Chapter 3

Kyle arrived just after I had copied the relevant file and had burnt them onto DVD discs, three copies, one for Kyle, one for the Social Services and a final one for the MI5 team.

“Captain Mainwaring wasn’t pleased to hear that the file had been accessed, she’s going through the logs to see when and where it was done, she’s also sending a team of 4 to check Ms. Grey’s office for the file and anything else she might have.” He told me.

I knew Sam wouldn’t allow the grass to grow under her feet and would bet even money that Ms. Grey would be having an interesting talk a bit later today!

“I think you know who sent the information to Social Services don’t you.” I asked Kyle.

He nodded, “I know it was Carmichael! But we’ve got to prove it, and he’s going to be Mr. Squeaky-Clean.” he said.

I agreed with him, but then realised how it could have been done, “Get in touch with the police, they’re holding some hackers for accessing the police database, and then tell Captain Mainwaring about them, she’ll be interested in them for sure.”

He grinned, “You have a dirty mind you know John. So how are the girls?” He asked me.

“Well Alex was the one that Ms. Grey was victimising, so she’s slightly worried about what’s going to happen to her.” I said.

He nodded, “Well that’s understandable, can she come down and we’ll talk about it.” He asked.

I called out to Alex who finally, with Sydney holding her hand, came down the stairs. She looked at Kyle with a small smile on her lips. “Hello again, are you here to take me away?” she asked him.

Kyle smiled back, “Oh no Alex, you’re stuck with John here I’m afraid. Now from what I’ve been told Ms. Grey won’t be making anymore allegations against anyone. But I’m going to ensure that this does happen. Are you up to telling me what happened?” He asked her, Alex looked at me.

I nodded to her, “It’s okay Alex, Kyle is on our side and wants to help you.” I said encouragingly.

Alex nodded, “If Mr. John says so then yes I am.” Alex said.

Kyle nodded, “Okay Alex, now I’m going to record this, should you want to stop at any time then that’s okay, you are in charge of this interview.” He said.

Alex smiled, “Well, that’s better than that woman did. She wouldn’t listen to me at all...” Alex said and started her story of her interview with Ms. Grey.

Alex sat back after telling her story, Kyle nodded, “Thank you Alex, now Ms. Grey showed you two photographs, can you tell me what was on them and the story to them?” He asked gently.

Alex looked at me as if asking a question. “It’s alright Alex, Kyle wants to hear the truth, don’t worry, just go ahead and tell him.” I said.

Alex shrugged, “Well we were at the cinema and I had to use the loo, so I left Sydney and Mr. John and walked to the toilets, I nearly got there when Billy Kite grabbed hold of me and pulled me out of the side door.”

Kyle interrupted her. “Didn’t you call out? I mean I would have.” He said.

Alex shook her head, “I couldn’t he had his hand over my mouth, it wasn’t until we were behind the cinema that he told me if I screamed he would break my teeth.” She said.

Kyle nodded and motioned for her to continue. “Well he starts off by saying that his brother told him to try and get either me or Sydney and to make us hurt!”

Kyle looked interested, “Did he say why?” He asked her. I also wondered about this.

Alex thought for a moment, “No, he just said that it would help his brother. Anyway he said he had to pose me, I didn’t know what he meant, but he made me take off my top and then he began pulling on my tits ... sorry breasts” She said giving a smile to Kyle.

He smiled back encouragingly to her, “It’s alright Alex, you tell this your way.” He said and gestured again.

Alex nodded, “Well then he said that he had to make him happy and pushed me down to my knees, then he bragged about how he was going to make me suck him off and then he was going to fuck (sorry Mr. John, but that’s what he said) me stupid ... but when I saw the size of his cock I wasn’t frightened of it.” She said with a laugh.

Kyle frowned but didn’t say anything.

“Well he had pulled down his trousers and was holding onto my head trying to get me to suck him off, then Mr. John came along and Billy ran off. I was so happy I had to hold onto Mr. John I didn’t want him to get hurt.” She said.

“And the two photographs that Ms. Grey showed you were... ?” Kyle asked

“They were of Billy trying to make me suck him, and the second was me holding onto Mr. John after he rescued me.” Alex said.

Kyle nodded, “Thank you Alex, now did Ms. Grey ask you anything about the pictures?” He asked gently.

Alex shook her head, “No, she told me that it proved Mr. John was abusing me and wouldn’t listen to me when I tried to explain, she told me that she would have me locked away until I told the truth, but I was telling her the truth, she just wouldn’t listen!” She said, tears showing at the side of her eyes.

