Page 105 of 36 Hours

‘Go ahead, Stace,’ she said, heading out of the room.

‘Got something, boss, the owner of a vehicle with a similar registration as the one I saw was at the litter-pick yesterday morning.’

Kim’s stomach turned. Oh, that was just too coincidental.

‘Great work, Stace. Text Bryant the address.’

She ended the call and stepped back inside as Inspector Plant pulled up. He would now take over the scene.

‘Next of kin?’ asked one of the paramedics.

‘Her mother, but I don’t have any details.’

‘We just need to call someone if anything…err…happens.’

She knew what he was trying to say, and she wasn’t going to mess about looking for contact numbers. Their priority should be getting Frost the help she needed.

Kim didn’t hesitate. ‘Then I guess you’d better call me.’

‘Getting a bit too involved, guv?’ Bryant asked.

‘What’s my choice? Would you prefer me to offer your number?’ she asked as a vehicle she didn’t want to see slid into the space in front of Bryant’s Astra.

‘You have to be joking,’ she said as Steve Ashworth headed their way.

Bryant had summoned urgent assistance using his radio. Damn the press with their bloody scanners.

‘You still here?’ she asked as he approached.

‘We’ve already had this conversation. More importantly, why did you lie?’

‘About what?’

‘Isn’t this the address of Tracy Frost, the local reporter working with you to catch the Jester?’

Kim said nothing as Inspector Plant stepped between them with the cordon tape.

‘Bit coincidental that something happens to her on the day she’s working with you. Something else for your conscience, Inspector?’

‘Get him out of here,’ she said to Planty.

Her colleague obliged by gently but firmly moving him along.

‘I’m not going anywhere, Stone. You’re stuck with me, and I’ll follow you until I’ve got your story.’

Not today you won’t, Kim thought as she beckoned Planty back.

He still had the cordon tape in his hand.

‘Down to and including that blue Toyota,’ she instructed. ‘And don’t let anyone leave.’

EIGHTY-ONE

12.50P.M.

‘Okay, Penn, how do I avoid feeling like shit for calling her all sorts of names after she bailed on us?’ Stacey asked.

The boss had updated them on Frost’s condition once she was in the car heading away from Frost’s house.