Page 127 of Stolen Ones

‘But that’s where she is right now. In the first few days, so you know exactly how she’s feeling, don’t you?’

‘Look, it doesn’t matter what you show me. If I can’t remember…wait a minute,’ she said as realisation dawned on her face. ‘How did you get this? Is this his mobile phone?’

Kim remained silent.

Suzie pushed her chair back. ‘Is he here? Can I speak to him?’

She stood as though she was about to go looking for him.

‘Where is he? Let me see him.’

‘For what reason?’ Kim asked, surprised at her reaction.

‘I’ve just always wanted to meet him, ask him some questions.’

‘I’m sorry but he’s being held in connection with a serious—’

‘Just two minutes, maybe five. That’s all I want.’ She paused. ‘And you never know if it’ll help to break something free,’ she said, tapping her head.

Kim weighed up her options as she moved the phone back from the centre of the table.

Steven Harte was not a plaything while under their remit. They couldn’t just foist upon him people that wanted to meet him. Even if he agreed to meet with Suzie, what exactly was he going to reveal?

It was an unorthodox request which she could see playing out badly in court.

Her only hope was that the meeting would indeed shake something free in Suzie’s memory, but if the image of a vulnerable child crying with fear and loneliness hadn’t nudged a memory free then nothing would.

For Kim there was a lot more to lose than gain.

‘I’m sorry, Suzie, but I don’t think that’s a very good idea.’

Kim was surprised to see the hardness that formed on her face on hearing the finality in her tone.

‘Have it your own way, Inspector, but I think it’s a decision you may live to regret.’

Seventy-Seven

It was almost twelve by the time Kim was given the all-clear to continue questioning Harte, and Suzie’s words were still ringing in her ears. She firmly believed that there would have been no benefit in orchestrating the meeting between the two of them, but something in Suzie’s tone had left an echo on her nerves. Woody had agreed, and after he’d reviewed the evidence and the CCTV with the CPS, both had been satisfied with the charges of kidnap and murder in relation to Lexi Walters.

‘So, Mr Harte, you’ve been charged with kidnapping and murdering Lexi Walters. Would you like to talk to us about your relationship with the little girl?’

Kim held her breath. Everything inside her said that he was ready, that she had passed every test and she would finally get the truth. But he’d had the chance for a good chat with his lawyer in the time since he’d admitted that he’d loved Lexi.

‘It wasn’t sexual,’ he said, opening his palms. ‘I didn’t view her that way at all. When I saw her I just wanted to look at her. She was beautiful, innocent, unspoiled. I never wanted to keep her. I wanted to just borrow a moment of her life, that particular moment.’

‘It wasn’t just a moment though, was it, Mr Harte?’

He shook his head. ‘No, I wanted to keep her for as long as I could.’

Kim had already decided on the direction of the interview. She wanted confirmation of identities before details of any other murders.

‘Mr Harte, you already know that we’ve found remains beneath the fountain at Wyley Court. Is there anything you’d like to tell me?’

She couldn’t question him directly about a crime for which he had not been arrested or charged, and without identities she couldn’t charge him anyway. She had to hope that she’d played the game he’d wanted, and he was now ready and willing to confess.

‘That is Paula Stiles.’

‘Steven,’ Swift warned. Until now she had been sitting in stony silence beside him.