Chapter 12

It was Wednesday morning when Victor’s world changed. He was woken at five in the morning by a hammering on the door and the shout.

“Police, open this door now!”

He pulled on a dressing gown and opened the door, only to be knocked off his feet by five large policemen who pinned him to the ground and handcuffed him. Then they stood him up, led him to the living room and sat him down on the sofa.

He was so shocked he hardly heard the inspector telling him that they had a search warrant in respect of child pornography. He watched as the team tore the flat apart. They retrieved some photographs clearly printed off a computer, which had been secreted at the back of the guest bedroom wardrobe.

They disconnected the computer and took it away and then formally arrested him for possession of child pornography. He was already handcuffed and was led down the stairs and taken to the police station where he was processed and taken to an interview room.

Outside the flats there had been a number of photographers and the flashes of their cameras lit up the area like strobe lighting. It caused Victor to wonder how they knew this would occur.

By now he had begun to comprehend what was happening to him. They left him in the room with a constable to guard him for about an hour, bringing him a cup of tea after about half an hour. Then the detective inspector arrived with a detective sergeant. They started the interview recorder and provided the usual information: who was in the room, the time etc.

They sat down with a folder in front of them and stared at him. He stared back. He’d been used to intimidation in his army training and these two were amateurs by comparison with his army trainers and were not going to worry him.

The inspector delved in the file and produced a few photographs. They showed children in various poses.

“These were found in your possession – hidden in your flat. Can you explain why you have such items?”

Victor knew better than to protest his innocence. That might come later, but it was clear that they had evidence and would not believe him.

“No.” he said.

“They are yours?”

“No.” he said.

“Come on, they were in your flat. How did they get there if they’re not yours?”

“I don’t know.”

“Who has a key to your flat?”

“I do. The agent who runs the flats does. The woman on the ground floor cleans my flat. She’s still got a key.”

“Anyone else?”

“Not to my knowledge.”

“We have your computer. I think we’ll find plenty of stuff you’ve downloaded. It doesn’t matter how carefully you’ve hidden it, we’ll find it.”

“Are you going to charge me?”

“I think that’s inevitable. Why don’t you come clean and admit it. It’ll help you in court.”

“I want my solicitor.”

“All in good time. When did you start downloading this stuff?”

“I am being held for questioning,” Victor insisted. “I want my solicitor. Are you denying me that right?”

“No.”

“Then I’ll wait until he arrives.”

“You’re not helping yourself, you know.”

“You are accusing me of what I consider to be a terrible crime. Either get my solicitor or let me go. I’m not answering any more questions until he arrives.”

The two policemen continued to ask questions but Victor kept silence, staring at them with a bored expression. Eventually they gave up and asked him for his solicitor’s name. When they heard it was Gordon Collins they were not happy – he was the best in the area. He also happened to be a personal friend of Victor, who knew he would drop everything to come to him.

Victor was taken to a cell, where he relaxed himself and thought through the events that had happened. Then Gordon arrived. Victor told him of the events that had befallen him.

“I have to ask, Victor.” Gordon said, almost apologetically. “Did you download the stuff?”

Victor just looked at him.

“OK, I didn’t think so.” Gordon went on. “So how did whoever did this get into your flat, and if they’re on your computer, how did they get there?”

“I’ve been away for quite a long time, so no one could have got access unless they got the key from George or Susan.”

“Any sign of a break-in?”

“No.”

“Keys?”

“Me, George and Susan downstairs.”

“Do you think she’s been careless with her keys?”

“She’s extremely efficient, Gordon. I don’t think so.”

“It’s time to speak to the inspector.” He knocked on the door and left the cell.

Half an hour passed and then he returned.

“I asked some questions about the raid, and about forensic evidence of any intruders. Got some evasive replies. Same with regard to the computer – I asked if they had got any prints from the machine. They hadn’t taken any! So I told them that when I brought that up in court their case would start to look thin if they hadn’t done the forensics properly.

“And I did point out that if there were someone else’s prints or DNA in the flat, the case against you would look weak, and should they not have done a proper examination of the computer and the premises it would look as if they were withholding evidence to secure a conviction. They didn’t like it, but I think they’ll work a little harder now.

“Anyway, the upshot is that you’re being released on police bail while they investigate further. You won’t be able to go back to the flat – it’s sealed off.”

“I’ll go to the house.”

“I’ll give them the address Victor,” Gordon said grimly. “Don’t disappear on me. Oh, and they’ll probably want to search the house as well.”

Victor shrugged. “As long as they let me live there afterwards.” He muttered. Then he stopped short.

“Come to think about it, Susan said she thought someone had been in the flat while I was on holiday. She cleans regularly and notices when things have been even slightly moved. I was going to ask George about it. I thought he might have had to go in there. Slipped my mind.”

“I’ll get on to that.” Said Gordon. “And I’ll keep in regular touch.”

Victor was processed and left the building with Gordon. Once again there were photographers and a TV crew to chronicle their departure. Gordon picked up his car and he drove Victor to the house.

As soon as Victor got inside he set the surveillance to audiovisual. It was remotely activated and the remote was in his pocket. He expected the police would come searching the house and having seen what they did to the flat, he wanted evidence to gain compensation.

He wanted a full record of what was said and done. He turned on the TV and saw a report from outside the police station about his arrest and release on bail for child pornography. The reporter, though keeping well within the law, managed to convey his guilt quite effectively, largely through innuendo.

He was right about the police search. It was only half an hour after he had arrived when the police arrived. There were four officers led by a detective sergeant.

“We have a warrant to search the premises,” said the sergeant, pushing past him.

Victor had his hand in his pocket, and pressed the remote to activate the micro-cameras and microphones in each room.

“I trust you’ll leave the place as you find it,” said Victor.