Silent Scream

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.’

Kim nodded her understanding.

Cerys began pressing buttons on the machine and logging figures into a small notebook.

‘Okay, it’s ready now. Just how sure are you that we're going to find something?’

Kim took a breath, closed her eyes and analysed her gut. ‘More sure than I'd like to be.’

‘You realise that anything we find will never stand up in court?’

Kim nodded. If she was right, it would never get to court.

Kim stepped forward and held out her hands. ‘Give it to me and tell me what to do. I think I've caused you enough trouble this week.’

‘I'm a big girl and I can take care of myself,’ Cerys snapped. ‘And no offence, but this is an expensive piece of equipment that I will not entrust to you.’

Kim sighed with frustration. ‘Cerys, will you just ...’

‘Shut up, Kim. Give me the backpack first.’

Kim reached down, lifted the holdall and held it while Cerys put her arms through the straps.

Cerys fixed the monitor around her waist. Kim reached for the strap and hauled the metal rod onto Cerys’s shoulder.

She stood back. ‘I had you more as a Prada wearer.’

Cerys shook her head. ‘Okay, I’ve had a look around the area and there’s a lot of crap on the ground. It all needs moving.’

‘I’m assuming that’s my job?’

‘See anybody else here?’

‘Okay, where?’

‘I’ll survey the rear of the building first. The front of the building looks right onto the road and houses so if we’re looking for what you think we are, that area would have been too exposed.’

‘Can I help, Detective?’

Kim turned to find that William Payne had walked around the side of the fencing. He looked pale and tired. Kim stepped towards him.

‘How are you feeling?’

He smiled. ‘Sore, but there’s no permanent damage. They sent me home a couple of hours ago.’

‘What about Lucy?’

‘Take a look.’

Kim walked to the edge of the fencing. The curtain had been pulled back and Lucy peered through the window.

Kim waved and then turned her attention back to William. ‘I don’t think you’re in any fit state ...’

‘Detective, I don’t know what you’re doing here today but I know that Lucy and I have somehow become a part of this. I’d really like to help.’

Kim was torn.

‘They were just kids, Detective. Hardened, abandoned, neglected kids. What they did to Lucy was wrong, I know that and so did they. All three of them came back the next day of their own free will and apologised for what they’d done.’

‘And you accepted their apology?’

He shrugged. ‘Doesn’t matter. Lucy did.’

Kim shook her head in wonder. ‘You know that your daughter is a true inspiration?’

‘Oh yes,’ he smiled, proudly. ‘She’s what gets me out of bed every morning.’

Kim tipped her head. ‘And you’re not so bad yourself. Last night, if you hadn’t managed to loosen that rope or grab Victor ...’

‘It wasn't brave at all, Detective. I saw you go into the building and just came to see if you needed any help. Then I saw Victor Wilks digging a hole ...’

His words trailed away as he blushed. Kim understood that he was an accidental hero but he'd saved her life all the same.

‘Even so ...’

‘Enough,’ William said, holding up his hands. ‘Now, please tell me what I can do to help.’

Kim smiled to herself. This was a man who wanted no thanks, no praise and no sympathy.

‘Okay, see that bin by the window. We need to fill it with anything on the ground that might interfere with the machine.’

William started on the left and Kim on the right. They worked their way from the fence perimeter into the middle, picking up anything that got in the way.

‘Folks, the machine works much better if there’s less grass,’ Cerys called from the perimeter.

Kim looked around. In some places the weeds were knee high.

She bent to start pulling when suddenly the machine made a sound.

Kim straightened and focused on Cerys.

She walked back ten feet and moved forward slowly. Again, the machine cried out.

Cerys looked towards Kim. ‘Looks like your gut called it right.’