Costa Crew 3: Make or Break

Chapter 9 - A Deadly Game of Chess (Becky's Move)

"Long time no see, Courtney," Joanne said, putting strong emphasis on Hannah's undercover name.

A shiver ran down Hannah's spine as her and Charlotte sat down on the other side of the glass. It was her first time speaking to someone she had met on a mission after her true identity was revealed, and there was something unsettling about the way Joanne said Courtney. As if she should feel guilty for deceiving them.

"We have some questions for you, Joanne," Hannah said nervously.

Joanne glared at her. "And why should I tell you anything?"

"You've been happy to help the police in the past," Charlotte said. "What's so different about this?"

"You think Hidgens is the most hated person among what used to be our organisation," Joanne replied, eyes fixed on Hannah. "That's only Murphy that hates Hidgens the most. But Hidgens didn't spend months with all of us, earning our trust, bonding with us, only to betray us. That was all you, Courtney Beckett."

"Okay, with all due respect, it's impossible to hate Hannah," Charlotte said, rolling her eyes. "I mean, look at that face."

Hannah smiled, then turned her attention back to Joanne. "Like I said, we have some questions. About Erica."

Joanne's face turned pale. "You know about Erica," she croaked.

"We know she's a relative of yours," Hannah replied. "We know she works for Amelia, and she had something to do with the murder of Curt Hidgens."

"But Erica's not like that, I know she's not," added Charlotte. "How did she get mixed up with Amelia's organisation?"

"Is Erica okay?" asked Joanne anxiously. "What's happened to Erica?"

"Nothing's happened," Charlotte reassured her. "And we're going to try and make sure nothing happens to her. But we need to know how she got involved in Amelia's organisation."

Joanne sighed. "She's my daughter. Her dad ran out on us as soon as she was born. Said she was a mistake, he wanted a son. I had to raise her alone, but it wasn't easy with my crappy coffee shop."

"Then Amelia came along and promised you the opportunity of a lifetime," Hannah said.

Joanne nodded. "Erica was just about to finish high school, and she would have had nowhere to go. Anthony's offer promised money. He said he'd support Erica financially. But only if she went into the police force."

Charlotte and Hannah exchanged shocked glances. Erica had been working for Amelia ever since she joined the police force. Maybe not willingly, but working for her nonetheless.

"But you enjoyed it," Hannah pressed, more determined for answers than ever. "I could tell. You got a kick out of it."

"I enjoyed helping people out the way Anthony helped me out," Joanne replied defensively. "He made sure that Erica covered his and Amelia's tracks, and if she got uncomfortable he'd...persuade her to keep going."

"You mean threaten to put a bullet through her head," Charlotte noted.

Joanne sighed. "Exactly. So you see, she didn't have a choice. It's all my fault. And here I am, paying for it. Inspector Monroe, Courtney, I'm begging you-"

"Stop calling Hannah that," Charlotte interrupted.

"Fine," Joanne agreed reluctantly. "Hannah. Please. Erica's not dangerous. Amelia and Anthony are. If you try and get her to talk, which she probably will, they will kill her."

"We can protect Erica, but only if you help us," Charlotte continued. "Tell us what you know about the murder of Curt Hidgens."

"I don't know the name, any relation to Rebecca Hidgens?" asked Joanne.

Charlotte frowned. "You really don't know anything?"

Joanne shook her head. "I haven't heard anything since I was arrested. If Amelia was planning to kill Curt Hidgens, she planned it after she went to prison. If you want to find out what happened, Anthony's the one to ask."

"I see," Charlotte said, nodding. "Well, we'd better be going. Thank you, Joanne."

Charlotte and Hannah stood up to leave, but Joanne wasn't finished. "I never met Amelia," she added. "But I know how she thinks. She likes to hide behind smoke and mirrors. Set puzzles. Ciphers. If she wants to get Hidgens back, it'll be dramatic. She'll have this whole show planned out. You want to stop her, encourage her. Make her enjoy the game too much. She'll be her own undoing."

Charlotte and Hannah nodded, relieved to see that Joanne seemed to care for her daughter enough to help them. "But be careful," Joanne added. "None of us matter to Hidgens or Amelia. We're all just chess pieces to them. That's what this is, a giant game of chess. And sometimes, to win at chess, you have to sacrifice even your most valuable pieces."