My Caroline

by Roger Rapel

‘Okay let me move on for a moment, who are the children in the photographs we found in your house?’

  ‘Nothing to say.’

  ‘Oh by the way we also found a camera in your bedroom together with the photos of other young girls naked, you are also under arrest for possessing those as well, the same caution applies understand?

  Meadows nodded.

  ‘There is also a film in the camera so we will have that developed and see what it contains; what’s on the film Sam, more pictures of little girls?’

  Meadows just hung his head as he contemplated his position he sat for five minutes just looking at the floor.

  Vicky put her finger to her lips knowing that Frank was itching to get in with some questions.

  Meadows looked up then licked his lips as his mouth had dried as the questions were hitting him hard. There was nowhere to go he was backed into a corner.

  Then Meadows said:

  ‘Okay she was given to me by one of my friends and before you ask I’m not saying who; then I had sex with her there I have said it.’

  ‘Thank you for that, you had sex with her, how did you have sex with her?’

  ‘What?’

  ‘Simple question how did you have sex with her?’

  ‘Oh, I taped her hands and mouth so she couldn’t move then had sex with her.’

  ‘She was only nine years old she wasn’t she, so how did you manage to get inside her?’

  ‘I used lubrication.’

  ‘You buggered her as well.’

  Meadows nodded, he was now completely broken.

  Vicky nodded to Frank to take over as she couldn’t get the image of the poor kid being forced into having sex with Meadows, and being unable to move or say anything.

  Frank coughed then took over the interview as Vicky made notes.

  ‘Right how many of those children in the photos did you have sex with?’

  Meadows knew they had no evidence against him for the other kids so said nothing.

  ‘Okay where were the photos taken?’

  ‘Nothing to say.’

  ‘Where were they taken, come on man where did you take the pictures?’

  ‘Nothing to say.’

  ‘Okay let’s go back a bit Sam who gave you Veronica?’

  ‘Nothing to say.’

  The interview continued, but Meadows knew they had nothing on him so just stayed quiet.

  Vicky knew if they had been able to keep observations on the houses they could possibly have cracked a ring of perverts preying on kids and passing them from one to another, but now the others would go into hiding resurfacing at some other playground in some other town or city watching and snatching kids to be raped and passed around like toys.

  The interview concluded then Vicky went to find the teams who had been to the other houses. They had no luck; the houses they searched were clean not even a photograph. Vicky was seething, she knew in her heart that there was a sex ring, and with the right observations she could have cracked it. She shouted when she was on her own ‘all because of some fucking budget!’

  When finished Vicky charged Meadows and prepared a remand in custody report then went to see Langton at HQ’s. She knew he would be pleased with one out of three, but it could have been a bigger and better result, especially with the protection of little kids at the forefront of the investigation. She spouted off at Langton forgetting for a moment, who she was talking to.

  Langton knew she was hot under the collar so forgave her for the outburst as he said ‘look Vicky you know the story, finances are at the head of this, the government has reduced budgets and we have to comply by making cuts, they don’t see what we have to deal with. But you did a cracking job well done’ then he poured her a scotch which she gladly accepted even though she was inwardly seething, not at Langton, but at the system and how those poor kids had suffered and would continue to suffer at the hands of the likes of Forsyth and Meadows just because some politician says no more money, what price do you put on a child’s life?

  Vicky thanked Langton for the chat and the scotch then began putting the paperwork together for the court in the morning; then Brian called ‘hi Brian, how are you? That’s good; you are! How did you manage that? Okay will see you then, that’s magic.’ Vicky sat and thought, shall I ask him to stay at mine or get a hotel then she smiled to herself as she nodded?

  Brian had wangled a visit to tie up the loose ends of their investigation and to retrieve as much information as he could from other forces. Vicky sat on cloud nine thinking of the good time she’d had with him.

  27

  Midday arrived as Jim sat in the foyer of his hotel watching the people arrive and leave, some were so far up their own arses expecting to be pampered; looking down their noses at the staff.

