Page 137 of Silent Scream

Kim heard more sirens in the distance. They were travelling quickly.

The sirens stopped and within seconds footsteps thundered along the corridor.

Bryant and Dawson burst into the room. And stopped dead.

She smiled. ‘Evening, boys. Thanks for coming, but ten minutes sooner would have been good.’

Bryant held out his hand to help her up while Dawson placed Victor’s arms above his head.

She ignored the outstretched hand and pushed herself to her feet. She couldn’t identify a part of her body that wasn’t sending pain messages to her brain but the agony in her back possibly trumped it all. She grimaced as she straightened.

‘How did you know?’ she asked.

‘Stacey got an email from a Minister in Bristol. I'll give you the details later but Guv, there's gonna be more. Burying them wasn't his normal M.O. Before that, he cooked them.’

Kim was not surprised. She closed her eyes and sent a silent prayer for the ones that would never be found.

She took a deep breath. ‘Get him up, Kev.’

Dawson and Bryant each grabbed an arm and lifted.

The animosity in Victor’s stare burned into her skin. If he thought that would frighten her he needed to think again. He’d clearly never seen Woody in a really bad mood. Now that was something else.

‘Victor Wilks, I’m arresting you for the murder of Tracy Morgan and her unborn child, Melanie Harris and Louise Dunston. You do not have to say anything but anything you do say may be given in evidence, you evil murdering bastard.’

She enjoyed how he looked at her, utter hatred in his eyes. ‘Get him out of my sight, guys.’

Bryant hesitated. 'Guv ...'

She held up her hand. 'I'm fine. Just get him safely to the station. I won't be far behind.'

She could see the concern in her colleague's eyes. If she let him hang around for too long he'd be frogmarching her to the hospital. And right now she just didn't have the time.

Kim grimaced as she leaned down beside William.

The paramedic closest to her turned his head. ‘Miss, you need some attention ...’

Kim ignored him and nodded towards William. ‘How is he?’

‘Severe concussion. Thinks I’m holding up eight fingers on one hand so he needs to go to hospital.’

‘Lucy,’ William said again.

Kim touched his hand lightly. ‘I’ll make sure she’s okay.’

She thanked the paramedics and headed out of the building. Every bone in her body screamed at her. She exited just in time to see Victor Wilks being driven away.

Kim wondered how many lives he had claimed. How many other vulnerable, damaged girls had he abused – and how would they ever know.

‘But no more, Victor,’ she said as the car disappeared. ‘You'll get no more.’

Seventy-Three

Kim dartedacross the road and tried the door handle. It was open.

She closed the door behind her and entered the lounge.

‘Oh, hell no,’ Kim exclaimed rushing into the room.