Cassie could imagine how difficult that decision must have been.
“I did. I knew I had to take it to the police. But at the same time I could not just abscond with it. So I went to Pierre immediately, praying that this woman would not already have called him back.”
“I don’t think she ever did,” Cassie said. “Maybe she realized she’d made a mistake and decided to keep quiet.”
“Yes, I think that is what may have happened. Anyway I asked Pierre for the afternoon off. I said I had a few urgent errands to run. He granted it to me, and I drove straight to the police station. I had to wait a while for the detectives to return as both of them were out. When they returned they examined the phone and interviewed me. That was when I found out that the evidence wasn’t just incriminating, but grounds for arrest.”
Cassie refilled Marnie’s teacup and waited for her to continue.
“They said the calls had been made to Helene, Pierre’s mistress, who he visited on the night of Margot’s death. The timing was significant. The phone had only been used five times. Calls were made the morning before Margot died, later that afternoon, and late in the evening, and then another two calls were made the following morning.”
The pieces were falling into place for Cassie.
“So they used a different phone to communicate over that short time? Then Pierre threw it away?”
“Yes. Pierre never disclosed that phone to the police, and they said the phone together with the calls indicated preplanning.”
“I’m so proud of you, Marnie,” Cassie said. “What you did was very brave.”
“I was beside myself with worry. Pierre has a violent temper, and I have seen its effects. I’m not staying here anymore.”
“You couldn’t, after doing that. Has the other job offer been confirmed?”
“It has, but I am leaving France. The company who employed me is based in London and they have two hotels there. I asked if I could work in one of those, and they agreed. I don’t want to be in Paris, or even in the country, with Pierre’s trial under way. He is a vindictive man, and his influence is far reaching.”
“I understand,” Cassie replied soberly.
Marnie’s words made her think about her own situation, and the threats that Pierre had directed at her. She felt more uneasy than ever about her predicament, and wondered what she would say to Josephine and how much she should try to explain.
After she and Marnie had said goodnight and exchanged phone numbers, Cassie took some chocolate milk and biscuits up to the children, and then waited in her bedroom until she heard the cab arrive. She hurried to open the front door for Josephine.
A slender, dark-haired woman climbed out of the cab, walked straight up to Cassie, and gave her a warm hug.
“You poor thing,” she said. “What a terrible situation to have to cope with. Are the children all right? I came here as quickly as I could.”
“They’re all right. They were very upset, but they handled it well and supported each other. And they cheered up hugely when they heard you were coming. They’re having biscuits and milk in bed now,” Cassie said.
But they weren’t. Cassie heard running footsteps on the stairs and saw Marc was leading the charge to the front door, with Antoinette and Ella following close behind.
“Aunt Josephine is here!” he yelled.
Placing her bag hastily on the floor, Josephine gathered the three children into her arms and hugged them tightly.
“It’s so wonderful to see all of you—how you have grown! Cassie has told me how brave you have been. I am so proud of you all.”
Cassie realized Josephine was crying. She took a tissue out of her pocket and wiped her eyes before turning back to the children.
“What’s going to happen now, Aunt Josephine?” Antoinette asked.
“Right now? We are all going to go to bed and get some rest.”
“And tomorrow?” Ella jumped up and down impatiently.
“Tomorrow, we have decided you will come home with me and live in the farmhouse in Bordeaux.”
“Really?” Antoinette asked, and there were tears in her eyes, too.
“Yes,” Josephine said gently.
Marc and Ella screamed in delight, dancing around Josephine, while Antoinette wrapped her arms tightly around her aunt and cried harder.
“I’m happy. I really am,” she said when she could speak. “I’m crying from happiness.”
Josephine smoothed her hair.
“It’s always good to cry, whether you’re happy or sad. But I’m glad you will be happy to come and live with me. I have spoken to your papa, and he sends his love and says he is fine. He is excited you will be living in the farmhouse. Now come on, you sleepy heads, you need to rest. We have a lot to do tomorrow. We have to get all your bags packed up, ready for our train journey back to Bordeaux.”
Cassie followed the family upstairs and helped Josephine put the children to bed. Not that she needed very much help, Cassie noticed. The children genuinely adored her, and were on their best behavior.
Within a few minutes, all of them were tucked up in bed.
“Let us have a little talk downstairs,” Josephine suggested to Cassie.
They headed to the dining room where Josephine poured them each a glass of claret.
“I find a glass of wine at night helps me sleep well,” she confided. “And after the craziness of this afternoon, I need something to calm me down. I’m sure you do, too.”
“Thank you,” Cassie said, sipping the rich, red claret and thinking how lucky the children were. Josephine was so kind, so down to earth, and genuinely friendly.
Josephine took a deep breath.
“I cannot thank you enough for helping to look after the children. I know how troubled they must have been with all this happening and I am sure you have not had an easy time.”
“It’s been OK,” Cassie said, but Josephine shook her head.