  There was a bit of commotion as one of the up their own arse customers was demanding to see the manager as she wasn’t happy with the service. Jim thought why do they suck up to these arseholes without chinning them? He was smiling to himself when in walked CA.

  Jim hid behind a copy of the New York Times then he peered over the top, but too late CA had already clocked him. ‘There you are Broadbent, trying to hide from me are you?’ Jim brought the paper down as he smiled. ‘You look gorgeous ma’am.’ ‘Well thank you kind sir.’ ‘Coffee or a walk then a bus ride?’ ‘A walk first, then catch a bus.’

  Jim took hold of her hand as they walked towards the entrance passing by reception; the manager was still sucking up to the arsehole of a woman who was demanding this and that. Jim shook his head as he walked by smiling at the poor manager who was trying his best to placate the woman who was making some trivial complaint sound like a disaster.

  Jim still holding CA’s hand walked out of the hotel into the bright sunshine. It was cool but the sun when fully out made it feel like a warm spring day albeit it was autumn, although they both knew once the sun dipped below the horizon the temperature would plummet.

  They walked a little way then CA said ‘Jim I think I know why you’re here?’ ‘Why’s that?’ Jim thought Yvonne must have informed Barney of the real reason for the trip. CA carried on ‘you’re looking for James Bond aren’t you?’ Jim laughed as he said in his poor Sean Connery accent ‘yesh mish Moneypenny you got me.’

  The afternoon was fun as they took a bus tour around Washington.

  Then as the evening chill set in they went for a steak; Jim ordered a nice red wine to compliment the meal. The chatter then moved to the real reason why Jim was in the states. Jim tried to fob it off, but it wasn’t working then he said ‘as you know CA we all have secrets, even within your organisation the right hand doesn’t know what the left hand is doing, never mind a foreign agency. But, if it helps I haven’t got a clue what I’m doing either, I was told to come over and then I would be told what to do.’ This appeared to settle CA a little; although he suspected that Barney had probably briefed her to try and get what she could out of him. Just as the day drew to a close, they caught a cab back to CA’s apartment where they had another marathon session; CA all but killed him again with her sexual demands.

  Jim awoke in the morning to find CA still in bed. He shook her, then she stirred stretching, ‘what Jim, what?’ ‘You’re late babes you better get moving.’ ‘No, long week-end, go back to sleep.’ Jim looked at his watch again and saw that it was 9.30; he needed to contact Jackie at some time, but couldn’t risk it, not yet anyway. So he called Yvonne ‘hi M how are you? Is there any news on anything yet?’ ‘Not yet Jim, just be mindful of the situation you’re in and look for surveillance as the subject knows who your contact is.’ ‘How did he find that out?’ ‘I told him, so I could monitor his reactions; let’s just say it’s working, the phone lines are red hot.’ ‘Oh thanks, does he know who I am?’ ‘No, not yet, but as soon as you meet Rhanjee he probably will.’

  Yvonne continued ‘Rhanjee has your number and will call you when he is ready. His introduction code word is - crows always fly east - your reply is - you mean Ravens.’ Jim th
en said ‘is that it, just waiting here till contacted?’ ‘Yes Jim just enjoy yourself, I am sure you will.’ That was it the phone went dead. Jim returned to the bedroom with coffee. ‘Oh thanks Jim you’re spoiling me.’ Jim smiled as he got in beside CA and hugged her close. He knew as he did their coffee was going to get cold.

  28

  Vicky met Brian in the HQ’s car park they took a short walk, when out of sight of the high rise windows she gave him a big kiss. ‘Oh Brian it’s so nice to see you again.’ ‘Likewise Vick, this is a real bonus for me.’ He gave her squeeze then they walked to the main building, once on the top floor, she introduced him to Langton who shook hands then had a quick chat thanking him for his help.

