The Vanishing Act by Sarah Ward

Author:Sarah Ward
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Canelo Digital Publishing Limited
Published: 2024-09-15T00:00:00+00:00

21

There were strict protocols for interviewing children. In fact, there were rules for interviewing all witnesses, but when children were involved more agencies had a say in how things progressed. Children, of course, were an essential source of information in many crime investigations and prevailing opinion was the contrary to popular opinion: children made robust witnesses. Before Siân and Freddie were able to speak to Pippa, an interview adviser was consulted, along with a social worker from child protection services. Once an interview strategy had been prepared, Siân, who had been trained in interviewing child witnesses, was allowed to meet Pippa.

The wait for clearance was agonising for Harri, as he was sure the evidence provided by the little girl would be the breakthrough this case needed. He was relieved when they got the go-ahead, even though it was six p.m. – late in the day to interview a child. However, the fact that there were two other children missing meant no waiting until the morning. The assessment of the social worker was that Pippa had no additional vulnerabilities apart from her age, and her communication skills were above average.

There was no opportunity to obtain parental consent and it was decided the social worker would sit in on the interview. Harri watched on the screen as Siân and Freddie entered the room. Pippa was sitting on a chair with her social worker next to her, a young woman in her twenties with an efficient air. Pippa’s hair was her most striking feature – Elsa had been right. Someone had used the word carroty but that failed to convey its golden burnish. Over time, it would fade, but the memory of that lustre would remain. Harri thought it was one of the most beautiful hair colours he’d ever seen.

Pippa was pale-skinned, with a flush across her cheeks that crept down to her neck. She’d clearly been crying – her skin had that tired, stretched look – but was now composed, glancing occasionally at her social worker, who seemed to bring her comfort. After introducing herself and Freddie, Siân took her time to frame her first question.

‘I know it’s been a hard time for you, Pippa, but I’d like you to start by telling me a bit about your family and this holiday you took together.’

‘It wasn’t a holiday.’ The girl had a middle-class accent, her tone clear as a bell.

‘What do you mean? If it wasn’t a holiday, what was it?’

‘A confrontation with the past.’

Harri felt his flesh creep at the girl’s words.

‘What do you mean by that?’ asked Siân.

Pippa shrugged. ‘I don’t know, because Mum wouldn’t tell me.’

‘And your father, David. What did he say when she used those words?’

Pippa looked directly at her. ‘She said it to me, not him. It was our secret.’

Harri grimaced. He didn’t like it when adults used children as confidantes. It resulted in a loss of innocence, forcing them to keep secrets.

‘Do you know what she was referring to?’ asked Siân.

Pippa shrugged and made a mark on her face.

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