When the Night Ends by M J Lee

Author:M J Lee [Lee, M J]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Canelo
Published: 2022-06-08T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Forty-Five

When Ridpath went back to the office, Sophia was still editing.

Last night, Ridpath had noted the relevant time codes on the CCTV. Sophia was now copying the clips and putting them in separate folders ready to be called up when Ridpath needed them.

He sat down and wrote a rough script for the interview; the main point was to get Saunders’ account of what happened. He added a few questions on the anomalies he had spotted in Saunders’ duty log, showing them to Sophia so she could put the clips in the correct order.

The rough script was just a guide, however, as he realised the interview could take many directions once it had started.

Mrs Challinor came to see their progress. ‘What time is the meeting?’

‘Two p.m.,’ answered Ridpath, looking over his shoulder.

‘It’s already 12.15, you should get a move on.’

‘Nearly done.’

‘Will Saunders come to the meeting?’

‘He’s said he would.’

‘And are you all set?’

‘I’d like to have watched all the CCTV, but we’re ready for a first meeting.’

‘Make sure it’s documented, Ridpath.’

‘A recording and transcript will be available to you, coroner.’

‘You met somebody this morning?’

‘A Neil Mallender. One of the possible witnesses who spent the night in Redbury station at the same time as Ben Holdsworth.’

‘I don’t remember the name from the file.’

‘He wasn’t in the file. Either IOPC didn’t interview him or they didn’t retain notes on the meeting.’

‘Will we call him?’

‘I don’t think so, Mrs Challinor. He was drunk and slept through everything, having been arrested for DUI.’

‘They didn’t charge him?’

Ridpath shook his head. ‘I think they wanted the cells cleared before the SOCOs went in. Understandable in the circumstances.’

‘Right. At least it’s one less witness for the inquest.’

‘We’re still looking for one other man who was in the cells that night.’

‘Who was he?’

‘A Garry Abbott, arrested for assault and battery.’

‘Another name not in the files.’

‘He doesn’t seem to have been interviewed at all.’

‘You’d better find him, and quickly.’

‘We will do, coroner.’

‘Good. And break a leg.’

‘Mine or his?’

She smiled and left them alone to finish the preparations.

An hour later, they were in the car driving to Police HQ.

‘Have you brought a laptop to record everything?’

Sophia held up her bag. ‘Wouldn’t be seen without one.’

‘And the CCTV clips are cued properly?’

‘I followed your script to the letter.’

‘I may change the script.’

‘I’ll just follow your lead.’ She laid her hand on his arm. ‘You seem nervous.’

Ridpath took a deep breath. ‘You realise what we are about to do? We’re going to interview a copper with over twenty years under his belt. His union rep will be there looking for the slightest mistake on our part. We need to be buttoned up, Sophia, as tight as a penguin in an Arctic gale.’

‘Not possible.’

He took his eyes off the road and stared at her. ‘We have to be organised, no screw-ups.’

‘I meant the penguins in the gale bit.’

‘What?’

‘There aren’t any penguins in the Arctic. Only in the southern hemisphere.’

They both looked at each other and burst out laughing.

‘A polar bear’s bum works. As buttoned up as a polar bear’s bum.

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