Reaching up, she turned a bottle of gin forty-five degrees so its label was facing outwards, thoughts of Flowers worming their way into her mind. His revelation in the early hours of the morning still had her head spinning. He was her biggest ally in the squad, and while a part of her was sad he was moving on, she couldn’t deny the sense of anticipation she felt about what it might mean for their relationship. The chance that she and Flowers might be able to freely explore their feelings for each other meant that even Rodney Garrett, and the shitty conversation she’d had with Sergeant Collins, couldn’t dampen her excitement.

‘Ida.’

Sterling turned around to see Elijah. ‘Yes?’

‘Could you leave that, and come into the office, please?’ Without waiting for a reply, he turned around and headed back down the corridor.

Sterling frowned and, wiping her damp hands down the side of her jeans, followed him. The door to his office stood open.

‘Come in.’

Oh no, she thought, closing the door behind her. Had he learned she’d been in here the other day, going through his papers when she’d been searching for his phone number? For the second time that day she perched on the edge of the visitor’s chair, wondering just what he knew.

‘I had a call from Sergeant Collins this morning. He said you’d been up at the station.’

Sterling nodded. ‘I had a break-in at my place last night.’

Elijah frowned. ‘He didn’t mention a break-in, but he felt I should know that you were trying to procure drugs here, while you’ve been working in the hotel.’

Shit! She hadn’t expected Collins to do that. She should have told him who she really was.

‘Did you?’ Elijah asked, his kind eyes full of disappointment.

Sterling’s mind raced. The Ramshead was a great establishment. Elijah was a decent guy. No way was he involved in a drug ring. Determined not to make the same mistake as she had with Collins, Sterling licked her lips.

‘Not exactly—’

Elijah raised both hands as if to cut off her excuse, cementing Sterling’s belief that he had zero tolerance for drugs. ‘Just answer the question: did you tell Heidi you were looking for drugs?’

‘Yes, but—’

‘I’m sorry, I have to let you go, Ida,’ he said. ‘I can’t have you bringing this hotel into disrepute. The place will get a bad name and I’ll lose business. I can’t take the risk of you having access to money either. I’m sorry.’ He pulled open a drawer and took out an envelope.

Sterling’s heart sank, guessing what was inside. Elijah had already made up his mind before he’d asked to speak with her.

‘That’s the money I owe you, including for today’s shift. I think it’s better if you leave right away.’

‘Just let me say something—’