Page 49 of Twisted Lies

‘Thank you,’ I say, retreating back into my room, grateful for such a small kindness.

Again, I would like to say more but I can’t.

No one knows who I was before and they must not, will not ever find out.

I am safe.

We are safe.

And that’s all that matters for now.

Thirty-Seven

With only a first name to go on, Kim knew it wasn’t going to help, but what she did know was that Tommy was not the child’s real name.

‘Did you miss me?’ Bryant asked as she got back into the car.

‘You were right about the name,’ she said, ignoring his question. ‘Tommy’s real name is Ryan.’

‘You reckon the whole family are using false names?’ he asked.

‘I think we need to assume so, but the burning question is why.’

‘Well, I didn’t come straight back to the car. I lost my way and ended up at the office of Mrs Lennox. Asked her if I could take a look at their previous education records. There are none. The school was told they were unavailable, and both boys had to sit tests to establish where they were in their education.’ He lowered his voice, imitating the principal. ‘“They may have been travellers, you know.”’

‘Bloody hell, was this entire family born five years ago?’ she asked in frustration.

‘Maybe the psychologist can help,’ Bryant said. ‘While I was with Mrs Lennox, I thought I’d get us an address. He might be able to offer us something.’

‘Let’s go and find out, Robin,’ she said, reaching for her seat belt.

‘Anything else of interest?’ he asked, pulling out onto the road.

‘Teaching assistant didn’t seem all that pleased to see me. Rushed off to make an urgent call.’

Bryant frowned. ‘Bearded guy, mid-to late-twenties.’

‘Yeah, sounds like him, why?’

‘Sounds like a guy that passed me once I got back to the car.’

Kim was confused. He’d only left the classroom to make an urgent call.

‘All I can say is he looked eager to get away, and he wasn’t talking on his phone.’

Thirty-Eight

Penn stood outside the registered address for Matrix Enterprises at the Five Ways Island on the edge of Birmingham City Centre.

The building was a vast expanse of metal and dark glass and appeared to reach up about fifteen storeys.

‘Impressive,’ he said to himself as he entered Staunton House. There had to be someone here who could tell him what the company actually did.

The reception was warm and tastefully decorated, with individual seating areas scattered around the space. Tables were littered with magazines, but not like the dog-eared, worn pages ofWoman’s Ownyou found at the dentist’s office. These were thick, chunky copies ofForbesand theNew Statesman.

Penn smoothed back his hair and approached the high reception desk, behind which sat a male and female, both wearing headsets.

The badged male named Brad finished first and offered a pleasant smile.