‘We’d like to take a look around the third floor,’ she advised.
‘No problem – follow me.’
The feeling in her stomach got worse as Eric held the door open for her.
‘We’ll take the back stairs. They bypass the second floor where the patients are. I’d rather your presence didn’t unnerve them.’ He offered her a smile as he paused on the first landing. ‘They’ve been told we have pest control in for an ant problem.’
She listened for sounds of glibness but heard none. He appeared to be as open and honest as his sister.
‘So, you’re the business brain of the family?’ Kim asked conversationally as they hit the second landing.
‘I enjoy the numbers. My sister enjoys the people.’
‘And the controversial nature of the business doesn’t bother you?’ Kim asked as he opened a fire door that led them onto the third floor.
‘I don’t see it as controversial at all, Inspector. Early forays into cosmetic procedures like nose jobs and breast enlargements were all met with distaste and distrust. People were vilified for wanting to improve or enhance their appearance. In this day and age, we have the freedom and the resources to change anything about ourselves that we don’t like or aren’t happy with. Why should our sexuality be any different if we have the knowledge and tools? Why shouldn’t we help people lead the life they want for themselves?’
Kim wondered if Eric was responsible for writing the clinic’s promotional material. If not, he should be. After speaking to these people with their steadfast, unwavering faith in the process, she found herself half convinced.
‘But does it actually work?’ Kim asked. ‘Are you not just causing people to hate themselves?’
‘Inspector, the people who come to us for help already hate themselves. They don’t want that lifestyle. No one is forced to come here, and our waiting list has us booked solid until the middle of next year.’
The knowledge of that saddened her deeply.
‘And you only take willing patients?’
‘Of course,’ he said, looking genuinely bemused. ‘What would be the point otherwise? Have you ever had to make a difficult lifestyle change?’
‘I gave up smoking,’ Bryant chimed in.
‘Ooh, tough. Did you want to?’ Eric asked.
‘Yes.’
‘How would you have managed if you hadn’t wanted to?’
‘I’d have failed.’
‘But that’s a habit,’ Kim argued. ‘A bad one, an addiction, but something formed after birth. It’s not part of your genetic make-up.’
‘Most smokers would disagree on the simplicity of your statement but let’s try again. Name something else that’s part of your genetic make-up?’
‘Eye colour.’
‘Can be changed if you don’t like it. An eye surgeon can cut open your cornea and put in a coloured silicone implant. There is surgery available for any physical attribute about yourself you’d like to change. There is psychiatry and psychology to aid psychological and mental-health issues, and we can help with sexuality.’ He smiled at the look on her face. ‘I can see I’m not going to convince you so I’ll just leave you to your search. Take the staircase back down to reception, although I’m not sure what you could possibly want up here. This floor is never used.’
‘Thank you, Eric,’ she said as he headed back through the fire door.
As soon as it closed, she turned to her colleague. ‘Hey, numpty, in future, if you’re gonna side with the enemy, keep your mouth shut.’
‘He asked a question,’ Bryant answered.
‘You’re not falling for this bullshit, are you?’
‘No, but I can understand why desperate, vulnerable people do. He makes a good argument to the people who want to listen.’
She couldn’t disagree. Every time she met these people she felt as though she was being schooled.