AARP Hearing Center
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Chapter Thirty-Seven
MATTHEW WAS SURPRISED WHEN HE RETURNED to the police station, to find that only forty minutes had passed. It still felt as if time was stretching, allowing him the chance to recover Lucy. Giving him hope that he’d find her well and alive.
Ross was in the police station, waiting for him. ‘We’ve only got Preece so far. Jen’s with him. She hasn’t started on him yet, she was holding him in the interview room until you got back. No sign of Salter or Marston or their vehicles. We haven’t been out to Marston’s place yet, though.’
‘Leave that for now.’ Matthew didn’t want Marston scared off until he’d worked out the details of the case in his own mind; he certainly didn’t want to send a patrol car out, siren blaring. ‘Let’s see what Preece has to say for himself. He might know where Lucy is. Even if he wasn’t involved in the abduction, he was a part of the original conspiracy.’ He described his conversation with Janet Holsworthy.
‘Why would they do that? Cover up the sexual assault on a vulnerable woman?’ Ross looked sick.
‘Because their reputations are dependent on the success of the Woodyard. Because they’re powerful, entitled men and they could. And then the cover-up became more toxic than the original assault. They were all involved and they all had a lot to lose, but Preece is Caroline’s father and Caroline is Craven’s girlfriend. Perhaps he was protecting her reputation too.’
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‘Should we get Craven in?’
‘Yes. Let’s lean on him about Lucy Braddick. The rest can wait until morning.’
Christopher Preece looked unflustered, but he’d done tricky business deals in the past and he’d be used to presenting a cool face to the world. Jen sat opposite him, waiting. If she’d been hoping to ratchet up the tension with her silent presence, it seemed that she’d failed.
‘We know about Rosa Holsworthy.’ Matthew had just come into the room and was still standing.
‘I’m sorry?’
‘We know that you paid off her parents to stop them pressing criminal charges against one of your volunteers.’
‘Ah,’ Preece said. He gave his slow, politician’s smile. ‘I’m afraid that’s not quite how I remember it.’
‘How do you remember it?’
‘The woman’s parents were reluctant to put their daughter through the anxiety of a trial. There’d be the issue of consent. As I understand it, Rosa had the reputation within the day centre of being a little …’ he paused ‘promiscuous.’
‘She’s a woman with a learning disability and she was assaulted by an adult whom she trusted, whom her parents trusted, in what they considered to be a place of safety.’
Matthew felt himself grow angry. The tension that had been building all day was turning to fury.
Preece looked up at him and affected surprise. ‘I’d have thought you’d be as unwilling as we were to have any complaint made public. That you’d be grateful for the position we took. Your husband also holds a position of authority within the establishment.’
‘Although he was away at the time and was never consulted.’ Matthew forced himself to stay calm. Preece was playing games. Trying to wind him up. ‘Lucy Braddick, another of the day centre users, went missing this afternoon. Do you have any idea where she might be? We’re extremely concerned.’
‘I’m afraid I can’t help you, Inspector.’ The man leaned back in his chair. His arms were folded.
Matthew took a seat next to Jen Rafferty. ‘Your daughter supports your work at the Woodyard. Did you tell Caroline about the assault on Rosa? Or did she already know? Did she ask you to make the scandal involving her boyfriend go away?’ ‘No! Of course not.’ He seemed a little rattled now. ‘It was a management decision. Nothing to do with her.’
‘Do you think she would have approved of the way the matter was handled?’ Matthew thought he could play dirty too.
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