Kyle saw this and switched off his recorder. “I think that’s enough for now Alex, now I’ll have my secretary type this up and we’ll use that. I don’t want you to have to face Ms. Grey or anyone else from the Social Services, but they might want to see you. Remember this you don’t have to say anything to them without another person with you, I will ensure that I’m readily available for you.” He said with a reassuring smile.

Then his attitude changed, “I will recommend that you report the incident of Billy at the cinema to the police, I want to have a case number so that should we have to go further then we have firmer backing.” He said looking at me.

“I didn’t want to make a fuss!” Alex said.

Kyle nodded, “I know, but if he gets away with this now just think who he might attack later?” Kyle said. “It might even be a younger girl, just because she can’t fight back.” He added.

Alex nodded. “Okay Mr. Kyle, if you say so.” She said.

“We’ll go to the police station now.” I said to Alex she closed her eyes briefly and then nodded.

“I’ll go with you and there is no need to worry.” Kyle said to her.

When we arrived at the station the desk clerk was slightly surprised when we entered en-mass, “Can I help you...” She looked around until Kyle stepped forward. “Sir?”

“We’d like to report a sexual assault on this young lady here, can I talk to an officer.” He said handing over a card.

The desk clerk looked at the card and then picked up a telephone. “Joan, we have a Mr. Kyle Bannercroft in the front, he wants to report a sexual assault.” She listened for a moment before looking up. “Excuse me sir, but who is the victim?” She asked Kyle.

Kyle smiled, “This young lady here. Her name is Alex Richardson.” The desk clerk passed the information on.

I don’t know what Alex or Sydney were expecting to appear, I pictured an elderly man, much like Morse, but the young woman who entered almost made me ask if she’d qualified ... it shows how old you are when the coppers start to look young!

“I’m Detective Constable Joan Sanders; I work in the battered-wives section which also includes abuse of any kind.” She looked at me, “I’m sorry Mr. Richardson but you don’t look abused to me.” She said which made Alex giggle.

“My name is John James; this is Alex Richardson.” I said, Joan looked at Sydney and I forgot myself, “This is my daughter Sydney.” Joan almost smiled but then schooled herself.

She glared at me, “You poor girl, how could your parents do that to you.” She said with a smile on her lips.

Sydney giggled, “I know, so I go to school under my second name.” She said conspiratorially.

Joan thought for a moment, “Don’t tell me, Barbara! Am I right?” Sydney’s open mouth gave her the answer.

I held up my hands, “Don’t blame me, we wanted a son, but then Sydney showed up instead.” I said with a smile.

Joan shook her head, “Some parents don’t understand what they do to their poor children!” she said with a laugh. But she had done the task of breaking the ice and showing she was a normal person instead of just a police officer, both Alex and Sydney had warmed to her.

Kyle, who had waited until they had finished, spoke up. “Constable Saunders I have to say that this is connected to Ms. Grey who was brought in earlier, Miss Richardson didn’t want to report the assault but in the interest of all I persuaded her to come in.”

At the sound of Ms. Grey’s name I could see Joan’s eyes narrow slightly – she didn’t like the woman either! – But then she was back to her professional self. “Very well, would you mind coming with me Alex and...” She looked to see who else was going to volunteer. Kyle stepped forward.

“I’m representing Mr. James and so Alex in this. Will I be acceptable?” He asked.

Joan smiled, “I’m sure you’ll do fine sir, Now Alex I know this is upsetting for you so we’re going to go to a special interview room, it’s just like a living room and I want you to feel relaxed before we actually talk about what happened.” She looked back at Sydney and me, “this will take over an hour I don’t know if you want to go for a walk until we’re finished?” She asked.

I looked at Sydney who shook her head. “We’ll stay here if you don’t mind Alex might need us at anytime.” I said - Joan looked at Sydney who nodded as well.

Joan smiled at us, “Thank you, I think that would be best.” She told us and then ushered Alex and Kyle into the station.

(I learnt this from Alex later that day) – The room was as Joan, that’s how she wanted to be called, had described, it was strange, it was almost like a normal room in any house but there were two cameras in the room.

“Come in Alex, I know this is rather daunting and you don’t feel right, but we’re just sit here and have a small talk first.” Joan said.

Alex was slightly apprehensive, she wasn’t sure what to say about her life with Mr. John, but she didn’t want to put him into trouble.

“You look troubled Alex, is there any reason why you should feel like that?” Joan asked gently.

Alex shrugged, “Well ... you see ... That Ms. Grey ... she said she’d lock me up and wouldn’t listen to what happened, she ... she wanted to ... hurt Mr. John.” She finally said.

