Play Dead (D.I. Kim Stone, #4)(70)

She looked to Barney as though he might have the answer. He nibbled his paw in response.

She considered ignoring the text and then wondered if it was something to do with the case but realised this wouldn’t be the way he’d communicate it anyway.

The thoughts rushed through her head as she travelled towards the front door.

He stood against the driver’s door facing her with his arms folded. Beneath the lamplight she could see the challenge in his eyes.

‘I wondered if you’d come out,’ he said.

She stood against the wall on her side of the pavement. ‘Why are you here?’ she asked, thrusting her hands into her front pockets.

‘Took a wrong turn.’

She smiled. Yes, he had.

She waited.

‘There’s nothing more I can offer,’ he said and paused just long enough for her to wonder what he meant. ‘Keats has everything in order. The victim has been identified, so there’s really no reason to stay.’

She nodded her understanding.

A moment passed where they stood, facing each other, each caught in their own thoughts.

‘You do know, don’t you?’ he said.

She shrugged. It made no difference what she knew. It only mattered what she would or could do.

‘You’re such a contradiction, Kim,’ he said, shaking his head.

She didn’t answer.

‘I’m not sure you’ve even admitted to yourself what could exist between us.’

Although not phrased as a question, she knew it was. A big question.

Still she didn’t answer.

She finally met his gaze but neither of them moved an inch.

‘You’re not ready, are you?’

And that was the truth of it.

He opened his mouth to speak, but she gently shook her head. He exhaled and offered her a look of resignation.

He offered her his hand. ‘Detective Inspector Stone, it’s been a pleasure meeting you again.’

She swallowed and returned the handshake loosely. ‘And you too, Doctor Bate.’

‘I hope we meet again,’ he said, letting go of her hand.

Kim had very little doubt that they would. But it would be different. The decision had been made.

There had been a moment.

And it had passed.

She turned her back and walked into the house.

Once inside, she stood against the front door and closed her eyes. She heard the sound of the truck engine start up and move steadily away. The words that had lodged in her throat, the ones she had wanted him to hear, were now lost. She had wanted him to know that if she was ready to take that chance, she would have chosen to take it with him.

Saying goodbye to Daniel was hard. But letting him stay would have been even worse.

It was about hope. She simply couldn’t.

She had tried it once, and it had almost killed her.

She headed upstairs and sat on the bed. Barney sat at the door, looking confused. Was it bedtime? Should he jump onto the bed beside her?

Kim opened the top drawer of the bedside cabinet and took out a small white envelope.

One piece of paper was all she had. Just the sight of it was enough to bring the emotion to her throat. She held it close to her chest as though it would bring them back. Like a catalyst, the memory shot her back to three days after her thirteenth birthday.



* * *



‘Make sure you give that letter to Miss Neale,’ Erica said.

‘For the third time,’ Kim mumbled heading for the door.

Erica pulled on her jacket hood. ‘Hey, little miss, haven’t you forgotten something?’

Kim had allowed herself to be pulled backwards and turned into the firm embrace of her foster mum.

Most days she just rolled her eyes and accepted the inevitable. Usually she simply tolerated the display of affection that came so easily to the woman.

‘Go on, off with you. Have a good day,’ Erica said, walking her to the front door.

Kim adjusted her backpack and went on her way. During the short walk she resolved that tonight would be the night she would spend some time in the kitchen. Erica was always asking her to help cook and she always made her excuses and went to the garage instead. Keith’s bike building always took her attention first. But it was important to Erica, so she would do it.

At fourteen minutes past eleven the head teacher walked into her History class. He whispered something to the teacher and then his eyes searched the room.

They eventually fell on her.

Kim immediately thought of the letter in her bag that she still hadn’t handed in. Would Erica really inform the head?

He appeared beside her and touched her shoulder.

‘Gather your things and come with me, Kimberly.’

His voice was soft and gentle and nothing like how he normally spoke to her. With a sinking feeling she knew it was more serious than the letter.

‘Something has happened, Kimberly, and I’m going to take you to your… ummm… aunt’s house.’

The headmaster continued to hold on to her shoulder as he guided her out of the school.

She was confused. She had no aunts. Suddenly she realised he was talking about Erica’s sister, Nancy.

The sisters were not close, and Kim had met the family only twice during the three years she’d been in Keith and Erica’s care.

Kim asked a dozen times what was happening during the short car journey, but he would not answer. She asked him to take her home. He ignored her. She asked him to call Keith and Erica. He swallowed and looked away.