I shake my head nervously as goosebumps run up my spine. “She just called Natasha Cinderella,” I whisper. Oh my god, I put my hand over my mouth.
Ben screws up his face. “What do you mean?”
“I am the only one who called her that. It was a code between us. Natasha is sending me a message.”
Max stands immediately as if on autopilot, takes his phone from his pocket, switches it to silent and then unzips the outside zipper on her handbag and drops his phone inside and zips it back up.
Ben frowns and Cameron walks over. “What’s going on?” he asks, oblivious.
“It’s Amelie,” I whisper.
He frowns. “What’s Amelie?” he asks.
“She killed Natasha.”
“What?” he snaps.
Amelie comes running back inside and our eyes all flick to her guiltily. “I have to go. I have an emergency I have to attend to.” She picks up her bag and throws it over her shoulder.
“But you haven’t seen Joshua.” Cameron frowns.
She shakes her head. “I’m sorry,” she calls as she makes a dash for the doors.
Ben stands and signals to Max to meet him outside and Cameron starts to look between the three of us. “What’s happening?” he whispers.
“Get in the car,” Ben snaps.
Cameron frowns. “What?” he whispers. “Can’t be?”
I shake my head as I try and make sense of this.
“How do you know Natasha hadn’t told anyone this?” Cameron asks.
“It was a code that she wanted me to use if there was someone around she didn’t trust,” I murmur. My eyes flick to Ben. “Natasha is sending me a message. It’s her, I swear to you it’s Amelie.”
Ben stands with his legs wide and his hands in his pockets as he thinks. His jaw ticks in concentration. “Let’s go,” he snaps as he heads toward the door and Max follows him. My eyes dart to Cameron who is still in shock.
“Where are we going?” he asks, horrified.
“Following her. She must know something.” I shrug as I start toward the door after Ben and Max.
Cameron stands still on the spot, defiantly. “What about Nick?” he calls. “How is he going to get home?”
I turn and frown at him. “I will ring him,” I snap, annoyed at his procrastination.
He shakes his head and follows us out to the car. Ben and Max get into the front seat and Cam and I get into the back.
Cameron shakes his head. “I swear to god, Murph, if this is a wild goose chase I’m going to bash you. Joshua needs us today. I don’t want him alone today and tonight. Tomorrow is supposed to be his damn wedding day. He’s on the fucking edge,” he snaps.
“Joshua needs us to prove him innocent you dead shit and we are trying our best! Now shut the fuck up or get out of the fucking car!” Ben snaps and he slams on the brakes and we all lurch forward.
Cameron looks at the roof of the car in frustration. “Fine. Drive,” he replies flatly.
Max starts to type something into Ben’s pho
ne and Ben’s eyes flick to him as he drives. “Where is she?” Ben asks.
“Fifteen kilometres in front.” He holds the phone out for us all to see the little red dot driving along the road.