No one responded, and Kim understood why. Theory after theory had proven fruitless.
‘What can we deduce from what we know?’ she pushed.
‘The murders were at different times of the day,’ Stacey said eventually. ‘Either he’s got no job or…’
‘Flexible working,’ Penn finished.
‘Possible,’ Kim said.
‘Guv, what if we had our man in the first place? What if Lucinda killed Karen to cover for Joe? There’s no better way to prove someone’s innocence than to commit another murder while the suspect is in custody,’ Bryant said.
‘Did you see how pissed off she was with him?’ Kim asked.
‘Yeah, but I also know from what Penn said that when she loves, she loves hard. She may have forgiven him very quickly.’
‘It’s possible,’ she admitted.
‘If we’re throwing everything out there, how about both of them?’ Penn asked. ‘Maybe there’s a link we haven’t found yet and they’re both involved. Irene thought there might be two of them when Ashley was killed.’
‘Go back through everything,’ Kim instructed. ‘There has to be something more.’
They all nodded their agreement.
‘In other news, I’ve got myself into hot water which will most likely lead to my suspension.’
‘What?’ Stacey and Penn asked together. Only Bryant didn’t look surprised.
‘I didn’t take Ava to social services; I took her back to her dad. He’s putting some miles between them and home.’
Stacey’s initial joy turned to concern once she began to understand the possible consequences.
‘Oh shit, boss,’ Penn said.
‘We all know it was the right thing to do. I knew what I was doing, and I don’t regret it one bit.’
Stacey shook her head, mortified. ‘I tried really hard to find a living relative. I thought I’d struck lucky with Ashley’s great-aunt Emily Grimshaw, but she died two months ago in a care home in Leeds.’
Kim felt a sudden shiver creep up her spine. She was either looking at a huge coincidence or the missing part of the puzzle.
‘Stace, how long will it be to work up a family tree for both Nadine and Karen?’
‘About an hour now I know what I’m doing,’ Stacey said, looking puzzled.
‘Get to it,’ Kim said before turning to Penn and Bryant.
‘You two take the other jobs and leave Stacey alone.’
She didn’t wait for a response as she headed into the Bowl.
She had a couple of urgent calls to make.
Seventy-Six
Exactly one hour later, Stacey waved her hand in the air to signal the task was complete.
Kim’s own telephone marathon had been successful in some areas but not in others. She entered the squad room as Stacey reached to the printer behind her.
‘Okay, where do you want me to start?’