  Vicky sat him down in her office then made coffee as they chatted about the case and how far she had got including the arrest of Meadows. Vicky explained that due to budget constraints she had to bring in the other main suspects with no evidence apart from the information provided by Susan Gormley, but with no admissions they had to be let go.

  Vicky then said ‘Meadows had eventually coughed to what we could prove, but nothing else. Although he had no option as he was found with a nine year old girl in his bed who was gagged, the poor kid had her hands and feet secured with tape.’ Brian congratulated her, but also commiserated with her. He knew all about budget cuts as his force was suffering the same, as were all government depts. including social services and the fire service. Then he said ‘wait until there is a death of a child then watch the vultures circle waiting to pick the bones of those at the coal face, but they won’t listen to arguments about budget cuts, all they will want is a scape goat.’

  Vicky smiled as she said ‘you must have borrowed my soap box.’ They both laughed then cracked on with the research including looking at the photos taken from Meadows address. She was just about to suggest lunch when Jeremy found her, he handed her the developed film from the camera taken from Meadows. Vicky thanked him as she opened the folder whilst Brian looked on.

  Jeremy said as he began to walk away ‘they’re not nice Vicky.’ Vicky was drawn to the photos as she put her hand to her mouth wincing as she looked at men having sex with girls as young as 6 years old. She had to pinch herself to stop being physically sick at the sights she saw. Vicky stood up and walked around as she tried to compose herself. Then she had to go to the toilet where she vomited, heaving up from way down. This was as bad if not worse than the post mortems she had seen.

  Vicky wiped her mouth and slapped her face with her hand then splashed water over her cheeks, took a deep breath, then sprayed breath freshener into her mouth then she went back to Brian who was still looking through the folder of photos. ‘You okay Vick?’ Yeah fine thanks just caught short.’ Brian knew she had been sick, but never dwelt on it. Then Brian said ‘he is one sick bastard, but you have got more than one person in the photos look here’ as he pointed to a couple of images of a naked man, then another, ‘you see just there on his chest, there is a mole, but no mole on the other, so it looks like they are taking pictures of each other having sex with these poor little girls, but wearing hoods so as not to show their faces.’ Then she saw what she hoped would be there, but cringed when she saw it, poor little Veronica being raped by Meadows he was taking photos of himself smiling as he was posing.

  Vicky winced again at the various shots of Veronica. Then she said to Brian ‘that’s Veronica the one found in his bedroom.’ ‘Poor kid, any ideas who the others are?’ ‘No idea he has clammed shut knowing we have nothing else on him, but these photos show him having sex with at least two other little girls, which is something we can talk to him about. I need to talk to him again anyway to try and get their names or at least where the girls came from.’ Brian nodded ‘perhaps they came from the same care home.’ ‘We know where Christina is from, as she is being interviewed by one of the specialists at the moment, so will have to wait to see what she comes back with and see if she names any other girls who were taken at the same time. Other members of the same team will be interviewing Veronica; hopefully she will say where she came from as well.’

  29

  Jackie continued the interview with Christina it was hard slow work, as she kept withdrawing into herself having suffered from the abuse at the hands of Forsyth and others. Jackie kept the questioning sessions to a minimum trying to gain her confidence by playing games.

  There was something blocking her from saying where she was from, although having named Susan, Jackie knew she was from the care home. It soon became obvious even at nine years old Christina didn’t want to go back to where she had come from, so she closed the shutters down and acted like she had never heard the questions. Even for her tender years she was pretty switched on and knew what was what.

  Jackie was getting exhausted from trying to talk and be friendly using all her skills and training to try and coax out of Christina everything she could. It was now time to introduce another colleague to assist.

  Katrina was another sexual offences officer specialising in the interview of children. Both Katrina and Jackie would take turns in trying to coax as much information as they could from Christina.

  After a while Jackie asked again where her mummy and daddy were. Then Christina broke down and sobbed saying she never had a mummy and daddy just the home, the nasty home where Susan and other bad people were.

  The care home had a new influx of staff installed to take over whilst the investigation was being conducted into the leadership under Susan Gormley.

