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"But, sir," the PC said nervously.

"Now."

Thomson ushered them into a different interview room, shutting the door. "Please have a seat."

Charlotte's heart beat madly in her chest. This was her chance to get help. A woman entered, wearing a crisp gray skirt and jacket, with her hair pulled back in a bun.

"Donna Richards," she said, introducing herself. "I'm from the American consulate."

Charlotte looked up. The American consulate. This woman was an ally, her American accent said as much.

"We're going to record this interview." Thomson pressed a button. "The time is 15:24. Present are DI Donald Thomson, Agent Donna Richards, Gabriel Gordon solicitor, and Charlotte Hanover."

"Charlotte," Agent Richards asked. "Do you mind if I call you Charlotte?"

She shook her head.

"Can you speak up for the recording?" Thomson asked a bit gruffly. The woman agent threw him a warning look.

"No," Charlotte said. "I don't mind."

"Yesterday, the consulate received an anonymous phone call stating you were being held against your will by Sinclair Stuart. We immediately contacted the police. The caller said you went missing four days ago. We tried contacting your family in the United States but were unable to get through to them."

Gabriel spoke up. "Clearly, she's not missing."

"I'm sure Charlotte can speak for herself," Richards said. She turned to her, looking her in the eye. "Charlotte, are you being held against your will? Has Sinclair Stuart forced you into any situation?"

This was her opportunity. She clutched her hands under the table, averting her eyes from Gabriel and his blue gaze. Her palms grew sweaty and she wiped them on the skirt of her dress. It was one word—yes—one word and this would all be over. Then she thought of Imogen and Sokolov. He still had her. His threat was real. He would kill her. She bit her lip, thinking. "No, nobody is holding me against my will."

"You don't need to be scared. You can tell us the truth. We'll help you," Richards said.

"I'm fine." The crest on her stomach began to throb. 'Don't cross me.'

"Charlotte, five women have turned up dead recently in Edinburgh. All of them young and foreign. We think Stuart is involved. This phone call has been the biggest lead we've had," Thomson explained.

Charlotte shook her head. "I don't know anything about those women." Tears filled her eyes. She should tell them the truth. They were the police. They could help. But Sokolov still had Imogen. If she told the police anything and he found out, he would kill her friend.

"Where have you been for the past four days?" DI Thomson asked, leaning forward.

She looked over at Gabriel. "Uhm, with Sinclair. We were married."

Thomson set her passport on the table. The fake one. "Married yesterday, but you already have a British passport?" His stubby finger tapped the burgundy book.

"Is my client on trial here?" Gabriel spoke up. "Mr. Stuart started the paperwork a while ago. You know better than anyone, there are ways to expedite documents."

"New identity. Was he planning on leaving the country with her?"

"My client has nothing to do with those missing women," Gabriel said.

"Did you know when you came to the country you were going to marry Mr. Stuart?" Agent Richards asked Charlotte.

"Yes," she said.

"There was another missing person report on you, filed by Jon Watson, with the Edinburgh Police," Thomson said.

"He's my roommate's boyfriend."

"Yes, he made it after her flat was ransacked," the DI confirmed.

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