‘Not directly, no.’
Zachary’s head shot up. ‘Wh-What do you mean?’
‘It would appear that the death of your family is not linked to the fire, but I can say no more at the moment.’
Zachary’s tears ceased for a second before rage filled his face. He stood and stepped into her space.
‘Officer, I demand to know the truth. They are my fucking family.’
Kim took a step back. ‘I understand that, and you will be the first to know once we fully understand what took place here, but you can’t enter the house at this time.’
Gavin pulled his husband back a step.
‘I don’t understand,’ Zachary said, shaking his head as the tears started again. ‘How have they died? Were they all in the same room? Was it a gas boiler or…?’
‘Mr Daynes, please go home for now. A family liaison officer will be sent over to your address, and we’ll update you as soon as possible.’
Her glance backwards at Bryant signalled her invitation to him to approach.
As Gavin offered her colleague their address, Kim placed a hand on Zachary’s arm.
‘We will update you as soon as we possibly can, Mr Daynes.’
‘Got it,’ Bryant said, closing his notebook.
‘Should we speak to anyone?’ Gavin asked, continuing to support his husband. ‘Zach has a twin sister.’
‘Immediate family members only at this point and we’ll speak with you the minute we can give more information.’
She offered a look to Gavin, who appeared to be a steadying influence despite fighting his own emotions.
‘I’ll get him home,’ Gavin said, guiding his husband away from the house.
‘Never gets any easier, eh, guv?’ Bryant asked as Gavin supported Zachary back to the car.
She watched as the pair got into the car and Gavin pulled his husband towards him to comfort him.
‘Lots of external cameras, boss,’ Stacey said as they all drew together.
Kim nodded her understanding. The action all appeared to have taken place inside the house.
‘Only one set of neighbours within a quarter mile. Their statements have been taken and are on the way back to the station.’
‘Okay, guys, little more we can do tonight,’ she said as the engine to the Dayneses’ car kicked into life.
As the BMW pulled out of the drive, another vehicle came into view.
‘Aww…shit,’ Kim said, knowing only one person who drove a white Audi TT.
Kim watched asDudley Starreporter Tracy Frost parked right next to Bryant’s Astra Estate, meaning they had to pass her to leave.
‘Want me to have a word?’ Bryant asked.
Kim shook her head. ‘Frost is a spot best squeezed before it gets the chance to fester.’
Knowing Frost would wait them out to get her story, Kim headed towards the cordon. There was no more she could do here until the bodies had been removed from the scene.
Tomorrow would be soon enough to piece together the tragedy that had unfolded here.