Dead Memories (D.I. Kim Stone #10)(53)

‘Yeah, well, you two can share your homework in a minute but first I’d like some information,’ Alison said, peering over her rimless glasses.

Both she and Penn looked in her direction.

‘I’ve been looking at the names you’ve given me and have been working up some character profiles. I’ve ruled a few out based on motivation. The loss they’ve suffered when weighed against the level of planning, energy, knowledge, tenacity rules. Many of them almost impossible.’

‘’Most?’ Stacey questioned. ‘So, do we rule them out, or not?’

‘There will always be exceptions to the rule but in behaviourism and profiling we have to follow the rules and not the exceptions.’

Stacey wasn’t sure that made her feel any better. She didn’t feel comfortable with this woman ruling out people and dismissing them because they didn’t fit neatly into her equation.

‘I can see the doubt in your face, Stacey, but stay with me for now.’

Penn offered her a look as though they were two children being scolded by the teacher.

‘Okay, look at it this way. In an investigation you look for motive, means and opportunity. You make links between the three prerequisites and a bit of forensic evidence doesn’t hurt. It’s no different for profiling but including personality traits. For example, is he angry but lazy? If so he’s not going to be our killer. Is he energetic but not resourceful? Again, not going to be our killer if certain personality traits are present and in some cases dominant. Does someone suffer from severe rage but it’s short-lived? If so, it’s unlikely their anger will carry them through this level of planning and execution. Are they creative but not disciplined? Again, only someone disciplined could do this without confiding in someone else. There are all kinds of factors and considerations to—’

‘What if there’s more than one?’ Stacey asked. ‘Can’t their strengths and weaknesses complement each other?’

‘And destroy each other,’ Alison answered.

‘But with the kidnapping?…’

‘It worked well, for a while, because both parties wanted something different out of it. One wanted money, the other wanted personal gratification. It’s different with revenge. It’s more personal and is unlikely to be shared.’

Okay, Stacey could see that for once the woman made sense.

‘So, you got something?’ Stacey asked.

Alison leafed back through pages of notes.

‘I’ve looked at all the characteristics needed for these crimes and have definitely ruled many of them out, but there is still one name that I’m having trouble putting to bed at the minute.’

‘So, what do you need?’ Stacey asked.

Alison removed her glasses before speaking.

‘I’d like you to tell me a little more about Nina Croft.’





Sixty-Nine





‘Okay, recap,’ Kim said, perching beside the printer at the top of the room. The slight breeze that had developed over the course of the day was blowing in through the open window, offering everyone some well-needed relief.

‘So, we spoke with John Duggar first thing. He lied about hating me. We’ve never met and he joined the hate club for protection. Difficult to believe looking at him but, hey ho,’ she said, catching a glance between Stacey and Penn.

‘Post-mortem on Mr and Mrs Phelps has offered no obvious cause of death but tests are—’

‘And how did that go?’ Alison asked. But the woman wasn’t looking at her. She was asking her colleague.

Kim too awaited the response with interest. And after their conversation in the car she had no clue what his answer would be. It was up to him now. She had given him no brief, had not asked him to lie on her behalf. He knew one wrong word would travel up the food chain quicker than a pat on the back and he would get his wish. She would be removed from the case.

Right now it was a matter of did he, or did he not trust her.

‘The guv acted exactly as I would have expected,’ he said, meeting her gaze. ‘With professionalism and integrity.’

Okay, the last bit was a tad overboard but Alison seemed satisfied.

‘We also established that our guy in the cube was most likely locked in the boot, and finally we learned that a copy of the book was posted to Winson Green prison about four months ago.’

‘Jeez,’ Stacey said. ‘Don’t suppose he?…’

‘Couldn’t remember the name of the guy that requested it,’ Kim said, shaking her head.

‘Rules out Nina Croft then?’ Stacey asked, glancing at Alison.

‘Huh, what am I missing?’ Kim asked.

Alison flicked back a couple of pages in her notebook. ‘I feel she’s a likely candidate and after Stacey explained how she was aware of her husband’s actions regarding the murder of those young girls, I’m even more suspicious. And is it true that she paid the nanny to sleep with her own husband?’

Kim nodded. ‘Oh yeah, didn’t want to sleep with him herself but also wanted control on the germs he was bringing around their boys.’

Alison made a note. ‘I really think—’

‘It’s not her,’ Stacey argued, but Kim caught her eye and shook her head. Kim’s gut wasn’t feeling it either, but while Alison was focussed in that direction she wasn’t looking elsewhere, specifically, at her.