‘Who was the ring leader?’
‘They jointly made the decision that there was nothing to be gained by going to the police. The remaining girls had to be separated as quickly as possible and incriminating records destroyed.’
‘The fire?’
‘Yes, the chaos and disbursement of girls would create an administrative nightmare.’
‘Did no one speak to William?’
‘They didn’t need to. A few words from me about his state of mind and rage towards the girls sealed the deal.’
‘So, the fire was set?’
‘Yes, but the girls were never in danger. The fire was started at the furthest point from the rooms. The alarms kicked in immediately and Arthur Connop was ready and waiting to get the girls out of the building.’
‘So, three girls lost their lives. William lost his job and some of the staff members pretty much lost their minds. And you walked away with nothing?’
‘Like I said, I have Him on my side.’
‘And was He on your side in Manchester, Bristol and wherever the hell else you've been?’
‘He is with me always,’ Victor said with a smile.
‘Are you sure about that?’ Kim asked.
She saw doubt cross Victor’s face as the siren grew louder. She knew she would not get another opportunity to live. Very shortly he was going to turn that knife on her and bury her in the old grave of one of his victims.
She had to panic him into doing something stupid.
The siren grew louder and Kim had an idea.
‘But there is one major thing you forgot, Victor.’ She smiled widely. ‘And it will be your undoing.’
As Victor leaned in towards her to hear over the siren, William groaned and rolled onto his back.
She saw Lucy’s emergency pendant hanging around his neck. It hadn’t been his chest he’d been clutching after all.
The siren grew ever louder. Her hands and feet were bound to each other.
‘What exactly did I forget, Detective?’
His face was beside her own. He was sure that the siren was not for them and wanted to know what tracks he had left to cover.
Even trussed up, Kim now knew she had the upper hand.
‘You already said that I know how to use my head.’
Kim craned her head backwards, then launched it forward, hard. Her forehead met with the bridge of his nose. The fireworks shot through her head and for a second she wasn’t sure if the sound of cracked bone was from her or from him.
The wail of pain that came from Wilks’ mouth told her it was most definitely him.
His hands reached instinctively for his face, while the knife dropped half a foot from her bound hands. He staggered to his feet and she wriggled her body towards the knife.
‘You fucking bitch,’ he cried, staggering around the room.
As her bound hands clutched the knife handle, Victor seemed to realise he no longer had possession of it.
Still holding his face, he headed for the shovel in the doorway.
Breaking his nose had bought her a minute but in her bound state one swing of that shovel around her head and she was gone.
The sound of the siren was now deafening.
She turned the knife towards her and hacked at the piece of rope that William had managed to loosen. It cut through but didn’t free any of her limbs, although it did offer her another inch or two of movement.
Kim’s hand worked quickly. Two more steps and he’d be upon her.
William’s right hand shot out and grabbed Victor’s ankle. He stumbled and fell but quickly regained his footing.
Kim used her middle finger to pull one of the twines tighter. It tightened around all of her limbs. It was the connecting twine that held her hands to her feet.
She worked harder. Her breath now came in short, sharp bursts as she put every ounce of energy she had into cutting that one connection of rope.
Victor stood above her. Rage burned in his eyes as blood dripped from his nose. In the light of the street lamp the blood had formed a moustache and beard on his face.
He lifted the shovel high into the air, then swung it down. She rolled to the left. The shovel landed on the ground an inch from her head. The sound exploded in her ear.
She could feel the tightness of the rope loosening against the blade. In her mind’s eye she could picture the rope fraying under the pressure of the blade.
But it was not fraying quickly enough.
Again, the shovel was raised high above his head. The rage in Wilks’ eyes was murderous.
She knew that the next strike would not miss.
The siren had stopped and the sudden silence was ominous.
Victor readjusted the grip of the shovel in his hand, a triumphant gleam in his eyes.
Kim saw the head of the shovel coming down towards her head.
She was out of time. She dropped the knife and put every ounce of strength into pulling her hands apart, praying she’d weakened the correct strand.
Her hands and legs exploded apart and she lunged for his knees, but the downward motion of the shovel could not be stopped. The tool hit the lower part of her back, hard.
She cried out in pain as she swept his legs from beneath him. He toppled backwards to the ground. His right elbow crashed against the wall as he fell.
Kim ignored the pain in her back. She knew she had to make the most of this opportunity. The injuries she'd inflicted would not keep him subdued for long.
She pounced on his legs and climbed up his body. He tried to lift himself up from the waist but Kim was too quick. She pulled herself up and sat astride him. He rolled and writhed beneath her but her knees were locked into his ribs.
Kim heard activity in the kitchen as feet crunched on top of broken glass.
‘In here,’ she shouted.
Kim looked into eyes that showed only fear for himself. She smiled down at him. ‘Looks like He has had enough of your crimes as well.’
Again, Wilks tried to turn his body weight to throw her off.
She balled her fist and punched him square on the nose in the exact spot she’d headbutted him.
He squealed out in pain.
‘They were just kids, you bastard.’
