My Caroline

by Roger Rapel

  Vicky took photos of the poor little girl she was no older than 9, she removed the gag from her mouth, as the girl cried ‘please don’t hurt me, please don’t let him hurt me again please.’ Then she burst into tears. Vicky untied her then hugged her as she went into hysterics. Vicky tried to ask her name, but she was crying so much. Then she finally got her to say her name, ‘Christina.’

  ‘Okay Christina we’re going to the police station to get you some clothes and a hot drink Okay?’ Christina looked into the comforting eyes of Vicky as she half smiled then nodded.

  Forsyth had been cuffed and was in the kitchen where he was sat with his head held low as Vicky led Christina out wrapped in a blanket then placed her into Jim’s car, shortly after she drove Christina to Central, she had called ahead to get someone to call the police doctor.

  Vicky tried to talk with Christina, but she was withdrawing into herself, the poor kid had suffered at the hands of Forsyth and probably others as well, how badly she had been hurt was unknown at this time; not until she had been medically examined.

  Vicky arrived at the police station, she could see the daunting look in Christina’s eyes; this was a frightening situation for an adult never mind a 9 year old who was shivering and shaking with fear after being abused, and now this situation. Vicky picked her up and gave her a big kiss as she opened the door as she led Christina into an interview room where she made a call to Jackie for help.

  Jackie came to the office where she began trying to calm Christina. ‘Hello my darling I’m Jackie, and what’s your name?’ ‘Christina, my name is Christina.’ ‘Oh wow what a lovely name.’ Christina gave half a smile as Jackie stroked her hair. ‘You are such a pretty girl. Have you got any brothers or sisters?’ ‘I don’t know.’ ‘Okay do you have a last name?’ ‘Christina Chandler.’ ‘Where do you live sweetheart?’ ‘I don’t know.’ ‘Oh sweetheart I’m so sorry about the questions. Okay then, where did you live my darling?’ ‘I don’t know my mummy gave me away.’ ‘Where were you staying my love?’ ‘I was with lots of other girls and boys in a big house.’ ‘Do you know where my darling?’ ‘It was a big house it was horrible they did bad things to us, men would come and take us away and make me do things and I would cry.’

  Jackie needed to get her comfortable so changed the subject. ‘Tell me about your favourite toy, do you have one?’ Christina nodded ‘I had a teddy, but I lost him, he’s gone.’ Vicky came back to the office with some clothes, she had nipped to a local charity shop and bought what she thought would fit her; she also bought her a cuddly toy.

  Jackie said ‘wow Christina look what Vicky has got you, come on my sweet we will dress you in a minute. But very soon you will need to be seen by a doctor he will need to examine you, I will be there to hold your hand okay.’ Jackie gave her a big hug as Christina cuddled the toy close to her. She was physically shaking as tears ran down her cheeks. The poor kid looked like some Dickensian street urchin.

  Shortly after the doctor arrived, he looked at Christina, ‘hello and who is this, what a pretty girl you are, what’s your name?’ Christina looked at Jackie who nodded and smiled as she said ‘Christina.’ ‘What a lovely name, do you have a last name?’ ‘Chandler’ ‘okay did Jackie tell what was going to happen?’ Christina nodded.

  The doctor took out his stethoscope and he put the listening end in Christina’s ears then said ‘listen’ as he tapped the end, Christina smiled. Then he nodded to Jackie who said ‘come on then Christina we need to get you ready for the doctor, okay?’ Christina froze as Jackie helped her. The doctor put the stethoscope on her chest and listened then examined her externally, but when he tried to examine her internally she cried. Jackie stroked her hair saying ‘the doctor needs to see inside he is kind and will be gentle.’ The doctor shook his head as he said ‘she’s been raped there’s still semen inside her.’ Then he took swab samples from back and front.

  After he had finished his examination he looked into his bag and pulled out a couple of sugar coated lollies and handed them to her. ‘That’s for being a brave girl, well done.’ Christina smiled as she unwrapped one of the lollies and placed it into her mouth.

