Silent Scream

Fifteen

‘Thanks for letting me drive back, Guv. My nerves couldn’t take another roller coaster.’

‘Yeah well, this ain’t Driving Miss Daisy and I do want to get back to the station before next weekend.’

Bryant headed towards Halesowen and Kim took out her phone. She redialled a number she’d called earlier.

‘Professor Milton ... yes ... Hello. About our discussion earlier, is everything in place?’

‘I’ve made some calls, my dear, and I think I can help with your request.’

‘I appreciate that but we now appear to have a second body related to this case and urgency is of the utmost importance.’

She heard his sharp intake of breath. ‘It will be done, Detective.’

She thanked him and ended the call.

‘What was all that about?’

‘Never you mind, just keep driving.’

By the time Bryant pulled into the car park she had called ahead to make a request for a brief meeting with Woody so she entered the building and headed straight for the third floor.

Kim knocked on Woody’s door and entered just a second before he instructed her to do so.

‘Stone, this had better be good. I was in the middle of ...’

‘Sir, the Teresa Wyatt case is much more complicated than we first thought.’

‘How so?’

Kim took a deep breath. ‘On the day she was murdered, our victim made a call to a Professor Milton who had just received authorisation to excavate an area of land in Rowley Regis.

‘She initially asked to be included in the project but was turned down. Then she became quite interested in the area concerned.’

‘What significance is in the land?’

‘It’s the site of the old children’s home.’

‘Next to the crematorium?’

Kim nodded. ‘Both Teresa Wyatt and Tom Curtis are ex-staff members. In the few days since he was granted permission to excavate the land the professor's life has been threatened and his dog killed. And two previous employees of Crestwood have been murdered.’

Woody stared at a spot on the wall behind her. He was already reading the headlines.

‘Sir, someone does not want that ground disturbed.’

‘Stone, don’t go at this at warp speed. There are a lot of politics involved.’

‘The equipment will be on site tomorrow.’

His jaw tensed. ‘Stone, you know that’s impossible. There are all sorts of things we need to do.’

‘With all due respect, Sir, that’s your worry not mine. With the momentum this case is gathering, we really don’t have the luxury of waiting that long.’

He considered her words for a moment. ‘I want you on site first thing in the morning and nothing gets dug, not one shovel hits that earth until you get confirmation from me.’

Kim said nothing.

‘Stone, do we understand each other?’

‘Of course, Sir. Whatever you say.’

She stood and left the room.