  Brian contacted the new head, it was confirmed that Christina had indeed been a resident, but the paperwork indicated that she had been adopted which had been forged by Susan Gormley. No one had checked the papers from the official side; she hadn’t been adopted she had been sold to paedophiles for their sexual perversion.

  Vicky couldn’t believe there had been no inspection or audit of the home, how could these kids go missing with no one asking any questions?

  Brian contacted his team instructing them to work with the new head of the care home to assess how many other children had been signed off by Gormley as being allegedly adopted.

  Vicky then said ‘sorry Brian; have you booked a hotel?’ ‘No not yet, do you know of good one?’ ‘Yes I know a very good one.’ She smiled at Brian who nodded knowing he was going to be with Vicky for the night. When the night came he was far from disappointed as they made love in Vicky’s bed till the early morning.

  Jackie and Katrina continued their questioning of Christina, but she had shut up shop completely, she wouldn’t name anyone else, she had retreated into herself and was closing down. It was going to be a long time before psychiatrists could even get close to mending the harm caused to her, if ever.

  Poor Christina had now blocked out the images of her abuse and was retreating into her own world. The world where she lived with her toys was nice; also the love bestowed on her by Mrs Murphy made it a good place to be, she was showered with kindness, lovely hugs and big smiles. This was the world where she wanted to be, it was good there; it was so far removed from the abuse she had suffered.

  Another team was interviewing Veronica and were going through the same procedures of trying to break down barriers that were being erected to protect her from being sent back to be abused again.

  Then Jackie thought about letting Veronica and Christina into the same room to see if there was any recognition between them, if there was, it would give an indication that they were from the same care home.

  This had to be handled with care, so Jackie prepared a room in the house with more toys and games. Marcia one of the other interviewers let Veronica in first and sat playing games with her; then Jackie a few minutes later brought in Christina, there was instant recognition from them both as they sat and hugged each other and cried. The separation of the two of them had to be handled as carefully as the introduction.

  Jackie made up a story about Mrs Murphy needing her back home for something, the two children then hugged before they said goodbye.
>
  Jackie then called Vicky giving her the confirmation of the recognition of the two girls making it certain they came from the same care home.

  30

  Jim lay in bed with Carole-Anne resting her head on his chest; their coffee had indeed got cold from another session.

  Jim was thinking of the life he had, being abused by Jackie, Yvonne and now CA, he smiled to himself as he rested back and drifted off on a cloud as CA snuggled under the duvet as she wrapped her arms over his chest.

  Jim was away on cloud nine when he was brought back suddenly by his phone ringing. It was a withheld number, he wasn’t going to answer it, but he did, then a voice said ‘this is Rhanjee I need to meet you soon as things have moved on.’ ‘Okay but before I do, what is the code?’ ‘Crows always fly east. Now your response is?’ ‘Don’t you mean ravens?’ ‘Okay Jim, meet me tomorrow at 2pm in the foyer of your hotel.’ ‘How will I know you?’ ‘You won’t, but I have seen a picture of you.’ ‘Okay 2pm tomorrow.’

  CA stirred as she stretched and yawned ‘was that your phone Jim?’ ‘Yes I have a meeting tomorrow at 2, so will call you afterwards then we can do something depending on how long the meeting is for.’ ‘What does it mean Jim?’ ‘No idea babes, just a meeting.’

  Jim got up and showered as CA put her dressing gown on and made some more coffee. Once they had both showered they drank more coffee then went to Maddys for brunch; afterwards Jim kissed CA then walked to his hotel to at least show his face and get a change of clothes he also needed a night’s sleep to recuperate from CA’s attention; Jim made an excuse about preparing for the meeting; he would call her when it was over.

  The following afternoon Jim sat in the lounge of his hotel at 1.30pm just watching the world go by and reading the paper. He also took the opportunity to call Jackie just letting her know he was okay but he couldn’t stop as he had another meeting to go to.