She hit him again. ‘And that one's from Cerys.’
The glare of a torch landed right on her. A male paramedic shone the light around the room.
‘Umm ... Police are en route,’ he said, not moving forward, obviously unsure of what had taken place.
‘Thank God for that,’ she said, reaching for her warrant card.
He glanced at it. ‘Okay, what the hell ...’
She pointed to William, who lay groaning beside her. ‘See to him first. Head injuries, both sides.’
‘Do you need ...’
‘I’m fine. See to him.’
Victor wriggled beneath her. ‘Oh, keep still,’ she said, digging her right knee into his ribs. The second paramedic came storming into the room.
‘Police are coming,’ he said, looking at her quizzically.
Why were they both so quick to label her the bad guy?
‘She is the police, Mick,’ said the first paramedic, with just a hint of disbelief.
Mick shrugged, then kneeled on the floor on the opposite side of William’s head. She recognised the second medic from Lucy's recent episode. She couldn't help but wonder just how many times they'd been called out to the poor child.
‘Lucy,’ William managed to utter.
‘She’s fine. She managed to communicate where you were,’ Mick said.
What a girl, Kim thought.
‘You’ll ... never ... prove ...’ Victor started to mutter.
‘Shut up,’ Kim said, using her knee again.
Kim heard more sirens in the distance. They were travelling quickly.
The sirens stopped and within seconds footsteps thundered along the corridor.
Bryant and Dawson burst into the room. And stopped dead.
She smile
d. ‘Evening, boys. Thanks for coming, but ten minutes sooner would have been good.’
Bryant held out his hand to help her up while Dawson placed Victor’s arms above his head.
She ignored the outstretched hand and pushed herself to her feet. She couldn’t identify a part of her body that wasn’t sending pain messages to her brain but the agony in her back possibly trumped it all. She grimaced as she straightened.
‘How did you know?’ she asked.
‘Stacey got an email from a Minister in Bristol. I'll give you the details later but Guv, there's gonna be more. Burying them wasn't his normal M.O. Before that, he cooked them.’
Kim was not surprised. She closed her eyes and sent a silent prayer for the ones that would never be found.
She took a deep breath. ‘Get him up, Kev.’
Dawson and Bryant each grabbed an arm and lifted.
The animosity in Victor’s stare burned into her skin. If he thought that would frighten her he needed to think again. He’d clearly never seen Woody in a really bad mood. Now that was something else.
‘Victor Wilks, I’m arresting you for the murder of Tracy Morgan and her unborn child, Melanie Harris and Louise Dunston. You do not have to say anything but anything you do say may be given in evidence, you evil murdering bastard.’
She enjoyed how he looked at her, utter hatred in his eyes. ‘Get him out of my sight, guys.’
Bryant hesitated. 'Guv ...'
She held up her hand. 'I'm fine. Just get him safely to the station. I won't be far behind.'
She could see the concern in her colleague's eyes. If she let him hang around for too long he'd be frogmarching her to the hospital. And right now she just didn't have the time.
Kim grimaced as she leaned down beside William.
The paramedic closest to her turned his head. ‘Miss, you need some attention ...’
Kim ignored him and nodded towards William. ‘How is he?’
‘Severe concussion. Thinks I’m holding up eight fingers on one hand so he needs to go to hospital.’
‘Lucy,’ William said again.
Kim touched his hand lightly. ‘I’ll make sure she’s okay.’
She thanked the paramedics and headed out of the building. Every bone in her body screamed at her. She exited just in time to see Victor Wilks being driven away.
Kim wondered how many lives he had claimed. How many other vulnerable, damaged girls had he abused – and how would they ever know.
‘But no more, Victor,’ she said as the car disappeared. ‘You'll get no more.’
Seventy-Three
Kim darted across the road and tried the door handle. It was open.
She closed the door behind her and entered the lounge.
‘Oh, hell no,’ Kim exclaimed rushing into the room.
Lucy lay sprawled face-down on the floor in front of her wheelchair.
Kim bent to her and a pain ripped across her lower back.
‘Lucy, it’s okay,’ she said, stroking the girl’s hair.
She stood and quickly assessed the fastest method of gathering up the child.
Kim knelt down again and gently turned Lucy so that she was lying on her back. The young eyes were filled with panic.
‘It’s okay, sweetheart. Can you give me the sign for yes?’
Lucy offered two blinks.
‘I’m going to lift you under the arms, is that okay?’
Two blinks.
Kim leaned forward and placed a hand beneath Lucy’s neck and raised the top half of her body to a supported sitting position. She knew that Lucy’s muscles could not support her own weight so she pulled her closer so that Lucy’s body was leaning into her own to prevent her from falling backwards.
She placed a hand under each of Lucy’s armpits and hauled her to a standing position. The body was limp and offered no resistance. Although not the weight of a normal fifteen-year-old, the strain on Kim’s injured back almost made her cry out loud.
‘Tell you what, for this dance, I’ll lead,’ Kim said, as she turned Lucy around and gently lowered her into the chair.
