‘How do you know that?’ Alex asked, a hint of suspicion creeping into her voice.
Rain hesitated, not wanting to reveal too much. ‘One of the journalists outside was asking about it.’
Alex scoffed. ‘Typical. The press will say anything for a juicy headline.’ She turned back to her paper, seemingly unconcerned.
Rain felt a surge of anger at Alex’s callousness. How could she be so indifferent when her actions had put someone’s life at risk?
Unable to hold back any longer, Rain leaned in, her voice low and intense. ‘I know it was you, Alex. I saw you.’
Alex’s head snapped up, her eyes narrowing. ‘I have no idea what you’re talking about.’
‘Don’t lie to me,’ Rain said. ‘I saw you sell that guest drugs.’
Alex’s face hardened. ‘Listen, I don’t know what you think you saw, but I’m not into anything shady. Got it?’
Rain pressed on, undeterred. ‘I’m giving you a choice, Alex. Either you stop dealing, or I go straight to Lauren with what I know.’
A smirk played at the corner of Alex’s mouth. ‘Is that so, Rae Rae?’
The use of her childhood nickname caught Rain off guard. How could Alex possibly know?
Alex leaned back in her chair, a triumphant gleam in her eye. ‘Oh, don’t look so surprised. I know all about you, little miss imposter. Fay told me everything. So, who do you think Lauren’s going to believe, huh? Her loyal employee of years, or some fraud pretending to be someone she’s not?’
Rain’s mind reeled. Fay had betrayed her, painting a twisted picture of their childhood.
‘Fay said a lot of things,’ Alex continued, ‘but she never mentioned anything about you being a snitch.’
Rain bristled at the accusation. ‘What you’re doing is wrong, Alex. People could die.’
‘Spare me the lecture. I’m not holding a gun to anyone’s head. They come to me. Simple supply and demand.’
Rain felt trapped, backed into a corner. ‘Fine,’ she relented, ‘I’ll keep my mouth shut and you will too, but no more dealing at the hotel.’
Alex considered for a moment, then shrugged. ‘All right, fair enough.’
Rain stood, her chair scraping against the floor. ‘And just so we’re clear, if anything happens to that guest . . .’
Alex leaned over and whispered in her ear. ‘I’d be very careful, Rain. You don’t know who you’re messing with. And I don’t mean me.’
Alex straightened and walked away.
Rain sank back into her chair. What the hell! Are they all singing from the same hymn sheet? That was exactly what Jack had alluded to. What did it all mean? Were they all veiled threats or a warning?
And more importantly, why had she just agreed to keep her mouth shut?
She knew why. She had no choice. She couldn’t risk losing her job. It was the only way to find out what happened to Fay. And then there was Lauren . . . the thought of losing her trust was unbearable.
‘Ah, there’s Rain Thomas.’
The sound of her name snapped Rain out of her reverie. She looked up to see Sarah approaching with a serious-looking man in a well-tailored suit.
‘Rain, this is DS Moore. He’s talking to all the staff about the incident that happened yesterday.’
Rain forced herself to maintain a composed façade. ‘Oh, right. To be honest, I don’t know how much help I’ll be.’
‘Why don’t I be the judge of that?’ DS Moore sat opposite and took out a notepad and pen. ‘I’ve been informed you were cleaning one of the rooms nearby to where the incident was. Did you see or hear anything unusual?’
Rain shook her head, her heart hammering against her chest. The less she spoke, the less likely it was he’d hear the tremor in her voice. She was a crap liar.
‘Nothing at all? Not even the slightest noise that struck you as out of the ordinary? Anything at all?’
‘I . . . I’m sorry. I can’t think of anything,’ Rain stammered.
DS Moore’s expression remained impassive, but there was a hint of frustration in his voice. ‘Are you sure about that, Miss Thomas? This is a serious matter, and any information you can provide could be crucial.’
Can he tell I’m lying?
‘I’m sorry, but I really didn’t. I wish I could help more, but I can’t.’
DS Moore regarded her for a moment longer before sighing and jotting down a note in his pad. ‘All right. I’ll be around for the rest of the morning. If you remember anything, no matter how small, come and find me.’
DS Moore got to his feet and left with Sarah.
Bloody hell, talk about suspicious. No wonder he’s a copper. I hope he doesn’t question family and friends like that.
Leaving the staff room, Rain sighed, relieved to finally be on her own. She adjusted the strap of her bag over her shoulder, ready to make her way to the storeroom to collect the cleaning supplies. Lost in her thoughts, she almost didn’t notice Jimmy approaching until they nearly collided in the corridor.
‘Oops, sorry about that,’ Rain said, as she steadied herself.
