Chapters (66)
‘I’m afraid there’s no smoking anywhere inside the station.’
My shoulders sag.
‘But I can take you out for some fresh air?’ he continues and I award him a grateful smile.
The detectives and my solicitor are nowhere to be seen. The custody officer is a jolly guy with rosy red cheeks who smiles at me as I pass. My experience of the police so far has been a pleasant surprise. I wasn’t sure it would always be though.
Cold air rushes through the door as it is unlocked, and I move out into the tiny yard. I can’t believe how much I’ve taken for granted just being able to go outside. Freedom is underrated, that’s for sure. With a view of the sky, I am calmer, the future doesn’t look so bleak when I go back into the interview room.
‘In your bag we found a rape alarm. Why did you not use this when Ian attacked you?’ Hicks asks when the interview continues.
‘My bag was on the side by the front door, I’d left it there when we came in. I couldn’t get to it.’
‘What do you think made Ian snap? Do you recall?’ Becker presses.
Why are they revisiting this again? The same thing over and over; are they trying to catch me out?
‘He was fine until I didn’t want the drink and asked to go home.’
‘Do you think his plan all along was to rape you?’
‘I don’t know.’ Isn’t it your job to connect the dots, detectives?
‘Did you plan to have sex with him?’ Hicks asks, his eyes narrowing.
‘I don’t see how that is relevant,’ my solicitor interjects, but I talk over him.
‘No, I hadn’t planned to. It was only our second date.’ I purse my lips.
‘Why did you agree to go back to his?’ Becker asks.
I glare at her, my outrage obvious, but she doesn’t flinch, our eyes lock. Hers are watering and I see something in them. Pity? Empathy?
‘Because he invited me to, for a drink. I’d been before, and he was a gentleman then. I thought I’d have a drink or two and he’d call me a cab, like last time.’
‘Did you know Ian had a history of violence?’
Yes, I did, but not a documented one.