Page 70 of Twisted Lies

‘So how does this all work out for you?’ Bryant asked, breaking the silence.

Kim watched as Leanne consciously adjusted her expression and met Bryant’s gaze. ‘Diane and the boys have been moved to another safe house out of the area. They’ll be the responsibility of another force now and I’ll be reassigned.’

‘It’s that simple. You don’t get attached?’

‘It’s my third placement, and it’s my job. I go where I’m told.’

‘And you feel no connection at all?’

‘Absolutely none,’ she said, looking away.

‘So the other two families?’ Kim asked.

‘Inspector, are there any other questions you’d like to ask me about this case?’

She couldn’t be clearer that she was not prepared to talk about her previous placements.

‘Okay, how were you assigned to the family and how did it work?’

‘The Phippses had asked to be relocated in the Midlands. I’d just been relieved of my last assignment.’

‘Which was with?’ Kim asked, playing with her just a little bit.

‘None of your business.’

‘And it ended because?’

‘Again, none of your business.’

Kim felt a stirring of interest about how or why assignments ended.

‘Any of them get killed?’

Kim saw a flash of anger.

‘No,’ Leanne spat.

Like it or not, Kim had no choice but to consider Leanne’s involvement. Few people knew the Phipps family’s true identities, so anyone they came into contact with was a suspect.

‘Please continue.’

‘I was instructed to attend a bed and breakfast in Dudley, where I was briefed on the family.’

‘You knew nothing before you got there?’

She shook her head. ‘They received instructions and were there with plain-clothed police. Over a few days, the officers gradually disappeared while arrangements were being made. By day three, they were moved into the house in Old Hill and I was their sole contact. We spent that time choosing new names and developing a brief back story they could all stick to.’

‘Hard for the boys,’ Kim observed.

‘For all of them. Leaving your entire life behind, choosing new names and then behaving normally is impossible. Dealing with the external factors is bad enough: the physical changes of place, etc., but the emotional toll is far greater. Grief for the life you had, displacement, rage at the injustice.’

‘Of what?’ Kim asked. They were being given the opportunity of a new life, protection, a fresh start.

‘The injustice that the people he helped put away were out in three years, while his sentence was for life. They got to go back home to their lives and families. The Phippses didn’t. They had the luxury of living a lie for the rest of their days for doing the right thing.’

‘But they’re looked after, right?’ Stacey asked.

‘Define looked after?’ Leanne said.