Page 133 of The Guilty Girl

‘Why are you here? Do you know what Jake was mixed up in? But listen, whatever it was, it wasn’t his fault. He was grieving for your dad and grief sent him off in the wrong direction.’

‘You don’t know what you’re talking about.’ Sharon’s breathing was strained, but she managed to scoff.

‘Oh sweetie, I know a lot more than I’d ever admit.’ Lottie rested a hand on top of Sharon’s. The girl was trembling, her skin clammy. ‘My husband Adam died a few years ago and I went off the rails big-time, a bit like Jake did. A good friend helped me, so I know I can help you. Will you let me be your friend?’

The little girl stared into her eyes as if searching her soul to see if she was speaking the truth. So pale and shivery. Lottie wondered if she was hiding an injury.

Sharon seemed to lose the fight then and rested her head on top of Lottie’s hand. ‘Jake talked about following his dream. He needed money. Dad used to pay the bills and stuff and now Mam hasn’t a clue.’ Her breath was expelled in a series of gasps as she struggled to utter the words.

Forcing a neutral expression, Lottie considered the best way to handle the child. She needed to get her out of here, but she didn’t want to push her, to alienate her.

‘You think Jake got involved with this gang to make money, and then he couldn’t escape because he owed them?’

‘He didn’t know how dangerous they were.’

Expecting a deluge of tears, Lottie was surprised when Sharon raised her head and a hard glint spiked in her eyes. This child had learned to grow up way too fast.

‘I need to get you out of here,’ she urged.

Sharon shrugged off Lottie’s hand and clutched her own tighter around her knees. ‘Go away.’

‘Who were you hoping to meet?’

‘No one.’ She released one hand and thrust her thumb in her mouth. To stop herself blurting out a name? Or reverting to a childhood habit? No, she was still a child.

‘Is this their hideout? Do you know someone in the gang?’

‘Stop asking questions.’ Sharon bounced her head against her knees repeatedly. ‘I can’t talk to you. Please, leave me alone.’

‘It can be our secret.’

She raised her head quickly, her face deathly pale. Through clenched teeth she hissed, ‘I know it was drugs you took from Jake’s room. Me and Mam will be killed if they don’t get their drugs back. I wanted to pay them …’ Steely eyes, determined to win this battle. ‘I tried.’

‘You have to tell me who you hoped to find here,’ Lottie begged, her ankles starting to creak.

‘I heard Jake on his phone. He talked about this place. I swear there’s no one here. Only you. Go away.’ Defiance coated Sharon’s words, but her breathing was worse.

Where was her injury?

‘Who’s in charge of the gang?’

A quick dart of bloodshot eyes around the room before she wilted and whispered, ‘I only know one of them. He’s the same age as Jake but Jake called him “the kid”. I think he’s evil.’

Lottie reckoned there was someone more senior pulling the strings than a kid, but she wanted Sharon to say a name in order to check if it was one of the three Garda Lei had discovered.

‘Who are you talking about?’

‘Oscar. Now go away.’

Lottie held out her hand. ‘Come on, sweetheart. I’m taking you home to your mum.’ She prayed that this time the girl would acquiesce, and sighed with relief when she did.

Sharon’s hand was soft and sweaty. A child’s hand. A little girl who carried her dead brother’s burden like an anchor weighing her down. Fighting the urge to fold her into a hug, Lottie stood, legs numb with pins and needles. That was when she noticed the dampness on the girl’s unzipped jeans and the bloodstain spreading across her abdomen.

‘Oh dear God, Sharon, you’re hurt.’

The child tottered before falling into her arms in a faint. Lottie lifted her dead weight to her chest and carried her out of the filthy, disgusting room.

‘Lei! We need an ambulance. Radio. Now.’ She was in a panic but couldn’t help herself.