She took a deep breath. ‘I know. But it doesn’t make it any easier.’
Especially since I am not sure it’s true. Did I put an innocent man behind bars?
Maggie collected her thoughts before she had to re-interview some of Lorraine Rugman’s associates. All three of the women had been interviewed in 2016 following Raven’s confession and subsequent conviction, but the team agreed it was worth going over old ground to ensure nothing was missed the first time around.
The first two women had little to offer. Both had admitted to knowing Lorraine but hadn’t seen her for a few years, even before Raven’s confession. One had become stroppy during the interview saying she was ‘sick of repeating’ herself and ‘shouldn’t the police stop hassling women and start looking for the arsehole who is killing them’. She had a point.
The only new bit of information they added was the fact that Lorraine had been using just prior to her going missing, as both women often bumped into her when they were scoring heroin. She was also seen a few times on the corner of Green Avenue and Clacton Road, a known area for prostitution in Stafford. Neither could give a specific time frame, but believed it was before Raven had been convicted.
Maggie wanted to speak to the last woman on the list. Sasha Thompson had been questioned in the original Chopper Investigation and provided Adrian Harrison, Bill Raven’s associate, with his alibi. After refilling the jug of water in the interview room and making sure there were enough plastic cups, Maggie called Sasha through.
Sasha was in her early thirties. She had short, brown hair in a messy style, wasn’t very tall in stature, but had a noticeable bruise on her face, something Maggie had seen on many of the victims of domestic violence she had come across. The vacant look in her eyes, sweat and sallow skin indicated that she may be clucking due to heroin withdrawal. Maggie had come across this a few times where users dabbled for long periods, not realizing the drug had sunk its claws in. She wore baggy clothes, probably in an attempt to hide a skeletal frame.
‘I’m DC Maggie Jamieson. Do you know why we asked you to come in today, Miss Thompson?’
The woman sat, open legged, across from Maggie. ‘Yep. Something about Lorraine Rugman and my previous statement? Nasty business what happened to her, wasn’t it? What kind of psycho chops up a woman?’ Sasha’s shoulders shook and a look of disgust crossed her face.
‘Yes. Nasty indeed. Thanks for coming in. We’re trying to gather as much information as we can about Lorraine’s last known movements. I see you were interviewed just after Bill Raven confessed, back in 2016.’ Maggie looked up from her notebook. ‘Can you tell me a little bit about yourself? We don’t seem to have much from your original interview.’
Sasha shrugged. ‘I was adopted by a pair of pricks when I was three, but I probably would have been better off with my parents. After a few years of getting kicked about, Social Services took me out of that home and I was put in care where the abuse continued. I’ve been in prison a few times, as I’m sure my record shows – shoplifting, drugs, but nothing in the last ten years. That’s my life. Anything else?’
Maggie noted the track marks on Sasha’s arms and considered asking about the bruise on her face. Perhaps Maggie should report her to someone. Sasha took a sip of water, her skin pale under the strip lighting, and Maggie felt a surge of pity for her. There were so many women like this who had been dealt a bad hand of cards in life and never stood a chance. ‘If you want to talk about anything, I can put you in touch with someone.’
Sasha laughed weakly and shook her head. ‘Don’t you worry about me.’
They fell silent for a moment and Maggie glanced at the clock. ‘We really need your help with this case. Can you recall anything significant that happened in 2016 that you may have missed?’
Sasha bit her lip. ‘Not really. I spent most of that time with Adrian, off my face on drugs. In fact, I couldn’t get rid of that arsehole. He was my … business partner at the time.’
Maggie knew that Harrison dealt drugs and, given Sasha’s evasive response, Maggie figured this was the business she was referring to. ‘Care to elaborate on that, Miss Thompson? You were Mr Harrison’s alibi, weren’t you? What can you tell us about him?’
‘Actually, no. I don’t care to elaborate and yes I was, what of it? I’m not really sure what else I can add to what you lot already know. Adrian is a loser. And I mean that in the nicest way. He’s a bit of an attention seeker, but most people find him annoying. Once he likes someone, he latches on to them. Bit like a pet dog.’
‘Interesting way to describe your boyfriend.’
‘Boyfriend? Ha! Where did you get that idea? Just because you shag a guy a few times doesn’t make him your boyfriend, DC Jamieson.’
‘Oh. Your previous statement said he was your boyfriend.’
‘Well clearly that’s a mistake. He’s a friend and a boy. That’s about it.’
Maggie pulled out Sasha’s original statement and went through the rest of it with her.
‘Can you account for your whereabouts around the time just before and on the day that Miss Rugman’s remains were discovered?’
‘Is this a joke?’
‘I’m afraid not. Can you answer the question?’
‘Do I need a lawyer?’
‘I don’t know, Miss Thompson. Do you think you need one?’
‘I know what you coppers are like.’ She shifted in the seat. ‘Just covering my arse. I can tell you exactly where I was. In Manchester with some mates. I can even give you their details if you want.’ Maggie watched as she rummaged through the bag she had with her. Her hand shook as she pulled out a small, red notebook. ‘Do you have a piece of paper and a pen?’
Maggie tore a sheet from her pad and pushed it across to Sasha, with the pen she had been using.
‘What were you doing in Manchester?’
‘Catching up with friends and taking care of a little business …’ She handed Maggie the piece of paper and her pen. ‘Call them. They’ll tell you.’
‘OK. Thanks. Is there anything else you want to add?’
‘Nah.’ She bit her lip.
‘Do you have a contact number and address where we can reach you in case we have any further questions?’
‘’Fraid not. I’m sofa surfing at the moment and lost my mobile when I was in Manchester.’ She pointed to a number on the paper she had just given to Maggie. ‘Ring her if you need me, she’ll pass on any messages.’
‘Thanks for your time.’ Maggie escorted Sasha back to reception and waited as the woman signed out. ‘Here’s my card, if you need to reach me.’ Sasha pocketed the card and left the station. Maggie sighed and returned to her desk upstairs.
‘Did you get anything new to add to the investigation?’ Bethany turned her chair towards Maggie.
‘I wish. The only connection between the women and Lorraine is drugs and sex work … none of which brings us any closer to our killer.’
Bill Raven watched himself again on the television and smiled. I’m fucking famous. He deserved all this attention. He was dominating the television channels, and had reporters harassing the prison on a daily basis to speak with him.
Finally.