Page 94 of Killing Mind

‘No, Brit. You carry on spreading the word.’

This time she really needed to go alone.

Seventy-Four

‘Jeez, Tink, you took your time.’

‘She was almost in tears, boss,’ Tiff said, as they sidled to the far end of the loos.

Kim took out the smallest phone she’d been able to find and placed it in Tiffany’s hand.

‘Don’t care where you keep it but have it on you at all times. If we lose communication again we’ll just pull you out. Got it?’

‘Got it, boss,’ she said, slipping the phone down the front of her jeans.

‘Just text, okay?’

She nodded. ‘Listen, I’ve not got much time but the place is amazing. Everyone there seems happy, but food is controlled and seems to be both a punishment and a reward. Jake Black is held in godlike regard by everyone. He wants to talk to me when we get back.’

‘About what?’

‘Family and stuff,’ she said, dismissively. ‘But they send people out to do all kinds of things and the folks who have few skills go out and beg. They’re dropped off and collected by minibus.’

‘Do you have any names?’

Tiff shook her head. ‘I’ve not been out of Britney’s sight yet, and they get suspicious if you ask too many questions.’

‘Have you met Sophie yet?’

Tiff shook her head. ‘That’s why I want to stay again tonight. I’m hoping to give Britney the slip and speak to some other people later.’

‘Okay, but stay…’

‘Hang on, that’s not all. I think they target old folks with no family. We visited a lady this morning. Brit was dead helpful, did her shopping and offered to massage her feet. She was lovely, but I think she took some money too. There’s great value on what you can bring to the Farm.’

Bryant made a note as Tiff recited the address and the woman’s name.

‘Look I’ve got to get back. I’ll text more as I find it.’

‘Tiff, are you okay?’ Kim asked. ‘They’re not getting to you, are they?’

Part of her wanted to keep Tiff talking for as long as she could.

Tiff laughed. ‘Of course not. I know what I’m there to do and I’m absolutely fine. I promise.’

She gave a small wave as she headed out the door.

Despite the words of reassurance Kim found herself unconvinced.

Seventy-Five

Britney stood just outside the entrance doors to the college for two reasons: the first being that she’d been banned from going inside; the second was because there was a sensation in her tummy that wasn’t feeling so good.

The visits from the police officer unnerved her. The woman kept asking about people who were once part of the family. She didn’t seem to understand that once they were gone they were dead to the family and never spoken of again. To leave was the worst betrayal to Jake and everything he did for them.

But there was something else, a tension that had fallen around them once Tiffany approached. She suspected what they were trying to do. They wanted to take Tiffany away from them.

She watched as Tiff appeared and headed to the vending machine. Ten seconds later the police officer exited the toilets and left through the other door.