Kim said nothing while she swallowed down the emotion in her throat. Such pain, such suffering, such a waste.
‘And that’s why I no longer encourage anyone I treat from the clinic to speak out. I’ve seen what they can do, the tactics and underhand tricks to silence people. My job is to try and mend them as best as I can. Of course I’d like the place shut down. I’d like to meet with every person they’ve got there to try and help them accept themselves and heal, but it’s not gonna happen because people who try and speak out lose their lives, and I can’t help them if they’re dead.’
There was a quiet integrity to this woman she liked. She understood that her priority was to treat the person right in front of her. She couldn’t save the world, and whatever she was doing seemed to work. Stephanie Lakehurst had accepted her sexuality and was moving forward with her life.
‘I admire your passion. Doesn’t leave much energy for a home life, does it?’ Kim asked. There was not one clue about any attachments in her narrative or her workspace.
‘Would you like a rod to fish with, Inspector?’ Megan asked with a wry smile.
Kim shrugged. That was as subtle as she got.
Megan sighed. ‘My hours are too long for a dog, I’m not keen on cats, I’ve never been keen on anything that has to live in a cage and I lost the love of my life in my teens. Now is there anything else you’d like to know?’
‘Thanks for that. May I ask you one more question?’
‘Go ahead,’ she said wearily.
‘Knowing what you know about Celia Gardner, do you think she’s capable of murder?’
‘Absolutely yes,’ Megan said, reaching for a mug that was already empty.
‘Why so certain?’ Kim asked.
‘She has a lot to protect.’
‘The business?’ Bryant asked.
Megan shook her head. ‘Much more than that. The programme cannot fail. If it does, her whole life is built on a lie.’
And that was a hell of a lot to lose, Kim thought as she thanked the woman for her time.
SIXTY-FOUR
‘You know, I just don’t believe this,’ Penn said, shaking his head.
‘Yep, I always said Lynne was out of your league but hey ho,’ Stacey quipped, enjoying being able to joke with him about his newfound love life.
‘Not that, although I think you have a good point. I can’t find anything on Celia Gardner that’s not connected to Change.’
‘Not so strange really,’ Stacey said. ‘Not everyone can be found on Google.’
‘Says the woman who can find out anything with a few keystrokes.’
‘Want me to have a look?’ she offered.
‘No, I’m perfectly capable.’
‘You’ve not just searched under Gardner, have you?’ Stacey asked, just to make sure.
‘Yes, Stace, cos this is my first day on the job and I don’t understand that’s her married name. Obviously, I’ve searched under her maiden name.’
‘You know, Penn, if I didn’t know any better, I’d say you’re not getting any—’
‘Delivery,’ said a cheery voice from the doorway.
‘Percy, your timing is impeccable,’ Penn said as the techie put the box on the spare desk.
‘One laptop, one phone, one suicide note. Who wants to give me their autograph?’