‘And say what? She knows that theatre like the back of her hand, knows where to hide. They’d never find her. And besides, the rumour around town has been that it’s me sabotaging the theatre, and I know for a fact there are some police officers involved in your production. So, you can see my dilemma. I was keeping a low profile myself. There was no way in hell I was going to call them.’
Bridie looked over at the ambulance. ‘Isobel Raine is in that ambulance?’
Reggie was staring at it too. ‘It can’t be, after all these years. How do you know it was her?’
‘I went to investigate after you accused me of sabotage. I found a locket, on the floor. It must have fallen from the dressing table. It had the initials I.R. I thought of that actress who disappeared all those years ago called Isobel Raine, and wondered if she’d made a reappearance, and that was your mystery saboteur.’
‘What locket?’ Bridie asked. ‘Where is it now? Did you give it back to her?’
‘No, I left it hanging on the shop door handle that night. Didn’t you find it?’
Bridie shook her head. ‘What could have happened to it?’ Hannah asked, standing next to her, staring at Bridie.
Bridie said, ‘Do you think a customer spotted it that morning, on their way into the shop, and took it?’
‘Probably,’ said Hannah, sighing. ‘Sorry, Bridie.’
‘It’s not your fault,’ Bridie quickly said.
‘It’s mine,’ Jack admitted. ‘I should never have left it there.’
‘No, you shouldn’t have,’ said Maisie.
They all turned to look at her.
Maisie stood there, lowering her head under their intense scrutiny.
‘Maisie,’ said Hannah, scrutinising her daughter. ‘Is there something else you want to tell us?’
She nodded her head, studying her shoes intensely.
‘Is it about the locket?’ Bridie asked softly.
She nodded again.
‘Do you know where it is?’
Another nod as Maisie reached inside her jumper and revealed a locket on a gold chain around her neck. ‘It’s so pretty, and I liked the picture inside, the cute baby.’
‘A cute baby?’ Bridie said, confused. ‘May I see?’
Hannah tutted. ‘Maisie, take off the necklace at once!’
Maisie reluctantly complied.
Hannah handed it to Bridie. ‘Why didn’t you say anything about it, Maisie?’
‘I didn’t want to because I knew you’d take it.’
‘Sweetheart, it isn’t yours.’
‘But I found it. Finders … keepers.’
Hannah sighed. ‘It wasn’t left for you. It was left for Bridie.’
‘Did you say there was a cute baby photo inside?’ Bridie asked.
Maisie undid the locket, and holding on to one side of the locket, she showed her the photo of the baby inside.
