The bookshelves were filled with religious texts and faith-based guidance books. His own desk, although generous, held a laptop, a coaster, a phone and a framed photograph. Kim couldn’t see the subjects in the photo from her black conference chair on the other side of the desk, and neither could Bryant.
‘You already know of our purpose, Inspector, and as I can see you’re not a supporter, I won’t explain our work any further.’
‘Oh no, please do. I’m very interested.’
She recrossed her legs. She was going to get comfortable for this.
‘Okay, I’m not sure if you’re aware that not everyone who is gay wants to be. For some, despite their attraction to the same sex, they cannot stand the thought of actual engagement. I don’t feel that I need to spell it out,’ he said as distaste pulled at his lips.
Oh boy, was he the right person for the job.
‘We advocate abstention. Of not giving in to the temptation.’
‘So to die lonely and unloved?’
Stamoran shook his head. ‘I told you…’
‘My apologies,’ she said, holding up her hand. ‘I’ll stay quiet and save my judgemental comments until you’re done.’
‘We believe that it is possible to guide members into living a fulfilling life that doesn’t overstep their boundaries and sensitivities.’
That sounded like a ‘keep it in your pants’ ideology to her.
‘As an organisation, how do you feel that one of your founding members couldn’t resist temptation? Does that not put a mighty big pin in your belief bubble?’
‘Exodus International was dissolved. We’re a part of—’
‘Semantics, Mr Stamoran. You preach the exact same message. Please answer the question.’
‘No method is one hundred per cent effective.’
‘Just how effective is Exodus? What is your success rate?’ Kim asked.
‘We don’t measure it in numbers. If we can just help one person lead the life they want then we consider ourselves triumphant.’
‘Did you help Jamie Mills?’
His initial reaction was surprise. ‘Who?’
His response seemed genuine, which gave her a good benchmark.
‘Sarah Laing?’
His face tightened. ‘Who?’
‘Ah, you’ve lost me now, Mr Stamoran. Clearly you know Sarah but tried to intimate that you don’t. Why would you do that?’
He coloured, having been caught in a lie. ‘We don’t discuss individual cases to protect the privacy of the—’
‘Sarah’s dead, Mr Stamoran. I’m not sure she’s too fussed about that any more.’
‘Dead?’ he asked, although his body language remained the same, as though he wasn’t as shocked as he was making out.
‘Before you embarrass yourself, we know that Sarah struggled with accepting her sexuality. Counselling didn’t help her; neither did the support of her parents. I’m guessing you were her last hope.’
‘You make it sound as though our work is one step up from death,’ he said and then seemed to realise what he’d said. ‘I’m sorry, I mean, many of our members manage to lead reasonably happy lives if they follow our instructions.’
‘Reasonably?’ Kim asked. ‘Is that the best they can hope for?’