Chapter 6

Kate and Steve sat in the ops room, headphone in ears at the ready as Lottie was brought up to the AC-12 office in handcuffs and wearing her cells designated outfit of joggers bottoms and a matching coloured sweatshirt. It made Steve feel sick to see her in handcuffs. Ted was sat in the interrogation room with DI Hannah Martin, an independent investigator allocated to the case as well as Gill Biggelow, a lawyer who had worked with Ted previously. Lottie had been allocated Heather Forrester, a lawyer who Steve respected and Leanne Stephens an appropriate adult. The six individuals sat down and the usual long beep of the recording ran out. Ted, rather than being in the centre questioning position opposite side Lottie was off to the side and Hannah was in the central chair.

"DI Hannah Martin interview of Charlotte Elizabeth Arnott. In attendance are Superintendent Edward Hastings and lawyers Gill Biggelow and Heather Forrester, the latter who is Miss Arnott's allocated lawyer. Also in attendance is Leanne Stephens acting as an appropriate adult given Miss Arnott's age. Before we begin, as this is a first offense and first questioning I want to make a few things clear for you Miss Arnott. Firstly, Charlotte, you aren't charged with assault or for carrying of drugs with possible intent to distribute at this time. We are merely here for this interview to discuss what happened. If it is found that there is evidence to confirm your guilt then you will be charged. Secondly, Superintendent Hastings who leads AC-12 is here as he is the temporary boss of the accused DI Matthew Cottan whilst he is working on secondment with AC-12. He is not here to ask questions but may ask for clarification. If the case progresses he will have no further involvement and we are aware that he is also the boss of Miss Arnott's brother but we are more than happy that he can remain impartial. For the tape, DS Arnott is not on the premises. Gill Biggeloe is the case assigned lawyer but will not act as lawyer to DI Matthew Cottan if the case goes further. She is just making sure we go by the book. Finally, I, DI Hannah Martin has been allocated to the case independently and have never had contact with DI Matthew Cottan at all. None of us have seen DI Matthew Cottan's statement or were involved with the taking of said statement. We may take some notes in addition to the tape recording. So with that in mind, are you happy for us to take your statement Charlotte?"

"Do I get to ask a few questions first?" Lottie asked

"Of course."

"Three questions. Firstly, why did you bring me to AC-12 for this when we could have had this chat downstairs? Secondly, can I please have these handcuffs taken off of me because they hurt? To say that we are here for a chat to find out what happened the handcuffs aren't making me your friend. Finally, can you please call me Lottie? I don't like being called anything else."

"To answer your questions, you are here at AC-12 following a room request by Superintendent Hastings. As you were brought to this building instead of The Hill we have to interview you here. Given this is where DI Matthew Cotton works currently and it is a complaint that impacts his department, Superintendent Hastings offered the interview room so your interview could be done today rather than having you stay in the cells overnight to wait until a room at The Hill is available tomorrow. Secondly, I am happy for you to have your handcuffs removed as I don't see you as being a possible threat to anyone given your demeanor and behaviour since you were brought in. You will however have to be put back in them when you go back downstairs to the cells. Finally, I was going to ask you how you would like me to address you so thank you for confirming that for us all, Lottie. For the purpose of the DLR we will now remove Lottie's handcuffs."

An officer entered the room and took off the handcuffs. Lottie hissed and rubbed her thin right wrist.

"Thank you," she said softly.

"So Lottie, are you now happy for us to take your statement?" Hannah asked.

"Yes," Charlotte said clearly, first time feeling conscious of the DLR.

"Right then. So, Lottie, can you tell me what you have done today?"

"I woke up about 6am because I had a 9am class at college where I am studying my A-Levels."

"Which class was it?"

"Music. My schedule was in my backpack which I was brought in so you can see my schedule in full from there" Lottie explained.

"I don't have that to hand so you will need to fill in the gaps for me. When did music class end?"

"10 am and it was taught by Mr. Vickers in room 13B of the music block."

"Ok so what happened between 6 and 9am?"

"I got ready for the day, had breakfast with my brother in his flat where I am staying with him. We left together and I caught the bus to my college campus."

"What happened after music class?"

"I walked into town. I had an hour free before my next class and I had an appointment to keep."

"What kind of appointment?"