Joan shook her head, “I won’t do that to you or him ... You call Mr. James Mr. John? Why?” She asked still gently.

Alex laughed, “It’s a long story ... you see I’ve know Mr. John for as long as I can remember, it was just one day I said ‘goodnight Mr. John’ instead of Mr. James and everybody laughed, but he didn’t ... he got onto his knees to look at me and then he said ‘You can call me Mr. John for as long as you like.’ I was about ... I don’t know ... six or seven when it happened, and I’ve called him Mr. John since then.” She said.

Joan studied her, “So you trust him completely?” She asked.

Alex nodded, “Oh yes, I would. Ever since he’s taken me in he’s been so wonderful, I haven’t even thought about my real parents once since he took me in.” Alex gave a small blush which, luckily Joan didn’t catch.

“What about your parents? Don’t they have a say in what you do?” Joan asked.

Alex looked at Kyle who spoke up, “They have given responsibility of Alex to Mr. James, it was cleared in court a couple of days ago.”

Joan regarded Alex, this wasn’t going the normal way of most abuse interviews, normally the victim was crying, and it took ages to get them relaxed, but this girl was already relaxed! She didn’t act as if she was a victim.

“You seem to have got over it quickly.” Joan said meaning the assault, but Alex took it to mean her parents.

“We weren’t much of a family, they were too interested in their own lives, I was just a mistake that they made and had to look after until they could unload me onto someone, I’m just glad it was Mr. John and Sydney.” She said.

Joan didn’t press the point; she knew that Alex would talk to her now. “Okay now Alex, if you’re up to it what can you tell me about the assault?” ... I’ll draw a cloud over that part of the interview, (well I’d just be repeating it).

After listening to Alex’s story Joan sat back, “I know it was harrowing and I’m sorry I have to say this ... It happened some days ago and you have cleaned up after the event, there is no physical proof that this happened.” She held up a hand to stop Alex from talking. “I know that you didn’t want to report it, but it could be seen as trying to deflect blame from your guardian following the Social Services investigation.”

“But she’s got photographs of what happened!” Alex said crying slightly.

Joan pursed her lips; this was the difficult part ... was Alex telling the truth or what she wanted people to believe? “It is possible to fake pictures! I have a picture showing Adolf Hitler playing tennis at Wimbledon against Sir Winston Churchill! When I showed it to some people all they could complain of was that it wasn’t in colour! How could you say they weren’t faked?”

Alex dropped her head, “I ... I can’t. I just know what happened!” She said and Joan could tell the truth in her voice.

“Alright Alex, now I’m just going to make a couple of enquiries and then I’ll be back. If you need anything there’s a bell press just on the table.” Joan said and left the room.

What Joan actually did was to check with the custody sergeant about the status of Ms. Grey – Joan had already crossed swords with her over some of the ‘victims’ she had dealt with! – When she learnt that in the evidence bag was several pictures involving a youth and an unidentified female. She asked if copies could be made. The sergeant rubbed his chin.

“I shouldn’t really. Technically it’s not permissible as it’s another officer’s case.” He said

Joan nodded, “I know! It’s just that I have a crying young lady in the soft room, she needs to prove that she was assaulted, and these may be the evidence she needs.” She pleaded.

The sergeant looked around, “I won’t say that the evidence bag is over there and the photocopier is idle at the moment, I’ll just be getting my tea, shouldn’t take more than 2 minutes ... could you look after the shop for then?” He said to Joan.

Joan smiled, “I’ll be glad to!” She said...

The sergeant returned just as the photocopier was cooling down and Joan turned back from the evidence pouches. “All quiet?” He asked conversationally.

“Yes Sergeant, no customers at all.” She said with a smile.

The sergeant nodded, “Well thank you DC Saunders, hope I didn’t keep you too long?” He said sitting down behind the desk.

“Not at all Sergeant, it was a welcome change.” Joan said and, picking up some papers in the photocopier, she went back to the soft room.

While walking back she ran through the photographs, they showed Alex having her top pulled off roughly while she seemed to be pleading with the youth – and his face was fully visible! As she went through the pictures she became angrier and angrier ‘How could anyone stand by and allow this to go on without stopping it!’ She thought to herself.

Finally, she got to the picture of John James, she smiled as she saw him push the youth off and then nodded as she saw the picture of Alex holding onto him and sobbing. She got to the door of the soft room but changed her mind; she went onto the D. I’s office

“Bob, I want a warrant issued for the arrest of a William Kite.” She said without preliminaries.

