All the Rage

Adam Fawley
4 April 2018
12.32

`˜We checked with the crematorium on our way back,' says Ev, looking round the room. `˜Ashley Brotherton was definitely where he said he was at the time Faith was attacked. He was one of the coffin bearers `“ there must have been fifty people who saw him there.'

It's probably just as well I'm letting Gis run this meeting, because I'm struggling to keep my temper. If it was any other case would I really be expecting a major breakthrough by now? Perhaps I just need to be more realistic. More patient. Trouble is, there probably isn't a single person I know who would use that particular adjective to describe me. Least of all my wife.

Gis turns to Somer. `˜Did you ask Faith about the plaster?'

She glances up. `˜Yes, Sarge, but it didn't ring any bells.'

`˜What about the other building firms? Did we turn up anything there?'

Somer looks down at her notes. `˜I spoke to both Razniaks and Rathbone Sons. Rathbone's vans are green, not white, and Razniak only use transits, so the one on the CCTV isn't either of theirs. But we're basing all this on the ladder on the roof `“ it might not be a builder at all. It could just as easily be a decorator or a window cleaner or even someone who fits satellite dishes `“'

`˜Wouldn't get plaster dust doing that though, would they,' says Baxter stolidly.

`˜It could still be a builder,' observes Asante, `˜just one from further out of town `“'

The door swings open `“ suddenly and fast. It's the desk officer, wide-eyed and out of breath.

`˜DI Fawley? We've just had a call transferred across from 999. A woman called Fiona Blake. It's her daughter. She's fifteen. And she's gone missing.'

* * *THE CENTRAL CRIMINAL COURTThe Old BaileyLondon EC4M 7EHBEFORE:THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE HEALEYR E G I N Av.GAVIN FRANCIS PARRIEMR. R. BARNES Q.C. and MISS S. GREYappeared on behalf of the prosecution.MRS. B. JENKINS Q.C. and MR. T. CUTHBERTappeared on behalf of the defendant.Friday, 29th October, 1999[Day 11]GERRY BUTLER, swornExamined by MR. BARNESQ. Is your full name Gerald Terence Butler?A. Yes.Q. Mr. Butler, I would like to ask you some questions about the events of the evening of 4th September 1998. Could you tell the court, in your own words, what you saw?A. I was on my way home from work, walking along Latimer Road. There's a stretch along there where there are some bushes and stuff. It was getting dark so I didn't realise what was happening until I got quite close.Q. And what was happening?A. There was a girl `“ a young woman `“ I could hear noises, like she was trying to call out. Then I realised there was a bloke there too. He was on top of her.Q. On top of her, how?A. She was on her front `“ you know, face down `“ and he was straddling her. She had a bag over her head and he was tying her hands.Q. Tying her hands in what way?A. I couldn't see then, but I realised later it was cable ties.Q. What happened next?A. I started shouting and he realised I was there and scarpered.Q. Did you see his face?A. Not really `“ he looked up and saw me but he had a hoodie on so I didn't really see what he looked like. And then he pushed through the bushes and ran out the other side.Q. What is your profession, Mr. Butler?A. I'm in Security. Used to be in the army, but I've been in Security ever since I came out.Q. You are, in fact, a bouncer at one of the Oxford nightclubs. Kubla, on the High Street, isn't that right?A. Yeah, been there four years. I do the odd shift behind the bar sometimes, when they're short-staffed, but mostly it's on the door.Q. Could you confirm your height and weight for the court?A. Six two, 220 pounds.Q. And you keep fit?A. I work out, I keep in shape. I have to, in my job.Q. And the man you saw, what would you estimate his height and weight to be `“ approximately?A. About five eight, but quite skinny. Say 160 pounds?Q. So in his eyes, you would have been quite intimidating?A. I guess so.Q. What happened next?A. I went over to the girl and asked if she was OK. She was in a pretty bad way `“ her face was all scratched and he'd pulled out some of her hair. But he hadn't `“ well, you know.Q. He hadn't?A. Raped her. Assaulted her.Q. Because you turned up just in time.MRS. JENKINS: My apologies, my Lord, but Mr. Butler cannot possibly know the assailant's intentions.MR. JUSTICE HEALEY: Mr. Barnes, perhaps you might rephrase your question?MR. BARNES: Did you see any evidence that there had been an attempted sexual assault, Mr. Butler?A. He'd yanked up her skirt `“ I could see where he'd pulled at her knickers. So, yeah, I'd say I did.Q. You proceeded to call 999?A. That's right. I hung around with her till the police arrived. She was crying and that.Q. And this is the young woman who has been identified to the court as Ms. Sheldon?A. Yeah, that's her.MR. BARNES: I have no further questions, thank you.* * *Gis pulls the sheet off the printer and pins it up on the whiteboard. Behind him, the room is silent. It's a picture of Sasha Blake. Pale clear skin, blue eyes, a swing of dark ponytail.

She looks just like Faith.

* * *