Page 105 of Silent Scream

‘Detective ...’

Kim turned.

‘Regardless of what my sister said to you, I’m more than happy to help in any way I can.’

Kim nodded her thanks and left.

‘Where to, Guv?’ Bryant asked.

Kim’s watch said it was after three o’clock. ‘Head back to the station.’

She took out her phone and called Dawson.

‘Hey, Guv,’ he answered.

‘What’s the situation on site, Kev?’

‘Second grave is being filled in and Cerys has the third body half uncovered. Doctor Bate is on his way. Because she’s not as far down they’re hoping to have her out by tonight.’

Kim was aware how hard she’d been working her team. ‘Once the Doc gets there, stand down for the day. There won’t be anything that we can’t get first thing in the morning.’

‘Guv, I’d rather stay, if that’s okay.’

Dawson not taking time off when offered was a first.

‘Kev, you okay?’

Attuned to his voice, she caught the sudden thickness.

‘Guv, I’ve watched the bodies of two young girls being removed from this ground so far and if it’s okay with you I’d prefer to see it through.’

And sometimes he just shocked her.

‘Okay, Kev. I’ll give you a call later.’

She hung up and shook her head.

‘Are you really that surprised?’ Bryan asked.

‘No. He’s a good kid, if lacking in judgement now and again.’

‘And I’d want him on my team any day of the week,’ Bryant concluded.

The two of them did not often sing from the same hymn sheet but Bryant could be objective when he needed to be.

Kim got out of the car and Bryant locked it.

‘Go check in with Stacey. Put those names on the board.’

She wanted their anonymity erased as soon as possible. ‘And then get yourself off home.’

Kim headed towards the bike and paused as she unlocked the helmet.

Something at Nicola’s had been wrong. There was something gnawing at her gut, something she should have picked up on.

It was as though her eyes had seen something that her brain hadn’t registered.

Fifty-Three