Evil Games

  Kim could see instantly that Wendy had lost weight. Already slight, and with her black hair pulled back from her face, Kim was reminded of Olive Oyl.

  Pure hatred shone from her eyes.

  Kim realised quickly that she had to rethink her interview strategy. Robin Parks was definitely a hostile subject and would not answer any questions directly and it looked like Wendy could cheerfully gut her like a fish. But she had to get in the house.

  ‘Wendy, I’ve seen the girls,’ she offered.

  The hatred dulled, replaced by shock and then concern.

  ‘Move aside, Robin,’ Wendy said.

  He didn’t move but regarded his sister incredulously.

  ‘Are you mad? I’m not letting these people into my …’

  Wendy took hold of the door and opened it.

  Robin stepped aside.

  Kim followed Wendy through to a tastefully decorated lounge dominated by a wall-mounted television. A one-piece leather sofa curled around the room with a recliner seat at the end.

  Wendy took a seat at the furthest point, but not before Kim saw the extent of her weight loss.

  Wendy folded her hands tightly into her lap. ‘You’ve seen my girls?’

  Kim moved along so that both she and Bryant could sit even though the invitation had not been made.

  Kim knew this woman itched to launch across the room and beat the life out of her but greater was her need to know about her children.

  Kim nodded. ‘They are okay,’ Kim said and felt the need to add more. ‘Daisy was wearing a dalmation onesie and Louisa was dressed as an owl.’

  Wendy tried valiantly to keep the tears back but they broke free and exploded down her cheeks.

  ‘Their favourites. I made sure I sent their favourites.’

  The room fell silent. Kim opened her mouth but Wendy beat her to it.

  ‘I no longer care if you believe me. But the truth is, I didn’t know. Either he was very clever or I was very stupid but if I had known that bastard would not be taking up any space on this earth anymore.’

  A couple of spots of spittle launched from her mouth as she spoke.

  ‘You may not understand this but I am filled with a rage so hot I can actually feel it burning. I have never been violent in my life but I dream of putting my hands around his throat and squeezing every last breath out of him. It’s all I can think about.’

  Robin entered the room and sat beside his sister.

  This hadn’t been the initial plan in her mind, but Kim knew how to improvise. Attempting to question Robin Parks directly would lead to a speedy ejection from the premises, whereby they would learn nothing.

  ‘I would give my life to go back and stop it from happening. I would give anything to undo their hurt and believe me I will spend the rest of my life trying.’

  Robin took Wendy’s hand and began to stroke it.

  Kim believed her. And she knew she’d been wrong. This woman had not known.

  ‘Wendy, there was someone else in the room.’

  Kim kept the words as gentle as she could but each one of them travelled like bullets across the room.

  A cry escaped from Wendy’s lips and a whole new horror entered her eyes. Kim would have liked to confirm that it was a voyeur only, but she wouldn’t give false reassurances.

  Although she was speaking directly to Wendy, it was the reaction of her brother that Kim watched. She knew that Bryant was watching him too. She had no doubt that her partner had understood the change in direction of the meeting.

  Robin stopped stroking Wendy’s hand. ‘I think you should …’

  ‘Are you absolutely sure?’ Wendy asked imploringly.

  Kim simply nodded her head.

  ‘That’s ridiculous,’ Robin said, placing a protective arm around Wendy’s shoulders.

  Kim ignored him. The minute she addressed him directly she would certainly be made to leave.

  ‘Is there anyone you can think of that your husband knew …’

  ‘I can’t believe it … I can’t even think … I just …’

  ‘Why would my sister know who this fictional person is? She’s told you …’

  ‘The person is not fictional, Mr Parks. It has been confirmed.’

  Still no direct question.

  Despite her distress, Wendy’s motherly instinct was still intact.

  Her lip trembled. ‘Daisy confirmed it. That’s why you’ve seen her?’

  Kim nodded and took a deep breath.

  ‘Wendy, it was someone she knew.’

