The Fourth Friend (DI Jackman & DS Evans #3)(34)

‘It’s a con, isn’t it?’ Kim was slender, in skinny leggings and a graphic T-shirt. Her black hair fell halfway down her back, and her eyes were narrowed to slits.

‘It’s no con, Kim. I really need to speak to you privately.’ Carter heard a thump followed by a string of swear words coming from the room above. ‘Preferably somewhere else.’

‘Tell me exactly who you are again?’

Carter explained that he was Jack’s friend, and the only man to survive the crash. He took out his warrant card and held it out to her. ‘I’m DS Carter McLean from Saltern Division, Fenland Constabulary. I think Jack might have told you about me?’

Light suddenly dawned. ‘The rich git?’

‘That’s me.’ He gave a wry smile.

‘But why now? He’s been dead for eighteen months.’

Good point, thought Carter, Maybe because he only told me yesterday? ‘There has been a lot to sort out, Kim, and I was injured myself. It’s taken me till now to find the courage to deal with everything.’

Her expression relaxed a little, and she nodded. ‘The only one to survive? Yes, I suppose that would take some getting over.’ She looked around. ‘I’ll get Phoebe. Where do you suggest we go?’

‘If it’s all right with you, we’ll take a ride in my car, because there is something I want to show you.’

The distrust returned. ‘A ride? I don’t think so.’

‘Five miles from the town centre, no more. I promise.’

She sighed, went inside and returned with a small dark-haired girl of about three. She was dressed in dungarees with rabbits embroidered on them, and a cowgirl’s check shirt.

‘Howdy, pardner!’ Carter knelt down and stuck out a hand. So this was Jack’s little girl. She needed to get out of this hole, and she was going to need his support to do it. He felt an unexpected surge of emotion. ‘Hello, Phoebe. I’m Carter.’

The child stared at him.

‘She’s not good with people she doesn’t know.’

‘Nothing wrong with that.’ Carter smiled. ‘Do you have a car seat for her?’

Kim nodded and went back inside. The seat she produced was top of the range. ‘My parents still haven’t got the message that you can’t always buy yourself out of a bad situation.’

Hearing her say that, Carter took a deep breath and wondered how she would feel when she heard his proposal.

She handed the seat to Carter. ‘Okay, we’ll come. I carry pepper spray, so no funny stuff, alright?’

‘You do know they are illegal?’

‘It’s defence spray, smart-arse.’

Carter grinned. He was beginning to see why Jack had liked her.

‘So where are we going?’ she asked.

Carter led the way out and opened his car door. ‘Sutterthorpe Village.’

‘Why?’

‘Have you eaten?’

‘Not yet, why?’

‘I’m going to get you both fish and chips. And like I said, I have something to show you.’

It took only a few minutes to reach the village and collect their supper. The three of them walked across the green and sat on a bench overlooking a children’s play area. To an outsider, thought Carter, we must look like a nice little family enjoying the evening together.

Kim looked around. ‘It’s nice here, isn’t it?’

‘I hoped you would think so.’ Carter’s tone had grown serious. ‘Kim, before he died, Jack wanted to make some sort of provision for you and your daughter. It was always a joke between us. I was the rich git, and he was just a poor sod.’ He drew in a deep breath. ‘The thing is, I am well off, and now Jack can’t help, I want to.’

Kim ate slowly, listening to his words.

‘My mother died when I was a kid and my father was an evil bastard. I have no family and no close relatives. The only thing I do have is money.’ He exhaled. ‘See that new development over there?’ He pointed to a cul-de-sac of small new-build starter homes on the far side of the green. ‘Quite small, only two-up two-down, with fitted kitchen, bathroom and shower, oh, and a nice little garden and a garage in a block around the back. If you want one, it’s yours. For Phoebe, from her father.’

He ate a chip and waited for her reply.

Kim said nothing. Then he saw that tears were running down her face. ‘I wondered, that is, I thought that maybe . . .’ She sniffed. ‘Please tell me my parents aren’t behind this. They’re not, are they?’

Carter shook his head. ‘I have no idea who your parents are, Kim. This is just me. I’m trying to find a way to say sorry to Jack.’

‘Sorry that you are alive and he isn’t?’

‘Something like that.’

‘You should give thanks that you are alive. You can’t live feeling guilty all the time. That’s how things are, Carter McLean. You win some, you lose some.’

‘Will you let me help you?’

‘I’d be a real idiot if I said no, wouldn’t I?’

Carter breathed out. ‘Phew! Well, here’s the plan.’

It took a while to explain how the trusts and allowances would work, but by the time their supper was finished, Kim Walker looked like a different woman.