Page 14 of Twisted Lies

The woman seemed to consider this as though it was her decision to make.

Kim moved forward. ‘If we could just—’

‘Okay, you’d best come in,’ she said, stepping aside.

It was only when she stepped into the small reception room that Kim realised the heavy velour curtains were partially closed, leaving only a gap for a head to look out.

‘Migraine,’ Leanne explained, opening them.

Kim wasn’t sure if she meant herself or her sister.

‘Hey, Leanne, do you…?’

‘Police officers, Diane,’ Leanne said, cutting her off.

The woman entering the room was petite and fair, unlike her sister. Her light skin was without make-up and appeared blotchy in places.

‘Mrs Phipps, would you mind sitting down? I’m afraid we have some bad news about your husband.’

Diane looked to her sister and sat.

Before she spoke, Kim’s gaze passed over a photograph on the mantelpiece. Two pre-teen boys, probably a couple of years difference in age, dressed proudly in school uniform. Her heart sank even further into her stomach.

‘Mrs Phipps, I’m afraid there’s been an incident involving your husband.’

Leanne moved to sit beside her sister. She didn’t clutch the woman’s hand, as Kim would have expected, but instead lay a hand on Diane’s forearm.

Fear shone from Diane’s eyes, and Kim would have loved to reassure her that she had not come to bear the worst possible news.

‘I’m afraid to say that your husband is dead.’

Diane opened her mouth, but it was Leanne who spoke.

‘Are you sure it’s him?’

Diane waited hopefully for the answer.

‘We’re certain,’ Kim said. Despite the burns to his face, he had still been recognisable as the man on the driving licence.

‘Was it some kind of accident?’ Diane asked as her brain tried to compute the news. Kim hid her surprise that the question on the manner of death had come so quickly.

Kim shook her head. ‘Your husband was murdered.’

Diane’s eyes went immediately to the photo on the fireplace.

‘Oh God. Oh no, what about—?’

‘Will the body need to be identified?’ Leanne asked, cutting her off and showing no emotion at all.

‘Yes, but it can wait for—’

‘I think the sooner the better, don’t you?’ Leanne said, standing.

Kim noticed a red mark on Diane’s forearm where Leanne’s hand had been.

Kim frowned and made no move to leave.

‘Given the circumstances, we’d prefer to ask your sister some questions before we get to that,’ Kim said, looking pointedly at the woman who had just had her life destroyed. ‘MrsPhipps, when did you last see your husband?’