  Robin exploded to his feet. ‘No … no … no … I will tolerate this no more. She doesn’t know anything, don’t you understand?’

  He moved across the room, heading straight for her.

  Bryant was already on his feet. ‘I wouldn’t do that, Mr Parks.’

  Kim stood and looked around them both. ‘Wendy, I’m doing this for your daughters.’

  Robin attempted to reach around Bryant and grab her forearm.

  She snatched it away and took a step towards him. ‘Do you want to try that one again?’

  ‘It’s time for you to leave,’ he said, stepping back.

  Kim ignored him and addressed Wendy. ‘Don’t you want me to catch the bastard who was in there?’

  ‘Robin, stop it,’ Wendy cried, rising. She stood and slowly traversed the room.

  ‘If I think of anything, I’ll let you know. It really is time for you to leave and I hope never to see you again.’

  Kim looked at Robin, poised to physically remove her from the house and at Bryant, who was just waiting for him to try.

  It was costing Wendy every ounce of strength to remain upright.

  Yes, she had definitely outstayed her welcome.

  ‘Well done on treading carefully in there, Guv,’ Bryant offered, walking to the car.

  She said nothing. Ultimately, Kim had got what she’d come for.

  FIFTY-FIVE

  It felt like weeks since she’d last had a briefing, when in fact it had been a couple of days.

  ‘Okay, Stace, any update on Charlie Cook?’

  ‘Not much, Guv. I’ve been in touch with the community centre but they only keep records for certain events. Most of the activities am run by third parties and the centre just provides a venue. Still working through ’em to see if I can find out where Charlie Cook went.’

  ‘Do we still think it’s the youth club?’ Bryant asked.

  Kim shrugged. ‘I don’t like it,’ Kim said, honestly. ‘Anyone involved in youth clubs has to be DBS’d, but we all know the problems with that.’

  The Disclosure and Barring Service had taken the place of the Criminal Records Bureau check and was required for anyone working with children. The name change hadn’t sewn up the hole in the net.

  ‘Anything back on the fluid and hair?’

  Stacey shook her head. ‘Sent ’em a reminder this morning.’

  Kim wondered what part of ‘ASAP’ the lab didn’t understand.

  ‘What about the bloke at the car parts, Guv?’

  Kim shook her head. There had been something a bit loose, but her only issue was his lack of emotional response. And as Bryant had pointed out more than once, she wasn’t the best judge of that.

  Kim could feel the despondency weaving through her team. They all preferred a case that was logical and methodical, where one clue lead to another. But not all cases were that obliging. Some were messy, like trudging through quicksand in wellington boots. Even worse was reworking a case that had already been solved. The same people were being interviewed and questioned and nothing was breaking free. It killed morale quicker than a pay freeze.

  ‘Listen, guys, I know how hard you’ve been working for very little reward. I feel your frustration. But we’ll get there. This team doesn’t quit.’

  They all nodded in her direction.

  ‘But this team also needs a bit of downtime. Get out of here and don’t come back until Monday. And then we’ll start bringing them in.’

  ‘
Go on, get out,’ Kim growled.

  Dawson was first out of the door, closely followed by Stacey.

  Kim glanced behind her. ‘That means you too, Bryant.’

  ‘You gonna do the same, Guv?’ he asked, reaching for his jacket.

  ‘Of course I am,’ she said, looking away.

  It was time to start rattling some cages. Someone knew more than they were letting on. It was time to shake something loose.

  FIFTY-SIX

  Alex’s eyes went to the door each time it opened, awaiting the arrival of her new best friend. Their relationship had changed during the last meeting. Now they were on first-name terms and the project was progressing nicely.

  When Kim had called her earlier that morning and asked to meet for coffee, she had been thinking the exact same thing. Further proof of their mutual curiosity. Kim had suggested the cosy coffee shop fifty feet from Alex’s office and she’d been more than happy to agree.

  The door opened and Alex watched as Kim approached in her trademark black. Alex wondered if the woman had any idea of the attention she commanded. Her walk was purposeful and decisive. Her eyes set a path that her feet dared not deviate.

