Somer takes a chair, hoping Fiona will too. She doesn't.
`The girl who was attacked `“ she's transitioning.'
Fiona opens her mouth to say something, then stops, breathes. `Transitioning? So she's a boy? Is that what you're saying?'
Somer nods; it's not as simple as that, but this woman has enough on her plate right now. `She's a trans girl, yes. We thought that was the reason she was targeted. At least initially. Now, we're not so sure.'
Fiona sits down heavily, all the fight in her gone. `So what happened?'
`She was taken in a van. To the allotments on the Marston Ferry Road. The attacker `“ whoever they were `“ tied her hands and put a plastic bag over her head.'
She sees Fiona wince.
`He pulled her underwear off, but then a police car went past on the road with the siren on and we think he got spooked.'
Fiona looks up, her eyes wide. `So he just left her there? In that state?'
Somer nods. `She eventually managed to get free. A minicab driver picked her up.'
Fiona takes a deep breath. `That poor girl, she must have been absolutely terrified.'
`She was. She's being very brave. We've been trying to protect her privacy. As far as we can.'
Fiona nods. `Of course,' she says quickly. `You should have told me. I'd have understood. If it had been Sasha `“'
But her daughter's name is too much for her. She bites her lip but the tears still come.
`Do you think it could be the same man?'
Somer takes a deep breath. `We can't rule anything out right now.'
`And the place he took her `“ could Sash be there?'
Somer shakes her head. `I'm sorry. It was one of the first places the uniform team checked.' She reaches forward and takes the woman's hand. `But we're not giving up. They'll be out again at first light. We'll find her, Fiona. We'll find her.'
* * *Abby Michelson @Hopscotch22098 19.07Does anyone know anything about this attack on a young woman in #Oxford? Not poor #SashaBlake, something that happened before. Just saw a bloke from @ThamesValleyPolice talking about it on TVJimmy Post @JJP098456 19.09Replying to @Hopscotch22098I saw that too `“ something about a girl being abducted in a van? Can't remember anything about that in the newsRona Mitchell @Corona1966765 19.11Replying to @JJP098456 @Hopscotch22098 
Tagging @StaySafeinOxford to see if they know anything #OxfordStay Safe in Oxford @StaySafeinOxford 19.15Replying to @Corona1966765 @JJP098456 @Hopscotch22098We haven't heard any more than I've seen on here. Will check the news broadcast online. Does anyone know when and where it's supposed to have happened?Micky F @BladeGamer 19.16Saw a pic of that #SashaBlake online `“ no wonder she got picked up by a pervert `“ bloody asking for it, wearing kit like thatScott Sullivan @SnappyWarrior 19.17Replying to @BladeGamer 
stupid bint looked like a bloody tartRona Mitchell @Corona1966765 19.17Replying to @BladeGamer @SnappyWarriorThat's a disgusting thing to say `“ you should be ashamed of yourselves. No one deserves to be assaulted or abducted, whatever they're wearing. And there was nothing wrong with what she had on in that photo anyway #SashaBlakeScott Sullivan @SnappyWarrior 19.17Replying to @Corona1966765 @BladeGamerHere we go again `“ fucking lefty dykes poking there noses inMicky F @BladeGamer 19.17Replying to @Corona1966765 @BladeGamerBitches like that got no fucking idea and its blokes like us gets blamed when there off there tits and gagging 4 itJanine Wheeler @MuddyBarvellous 19.18Replying to @StaySafeinOxford @Corona1966765 @JJP098456 @Hopscotch22098My mates OH is a copper. Apparently the other girl was tied up a bag put over her head. Like *serious* sicko stuff.Susan Hardy @LivingmyBestlife5761 19.19Replying to @MuddyBarvellous @Corona1966765 @JJP098456 @Hopscotch22098Shit `“ like that Roadside Rapist bloke? Remember, back in 98 or 99? We weren't living in Oxford then but I still remember it on the news.Rona Mitchell @Corona1966765 19.19Replying to @LivingmyBestlife5761 @MuddyBarvellous @JJP098456 @Hopscotch22098Oh lord, you're right, I just looked it up online. It's exactly the same #SashaBlake #RoadsideRapistStay Safe in Oxford @StaySafeinOxford 19.22Hearing reports of a serious incident of #assault earlier this week in #Oxford which happened BEFORE the disappearance (abduction?) of #SashaBlake. We're contacting @ThamesValleyPolice right now and we'll share anything we find out here + on our FB page. In the meantime protect yourself and #staysafe* * *`Are you sure you'll be OK?' says Somer, putting on the handbrake and turning to Fiona Blake. There's a uniformed officer on the doorstep of 87 Windermere Avenue, and two outside-broadcast vans parked opposite, but the press appear to be keeping a tactful distance. For now.
`If you need anything, you can call me. Any time, OK? Even if it's just for some company.'
Fiona nods. `Thank you but I'll probably be OK. Yasmin's been fantastic and Patsie's going to stay over. It'll be nice having her around. Not sitting there in silence, wondering what to do with myself.'
Somer nods. `She seems like a nice girl.'
`She is. They all are.'
`I promise I'll call you,' Somer says as Fiona gets out of the car. `If there's any news.'
* * *
Telephone interview with Charlotte Collyer
5 April 2018, 8.15 a.m.
On the call, DC E. Somer
ES: I'm Detective Constable Erica Somer `“ the switchboard said you have some information for us?CC: I saw the TV thing last night `“ about Sasha Blake. I drive along there a lot, the Marston Ferry Road, I mean. What with the school and work and the gym.ES: Did you see something? Did you see Sasha?CC: No, sorry, I've never seen her before. No `“ it's what people have been saying on Twitter `“ about that other girl. The one they said got taken in a van on April the 1st? I've been thinking about it and I'm sure it was the same day.ES: What was the same day?CC: I was a bit late for Pilates `“ I'd usually have been going past there at least fifteen minutes before. That's why I remember the time `“ I kept looking at my watch and getting agitated `“ you know what it's like. Sorry, I'm gabbling now. What I mean is, I think I saw a van that morning. Last Monday, I mean. I remember there was a police car up ahead with the siren on and everyone was slowing down, and then I heard a screech of brakes and there was a van coming past really fast on the other side of the road.ES: Did you see where it came from?CC: No, sorry.ES: Could it have been from the allotments?CC: God `“ is that where it happened? Well, yes, it could have been. I was a bit too far back to see.ES: Did you see the driver?CC: Not really. Though I think he had some sort of cap.ES: A baseball cap?CC: Yes `“ that sort of thing. Pulled down low.ES: Was he white, black?CC: Definitely white but that was about all. It all happened really quickly.ES: What about the van `“ what do you remember about that?* * *
`And that's it `“ that's all?'
Somer shrugs. `Sorry.'
`OK,' says Baxter with a heavy sigh, `tell me again?'
`It was a white van, with a logo on the side shaped like a shell.'
`But no company name?'
Somer shakes her head. `Not that she saw. It all happened too quickly `“ I reckon we're lucky she saw that much.'
`And it was shell as in the petrol station?'
`No, more like shell as in snail, she said.'
Baxter frowns. `There's nothing like that on the CCTV from the garage, but I guess that doesn't prove anything.' He sighs again. `All right, leave it with me. I'm still drawing a blank on the password for Sasha's laptop, so what the hell `“ why not alleviate the tedium with yet another hopeless and Herculean task.'