by Damien Boyd
‘Why not?’
‘She wasn’t deemed to be at risk.’
‘No shit.’ Jane recognised Dave Harding’s voice.
‘A neighbour in Worston Lane has been in regular contact with Social Services since then.’
‘That’ll be Mrs French at number ten.’ Potter nodded. ‘What about the maternal grandmother?’ she asked.
‘There’s no mention of a grandmother, Ma’am.’
‘Go on.’
‘Then when the SCU was formed we began to get a proper picture of what was going on. Her father served nine months of a two year sentence for GBH. It was a road rage incident with two aggravating factors – a headbutt and the victim was elderly. While he was inside Tanya was nicked for possession of Class A, so Social Services stepped back in and Alesha was taken into care.’
‘But she went back?’
‘Her father left the family home when he got out of prison and Tanya agreed to go to rehab, so the court said she should go home. Then there was a fight over child arrangements between Ryan and Tanya, which was resolved by the court, and all seemed reasonably calm. The social worker had even considered downgrading her risk classification. That is until Kevin Sailes moved in.’
‘Nonce.’ This time Jane didn’t recognise the voice.
‘We know about him,’ said Potter.
‘That was earlier this year. January, maybe. It coincided with me joining the SCU.’
‘And you’ve met Alesha?’ asked Potter.
‘Several times, yes. She’s just a normal kid. Fascinated with make-up and celebrities. She’s had a few brushes with the law, but nothing to be concerned about.’
‘What?’
‘There were some wing mirrors damaged along Marine Drive and the community support officer thought she may have been involved. That was over Easter. Then there was a shoplifting incident last year. The suspicion was that Tanya had sent her in there.’
‘Not sweets then?’
‘Razor blades. The expensive ones that sell well on eBay.’
Potter nodded.
‘We couldn’t prove Tanya was behind it,’ continued Jane, ‘and the shop agreed to drop it, given Alesha’s age. There were allegations of bullying last year too, but those were dealt with by the school.’
‘She was being bullied?’
‘She was doing the bullying,’ replied Jane. ‘Allegedly.’
‘Let’s speak to the teachers then, and the parents of the children involved.’ Potter turned to an officer perched on the corner of a workstation at the front of the room. ‘Bob, you and your team can pick this up.’
‘Yes, Ma’am.’
‘And she’s never gone missing like this before?’ asked Potter, turning back to Jane.
‘She’s stayed out a couple of times, but she’s always texted Tanya or rung Mrs French. And she’s never thrown her bike and phone in the lake first either.’
Potter scowled at Jane, then turned back to the gathered officers. ‘Right, well you all know what you’ve got to do, so let’s get on with it. We’re coming up on forty-eight hours since she went missing, so we need to find her today. All right?’ She waited until the officers began talking amongst themselves, some of them heading for the exits, before she turned back to Jane. ‘You’re with me. Kevin Sailes is in custody downstairs so we’ll see him first. Then we’ll go and see Tanya.’
‘Yes, Ma’am.’
‘And just so you know, I don’t appreciate sarcasm.’
‘Yes, Ma’am.’
Chapter Six
‘Will someone please explain to me why my client and I are still here?’
‘For the tape, my name is Detective Chief Superintendent Deborah Potter. Sitting to my left is . . .’
‘Detective Sergeant Jane Winter.’
‘And to my right is – will you please confirm your full name for the tape?’
‘Kevin John Sailes.’
Jane still hadn’t got used to the new interview room layout, with the interviewing officer sitting next to the suspect and opposite the tape recorder. ‘Nice and cosy,’ Dixon had called it. ‘And designed by an idiot.’ Jane leaned forward and looked across at Sailes, sitting on the other side of Potter. He was sitting on his hands, gently rocking backwards and forwards in his chair, his eyes fixed on something on the floor in front of him. Or nothing, more like, thought Jane.
A light grey tracksuit replaced his own clothes – taken for forensics – his blond hair was matted and his beard patchy at best. Mercifully, Potter’s perfume was masking the smell. Almost.
