Page 126 of Killing Mind

‘Charlsberg Holdings, which belongs to Kane Drummond, owns three separate properties. One appears to be Kane’s home in West Hagley, the second is a cottage on the outskirts of Pershore and the third is a warehouse in Kidderminster.’

‘Does the cottage have outbuildings?’ Kim asked, picturing a peaceful, semi-rural location.

Penn nodded and got the property on the screen. ‘Just west of the cottage is a small barn and some kind of storage shed.’

Kim stood behind him. The place was perfect for hiding someone until you knew what to do with them. There was no main road for miles and the property was accessed through a couple of miles of single-track lanes.

‘Show me the warehouse.’

Penn clicked onto another open tab.

The warehouse was situated on the edge of a disused quarry half a mile out of the town centre. Around it were smaller properties and overspill parking spaces. It was far busier with more potential to be seen.

‘Okay, Penn, Stacey, I need you to go find out if Kane Drummond is holding Sophie Brown.’

‘You want us to go to the cottage?’ Stacey asked.

She shook her head. ‘The warehouse.’

Both officers looked at her doubtfully.

‘The cottage is too far. Kane needs faster access. If she’s alive she’s going to be close.’

She turned to Bryant. ‘Grab your coat, Bryant, we’re going the other way.’

She’d had enough pissing around. It was time to go get their colleague back.

One Hundred Four

‘You really think she’s in danger, guv, given what Stacey said?’ Bryant asked, as they headed towards Wolverley.

‘I’d feel better if she’d replied to my texts,’ Kim answered.

She’d sent another one which had been read immediately, but still no response. How was she able to keep reading them but not send a short one back to confirm all was well?

‘What if it isn’t Tiff reading them?’ Bryant asked, reaching down into her deepest fears. Especially after what Stacey had just told them.

For the hundredth time, she regretted the moment she’d had the idea to send Tiffany in there. Yes, she was a police officer and not a child but she was also up against a force greater than any of them had imagined. After her conversation with Kane she realised she hadn’t taken the threat of a cult seriously. And she had sent Tiffany in there alone.

‘You know, Bryant, if anything happens to her…’

‘I know, guv.’

She turned and stared out the window allowing Bryant to concentrate on getting to the Farm as quickly as possible. She cursed herself again for sending Tiffany into a situation for which none of them were prepared. Her own refusal to accept the risks of such a group had potentially endangered the life of one of her colleagues.

If anything happened to Tiffany she would never forgive herself.

And the speed of Bryant’s driving told her he was just as concerned as she was.

One Hundred Five

‘You know, Stace, I don’t like to question the boss but…’

‘Yeah, I’m wondering if we’re in the right place too,’ Stacey replied as they pulled off the main road.

Although it was almost seven there were still people locking up premises and leaving work late on a Friday night right by the warehouse.

Every second gave Stacey more doubts that they were in the right place.