“Things have been very difficult these past few years. First, there were problems between Pierre and Diane in their marriage and I know Diane was tremendously unhappy for a long time. When she died, I suggested I should take over the children’s care but Pierre refused to allow it. Margot moved in almost immediately, and he told me Margot would cope perfectly, and that my interfering was unnecessary.”
“That must have been so hurtful,” Cassie said.
Josephine tilted her glass, gently swirling the red wine.
“I have not been welcome at the chateau for a long time. Pierre and I never got along, and our relationship worsened over the years, despite Diane trying to smooth things over between us. She and Pierre were fighting so badly, so much of the time, that it only worsened the conflict between us all. I ended up staying away and inviting the children to come to me for holidays. Then when Margot moved in, Pierre refused to allow that to happen. The children and I haven’t seen each other for over a year.”
“They must have missed you terribly,” Cassie said.
“I think they did. Their life here was not happy, and I doubt it improved during this past year,” Josephine agreed.
She took another sip of wine.
“The police said, when they called me, that there is compelling evidence against him. I asked if I could speak to Pierre and to my surprise, they allowed him to call me while I was on the train. He blustered and swore and blamed everyone except himself. He said that he had recently used a different phone to call his mistress after Margot grew suspicious. He disposed of it after her death because he didn’t want the police to know about it, and that because of this, they suspect collusion and preplanning.”
“That doesn’t sound good, surely?”
“He kept shouting that he was innocent and would clear his name, but even he acknowledged it might not be quick or easy. That was when I asked him again if I could take over the children’s custody. He had no choice but to agree. After all, with his future being so uncertain and even his release from prison not yet confirmed, there is no place
in his life for children and I also pointed out that they would suffer from the rumors and accusations which will circulate in the community.”
“Yes, without a doubt,” Cassie said, wondering how many of Pierre’s supposed friends would switch sides when the news came out.
“We agreed that he will officially sign the children’s care over to me. I am more than happy to do this. My husband and I love the time we spend with them, and they get on well with our two boys.”
“It sounds like the perfect move for them. I am so relieved that it’s turned out this way,” Cassie agreed.
“I am sure you are wondering where this leaves you,” Josephine said.
Cassie realized, to her enormous relief, that now the children would be starting a new life, there would be no place for her at the chateau.
She nodded politely, clasping her hands tightly as Josephine continued.
“Please let me have your banking details. First thing tomorrow, I will transfer the amount due to you, together with a bonus for the stress and unpleasantness you have had to endure.”
“Thank you so much,” Cassie said. “I’ve got the contract saved on my phone, so I can check what my November salary is.”
Josephine shook her head firmly. “My husband and I both agree in this case, your full annual salary is due to you, together with a bonus as a thank-you. In return, all we ask is that you do not speak about what has happened—to the press, or to anyone who might be curious. For the children’s sake, we’d like to try and limit any damaging information as much as possible.”
“I understand,” Cassie said. “I wouldn’t have said anything, even without the bonus and the full salary, which is extremely kind of you.”
Josephine set her glass down. “Thank you so very much. If you or the children need me, I will be in the first bedroom on the right, in the guest wing. Sleep well.”
Cassie watched her go upstairs, her mind whirling.
She couldn’t believe the surprise ending to this dreadful day.
She realized how worried she’d been about the children, who had seemed to be stuck in this dysfunctional situation with no way out. Now they had a way. They had an aunt who loved them, a safe place to go, and a stable home life ahead of them, and she was relieved beyond measure about this.
And her circumstances had done an about-face, too. From living in fear, under a cloud of suspicion, she was free to leave and had some spending money—far more than she’d expected.
She set down her empty glass and headed to the front door to lock up for the night, but before she did that, she stepped outside.
She gazed up at the imposing stone frontage of the chateau, the pale stone seeming to glow in the darkness. A cool breeze made her shiver.
She wasn’t entirely free. Although Josephine hadn’t said so directly, she was certain Pierre had mentioned her name during his blustering. She was sure he would follow through on his threats to have her arrested for stealing and that might lead to her being accused of other crimes.
If Marnie was leaving the country, perhaps she should do the same, at least until his trial was over. After all, Pierre was a wealthy and vindictive man whose influence was far-reaching, and although the police had believed her story and let her go, Cassie feared that others might not. And who knew when Pierre might be freed on bail? With all of his influence, maybe he could be let out as soon as tomorrow. And return to the chateau.
A shudder went down her spine. There could be no time to spare.
Yes, leaving France was exactly what she should do.
And she would do so first thing in the morning.
CHAPTER THIRTY FOUR
Morning light streamed into the chateau as Cassie helped the children carry their bags downstairs. Marc’s bag contained some clothes, as well as all the toys that could possibly fit into the large travel case. Marnie was carrying Ella’s bag and a spare rucksack, while Josephine and Antoinette rolled Antoinette’s enormous suitcase across the hallway.
“Shall we call a cab?” Josephine asked.
“No, no, let me drive you to the station,” Cassie insisted.