‘And to his right is . . .’ continued Potter.
‘His solicitor, Michael Curry.’ He sighed. ‘Now, why are we still here?’
‘Your client has been arrested on suspicion of an offence contrary to section 91 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003, Mr Curry.’
‘He has already explained that. It was inadvertent. He simply forgot to notify the police when he changed his mobile phone.’
‘He also appears to have overlooked that his registration as a convicted sex offender prohibits access to the internet.’
‘That was a mistake on the part of the phone company,’ said Curry.
Potter glanced at Jane and shook her head. ‘Made three months ago.’
‘There’s nothing sinister on it,’ mumbled Sailes. ‘Check it if you don’t believe me.’
‘We are,’ said Potter. She leaned forward and looked across at Curry. ‘Your client is also helping us with our enquiries into the disappearance of his girlfriend’s daughter and would be well advised to continue to do so.’
‘We’ve been through this,’ muttered Sailes.
‘And we’ll go through it again,’ snapped Potter. ‘Tell me about Kelly.’
Curry leaned across and whispered in Sailes’s ear. ‘No comment.’ Jane’s lip reading must be improving.
‘There’s no need for that.’ Sailes turned to Curry. ‘I thought she was sixteen, she told me she was sixteen.’
‘And the photographs?’ asked Potter.
‘She let me take them. It was just a bit of fun. I never did anything with them.’
‘That’s all right then.’ Jane was impressed with the sarcasm Potter was able to pour into such a short sentence.
Thought you didn’t like sarcasm?
‘Look, we kept in touch and when I got out of prison we started seeing each other again. That’s got to count for something?’
‘Then what happened?’
‘We split up.’
‘And why was that?’
‘She met someone else.’
‘Someone her own age?’
Sailes nodded.
‘If you would confirm your agreement, for the tape.’
‘Yes.’
‘Let’s talk about age then. She was fifteen, and how old were you?’
‘I was thirty-three when we met.’
‘How did you meet?’
‘On the internet.’
‘There’s a word for that,’ said Potter.
‘I didn’t groom her. She groomed me, if anything. But it was wrong. I know that now.’
‘When did you meet Tanya?’
‘About a year ago, I think.’
‘How?’
‘We have a shared interest.’
‘In drugs?’
‘It started when I was in prison. I was fine until I went in there.’
‘And when did you meet Alesha?’
‘Look, I never laid a finger on Alesha. I never touched her.’ Tears were beginning to trickle down Sailes’s cheeks. ‘She was nine, for fuck’s sake.’
‘But you didn’t tell Tanya you were a registered sex offender?’
‘It’s not exactly a great opening line, is it?’
‘How about when you moved into the flat? That was January, wasn’t it?’
‘I didn’t really. I used to doss there a few nights a week, but I wouldn’t say I ever moved in, as such. I’d be at Darryl’s a few nights a week too, depending on what was go
ing on.’
‘Depending on what you’d been able to score?’
Sailes sighed. ‘Yes.’
‘And what do you use?’
‘Anything I can get my hands on.’
‘And Tanya?’
‘The same.’
Potter turned to Jane and raised her eyebrows.
‘How would you describe your relationship with Alesha?’ asked Jane.
‘What’s that supposed to mean?’
‘It’s not supposed to mean anything, Kevin. You have a relationship with Alesha. What is it?’
‘We get on all right, I suppose. I don’t see her that much. She’s usually in bed when I arrive at the flat and then gone to school when I wake up.’
‘Where do you sleep?’
‘Sometimes on the sofa, sometimes in Tanya’s room. It depends.’
‘On what?’
Sailes took a deep breath. ‘How far gone we are.’
‘What happens in the morning, if you and Tanya are too far gone?’
‘Alesha gets herself ready and goes off to school. It’s not far.’
‘Were you aware she was in trouble at school?’
‘What for?’
‘Bullying.’
‘No.’
‘What about the razor blades? Was that you or Tanya?’
‘What razor blades?’ asked Curry.
