Hailey’s eyes widened. ‘But what about evidence for the police? We can’t just wipe it all. These people have to be stopped, brought to justice. Otherwise it’ll just keep happening.’

Sara sank into the chair by the desk and pointed at Matt. ‘You think he’ll cooperate? He’ll probably just hide everything or start a new site or something. These things don’t go away, do they? Once they’re online, they’ve got a life of their own.’

Matt’s eyes widened. ‘I won’t. Honestly, Sara, I want this to stop as much as you do. Just tell her to let me go and I’ll do whatever you want.’

Sara glared at him, incredulous. ‘You think I trust you after everything you’ve done? You’re a two-faced liar.’ She caught her sister’s eye. ‘You’re right, Hailey. Let’s get him somewhere safe, where he can’t mess up the site, then we can call the police.’

‘I think it’s the right call,’ Hailey said, her face a little red with the effort of keeping Matt under control. She glanced at the door. ‘Look, shall we take him into the house? We can lock up the office so it’s secure. Then we can make that phone call.’

‘Good idea.’ Sara got up from her seat and led the way. A shout made her turn just as she reached the door. A fist caught the side of her head, sending her sprawling to the ground, smacking her hip on the concrete as she landed. Winded and helpless, she watched Matt lock the office door, trapping Hailey inside. Then, without a backward glance, he ran down the garden path and out of the back gate.

Chapter Thirty-Four

Sara watched Matt disappear, her head spinning from the force of the punch, her eyes unable to focus properly. He hit me. That was the only thought she could fit in her head. It was so shocking, so unexpected, it pushed everything else from her mind.

It took a few minutes for the dizziness to fade enough for her to get to her knees and lever herself to her feet. But as soon as she was upright, the ground started to sway, nausea struck and she spewed her breakfast into the flower bed, leaning on the wall for support, her legs so weak and wobbly she felt like a sailor in a storm at sea.

She heard a faint sound from the other side of the office door, a low moan. Oh my God, has he hurt her? She rattled the door handle, to no avail. ‘Hailey! Are you okay?’

No response.