"Medical." Hearing that caught Steve's attention and he sat up straight. She hadn't mentioned anything about an appointment to him.

"When and where was the appointment?"

"At the central city women's clinic at 10:20 am." Lottie folded her arms on the desk. Clearly she was feeling uncomfortable. Kate could tell from his body language that all this was new to Steve.

"Why did you go to the women's clinic and not your GP?"

"It wasn't my first visit. When I had my first appointment I was new to the area and so I didn't have a GP at the time but I do now."

"How many visits have you made to the clinic?"

"Today was the fourth. Between the second and third visit I was told I needed a GP referral for tests to be carried out which I did. Her name is Doctor Julia Donaldson. The doctor's surgery where she works is programmed into my phone. I was referred back to the clinic to get the tests done. I was getting the test results today."

"What were the tests for?" Hannah asked. Now Lottie was really uncomfortable.

"You don't have to answer that," Heather, Lottie's lawyer, interjected. Lottie looked at Ted.

"I don't feel comfortable saying it in the presence of a man. No offense".

"None taken" Ted said somewhat relieved.

"What was the outcome of the appointment?" Hannah pressed on. Lottie sat back in her chair and looked at Leanne.

"What the hell is she doing asking that?" Kate said out loud as she and Steve watched. "It is so clear Lottie is uncomfortable."

"I have no idea but I will be having words with her after this." Steve muttered.

"Perhaps we can have a break from this line of questioning. It isn't pertinent to the reason we are here." Leanne added her view to the conversation.

"Agreed, either you change the questioning or this interview is over," Heather demanded.

"What was your state of mind when you left the clinic Lottie?" Hannah asked. Lottie seemed to relax a little.

"Clear. I can't do anything about it so I carry on. Isn't that what we do as women?" Hannah nodded understandingly.

"How did you come across the drugs found in your backpack?"

"I was prescribed them but the women's clinic for my issue."

"What were you prescribed?"

"Strong pain killers and before you ask I had been on a moths worth of an alternative medication before today but it didn't work so I was given these new pills instead. I was given three months worth as in order to determine if they work it has to be on a long term basis. I was told if they work I can get a repeat prescription from my GP."

"Did you take any?"

"No. I put them straight in my bag unopened and then left the clinic."

"When did you leave the clinic?"

"10:40am. I rang my friend Stephanie whilst standing outside to let our English teacher know I might be a few minutes late."

"Then what happened?"

"I heard a man say my name as I hung up and saw DI Matthew Cottan walking towards me. He was smiling and stopped a few feet from me."

"You knew DI Cottan already?"

"We met twice before. The first time I came to the AC-12 office on my first day moving here. The second was at a social after work drinks thing a few days later." Hannah furrowed her brows. Clearly this bit of news interested her.

"Why did you come to the AC-12 office?"

"To get my brother's flat key. I didn't have one and he had failed to pick me up from the train station due to a date mix up. I was barely here five minutes and only stepped a little way past the gate. This is my second time here. That's how I knew this was AC-12's office."

"If I might interject, I entered the office with DI Cottan and witnessed the whole conversation between the two. The same goes for the social event a few days later. Nothing of concern stood out to me." Ted said.

"Noted," Heather replied with a nod.

"During those two meetings, what did you think of him?" Hannah asked.

"I don't like him, never did. He's a nasty piece of work if you ask me and I would have said that before today as well. Before today I had no concern for my safety around him and both occasions before today I was with multiple people rather than alone with him."

"Did you feel concerned for your safety as soon as he appeared before you today?"

"No but that changed."

"Can you tell me what happened, Lottie?"

"We talked. General chit chat. He asked how college was going and offered me a lift when I said I had a class in less than half an hour."

"Did you take his offer?"

"No."

Because you felt uncomfortable?" Lottie leant her folder arms onto the desk. She was far from uncomfortable now.

"I didn't get the chance to answer because what he said next made me feel uncomfortable."

"What was that?"

"He asked me why I was coming out of the women's clinic. That's when my guard went up. He didn't apologise for asking, he waited for an answer. I said it was private."

"What was his response?"

