She spoke quietly, without turning. ‘Why, Doc – ’cos I was just too broken to mend?’

‘No, simply because I wanted to help you so much it hurt.’

Kim swallowed the emotion that had gathered in her throat. She had the urge to give him something.

‘I have a dog.’

‘That’s good news, Kim. I’m pleased that you got yourself a dog, now you just have to work out why.’

FIFTY-FOUR

Kim parked the car and turned to Bryant. ‘I’ll lead this one. We need to tread carefully.’

His guffaw was covered by a cough.

She appraised the property before her. A row of four three-storey town houses had been built in the space previously occupied by two bungalows. The new, orange brick stood out against the rest of an estate that had sprung up in the late fifties. The driveway held a shiny silver Audi with a Corsa parked in front on the road.

‘Bloody Nora,’ Bryant said, turning sideways and inching crab-like between the Audi and the wall to the next property.

The door was answered by a male dressed in a navy suit. The burgundy tie had been loosened at the collar. The strong chin showed just a light stubble that had probably crept up during the course of the day.

‘Can I help you?’

‘Detective Inspector Kim Stone, Detective Sergeant Bryant. May we speak with you for a …?’

‘Step away from my property, Detective Inspector. I will not allow you to torture my sister further.’

His face had changed season. The tolerant smile reserved for unexpected visitors was replaced with pure disgust.

Kim could understand it. She had been less than pleasant to his sibling on their last meeting.

‘Mr Parks, if I could just have a minute …’

‘What the hell could you possibly want?’ Wendy asked, appearing beside her brother. Although Bryant was beside her, the disgust was obviously reserved for Kim alone.

A small look of triumph passed across Robin’s features as he folded his arms across his chest.

Kim could see instantly that Wendy had lost weight. Already slight, and with her black hair pulled back from her face, Kim was reminded of Olive Oyl.

Pure hatred shone from her eyes.

Kim realised quickly that she had to rethink her interview strategy. Robin Parks was definitely a hostile subject and would not answer any questions directly and it looked like Wendy could cheerfully gut her like a fish. But she had to get in the house.

‘Wendy, I’ve seen the girls,’ she offered.

The hatred dulled, replaced by shock and then concern.

‘Move aside, Robin,’ Wendy said.

He didn’t move but regarded his sister incredulously.

‘Are you mad? I’m not letting these people into my …’

Wendy took hold of the door and opened it.

Robin stepped aside.

Kim followed Wendy through to a tastefully decorated lounge dominated by a wall-mounted television. A one-piece leather sofa curled around the room with a recliner seat at the end.

Wendy took a seat at the furthest point, but not before Kim saw the extent of her weight loss.

Wendy folded her hands tightly into her lap. ‘You’ve seen my girls?’

Kim moved along so that both she and Bryant could sit even though the invitation had not been made.

Kim knew this woman itched to launch across the room and beat the life out of her but greater was her need to know about her children.

Kim nodded. ‘They are okay,’ Kim said and felt the need to add more. ‘Daisy was wearing a dalmation onesie and Louisa was dressed as an owl.’

Wendy tried valiantly to keep the tears back but they broke free and exploded down her cheeks.

‘Their favourites. I made sure I sent their favourites.’

The room fell silent. Kim opened her mouth but Wendy beat her to it.

‘I no longer care if you believe me. But the truth is, I didn’t know. Either he was very clever or I was very stupid but if I had known that bastard would not be taking up any space on this earth anymore.’

A couple of spots of spittle launched from her mouth as she spoke.

‘You may not understand this but I am filled with a rage so hot I can actually feel it burning. I have never been violent in my life but I dream of putting my hands around his throat and squeezing every last breath out of him. It’s all I can think about.’

Robin entered the room and sat beside his sister.

This hadn’t been the initial plan in her mind, but Kim knew how to improvise. Attempting to question Robin Parks directly would lead to a speedy ejection from the premises, whereby they would learn nothing.

‘I would give my life to go back and stop it from happening. I would give anything to undo their hurt and believe me I will spend the rest of my life trying.’

Robin took Wendy’s hand and began to stroke it.

Kim believed her. And she knew she’d been wrong. This woman had not known.

‘Wendy, there was someone else in the room.’

Kim kept the words as gentle as she could but each one of them travelled like bullets across the room.

A cry escaped from Wendy’s lips and a whole new horror entered her eyes. Kim would have liked to confirm that it was a voyeur only, but she wouldn’t give false reassurances.

Although she was speaking directly to Wendy, it was the reaction of her brother that Kim watched. She knew that Bryant was watching him too. She had no doubt that her partner had understood the change in direction of the meeting.

Robin stopped stroking Wendy’s hand. ‘I think you should …’

‘Are you absolutely sure?’ Wendy asked imploringly.

Kim simply nodded her head.

‘That’s ridiculous,’ Robin said, placing a protective arm around Wendy’s shoulders.

Kim ignored him. The minute she addressed him directly she would certainly be made to leave.

‘Is there anyone you can think of that your husband knew …’

‘I can’t believe it … I can’t even think … I just …’

‘Why would my sister know who this fictional person is? She’s told you …’

‘The person is not fictional, Mr Parks. It has been confirmed.’

Still no direct question.

Despite her distress, Wendy’s motherly instinct was still intact.

Her lip trembled. ‘Daisy confirmed it. That’s why you’ve seen her?’

Kim nodded and took a deep breath.

‘Wendy, it was someone she knew.’

Robin exploded to his feet. ‘No … no … no … I will tolerate this no more. She doesn’t know anything, don’t you understand?’

He moved across the room, heading straight for her.

Bryant was already on his feet. ‘I wouldn’t do that, Mr Parks.’

Kim stood and looked around them both. ‘Wendy, I’m doing this for your daughters.’

Robin attempted to reach around Bryant and grab her forearm.

She snatched it away and took a step towards him. ‘Do you want to try that one again?’

‘It’s time for you to leave,’ he said, stepping back.

Kim ignored him and addressed Wendy. ‘Don’t you want me to catch the bastard who was in there?’

‘Robin, stop it,’ Wendy cried, rising. She stood and slowly traversed the room.

‘If I think of anything, I’ll let you know. It really is time for you to leave and I hope never to see you again.’

Kim looked at Robin, poised to physically remove her from the house and at Bryant, who was just waiting for him to try.

It was costing Wendy every ounce of strength to remain upright.

Yes, she had definitely outstayed her welcome.

‘Well done on treading carefully in there, Guv,’ Bryant offered, walking to the car.

She said nothing. Ultimately, Kim had got what she’d come for.

FIFTY-FIVE

It felt like weeks since she’d last had a briefing, when in fact it had been a couple of days.

‘Okay, Stace, any update on Charlie Cook?’