Sakura opened the door to see the woman who had driven the truck last night standing outside. Sakura had not really had the opportunity to get a proper look at her as they drove away from the police station, but, now that she was right in front of her, Sakura could see that she was pretty. She was older—she guessed around Smith’s age—but her skin was smooth and there was a mischievous spark in her blue eyes. She was smiling a little uncertainly, as if reluctant to disturb Sakura.

“I’ve not woken you, have I?” Victoria said.

“No,” Sakura lied.

“Only my husband said he saw John out running, so I thought you’d both be up.”

“I woke up a while ago,” she said. “Please. Come in.”

She stepped back to let the other woman into the villa.

Victoria was carrying a carrier bag with the logo of a local supermarket on it. “I brought you some clothes,” she said, holding up the bag. “It looked like we might be about the same size, although I suspect you might be just a little bit slimmer than me.” She grinned at her self-deprecation, a sincere, broad smile that lit up her face. “I could see you didn’t have anything with you.”

“That’s kind. Thank you.”

Victoria waved her gratitude away. “How are you feeling?”

“Better than yesterday.”

“You’ve had a hard few days from the sound of it.”

“How much did John tell you?”

“I think I know most of it.”

Sakura found, to her surprise, that she wanted Victoria’s approval. “The drugs,” she said. “It’s not what it looks like.”

“John told me. They have your son. I understand—I’m sure I’d do the same thing if I had a child.”

“I’m grateful for your help,” Sakura said.

“I was glad to be able to do a little. I just hope John can help you get the problem fixed. Now—you’d better check those clothes and make sure they’re okay.”

Sakura took the bag and peered inside it. She saw a pair of briefs and a white bra, both still with the tags attached. “These are new. You didn’t have to—”

“Only the underwear,” Victoria said.

“I’ll pay you back,” Sakura said, although she had no idea how she was going to manage that. She had nothing with her apart from last night’s clothes. She didn’t have her bag or her purse or her phone. She guessed that they were still at the police station.

“Forget it,” Victoria said. “My treat.” She cast an eye around the room. “John still out running?”

“Yes,” she said. “Can I ask you—how’d you know him?”

“We used to work together in London. This is the first time I’ve seen him in years.”

“What did you used to do?”

“He hasn’t told you?”

Sakura shook her head.