Page 71 of Child's Play

‘Don’t insult us, Miss Evans. You knew everything about your sister’s movements and plans. The two of you barely made a cup of tea without consulting the other. Please explain why you chose to withhold this information from us?’

If Veronica was surprised at her change in tone she didn’t show it as she continued to monitor the actions of the cleaners.

Kim continued, determined to get her point across. ‘You do realise that the harder you try to hide things from us the harder I’m going to dig. So, whatever you think—’

‘I told her not to go and I don’t see how it is any of your business, and I will tell you nothing that will help you drag up our past.’

‘As the police officers investigating this case we’ll make the call on what is our business, and as Belinda’s only known relative you might want to be a bit more helpful in finding her killer.’

Kim was about ten seconds away from cuffing her for obstruction.

‘You should be focussing on the sicko that lured her to the park to kill her instead of trying to rake up—’

‘What exactly?’ Kim asked.

‘Nothing, Inspector. Please continue with your questions.’

‘Why was she going to the event? What’s her interest?’

‘The same as always: to study. There is little more fascinating than the notion of an adult brain in a child’s body. She went to observe, interact, understand. That’s all I know,’ she said as the tension entered her jaw.

She was and would remain unapologetic for hiding this knowledge from them and any explosion from Kim was unlikely to change that.

‘Miss Evans, we’ve investigated your Skype call with the editor of theTelegraphand it appears to have ended much earlier than you told us.’

Veronica shrugged, unmoved.

‘I said that all books and magazines could go,’ she called out over Kim’s head.

One of the cleaners hesitated with a pile of books in her arms.

‘But the charity shops would—’

‘Skip,’ Veronica instructed, clearly wanting nothing of her sister left behind.

‘Miss Evans, where exactly were you on Monday night between 10.30 and 11 o’clock?’

And finally, Veronica turned towards her, face set and unyielding.

‘Detective Inspector Stone, you have not cautioned me, I have not been arrested and I refuse to answer that question. I would like you to leave now and if you refuse my request I will have no alternative but to make a formal complaint.’

‘Veronica, what the hell are you hiding from us?’ Kim asked, unable to hold her tongue.

The woman took out her mobile phone. ‘Please get out of this house and leave us in peace, immediately,’ she said, resolutely.

With no choice, Kim turned on her heel and headed out wondering why Veronica had used the word ‘us’.

Forty-Nine

Penn kept the woman waiting for a good twenty minutes before entering the room.

Both Lynne and Doug had tried to insist on accompanying him but he’d refused. Right now, he was at boiling point with the woman but she’d requested a private meeting and that’s what she’d get. As well as a piece of his mind if she carried on messing them around.

‘Mrs Nuryef,’ he said, coolly, as he took a seat.

He had no papers, no folders and no notepads.

She looked to the tape recorder against the wall.