  ‘Doctor,’ Kim said sitting down.

  Alex noted that Kim had reverted to titles. During their last meeting they had graduated to first names and Alex wasn’t one to move backwards.

  If Kim noticed the faint scratch marks below the concealer she chose not to mention it.

  ‘It’s good to see you, Kim. I took the liberty of getting you a latte.’

  Kim folded her legs beneath the table. ‘Thank you, Doctor, but it’s Detective Inspector and I have a few questions for you.’

  There was no effort to soften the rebuke with a smile and Alex felt oddly disappointed. Whether Kim’s impromptu visit to her office had been genuine or not, it would have been more satisfying to play with the woman by simulating friendship. But no matter, she’d work with what she had.

  ‘I take it we’re not discussing sleep disorders this time?’

  ‘Well, we can if you’d like. Didn’t yours start after the death of your family?’

  Alex tipped her head and said nothing. That sounded like a rhetorical question.

  ‘Oh, I’m sorry, I forgot; they’re not your family and they didn’t die.’

  Alex contained her surprise. She briefly considered allowing her eyes to fill and talk beseechingly about loneliness, her career and all the sacrifices of a personal life, but they had passed that point. Kim wasn’t going to fall for it, so Alex wouldn’t waste her energy on that game play. Ultimately, she was flattered that Kim had gone to the trouble of finding out.

  ‘It’s a lie, isn’t it?’

  Alex shrugged. ‘A harmless one. My patients are reassured by both my extensive education and my life experience.’

  ‘But it’s not an accurate reflection of you, is it, Doctor?’

  ‘Very few of us are ever completely ourselves; I would imagine you know that as well as anyone. The photograph on my desk is there for people to make assumptions and they do. We all present a façade to the world. And it suited me to present a family. Even to you, Kim.’

  Kim’s eyes flamed at the use of her first name, but she held herself in check.

  ‘So, it’s a manipulation?’

  ‘Yes, I suppose, but as I said, a harmless one.’

  ‘Are all your manipulations harmless?’ Kim asked, tipping her head.

  ‘I have no idea what you mean.’

  ‘Do you manipulate your patients in other ways?’

  Alex allowed the corner of her lips to turn up slightly, aiming at bemused. ‘What exactly are you accusing me of?’

  ‘It was a question, not an accusation.’

  So, the detective was analysing every word she said. Good. Take this, Alex thought.

  ‘Kim, I have many patients. I deal with conditions along the whole spectrum of mental health, from a bout of stress to paranoid schizophrenia. I treat people who will never recover from childhood trauma. I treat people with all types of guilt, survivor and otherwise.’

  Alex wasn’t sure how many points she’d scored, but a slight stiffening of the back confirmed that one or two poison darts had found the target.

  ‘So, if you’d care to be more specific, I’ll help you in any way I can.’

  ‘Ruth Willis.’

  Alex was intrigued by what Kim thought she knew.

  ‘Sometimes people cannot be fixed, Kim. I would imagine that you have unsolved cases in your past; incidents that, despite your best efforts, you were unable to bring to a successful conclusion. Ideally I would have liked to move Ruth to the next stage of her life, but she is a very troubled young lady. You see, sometimes there is safety in the anger, and often vengeance is the glue that holds them together.’ Alex lowered her eyes. ‘Ruth will never recover from what she’s done.’

  ‘She’s doing quite well, actually,’ Kim shot back at her.

  As expected, Alex had learned what she wanted to know. The detective had been to see Ruth. But it was of no concern. No one would ever believe Ruth if she dared speak out.

  ‘It was an interesting visualisation exercise you used during your last session.’

  Alex shrugged. ‘It is a technique used widely for many reasons: stress relief, goal achievement, and it works well for letting go of negative emotions. It is symbolic.’

  ‘Or a blueprint for an unstable mind?’

  Alex laughed. She hadn’t enjoyed herself this much since she’d convinced a chat room full of bulimia sufferers that they’d been getting the best of both worlds.

