Ah…
That’s how she knew about the security system.He’d taught her how to use the one at his place.
Damn.
Even so...it couldn’t be her.
‘I never thought Raven would leave the paint in the van long enough for it to turn toxic.It was just meant to be a harmless statement, not a genuine threat.’Celeste meekly shrugged, her eyes filled with remorse.‘I’m so sorry.I didn’t think it would be enough to trigger Doug’s asthma, I swear.’
‘How did you get Raven to do it?’Finn asked.
Celeste faltered.
It was Stone who answered.‘Raven told Craig and I that Celeste would visit her for a cuppa now and again.’This was a sad situation, one he’d never imagined.‘Poor Doug.The man’s been working for you guys for nearly ten years.’
‘First, I need to clarify that I knew Doug would be okay.And he is.We just needed him kept busy, so Griff could put up that relay box.We didn’t want Doug asking questions, or breathing down his neck, when he does such a good job of watching the perimeter.’
‘Doug told us he checked everyone’s phone for the security app,’ said Finn.‘Did Doug check your phone, Celeste?’
‘Woman doesn’t have one,’ mumbled Malcolm.‘She doesn’t need to call anyone.She has no friends.’
‘I’m assuming you have a phone, Malcolm?’
‘Of course.’
‘Did Doug check your phone.’
‘What the hell for?It’s my business.Doug works for me.’Malcolm stabbed at his chest.
But Finn calmly held out his open palm.‘Can I see it?’
Malcolm dumped his phone on the table like a brick, then pushed it across.
Finn scrolled through the phone.He then glanced at Celeste while holding the phone’s screen up to Malcolm.‘Did you put this app on your phone, Malcolm?’
Malcolm squinted, leaning close to peer at the small screen.‘Don’t know what it is.As my wife likes to complain, I’ll admit I struggle with the buttons.’
‘It’s the app that taps into your security system like a spy.’
Malcolm’s eyes widened in shock.‘I’d never—’
‘The fool wouldn’t know what half of those apps were,’ scoffed Celeste as she smoothed down her cotton dress.‘The fool doesn’t even know how to text properly.And before you ask, I put that app on Malcolm’s phone.I did it so I could watch over everything, while talking to the boys on the radio from the office while Mal was snoring his head off in front of the telly after dinner.’
‘When?’
‘Long before Lenora ever got involved.I told her to not get romantically involved with Griffin, because I knew what that boy was doing.My daughter never knew the relay box existed, or that I’d been working with the boys for months, telling them which beasts to take, while I covered the loss in our books.’
‘No, Mum, please tell me it isn’t true!’Jed dropped a few shades of pale, with his eyes darting between his parents.
‘I had to.’
‘Why, Mum?’Jed gently grabbed her hand.
‘Money.I’d get my cut from Griff and Bastion to help pay for my retirement.I couldn’t bear the thought of living with your father after he retired, not when I’d put up with his bullish ways for thirty years, and I never had a cent to my name.I’ve never been given a wage, but I made sure you and your sister got paid well.’
Celeste then sneered at Malcolm.‘But after what you did to our daughter, I told Lenora to set up her own crocodile farm away from you.And you know what?’She leaned in closer to her husband with a taunting tone in her voice.‘Lenora would have been better than all the competition out there, and you knew it.That’s why you didn’t want your daughter to be in charge, because she was better at the job than you.’
Stone sat back, not saying a word at these unexpected twists that just kept on coming.Craig slyly shrugged at Stone, while Amara kept scribbling notes into her tablet, her phone on the table recording everything.
