‘And where’s Barney?’ she asked, looking around.
‘On holiday. Now what the hell are you doing skulking around my house at night? You do realise that’s crossing a line?’
Frost shrugged. ‘I want my question. Press conference was cancelled, and I want my bloody question.’
Kim allowed the relief to wash over her that the lurker had been no one any more dangerous than Tracy bloody Frost.
‘You really think I’m going to answer any question about the case? And you just lost the privilege anyway by turning up at my home uninvited.’
Frost was unperturbed as she followed Kim to the kitchen.
Kim turned. ‘You do know I’m going to physically throw you out in a minute, right?’
Frost took a seat on one of the stools at the breakfast bar. ‘Yeah, whatever. So I’d like to take my question now please.’
Kim was struck by the irony that her own home was currently filled with women she didn’t like. Although at least over the years Frost had earned a modicum of respect from her.
‘I’m not going to answer anything.’
‘It’s not about the case. I mean it was about the case but not anymore. Now I have a different question.’
Kim sighed. ‘Go on.’
‘Who is she?’ Frost asked as Leanne swept through the kitchen and headed towards the door leading to the garage.
‘My girlfriend.’
Frost laughed, and Leanne paused and raised an eyebrow.
‘My sister.’
‘You don’t have one.’
‘My second cousin twice removed. Come on, surely I have one of those somewhere.’
‘You know I’ll just make shit up if you don’t—’
‘Isn’t that how you normally write your articles?’ Kim asked.
‘Stone.’
‘Okay, but once I’ve told you, you’ve never seen her and she becomes invisible to you.’
‘This ain’t a movie, and I’m not sure you have spell-casting capabilities. On top of that I’m not a bottomless pit of favours; nor do I work for West Midlands Police.’
‘No, you’re sitting in my kitchen and one step away from a phone call to your editor to lodge a formal complaint.’
‘Got any snacks?’ she asked, looking around.
‘Out,’ Kim snapped, moving around the breakfast bar. ‘Out of my house now.’
‘Okay, I’m going,’ Frost said, hopping off the bar stool.
‘No you’re not,’ Leanne said, coming back into the kitchen from the garage.
‘What?’ Frost and Kim said together.
‘Not before you tell her the truth,’ Leanne said, filling the percolator jug.