Chapter 108

Chapter 108

Helen stalked along the corridor, her tormentor in hot pursuit.

‘I will have your badge for this, Inspector. You may think you're untouchable, but you've really crossed the line this time.'

Eleanor Higham wasn't bluffing, clearly enraged by Helen's assault on her client, but the latter paid her no heed. Her only concern now was locating Naomi Watson. With Reynolds refusing to acknowledge his role in her abduction, Helen would have to find another way to locate the missing teenager, though at present this seemed a remote possibility. The longer Reynolds held out, the bleaker Naomi's prospects became.

‘I'm going straight to the Chief Superintendent about this, demanding she take disciplinary action. With any luck there might even be criminal charges too. Assault, threatening behaviour …'

‘Knock yourself out, Eleanor,' Helen replied tersely. ‘See what kind of reception you get. I know you're not averse to representing low-lives, but you've really excelled yourself here. The most hated man in this force, soon to be the most hated man in Southampton, and you take on his case like a shot.'

‘Every man has the right to a proper defence, Inspector.'

‘And you're going to give it to him. Still, when the papers go large on how you, a young, female lawyer, are happy to speak up for a multiple rapist, a prolific paedophile who's preyed on underage girls for years, let's see what that does for your standing in the community.'

They were halfway down the corridor towards the incident room, but Higham clearly had no intention of giving up the chase yet, jabbing her finger at Helen.

‘You may think you can frighten me, but I'm not going to be the one with egg on my face at the end of all this, Inspector. My client is going to prove his innocence, be acquitted of all charges, whilst you are going to be revealed as the vengeful harpy you are.'

Helen ground to a halt, stunned by what she was hearing, turning on her attacker.

‘Absolutely incredible,' she replied, shaking her head. ‘You've seen the footage – that is your client assaulting Naomi Watson.'

‘It shows nothing of the sort. The picture quality is hopeless, it's impossible to tell who the victim is, who her attacker is …'

‘I think you better get your story right, Eleanor,' Helen fired back. ‘Your client seems to think the whole thing was faked to look like him.'

‘You provoked him, but don't worry, we'll be ready and waiting, primed to quash these ridiculous, trumped-up charges.'

‘Well, good luck to you.'

‘No, good luck to you, Helen. I mean, really, what have you got? The word of a bunch of convicted paedophiles, some grainy footage and a whole lot of circumstantial that I will enjoy picking apart, piece by piece. Against that, we have PC David Reynolds. Experienced, respected, a hero cop of many years standing. A pillar of the community, known and liked by people all over this city. What's more he's a loving husband and doting father. Throw in his dog too and he's the complete package. Simple, wholesome, steadfast. Honestly, the chips are stacked up on my side of the table, so I would seriously …'

But Helen was no longer listening, her mind suddenly whirring. Eleanor Higham ground to a halt, wrong-footed, confused by Helen's thoughtful expression.

‘Did you hear what I said, DI Grace?' she demanded.

‘Yes, I did,' Helen replied quickly. ‘And you've been very helpful. Thank you, Eleanor.'

And with that, she sprinted away down the corridor, leaving the confused lawyer staring after her, open-mouthed.