Page 118 of Killing Mind

‘And just how much are they paying you, Kane? Is this one a reduced rate given the fuck-up with—’

‘The mistake wasn’t mine, Inspector,’ he said, as a muscle along his cheekbone did a jig. The man didn’t like to be accused of making mistakes.

She was about to goad him further when her phone rang. It was Penn, who knew full well where she was and what she was doing right now.

‘Stone,’ she answered, knowing he would only disturb her for something she needed to know.

She allowed him to speak without interruption, ensuring no emotion registered on her face.

She thanked him, ended the call and turned to Kane Drummond.

‘Well, it appears I do have another question, after all.’ She paused and glanced at her colleague before fixing her gaze on Kane.

‘Why did Sheila Thorpe give all her money to you?’

Ninety-Five

Once they’d finished breakfast, Britney had taken her on a tour of the outside space and explained where the pool and livestock were going. Every few minutes Tiff had opened her mouth to say that she was going to leave and each time she saw the raw excitement and animation on her friend’s face and the words just wouldn’t come.

She cursed herself for her own weakness as Britney guided her into the meditation room in barn 3.

‘Ever tried it?’

Tiff shook her head.

‘It’s beginners’ class today. Perfect for you, but I’ll do it anyway. I don’t need to listen any more and can go quite deep now,’ she said, proudly.

After this class she would tell her, Tiff promised herself.

She took a seat on the floor and decided to use the time to get her thoughts straight, make a new plan, an exit strategy that wouldn’t hurt her friend’s feelings. All she had to do was close her eyes like the others and focus on her own thoughts instead of what was being said.

A woman named Mindy clothed in a maxidress and with a neck full of coloured beads explained they were doing a beginner’s class and no one should worry if they didn’t go deep first time.

‘You learn to meditate by meditating,’ she explained. ‘You will go deeper over time and the results are better than sex, drugs or even Sheila’s rice pudding.’

The seven other women in the room chuckled.

‘Choose a mantra,’ Mindy said to them all. ‘It can be anything you want, a single word, a phrase but something that brings a positive feeling to your consciousness. Got one?’

Tiffany decided on the word ‘Evita’. It was her favourite stage show. She’d seen it nine times, and the story of Eva Peron never failed to move her.

‘Now, sit comfortably and quietly with your eyes closed. Relax the muscles in your body. Start with your feet, calves and then thighs. Shrug your shoulders and roll your head and neck around. Listen to your own breathing, focus on the breath in and out. Don’t try to change it or slow it down, just focus on it. Listen to it. Enjoy the process of the breath entering and leaving your body. Notice that your thoughts will come and go without any effort. Allow them to flow in and out. We’ll do that silently for a minute or two.’

Tiffany returned to her own thoughts and wondered what time of day was best to explain to Britney she was leaving. If she was honest the thought had occurred to her to try and persuade Britney to leave with her, but she didn’t feel she had enough time to make her understand why. Perhaps in a few days she could meet Britney at the college and try to talk her into…

‘Okay, now silently repeat your mantra in the same, simple, effortless way. As you repeat your mantra thoughts will come and that’s okay. Gently return to your mantra and be careful not to try to meditate. Don’t force anything. Now let’s try that for a few minutes.’

Tiffany allowed the thoughts to come and go. Maybe this was something she could use in her real life to escape the stress of her job and home life.

Evita.

She didn’t want Brit to feel as though she was being deserted.

Evita.

But she knew she had to leave this place for her own peace of mind.

Evita.