Page 87 of Cruel Hearts

I raised my shoulder. “It wasn’t like I knew any different while I was little. But if you’re right about Elizabeth having the real cocaine, don’t you think they would have taken it from her?”

“Not if she gave it to someone else for safe-keeping,” he replied.

Realization dropped into my stomach like a boulder. “Myra.”

“Why don’t you think she gave it to Herbert and Williams?”

“They’re business partners who she probably didn’t trust.” I took a sip of my tea. “And I think I know the missing ingredient in that diet curry.”

Gideon’s face went slack. “Cocaine?”

“I’ve seen people rub it on their gums, and it keeps them rail-thin. It makes sense that she’d add it to the curry mix.”

“This is diabolical.” Gideon placed his cup on the desk. “We must call the authorities.”

“And have the Deputy Chief Constable cover it up?”

He shuddered. “I wasn’t thinking.”

“Maybe you’re right,” I said. “It’s not like the Liddells will step in if Myra gets arrested.”

“Unless Elizabeth confessed that it belonged to her.” Gideon rubbed his chin.

“Which she won’t, because that will mean admitting to having stolen their cocaine.” I stood. “Where’s Myra’s room?”

Gideon shot to his feet. “Wait!”

I frowned. “What?”

“Don’t go charging in there and getting yourself implicated.” He positioned himself between me and the door. “Tell Mr. Burgh and Mrs. Campbell what you suspect.”

I gave him a sharp nod. “But first, I’ve got to find Orlando and the twins and ask them to keep my secret.”

Chapter 31

I went to Orlando’s room, the location of the failed sex tape, and knocked on the door. One of the twins answered. He wasn’t scowling, but I couldn’t assume this was Maxwell, as I’d formed a sort-of truce with Kendrick. Besides, after the night I’d had, I fully expected Maxwell to grin down at me or leer.

His brows drew together. “Is there a problem?”

“I need to speak to all three of you about what happened today.”

Kendrick stepped aside, revealing Orlando and Maxwell sitting side-by-side on the bed. Maxwell’s eyes lit up, his lips curling into a wolfish smile. He patted his lap, indicating for me to sit.

I shook my head and waited for Kendrick to close the door.

“We thought Mr. Burgh would keep you for longer,” said Maxwell.

“Actually, I need to ask you not to talk about anything you learned today.”

“What’s happened?” asked Orlando.

The entire conspiracy spilled from my lips, ending with the theory of Elizabeth pilfering a block of real cocaine someone had given her to plant in my room before the raid. “If the Liddells would go so far as to discredit me so I couldn’t claim Elizabeth’s inheritance, what do you think they’ll do if they discover I’d worked out my claim?”

Maxwell wrapped his arms around me. “We won’t say a word. Will we?”

“I won’t,” said Orlando.

“Neither will I,” added Kendrick.