"He said 'oh, I see. You're sixteen right?'" Lottie impersonated Dot and it was in a way that implied Dot had jumped to the conclusion the visit was sexually motivated. Steve was getting angry now. "It was then I realized I had been on the phone a couple of minutes after I left the clinic not a quick thirty second call. So he had to have watched me leave, make that call and then approach me when he saw me hanging up. He didn't bump into me by accident."

"How did you react to what he said?"

"I didn't …. I froze. A man has never spoken to me like that before. Ask anyone and they will tell you I have an answer for everything. And I froze." Lottie looked at the table. Kate wondered if Lottie felt ashamed for freezing and wished she could tell Lottie there was no shame at all.

"And then?" Lottie looked back up at Hannah knowing she had to look this woman in the eye to prove she was telling the truth.

"He said he'd keep my secret and any others I may have because that's what friends do. He then reached out a hand and squeezed my upper arm. Like it was a nice gesture. My head followed his hand and I knew I had to get away so I yanked my arm away and said I had to go."

"What did he do next?"

"He started to follow me, persuade me to get in his car but I refused. That's when I tried to run. He was too quick though and grabbed my backpack pulling it so I'd fall back."

"And then?"

"I fell over. It all happened so quickly. I don't know if he fell with me or I tripped him as I fell backwards but we both ended up on the ground. He's then flipping me on my stomach and kneeing me in the back saying I assaulted him and I was under arrest. I did nothing wrong!"

"Did he hurt you?" Hannah asked and for the first time her voice quivered with concern rather than the emotionless robotic tone shown so far.

"I can still feel where he knelt into my spine if that's what you mean."

"Did he handcuff you?"

"Yes while I was on the ground. After that and still pinning me with his knee he grabbed my backpack. That's when he found the pain killers and then he's saying I planned to distribute them. It's all a bit of a blur after that."

"Would you be ok if we look at your back?"

"Yes." Lottie stood up and lifted up the back of her sweatshirt. Very clearly in the centre of her spine was a large dark purple knee shaped bruise.

"SON OF A BITCH!" Steve yelled yanking the headphone out of his ears. Knowing what Steve was waiting to do, Kate followed him but managed to reach the door just before Steve. She leant her back against the door so it wouldn't move even though Steve had hold of the handle.

"Stop Steve!"

"Stop?! He assaulted my sister!"

"If you go out there everyone will know the conversation was being watched and the statement compromised or even thrown out. We have to stay here! Once they go, we can look into this but not before. Think Steve! For Lottie." Steve calmed down and slowly let go of the door handle.

"I'm going to kill him for this," Steve hissed.

"Not if I get there first."

Steve and Kate sat through the rest of the interview which wasn't that much longer and remained in the ops room waiting for the all clear from Ted. When Ted entered the room the two instantly stood up.

"Is Lottie ok?" Steve asked.

"As well as to be expected. She's clearly innocent of this but she has to wait until DI Martin has spoken to Dot, reviewed his statement and gone over the evidence."

"What did Dot say in his statement?" Kate asked.

"That he bumped into her and she was agitated. He tried to comfort her as a friend which she responded to with abuse and violence so he arrested her. That's when he found the drugs and she indicated that she was going to sell them."

"Bullshit!" Steve muttered shaking his head and could feel Ted's stare on him. "Sorry for swearing, Sir."

"No I agree. An officer's word may have a lot of power over that of a sixteen year old but I don't believe what he said at all. I though don't have the power to set her free that is with DI Martin."

"We can't work with Dot after this sir. He's crossed a line that we can't forgive" Kate explained and Ted nodded.

"I swear to you, after today he isn't coming back into this office unless the powers above somehow stop me. Even if for some ungodly reason DI Martin takes his side, he's gone."

"Thank you sir" Steve said. "Can I go see her?"

"Sorry, no. Everyone believes you aren't here so you have to stay here until it is over. Kate, you can leave this room freely if you wish –" Ted started to explain but Kate shaking her head cut him off.

"No way, I'm staying with Steve. If I go out there and come across Dot, there is no knowing what I will do. So unless you want to have me charged with assault after seeing him, I'm staying put." Steve looked at Kate and smiled softly, a silent thank you between the two.

"Understood. I'm going to do my own research into this as part of disciplinary procedure to get Dot out. As the clinic was on the high street we should be able to get easy access to the CCTV and observe what happened. I'll have it shared in here as well."