  Jackie went outside with the Doctor, as he said ‘she has been raped she is very badly ripped and torn inside there is also anal damage as well; she also has bruises all over her torso and face. Other than that she has been reasonably well fed, but she is in need of some real TLC.’ Jackie thanked him for his time.

  Jackie had no alternative than to call social services to take Christina into care, but it sounded like social services somewhere had been the ones to have let her down. The very organisation supposed to take care of children had allowed Christina and others to be taken and abused. Someone from within the social services had used his or her position for self-gratification and money for the supply of kids to paedophiles.

  Jackie also knew that there were equally many good caring people inside the social services and care homes who worked tirelessly for the children in their care, it was only a few out of the many who were bad apples.

  Jackie looked at Christina curled up on her lap shaking as she tried to sleep. Christina eventually dropped off to sleep as Jackie eased herself out of Christina’s grip. Then she called social services, and spoke to one of her contacts as she explained the issue and what was required; in the short term a foster home for Christina was required whilst the investigation was being conducted.

  Jackie spoke with Vicky who was still so angry and frustrated at the sight of Christina laying on a bench with a blanket over her. Vicky said ‘that poor kid, just look at her so innocent, who could do such a thing to a lovely child like that?’ ‘The problem is Vicky paedophiles are sick, they see kids like Christina as normal and they see no wrong in it, just preying on them, they are also very cunning. Jim hates them with a vengeance. How did Jim find her?’ ‘I have no idea Jackie, one minute he went out then after a few minutes he called me to the house where Forsyth was living asking me to bring the camera.’

  Within an hour social services had arrived and took Christina to a well-used foster home. Where Mrs Murphy a rotund woman with a broad Southern Irish brogue was waiting; she was well used to looking after abused kids; she had been so good with short and long-term cases. Some of them she kept under her wing until they were old enough to make their own way or had been adopted.

  Mrs Murphy heard a car pull up outside, so she opened the front door in anticipation, once confirmed she walked to the car taking Christina by the hand and in a soft voice ‘hello my darling, come on let’s be having you, oh there’s a big girl.’ She lifted her up and hugged her to her ample bosom; tears were rushing down Christina’s cheeks. This was so frightening for her having been passed from one person to the other. Christina’s eyes were like saucers so fearful about what was going to happen to her, she was shaking with fear.

  Mrs Murphy took Christina inside where she said ‘well let’s look at you. Would you like a nice bath to get you clean then have something to eat and some hot chocolate, would you like that, ah to be sure you would, wouldn’t you?’ Christina couldn’t speak she was still crying, but just about managed a nod.

  Mrs Murphy took Christina upstairs where she ran the bath and swished in some baby oil and bath foam, she tested the water then undressed Christina and helped her into the bath and started to wash her hair then rinsed it with warm water. ‘Now let’s be looking at you to be sure; now I can see how pretty you really are.’ Christina managed a smile as all the dirt had been washed away.

  Mrs Murphy held up a big white bath towel which she wrapped around Christina as she helped her from the bath. Then she patted her down and winced at the bruises all over Christina’s body as she gently dried her.

  ‘Now then my darling, I found some jim-jams for you, here you go.’ Christina stepped into the bottoms then put her arms through the top as Mrs Murphy pulled it over her head then buttoned it up. Christina feeling safe threw her arms around Mrs Murphy’s neck and cried deeply into her shoul
der. Mrs Murphy kneeling on the floor was nearly in tears herself. She had a big lump in her throat which she he held back as she said ‘there my darling, your safe now; come on let’s be getting you something to eat and some hot chocolate.’

  Once downstairs Mrs Murphy switched on the kettle then made hot chocolate pouring it into a cup; Christina held it in both hands as she drank the warm chocolate then ate a sandwich. Christina went to the side of Mrs Murphy where she climbed on her lap then she curled up and went to sleep as her hair was stroked.

