Page 49 of Silent Scream

‘William Payne?’

He nodded.

Bryant took out his warrant card. ‘May we come in?’

He made no movement to step back and frowned. ‘I don't understand. A police officer already came yesterday and took details.’

Kim glanced at Bryant before speaking. ‘Mr Payne, we're here in connection with an investigation concerning Crestwood.’

She had sent no other officers to this address.

Understanding registered on his face. ‘Oh, of course, please come in.’

He stood back and Kim took a second to assess him. His hair gave the initial impression of someone much older than his face indicated. It was like two totally separate ageing processes were occurring. The wear on his face placed him only in his early to mid-forties.

‘Please be quiet, my daughter is asleep.’

His voice was low and pleasant, with no trace of Black Country accent.

‘Come through,’ he whispered.

He led them into a single room that ran the length of the house. The first section was the lounge area and beyond was a dining table set before a patio window leading onto the small back garden. A perfect grid of slabs left no room for lawn or shrubs. Kim heard a noise behind. It was a gentle rhythmic thunk.

The sound came from a device that appeared to monitor breathing. Attached to the machine was a girl Kim guessed to be in her mid-teens. The wheelchair was an oversized contraption with an IV drip attached to the other side.

Wound around the left arm of the chair was an emergency response pendant with a red button that linked directly to the ambulance service, normally used for the severely disabled. Kim realised this would be little use to the girl around her neck but had been placed less than an inch away from her left hand.

The flannel pyjamas dotted with Betty Boop did not hide the atrophy of the body beneath.

‘My daughter, Lucy,’ William Payne said from beside her. He leaned over and gently pushed a stray lock of blonde hair behind the girl’s ear.

‘Please, sit down,’ he said, guiding them to the small table. The sound of Jeremy Kyle played quietly in the background.

‘May I offer you a cup of coffee?’

They both nodded and William Payne entered the kitchen which was no more than a box just off the lounge area.

He placed three metal coasters on the table before bringing out three china mugs. The smell was delicious and Kim took a sip immediately.

‘Colombian Gold?’ she asked.

He smiled. ‘It is my only vice, Detective. I don’t drink or smoke. I don’t have a fast car or chase fast women. I just like a good cup of coffee.’

Kim nodded as she took another sip. Bryant gulped as though it was Tesco Value Instant.

‘Mr Payne, may we ask ...’

Bryant stopped as Kim nudged his leg beneath the table. She would lead this one.

‘May we ask what is wrong with Lucy?’

He smiled. ‘Of course, I’m always happy to talk about my little girl. Lucy is fifteen and was born with muscular dystrophy.’

He glanced over at his daughter and his gaze never returned. It gave Kim the opportunity to observe him openly.

‘It was clear to us early on that something wasn’t quite right. She was slow to start walking and she never grew out of that clumsy, gambolling stage.’

Kim looked around. ‘Is Lucy’s mother here?’