Page 90 of Killing Mind

‘Follow me,’ she instructed, heading through a spacious common area. ‘And to answer your question, Eric is no trouble at all. In fact, we rarely see him. Eric doesn’t like television, which is a popular pastime for most of our residents. He hasn’t watched a programme since he got here. He leaves his room for meals and returns immediately afterwards. He spends hours in deep meditation and listens to gentle music on his iPod.

‘Phone?’

She shook her head. ‘Just iPod.’

‘Is he heavily medicated?’

‘Not heavily. We have him on mild antidepressants and any anxious spells are usually soothed by a gentle walk in the garden. He responds well to the peace and quiet out there.’

Kim stopped walking as Susan led them into the dining room.

‘Does he really need to be here?’

There was no hesitation before she nodded yes. ‘Until his therapy works I’m afraid he does. Okay, wait here. I’m going to ask Eric if he wants to meet with you, but if he says no we’ll respect his wishes.’

She waited a second to make sure they understood.

Once she’d left the room, Bryant turned towards her.

‘You know, guv…’

‘Yeah, okay, Bryant. You were right and gloating does not look good on you.’

‘Jolly good but I was going to say that it sounds to me like Eric Leland is taking a place here that would be much better used by someone else.’

Exactly what she’d been thinking.

‘Reckon he’ll give us the time…’

Bryant stopped speaking as Eric Leland entered the room.

He wore jeans and a tee shirt with a pocket on the left-hand side. Earphones had been tucked in with a lead hanging and draping around to his back pocket.

‘She didn’t send you, did she?’ he asked, before sitting down.

Kim didn’t have to wonder for long who ‘she’ was.

She shook her head. ‘We’re here to talk about Unity Farm.’

He sat and glanced at Susan to tell her he was happy to stay.

‘I’ll be just outside,’ she said.

Kim wondered why the woman felt she needed to stay in the area.

‘Have you been?’ Eric asked, crossing his legs. ‘Have you seen Jake?’

Kim nodded. ‘Seems very nice but we’re here to talk about you. About your time at Unity Farm. Is that okay?’

‘Sure,’ he said, seemingly relaxed.

Right now, Kim was struggling to identify the man before her with the picture his mother had painted. He seemed calm, relaxed and co-operative. His sharp features were open and his long hair tucked behind his ears.

‘Eric, did you know a girl named Samantha Brown?’

He shrugged. ‘It’s hard to know everyone.’

‘Tyler Short?’