Page 75 of Killing Mind

Tiffany followed her out of the room as the women brought in two huge saucepans and placed them down. The lids of the pots were uncovered.

Tiff noted they were filled with rice and beans.

Sixty-One

‘Okay, guys, quick refresh,’ Kim said, once she returned from briefing Woody. He’d been perturbed that the body found was not the person they were looking for but had agreed to keep the divers for another day.

‘Can’t believe it wasn’t Sheila down there,’ Penn said, running his hand through the loose curls.

‘Hey, your work got us the dive team and a body that we weren’t expecting. Which by the way is male,’ Kim said. She’d received a text from Keats on her way up to see Woody.

‘Wonder if his name is Eric Leland,’ Stacey offered.

‘Why?’ Kim asked, folding her arms. It wasn’t a name she recognised.

Stacey explained about the Facebook group and the two names she had.

‘Get right on it tomorrow,’ Kim advised. ‘Anything on Jake Black and Kane Devlin?’

Kim watched the constable’s expression turn to dissatisfaction. She knew by now that Stacey looked that way on days she didn’t feel she’d earned her keep.

‘Jake Black came from a family rich in reputation but piss poor. His parents sold their possessions to get him a decent education and then high-tailed it to Australia to start a new life. Jake stayed but then the trail runs cold, and Kane Devlin doesn’t appear to exist at all,’ she said, opening her hands.

‘You come across this often?’ she asked. Normally Stacey could get background on anyone.

Stacey shrugged. ‘Some folks do manage to live completely offline, especially if they really want to. Staying out of trouble and away from social media can do it.’

Kim couldn’t imagine Kane being the sort to share his evening meal on Instagram.

‘Of course he could be using a false name,’ Stacey offered. ‘It’s not like he has to show his passport to the Brown family, and they’re the only link we’ve got.’

‘Keep on it, Stace. I don’t like using Myles Brown as the middle man.’

Stacey nodded.

Kim turned to Penn. ‘Anything on the financials?’

‘Still waiting, boss. Data protection block.’

Kim understood. Sometimes they hit a wall in an investigation where just about everyone was hiding behind that law.

‘Get on it tomorrow but it’s time to call it a night.’

It was almost seven and they had another twelve-hour shift under their belts.

‘Boss?’ Stacey said, nodding over at the empty desk. ‘Is Bryant okay?’

She’d seen Penn glance questioningly behind her when Bryant hadn’t followed her in.

‘He’s fine, just caught up in something from an old case.’

Kim saw the relief on both their faces and understood. In many ways Bryant was their glue. He was solid, dependable. He wasn’t moody and his demeanour put people at ease. In one way or another they all relied on Bryant.

‘Okay, enough. Get out.’

Kim had just enough time to get home, collect, feed and walk Barney before…’

‘Boss,’ Stacey said. ‘I’ve ordered a car. It’ll be waiting for Tiff at the…’