‘Jasmine’s dad came to visit me last night. We had an interesting conversation. See, the only person who could’ve told him we planned the disappearances is Mr Michaels. But Murphy hates him, so someone else must’ve backed up the story for him to believe it.’ There was a faint twitch above Madison’s left eye. ‘Now, Miss Ellis, you didn’t know about the whole plan . . . I’m guessing one of the other girls told you more? My guess is Bree – she and Denni were joined at the hip. But didn’t we have a chat about what would happen if you interfered? Don’t I know things about you, Miss Ellis, that would destroy you?’

‘Madison, please listen to me. I didn’t tell Murphy anything,’ said Eliza. ‘The girls are really missing now. Georgia is dead —’

‘I know,’ said Madison, voice harsh, a momentary crack in her mask. ‘It’s tragic. I loved Georgia. But . . .’ She forced the pain back behind her mask. ‘Georgia’s dead. There’s nothing we can do. I can’t imagine how horrible an accident that must have been, but now the other three are scared that they’ll get blamed.’

‘Madison, you have to understand how serious this is!’ said Eliza. ‘The publicity isn’t worth it!’

‘Publicity?’ said Madison incredulously, eyes wild for just a moment before she got them back under control. ‘Miss Ellis, you have no idea what we’re doing here, what we’re going to achieve . . .’ She adjusted her jacket. ‘We agreed it would be too difficult if the girls saw any media about their own disappearances, but on the off chance Jasmine breaks the rules and has been looking at her phone or otherwise getting news of what’s happening . . . I can’t have her seeing Jack or her dad being blamed. She’d come back to protect them. But you . . .’ she said. ‘You, I don’t need to keep out of the news. So you’ll be seeing me soon, Miss Ellis.’ She spun and walked away down the corridor.

‘Madison! Please!’ Eliza rushed after her. ‘Madison, you have to call this off! Please!’

‘Even if I could, I won’t!’ She turned on Eliza. ‘You’ll have enough problems to deal with very soon.’ She flicked her hair back. ‘And just for the record, it’s your fault that Denni killed herself.’

Hot rage, unlike anything Eliza had ever felt, rushed through her. It took everything she had not to kick her in the mouth.

‘I always love our little talks, Miss Ellis. Remember: Big Hoop Energy!’ she said, in a cutesy voice. ‘Permission to be empowered!’

Madison sauntered down the hall, high heels clicking.

CHAPTER 27

CON

Con stood in the hospital courtyard, free of the disinfectant smell, but the dial tone was doing his head in. For the third time, only Nelly Mason’s voicemail answered.