Page 138 of 36 Hours

‘Bryant, we need to take a detour.’

It was time to finally end this thing.

ONE HUNDRED THREE

8.10P.M.

Kim hadn’t expected to be visiting this house again.

The lady of the house answered the door.

Because she was looking for it, Kim saw the fear in her eyes before it disappeared behind irritation.

‘Really, Officer, this is now harassment. I’m not sure what you think we know?—’

‘Is the whole family home?’ Kim said, cutting her off.

This woman sure did use attack as a form of defence.

‘Yes, but I’m not letting you in to disturb?—’

‘Mrs Lane, I’m going to speak with the whole family, and I’m happy to do it out here. Loudly,’ Kim said, finally living off the fumes of her patience.

‘Come in,’ she said at last, standing aside.

Mrs Lane closed the door behind them as Derren came barrelling down the stairs. ‘Hope you don’t need me cos I’m off out,’ he said, grabbing for his jacket on the coat hook by the door.

‘Actually we need to speak to you all,’ Kim said, not moving from in front of the door.

He paused and then walked into the lounge. ‘Okay, but be quick,’ he said, throwing himself onto the sofa beside his brother.

‘It’s okay, Derren, I’m sure Joanne will still be there once we’re finished.’

‘Wh-What?’ Mrs Lane stuttered as the younger son’s mouth fell open.

Kim took a seat as Bryant lounged against the door frame. It was a subconscious move to stop people leaving the room.

‘That’s all over,’ Eric Lane protested, putting down his newspaper.

Kim ignored him and spoke directly to Derren. ‘I very rarely make assumptions in this job, but when Joanne told me she’d got too close to one of her cousins, I assumed she meant Boyce. Then it hit me that you were the one who was angry with every member of your family. Why? What had they tried to stop you from doing? But it hasn’t stopped you, has it? That’s just one of the secrets in this house.’

Mrs Lane had sat down and was looking at her son with utter disgust.

‘She’s your cousin,’ Eric spat.

Derren shrugged. ‘I love her,’ he said simply.

Mrs Lane turned on Kim. ‘Well, I hope you’re happy now. Feel free to see yourself?—’

‘That’s not the reason I’m here, and you know it.’

Mrs Lane looked to her husband in desperation, having no more tools left to use. The aggression and hostility were no longer working.

‘That got me wondering why you were so concerned about Boyce not being in his room last night. If you weren’t worried about him being with Joanne, what exactly were you so fearful of? What did you think he was doing? Why was your husband out looking for him?’ Kim asked, taking a guess.

‘She’s just overprotective,’ Eric answered, having taken over the speaking.

She noted that Boyce hadn’t yet uttered one word but continued to stare down at the ground.