`And let's hope we turn up something, because right now, we don't have a warrant for either his house or his car, and we aren't likely to get one.' Gallagher puts her glass down and gets to her feet. `But that's no reason not to have a nice little chat.'
`Do you want us to bring him in?'
Gallagher nods. `Yes, I do. And take DC Quinn with you.'
Somer frowns. `Quinn? I mean,' she says quickly, `there's no reason why not, I just wondered `“'
Gallagher smiles. `Horses for courses, DC Somer. I want Mr Scott to be decidedly unsettled. And something tells me DC Quinn is going to get right up his nose.'
* * *THE CENTRAL CRIMINAL COURTThe Old BaileyLondon EC4M 7EHBEFORE:THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE HEALEYR E G I N Av.GAVIN FRANCIS PARRIEMR. R. BARNES Q.C. and MISS S. GREYappeared on behalf of the prosecution.MRS. B. JENKINS Q.C. and MR. T. CUTHBERTappeared on behalf of the defendant.
Thursday, 11th November, 1999[Day 20]JENNIFER GODDARD, swornExamined by MR. BARNESQ. Is your full name Jennifer Goddard?A. Yes.Q. Your daughter, Emma, was the victim of a sexual assault on November 14th 1998, is that right?A. Yes.Q. Did Emma live at home with you at that time?A. Yes. She was only nineteen. We lived in Headington then. I moved to Wantage after, because of what happened.Q. On the night in question, Emma was due home at her usual time, I believe?A. That's right. She worked at the JR.Q. The John Radcliffe Hospital?A. Yes. She was training to be a midwife. She always got home between 6.30 and 7, unless she called to say she'd be late.Q. But she didn't call that night?A. No. That's why I started to get worried when she wasn't back by 8.Q. Did you call the police?A. Yes, but not till later. I was worried they'd think I was fussing.Q. And what happened when you spoke to them?A. They said they'd send someone over. That's when I knew it was bad. And then there was a woman in uniform at the door. They said I had to go with them. Em had been attacked and she was in AE.Q. What had happened to her?A. They didn't tell me much then. Not till we got to the hospital. That's when I found out that she'd been raped.Q. What effect did the assault have on your daughter, Mrs. Goddard?A. It was devastating. She stopped going out `“ not just on her own, even with me or her friends. She was just too terrified. By December she was barely leaving her room at all. They'd signed her off long-term sick from the JR, but I was starting to worry that she'd never be able to go back. She said she couldn't bear being around babies. It was enough to break your heart.Q. And on December 24th last year, what happened then?A. I got back home from work and found her on the bed. She'd taken pills. Pills and vodka. She'd written this beautiful note saying she loved me and she was sorry but she just couldn't carry on any more. But she wasn't the one who should be sorry. It's him `“ that bastard over there `“ Gavin Parrie `“MRS. JENKINS: My Lord `“MR. JUSTICE HEALEY: Mrs. Goddard, I appreciate how difficult this must be, but it is important that you confine yourself to answering the questions put to you. Do you understand?MRS. GODDARD: Yes, my Lord.MR. BARNES: Did your daughter succeed in her suicide attempt, Mrs. Goddard?A. I called 999 and they took her to the JR but they told me in the ambulance it was touch and go.Q. And when you got to the hospital?A. The doctor came out to see me about an hour later. He said they'd done everything they could but it was no use. Some of the nurses were crying. They knew Em, you see.* * *You wouldn't know they were police, just from looking at them. The woman is a real looker, for a start, and as for him, well, he has that swagger-shagger look that's always pissed Scott off. Men like him `“ they don't know they're born.
`Yes?' he says, holding the door as close to shut as he can manage.
`DC Erica Somer,' says the woman. `I was wondering if you'd mind answering some questions. About Sasha Blake.'
`Can't it wait till tomorrow?'
The man looks supercilious, like he knows something Scott doesn't. `'Fraid not. We can do it here or you can come to St Aldate's. Your choice.'
Scott hesitates. What's worse `“ letting them stick him in one of those nasty little interview rooms or having them looking down their noses at his house and making excuses to go to the lav and snoop into his things. He glances up and down the street. There doesn't seem to be anyone about. And it's an unmarked car. At least the nosy cow opposite won't be putting two and two together and making forty-six.
`Give me five minutes,' he says. `So I can lock up.'
* * *
Interview with Graeme Scott, conducted at St Aldate's Police Station, Oxford
6 April 2018, 7.55 p.m.
In attendance, DC E. Somer, DC G. Quinn
ES:Before we start, I would like to thank you for coming here tonight, Mr Scott, and especially so late and at such short notice.GS: You didn't exactly give me much choice. But, of course, I want to do anything I can do to help. This is a terrible situation. For Sasha's mother, I mean.ES: You taught Sasha art?GS: That's right. For the last two years.GQ: Since she was thirteen.GS: Right. She was very talented. I kept telling her she should do A level.ES: You were encouraging her?GS: Of course. That's my job.GQ: So, what `“ you gave her extra lessons? Personal coaching?GS: [laughs]
This isn't the private sector, mate. I just did what I could to bring her on.GQ: Well, that's certainly the impression we've been given.GS: [frowns]
I'm not sure what you're getting at. I was just taking an interest. As her teacher.ES: From what we've been told it was a lot more than that. The way it's been described to us, it sounds like it was completely inappropriate.GS: Now hang on a minute `“ES: You're what `“ thirty-eight? She was fifteen.GS: It was nothing like that. Look, I don't know where you're getting this from `“ no, wait, I know exactly where you're getting this from. It's Patsie and Isabel, isn't it? And that Leah? They've been blabbing `“ES: `Blabbing', Mr Scott? I believe I'm correct in saying that the meaning of that word is to `reveal information'. Specifically, information people would rather wasn't generally known. Secrets, for example.GS: [red in the face]
I didn't mean that `“ there's nothing to reveal. Because there was nothing going on.ES: But you'd have liked there to be, is that it? I mean, she was a very attractive girl.GS: She was fifteen. Even if it were legal `“ which it wasn't `“ it would still have been unethical. She was a talented student. That's all.GQ: Do you know a girl called Faith Appleford?GS: [frowns]
Sorry?GQ: Faith Appleford. She's a talented student too. A very talented student.
[passes across a photo]GS: She's not in any of my classes. I don't know her.ES: She used to go by another name. Perhaps that might jog your memory?GS: I told you, I don't know her. Look, if it's all the same to you I have things I need to be doing.GQ: This won't take much longer. And you did say you wanted to help.GS: [pause]OK. As long as I can go in about ten minutes.ES: We're asking everyone who knew Sasha where they were on Wednesday evening. Could you tell us where you were? For the record?GS: I was at home. I'm at home most nights.ES: No one was there with you?GS: No. I was doing marking. I have a ton of it to get through. You have no idea.GQ: Did you call anyone? Get any calls?GS: Not that I can recall.ES: What about the morning of the 1st? Where were you then?GS: I'm sorry `“ I thought we were talking about Sasha?ES: Just for our records, Mr Scott.GS: That was last Monday, right? I was in class.GQ: Really? Because Summertown High told us you have two free periods first thing on Mondays, and often don't get in till after eleven.GS: [flushes]