All the Rage

Adam Fawley
5 April 2018
11.48

We offer him tea, but he refuses.

`˜Grandad says you'd get forensics off it `“ prints and that. He says you have to be careful.'

`˜We have to be careful too,' I say, taking my seat opposite him. `˜And one of the things we're particularly careful about is checking our facts.'

He looks confused. `˜I'm not with you.'

I open my file. He glances at it, and then back at me. Something flickers across his eyes.

`˜You told my colleague DC Everett that you were at your grandmother's funeral on the morning of April 1st.'

`˜Yeah `“ like I said `“'

`˜You also said no one else could have had access to your van when you were in Headington, at the service.'

He frowns. `˜Yeah, so?'

I glance up at him. `˜Which leaves me with a puzzle. You see, a witness has now come forward to say she saw your van on the Marston Ferry Road that morning. Perhaps you can help me with that?'

Brotherton opens his mouth then closes it again. `˜Do I need a lawyer or what?'

`˜You can have one, if you wish,' I reply. `˜If you think you need one.'

I stare at him; he stares at me. He blinks first.

`˜Yeah,' he says. `˜I reckon that'd be a good idea.'

* * *

Interview with Ashley Brotherton, conducted at St Aldate's Police Station, Oxford

5 April 2018, 12.42 p.m.

In attendance, DI A. Fawley, DC E. Somer, J. Hoskins (solicitor)

AF: So, Mr Brotherton, as I was saying before your lawyer arrived, you told DC Everett that no one else could possibly have been driving your van on the morning of April 1st, and yet it was spotted by a member of the public on the Marston Ferry Road. Perhaps you could explain that for us?AB: They must've got it wrong.AF: You're saying the witness was mistaken?AB: Must be.AF: It had to be your van.AB: Ramsgate have loads of vans. Could have been any of 'em.ES: According to Ramsgate they're all accounted for. They were all signed in at the Bicester site by eight that morning.AB: Well, I've been thinking and I reckon Martyn was on holiday. It could have been him.ES: Martyn?AB: Martyn Ramsgate.ES: Your boss's son?AB: Yeah.ES: We'll double-check, but as far as Pauline Ramsgate is concerned all the vans were on-site.AB: Yeah, well she's going to lie for her own kid, ain't she.AF: Who would you lie for, Mr Brotherton?AB: What the fuck does that mean?ES: You've never lent your van to anyone?AB: Nope.AF: No one else has access to the keys?AB: No. Like I said the first time `“ to that other bint.AF: All right, Mr Brotherton. We'll leave it there for the moment. The officer will show you to a waiting room where you can be a bit more comfortable.* * *