Page 78 of Little Children

Bryant knew he had to witness him doing something irrefutably against the code of conduct, or downright illegal, and he was about to see one of those things right now.

‘What’s this place?’ Bryant asked as they approached the front door.

‘Stress relief,’ Moss offered with a wink and a smile.

Bryant thought he was going to throw up, but he managed to hide his revulsion. He took care to position himself one step behind Moss so the man couldn’t see his face.

The door was opened by Pippa, whose face instantly filled with loathing and fear.

She glanced his way and frowned. He met her gaze and shook his head.

‘Oh, don’t mind him,’ Moss said, misreading the question in her eyes. ‘He’s a friend of mine who needs loosening up.’

Her eyes questioned Bryant again as he followed Moss into the house.

He said nothing. He knew that if he was the kind of officer with a tougher stomach, he’d finally have some tangible proof against the man.

‘How’s things, Pip?’ Moss asked, leaning against the banister that led up the stairs.

‘Nothing new,’ she said, taking a box of smokes and a lighter from her pocket.

There was a visible tremble as the flame danced around the edge of the cigarette.

Bryant had no idea how many times she’d been forced to do this, but it clearly hadn’t got any easier over time.

It was clear to Bryant that she loathed this man almost as much as she loathed herself.

‘Well, your insurance is due, Pip, so I’m here to collect your premium. And this week it’s double,’ he said, smirking Bryant’s way. ‘But I’m first in line.’

The way Pippa nodded her acceptance and just looked at the ground all but broke his heart. This young woman had not one ounce of fight left in her.

‘Come on – we ain’t got all day,’ Moss said, heading up the stairs.

Pippa stepped past him without looking him in the eye.

She slowly began to mount the stairs behind him.

Come on, Stace, Bryant prayed silently. Do what I asked you to do.

Moss was now at the top of the stairs, and Pippa was halfway up. The protest was building inside his body, but if he had any chance at all of getting this man locked up, he had to maintain his cover. Three more steps and it would be out of his hands. He wondered how much more abuse this woman could take before her spirit was broken forever.

She was at the top step.

His heart was beating out of his chest.

He opened his mouth.

His phone rang.

He reached into his pocket. The sound had been enough to make Pippa pause.

‘Hey, Stace,’ he said loudly.

‘You asked me to call,’ Stacey answered.

‘You’re sure?’ he asked, raising his voice.

‘Bryant, what the hell is going on?’ Stacey whispered on the other end of the phone.