Chapter 12
« We need to talk Harry. I've just had Spikings on the phone. It's not good news I'm afraid. », whispered Dempsey while still looking towards Ada.
Harry sighed, coming back down to reality faster than she really wished. « Ok, let's take Ada back home. She can stay with my dad and Mrs Bradshaw while we talk. »
Harry turned her attention back to Ada who was concentrating on the latest instructions given by Giles. « Sweetheart we're going to have to go back in. You can carry on tomorrow if Giles is not too busy? », asked Harry looking at the older man.
« That's absolutely fine miss Harriet. Miss Ada, we're going to take Juniper back in and I'll show you where to put your kit away. Tomorrow I will show you how to brush your horse and look after him. Bring him another one of those carrots tomorrow and he will be your best friend for life! », winked Giles to the young girl.
Harriet thanked Giles warmly and Ada was so grateful she gave a surprised Harry the biggest of hugs. « That was the best surprise ever Harry. Thank you so much. » and then she went off running back inside to share her latest adventure with Freddie. « Slow doooooown, Ada », tried Harry smiling but it was pointless the young girl was long gone. James just smiled, enjoying seeing Ada eager and happy, just as any child should be. Knowing what he knew, he wished he could turn back the clock but Ada will have no future if they didn't deal with threats on her life head on.
« So, James. Tell me. What did Spikings have to say? », enquired Harry.
« Several things », he started before hesitating but just bit the bullet and just went for it. « O'Cryon has woken up. They've managed to stabilise him enough to get his statement and the bastard is denying all the charges and accusing you of attempted murder."
"What? But I'm a police officer and shot him within the exercise of my profession! Surely that won't stand in court", protested Harry. The look of uncertainty on her partner's face shattered her confidence. "Dempsey? James, please, say something!"
"Harry, I know it wasn't attempted murder and so does Spikings. We all know he's trying his luck. The whole of SI 10 is behind you and Chas is collecting character statements from every single one of our colleagues. I have already sent mine to Spikings and you know he will do anything to protect you. But his lawyers will be bringing up any dirt they can find on you and we need to tread carefully. We need to find any evidence we can to prove his involvement in this sordid affair and, sadly, that means using Ada as our main witness."
Harry was furious, she was throwing daggers at her partner when she replied "James, she's 10! 10-years-old! And you want her to testify in a court in front of the man that terrifies her the most in her short-lived life? Have you lost your mind? She'll be too afraid to say 2 words in a row. I have seen first-hand how she retracts in her shell, how she hides behind my legs anytime he's near her. She won't be any good in court, James. We have to find another way!"
Frustrated but equally worried for his partner, James shouted "but there's NO other way Harry. That's the problem. You and Ada are the main witnesses. The other girls have shut down and haven't said a single word to our colleagues when they were interrogated. They are scared because they are here illegally and know that they will be sent back to where they came from. And if they say anything against O'Cryon, his men will kill their family back home or torture them until they beg for mercy. If you have any other ideas, please you're welcome because, personally, I'd rather not put Ada through all that. If we can avoid it, then yes by all means, let's do that. So?"
Harry was thinking. There must be another way.
« Ok let's go back home and go through the file again. There must be a way. I'm not giving up yet. »
James was relieved to see his partner back. The one who thought with her head and didn't let emotions rule. She had this incredible ability to put together pieces of a puzzle that no one else saw. She was a first- class detective and he had been happily surprised by her skills more than once.
« You said there were several things James... What are the other news I need to hear? », asked Harry, her voice laced with fear.
James sighed. He really, really didn't want to have this conversation with Harry bit he knew he needed to carry on.
« Social services called. They have talked to her stepdad. He's flying over to pick her up and take her back home. » His heart broke in half when he saw the tears in his partner's eyes. He stopped walking and took her in his arms. « Harry, I'm so, so sorry »
« She can't go back with him. I have just asked her whether she wanted to go back with him or what her mum's wish would have been. She explained to me that he did not visit her dying mum once and that she was the only one there when she died. Her mum used to ask her to hide during their numerous fights. She said she would run away rather than going back to living with him. James, I promised her she would be safe in the UK and that I would still spend time with her once she's adopted. He literally sold her to O'Cryon! For goodness' sake! How can social services think he's a suitable guardian? Sorry but no. Not happening. »
« I feared that might be happening. », said Dempsey scratching his head.
« What do you mean, James? » enquired his puzzled partner.
« You've become attached to her, haven't you? »
« Well.. » started his partner
« No need to deny it, Harry. I can read you like a book! You'd do anything for that little girl. And, may I add before you start protesting, that I feel exactly the same. I don't trust that man one bit. So, I'm going to look into his past. I suggest you look into his finances and dig up any dirt you can. I take Ada's protection seriously, now or later. And like you I want to ensure she's going to be safe, happy and thriving wherever she ends up. Once we've gathered enough evidence against him, we'll request a meeting with social services. We could at least postpone the stepdad's interference while she's in our custody. It probably gives us a few more days. I suggest we look into any links between O'Cryon and the stepdad. I'm sure we can gather enough evidence for social services to postpone Ada's handover. Ada's testimony should help greatly as she's old enough to give her opinion and for it to matter. Spikings is currently explaining the current situation to social services in that they can't talk to her or meet up in any form or shape while she's under our protection as a major witness in a human trafficking case. »
« Ok, let's get to work then! », said a determined Harry as she entered her childhood home. Between her and Dempsey with the support of their colleagues, she was sure that they could fight and put an end to this dreadful affair.