just left, the other two sounded delirious and I’m not sure I mean that in a good way,’ he said, reaching for the mugs. He looked at the one she reserved for him and put it back.
‘I don’t really want a coffee; I just wanted to get in the door to give you a reality check.’
‘Go on then, let me have it,’ she said, sitting on the bar stool where he normally sat. He took her position, standing against the work surface with his arms folded.
He was a bit late with his bollocking. She’d realised her error two hours ago, but it was important to let him have his say.
‘That team will do anything for you. They’ll follow you anywhere. They don’t expect a pat on the back, a gold star or for you to bake them cookies. They don’t expect you to big them up for doing a good job. They also don’t expect to be shouted at for working long hours and trying their best.’
‘Absolutely.’
‘They also don’t expect to take the brunt of your frustration that this guy is getting ahead of us at every turn.’
‘Agreed.’
‘Penn has just lost his mother. Stacey is getting married in ten days’ time and Alison… well, Alison actually deserved the bollocking, but still, you could have gone easier.’
‘Is there any language in which I can say I agree with you that you’ll understand?’
There was nothing he’d said that hadn’t already gone through her mind since she’d left the office.
He uncrossed his arms. ‘I mean, to be fair, it does look like the bollocking had a positive effect. Penn was telling me some interesting stuff they came up with on their little walk.’
‘So make your mind up: was I right or was I wrong?’
Now she was just playing with him.
‘You were right in content but oh so very wrong in delivery.’
‘Message received and talking of delivery, go take your wife an average husband home until she can find a decent one. I’m sick of the sight of you today.’
He smiled. ‘Yeah, the feeling is mutual,’ he said, heading for the door.
‘She’s all yours,’ he said, patting Barney on the head.
‘Oh, and Bryant,’ she called as he reached the front door.
‘No, it’s okay, no thanks are necessary for my honesty and bravery in pointing out to you that—’
‘I was gonna say don’t forget to take my bike frame out of your boot,’ she said, cutting him off.
He was laughing out loud as he closed her front door behind him.
Kim moved to the other side of the breakfast bar to finish making the coffee that Bryant had started.
‘Jesus, what now?’ she asked Barney as her phone tinged receipt of a message.
It was from Frost.
Check out my article.
Kim keyed in a response.
Already done. Thanks!
Kim had checked the news piece the minute it went up. It was perfect, and Frost had quoted her word for word. She hadn’t realised the woman would want a pat on the back for it.
A response tinged back.
Rolling eyes emoji. Check it again!!!
Three exclamation marks.
Kim searched for the article, which sprang onto her screen. She reread the piece Frost had written. Nothing had changed and it hadn’t been updated. Only one thing was different. The comments. A Google alert had told her when the article had been uploaded. She’d read it when it was clean. There were now 133 comments.
She scrolled down. The majority of what her eyes passed over were exactly what she expected.
‘Evil Bastard’
‘Probably a Paedo.’
‘Catch the bastard and string him up.’
‘Wot yo on dumb pig?’
‘Stone’s a fucking pussy.’
‘Kid’s probably already dead.’
‘This ay gonna help catch the wanker, is it?’
‘Give me ten minutes with him. I’ll sort him out.’
‘Does this bint copper wanna shag him or summat?’
‘Pandering to a fucking murderer.’
The comments and the insults went on, and there were no names she hadn’t been called before, but three comments from the bottom was a post that almost stopped her heart.
‘Sorry to disagree, folks, but the officer concerned seems to be showing compassion and understanding. Who is to say that these crimes are about hate, and why should she meet violence with aggression? How do you know that her measured and objective response didn’t just save that little boy’s life?’
Her heart skipped another beat as she read that the post was from someone called Noah.
Seventy-One
Penn parked outside his house just a minute before ten and paused. The lights were on, but some small part of him didn’t want to go in. Never had he thought that such a distance would