Page 10 of Little Children

A smile tugged at the woman’s mouth. ‘Although my favourite part, by far, was the press conference you gave. I’m guessing very little of what you said came from the press liaison office.’

‘I like to improvise.’

‘Good. You may need to be adaptable.’

‘Does anyone on the team know the second reason we’re here?’ Kim asked.

The chief shook her head. ‘And it needs to stay that way. I need to know where the calls have come from.’

‘And whether or not they’re valid?’ Kim asked.

‘Of course, but the source is the priority. If it’s a member or members of that team, I can’t risk their safety. I know that you know what I mean.’

Kim completely understood. It wasn’t beyond the realms of possibility for someone uncovered as a snitch to meet an untimely accident while out at a routine call.

‘And the investigation?’ Kim asked, wondering where her team fitted into that.

‘It’s been explained to you that manpower wise we’re at breaking point. Every member of CID is working flat out. Unfortunately, we can’t afford to ignore every other serious incident because we have two missing boys. Especially not this week.’

Kim waited.

‘I want Red and the team focussing on Noah, the boy who went missing last night. They already have the knowledge of the first boy, Lewis, and will be able to ascertain quicker if the two incidents are linked.’

‘Your suspicion?’

The chief opened her hands. ‘My hope that they’re not is dwindling by the minute, but there’s still a chance Noah is going to turn up somewhere safe and sound.’

Kim noted that she didn’t hold out the same hope for Lewis, who had now been missing for ten days.

‘In which case, wouldn’t we be expected to pack up our things and leave you to it?’ she asked.

‘I’d have to be creative in finding a reason for you to stay to dig into the complaints. Although, no offence, I’d rather we had Noah back and be sending you on your way.’

‘No offence taken.’

‘What I need from your team is to retrace everything on Lewis’s disappearance. It’s what my team would be doing if Noah hadn’t vanished too. You’ll have fresh eyes. Maybe there’s something we missed or where we should have gone deeper. I want these boys found.’

‘Of course. We’ll do everything we can to make that happen.’

The chief smiled. ‘I’m sure you’re keen to get started. Let me know if there’s anything you need. And if you have any problems with any members of my team be sure to?—’

‘Sort it out myself, marm, but thank you for the support,’ she said, heading towards the door.

Good of the DCI to offer, but Kim had never needed anyone to fight her battles.

Six

‘Feel for you, mate,’ Roy Moss said, standing in the doorway behind him.

Bryant had spotted the small kitchen on his way through and had taken the chance to make himself available while the guv was with the DCI.

He wasn’t surprised that this guy was the one to take the bait. He’d hoped that would be the case.

‘Feel what?’ he asked, frowning.

‘She’s a bitch, eh?’

Bryant turned away. ‘I shouldn’t…’