‘Is this connected to the cancelled press conference yesterday?’ Zach asked, reaching for Gavin’s hand.
‘It is, but I’d like everyone to hear it at the same time,’ she said as Daryl came back into the room.
‘Okay, she’s awake and…on her way down.’
Kim followed his gaze. The break in his words had come when he’d seen the two men holding hands.
‘Thank you, Mr Hewitt. I was just going to thank Gavin for assisting us yesterday. I know how hard that must have been.’
‘Yes, Gavin, thank you for that,’ Rachel said, entering the room. ‘However would we manage without you?’
Gavin coloured and Zach shot daggers at his sister.
Rachel took a seat on the other single chair. Daryl stood behind his wife, as far away from the two Mr Dayneses as he could get, as though they were carrying something contagious.
Bryant was in the doorway, and Leanne had remained in the hall.
‘If she’s a liaison officer, I don’t want her,’ Rachel said, nodding towards the door. Leanne had stayed in the car the previous day.
Despite the circumstances, Kim had to hide her amusement at the unlikelihood of that ever happening. Just the thought of Leanne having to raise a smile, offer understanding, patience and sympathy was a picture that just wouldn’t form in her mind.
‘Understood, Mrs Hewitt.’
‘Rachel,’ she corrected.
‘Of course,’ Kim said, realising that only Daryl Hewitt had not offered the use of his first name.
She could feel the tension crackling in the air between the two couples. Although not a part of her remit, she did wonder at the family dynamics at play here.
‘I’m afraid I have some disturbing news to share with you all. After careful consideration of the evidence, we now believe that your mother’ – she paused, looking from Rachel to Zach – ‘was not responsible for the murders of your father or siblings; nor did she take her own life.’
‘I bloody knew it,’ Rachel said, jumping up from her seat. ‘I knew Mum would never do such a thing. I told you that.’
Kim nodded her acceptance of that fact as Rachel rounded on her brother.
Her face contorted in disgust. ‘And you just accepted that our own mother would do such a horrific thing. You could actually see your own mother shooting a hole into Lewis and Rozzie. I’m ashamed to call you my brother,’ she spat, raising her hand.
Zach’s arm sprang out and he gripped her around the wrist. ‘Don’t even think about it.’
‘Rachel,’ Daryl snapped as Gavin removed Zach’s hand.
‘Back off, Rache,’ Gavin whispered.
Her eyes held the gaze of her brother-in-law for just a second before she retook her seat. Daryl placed a hand on her shoulder, and Kim wondered if that was for reassurance or to keep her pinned down.
‘Didn’t someone say the doors and windows were locked?’ Zach asked.
‘We believe he hid in the pantry in the kitchen and snuck out once the fire service had extinguished the fire. It wasn’t a big fire, so the fire officers continued through the house to check on the occupants.’
‘Bloody brave,’ Daryl observed, shaking his head.
‘He?’ Rachel asked.
‘Or she,’ Kim clarified. ‘We haven’t ruled out either.’
Rachel appeared satisfied.
‘Given that we now know that one or more members of the household were targets, can you think of anyone who might want to hurt them?’