Page 28 of Retribution

‘No,’ I say finally, deciding it’s not a lie because I’m not in danger.Not right now.

Blake comes back on the line. ‘Gorgeous, there aren’t any cameras in your room. I searched their whole system. There’s one in John’s office, and one in the foyer. That’s it. I’m kind of surprised. I had him pegged as being a lot more paranoid than two cameras.’

‘One in his office?’ I ask quietly.

‘That’s right.’

My eyes widen and excitement overtakes my fear. Why didn’t we think of this?

‘John told me at the party that he was in his office the night of April’s accident, remember? Can you check it?’

‘Jesus,’Blake explains. ‘Of course he did! Yeah, I’ll look right now.’

Just as I hear him typing, the lock on my bedroom door clicks, and I kick the bathroom one closed, ending the call immediately and making sure the phone is on silent.

‘Marguerite, I brought your dinner,’ calls an over-the-top, happy voice.

Nurse Asshole is back. I hoped it would be Stephens or one of the other members of the house staff. My nose wrinkles.

‘Just in the bathroom,’ I say, looking around urgently to find a spot for the phone. I glance at the toilet cistern, but it’ll make noise if I take the porcelain back off now and then try to put it back on while she’s here.

The white bathrobe on the back of the door!

I find one of the deep pockets and slide the phone in, making sure it can’t be seen before I flush the toilet and wash my hands.

I emerge from the bathroom to the smell of fish and my stomach rolls. But I plaster on my pleasant face and even give the hateful bitch a smile.

‘I’m sorry if we got off on the wrong foot earlier, Nurse Smith,’ I say. ‘The last few days at the hospital after the explosion have been a little trying.’

‘Of course,’ she says back, giving me a smile that is probably as fake as her nails. ‘That’s why I’ve brought you this delicious, healthy dinner. I’m here so that you get better. I’ll give you whatever you need. It’s important that you relax.’

In your locked, stagnant room with no way of contacting the outside world.

‘What about fresh air?’ I ask.

‘What?’

‘I noticed that the doors and windows are locked. Can I have the key so that I can open them if I want some fresh air?’

She looks almost confusedly at the French doors and windows on the other end of the room and simpers. ‘Oh, no. I’m sorry sweetie, but it’s not safe.’

‘The fresh air isn’t safe?’

‘No, having the windows open, silly! You could fall out.’

I blink at her, wondering why her tone has changed to the one that people use when speaking to cute dogs.

‘I know how windows and doors work,’ I say.

She frowns at me, her eyes narrowing. ‘Are you giving me lip?’

I cock my head to the side. ‘Lip? No. I’m trying to work out why I’m not allowed to use windows.’

‘Because. I. Said. So.’

She smiles sweetly and I realize two things. This woman is an idiot, and like evil Sue from The Heath, she loves the power she has over me.

As I suspected.