Page 88 of Dying Truth

Kim began to think of the people she’d met over the last few days.

‘But bear in mind, that if they have come to terms with who and what they are, some of these traits might be hidden.’

Kim opened her mouth to respond when her phone vibrated the receipt of a message.

She took out her phone and read it.

She put the phone back and met Alex’s quizzical gaze.

‘Someone special?’ Alex asked.

‘No one you know,’ Kim said, pushing herself backwards from the table. ‘And I now find that I can stomach you no more. You truly are as deplorable as I thought.’

‘But now you understand that it’s not my fault.’

Kim thought for a minute before answering.

‘What you are doesn’t let you off the hook, Alex. You’re here for the things you’ve done. As you just explained to me, all your decisions have been conscious choices. They have been your actions. You understand the difference between right and wrong and still do it anyway. So, it is your fault, Alex,’ she said, walking away.

‘You’re not ready, you know,’ Alex shouted after her.

‘For what?’ Kim asked, turning.

‘Whoever sent you that text message. I saw the smile on your face that you didn’t even feel forming. I don’t know who it was from, but I can tell you now that you’re nowhere near ready.’

‘Fuck off, Alex,’ Kim said, not bothering to explain that the text message had been nothing like that.

It had been a request to meet at the Waggon and Horses for some urgent information.

And the text had come from Joanna Wade.

Sixty-One

Kim turned into Cradley Heath High Street and headed towards the Waggon and Horses.

She would give Joanna five minutes before heading back home. Alex had given her a lot to think about.

The sound of a siren reached her ears. She checked her rear-view mirror but saw no lights. She motored through the traffic lights at the four ways intersection, onto Reddal Hill Road. Despite the darkness she could see a huddle of people in the middle of the road and a woman waving at her to stop. Right outside the pub she was heading for.

Kim screeched to a halt and kicked the stand out to park the bike. She was off, and her helmet removed in a second.

‘Police officer, what’s happened here?’ she demanded as she pushed through the crowd.

‘An accident,’ someone said.

‘Hit-and-run,’ another voice offered.

‘Let me through,’ Kim cried as the siren of an ambulance grew closer. The feeling of dread in her stomach jumped into her throat as she reached the centre of the circle and her worst fears were realised.

The person on the ground was Joanna Wade.

‘Get away from her,’ Kim shouted, as she bent down and appraised Joanna, who was lying on her back.

The woman’s left leg was bent at an impossible angle, and Kim suspected at least two fractures. The left arm appeared to have been dislocated from the shoulder, and a couple of fingers were broken too.

Kim’s immediate concern was that Joanna was far too quiet.

No, no, no, her mind screamed.