Page 104 of Guilty Mothers
‘And?’
‘They asked me to empty my purse and pockets to prove my innocence.’
‘And did you?’
‘Hell no. You really think I’m going to be bullied into that by a group of privileged, superficial woman? Not a chance. I knew they’d tell the others and no one would use me again. After being totally humiliated, I just packed up my things and left.’
Or you made good your escape before your guilt could be uncovered, Kim thought. Innocent people didn’t need to run for the hills.
‘Why didn’t you give us the whole story when we spoke last time?’ Kim asked.
‘Because, Inspector, every one of your victims was in that room.’
‘And now you’re here doing this,’ Kim observed. Before, she had been part of the vibrant colour, light and excitement of the pageant world. Now she was in a windowless room face-painting a dead body.
‘And all the better I am for it.’
‘Really?’ Kim asked.
Jenna put down the lipstick and faced her. ‘You still have no idea how toxic that environment is?’
‘Some kids enjoyed it,’ Kim offered, feeling a need to defend at least one of the girls she’d spoken to this week.
‘Perhaps, but not many from the lot you’re talking about.’
‘Toyah had a great time,’ Kim said.
Jenna shrugged. ‘Yeah, and look at the cost of that.’
‘What cost?’
Jenna opened her mouth and closed it again. ‘No. It’s not my story to tell. There’s been enough tittle-tattling already. But if you think that their family came out of it unscathed, you can think again.’ She looked pointedly at the woman on the trolley. ‘Now if you don’t mind, this lady’s family will be here any minute.’
Unable to keep her any longer, Kim thanked her for her time and opened the door to leave. The woman who had brought them downstairs materialised before them. An eerie gift given their location.
She guided them back to the front door, and Kim left with an uneasy feeling in her stomach.
‘Wouldn’t do that job if my life depended on it,’ Bryant said as they headed to the car.
Kim considered where Jenna had once been, where she was now and the events that had led her there. Despite what the woman claimed about being better off, Kim had to wonder if she was looking at a motive for murder.
Before she had the chance to consider what Jenna had been implying about Toyah, her phone rang.
‘Go ahead, Stace.’
‘Seriously, boss, I’ve got no idea what’s going on over at that house,’ Stacey said.
‘What house?’
‘Toyah’s. Just been chewed up and spat out by her brother, Tony.’
Kim’s stomach lurched. It was the second time the girl’s name had been mentioned in as many minutes. ‘What happened?’
‘I was working on the alibis like you said. Lottie’s whereabouts are all accounted for, independently verified, but so far I can’t place Toyah anywhere for any of the murders. No CCTV footage of her when she allegedly left the pub on Tuesday night, so I tried to get clarification and that Tony guy really gave me the business. Gotta say, the bloke is a total wanker who refers to Andrea as Toyah’s mother alone. He seems to have disassociated himself from the whole thing.’
‘Okay, Stace, go take a breather and leave it with us. We’re on our way,’ she said as the feeling of unease began to build.
SIXTY-NINE