‘Alesha was caught shoplifting before Christmas, Mr Curry,’ said Jane.
He leaned over and whispered in his client’s ear.
‘No comment,’ mumbled Sailes.
‘Did you ever meet any of Alesha’s friends?’
‘No,’ replied Sailes. ‘They never came to the flat.’
‘Has Alesha ever stayed away before?’ asked Potter. ‘Run away, perhaps?’
‘No. And if she did, she’d just go to her dad’s.’
‘What about your associates, do any of them ever come to the flat?’
‘No.’
‘A neighbour has reported two men, both seen at the property on more than one occasion.’
Sailes was staring at his trainers, laces removed, which had almost slipped off the end of his feet. Trainers and no socks – it added to the smell. ‘Suppliers. And before you ask, no, I won’t tell you who they are. They’ve got nothing to do with Alesha. I’m not sure they’ve ever even met her.’
‘Let’s start with your whereabouts on Friday, then, Kevin,’ said Potter.
Sailes leaned back in his chair and puffed out his cheeks. ‘Alesha was at school when I woke up. I went to Bridgwater on the bus, scored some . . . stuff. Then I hung around with Darryl for a while. She was already in bed by the time I got back.’
‘Did you see her?’
‘No.’
‘So, how d’you know she was in bed?’
‘I don’t, I suppose. Maybe Tanya said something, I don’t know. Or maybe I just assumed she was. Anyway, I didn’t see her.’
‘And Saturday?’
‘She was gone before we woke up.’
‘What time was that?’
‘Lunchtime.’
‘And you’ve not seen her since?’
‘If I had, I’d bloody well say so.’
‘Saturday then. Where did you go when you woke up?’
‘Darryl’s.’
‘Until what time?’
‘Five or so, I suppose. Then I went back to the flat, but me and Tanya had a row, so I walked back to Darryl’s.’
‘Walked?’
‘It’s only twelve miles. She’d had all my money so I had nothing for the bus.’
‘What was the row about?’
‘Money and drugs. She’d taken all my cash and my stash. The whole bloody lot. So, I went back to Darryl’s to see what I could scrounge off him.’
‘Where was Alesha during all this?’
‘I didn’t see her. She usually goes to her dad’s on Saturday anyway.’
‘When did you tell Tanya you were on the Sex Offender Register?’
‘I didn’t.’ Sailes leaned forward and jabbed the index finger of his left hand at Jane. ‘She did.’
‘Did Tanya ask you about it?’
‘I told her the same as I told you. The truth.’
‘And she accepted that explanation?’
Sailes nodded.
‘For the tape?’
‘Yes.’
Potter waited until the interview room door closed behind her.
‘Let’s get him released on police bail. That’ll give us twenty-eight days, then we can charge him with the Section 91 offences, if nothing else.’
‘Yes, Ma’am.’
‘Tell them he can be released once we’ve seen Tanya. And we’ll have a condition on it that he stays away from the flat. Is she at home yet?’
‘Yes, Ma’am.’
‘Get the drug squad to put a tail on him too. He’ll probably lead them straight to his dealer.’
Jane nodded.
‘It’s starting to look random,’ said Potter, shaking her head. ‘Did you believe him?’
‘Some people lie for a pastime. All that crap about walking from Burnham to Bridgwater, for a start.’
‘We’ve got him on CCTV at a petrol station on the edge of Bridgwater, but how did he get there?’ Potter was checking her phone for messages. ‘Right, well, let’s go and see what Tanya’s got to say for herself.’
PC Cole lifted the blue tape at the end of Worston Lane and Jane ducked under it, following DCS Potter.
‘Sorry,’ mouthed Cole.
‘It’s fine, really,’ said Jane.
‘She’s got her mother with her,’ said Cole. ‘And Karen Marsden’s in there with the social worker.’
‘About bloody time she put in an appearance,’ muttered Potter. ‘Has Tanya said anything?’
‘She’s not seen Alesha since Friday night. She was off her trolley on Saturday morning and Alesha was gone when she woke up.’
