Page 76 of Silent Scream
He swallowed and shook his head from side to side. The effort brought another groan.
She heard the approaching footsteps of the paramedics.
‘What did you say?’
‘End it,’ he managed.
She looked into his eyes and saw the light once again receding.
Her aching arms instinctively moved towards his chest but she felt herself being moved aside.
Two green uniforms blocked her view. The male felt for a pulse and shook his head. The female began compressions as the male began taking equipment from his bag.
Bryant took her arm and guided her away.
‘He’s in good hands, Guv.’
She looked back as the male paramedic placed the defibrillator pads on Arthur Connop’s chest.
She shook her head. ‘No, he’s gone.’
‘What did he say?’
‘He asked me to end it.’
She leaned against the wall, fatigue taking the place of adrenaline. ‘Whatever the hell went on at Crestwood tormented these people for the rest of their lives.’
Bryant nodded. ‘Witnesses saw a white car speeding away. No one actually saw the impact but one swears it was an Audi, the other says a BMW. Could be unrelated, Guv.’
She turned and looked at him. ‘Bryant, he stumbles the hundred yards home every day without incident.’
‘So, you’re not thinking genuine hit-and-run.’
‘No, Bryant, I think our killer was out here waiting and the bastard had the gall to do it right in front of us.’
He touched her arm gently. ‘Come on, let’s get you cleaned up before we ...’
She pulled her arm free. ‘What time is it?’
‘Just after twelve.’
‘Time to pay our local councillor a friendly visit.’
‘But, Guv, a couple of hours ...’
‘May well make us too late,’ she said, heading back towards the car. ‘Other than William Payne, our councillor is the only one left.’
Thirty-Eight
‘Got any of those mints, Bryant?’ Kim asked. She’d used and balled up three wet wipes to clean her face, neck and hands but, psychological or not, the lingering aroma of beer and onion would not go away.
He reached into the side compartment of the driver’s door and offered her a fresh packet. She took one and popped it in her mouth.
The menthol aroma blazed a trail right down to her lungs.
‘Jesus, do you need a licence for these?’ she asked, once her right eye had finished watering.
‘Consider the alternative, Guv.’
