SIXTY-NINE

8 A.M.

Kim wasn’t daunted by the prospect of doing the press conference. Even when she saw that some of the nationals had left their beds really early to come and take a shot at them.

She’d meant it when she’d said her reputation wasn’t important to her. Finding the person who had killed Hiccup was.

Before stepping out, she touched the piece of paper in her pocket. She’d been right about the statement issued by the press liaison office.

A man has been killed. We will not rest until the person responsible is caught. All available resources are being utilised. Emergency services to be thanked for prompt action. Leads are being followed, blah, blah, blah.

And at the bottom in bold capital letters were the words:

CATEGORICALLY NO QUESTIONS

She took her hand out of her pocket and stepped through the automatic doors.

The questions were already coming at her thick and fast as flashbulbs exploded in her face. She focussed and strode towards the podium.

Bryant took his place behind her as she adjusted the microphone.

Although she was staring straight ahead, it wasn’t hard to note that Frost was nowhere in sight. Either she was still sulking or she truly had been fired.

Any hopes that Steve Ashworth had skulked back off to Sunrise News were dashed when she saw that he was front and centre, directly in her eyeline. Like the others, his mobile phone was pointed towards her.

Realising that she wasn’t going to speak until the questions stopped, the press pack eventually settled down.

She briefly considered Woody and the people he answered to watching, waiting for her to read out the statement.

Yeah, right, she thought while taking a breath.

‘Early yesterday morning we were contacted by an individual wishing to engage us in a pre-planned game. The invitation was taken seriously due to a clear threat to an innocent person.’

She paused as her silent phone began to vibrate.

It had to be Woody. He knew she wouldn’t stop what she was doing to answer it, but it was his way of telling her she was in the shit.

Oh well, in for a penny, in for a pound.

‘All instructions were followed while we worked to uncover leads to the person or persons involved. Particularly instrumental in this was Dudley Star reporter Tracy Frost, to whom the initial communication was sent. The team is grateful for the patience and support of the Dudley Star management team.’

Fire her now, you bastard.

Kim took a moment to assess the expressions on the faces in front of her. They weren’t pensive or eager for gory facts. They were disdainfully amused, waiting for their chance to poke fun at the investigation. Ashworth in particular appeared to be thoroughly enjoying himself.

It was one giant joke to the lot of them.

‘An innocent homeless man was abducted from the streets on Saturday night and used as bait to lure us into the game. He was promised a hot meal and a comfortable bed.’

Amusement was fading.

‘As we followed the trail, along with clues to the next location, we found body parts extracted using horrific torture methods.’

Very little amusement was left, although Steve Ashworth’s expression had barely altered.

‘The same man lost his life early this morning, despite our best efforts to locate him.’

She paused to see that the humour had been wiped completely from their faces.

‘And now I’ll take some questions,’ she said as Bryant groaned behind her.

Daily Mail. ‘Do you think your man is making a fool of you?’

‘Only if people think the torture and murder of an innocent man is funny, and I don’t see many people laughing.’

Sunrise News. ‘Do you think he’s too clever for you?’

Of course that had been Ashworth’s question. ‘He’s been lucky. Next.’

Daily Mirror. ‘Are Forensics involved?’

‘All resources are being used. This incident is not being treated lightly.’

Midland News Group. ‘Will you be releasing the identity of the victim?’

‘Once his family has been located and informed. Next?’

Sunrise News – again. ‘Do you feel responsible for not finding the man before the train splattered him all over the tracks? And a second question. Are the police sticking to the letter of the law during this investigation?’

She felt Bryant’s presence behind her and knew it was time to end. But first she allowed the smirking Ashworth to see the repulsion on her face.

Woody was probably sending messages threatening to come and physically remove her.

She nodded her thanks to the press for their time and moved away from the microphone, even though questions were still being fired like bullets at her back.

She’d been way more open than anyone above her pay grade would want, but she hoped sharing those details had served a purpose.

Laugh at her all they liked but not at their victim. He had done nothing except take up an offer of kindness. He didn’t deserve the mirth that was being attached to every news report.

‘Guv, might be an idea to head off somewhere Woody won’t find you. He’s on the warpath.’

‘Oh, I have just the place in mind,’ Kim said, heading straight for the car.

It was time to go digging for secrets.