Page 141 of Silent Scream

Kim reached down, lifted the holdall and held it while Cerys put her arms through the straps.

Cerys fixed the monitor around her waist. Kim reached for the strap and hauled the metal rod onto Cerys’s shoulder.

She stood back. ‘I had you more as a Prada wearer.’

Cerys shook her head. ‘Okay, I’ve had a look around the area and there’s a lot of crap on the ground. It all needs moving.’

‘I’m assuming that’s my job?’

‘See anybody else here?’

‘Okay, where?’

‘I’ll survey the rear of the building first. The front of the building looks right onto the road and houses so if we’re looking for what you think we are, that area would have been too exposed.’

‘Can I help, Detective?’

Kim turned to find that William Payne had walked around the side of the fencing. He looked pale and tired. Kim stepped towards him.

‘How are you feeling?’

He smiled. ‘Sore, but there’s no permanent damage. They sent me home a couple of hours ago.’

‘What about Lucy?’

‘Take a look.’

Kim walked to the edge of the fencing. The curtain had been pulled back and Lucy peered through the window.

Kim waved and then turned her attention back to William. ‘I don’t think you’re in any fit state ...’

‘Detective, I don’t know what you’re doing here today but I know that Lucy and I have somehow become a part of this. I’d really like to help.’

Kim was torn.

‘They were just kids, Detective. Hardened, abandoned, neglected kids. What they did to Lucy was wrong, I know that and so did they. All three of them came back the next day of their own free will and apologised for what they’d done.’

‘And you accepted their apology?’

He shrugged. ‘Doesn’t matter. Lucy did.’

Kim shook her head in wonder. ‘You know that your daughter is a true inspiration?’

‘Oh yes,’ he smiled, proudly. ‘She’s what gets me out of bed every morning.’

Kim tipped her head. ‘And you’re not so bad yourself. Last night, if you hadn’t managed to loosen that rope or grab Victor ...’

‘It wasn't brave at all, Detective. I saw you go into the building and just came to see if you needed any help. Then I saw Victor Wilks digging a hole ...’

His words trailed away as he blushed. Kim understood that he was an accidental hero but he'd saved her life all the same.

‘Even so ...’

‘Enough,’ William said, holding up his hands. ‘Now, please tell me what I can do to help.’

Kim smiled to herself. This was a man who wanted no thanks, no praise and no sympathy.

‘Okay, see that bin by the window. We need to fill it with anything on the ground that might interfere with the machine.’