Truth or Die. Katerina Diamond

answer that question. We were both single, consenting adults. Yes, we hooked up for sex. Is that wrong?’

      ‘I’m afraid I’m going to have to ask you if the sex was particularly rough?’

      ‘It was as rough as we both wanted it to be,’ Denise huffed.

      ‘That’s not an answer. I’m going to need more than that,’ DCC Sneddon said.

      Imogen felt wrong listening in, but she couldn’t tear herself away. Denise was obviously holding something back.

      ‘It was a bit rough. But only because I wanted that. Adrian wasn’t like that at first.’

      ‘So, you’re saying his aggressive sexual behaviour escalated?’

      ‘No! I’m saying I asked him to be rougher and he was. I told him what I wanted, that’s all. He didn’t do anything outside of that. He never did anything I was uncomfortable with.’

      ‘Did he ever hit you during sex? Did you ask him to?’

      ‘No. I feel like my words are getting twisted up here. Adrian’s a good guy.’

      ‘What about choking? Did he ever strangle you? Either with his hands or anything else?’

      ‘I don’t want to answer that question.’

      ‘I think we’re probably past that now. You have to answer the question.’

      Denise took a deep breath and Imogen found herself closing her eyes, waiting for her to say what everyone now knew she was about to say.

      ‘I asked him to choke me, and so he did, yes.’

      ‘More than once?’

      ‘Yes, more than once.’

      ‘And did you ask him every time? Or did he sometimes just do it?’

      Denise exhaled loudly, exasperated. ‘I didn’t ask him every time, no.’

      ‘Did he ever choke you until you passed out?’

      ‘No, never. It wasn’t like that.’

      Imogen was growing more and more concerned for Adrian; Denise wasn’t doing the greatest job in the interview. Rather than alleviating any concerns they might have about Adrian, she was sure that Denise had just opened a whole other can of worms.

      Imogen left the room, unable to listen to any more. Over at the bank of desks, Adrian and Gary were huddled together. She noticed people looking at Adrian and the occasional whisper from some of the newer members of staff. Adrian did have a reputation for being a bit promiscuous, and it was completely justified a couple of years ago, but even in the time that Imogen had known him he had grown up and changed. Anyone who knew him well knew he wasn’t capable of this.

      ‘Any luck with the CCTV?’ Imogen asked Gary as she reached the two men.

      ‘I’m fast, but I’m not that fast. I’m collecting the feeds and will get straight on it after I grab some dinner from the canteen, I’m starving. I’m just trying to get a clear picture of Adrian’s movements so that I know where to look before I start.’ Gary smiled nervously.

      ‘Do we know what time she says the attack took place?’ Imogen pressed.

      ‘Around ten p.m.,’ Gary replied.

      ‘Did you take any money out? Most cashpoints have a camera on them; we could see if there’s anything,’ Gary asked Adrian.

      ‘I did, at the Lloyds cashpoint by St David’s Station. At around nine thirty, I think.’

      ‘I’ll see if I can get some footage from the station at that time.’

      ‘What time were you mugged?’ Imogen asked.

      ‘Around eleven, I think. I left before last orders,’ Adrian said. He looked tired and a little manic. Imogen couldn’t imagine how he must be feeling.

      ‘Adrian, why don’t you go home and sleep? I’ll go through the footage with Gary. I’ll stay here all night until we find something, OK?’

      ‘What if you don’t find anything, Imogen? What then?’

      ‘We will. I won’t stop until we do.’

      ‘I’ve seen the way people are looking at me today.’

      ‘Of course they’re going to look at you, that’s to be expected. It doesn’t matter because you are going to be exonerated.’

      Adrian nodded. ‘OK, I’ll go home. I just wish I knew why this was happening.’

      ‘I know. We’re going to figure it out,’ Imogen reassured him.

      Adrian grabbed his coat and left, while Imogen settled down to the desk and put the headphones on. She started watching the CCTV footage they had so far, mostly on fast forward as nothing was happening in the majority of it.

      Later, Gary sent her a text to tell her that the bank was shut and so they would have to wait until the morning to get the cashpoint information. This was going to be a long night.