Page 72 of First Blood

In one way Kim hoped they were going to find a little girl there safe and sound, and in another way, she hoped the girl was already safe. She’d called it into the station before they’d left the crime scene and she knew that officers were already out looking. Nothing in this case was moving forward until they knew what had happened to Hayley’s child. Kim just prayed she had not been with her mother when the murderer had caught her. If so she could only hope that the murderer valued a child’s life higher than he’d valued Hayley’s.

It took only a few minutes to reach the council house in Colley Gate a couple of miles out of Halesowen town centre, and Kim found herself itching to jump out of the car while it was still moving, run up to the house, break a window and see if Mia was in there.

‘That’s the one,’ Bryant said, nodding towards an end terrace with a wrap-around garden.

Kim’s stomach dropped a little as she saw that the property was empty. Windowless curtains revealed the dark space of emptiness beyond. Some kind of notice had been taped to the front door.

‘Damn,’ Kim said, heading up the path of the house next door.

She knocked hard to penetrate the loud rock music being played.

No answer.

She moved along to the front window and banged even harder. Her frustration at one dead end after another. And yes she expected everyone to know there was a child missing.

The music died suddenly, and the door was thrust open by a man she had to look up to.

‘Police,’ she informed him immediately.

The aggression dropped from his face.

‘It weren’t that loud and next door’s empty anyway.’

‘You sure about that?’ Kim asked.

He nodded. ‘Been gone for weeks.’

Kim felt the irritation building within her. She knew that Mia was not in there and this was the most recent address she had. She had to hope this man could tell her something that would help locate the child.

‘Did you know Hayley well?’

A slow smile spread across his face. ‘Tried to, if you know what I mean.’

‘Yeah, I think I get you,’ Kim answered, trying not to react to the filthy look on his face.

‘When did she move out?’ Kim asked. This address was barely a month old.

He shrugged. ‘Not sure she really did.’

She looked to the property. Maybe she’d been wrong. ‘You mean…’

‘Nah, she’s gone all right but she didn’t take a lot with her. Saw the council removing it all. Tried to get what I could but council wouldn’t let me. Tight bastards. Probably having it themselves for—’

‘What kind of stuff?’ Kim asked. She didn’t have this kind of time to waste.

‘Furniture, kitchen stuff, kid’s stuff, toys. Wasn’t interested in the clothes, of course.’

‘She left her clothes?’ Kim clarified.

He nodded vigorously as though he was now enjoying being helpful.

‘That’s what I’m trying to tell you. Looked like she didn’t take a bloody thing.’

‘Okay, thanks,’ Kim said, walking away with a frown and two questions on her mind.

What had driven Hayley to flee without her possessions and where the hell was her child?

Chapter Sixty-Six