‘Hang on. You had no choice,’ Kim said. ‘The truth isn’t ours to sanitise or censor. It is simply the truth ? and much as it might be painful for Mrs Reynolds, there are families that now know what happened to their loved ones and why.’
Stacey nodded her understanding.
The fear in her eyes made Kim sit back in her chair.
She sighed heavily. ‘Stace, why the hell didn’t you just talk to me?’
Kim saw the tears form but the constable blinked them away.
‘I don’t know. I should have. I wanted to, but everyone was so busy’
‘Too busy?’ Kim questioned.
Stacey thought for a second before shaking her head, honestly.
‘No, I could have. I know that,’ she shrugged. ‘I think I just wanted to prove that I can do more.’
Kim laughed, ruefully. ‘And by the same token, maybe I should have pushed you a little bit harder. Taken you out of your comfort level a bit. And for that, I’m sorry,’ she said.
Stacey looked confused.
‘Boss, am I gonna get the sack?’
‘For what? Doing your job? You had a hunch and, for your own reasons, you followed it. It just so happens you were right and, much as I hate it because you were in danger, your actions have taken a lot of nasty racist bastards off the street.’
Stacey swallowed.
Kim knew she had to force out words that did not come easy to her but that the constable needed to hear.
‘Stace, you followed your instinct like any good copper would. And that’s what you are. And if it means anything, I am immensely proud of you.’
Kim could tell from her face that it did.
‘Now, go on,’ Kim instructed, nodding towards the squad room. ‘I’ll be out in a minute.’
Stacey opened her mouth to say more, but Kim shook her head. There was nothing else to say.
She had the feeling that this case had taught them all something. Her team had been through the wringer, and she wasn’t sure they had come out intact.
Stacey had learned valuable lessons about teamwork, and had almost lost her life.
Dawson had finally learned how to work alongside someone else, and Bryant had learned that Dawson wasn’t quite the arsehole he’d thought. Not quite.
And what had she herself learned? Kim wondered, looking down at the desk. That her team meant a bloody great deal to her. More than they should. All of them.
And now it was time to find out if her team was okay.
‘Right, guys,’ she said, stepping into the room.
‘Sorry, boss,’ Stacey said. ‘Can I just ask one question before we start?’
‘Go ahead,’ Kim said, perching on the edge of the desk.
Stacey stared at Dawson.
‘So, Kev, why are you the only member of my team that didn’t come looking for me?’
He rolled his eyes. ‘Stace, I’ve already explained this.’
‘So, you let some brute of a guy with a car full of guns and countless rounds of ammunition keep you from me.’ She blew air out of her mouth. ‘Then we’re clearly not as close as I thought.’
Kim shared a smile with Bryant. They both knew this was Stacey’s way of letting Dawson off the hook on which he’d hung himself.
‘Oh Stace, let me take you out for a meal to make up for it,’ he offered.
‘Nah, you’re okay,’ she said happily.
‘You won’t come out with me?’
‘No,’ she repeated.
‘Stace, is it cos I’m white?’ he asked with a wink.
‘No,’ she answered.
‘Is it cos I’m a man?’ he asked.
She shook her head.
‘No, Kev, it’s because you’re an arsehole,’ Stacey said.
Kim did not even try to contain the laugh that burst out of her.
She looked around as the chuckles travelled from one person to another.
Yep, her team was going to be okay.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
While writing Dead Souls I wanted to explore the motivations behind people that perpetrate Hate Crimes. This was most definitely one of the most difficult books I have ever tried to write and yet somehow, the harder and darker it became the more determined I found myself wanting to finish it.
In addition, I wanted to challenge Kim Stone to work in a completely different team and I kind of wanted to see how her team managed without her.
First and foremost, I have to acknowledge the involvement of my partner, Julie. Although my name is on the books there is no doubt that the process is a team effort. From brainstorming to typing the first draft to two full readings she is beside me every step of the way. She is my partner in life, love and also my partner in crime.
I would like to thank the team at Bookouture for their continued enthusiasm for Kim Stone and her stories. In particular, the incredible Keshini Naidoo who manages to extract every ounce of creativity from me even when I feel there is nothing left to give. To Oliver Rhodes who has the expertise to know what to do with our books once the blood, sweat and tears have passed. And to Kim Nash who offers us tea, sympathy, professionalism and fierce protection on the journey.
A special shout out to the unbelievably ferocious and tenacious Lorella Belli who continues to sell the foreign rights to the Kim Stone stories and has conquered more than 20 territories to date.
I must acknowledge the growing family of Bookouture authors. Their enthusiasm for each other is genuine and provides an environment of friendship, advice and support. Thank you to the fantastic Kim Slater who has been an incredible support and friend to me for many years now and to the fabulous Caroline Mitchell, Renita D’Silva and Mel Sherratt without whom this journey would be impossible.
I am grateful to each retailer for their continued support for the Kim Stone series.
My eternal gratitude goes to all the wonderful bloggers and reviewers who have taken the time to get to know Kim Stone and follow her story. These wonderful people shout loudly and share generously not because it is their job but because it is their passion. I will never tire of thanking this community for their support of both myself and my books. Thank you all so much.
Massive thanks to all my fabulous readers, especially the ones that have taken time out of their busy day to visit me on my website, Facebook page, Goodreads or Twitter.
A LETTER FROM ANGELA
First of all, I want to say a huge thank you for choosing to read Dead Souls, the sixth instalment of the Kim Stone series.
This was a difficult book to write for reasons different to any other book I have written. There were moments that the research took me to a place of such disgust and despair I truly wondered if I should continue.
I have always wanted to understand the motivations behind people who choose to perpetrate Hate Crimes against any kind of minority group as it is a mentality so completely beyond my own comprehension.