Kim moved the footstool so that she was sitting in front of Lucy. She took the girl’s right hand and held it.
‘Are you okay? Are you hurt?’
No blinks. Kim quickly realised she’d asked two questions.
‘Sorry, are you okay?’
Two blinks.
‘Were you trying to get to your dad?’
Two blinks.
Kim squeezed the hand tighter. Jesus, this girl had some heart.
‘He’s going to be okay. He got a bang to the head and he’s got to go to hospital to be checked over but he’s fine.’
Relief filled the teenager’s eyes.
Lucy then motioned her head slightly towards Kim.
‘Lucy, I’m sorry, I don’t understand.’
Kim saw the irritation in her face. She repeated the movement, but more forcefully.
‘Oooooooo,’ she managed.
Kim felt the frustration of this poor child’s torment. Her brain worked perfectly but her ability to communicate those thoughts was a prison worse than she could imagine.
She repeated the motion and the sound together and the intensity in the eyes gave Kim the answer.
The emotion thickened her throat. ‘You want to know if I’m okay?’
Two blinks.
Kim looked down at the fragile hand she was holding. Her vision blurred for a second but she coughed it away.
‘I’m fine, Lucy, and that is thanks to your dad.’ Kim thought of those few seconds he’d bought her by grabbing Victor’s ankles. ‘He pretty much saved my life.’
Pride shone from the expressive eyes.
‘Now, I have to go. Is there anyone I can get to look after you?’
Lucy began to blink as the front door opened. A female voice sounded from the hallway.
‘Well, I don’t know what kind of circus is going on over there but ...’ A rotund woman in her late fifties paused in the doorway and crossed her arms. ‘And who might you be?’
‘Detective Inspector Stone.’
‘Hmmm ... lovely.’
She stood in front of Kim so she could get a good view of Lucy. ‘You okay, Luce?’
Lucy must have signalled yes so the woman stood aside, but her eyes were fixed on Kim.
‘Where’s William?’
‘He has to go to the hospital,’ Kim answered quickly.
‘What the devil have you done to him?’ she asked, sternly. ‘Is he okay?’
‘He’s fine but he’ll probably be at the hospital for most of the night.’
‘Well, it’s a good job I came round to check then, isn’t it? Right, I’ll go and get the kettle on and then we’ll have us a nice takeaway, Luce. I’ll order pizza, your favourite.’
The woman took off into the kitchen but her presence could still be heard.
‘I don’t know what on earth you people think you’re doing over there; police, ambulances, machines, tents. I thought it was all done with but no, you had to start it all up again tonight ...’
Kim hid her smile until she looked at Lucy, who rolled her eyes. The laughter exploded from her mouth.
‘I need to go, Lucy, okay?’
Two blinks.
‘Is there anything you need?’
Two blinks.
Kim assessed the situation. The booming voice could still be heard from the kitchen.
Kim got it and placed a hand to her right ear.
Two blinks.
Kim stood and reached for the iPod on the window sill. She placed the earphones into Lucy’s ears and the controller on the arm of the chair near to Lucy’s right hand.
‘Got it?’
Two blinks and a cheeky glint. Kim couldn’t help chuckling.
She pointed to the door. ‘I have to ... ’
Two blinks.
Kim touched her arm lightly and headed for the door.
The ambulance was just pulling away as a second squad
car pulled up.
Kim walked across the road, back to the girls’ home. There was a gaping hole, like a missing tooth where the paramedics had crashed through the fence.
‘Guys, in the office at the end of the hallway there’s a cabinet near to the door. On the back of it is a denture. Get it bagged and logged and up to the lab.’
They nodded and headed into the building.
Suddenly the place was silent again. There was nothing to indicate what had just happened. No marker to display that this was where she had very nearly lost her life.
And the reason she hadn't was because of an emergency aid pendant. A simple tool that helped Lucy get through everyday life had been her saviour.
Kim stopped dead as she realised what she'd been missing. A sickness overwhelmed her as every last piece of the puzzle fell into place.
‘Oh, Jesus ...’ she whispered into the darkness.
‘Got the denture, Marm,’ one of the PCs said as they came around the side of the building.
She realised there was more work to do and there was only one person who could help.
‘Constable, would you please be good enough to pass me your phone?’
Seventy-Four
As the bike purred to a stop on the gravel patch, Kim felt more like herself. She’d showered, changed and polished the Triumph. It sat in her garage, gleaming like a museum piece.
There had been no point trying to close her eyes. Every cell of her being had willed the blackness from the sky so she could get back to the site and finish this case.
She spotted Cerys at the bottom of the field just outside the opening that had been smashed through by the paramedics a few hours earlier.
The sun wasn't up yet but it was on its way.
‘So, you weren't lying when you called me last night. It really is just the two of us?’ Cerys asked.
‘Yep,’ Kim answered. She was about to take action that could very easily cost her dearly. Woody's words rang in her ears. She would not take her team down with her.
‘I saw Dan as I was leaving the hotel. He's sent you a report but he confirmed that the denture you found definitely belonged to Louise Dunston.’