Chapter 40

Kim pulled up outside the building in Pedmore as the landlord was exiting the property.

He smiled and held the door open for her. ‘Hope this isn't some kind of party.'

‘Excuse me?' Kim said, moving past him.

‘She already has a visitor, so just mind the noise.'

‘Understood,' she said, while thinking three people hardly constituted a nuisance level of noise. Kim was interested to see who else was visiting Katie Hawne, and if they were doing so for the same reasons she was.

The door was opened on the first knock and not by the person she was expecting.

‘Are you fucking kidding me?' she exploded.

‘Hey, Inspector, fancy seeing you here,' Tracy Frost said with a wide smile.

‘Frost, get your arse out of here right now.'

‘Well, I would, but Katie's making me a cuppa. Wouldn't want to appear rude. You joining us?'

Kim barged past her and headed straight for the kitchen.

Katie's face registered her surprise. ‘Inspector, what are you?—?'

‘Katie, I suggest you ask this woman to leave. You do know who she is?'

Katie nodded. ‘She's a reporter for the Dudley Star.'

‘And you're happy to talk to her?'

‘I have nothing to hide. You confirmed that.'

‘All the same, you don't want to offer any details to this poor excuse of a?—'

‘I can hear you,' Frost said from behind.

Kim ignored her. ‘Katie, she has a habit of twisting whatever you say to suit her own?—'

‘Still hearing you,' Frost said with amusement in her voice.

Many people were now savvy to the promises journalists made. Phrases like ‘get your side of the story out there' or ‘I can help you control the narrative' were nothing more than ploys to get across the threshold and exploit someone's unfortunate circumstances.

‘I haven't said anything to her yet, and she promised there'd be no tricky questions.'

‘I bet she did,' Kim said, removing her jacket and nodding towards the kettle. ‘And yes, I'd love one. I'm sure no one will object to me sticking around.'

‘Of course,' Katie said, turning back to the kettle.

If she hadn't known Frost so well, she wouldn't have noted the flash of annoyance that passed over her features as she sat down.

‘I have nothing to hide,' Frost said, taking out her notebook.

Except ethics and a conscience, Kim thought as Katie placed three drinks on the table. Although the more objective part of her mind did know that wasn't strictly true. There had been occasions over the years where Frost's moral compass had got the better of her and she'd behaved like a decent human being. But finding her here like this just confirmed to Kim that she was still prepared to act a certain way to get a good story. No wonder the reporter was irritated that Kim had turned up, and she was glad her visit had been so well timed.

Kim took a moment to assess both Katie and her surroundings. The woman looked pale and tired and like she was wearing clothes a size too big for her. There was no lingering aroma of cooked food and no plates or utensils scattered around.

Kim felt her reservations grow. Katie wasn't up to this meeting. She was barely awake, certainly not alert, and she had no fuel to power either her body or her mind.

Kim sat back and folded her arms as Frost switched on her Dictaphone.

‘Okay, Katie, first I'd like to say I'm sorry for your loss and if there's anything you need, just let me know. If you want to stop or if there's a question you don't want to answer, just let me know that too.'

Kim groaned internally at the sincerity in her voice. She was very good, but Kim knew that if Katie refused a question, Frost would just find another way to ask it.

She was pleased that she'd taken the time to stop by. She crossed her ankles beneath the table and settled in for the long haul.

Half an hour and three empty cups later, Kim realised that her focus had shifted from the reporter to Katie.

To be fair to Frost, she was questioning Katie with care and empathy. There were no leading or trick questions, and she had asked for little information on the gruesome scene.

Feeling that the reporter was behaving herself, she'd paid more attention to Katie. That was when she'd noticed the subtle stiffening of her body every time Frost referred to Sheryl as ‘your mum'. Each question that contained those words was making Katie more and more uncomfortable.

And then, as if by magic, the real Frost put in an appearance.

‘And were you treated okay by the police?'

Katie nodded.

‘Any issues in the custody suite?'

‘Okay, I think we're done,' Kim said, looking to Katie for confirmation.

She nodded wearily, and Kim could see how tired she was.

When all was said and done, she'd had a traumatic and exhausting forty-eight hours.

‘You've got enough, Frost.'

The reporter shot daggers her way, but she was lucky to have what she did.

‘You've got my number, Katie,' Frost said, putting her Dictaphone into her bag. ‘Anything you need give me a call.'

‘Thanks,' she offered weakly.

With a final side eye at Kim, Frost let herself out the front door.

‘So, how are you really?' Kim asked, once they were alone.

‘The honest answer is empty,' Katie said, rubbing at her head with her hands. ‘It really feels that all this happened to someone else. A part of me is sure that if I go over there, she'll still be alive.'

‘Katie, can I ask you a question?' Kim said.

‘Of course.'

‘Did you resent your mum for the pageant years?'

Katie didn't appear surprised by the question, but Kim had still detected that slight stiffening at the mention of her mum.

‘Sometimes, but I resent her more for being a heartless, selfish bitch.'

‘Katie…'

‘I'm tired, Inspector.'

The wall was back up, and Katie was positioned safely behind it.

Kim stood and reached for her jacket.

‘May I ask you one question before you go, Inspector?'

‘Of course.'

‘When can I have the house back?'

Kim hid her surprise. ‘I'm not sure how much longer forensics will want it, but most likely just another few days.'

‘Just time to pack,' she said, following Kim to the door.

‘You want to move back in?'

‘Of course. It's my home.'

‘We'll let you know,' Kim said, stepping outside.

Katie thanked her and closed the door.

Despite Judith's advice, it looked as though Katie was unable to leave the past behind her. According to the neighbour, Katie had still visited Sheryl if not often, at least regularly. She had not been able to sever that tie with the only family member she had. Kim guessed that moving back into the family home reflected that same need for familiarity.

‘So, what's going on, Stone?' Frost asked, appearing from behind a conifer tree.

‘Jesus, are you trying to give me a heart attack? Why the hell are you still lurking around?'

‘Figured you'd be out soon enough. So, what's the story?'

‘About what?' Kim asked, heading for her car.

‘Her mum. There's something more there.'

‘You mean apart from her mother being brutally murdered and Katie being the one to find her? That not juicy enough for you?'

‘Not when I know there's more.'

‘Like trying to get details on something that happened at the station?' Kim asked, referring to the low blow.

‘Hey, I wouldn't be doing my job if I didn't chance my arm a little bit.'

‘Well, use your arm to write a decent piece and get out of my way.'

Frost stepped aside, and Kim got in the car.

She still hadn't started driving by the time Frost had hobbled out of sight.

The reporter's instinct wasn't wrong about Katie and her relationship with her mum. It appeared to be formed of many layers.

But that had nothing to do with the reasons for Kim paying her a surprise visit. Her concerns were twofold. On the one hand, she wanted to ensure the woman was okay. A part of her wished she could have kept Katie at Bushey Fields to get help, but she couldn't. She was an adult who could take care of herself. But there was something unnerving about being in Katie's presence. Subtle mood changes that happened frequently.

Every conversation left Kim feeling that the woman was one wrong question away from a meltdown.

She was also certain there was something about Katie and her mother that they didn't yet know.