"Thank you, sir" Steve said with a nod.

The footage of what happened to Lottie made for uncomfortable viewing. Maneet had joined Steve and Kate in the ops room having been trusted as knowing the secret of the pair being there. As Kate and Steve couldn't be seen as interacting with any of the evidence, Maneet was their get out a jail free card if they got caught so to speak. Maneet searched through the CCTV and tried to match the timelines of both accounts.

"Clearly everything here fits with her account" Steve observed.

"We have to prove though that Dot didn't bump into her by accident. He had to have been watching her."

"Look" Maneet said drawing their attention to the bottom left corner of the screen. It was from a CCTV camera on the high street outside of a flower shop. It showed the road high up on a wall and pedestrians on both sides of the road could be seen. Maneet pointed to the top left hand corner of that camera footage. "There's an alleyway and someone is in it. Look you can see their long coat."

Steve went over to the door and very gently peeked through a couple of the blind slats that covered the glass. Dot's coat wasn't hanging on the coat rack or was on his chair. Being late October now he wasn't simply able to get away without one.

"Got him" Steve said.

"Wait a minute. Maneet can you go back to when Lottie arrives at the clinic starting about a minute before she is seen on the high street?" Kate said confusing Steve.

"Sure."

The CCTV camera footage went backwards as Steve walked back over.

"What is it?" he asked Kate.

"I have a feeling about something" she explained.

Maneet hit play and the three watched as Lottie from multiple angles enter the high street and head for the clinic.

"Stop!" Kate said and Maneet hit pause right at the moment when Lottie reached for the clinic door handle.

"That son of a bitch" Kate muttered. She then pointed to footage of the alley way and the timestamp on the screen. The man with the long coat appeared in the alley way.

"He didn't happen to see her after she came out. He followed her to the clinic and waited. He stalked her."

"Maneet can you get Superintendent Hastings in here please?" Steve asked.

"Of course." She headed for the door.

"Maneet?" She stopped at the door and turned to him. "Thank you."

"You're welcome" she smiled sweetly and left.

It didn't take long for Ted to come into the room and Steve was buzzing with the news that Kate had saved the day.

"I've got news. DI Martin has sided with Lottie."

"Really?" Steve asked taken aback it had only taken a few hours to break the case.

"She saw the CCTV of the assault, read the statements and then got a call from the clinic. They were concerned for one of their patients after an assault was witnessed and no one had called them back. The witness at the clinic was assertive and demanded to speak with DI Martin directly. They spoke and she is letting Lottie go" Ted explained quickly knowing Steve wanted to run out the office and get to the cells.

"Thank God for that. What about Dot?" Kate asked.

"I've already set disciplinary procedures against him and he is suspended pending investigation. I've already seen him escorted off the premises. Just forming the evidence file now to present to his super."

"Then you need to add what Kate just found" Steve interjected. The pair showed him the CCTV footage.

"Mother of God"

Lottie sat on the cell mattress (if that was what you could call it Lottie thought the first time she saw it) with her right side leant up against the wall. Her knees were slightly bent with her feet on the mattress as well and a blanket covered her legs. Usually blankets weren't permitted but DI Martin had granted it to her once she knew of Lottie's innocence and knowing how cold it would be. Although she was technically free to go there was paper work and such Lottie had to wait to be processed before she would be released.

Her head was pounding with the lack of food and water and the sounds and smells of the cells only made it worse. She felt completely depleted of everything so she just sat leant up against the wall with her eyes closed for hours.

Finally the door to her cell was opened. She didn't react to it, didn't even open her eyes until she felt someone softly shake her. She opened her eyes and saw Steve looking shocked at her. She was white as a sheet and exhausted. She couldn't hear him through her pain but forced the words out of her mouth.

"I … can't … move"

Right at that moment a searing pain ran through her body and she clung to his shoulder with a vice tight grip. It caused her to shut her eyes tightly and breathe quickly and deeply as she suffered through it. She felt him rest his forehead against hers.

"Lottie, look at me" Steve instructed but she couldn't. She felt the blanket slip off her knees and Steve's instructions suddenly stopped. Lottie opened her eyes a fraction to see her legs, the mattress and her blanket was covered in blood.

"GET AN AMBULANCE, NOW!" Steve yelled and everything went black.