‘Not sure of your experience living with someone’s poor mental health, but it’s not easy.’
Not at all, Kim thought. And some days they even try and kill you. The picture of her mother degrading in a bed came to mind, but she pushed it away.
‘Was he close to his family?’ she asked. Her visit to the lounge had been brief, but she hadn’t clocked the presence of family photos.
‘Oh, Inspector, that’s a big question. I’m not sure they ever fully understood him. He didn’t do well at school, dropped out of college, lazed around for a few years and then hopped from passion to passion.’
‘The paintings?’
‘A couple of years ago. The need to express himself through art was burning inside him. It fizzled eventually, but I keep the paintings up to inspire him and to show that he can achieve his goals. His most recent passion is photography.’
‘And how does he earn his living?’
Gavin hesitated as though he didn’t want to answer.
‘He doesn’t,’ he said eventually.
‘But you do?’
He smiled. ‘Someone has to keep a roof over our heads, such as it is. Luckily, my work as a paralegal supports us both. Just.’
‘No help from the parents?’
‘He’s a fully grown man. Not many twenty-nine-year-olds rely on their parents.’
‘Of course.’
They rely on their husbands instead, Kim thought and then caught herself. It wasn’t her judgement to make.
‘He wasn’t particularly close to his younger siblings. The age gap meant he had little in common with them.’
‘His twin?’
Gavin rolled his eyes. ‘Love, hate in equal measure. Let’s just say they’re explosive. Milk and sugar?’ he asked as the kettle boiled.
‘Not for me, and just milk for my colleague.’
He finished making the drinks and picked up two mugs, nodding to the other two.
‘Inspector, is he going to be able to deal with whatever it is you’ve come to tell us?’
Kim grabbed the remaining two mugs. ‘I think he’s going to need you close by.’
Gavin nodded his understanding, and she followed him back to the lounge. Zach’s eyes were closed again, and the dog had moved to Bryant’s lap. Her colleague shrugged, indicating that Zach hadn’t said a word.
She took a seat on the sofa, placing the mugs on a side table. Gavin sat on the arm of the chair and took Zach’s hand.
He opened his eyes but said nothing. His skin was an unhealthy grey, and his cheeks appeared gaunt. The man was suffering. She immediately felt bad for the less than charitable thoughts she’d had in the kitchen. Nothing she had to say was going to make him feel any better.
‘I’m afraid I have bad news for you.’
‘What, they’re more dead than they were yesterday?’ he asked.
Kim ignored the jibe that was borne of pain.
‘We need to discuss the circumstances of the incident, Mr Daynes.’
‘Zach, for God’s sake. Mr Daynes died in a house fire yesterday.’