`We thought we had the right man for Hannah Gardiner too.'
Hannah Gardiner who went missing on the Clumps in 2015. Hannah Gardiner who Osbourne thought `“ we all thought `“ had been abducted by a man called Reginald Shore. But we were wrong.
There's a silence, and when I turn back to look at him his cheeks are red.
`You know how much I regret that, Adam. Especially now.'
I take a deep breath. `All I meant was that sometimes we don't get it right. Despite our instincts and our training and all the rest of the crap `“ even if we're a hundred per cent convinced we have the right man we can still be completely wrong.'
Silence again. I can hear Viv talking to the cat in the next room, and the rattle as the wind lifts the corrugated plastic on the lean-to outside.
`I'm sorry, sir,' I begin, but he waves it away.
`No need for the apology. Or the `њsir`ќ. If I sounded defensive, then I'm afraid there was a reason.'
He goes over to the pile of post by the bread bin and pulls out an envelope from halfway down. Locates it so quickly, in fact, that I know he must have put it there deliberately so it was out of sight. Because whatever it is, he doesn't want Viv to see it.
He hands it to me. A plain brown envelope addressed as `Confidential' to Detective Superintendent A. G. Osbourne, Thames Valley Police (Retired), with a postmark dated two weeks before and a government crest. Her Majesty's Prison Service.
I look up with a question and he nods. `It's a psych report on Gavin Parrie. He's up for parole.'
CONFIDENTIALPSYCHIATRIC REPORT
Name: Gavin Francis Parrie Date of birth: 28th May 1962 Current location: HMP Wandsworth Date of report: 12th March 2018
Executive summaryThis report has been prepared as part of the process of assessing Mr Parrie for possible parole. I have spent a total of six hours with him, on three separate occasions at HMP Wandsworth. I have had access to police and prison records, and have consulted Dr Adrian Bigelow, Consultant Forensic Psychiatrist to HMP Wandsworth, who has been responsible for overseeing Mr Parrie since he took up the post in 2014. In addition, I have considerable personal experience in the assessment of offenders convicted of sexual offences (a full curriculum vitae is attached).The prison staff I spoke to confirmed that Mr Parrie has been in every respect a model prisoner. He has taken on a variety of work within the prison environment, and has always carried it out diligently and conscientiously. He has not been involved in any disciplinary or violent incidents, and has successfully completed various training courses which would assist him in obtaining employment, were he to be released. The attached Occupational Therapy report indicates that he is fully capable of carrying out ordinary daily activities and managing his daily routine in a productive manner. He is deemed to be a positive influence on other inmates, especially younger offenders. He has worked hard to maintain contact with his children by letter, and they visit once or twice a year (they currently reside with Mr Parrie's former wife in Aberdeen so more frequent visits are not practicable). In all the above respects, therefore, I consider him an appropriate candidate for consideration by the Board.However, there remains one significant issue, i.e. his contention that he is not guilty of the crimes for which he was imprisoned. Such a failure to assume responsibility for offending behaviour and express appropriate remorse (especially with offences of this gravity) is usually deemed to be a significant bar to early release. However, while Parrie continues to maintain his innocence, it appears his attitude has ameliorated considerably in this respect in recent months. Previous to this, he had always insisted that the police `fitted him up'; he now appears willing to concede that while there may have been mistakes in the Thames Valley Police investigation, there was no deliberate attempt to frame him for a crime he did not commit. The abatement of this paranoia is clearly a very positive sign. It must also be borne in mind that he has now served eighteen years, and had he originally entered a guilty plea, he might well have been released before this date.The Parole Board has a duty to assess whether a specific offender continues to present a risk to the public, and individuals will not be eligible for parole unless the Board is satisfied on this point. However, it is `“ as is well known `“ especially difficult for someone in Mr Parrie's particular position to demonstrate reduced risk of harm, as sex offenders who refuse to admit guilt are not eligible for the Sexual Offenders Treatment Programme (SOTP) and the Structured Assessment of Risk and Need (SARN) which follows completion of that programme, which the Parole Board look to when assessing these offenders.At the same time, it is crucial that those who do maintain their innocence `“ regardless of the nature of their crime(s) `“ should not be discriminated against, especially where there are other factors that can be brought into play, to assist in the assessment of risk. I would point to Mr Parrie's proven good conduct, over a very long period, in support of this. In my own conversations with him, he also expressed considerable sympathy with the victims of the crimes (albeit whilst maintaining that he himself was not culpable), which I also consider to be a positive sign.I do not consider Mr Parrie to be suffering either from mental illness or any psychiatric condition such as schizoaffective disorder, within the meaning of the Mental Health Act 1983 (amended 2007).Dr Simeon WareMBBS FRCPsychConsultant Forensic Psychiatrist`I don't believe a bloody word of it. Model prisoner, my arse. It's all just a bloody act.'
Osbourne takes the report from me and slips it back in the envelope; he's going out on a limb, letting me see it at all.
`And he's still telling anyone who'll listen that he's innocent.'
Even now, all these years later. I should have expected it, knowing what I do, but it infuriates me all the same.
Osbourne is watching my face. `At least he seems to have backed off about being fitted up.'
`It's not just that, though, is it? This new attack `“ it's too similar `“ it's all going to start up all over again `“'
`But that's the point, Adam. It's similar. It's not the same. From what you've said, the attack on the Appleford girl is far more likely to be a hate crime. And even if it isn't, there are umpteen ways you could explain any superficial parallels. It could be a copycat, for starters. Someone who read about the Parrie case in the papers. It wouldn't be the first time, now would it?'
I want to believe it. Part of why I came here was to hear him say it. But the unease is still there, snaking round my gut.
`Is that something you're looking into?'
I shake my head. `Not yet. Not officially.'
He knows what I'm getting at: looking for a copycat would mean going public. At least internally.
`Might be worth checking who's been visiting Parrie, though,' he says carefully.
I nod. That, at least, I can probably do without making too many waves.
`I just think it would be worth ruling it out,' he continues. `But I'm sure you have nothing to worry about.'
I put down the mug and manage a thin smile.
`Thanks for the tea. And the reassurance.'
His smile is a lot more convincing than mine. `Any time. Though the press are bound to pick up on the Parrie thing sooner or later so best be prepared, eh?'
I get the message. `I'm seeing Harrison first thing.'
`Good. And Alex? How's she coping with all this?'
`She's fine,' I say quickly. `Busy at work, you know.'
He must sense something, because he frowns slightly but he doesn't push it, and then I make a big show of getting out my car keys and we're going in to say goodbye to Viv and shaking hands on the doorstep and I'm trying my best to avoid his eye.