Dead Memories (D.I. Kim Stone #10)(68)

Kim couldn’t help the smile that pulled at her lips. She understood the pressure her boss was under because of her performance at the crime scene of Billie Styles. He’d reacted appropriately for the sake of appearance but ultimately had found a way to reunite her with her team. Unofficially.

Penn and Stacey were taking the lion’s share of the table with their computer equipment, leaving a small space for Bryant at the end.

Alison had perched on a bar stool at the breakfast bar with her laptop open before her.

She’d been amused to see Penn unpacking the Tupperware box and Betty the plant which now sat in the middle of the table.

‘I snuck back in,’ he said, catching her gaze. ‘Couldn’t leave her behind.’

Kim didn’t feel that Penn had been in any real danger from fleas.

There was just one more thing before they got started.

‘You okay up there, Alison?’ she asked.

‘He keeps looking at me,’ she answered without turning.

And she was right. Barney had quickly dispensed with the attentions of Bryant, Penn and Stacey and was now focussing all his attention on Alison.

‘Don’t like dogs?’ Kim asked.

‘Scared of them,’ she said, staring straight ahead.

Okay, this needed resolving, Kim realised. Barney was not being shut out for anyone.

She made her way to the other side of the breakfast bar and cut a carrot in half.

‘He’s never bitten a soul in his life but I know that doesn’t help. He must be more interested in you because he can sense your fear. So, without looking at him, lower your hand and allow him to take the carrot.’

Her face filled with panic.

‘I swear, he won’t hurt you,’ Kim said. ‘Give him the carrot and he’ll get bored and leave you alone. Trust me.’

Alison took the carrot and held it to the side. She dropped it before he had chance to take it but the sudden crunching confirmed he was now otherwise distracted and would leave her alone.

‘Okay, guys, if it’s okay with Bryant, I suggest we do a round robin of where we’re at with—’

‘He’s back,’ Alison whispered across the breakfast bar.

Kim peered over the breakfast bar to see Barney staring up intently. It was most unusual, unless…

‘Alison, do you have food in that briefcase?’

‘Ha, I’d think so,’ Stacey said.

Alison nodded and opened the case.

Kim smiled. ‘Are you emotionally attached to that apple? It’s his favourite thing in the world. That’s why he won’t leave you alone.’

Alison shook her head and took the apple from the briefcase. This time she lowered it and gave a little squeal as his nose touched her hand.

Barney took his booty to the other end of the living room.

‘Okay, so,’ Kim repeated, now she had everyone’s full attention, ‘if Bryant agrees…’

‘Let’s just say I agree with everything ahead of time, okay?’

‘Right, Penn, can you try tracking down Duggar and also find out a bit more about the drug Baclofen, as it was found in the systems of all four dead victims. It’s a lead worth pursuing, but Duggar is the priority. Having his name attached to both Amy and Mark and also Rubik is more than coincidental.’

He made a note and lifted his head. ‘Boss, just want to follow up on something from Jenks yesterday. He mentioned Amy and Mark were getting help from an outreach worker of some kind. Just wanna see if I can nail anything down.’

She considered. ‘Okay but not too long. You’ve got the main charities like Crisis and Shelter…’

‘The Big Issue Foundation,’ Stacey added.

‘Centrepoint,’ Bryant piped up.

‘And the Salvation Army,’ she said. ‘You’ve got a lot of volunteers there that don’t necessarily record or remember everyone they offered a blanket.’

‘Got it.’

‘Stacey I want you focussing on identifying Rubik. He’s part of this somehow and we need to know more.’

‘Boss, there’s something else,’ Stacey said. ‘Went to the Phelps’ home last night as Mitch was finishing up. This son of theirs, Joel, it doesn’t look like Dad was the real father. He’s supposed to be away travelling, but I’m not so sure after something I read in Mrs Phelps’s diary. Now I’ve got his real name I’d like to try and track him down. He needs to know about his parents.’

‘If Bryant ag—’

‘He does,’ Bryant said.

‘Okay, Stace, you just bagged yourself another job.’

Stacey seemed happy with that fact.

Kim glanced to the breakfast bar. ‘And Alison you just keep on doing whatever it is you’re doing.’

‘And I know Bryant has updated you on the incident last night,’ she said, grateful that she didn’t have to.

‘Bryant and I will be keeping abreast of that one,’ she said, turning towards her colleague. ‘As long as the Acting Detective Inspector agrees.’





Eighty-Seven





‘So, how exactly are we gonna work this?’ Bryant asked, as they got in the car.

‘I’m riding alongside you in a purely advisory capacity, Bryant, and the rest we’ll figure out as we go.’