‘So your objection was based on?’
‘Well, by all accounts the young man is troubled. I worried about the effect that might have had on my parents. I mean, who knows what kind of relative he might have had lurking in the background?’
Gavin had the grace to look shamed on his husband’s behalf. Zach possessed total conviction in his judgement.
‘And your mother’s response?’
‘She insisted they were going ahead with it.’
‘So you actually asked them not to?’ Gavin asked, trying to keep the accusation out of his voice.
Zach frowned at his husband’s question. ‘Of course.’
Kim understood the displeasure on Gavin’s face. There was a world of difference between expressing concern and actually asking for the foster agreement to be cancelled.
‘My mother was desperate for something to love. She’d always tried to replace the child she lost, and goodness knows where that would have ended if he’d got into the house.’
‘He’s seven years old,’ Kim said, unable to help herself. ‘And your parents were only fostering him.’
Zach laughed. ‘Oh yes, but my mother loved a project. I wouldn’t have been surprised if they hadn’t adopted him at some stage. Another sibling.’
Zach’s face fell as he realised what he’d said and that he no longer had any siblings left.
The conversation was not helping the unease that was growing in her stomach.
‘Did Rachel share your concerns?’
‘We didn’t really talk about it, but I think she was okay with it. Rachel was very live and let live. She didn’t always consider the wider implications. She thought it was commendable, which of course it was, but caution should be exercised when there are long-term implications.’
‘Financial ones?’
‘Of course.’
Kim already had a sense of how Zach might feel if someone was taking what he felt was his.
‘And that’s all you discussed?’
‘I think so. As I said, it was just a flying visit.’
No. He had made a special journey to convince his parents not to foster a troubled child. And his sole mission had not been successful.
‘Did the discussion get heated?’ Kim asked.
‘LivelyI think is a better description.’
‘Did it turn physical?’ she asked, remembering the way Zach had grabbed his sister’s wrist and a similar mark being present on Helen Daynes.
Both Zach and Gavin looked aghast.
‘Excuse me, Inspector.’
‘I have to ask, Zach,’ she said, making no apology. She had seen his response with her own eyes.
His gaze met hers. His was cool and unwavering. She didn’t break the eye contact, and she didn’t retract the question. She waited for an answer.
‘Of course it didn’t get physical. I would never lay a hand on my mother,’ he said, belying his words. She hadn’t asked ifhehad become physical; he had assumed that, and she hadn’t mentioned specifically his mother.
In that moment she knew that much more had transpired on that Saturday afternoon than she was being told. He was lying to her about events that had happened just hours before their murder.