‘Why don’t you ask your wife?’ Richard replied. ‘She’s been snooping, asking people lots of questions about me.’
Both men stared at her. Juliette dropped her eyes.
‘That’s not very neighbourly of you,’ Richard added.
‘Oh, I?—’
‘You could have asked if there was anything you wanted to know. I haven’t heard from Louisa in a good while but I spoke to her a few months ago. She put Daisy on the phone to me and it was good to hear her voice.’
‘Who’s Louisa?’ Danny asked.
‘My ex-wife.’
‘That’s great,’ Juliette said, not giving Danny the chance to reply. ‘Are you meeting up with them soon?’
‘I don’t think so.’ Richard looked at Danny and rolled his eyes. ‘The reason we split up was because Louisa was having an affair. Daisy was a result of it. She isn’t my daughter.’
‘I’m so sorry,’ Juliette said.
‘So whatever crap Sarah has been feeding you with’ – Richard switched his gaze back to Juliette – ‘it’s all lies.’
Juliette sat still. Had he found out that she’d been tosee anyone? Had Sarah told him, and if so, had he hurt her to get the information?
‘I suggest from now on you keep your nose out of my business,’ Richard went on.
Juliette held Richard’s stare. She wasn’t standing for that, no matter how much danger Sarah might be in if she spoke out.
‘I’ve seen her,’ she said.
‘Not this again,’ Danny sighed loudly.
‘I’ve seen her!’ Juliette repeated.
Richard’s eyes narrowed. He reached across the table, grabbing Sarah’s arm.
‘What have you been up to?’ he demanded.
‘Hey, now,’ Danny started but Richard held up a hand for him to stop. ‘What’s going on?’
But Richard kept staring at Sarah. Then he laughed.
‘You don’t really think we keep Daisy locked up in a room, do you?’ He clicked his fingers at Sarah. ‘You, come with me now.’
‘Where are you going?’ Juliette glanced at Sarah, seeing the look of panic on her face.
‘We’ll be back in a minute,’ Richard said.
As she followed Richard out of the room, Danny rounded on Juliette.
‘What the hell is going on?’
CHAPTER SIXTY-THREE
Juliette swallowed. Suddenly, the reality of what she was doing sank in.
‘I’m so sorry,’ she said to Danny. ‘I’ve felt really deceitful not telling you, but the little girl I thought I saw and Richard denied does live here. She’s four years old and her mother, Louisa, is missing. Louisa is Sarah’s sister.’
Danny’s mouth dropped open.
