Page 103 of Silent Scream
She focused on the road ahead. ‘I have to know their names.’
Fifty-Two
Nicola Adamson openedthe door on the second knock, dressed in satin pyjamas. Her hair was mussed and she offered them a wide yawn for a greeting.
‘Sorry if we woke you,’ Bryant offered.
There was no 'if' about it, even though it was way past lunchtime.
She yawned again and rubbed at her eyes. ‘It was a late night at the club. ‘Got in about five this morning ? last night, whenever.’
Nicola closed the door and headed straight for the kitchen. Although she herself was only thirty-four, Kim wondered if there’d ever been a time when she’d stepped out of bed looking quite so fantastic.
‘I’m happy to talk, guys, but let me get some coffee going first.’
Kim moved aside a handbag and sat on the couch. ‘Your sister came to see me this morning.’
Nicola’s head snapped around. ‘She did what?’
‘She wasn’t very keen on the idea of you helping us.’
Nicola shook her head and looked away. The jar of instant coffee landed back in the cupboard with a thud.
Kim got the impression that this wasn’t the first time Beth had interfered.
‘What did she say to you?’
‘She instructed me to leave you both alone and not to open up old wounds.’
Nicola nodded and the tension seemed to leave her body.
‘She’s just looking out for me, I suppose. I know she appears to be harsh but she’s just being overprotective.’ She shrugged as she sat. ‘It’s just the way twins are.’
Yes, it is, Kim thought.
‘But I’m a big girl and I offered to help so if there’s anything you’d like to ask me, go ahead.’ She smiled. ‘Especially now I have coffee.’
‘Your sister recently hurt her leg?’ Kim asked, wondering if it held any clues to the woman’s bitterness.
‘No, it’s an injury from childhood. She had a bad fall after climbing an apple tree when we were eight years old. The bones of her knee were shattered. Eventually, they mended but in cold weather the injury pains her. Now, what can I help you with?’
Bryant took out his notebook. ‘We have more information on our victims and thought maybe you could help us with identification.’
‘Of course, if I can.’
‘Our first victim was probably the tallest. Most likely thin and her bottom teeth were crooked ...’
‘Melanie Harris,’ Nicola said with certainty.
‘You’re sure?’
Nicola nodded. ‘Oh yes. She suffered a lot because of those teeth. She took a lot of abuse from girls at school until she joined up with the other two. Nobody bullied her after that. She always looked a little odd beside the other two, being so much taller, like a minder.’ Nicola sobered. ‘We were told she had run away.’
Kim and Bryant said nothing.
Nicola’s head moved from side to side. ‘Who would have wanted to hurt Melanie?’
‘That’s what we’re trying to find out.’
