‘I’ll take her,’ Brenda said, squeezing her tighter. ‘I know her mum and I’ll stay until she gets there.’
‘Thank you. That’s very kind of you. Is that okay with you, Stephanie?’ Kim asked.
The girl nodded.
‘And listen, everything you said to Jessica down there about love is absolutely bang on. If you don’t quite believe it yet, just keep telling yourself, because you’re amazing and it’ll be a very lucky woman who gets you. Got it?’
Stephanie smiled and nodded.
‘Take care of her, Brenda,’ Kim said, moving away.
‘Bloody hell, guv, did you spend your time off on an empathy crash course?’ Bryant asked as they headed towards the car.
‘You want another lump to match the one you’ve got?’ she asked, holding out her hand.
‘What?’ he asked.
‘Car keys.’
‘Why?’
‘You’ve got a lump on your head the size of a small mountain. I’m not trusting you to drive. Give me the keys.’
He did as she asked.
She got in the car and adjusted the seat.
‘Ring Stacey,’ she said, handing him her phone.
He dialled and put it on loudspeaker as she drove out of the car park.
‘Everyone okay, boss?’ Stacey offered as a greeting.
Bryant had made a quick call while she’d been cautioning Jessica and Eric.
‘Other than Bryant growing another head we’re fine. Listen up, they’re both on their way and so is Stephanie. Penn, make sure she’s comfortable and take her statement. They’re both playing dumb about Gabriel Denton, so Stace I need you to go see Beth and tell her the truth of what we suspect has happened to her husband. We’ll try again during formal questioning.’
‘Okay, boss.’
‘Before you do that, Stace, I need you to call Megan Shaw and ask her to come to the clinic. There are some people there that are going to need her help.’
‘Right away, boss,’ Stacey said, ending the call.
‘What are we gonna do that’ll need the psychologist’s help?’ Bryant asked. ‘I thought we were going to advise the parents.’
‘We are, Bryant. And while we’re there, we’re gonna carry out a much-needed community service.’
‘Huh?’
‘We’re gonna shut the damn place down.’
EIGHTY
It was almost seven by the time they pulled up outside the clinic.
‘You know, I’d forgotten how much fun it was letting you drive,’ Bryant said, uncurling his fingers from the roof handle.
She had to admit that it felt good to see that look of abject terror on Bryant’s face again. She’d missed it. He’d had control of his own steering wheel for far too long.