  ‘Oh, please, visualisation techniques can include all manner of things but people don’t actually go out and do them. It’s a technique, not an instruction.’

  ‘And you couldn’t have known that Ruth was too unstable to act out the symbolic role-play?’

  Alex thought for a moment. ‘You believe wholeheartedly in the integrity of your profession and the individuals within the police force that uphold the law?’

  ‘You’re answering a question with a question, but yes I do.’

  ‘It is a system in which you believe, regardless of any imperfections?’

  ‘Of course.’

  ‘Although it was before your time in the force, I’m sure you will have heard of the Carl Bridgewater case. A thirteen-year-old paper boy was shot dead at a farm not far from here. The Midlands Serious Crime Squad fixated on a group of four males and eventually secured convictions for all four on what was painfully scarce evidence.

  ‘Following investigations into their methods the Serious Crime Squad was disbanded for, amongst other things, fabricating evidence, and many of their convictions were overturned. Years later, the three living males convicted of murdering Carl Bridgewater were released from prison on appeal.’

  Alex tipped her head to the right. ‘So, please, tell me what part of that particular process you are most proud of?’

  ‘One of the males made a full confession,’ Kim defended.

  ‘After severely questionable methods of interrogation. What I’m trying to demonstrate with that particular example is that, at worst, those police officers were aware that they were framing innocent men, in which case the system failed. Or perhaps they were overzealous in their methods but got the right men, who were then released on appeal; again, the system failed.

  ‘Every single profession is fraught with inconsistencies. It is the exception that often proves the rule. I believe passionately in what I do, but do I accept that not everyone will behave the way I’d like them to? Of course I do, because that is human nature.’

  Kim’s brow furrowed. ‘So, to use your example, those police officers either deliberately manipulated the evidence or they were grossly incompetent. Which one of those options is responsible for your failure with Ruth, Doctor?’

  Alex chuckled. She really did like a challenging conversation. ‘The failure was all Ruth’s, I can assure you.’

  Kim fixed her with that disarming
stare. ‘But that’s what I don’t understand. Either you deliberately chose a form of treatment that you knew would inspire her to take the action she did, or you made a mistake in carrying out that exercise. Either way, you are partially responsible for the subsequent events. Do you not agree, Doctor?’

  Alex sighed deeply. ‘Have suspects committed suicide in police holding cells?’

  Kim nodded.

  ‘Why? How has that been possible?’

  Kim said nothing.

  ‘Putting a suspect in custody is part of your judicial process and so you do it. You cannot know that an individual will take that opportunity to end his life. If you did, you would not do it.’

  ‘Perhaps you would if you wanted to see the reaction.’

  ‘A person who has dedicated their life to the mental health profession would have no interest in patients as subject matter.’

  For the first time, Kim smiled. ‘Noticeably delivered in the third person.’

  Disappointingly, Alex felt the first stages of boredom setting in.

  ‘Okay, Kim. I would not use my knowledge and expertise in such a way.’

  Kim paused and tipped her head. ‘Hmm … your dead sister would tend to disagree.’

  Alex was momentarily surprised by the mention of Sarah. Communication between Kim and her sister was not something she had factored in – she preferred to keep her games separate. However, she recovered her composure quickly.

  ‘My sister and I are not close. She is not a credible source on my professional life.’

  ‘Really? Your letters to her indicate that you like to keep her abreast of your patients’ progress.’

  Alex felt tension seep into her neck. How dare that spineless little bitch interfere with her life?

  ‘In fact, she feels that you’ve been torturing and harassing her for years.’

  Alex tried to smile the tension from her jaws. ‘Jealousy is a very ugly trait. When you have siblings there is always a competitiveness that emerges. I have been very successful in my career. My IQ is superior and I was favoured as a child, so you see, she has many motives for being bitter.’

  Kim nodded her understanding. ‘Yes, she talked in great detail about your childhood together. We talked about your differing views on pet care.’