  Then after some 10 minutes Mrs Murphy carried her upstairs where she tucked her up in bed leaving a night-light on as she surrounded her with all manner of soft cuddly toys. Mrs Murphy sat stroking Christina’s head as she started crying. This was unlike her, but this little child was so vulnerable and innocent having been abused and suffered so much pain at the hands of god knows who.

  After 10 minutes or so Mrs Murphy gathered herself together then went downstairs where she tidied the kitchen. She had a quick chat with her husband who had arrived home from work then went to bed, leaving her bedroom door open and a light on in case Christina woke up during the night.

  The night went well without any disturbance, little Christina stayed asleep until 8.30am. As she woke up she was a bit confused about where she was, then remembered; she went downstairs holding onto the banister for support as she took one step at a time until she reached the bottom step, she was a bit unsure where to go, then she heard the voice of Mrs Murphy and went towards the kitchen door. Once the door was opened she saw Mr Murphy and took in a deep breath. Scared to death of men she started to move back away from the door, fearful of what was going to happen to her as tears started to well-up as she said under her breath ‘please don’t hurt me, please don’t’ she sat on the stairs and cried not knowing what was going to happen to her. Mr Murphy seeing Christina nodded to his wife who got up from the table and went towards Christina who was sobbing so heavily she could hardly get her breath in between sobs and a runny nose; then she managed to say ‘please don’t let him hurt me please, please don’t let him hurt me.’

  Mrs Murphy picked her up and sat on the stairs saying ‘my goodness, what’s all this about, that man is my husband and he won’t be hurting you that’s for sure. Let me take you to say hello before he goes off to work.’ Mr Murphy smiled at Christina as his wife held her in her arms. Christina hid her face from him. Then he said ‘hello Christina, give me a big smile.’ Christina sneaked a look at him then gave a half smile before hiding again in the shoulder of Mrs Murphy.

  Mr Murphy said his goodbyes then put his thumb on the end of his nose and waggled his fingers at Christina. This drew a smile from her as he said ‘there’s a good girl’ as he opened the door then went off to work.

  ‘Right then Christina how did you sleep were you warm enough?’ Christina nodded as she looked at the table where there was a Mickey Mouse plate she picked it up as she smiled at the design. ‘Now then Christina, what shall we put on your plate, toast or cereal’s? Christina pointed to the toast on Mrs Murphy’s plate. ‘Okay my darling, with jam or marmalade?’ There was jar of marmalade on the table which Christina pointed to.

  Within a few moments the toaster had popped-up then lashings of butter and marmalade was spread on the toast as Mrs Murphy cut the slices into soldiers. Mrs Murphy placed the Micky Mouse plate piled high with soldiers in front of Christina, which she tucked into. Mrs Murphy said ‘whoa, not so fast, there’s no rush just take your time, that nice police lady will want to talk to you later, but take your time now.’ Mrs Murphy watched Christina eating her toast and holding onto a cuddly toy for comfort; she thought how such a little child could have suffered so much, at the hands such evil people.

  Christina smiled as she wiped her hands and mouth with a tissue. Mrs Murphy smiled as she picked up a damp cloth and wiped Christina’s sticky hands and mouth. ‘There Christina, now let’s get you washed and clean those lovely teeth ready for that nice police lady.’ Christina smiled as she climbed down from the chair. Christina climbed the stairs ahead of Mrs Murphy; then she went into bathroom where she removed her pyjamas then washed herself. Mrs Murphy then dressed Christina in reserve clothes she kept for occasions like this.

  17

  Jim arrived back at Central where he took Forsyth to a room where the police doctor obtained blood, pubic and head hair, also a saliva sample then fingernail scrapings.

  Vicky was waiting in an interview room with all the forms and tapes ready to be inserted into the recorder. Jim sat down opposite Forsyth looking at the evil in his eyes. Jim knew he had to go by the rules as it was being recorded onto tape. Gone were the old days when certain things could be gotten away with, but not now, it was all by the book.

  The tape machine was switched on by Vicky as Jim made the introduction then asked Forsyth his name.