Marnie fetched Pierre’s SUV, the most spacious of the cars available, and brought it around to the front of the house, opening all the doors while Cassie started loading it up.
It was a beautiful day—cool, breezy, and clear. The crisp autumn wind ruffled Cassie’s hair and she felt hopeful about what lay ahead of her. After she’d dropped the family at the station, she could drive back here, return the car, and then pack her own bags and call a cab. She decided she would then head back to the very same station and take the Eurostar to London. In just a few hours, she could be across the Channel and in a brand new country—one she’d always wanted to explore.
Marnie was also ready to leave, and had loaded her belongings into her own car. Cassie hugged her, sad to say goodbye to someone who’d become such a good friend, even though she hoped that if they were both in London, they’d be able to see each other again soon.
“We will stay in touch,” Marnie whispered. “My new workplace has a signal, and I love messaging. Good luck.”
Then it was time to head for the station with the children, excited about the journey, singing in a tuneless chorus in the back of the car. Once there, Cassie helped Josephine load a trolley with all the bags and wheel it to the platform where the train to Bordeaux was already waiting.
Cassie looked at the sleek, shiny train and felt suddenly bereft. She wished she didn’t have to say goodbye.
One by one, she hugged the children.
“Antoinette, I am so glad for you. I know you’re going to have the most amazing time with Josephine, and you’re such a strong person.”
“Thank you. You are too, Cassie. I was so hateful to you because I was unhappy, even though I wanted to be your friend,” Antoinette whispered.
Marc strutted up to her and held out his hand. Cassie took it, and nearly started to cry when she found Marc had given her one of his prized toy bulls.
“Will you come and visit us, Cassie?” he asked.
“I will. I promise.”
Ella approached shyly, and gave Cassie a folded piece of paper.
“I made you a drawing,” she said. “It’s of the sun, because whenever I think of you, I think about sunshine. Thank you for looking after us.”
Cassie blinked tears away while hugging Ella.
“I will always remember you,” she said to Ella with a smile.
After all the goodbyes, the family boarded the train, and Cassie watched, waving frantically as they waved back, until the train had disappeared from sight.
Cassie headed back to the SUV, thinking of her plans, but as she climbed inside, she picked up the trace of a familiar scent that made her go cold all over.
It was the sharp sandalwood tang of Pierre’s cologne. As she breathed it in, Cassie felt her skin pucker into gooseflesh.
She remembered how Pierre had pushed her down onto her bed, his fingers gripping her shoulder, whispering threats into her ear to force her to stay quiet.
With shaking fingers, Cassie buzzed open the window and let the breeze blow through, wishing the memories would leave as easily, but they had never been more vivid and she felt as if she was reliving the awful scene.
He’d been so confident, so calculating. His expression of triumph at her helplessness had sickened her. In her terror, she’d blanked out all the details of what he’d said, but now his words came flooding back. He’d told her that he knew she’d been in his room, and that he had photographic evidence of her snooping and searching and opening drawers.
Photographic evidence?
Cassie pressed her forehead on the steering wheel, thinking about what he had threatened, and realizing the enormity of what those words actually meant.
She didn’t think they were empty threats. The certainty in his voice, combined with the fact he’d basically described her actions, pointed to another alternative—that Pierre had a hidden camera in his room
and he’d caught her on it.
It would be impossible for Cassie to plead innocence if it existed. She had only one chance left to find it and if she could, she had to destroy it. Otherwise, she was sure Pierre would follow through on his threats and use the footage to incriminate her as soon as he had a chance.
She sat there, debating.
On the one hand, she had to leave the country before Pierre was freed.
On the other, she had to see if there was any real evidence against her.
Finally, she turned the wheel and hit the gas.
Leaving the country would have to wait.
She had to take one last trip back to the hated chateau.
CHAPTER THIRTY FIVE
There were two housemaids working in the kitchen, but the upper floor of the chateau was quiet, and Cassie couldn’t hear any sounds from the guest wing, or the children’s bedrooms, as she made her way to Pierre’s bedroom.
You have to do this, she told herself. You have to find what’s there before he uses it against you, because he will.
She looked around the room, butterflies fluttering in her stomach, hoping that if Pierre had a system set up, it would be easy to find. She didn’t know how much time she had. Pierre could already have briefed a private investigator on what to do and where to look. The investigator could even be on his way.
Her first idea, that there were CCTV security cameras set up in the room, was wrong. There were no visible cameras.
What about hidden ones, though?
Cassie scanned the walls, wishing she had a better idea of what the cameras might look like, or how high up they would need to be placed. Pacing round the room, nerves churning inside her, she tried to approach the situation logically.
The camera, if there was one, would have filmed her searching the secret drawer. So it had to be mounted on a wall, with a view of the bed.
Turning to stare at the bed, Cassie started to wonder whether the camera’s main function had been security at all, or whether it had been there for another reason.
Perhaps Pierre had enjoyed filming his kinky exploits, so that he could relive those scenes over and over again.
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