Child's Play (D.I. Kim Stone #11)(75)

The panic notched up a gear. If he was right, he knew these people would think nothing of disposing of Jasper, to teach him a lesson; but then he’d have nothing left to lose.

No, if they had him it was to bargain, to force his hand, to back off and leave the investigation alone.

But where was the call? Where was the contact from the Reed gang to tell him what they wanted, to threaten him into keeping quiet? He checked his phone again. There was nothing new. His last text message was from Mitch. Just confirming all of his findings on the tee shirt. He hadn’t read it because he’d already been told.

But there was something different about seeing the results listed in bullet form. There was something clearer about the information once removed from the doubt about Gregor’s innocence or guilt.

It brought a clarity he’d not had before and the events of the week suddenly fell into place.

He knew where his brother was.

And more importantly, who he was with.





Eighty-Four





The two of them followed Damien back to the great hall, where his daughter was sitting at one of the tables beside the woman she’d seen reading a book in the restaurant the night before.

Damien sat where his jacket and bag had been left beside a laptop open on the next chair. He closed the lid as he sat.

She took a seat on the row of chairs in front, and Bryant stood, glancing around the room.

‘Your daughter?’ Kim asked as the little girl turned and gave him a wave.

He winked and waved back.

‘Yes, Matilda is having a private lesson.’

‘The woman is a tutor?’ Kim asked.

He nodded. ‘And a very good one.’

Again, Kim couldn’t help wondering what was at the root of the animosity she’d witnessed between this private tutor and the event organiser.

She turned her attention back to Damien Crouch. ‘You have quite a history with this event?’

‘By quite a history I assume you mean my two visits to the event when I was a child?’

She nodded and waited for him to speak. He met her gaze with confidence.

‘Please ask me anything. I have nothing to hide.’

‘You knew all three victims?’ she asked.

‘Absolutely. Everyone knew Freddie Compton. He made a point of having a quick chat with all the kids to tell them to have fun. Serena and Jared don’t seem to do that but hey ho. I had one counselling session with Barry Nixon after losing my first chess game, and Belinda Evans asked me a few questions when I won the entire tournament for the second time.’

‘And you only came twice?’ she asked.

He nodded.

‘Why?’

‘Truthfully, Inspector. I got bored. Chess was my life from the moment I pulled myself to a standing position using my parents’ marble chess table. I played every minute of the day and when I wasn’t playing it I was thinking about it or reading about it or watching famous games on the internet. At night I lay in bed replaying in my head the games I’d watched, analysing any games I’d lost. I played and I practised and I played and I practised and loved every minute of it. I was shit in other areas, don’t get me wrong. Couldn’t spell for toffee and my maths was limited but I didn’t care. It was all about the game.’

Kim leaned forward, intrigued by this man’s refreshing honesty. Even Bryant had taken a seat and was listening intently.

‘Until?’ she asked.

‘Until I discovered something that puzzled me way more than the game, officer.’

‘Which was?’

‘Girls.’

‘I hear ya,’ Bryant muttered beside her.

Kim couldn’t help the smile that teased at her lips.

‘Puberty,’ he continued. ‘Hit me like a torpedo. Suddenly the opposite sex was not the disgusting enemy I’d always assumed them to be. So, lost interest in chess, discovered girls and told my parents I didn’t want to play any more.’

‘And?’

‘And what?’ he asked, looking puzzled.

‘How did they take the news?’

His frown deepened. ‘Not sure what you mean. They seemed a bit relieved to be honest, but you seem surprised.’

‘Just what I’ve learned about pushy parents over the last few days.’

‘Not all parents are pushy and not all gifted kids have a shit childhood if that’s what you think. My parents were and still are supportive of my choices and my childhood was great. Sure, some kids could be mean because I was a chess geek and I kept myself to myself, but kids pick on anyone who is different. It didn’t bother me.’

‘And yet, here you are again?’ Kim asked, not totally convinced.

‘She likes spelling. What can I tell you? She’s a performer and likes to show off,’ he said, smiling fondly at the back of her dark, curly hair.

‘She’s got another round in about half an hour and she’ll be wiped out by the older kids,’ he said, shrugging. ‘But she’ll still want to stay and watch the quiz cos a little piano playing girl is already through and they’re best buddies,’ he said, raising an eyebrow. He tipped his head. ‘Oh, hang on, you think I’m one of those pushy parents myself forcing my daughter to attend this event?’

Kim shrugged. ‘She’s taking private lessons in between events,’ she challenged.