‘Sofia asked me for fifty thousand dollars two nights ago. Here’s my confession: I have much more than that in cash on me. About two hundred and fifty – well, forty-five. It was the money Michael was supposed to pay Alan Holton with. He asked me to look after it after everything went south, and I didn’t tell the police. Partly because it never came up, and partly because . . . well . . . I didn’t want to. I’ll admit it’—I put my hands up, hoping it made me look just as fallible as the rest of them, seeing as I was going around the room pointing fingers—‘I brought the money with me in case Michael wanted it back. I told Sofia what I was doing, and she asked me for some, saying it would help her out.’ I changed tone to address Sofia sympathetically. ‘And now that I know you’re here to try and overcome your addiction, I understand that a little better. Because money troubles are common for addicts, but when you asked me, it didn’t seem desperate, your life didn’t depend on it. You asked me because it was easy, because the money was untraceable and because it was in front of you. A fifty grand debt wasn’t going to ruin your life – you have a house, if it really got down to it – but it’s true that you were spending too much money on oxycodone, and that, seeing as what you were doing could end your career more easily than if you were, say, an accountant, untraceable cash was important. Money problems are common for addicts, and so is stealing. You stole something from one of us to get some fast cash, didn’t you?’

Sofia gave a sniffling nod.

‘I’m a fan of rules – some of you know this. And Step 9 in AA is to make amends.’ I looked over at Katherine, who nodded confirmation, and turned back to Sofia. ‘You brought the pills, yes, but just as a safety net. You fully intended to follow the program this weekend. That’s why you asked me for cash. It wasn’t a debt, but it was something you felt you needed to repay, even if no one else knew.’

‘I think someone might have noticed if Sofia had stolen fifty grand.’ Marcelo raised his voice. ‘She’s admitted it. You need to lay off.’

‘Sofia can stop me if I’m wrong.’

‘If it’s important to Michael and Lucy . . .’ Sofia took a deep breath. ‘I needed the money to buy back what I stole: a fifty-thousand-dollar platinum Presidential Rolex watch.’

Marcelo’s jaw dropped in horror. He checked his watch, tapped it a few times, then eventually managed to close his mouth.