Page 71 of Dying Truth

Kim decided to spare Joanna the details of the nuts being forced into his system.

‘We’re sure,’ she said and left it at that.

Joanna shook her head as though unable to accept the facts.

‘First Sadie and now Shaun. It’s just not—’

‘Was there any tie to Sadie at all?’ Kim asked.

Joanna shook her head. ‘Not that I know of.’

‘What do you know about these secret clubs, the cards?’ Kim asked.

After AnthonyCoffee-Todd’s admission that his son had been a Spade she had to consider there was some kind of link, even though Sadie’s only tie to the groups was her sister. A quick call to Dawson had confirmed that he was following that lead right now.

‘I know that Thorpe, sorry, Principal Thorpe hates them and has tried his best to stamp them out but…’

‘You don’t agree with him?’ Kim asked, surprised. ‘You approve of these clubs?’

‘Not even for a minute,’ she replied, quickly. ‘But trying to ban them has just sent them underground. It was once a badge of pride, worn by everyone involved, and so you knew who they were, kids, teachers, parents but now they have to hide.’

‘Shaun was a member,’ Kim said.

Joanna smiled sadly. ‘Exactly my point. I would never have known.’

‘So, was he a sociable kid?’ Kim asked, recalling how withdrawn Sadie had been.

Joanna frowned. ‘Not so much one of the popular crowd. He was one of those kids that existed somewhere in the middle. Not with the cool kids but not unpopular either.’

‘One of the invisibles?’ Bryant asked.

‘Probably,’ Joanna agreed. ‘He got a bit of good-natured ribbing about being late to lessons but he—’

‘Late to your lessons?’ Kim asked.

‘Sometimes,’ she said, with a fond smile. ‘My understanding is that he used to hang back in the showers until most of the other boys were done.’

Kim frowned. ‘He comes to you after gym on…’

‘Monday morning and Wednesday afternoon.’

‘And was he late yesterday?’ Kim asked.

Joanna nodded.

‘So, what did you do?’

‘Sent Christian off to get him.’

Kim felt a seed of dread form in her stomach.

‘You sent one of the other children to hurry him up?’

Joanna nodded and frowned. ‘Of course, bloody hell, I’ve already been through this once with Thorpe and Steele,’ she said, exasperated at having to repeat herself.

‘And what did—’

‘Christian Fellows,’ Joanna offered.