Page 61 of Guilty Mothers

‘And you’re happy to talk to her?’

‘I have nothing to hide. You confirmed that.’

‘All the same, you don’t want to offer any details to this poor excuse of a?—’

‘I can hear you,’ Frost said from behind.

Kim ignored her. ‘Katie, she has a habit of twisting whatever you say to suit her own?—’

‘Still hearing you,’ Frost said with amusement in her voice.

Many people were now savvy to the promises journalists made. Phrases like ‘get your side of the story out there’ or ‘I can help you control the narrative’ were nothing more than ploys to get across the threshold and exploit someone’s unfortunate circumstances.

‘I haven’t said anything to her yet, and she promised there’d be no tricky questions.’

‘I bet she did,’ Kim said, removing her jacket and nodding towards the kettle. ‘And yes, I’d love one. I’m sure no one will object to me sticking around.’

‘Of course,’ Katie said, turning back to the kettle.

If she hadn’t known Frost so well, she wouldn’t have noted the flash of annoyance that passed over her features as she sat down.

‘I have nothing to hide,’ Frost said, taking out her notebook.

Except ethics and a conscience, Kim thought as Katie placed three drinks on the table. Although the more objective part of her mind did know that wasn’t strictly true. There had been occasions over the years where Frost’s moral compass had got the better of her and she’d behaved like a decent human being. But finding her here like this just confirmed to Kim that she was still prepared to act a certain way to get a good story. No wonder the reporter was irritated that Kim had turned up, and she was glad her visit had been so well timed.

Kim took a moment to assess both Katie and her surroundings. The woman looked pale and tired and like she was wearing clothes a size too big for her. There was no lingering aroma of cooked food and no plates or utensils scattered around.

Kim felt her reservations grow. Katie wasn’t up to this meeting. She was barely awake, certainly not alert, and she had no fuel to power either her body or her mind.

Kim sat back and folded her arms as Frost switched on her Dictaphone.

‘Okay, Katie, first I’d like to say I’m sorry for your loss and if there’s anything you need, just let me know. If you want to stop or if there’s a question you don’t want to answer, just let me know that too.’

Kim groaned internally at the sincerity in her voice. She was very good, but Kim knew that if Katie refused a question, Frost would just find another way to ask it.

She was pleased that she’d taken the time to stop by. She crossed her ankles beneath the table and settled in for the long haul.

Half an hour and three empty cups later, Kim realised that her focus had shifted from the reporter to Katie.

To be fair to Frost, she was questioning Katie with care and empathy. There were no leading or trick questions, and she had asked for little information on the gruesome scene.

Feeling that the reporter was behaving herself, she’d paid more attention to Katie. That was when she’d noticed the subtle stiffening of her body every time Frost referred to Sheryl as ‘your mum’. Each question that contained those words was making Katie more and more uncomfortable.

And then, as if by magic, the real Frost put in an appearance.

‘And were you treated okay by the police?’

Katie nodded.

‘Any issues in the custody suite?’

‘Okay, I think we’re done,’ Kim said, looking to Katie for confirmation.

She nodded wearily, and Kim could see how tired she was.

When all was said and done, she’d had a traumatic and exhausting forty-eight hours.

‘You’ve got enough, Frost.’