Chapter 73
Seventy-Three
‘Where’s the child, Stone?’ Woody thundered as she stepped into his office.
‘Safe,’ Kim said, taking a seat.
She’d made her decision the second she’d seen Ava pulling her pink suitcase out of Stacey’s spare room. No tantrums, no theatrics, just quiet acceptance that she had no control over where she was being sent next.
She’d had no other choice, and she’d known that her boss would be waiting for her. She hadn’t even checked into the squad room before coming to receive her bollocking.
‘You do know that you’ll be facing disciplinary action for this?’ he spat.
‘Absolutely,’ she answered.
She’d known that from the minute she’d knocked on Daniel’s door. She didn’t care. Ava was back where she belonged.
‘I mean, what the hell possessed you to interfere in a child services investigation?’
‘Sir, with all due respect, I would rather swim in shark-infested waters with an open wound than deliver that child to Hollytree. She wouldn’t survive it.
I tried everything in my power to stop her being handed over to a family who don’t want her.
She’s a child with special needs who was facing years of neglect just so some lazy fuckers could get her disability money.
She doesn’t know them, and they don’t know her. ’
‘They’re her family,’ he growled.
‘They’re blood relatives, sir. There’s a big difference. When Ashley was alive, she had nothing to do with them and kept Ava away from them. That’s not family. Daniel Reynolds has taken care of her since she was a toddler. He is her father.’
‘He has been accused of sexually abusing her,’ he raged.
‘Only by the scum that want her for the benefits.’ She paused. ‘After all the years you’ve known me, do you really think I did this recklessly, without due consideration?’
‘Right now, I think you’ve lost your damn mind.’
‘Not one person who knows Ava and Daniel thinks there’s any truth to the accusation and, believe me, we’ve checked. Teachers, neighbours, friends, acquaintances and even speaking to the child herself.’
‘You’re not trained to establish whether or not abuse has taken place.’
‘I’ve had all the training I need… sir,’ she said, tempering her voice. She was the one in the shit.
He met her gaze and held it for a minute before continuing. ‘So, I say it again, where is she?’ he asked. They both knew her actions would be investigated forensically in a disciplinary hearing.
‘I don’t know,’ she said honestly.
‘Stone, I am under mounting pressure to send a team to retrieve—’
‘I know, and if I knew, I’d be forced to tell you, and you’d be forced to bring her back. Which is why it’s best that we don’t know.’
‘Stone, I swear there are days when you are not worth the stress. You know that I have no choice but to formally—’
‘Sir, do it tomorrow, please. I know you have to suspend me, but just give me twenty-four hours. We have a solid lead on our murderer. If we act quickly, we could have them in custody tonight.’
He began to shake his head.
‘No more victims,’ she said, wondering if it was a promise she could keep.
‘Jesus, Stone, this is one hell of a mess you’ve saddled me with.’
‘And I’ll have it all cleared up by tomorrow if you just give me a bit more time. I’ll even go quietly when you suspend me.’
He looked at his watch. ‘Twenty-four hours, Stone, and you’d better make them count.’
She stood and headed for the door but not before she heard his final words.
‘Because they might be your last hours in the force.’