Page 143 of Silent Scream

Kim didn't speak. Her eyes were on Cerys.

Cerys continued digging. The mounds of earth got smaller. She used the edge of the small trowel to scrape along a section in the middle of the pit.

On the third scrape, sections of white began to appear.

Cerys took a soft brush and dragged it along the surface. More white emerged.

Kim’s stomach turned as she knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that she was looking at bone.

‘That, Kim, is most definitely an arm.’

Cerys continued to dig and dust until she revealed what looked to be a shoulder joint. Kim stared as more and more bone was revealed.

‘Cerys, what’s that?’ Kim asked, staring at something protruding from the shoulder joint.

Cerys dusted it once and Kim could see that it was fabric.

Kim’s heart began to hammer in her chest.

‘Cerys, dust it again.’

She did and Kim swore. Cerys turned and their eyes met.

‘Is this what you were looking for?’

Kim nodded, her feet already moving slowly towards the bike.

‘Cerys ... I have to ...’

‘Go,’ she said, taking out her phone. ‘I'll call it in.’

Kim sprinted up the hill as fast as her legs would move.

Seventy-Six

Kim knockedon the door and took a deep breath.

The door opened.

‘Detective, good morning. Please come in.’

‘Good morning, Nicola,’ Kim said, entering the flat.

Nicola closed the door and stood in front of it. ‘You’re alone today?’

Kim nodded. ‘I have to give my team some time off.’

‘But not yourself?’

‘Soon, Nicola. Very soon.’

‘Please, sit.’

Kim did so. As she lowered herself down her eyes rested on the edge of the sofa, and her mind now fully registered the significance of what she had glimpsed on her last visit.

‘How can I help?’ Nicola asked.

Kim took a second to analyse Nicola’s expression. It was open and earnest. Kim detected no deceit at all. Dammit.