All the Rage

Adam Fawley
9 April 2018
10.26

When I push open the door to the incident room, Gislingham is up at the front, gesturing towards the whiteboard. People are clustered close around him. They're all on their feet. And take it from me, as a snap indicator of case morale, the ratio of sit to stand is usually pretty reliable. `˜Up and at 'em' isn't just a clichГ© `“ not in this job.

Heads turn, people register it's me.

`˜We were just going through the latest developments, sir,' he begins.

I move up towards the front. `˜I'm sorry to barge in but this can't wait. There's a witness downstairs who needs someone to take her statement.'

Gislingham frowns slightly. `˜A statement about what?'

`˜About Sasha Blake. And Graeme Scott.'

* * *

Interview with Graeme Scott, conducted at St Aldate's Police Station, Oxford

9 April 2018, 11.52 a.m.

In attendance, DC G. Quinn, DC A. Baxter, Mrs D. Owen (solicitor)

DO: I assume you've had a chance to check my client's alibi by now, so I'm at a loss to know what this is about.GQ: The convenience store on Cherwell Drive has supplied us with their till receipts for the morning of April 1st, so we have confirmed that your client purchased milk at 9.16.DO: Which means he couldn't possibly have committed the assault on Faith Appleford. Have you had the results of the forensic tests on his car?GQ: We have.DO: And? For heaven's sake, Constable, this is like drawing teeth.GQ: There is no trace of either Faith Appleford or Sasha Blake in Mr Scott's vehicle.GS: [slamming his hands on the table]

There `“ what did I tell you `“ I had nothing to do with it `“DO: In that case, perhaps you could explain what on earth we are doing here?GQ: This is in relation to another incident. One that took place some days before Sasha died.GS: I don't know what you're talking about.GQ: Where were you on the morning of Saturday 17th March, Mr Scott, around 10.45?GS: I have no bloody idea.GQ: Are you sure? You don't remember being on Walton Street that morning? That stretch along by the Blavatnik building? Because we have a witness who says you were.* * *