mother drops her off at school at just after 8.00, where she meets this mystery accomplice and they go back to Rydal Way together to intercept Faith?’
Gis gets up and joins her. He hesitates a moment then points to the sprawling site of Summertown High. ‘Or she could have just gone straight to the allotments from the school. That’s no more than half a mile.’
Gallagher is still staring at the board. ‘But whichever way you play it, there must have been someone else involved. We just need to find out who it was.’
* * *
Neither of them says much on the drive over. Whichever way they thought this case would go, they never dreamed it would bring them back here, to where it all started.
Somer pulls up outside and they sit there a moment, looking at the house. There’s no sign of life, and she’s half hoping there’s no one in. But she knows that the most that will do is postpone the inevitable.
‘What on earth are we going to say to Faith?’ she says, turning to Everett now. ‘Hasn’t she had enough to cope with, without this? It could break that family apart.’
Ev reaches out and touches her on the shoulder. ‘You’re catastrophizing. And even if the worst does happen, it’s not your fault. And remember, we don’t know Nadine did anything yet. There could be a completely innocent explanation.’
‘Oh, come on, Ev, you don’t really think that.’
Everett shrugs. ‘Until we ask, how do we know? All I do know is we have to do this, and if anyone can help Faith understand that, it’s you.’
They get out of the car and make their way slowly down the path. At the step, Everett turns and glances at Somer, then raises her hand to the bell.
Diane Appleford is clearly surprised to see them. ‘Oh, hello,’ she says. ‘We weren’t expecting you, were we? I’m afraid Faith isn’t here. She’s at that new friend of hers. Jess something.’
Everett can almost hear Somer’s relief. She manages a thin smile. ‘Is Nadine in, Mrs Appleford?’
‘Nadine? Yes, she’s upstairs in her room. Why – do you want to speak to her?’
‘Something’s come up, Mrs Appleford. Could you ask Nadine to come down for a minute?’
A frown flickers across her brows. ‘OK.’
She goes to the foot of the stairs and calls up. ‘Nadine? Are you there?’
They wait, but there’s no sound of movement.
‘Nadine!’ calls Diane, louder. ‘Can you come down, sweetheart?’
Signs of life now; the creak of a bed, a door opening. A moment later Nadine appears at the top of the stairs. She sees them and retreats slightly. And Somer’s heart sinks.
‘What are they doing here?’
‘They just want a word with you, darling. Can you come down?’
She starts down the stairs, slowly, pausing at each step.
‘What’s this about?’ she says as she reaches the bottom.
‘We’ve had some new information in from the forensic lab,’ says Everett. ‘So we need to check a few things, and talk to some people again.’
Nadine seems to relax a little at this. ‘OK, what do you want to know?’
‘It’d be better if you came with us. You and your mum.’
‘I don’t want her to come,’ says Nadine quickly. ‘I’ll do it on my own.’
‘What is all this?’ says Diane, staring at her daughter and then at Everett. ‘You’re worrying me now.’
‘We just need a quick chat with Nadine, Mrs Appleford. It shouldn’t take long.’
What else can she say? Your daughter could be there all night? This is looking really serious?
‘I can go on my own,’ says Nadine, stubborn now. ‘I don’t want Mum there. I’m not a baby.’
‘Look, go and get your coat and we’ll talk about it,’ says Diane. Nadine hesitates, then turns and makes her way back up the stairs.
* * *
Interview with Nadine Appleford, conducted at St Aldate’s Police Station, Oxford
8 April 2018, 6.15 p.m.
In attendance, DI R. Gallagher, DC V. Everett, Ms S. Rogers (designated Appropriate Adult)
RG: For the purposes of the tape, Ms Sally Rogers is attending the interview as Miss Appleford’s Appropriate Adult. Nadine is not under arrest, and has been told she can ask for her mother and a lawyer to be present at any time. At present, Mrs Diane Appleford is observing in the adjacent room. So, Nadine, you must be wondering why you’re here.
NA: [shrugs]
RG: Well, I’ll tell you. We’ve done some more tests on the carrier bag that was used to choke your sister. There was DNA on it.
NA: [silence]
RG: Do you have any idea whose DNA it might