Eleven

Josh stared broodingly out of the police car. They had only just left Elm Tree House and already he felt as though a part of him was missing. He'd seen Jessie run after him and had seen how distressed she was and that is what had worried him. He had no idea how Jessie would cope without him, or him without her. The policemen in front were talking in low murmurs. "People like him should be locked up for life, especially for what he did to her," the one who had read Josh's right was saying. Josh scowled.

"There has to be a reason behind it. I don't think he would have hurt his sister like that without good reason. Maybe he was telling the truth and he has been threatened," the other one replied. Josh smiled lightly. "Besides have you ever seen someone so determined to stop us from taking a family member who's been abusing them before? I think they both know something." Josh rested his head back against the window and stared at the scenery. The car pulled up at the police station and Josh waited until the door was opened for him to get out. He glanced down at his handcuffed hands. They were really itching his wrists but he couldn't do anything about it. He was led into the station and his handcuffs were taken off. He was asked to hand over everything in his pockets. He handed over his mobile. His one contact with his sister. Everything else of his was at home. He was led to a small cell and told to wait. He sat on the thin mattress of the bed and stared out of the window at the stars. He wondered what Jessie was doing just then. The door opened and Claire walked in and smiled at him.

"Come on then. Let's get this sorted. You've been assigned a lawyer," Claire told Josh. Josh stood up and followed her out and to an interview room, escorted by a police officer. They sat down on the far side of the table. The lawyer was already there. Two inspectors entered the room and sat opposite Josh.

"The time is 18:52. Present DCI Lawrence and DI Jones. Also present, the accused – Joshua Thomas, his care worker Claire Banks and Lawyer Jameson. Interview commencing. Joshua, have you seen these?" DCI Lawrence said, turning a tape on and throwing the CD's onto the table. "for the benefit of the tape, we have shown him evidence no. 1" Josh glared at the offending CD's. "Joshua nodded in response to the question. Is that you on the tape?"

Josh grit his teeth together. "yes and before you ask that is my sister and mum," Josh growled.

"So you admit it is you that is torturing your sister?" DI Jones asked kindly. Josh nodded. "Suspect confirmed it was. Why are you doing it?"

"because my mum threatened me. She said if I didn't she'd kill me. Jessie is overprotective of me and told me to just do as she said. She always got upset if mum hurt me," Josh explained calmly, his voice calmer than he felt.

"There is no evidence of this. There is only your word and possibly your sister's if we asked her. For the tape Joshua's sister is Jessica Thomas of Elm Tree House care home. Is there any evidence you can provide us with to prove this?" DCI Lawrence asked. Josh thought hard about the options available. Tell the police about his cuts or risk going to prison. He bit his lip, he really didn't want anyone to know. But it could get him back with Jessie. He went to answer when there was a knock at the door. Another police officer entered. "For the benefit of the tape PC Williams has entered the room."

"Sorry there is a careworker from Elm Tree here to see you. Says he is called Michael Milligan and it's important apparently," PC Williams said. Josh breathed out. Questioning would have to wait but if Mike was there that must mean that Rick or Jessie had told him about his cuts. Josh was escorted back to the cells. He sat on the bed and waited.

"he is a young kid. Who I have reason to believe has been tortured himself," Mike could be heard. Josh stood up and walked towards the door to listen.

"It doesn't matter, if he has the mum will be prosecuted for GBH and torture of both children. It doesn't change the fact he tortured his sister," the policeman was saying. "he may get a lower sentence but he will still end up in a young offenders. I'm sorry. You can see him if you like." There was a murmur of consent, a jangle of keys. Josh stepped away from the door and as it swung open saw Mike.

"Josh. I'm sorry. Rick told me about the marks. I have to check," he said quietly. Josh nodded and shrugged his school blazer off before lifting up his shirt to reveal the cuts. "So it's true? She threatened you and cut you if you didn't do it?" Josh nodded. "I'm sorry Josh. We didn't realise. You'll be ok and we'll look after Jessie. You never know a miracle might happen and you get off the hook." Mike said glaring at the policeman behind him. Josh nodded.

"Can you pass a message on to her for me?" Josh asked. Mike nodded. "Tell her, I love her no matter what happens and I'll always be there for her when she needs me." Mike nodded again and left. The door was closed and locked again. Josh was all alone.

A/N: I thought you might like to see what had happened to Josh after he'd been arrested. Indigo :)