‘I didn’t want to see Amelia again. I didn’t want to hold another mother’s child when I couldn’t hold mine.’ The ache in Claudia’s voice was very real, but when Karin took her hand to comfort her, Claudia squeezed it briefly before pushing it away. She wasn’t looking for sympathy. ‘I’m telling you this only so you can learn from my experience.’

‘I just wish I could set the record straight. I would have been nearby when Declan died, but there’s so much I don’t know, or can’t remember.’

‘My advice to you is, if you find yourself overthinking things, stop. Distract yourself. Move on.’

‘Easier said than done. It was bad enough that I could hear Declan calling out to me in my dreams, but now I see him. I think I saw him fall.’

‘You couldn’t have done,’ Claudia said, keeping her voice soft. ‘The theatre was full of dust and smoke. No one could see anything.’

‘Beth said the dust was settling …’

‘Believe me, once the smoke took over, you wouldn’t have been able to see what was happening in the circle.’

‘I suppose,’ she said. She pursed her lips. ‘So you were there after most people had left. Do you remember seeing me, or hearing Declan?’

‘All I can tell you is that it was chaos in there. I’m pretty sure whatever you’re remembering is simply your mind playing tricks.’

‘Do you really think so?’

Karin was seeking permission to forget about her brother. ‘You’ve become fixated on Declan because you think solving some mystery you’ve concocted over his death will solve all your other problems. It won’t. And making an enemy of Phillipa will only end in more grief. You can’t confront her again, Karin. Those reporters you think will help you are more interested in protecting their own. Phillipa is good friends with the Courier’s owners. They’ll close ranks and, if you’re not careful, they’ll destroy you, and Beth too,’ Claudia said. A shudder ran down her spine. She should listen to her own advice.

‘Would they do that?’

‘You never know what someone is capable of until they’re pushed into a corner,’ warned Claudia. ‘Do you trust me, Karin?’

‘Of course I do. You were the only one willing to help when everyone else treated us like lepers.’

‘And I want to help you now. You need to keep away from Phillipa and the papers. Will you do that for me?’

Karin frowned, but Claudia held her gaze until her features relaxed. ‘Sure,’ she said. ‘You don’t have to worry about me.’

22