‘Nope.’
Lauren paced the room. ‘I mean, how long was she planning to lie to me? I thought it was too good to be true. The way we met, the instant attraction . . .’
‘Hey, slow down,’ Sydney said, putting a hand on Lauren’s arm. ‘I think that part was genuine.’
‘Well, I don’t. Why didn’t she just ask me about Fay from the start? Why all the secrecy?’
Sydney sighed. ‘I think that’s on Mum. I remember Fay’s mother asking about her, and Mum refusing to tell her anything. Not that I blame her.’
‘I don’t care, Syd,’ Lauren said, her voice getting louder. ‘You don’t lie to someone you care about.’
Sydney rubbed her temples, suddenly looking tired. ‘I don’t know, Lauren. To be honest, I think we’ve got bigger problems if what Rain said is true.’
Lauren frowned. ‘True about what?’
‘She didn’t tell you?’
Lauren’s stomach twisted. ‘Oh God, there’s more?’
‘Brace yourself. Seems the drug dealing is bigger than we imagined.’
‘And how does she know this?’
‘Fay told her.’
Lauren laughed, a bitter sound. ‘And you believe her?’
Sydney shrugged. ‘That’s why Fay dropped out of sight, apparently. She’s scared for her life.’
Lauren snorted.
‘Rain did also say she caught Alex dealing.’
‘What!’
‘Yes, and at the same time, Alex accused Rain of being the dealer, so who do we believe?’
Lauren sank onto the sofa, trying to process everything. First, the lies about Rain’s identity, and now this?
‘I don’t believe for one second Rain is a drug dealer. Alex, on the other hand, I wouldn’t put it past her,’ Lauren said.
She looked up at Sydney. ‘Did Ollie manage to dig up anything?’
‘Nope, nothing. He thinks the drugs are coming from outside.’
‘We’re never going to know for sure, are we?’
‘Unless . . .’
‘Unless what?’
‘We set up a sting operation.’
‘Please tell me you’re joking.’
‘No, I’m deadly serious. We can get someone to pose as a guest and casually ask the staff if they know where to score.’
Lauren thought about it. ‘I guess that could work. As long as we have security in the room.’
‘So, is that a yes?’
‘Yes, but let’s keep it between us. Don’t tell Ollie. I don’t want Mum finding out. You know he can’t keep secrets.’
‘I agree. Besides, he’d just try to talk us out of it, saying it’s a crazy idea.’
‘It is, but it’s the only one we’ve got.’
‘We can ask Rain if she knows anyone who can pose as the guest.’
‘Rain?’
‘Yes, Rain. She wants to help, so let her.’
‘Okay, but once this is sorted, I never want to see that woman again.’
Even as Lauren said those words, her heart knew they were far from the truth.
‘Right, I’m going to pick Ben up from school. I’ll see you later.’
