Page 59 of Dying Truth

His surprise turned to delight. ‘Kim, what a surprise. Come on in,’ he said, stepping aside.

She entered the two bedroom terrace into the lingering smell of bacon and eggs, a smell that was as familiar to her in this house as the man himself. She continued through to the kitchen and sat down as he passed her and reached for the kettle. He filled it and turned.

‘How are you, my dear?’ he asked.

‘I’m well, Ted,’ she answered.

‘And Barney?’

‘Is well, too,’ she said.

‘I’ll make coffee and then you can tell me what’s troubling you.’

Kim felt a stab of guilt that she only visited the man when she needed something from him. She had first sought him out when dealing with the sociopathic Alexandra Thorne and had continued to bring him difficult questions since.

‘Don’t feel guilt, on my account,’ he said, knowing her better than anyone else on earth. ‘I am honoured that you trust me with your troubles.’

Kim instantly relaxed. Ted had been a part of her life for as long as she could recall.

At various stages of her childhood she’d been sent to him for counselling. Never had she opened up to him about her feelings and she doubted that she ever would. Ted knew every bad thing that had ever happened to her, from her file. And despite her resolute silence throughout their sessions, he had never given up trying.

‘Nasty business a few months ago with that girl of yours,’ he observed.

Kim guessed he was talking about Stacey’s abduction.

‘And I suppose the reports were true?’ he asked, turning to look at her.

‘About what?’ she hedged.

‘That you entered the property unarmed even though there were guns involved?’

Kim didn’t answer. The question was rhetorical.

‘She must be quite a detective,’ he observed. ‘For you to risk your own life. One might even say she’s important to you, don’t you think?’

Kim opened her mouth to speak and changed her mind. There was nothing innocent about anything Ted said to her. Every word was designed for a response that he could read, analyse and probe further.

‘Ted, I need you to talk to me about something.’

‘Of course, dear,’ he said, placing a mug before her. ‘What do you need to know?’

She took a breath. ‘I need to know about children who kill.’

Forty

‘Jesus Christ,’ Dawson said, sitting back in his chair.

Stacey ignored him and continued tapping.

‘I said, Jesus Christ,’ he repeated.

‘I heard yer the first time, Kev,’ she said. ‘As well as all the loud sighs that were designed to get my attention in the last half an hour.’ She pushed away her keyboard. ‘And now you have it, so what’s up?’

He shook his head with disbelief. ‘You have any clue what goes on in some of these places?’

‘What places?’ she asked.

‘Schools, private schools. All the secret clubs and societies?’