Page 139 of Killing Mind

‘Until he told Jake that he was thinking of leaving. Later that day he was asked to fix a section of guttering on the roof.’

‘Kane, I’m…’

‘And Christopher Brook was sent in because of me. I was insistent that there was something going on there. I was the one who made a nuisance of myself until someone would listen. I was the one…’

‘That’s why you work alone, why you won’t involve the police?’ she asked, finally understanding it all, including his aggressive reaction to them having sent in an officer undercover.

‘No one else will get hurt because of me.’

Kim closed her eyes and thanked God that she’d got to Tiffany in time.

She could feel his pain, but that wouldn’t stop her asking the question that was in her mind and was the real reason for the phone call.

‘You know what, Kane, you can’t bring that police officer back but you can do a favour for one right now.’

Silence. ‘I’m listening.’

Kim had told him what she wanted and ended the call.

During the investigation they had uncovered many more victims than the ones who had lost their lives. She thought of Eric Leland and his mother. Would his hatred for the woman ever dissipate? Would his connection to the Farm and his loyalty to a dead man ever ebb enough for him to lead some semblance of a normal life?

She thought of Sammy Brown and Tyler Short; one with a loving family and the other with nothing. Their backgrounds hadn’t mattered. They had both been vulnerable and had sought to belong. Funerals for both were due to be held in the coming week. She would attend both and so would Myles and Kate Brown, who had asked if they could attend the burial of Tyler Short. She had been touched at their wish to pay their respects to a lonely young man whose only crime had been to fall in love with their eldest daughter.

She thought about Sophie Brown. She recalled the shock she’d felt at what Stacey and Penn had explained they’d seen in the warehouse. That Jake had maintained such complete control over Sophie from a distance was both disturbing and terrifying. Sophie was now back at home and Kane had recommended a female colleague to help the family. He accepted that Sophie would not trust anything he had to say. The poor girl had been informed of her sister’s murder and was having to try and navigate her way through a whole new world. Kim was sure the Browns knew that it wasn’t going to be a short process. It could be years until they got the old Sophie back, if ever. The whole family may have to contemplate that a totally different Sophie might emerge from the fog, while also adjusting to a life without Samantha. She doubted that the family would ever recover from their involvement with Unity Farm.

If there was one thing Kim now understood, it was that involvement with a cult always left its mark. Sophie had a long road to recovery. Over time she would have to learn to deal with her own thoughts, her own ideas. She would have to face the pressure of making her own decisions, living amongst strangers and dealing with everyday stress.

Those thoughts led her to Peter Drake and, although she hadn’t voiced her opinion to Bryant, she felt that was the real reason he’d admitted to the murder of Alice Lennox.

After nearly twenty-six years in prison Peter Drake was now institutionalised. He had lost his freedom but he had been part of a world he understood. He knew the routine, he knew the inmates, he knew the guards. He probably knew what he was going to have for his evening meal on the second Thursday of every month. His cell was his prison but it was also his safety. There were elements that transferred across both cases.

She knew that Bryant would struggle with the decision he’d made, but she’d have supported him whichever route he’d chosen. Because she now knew that’s what friends did.

* * *

So, the statements had been written, her team had been sent home to enjoy what was left of the weekend and in Bryant’s case go and look for a new car.

The boards in the office had been wiped clean and there was only one thing left to do, she thought, as a figure appeared in the doorway.

‘Come in, Tink, and take a seat.’

Tiffany did as she was asked with a tremulous smile.

Kim had read her statement a few times. It was accurate, factual and bore no hint of the emotion behind it. Tiffany was a professional and Kim respected that.

‘So, how are you doing?’

‘I’m fine, boss. Eager to get back to work.’

A little too bright and a little too quick.

‘Yeah, Tink, thanks for the answer you think I want, but now I’d like the truth.’

‘I feel like I let you down,’ she blurted out and then looked away. That wasn’t what Kim had been expecting.

‘You know what, Tink, I feel the same way.’

Tiffany’s eyes opened wide. ‘But I didn’t get anything on the cult. I didn’t uncover anything that…’