re skeleton girl to the core.”
Lovelyn shuddered on an exhale. “I’ve missed you all, too. Are you sure you still want me to be a member?”
All of us confirmed it. Vigorously.
At last, she smiled. “Then catch me up.”
Cassie filled her in on Karla, the stories in the press of the riverside murder, the way it had been downplayed by the discovery of her previous work in a strip club, and the hints that it was probably sex work gone wrong. Then how the crew found that she was an applicant for the game.
“Remember she said she’d come in for an interview? That’s what she meant. We talked to her last employer, the club called Heaven, and the manager confessed to Arran that Dixie had been there. She fake-named them, though, and they had no more info on where she went.”
Lovelyn briefly closed her eyes. “God, we were so close to finding her. But they were able to tell you Karla’s plans. Was there any clue to her killer?”
“Not yet. We still suspect Presley, just without any strong evidence other than right place, right time. And the fact we don’t like him. But we have a new suspect.” Cassie made jazz hands at Genevieve.
She took over. “Remember that list you sent of the trusted companies? It had the name Sullivan Property Solutions. Dixie’s last client was a Mr Sullivan.”
Cassie jigged her legs. “And, there was someone nicknamed Sulli who was involved in the sex auctions that ended with Esther being killed. Do you remember Yelland telling us when we interviewed him?”
‘Interview’ meant mild torture at her hands. He’d sung like a bird.
Lovelyn took a deep breath. “We need to investigate this Sullivan. He might know something.” At last, warmth returned to her cheeks. “Two new suspects to consider in Presley and Sullivan. You’ve been busy. I can’t believe how much I missed.”
“That’s not all.” I told her that on that same night as Karla was killed, Pollyanna, the woman we hoped could help us with information on Dixie, had never shown up as promised. “Today, Arran heard that she’s been arrested by Lyle, the detective who’s investigating the ship deaths.”
Lovelyn stared. “And my ex who lost me my job.”
Genevieve scowled. “We think he has it in for the crew. When Arran called him, he threatened to raid the place on game night on Friday. We’re also assuming that’s why your guard was picked up earlier this evening. Arran will leave to go to the station if he can’t get answers soon.”