  ‘Gordon Forsyth.’

  Then after other ancillary questions the interview began.

  ‘Okay Gordon let’s start off with the basics shall we. Why are you here?’

  ‘No comment.’

  ‘Why do you think you are here?’

  ‘No comment.’

  ‘Are you married?’

  ‘What?’

  ‘Simple question are you married?’

  ‘Was once.’

  ‘What was her name?’

  ‘No comment.’

  ‘Do you have kids of your own?’

  ‘What?’

  ‘Another simple question, have you got kids of your own?’

  ‘No comment.’

  ‘Now let me see Gordon, do you like kids?’

  ‘What?’

  ‘Do you like kids?’

  ‘No comment.’

  Jim looked into his eyes and smiled then winked at him as he cocked his head to one side then said.

  ‘I’ll ask again do you like kids?’

  ‘No comment.’

  ‘You know Gordon you must like kids, I think you must really like them, what do you think?’

  ‘No comment.’

  ‘Look you must like kids because in your house you had an eight or nine year girl old tied up so she couldn’t leave, so you must like them, don’t you?’

  Forsyth was now shuffling his feet and feeling uncomfortable at the staring eyes of Jim drilling into the back of his head.

  ‘No comment.’

  Jim gritted his teeth as he asked the next question, he wanted to get right under his skin and get him squirming.

  ‘Now then Gordon, this is how much you like kids, we have had the little girl Christina examined by a Doctor, do you know what he found inside that little girl, go on, have a guess, go on guess, go on?’

  ‘No comment.’

  ‘Let me tell you shall I?’

  Jim’s lips tightened over his teeth as he looked deep into the eyes of Forsyth forcing him to avert his eyes.

  ‘No comment.’

  ‘I will tell you, semen yes male semen, inside an eight or nine year old, she also has damage to her anus. How does that make you feel?’

  ‘No comment.’

  ‘Now then Gordon, if that semen came from you, the DNA will confirm it, and if it does it will show that you raped a nine year old. How does that make you feel Gordon?’

  Forsyth brought his hands to his face as he dragged them over down over his cheeks then said as he smiled at Jim.

  ‘No comment.’

  Jim had been in these situations before, all he wanted to do was to drag Forsyth over the table and beat the shit out of him.

  Jim looked at Forsyth and smiled back at him as he winked knowing that Forsyth wanted him to lose his rag, but it wasn’t working he had the upper hand, he just wanted to wind Forsyth up making him feel uncomfortable.

  ‘You see Gordon that little girl was tied up so she couldn’t move; where did she come from?’

  ‘No comment.’

  ‘You see Gordon we know she came from a care home, where she was supposed to live, but she couldn’t because she
was tied up in your bedroom; so apart from being arrested for indecent assault on Christina you are also being arrested for rape, false imprisonment and grievous bodily harm. You’re still under caution you understand?’

  Jim smirked at him as he nodded, then cocked his head to one side, put his fingers to lips then pulled them away like the Italian’s do and blew Forsyth a kiss, then with a broad smile he said.

  ‘Anything you want to say now Gordon?’

  ‘No comment.’

  ‘Okay when we searched your premises we found these pictures of children, naked children and from the wall paper it looks like they were taken in your bedroom. There are 5 different children in the pictures, where did they come from Gordon, the same care home as Christina; where are they now Gordon, where?’

  ‘Look I have nothing to say.’

  Jim turned over the pictures and saw dates scrawled on the back.

  Jim showed the dates to Forsyth then said.

  ‘What do these dates mean Gordon?’

  ‘No comment.’

  ‘Were they the dates the kids were taken from the care home or the day you took the photos of the naked kids?’

  ‘No comment.’

  Jim looked at the pathetic man in front of him, dressed in dirty clothes, he smelled like he hadn’t showered in weeks. His face was dirty and his decaying dirty teeth gave off a horrible bad breath smell. Those poor kids having been raped and buggered by this evil smelling creature must have been petrified having been tied up and kept prisoner not knowing what was going to happen.