‘Makes you wonder why some people have children at all.’ Potter frowned.
The image of an empty crematorium flashed across Jane’s mind. There had been seven mourners at Sonia’s funeral, including herself and Nick. She’d met her three times, if she included being born; the file said she had been given up for adoption at birth. She knew why, though, and it was a sobering thought to know you were a mistake.
Jane hesitated at the top of the steps and looked down at the back garden, the grass flattened by a fingertip search, then strimmed and searched again. ‘It was nearly up to the swing when I was here last,’ she said. ‘Quite an achievement in winter.’
‘At least she’s had it cut for free.’ Potter turned and knocked on the front door. ‘Family Liaison?’ she asked, when an officer in uniform opened the door.
‘This is Karen Marsden, Ma’am,’ said Jane.
‘How is she?’ asked Potter.
‘It’s difficult to tell, really, Ma’am. She’s not had a fix today and is a bit shaky. She left hospital with a methadone prescription, but she hasn’t taken it.’
‘Has she said anything?’
‘Nothing of note. Her mother’s here and she’s a right pain in the arse. Seems to think Alesha can look after herself.’
‘She’s bloody well had to,’ said Jane.
‘Who is it?’ The voice was shrill and came from inside the flat.
‘That’s the mother,’ said Karen. ‘Sonia. It’s no bloody wonder Tanya’s turned out the way she has.’
Another Sonia?
Jane stifled a wry smile. When she got home, she’d ring her mother – her adopted mother – just to find out how she was.
‘What about the social worker?’ asked Potter.
‘She got here just after lunch, Ma’am. Between you and me, I think she feels a bit responsible. We were in the kitchen and she said they should’ve got Alesha out of here when Sailes came on the scene.’
‘Hindsight is a wonderful thing,’ said Potter, glancing at Jane.
‘We told them to intervene, begged them, but it
was their decision.’
‘Well, we are where we are.’ Potter shook her head. ‘Let’s get on with it.’
They followed Karen along the corridor and into the gloomy living room, one small lamp offering the only light. Two women were sitting on the sofa, the older with her arm around the younger woman, who was shaking, her face partially hidden behind large sunglasses.
‘Can we get that down?’ asked Potter, gesturing to the rug pinned up at the window.
‘It’s her eyes,’ said the older woman, presumably Sonia.
‘You’ll be Tanya?’ asked Potter, turning to the younger woman.
She nodded.
‘Rest assured we are doing everything we can to find Alesha. All right?’
‘Where’s Kevin?’
‘He’s still in custody, but he’ll be released later this afternoon on condition that he stays away from here. Is that clear, Tanya?’
‘He’s got nothing to do with Alesha.’
Jane couldn’t tell whether her eyes were open or closed behind the sunglasses. And she’d overdone the peroxide since she last saw her, that much was clear; her straggly bleached hair visible even in the near darkness.
‘He’ll be charged with two offences relating to breaching the terms of his registration. I understand you knew he was a registered sex offender?’
‘It was all a mix up,’ snapped Sonia. ‘He’s not a paedophile, if that’s what you mean.’ No need to wonder where Tanya got the peroxide habit from.
‘We know what he is and what he’s done,’ said Potter. ‘And the fact remains he was convicted of two counts of sexual activity with a child, served three years of a five year sentence, and is now on the Sex Offender Register for life.’
‘He thought she was sixteen.’
Missing front teeth too. Jane’s eyes must be adjusting to the gloom.
‘So he says, but the jury didn’t believe that, did they?’
‘He told me he pleaded guilty,’ mumbled Tanya.
Potter turned to Jane. ‘You know Jane Winter, I believe?’
Tanya nodded.
‘We’ll find—’
‘Oh, she’ll turn up somewhere,’ said Sonia, cutting Jane off mid-sentence. ‘She’ll be fine.’
‘What can you tell me about Saturday morning, Tanya?’ asked Potter.
‘Nothing, really. I didn’t wake up until lunchtime.’