‘Before what?’
‘Never mind. We just had a big falling-out a few years ago that we’ve never quite recovered from.’
‘Do you want to…?’
‘No,’ she said in a voice that brooked no argument.
Kim would also have liked to touch on the dynamics between her and her husband but thought that might be a bigger push, and she didn’t want to get thrown out of the house before she’d asked the most important question. They were a young couple with a new baby. Why wouldn’t there be tension?
‘Were you closer to Rozzie than you were to Zach?’
‘Nice transition there, Inspector. I like your style. There was twelve years between us so it’s not like we had lots in common. We did share our experience of our mum, and we chatted generally a couple of times a week, why?’
‘Did Rozzie tell you she was pregnant?’
‘Wh-What?’ she asked, reaching for the side to stabilise herself.
‘Approximately four months,’ Kim said. ‘Hardly showing at all.’
‘I only saw her last weekend. I didn’t suspect a…’ Her words trailed away as she thought of something.
‘What is it?’
‘Actually, I did notice that she was a bit quiet. She wasn’t poring over her phone like normal. Most times Mum would tell her off and she’d blow a raspberry, complete with a dramatic eye-roll, but not last week. I even mentioned it to Daryl on the way home. He said it was probably teenage hormones or something. I agreed and didn’t give it another thought.’
Tears filled her eyes. ‘Shit, I should have just called.’
‘You think she knew?’
Rachel dabbed at her reddened eyes and nodded.
‘From the way she was acting I’d say so.’ She paused. ‘Another life lost. Five victims.’
‘Rachel, do you think your parents knew?’ she asked gently. The woman was having to process a lot right now.
Rachel shook her head. ‘One of the things that drew my attention to Rozzie was that my mum seemed to be eyeing her with concern as well.’
‘Do you know of any recent boyfriends?’
Rachel shook her head. ‘I’m ashamed to say that I didn’t have a clue about her love life.’
Kim watched as a shadow of regret passed over her face. Missed opportunities that she’d never get the chance to take now.
Bryant appeared in the doorway. ‘Guv, sorry to interrupt, but there’s a little one upstairs that sounds like she needs something.’
‘On my way,’ Rachel said, heading out of the kitchen. She stopped in the doorway and turned. ‘You’re going to get them, aren’t you?’
‘We won’t rest until we do,’ Kim offered as Rachel disappeared up the stairs.
She suspected that Mia was going to get an extra special squeeze when Rachel held her.
Kim had not been able to ask her final question – had Rachel had any clue as to the identity of the baby’s father? But it was clear to Kim that Rachel didn’t have the slightest idea.
THIRTY-ONE
‘Happy to continue?’ Penn asked Reece as he came back into the room.
‘Yeah, man,’ he said, appearing relaxed after his nicotine break.