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submitted 4 days ago by Ifyouvenothingnicetosayzipit

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You think the parents were in on it? They helped her cover it up?

submitted 3 days ago by cabaretrenee008

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No, all I meant was that if the press crawled over *anyone’s* life they’d find some dirty washing somewhere, that’s all. I don’t think the Rowans had the first clue

submitted 3 days ago by Ifyouvenothingnicetosayzipit

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Wasn’t there some vandalism too, back in the day? I seem to remember pics in the press of graffiti on their house

submitted 4 hours ago by cabaretrenee008

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AND some sick shits who pretended to have the baby and demanded £££. How low can u get

submitted 4 hours ago by cabaretrenee008

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I don’t think the parents knew anything about it. What happened to that baby was down to Camilla and Camilla alone. Don’t be fooled by her little girl lost act. That’s all it is – an act. She deserved everything she got and right now, she’s exactly where she needs to be.

submitted 2 hours ago by AllieCatz76

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* * *

Adam Fawley

23 October

10.35

‘So what do you want us to do?’ says Gis. ‘Start calling some of the papers?’

It’s the obvious thing to do, but in this case ‘obvious’ doesn’t mean ‘simple’. The mere mention of Camilla Rowan’s name will be like stirring up a swarm. The Rowans will be kissing goodbye to their hard-won anonymity for a start, and it’ll just get worse from there. But what choice do I have?

‘My other half has a mate at the Express,’ begins Hansen tentatively. ‘I could get him to ask if she’s picked up anything on the grapevine.’

I didn’t realize Hansen was gay, but it figures somehow. ‘You’ve met her – the mate? Would you trust her?’

He thinks before he answers; I’ve noticed him doing it before; it’s a good sign. ‘Yes,’ he says eventually, ‘I think I would.’

‘OK, in that case go ahead. And can you also do a trawl for any recent online interest in Camilla Rowan, especially on places like Reddit – hacks often put out feelers in true-crime chat rooms if they’re on this sort of story.’ Hansen nods and starts making notes.

‘And in the meantime, I’ll chase Challow on the DNA.’

Hansen looks up and frowns. ‘That’s a bit of a long shot, though, isn’t it, sir? I mean, I doubt he’s in the National Database, not if he’s just some journo.’

I start dialling. ‘I’m not disagreeing. But we don’t know that’s what he is yet, do we? Not for sure. And I’m afraid there were plenty of other people who hounded the Rowans. People even further down the food chain than the press.’

Gis nods towards Hansen. ‘And trust me, some of those bastards will definitely be in the system.’

* * *

‘Won’t it look a bit odd, me ringing her up out of the blue and asking about this stuff?’

Jack’s at college, Hansen can hear voices in the background. Laughter, some sort of tinny music.

‘I was thinking about that – could you tell her you want to use it as a case study in a course you’re teaching? I don’t know, something about how the media report crimes against children?’

Jack laughs drily. ‘Or the female psychopath in popular culture, that’s always a slam-dunk crowd-pleaser.’

‘There you are, I knew you’d think of something.’

There’s a pause, then, ‘So did you mention me? To the great god Fawley?’

‘I did, actually.’

A quick laugh. ‘Yeah, but I bet it was just as your “other half” or something equally coy.’

‘Well, he knows you’re male, if that’s what you’re asking. And he didn’t bat an eyelid.’

Another laugh, warmer this time. ‘Ha, told you you’ve been worrying about nothing.’

Hansen smiles to himself; he wasn’t worrying at all, despite what Jack kept on saying. He knew Fawley wouldn’t give a toss.

‘So you’ll do it? Call Zoe?’

A theatrical sigh, but Jack’s milking it now, and they both know it. ‘OK, if it’ll get you some brownie points with the boss. When do you need it by?’

‘Like, yesterday. There’s a lot of pressure on this one.’

‘Yeah, right. Tell me something I didn’t know.’

* * *

Voicemail

Alan Challow

Mobile

Transcription

Just had the DNA back on the Gantry Manor vic. Without wishing to sound unduly dramatic, this is going to blow the bloody doors off. Can you drop by ASAP?

* * *

DNA-17 Familial Match Report

The DNA-17 profile obtained from the deceased (Sample 1) was searched on the DNA Database with a negative result. An amendment to the search parameters generated a close familial match with a different sample held on the DNA Database (Sample 2).

Interpretation

Combined Index: 3,187,200,590

Having applied an established statistical methodology to the above STR loci, the Probability of Maternity is calculated to be 99.99999999%.

I certify that these results are an accurate and true interpretation of the raw data obtained from the samples stated above. The results contained in this report have been obtained in accordance with the Forensic Science Regulator’s Codes of Practice following an approved and validated scientific method as documented in our ISO/IEC 17025:2017 Schedule of Accreditation.

* * *

Adam Fawley

23 October

15.56

‘What am I looking at?’

I glance up at Challow. He’s frowning, tapping his pen against the desk. I’ve known him a long time, and his standard operating procedure is email. He doesn’t call, and he certainly doesn’t invite you round – in fact, I’m not even sure I can remember the last time I was in here. Or the last time he didn’t greet me with a snippy remark.

‘I mean, I know it’s the DNA report, I just don’t know what it’s telling me.’

‘It’s telling you there’s a match in the system. A textbook parental match.’

‘Well, that’s a result, isn’t it? Means we know who he is.’

Challow’s frown deepens. ‘It’s not as simple as that. Not by a long way.’

I point to the reference number in the second column. ‘So this is the father? SampleA1667GHD?’

He takes a breath. ‘Keep reading. It’s not the father. It’s the mother. Your mystery victim is Camilla Rowan’s son.’

* * *

Channeclass="underline"

Netflix

Programme:

Infamous, season 4

Number of episodes:

4

First shown:

09/03/2016

[THEME SONG – ’KARMA CHAMELEON’ [CULTURE CLUB]]