Page 39 of Little Children

‘And they were professional at all times?’

‘Yes. Yes. Of course.’

Kim was unsure of the relevance of the repetition in her last two responses. Who was she trying to convince and why?

Was there anything else she could ask that would explain why this name had been dropped to them?

‘Okay, Jasmine, thanks for your time,’ Kim said, standing.

A hint of indecision washed over the woman’s face. It was enough.

‘In case I wasn’t clear, anything you say is in total confidence, and your name won’t be mentioned to anyone.’

‘You’re sure?’ Jasmine asked, giving Kim reason to sit back down.

‘Is there something you’d like to share?’

‘Only if it will go no further.’

Once Kim gave her word, she wouldn’t be able to break it. She nodded.

‘It was some stuff that happened after the burglary.’

‘Like what?’

‘It started with a phone call to check on me; just to see if I was okay. I thought that was great aftercare. Then I got a text message with a link to security cameras.’

‘Still helpful,’ Kim observed.

‘With an offer to come fit them for me.’

‘Ah.’

‘It made me a bit uncomfortable, to be honest. I thanked him but said I’d made arrangements.’

‘Go on,’ Kim said. She could tell there was more.

‘There were more text messages, so my replies got shorter and shorter… but one night he just knocked the door, said he was passing and wanted to check I was okay.’

Kim felt her blood start to boil. She would bet money they were talking about the sleazebag Roy Moss. He had this type of behaviour written all over him.

‘What did you do?’

‘I told him my mum was on her way over for supper. He got the hint and left. Next night he texted and asked if I wanted to go for a drink.’

Kim’s blood was growing hotter by the second.

She’d heard of cases like this before, where police officers preyed on women they perceived to be vulnerable. Jasmine Swift appeared to be educated, professional, single and, most importantly, she was a victim of a crime.

‘And?’

She coloured. ‘I asked my brother to pretend to be my boyfriend and answer my phone the next time he called.’

‘Did it stop?’

Jasmine nodded.

Kim had just a couple more questions. ‘Why did you feel ashamed for asking your brother to step in?’