Page 57 of Child's Play

But Kim had to address one point first.

‘Mrs Nixon, I really must stress that however much you’d like to believe that your husband isn’t dead, we are in no doubt and allowing you to think anything otherwise is just insensitive on our part. I’m sorry.’

Beth Nixon swallowed and nodded. ‘My head understands but my heart is looking for any reason to disbelieve you.’

‘I know, but I really need to ask you some questions so that we can find the person responsible.’

‘Please, go ahead,’ she said, wiping her nose.

‘Was your husband having any problems with anyone that you know of?’

She shook her head. ‘Barry is a wonderful man, he helps everyone.’

‘Any issues at work?’ Kim asked, hopefully.

‘Not really. Sometimes he has to tell people things they don’t want to hear but everyone is defensive when it comes to their children, aren’t they?’

‘Sorry, what did he do for a living?’ Kim asked.

‘Barry is a counsellor, for children, especially difficult cases.’

Children again. She thought about Belinda Evans.

‘Please, go on,’ Kim urged.

‘He works with kids who have had traumatic childhoods, normally ones with violent tendencies. He practises privately and is very much in demand,’ she said proudly.

Which is why he was going to the corner shop at lunchtime on a week day.

Kim couldn’t help the frisson of distaste that passed through her. As a child, she’d seen plenty of Barrys, all with a different view on how to handle her but all with one thing in common: they had seen her as a personal challenge.

She had been able to smell the desperation as they’d realised just how damaged she was. Quick-fire questions, different types of questions designed to flummox and confuse her. Dolls, books, games, tricks, tests, anything to try to fool her into opening up.

Ted had been different. He had let her watch his fish swim in the small pond. He had given her lollipops and allowed her to sit in silence. She had never opened up fully to anyone, but if she’d had to choose someone it would have been him.

‘So, there are parents that resent the opinion of your husband?’ Kim asked. Defence of one’s child had led to many a murder.

‘Oh yes,’ she answered, animatedly, experiencing a period of denial of current events. ‘Even if they’re paying for it they don’t always like the truth.’

Kim was tempted to argue that it was opinion not truth, but now was not the time.

‘Was there anyone in particular who had taken offence to your husband’s… findings?’

Beth shook her head. ‘No one recently. He’d been cutting back a bit on clients and spending a bit more time at home.’

Her ears heard the words as her brain translated it to business was drying up.

‘If we could somehow get a list of your husband’s recent clients.’

‘Of course. I’ll ask Lenora. She takes care of his appointments and his admin.’

‘Mrs Nixon, does the name Belinda Evans mean anything to you?’

She considered and shook her head. ‘No, should it?’

She’d hoped so based on their shared interest of broken and damaged children. Surely there had to be a link. Outside of that she could see no connection between them.

Kim felt the frustration rest heavy on her shoulders.