‘Get out of the car, Leanne,’ Bryant said. ‘And give us just a minute.’
She did as she was asked.
‘Bryant, what the…?’
‘Not happy with this situation, guv. He was within metres of you, and she didn’t even know.’
‘To be fair, she couldn’t have known,’ Kim said, surprising herself in defending Leanne. ‘It’s not her job to find him. It’s her job to make sure he doesn’t get near me and, so far, so good, especially given how close he was.’
‘I’m just not convinced you’re taking it seriously enough. He’s already successfully abducted two girls. Maybe you should consider Woody’s—’
‘Bryant, stop worrying. I appreciate your concern but I’m not running away, and I’m doing everything I’ve been told, so short of Jenny making up your spare room…’
‘Already done, guv,’ he said, getting out the car.
She laughed. ‘Thanks, but I like Jenny way too much to subject her to me.’
She appreciated her colleague’s concern, but Leanne’s presence was reminder enough that Symes was still out there and he was setting some kind of scene especially for her. She didn’t want it on her mind every minute because then she’d do nothing else but look over her shoulder, and they were paying Leanne to do that.
As she walked, she took out her phone. She’d texted Woody first thing for an update on the investigation. So far there had been no reply.
A movement caught her attention from the left. A figure appeared. Kim caught her breath – she instantly knew who it was.
Leanne had spotted her too.
‘Back off, Leanne,’ Kim whispered, blocking her with her arm. ‘Wait over there with Bryant,’ she said, pointing to the entrance.
Kim headed towards the woman, who was pulling a light anorak tighter around her slim body. A worn satchel crossed her frame, and she held something in her hand. Her blonde hair was pulled back in a loose ponytail. Her skin was pale and her face drawn around eyes that had not rested in days.
‘D-Detective Stone?’ the woman asked.
Kim nodded. ‘Mrs Bunt…’
‘This is her,’ the woman said, thrusting a photo in her face. ‘This is my baby.’
‘I know,’ Kim said. ‘I know what Emma looks like.’
‘Can you find her?’ she asked hopefully. ‘He asked for you. He said your name. Do you know where he’s taken her?’
Kim swallowed down her emotion as the tears fell from the woman’s eyes.
‘Please help me. Where is my daughter?’ she sobbed.
‘I don’t know where she is,’ Kim said, feeling the pain emanating from her small frame.
‘But it’s you, isn’t it? He wants something from you?’
‘Everything is being done to find Emma, I promise.’
‘He’s taken another one, hasn’t he?’
Kim said nothing, wishing she had the power to take the woman’s pain away.
‘God forgive me but I don’t care about anyone else. I need her back. Please help…’
‘I swear that the team is doing everything they can to bring—’
‘No, no, it’s you. It’s not about the team. It’s all about you.’