RG: For the purposes of the tape, Ms Sally Rogers is attending the interview as Miss Appleford's Appropriate Adult. Nadine is not under arrest, and has been told she can ask for her mother and a lawyer to be present at any time. At present, Mrs Diane Appleford is observing in the adjacent room. So, Nadine, you must be wondering why you're here.NA: [shrugs]RG: Well, I'll tell you. We've done some more tests on the carrier bag that was used to choke your sister. There was DNA on it.NA: [silence]RG: Do you have any idea whose DNA it might be?NA: [looks away]
How should I know?RG: You're absolutely sure about that?NA: Look, stop hassling me `“ I told you I don't know.RG: I'm afraid I think you do, Nadine. I don't know how much you know about DNA, but one of the things it can tell you is a person's gender. It can also show if two people are related to each other. Now we've done those extra tests, we know that two of the people who'd previously handled the carrier bag were related. Almost certainly a mother and daughter.NA: [folds arms]
So?RG: You don't know who that mother and daughter might be?NA: I told you `“ it's nothing to do with me. I don't know why you keep asking me this stuff.RG: [passes across a sheet of paper]
These are the results, Nadine. And they show `“ without the slightest possibility of a doubt `“ who that mother and daughter are. It's you, Nadine. You and your mum.NA: No it isn't `“ it can't be. They must've got it wrong.RG: Like I said, I'm afraid there's no possibility of a mistake. So I'm going to ask you again. What can you tell us about what happened to your sister?NA: [becoming distressed]
I told you `“ it wasn't me.RG: You can't explain why that particular bag ended up being used in the attack on your sister?NA: How should I know? Someone must have found it or something.RG: You must know that's extremely unlikely `“NA: I told you `“ I don't know `“SR: I think we should move on, Inspector.RG: Where were you the morning Faith was attacked, Nadine?NA: At school. I told you.RG: Do you know anyone who drives a van?NA: No.RG: An estate car, a four-by-four, anything like that?NA: No.RG: Do you have a good relationship with your sister?NA: What's that got to do with it?RG: There were times I could have scratched my sister's eyes out, when I was your age. She used to drive me completely mad. You've never felt like that?NA: No.RG: Even though you've had to move schools because of her? Even though you had to leave all your friends behind? That must have been tough.NA: It wasn't that bad. And anyway, I've got new friends now.RG: Faith was very upset about the attack, wasn't she?NA: Yeah, so?RG: And since then, the whole thing has been really hard for her.NA: I suppose so.RG: I'm sure you never meant that to happen.NA: I didn't do it `“ I told you already. It was nothing to do with me.
[near to tears]
Why do you keep on asking me this shit?RG: We've spoken to your school, and they say you didn't make it to registration the morning your sister was attacked. They say you were in your Geography class at 11.15, but they don't know where you were before that. Can you explain that for us?NA: [silence]RG: Were you at the allotments, Nadine? Were you involved in what happened to your sister?NA: [silence]VE: Why should you take all the blame, Nadine? We know there must have been someone else involved. Someone who was driving the van. Who is it, Nadine? Why are you protecting them?NA: [to the designated adult]
Can I go home now?RG: I'm afraid you can't, Nadine. Not yet. But we can take a break if you want to do that.SR: I think that would be a very good idea.VE: Interview suspended at 18.35.* * *
`It was like watching that TV thing,' says Quinn. `What's it called? The one where they work out people are lying.'
`Faking It,' says Somer.
`But I'm right, aren't I?' says Quinn, turning to her. `She might not have been saying anything out loud but her body language was at full volume. If she was bloody Pinocchio her nose would be in sodding Birmingham by now.'
`That's as may be,' says Gislingham heavily, `but it ain't going to tell us who was driving that van, is it?'
* * *
It's raining in Blackbird Leys. A teeming, insistent, disheartening rain that only makes the surroundings more demoralizing. Everett parks her Mini under a street lamp `“ she's no fool `“ then turns up her collar and runs the last few yards to the Brotherton house. It takes a long time for the door to open.
`What do you want?' asks the old man. He's still wearing the same beige slacks, but there's a pinny round his waist now, and an oven glove in one hand. `Ashley isn't here.'
`I'm really sorry to bother you, Mr Brotherton. I just wanted to ask you a quick question. You `“ not Ashley.'
He gives her a long look. `Is that an `њofficial`ќ question?'
Everett flushes a little. Because he's right: she didn't tell anyone she was coming. She makes a rueful face. `Not quite.'
`And is answering it going to land Ash in it?'
`No,' she says quickly. `No, I'm pretty sure not. In fact, it might help.'
He takes a step back. `You'd better come in then. You're going to catch your death out there.'
* * *
The address Somer is looking for has taken some finding, especially in the dark and the rain, but she eventually pulls up outside a modern block just off the Iffley Road. She checks the flat number then splashes down the path to the main door.
She presses the buzzer and the entryphone crackles into life. `Who's that?'
`Erica Somer. Is that Jess?'
A pause. `Who gave you this address?'
`Faith's mum. She said Faith was coming over to see you this evening. Is she there?'
The door opens and a couple of girls come out, wrapped up snug in fur-hooded parkas and boots. They're both laughing. Somer is seriously tempted to dart in behind them before the door closes, but she forces herself not to: she needs Jess and Faith to feel they're in control.
She returns to the entryphone. `I just wanted to check Faith is OK.'
There's a silence, and then the sound of the door lock being released.
`Come up.'
The flat is on the top floor. The lift isn't working so Somer is slowing down by the time she gets to the right landing. But ahead of her a door is already open. Jess is standing there. It's only just gone 9.00 but she's in PJs and a long paisley dressing gown that looks like it was originally a man's.
She raises an eyebrow when she sees Somer. `We must stop meeting like this.'
She has a mug in one hand. Steam is rising from it. Not coffee though, something earthy, herbal.
`How is she?' asks Somer.
Jess makes a face. `Not great.'
They're keeping their voices low. As if someone's ill.
`Her mum called about twenty minutes ago,' continues Jess. `She said you've arrested Nadine `“ actually arrested her.'
Somer sighs. `I'm sorry `“ we really didn't have much choice. Not with the evidence we now have.'
`Faith wasn't too bad before that, but she's been crying ever since. She can't believe Nadine could have done that to her.'
`We don't know if she did. Not yet.'
Jess shrugs. `You must think it's possible or you wouldn't be questioning her. Have you got a sister?'
Somer hesitates, then nods. `Yes. Actually, I do.'
`Well then. How would you like it?'
* * *
`I don't know her name,' says Mr Brotherton, dragging the teabag out of the mug and dropping it in the bin.
`But Ashley does have a girlfriend?'