‘Why we’re still embroiled in a neighbourhood dispute.’
‘Well, yesterday we met a young couple who have their whole future ahead of them, but through no fault of their own are caught up in their family drama.’
‘Yeah, guv. I was there.’
‘My mistake. I thought you’d forgot.’
‘My question is why is this our problem?’
‘Oh, Bryant, as police officers we’re obliged to assist the public whatever shape or form that might take. And besides, we have no one else to bother until we find out who Nadine Cowley met with yesterday.’
‘They’re seriously gonna sue you for harassment.’
‘Maybe, but it’s gotta be worth a try. Imagine the savings to police time if we’re no longer being called out to these two families? It’s a win-win for all of us.’
‘With Martha behind bars, I’d imagine that number is going to drop significantly anyway.’
Kim suspected he was right, but she still thought it was worth a try. And despite Woody warning her off Martha, she still couldn’t shift the rock in her gut that said something here wasn’t adding up.
Bryant turned into the drive leading to the Hubbard property, which was in considerably better condition than the road to Martha’s house. She wasn’t surprised to see that the place looked as though it had fared better with the passage of time than their neighbours’ home.
Although the farmhouse and outbuildings were not unlike those next door, it was clear that on this side of the line, all traces of farming were gone and there was no attempt to hold on to the past. The old machines had been cleared away, the feed stores had been emptied, and all the outbuildings washed, repaired and painted. The family still owned the land but no longer put it to any use.
The woman who answered the door was petite and tidy. She wore three-quarter length jeans, flip-flops and a tee shirt beneath a thin cardigan. Her blonde hair was tied in a bun, and her face was clear of make-up.
The contrast between this woman and Martha was night and day. Although a similar age, it looked as though Martha had received the ten years Lena Hubbard had given away.
Bryant held up his ID and introduced them both.
‘May we come in?’ Kim asked as Lena made no effort to move aside.
‘Why?’ she asked, folding her arms.
‘Just an update.’
‘I’ve been updated,’ she said without moving an inch.
Her small frame packed quite the attitude, but Kim recalled Donna telling her that George had been the more reasonable of the two.
‘We’ll only keep you a minute,’ Kim said.
Lena hmphed and moved to the side.
Kim stepped into the house and realised quickly that it was absolutely nothing like the one next door. Here, walls had been removed to create an open space. Poky windows had been replaced with floor-to-ceiling glass that even on a dull day like today still captured every bit of daylight.
The large kitchen was an addition with bifolds that stretched the length of the wall. A large lantern roof sent light down to a pine dining table beneath. Kim watched as the clouds passed overhead.
‘What’s the update?’ Lena asked once they were standing round the table. ‘Did my husband come back to life, or did Martha retract her confession?’
‘Neither,’ Kim said, taking a seat.
Lena didn’t sit, indicating she had little to say to them. For all their differences, the families did share a disdain for the police force, even though they had all sought assistance equally over the years.
‘We spoke with your son yesterday.’
‘I have no son,’ she said with no change of expression. It took a special kind of coldness to so easily cut off your only child.
‘He’s grieving for his father,’ Kim added.
