Page 6 of Savage Justice

“So, I sat in the bus shelter to wait for the next one.”

“Right.”

“A van stopped, and a man got out. He asked if I wanted to earn ten pounds. He said I could buy something nice with it.”

I manage to school my features into something resembling calm, though my blood is starting to boil. “And what did you say?”

She glowers at me, affronted. “I said ‘no’.”

“Good girl. Then what happened?”

“He said all I had to do was help him clean out the back of his van. It wouldn’t take long. I told him I couldn’t, I needed to go home. But he kept on. He said it would only take a minute. I didn’t like him. He had a nasty face and a cruel voice. And he was smelly.”

“Smelly? What did he smell of?”

She thinks for a moment. “Petrol. He smelt like our garage used to, at the other house. And his hands were dirty.”

I nod and try to remain calm even though my stomach is in knots. “What happened next?”

“I got up and started walking home. He followed me and…” She pauses, and her face crumples.

I squeeze her hand. “It’s okay, you’re safe now. Can you tell me what he did?”

“He picked me up and threw me into the van.”

“Oh, dear Lord…”

“Then, he locked the door and drove off.”

“Where did he take you. Did he touch you? Do anything to you?” Those horrific images swarm back, and nausea once more threatens to overwhelm me.

“He stopped. Someone was outside the van, knocking on the side.”

“Who?”

“Another man. The one you saw. He broke the door and let me out. He had a friend with him, and the friend ran after the man.”

“Did he catch him?” I breathe.

“I think so. I heard him scream, then the friend came back on his own.”

My head is spinning. “What happened after that?”

A pounding on the door interrupts Lucy’s tale. I manage an encouraging smile for her, and go to let the police in. A man and a woman in plain clothes are on my doorstep. The woman flashes a warrant card in front of me and introduces herself as Detective Inspector Judith Russell, and her colleague as Detective Constable James Jackman.

“Come in. Lucy’s in the kitchen.” I lead them through.

“You must be Lucy.” Constable Jackman sits next to her.

He has a nice face, a kind sort of a face. Aged somewhere in his fifties, he has a grandfatherly vibe going on, and I sense Lucy warming to him straight away.

I couldn’t say the same for Inspector Russell. A career copper, she’s all business, shooting quick-fire questions at my little girl. I know she has a job to do and means well, but I’m relieved when she asks if she can look round Lucy’s bedroom. I can’t imagine she’ll find anything of use up there, but while she makes herself busy poking about under the bed, Constable Jackman gets to work.

“You’ve been very brave, Lucy.” He gives her a warm smile. “I bet I wouldn’t have been as brave as you.”

“I was scared…”

“Yes, but that makes you even braver. Anyone can be brave when they’re not scared.”

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