Child's Play (D.I. Kim Stone #11)(28)

He nodded and then looked at the college head, who appeared to be waiting for the conversation to start.

Clearly Felicity Astor liked to know everything that went on in the college.

‘Thank you, Ms Astor, we can take it from here,’ Kim said, pleasantly, and waited for the woman to walk away.

She caught the amused expression on the man’s face as he watched her leave.

‘Nice lady,’ she observed.

‘How may I help?’ he asked, offering no response to her statement.

Kim regarded him for a few seconds.

‘I’m trying to think of subtle ways around this but sod it. Were you sleeping with Belinda Evans?’

He smiled at her candour. ‘Not recently but in the past, yes,’ he answered, making no effort to hide the fact.

‘I’m really sorry to ask but…’

‘You want to know why?’ he asked, ending her discomfort.

She nodded. ‘I really don’t mean to be rude but age differences happen more commonly the other way around, and I don’t mean to imply that there was anything wrong—’

‘Please stop, Inspector,’ he said, holding up his hands. ‘I do understand your point and I’m not offended by the question.’

‘Was it a secret?’ Kim asked. Had he been ashamed of the relationship?

‘Only from her,’ he said, nodding towards the door through which Felicity had left. ‘She likes to get in everyone’s business. Makes and changes rules to suit herself.’ He tipped his head. ‘Officer, I’m not ashamed of our time together, and I’m truly sorry that she’s dead,’ he said, regretfully.

He moved towards three piles of mats in the corner of the room and took a seat.

‘How did it start?’ Bryant asked as they both took seats on the mats opposite. ‘If you don’t mind us asking?’

‘I’m not sure you mind asking?’ he said, aiming the ghost of a smile her way. ‘Christmas party last year. Both hunting the buffet for wheat-free options. Got talking and couldn’t stop. Met for coffee during the college break and the same happened again.’

‘And what attracted you?’

‘Her intelligence, Inspector. Not every relationship begins with a physical attraction and it never has for me. I’ve always enjoyed the company of older women but you have to understand that Belinda was not like other women. She was the most intelligent woman I’ve ever met. Her brilliance was both alluring and attractive. She was confident and assured and yet childlike sometimes.

‘She was an exceptional pianist and would play for hours but not difficult pieces, easy, jolly songs and then clap her hands in delight afterwards.’

‘Sounds a little strange,’ Bryant observed gently, echoing her own thoughts.

He shook his head. ‘Not for me. I enjoyed every minute we spent together.’

‘Who ended it?’ Kim asked, hearing both fondness and regret in his voice.

‘I did, but not for any reason you might think.’

‘Go on,’ Kim said.

‘It wasn’t about the sex, the relationship, I mean. Not for me. It was a part of it but I just enjoyed being with her. The sex became more important for her,’ he said, colouring.

Kim appreciated his total honesty so far but could see this conversation was growing increasingly uncomfortable for him. And she hadn’t even started on the hard questions yet.

‘I’m sorry we have to ask but…’

‘No, I understand. Belinda became more demanding sexually. She wanted to try new things, toys, dangerous places, games, rough games, which isn’t something I find appealing. She was insistent, so I had no choice but to end it.’

Kim realised that Belinda had struck lucky with this guy. On the face of it he was a decent, caring man who had been attracted to her for the right reasons.

And yet it hadn’t been enough.

‘It seemed to be some kind of escape for her, a compulsion beyond making love and I didn’t feel the same way.’

‘But you loved her?’

‘Oh yes, officer. I loved her.’

‘Which makes my next question almost impossible to ask,’ she said, recalling the photos shown to them by Keats.

‘Given what I’ve already revealed to you about our private life, that surprises me, but please ask anything you need to.’

‘Did Belinda pass on an STI to you or you to her?’

The sudden shock on his face gave her the answer.

‘Definitely not,’ he answered. ‘Are you saying?…’

Kim nodded. ‘I’m afraid so and it appears she was determined to play those games with someone.’

He shook his head and looked to the ground.

Kim felt as though they’d trampled over their relationship enough but she still had other questions.

‘Did you meet her sister?’ Kim asked.

‘Only a few times but that was enough.’

‘Why’s that?’ Bryant asked, shifting on the mat.

‘She was strange, they were strange together. Belinda changed into a different person around her sister.’

‘Can you explain?’ Kim asked, remembering the things Ida had told them.

‘It was as though they couldn’t stand each other. They bickered about all sorts of things, disagreed on everything but had to be in contact with each other all the time.