Her superior, Detective Inspector Robert Wise looked up from his paperwork. “Really, on what grounds, you know we’ve been trying to get something on that thug and his brother for some time! Why do you think you’re going to get anywhere?” He asked her.

Joan showed the photographs, Bob frowned. “Where did you get these?” He asked looking up at her

Joan grimaced - this was the sticking point, “I took photocopies of some photographs in evidence of another case.” She said.

Bob looked up, “Did you do this with the permission of the officers in charge of that case?” Joan shook her head, he sighed. “Who’s in charge of that case and what’s the name of the person being held?” He asked.

Joan shook her head, “I don’t know who’s investigating her case ... and it’s Ms. Grey from the Social Services!” She said.

“‘Push them in Grey’? The one who finds all the victims? ... About time too!” He said with a smile.

Joan frowned, “Sorry gov. I don’t understand?” She managed to say.

Bob shook his head, “No reason you should, she tried to show that my brother had abused his kids! Almost did it as well, but she tripped up and made an excuse and so the case was put aside.” He explained and then picked up the telephone and dialled a number.

“Custody suite? DI Wise here, who’s in charge of the Grey case? Sergeant Wilson. Thank you.” He paused and dialled another number. “Sergeant Wilson? DI Wise here, I understand you have a Ms. Grey in the cells? ... No, I don’t want to take over the case, it’s just that we understand that she has some photographs that might be of interest in a case of ours, is it okay to take a copy of them? ... Yes, she’s still your case, no; we won’t be muscling in on it either, if you want we’ll let you have a copy of our report and anything else if it will help you? You don’t? You’ve got the data from John James? ... Oh! Okay ... we can? Great I owe you one. Bye.”

Bob nodded to Joan and then dialled a number again, “Custody suite, DI Wise here again, can you make a note that Sergeant Wilson has given DC Saunders permission to take copies of some photographs in the Grey case, you’ll do that? Thank you Sergeant.” He hung up and looked at Joan, “I always like to keep the paperwork in order, how else could you have these photos without any permission?” He said to Joan. “Write up the report and I’ll get the warrant ready.” He added.

Joan smiled she knew that within a few hours she’ll have an arrest warrant for William Kite.

As she was about to leave Bob called out, “By the way do you know a John James?”

Joan turned and nodded, “Yes Gov, he’s downstairs waiting for my witness to finish.” She said as she closed the door.

Joan returned to the ‘soft room’ and entered. She smiled at Alex and Kyle who were still waiting there. “Sorry to be so long, you know what things get like.” She said to Kyle who nodded, and then she turned to Alex. “Now Alex, I’ve seen the photographs and along with your testimony I’ve asked for a warrant to be issued. This means that I will be arresting William Kite and I’ll be asking him about the incident, I can’t promise you that you won’t be seeing him later, but I will be trying my best for you.” She said.

“That’s why I didn’t want to tell anyone, I didn’t want to make a fuss, but that Ms. Grey ruined everything!” Alex said and started to cry; Joan went to her and held her tight

“It’s alright Alex, you’ve done the right thing, we know how bad William is, but nobody would say anything, but you’re stronger than that! You know you are!” Joan said.

“And anyway, John will protect you, you know that as well.” Kyle said.

Alex brightened up, “Yes. Yes, Mr. John will be there.” She said.

Joan led them out of the ‘soft-room’ and back to the main area, where Sydney was sitting for them, Alex looked around, “Where’s Mr. John?” She asked.

Sydney shrugged, “I donno, some woman arrived, and he went out with her.” She said

Alex went down onto her knees and started to cry.

Sydney and I were waiting in the reception area, I had just got her a drink of water and myself some coffee, when five people walked into the station. There were four men and one woman, I couldn’t help myself but stood to attention.

Captain Mainwaring walked to me. “James! You were supposed to keep your head down! What happened?” She asked me, I told Sydney to stay behind while I took Sam Mainwaring through the door.

I went though as much of the story as I could, she nodded. “I see some local with delusions of grandeur! Did you have to press his buttons?” She asked.

I shook my head, “I couldn’t help it Ma’am, he was creating a disturbance at the Hospital, if I let him carry on there would have been a riot. It was the best I could do at the time.”

She nodded, “I know John, but I had to ask. What’s puzzling is how he was able to get your data from our files! I’ve got our boffins working on the cracking now, we’ve got you to thank for the decryption codes, by the way, we get our programs from your people here.” She said with a wink. “God I’m thirsty, where’s the nearest boozer?” She added.