They made up – sorry Kathy and Elliot. That's good. Saw Melissa again today. Huang spoke to her. He's amazing. He got her to tell us that it's 'the Lion' who hurts her. So do his friends. That makes me feel nauseated. One person destroying a kids soul is bad enough but being passed around. Disgusting. He didn't want to traumatise her anymore, so he left it. Let her colour in and draw and stuff .She looked peaceful and calm for the first time in days. Crazy, what a building full of police officers and Huang can do to get a child calm and feeling secure.
We ran the 'Lion' through various computer searches. Got nothing so far. Got some DNA back. It came back to a man named Michael Higgins. We went and spoke to him. Obviously there's no way he says he did – of course! His DNA is in the vic… sorry Melissa. .Alex said we could arrest him, considering the circumstances and the extremity of the case. We did, told him he knew everything, what he'd done. He called our bluff. Dammit. Alex doesn't want to just prosecute him. She wants everyone. To be honest neither do I. We can't leave the m out there to hurt other children…not like he did to Melissa.
Melissa's mum, came to pick her up after the session today. We watched her through the window, dragging the poor child. It looked like she was shouting at her. Poor thing, I wanted to go down and give her a piece of my mind, but Elliot said it probably wouldn't be for the best. I agree- we'll need the mother's co-operation to keep speaking to Melissa.
I grew a new level of respect for Huang today. He personally offered to counsel Melissa for however long she needed – free of charge. That's dedication for you.
We got a link today. Michael Higgins, previously dated Melissa's mum. Melissa's mum became pregnant shortly after – about 9 years ago…
Elliot:
Kathy and I made up. The kids were glad, but Kathleen came out with some wisecrack comment about it not being for long. We brought Melissa in to the station. Huang worked his magic and found out that the 'Lion' had abused her and passed her around…bastard. She looked content, in a way, to do normal stuff like drawing and colouring…bless…
'The lion' turns out to be a guy called Michael Higgins. Told previous victims, that was his name…its how we know. He's one of the paedophiles in the area… god how casual does that sound…"one of the paedophiles in the area" makes me sick.
We arrested 'the Lion' and naturally he denied it. We're going for the whole paedophile ring though – going for gold so to speak.
Melissa's mum treated her abysmally when she picked her up – Liv was furious. I had to physically hold her from going down there and giving her mum a piece of her mind. I agreed but we need her mum on side.
N amazing thing for us came out though – well amazing for our side. Michael Higgins is probably Melissa's father…DNA matched 7 markers… abused his own flesh and blood…