Chapter 11

Emily and Stacey had a disturbed night's sleep, with Emily trying to reassure Stacey that it was ok to seek comfort from her. The next morning the two of them were sat at the kitchen table, they had eaten a light breakfast and now Stacey was busying herself by sketching a bird that she was watching in the small garden. Emily smiled as she gently rubbed Stacey's back.

"I'm just going to go and talk to my team in the other room, will you be ok in here?"

Stacey lifted her head momentarily, meeting Emily's eyes as she nodded in response.

Emily smiled as she saw the team all sitting around the round table.

"Morning everyone, it's good to see you all. Thank you for getting this place ready as well it is really appreciated."

"How are you both Emily?"

Emily smiled as JJ asked the question, she knew how difficult it was to hide things from her.

"We're ok, a little tired but that is to be expected. So where are we with everything?"

Dave cleared his throat as he looked at the screen.

"The ME has now concluded that the two social workers were killed in the same manner, strangulation using a rope, there are markings on both victims to suggest that the same rope was used."

Garcia clicked and changed the image as she brought up photos of the three dead as JJ spoke.

"We have requested that the ME goes over the files of the three dead children to see if there is anything to suggest that they didn't die of natural causes. Tara and I are going to go and talk again to the children to see if we can slowly build their trust and Luke and Tyler are going to talk to some children that had contact with the dead social workers."

"Thank you all, has the surveillance on Maggie Autwal yielded anything yet?"

"No but we will keep it in place."

"Thanks Dave, I am going to talk to Stacey today I will record the conversation and share with you guys. Take care and keep in touch."

Emily smiled as she finished the call, closing her laptop as she lent back into the couch, taking a few minutes to herself before she stood up and walked back through to the kitchen, sitting down opposite Stacey.

"Hey Stacey."

"Hi Emily."

Stacey managed a small smile as she lifted her head and looked at Emily.

"Would you be able to answer some questions for me?"

Stacey bowed her head, her voice quiet.

"Yes I guess so."

"Thanks sweetie, how about we go through and sit on the couch."

Emily sat down and took a hold of Stacey's hands.

"Remember Stacey, I am right here with you."

"Is it ok to keep my eyes closed Emily?"

"Of course Stacey, whatever makes you feel comfortable."

Stacey kept her eyes closed as she felt Emily gently squeeze her hands.

"Can you tell me about the foster home you ran away from, who took you there for the first time?"

Emily watched as Stacey took a deep breath to compose herself.

"I had been moved around every few weeks or so, from home to home, nobody ever said why or when it might happen. Mrs Autwal would just turn up and tell me I needed to move. I learned quickly not to bother unpacking, I just used to pick my bag up and follow her. It immediately felt different when we walked up to the house, there was no friendly greeting and Mrs Autwal told me to just do everything that was asked of me and the rules had to be obeyed. I just agreed with whatever she said but the tone to her voice was different."

Stacey stopped and took a deep breath, her fingers wrapping tighter around Emily's as Emily stroked them softly.

"Can you tell me about the adults in the house and your first impression of them?"

"There was a husband and wife, they were in their late fifties, the man just sat in the living room reading a newspaper or watching television, he never really interacted with us. The wife was in charge, she was really strict and as soon as I arrived she sat me at the kitchen table and went through the rules, that didn't really bother me, when my dad died and I went to the first foster home I went with the flow and just kept quiet and out of trouble."

"So even though the woman was strict, things changed didn't they?"

"Yes."

Stacey's voice broke slightly as she replied.

"Take your time Stacey, can you tell me how long it was until things changed and how they changed?"

Emily frowned as Stacey bowed her head, her eyes still closed as a single tear trickled down her cheek.

"I had been there for twelve nights, it was my turn to tidy up the kitchen after dinner, I was on my own standing at the sink. Then I felt someone behind me, a hand reached and grabbed my breast, I went to shout but a hand covered my mouth, a male voice was in my ear telling me not to make a sound."

Stacey stopped as more tears trickled down her cheeks, Emily went to speak to let Stacey know she could take a break but the young girl carried on.

"He raped me in the kitchen, afterwards he told me that I had better clear up otherwise I would be in more trouble, I didn't know who it was but it wasn't the husband as I caught a glimpse of him as the other man left the kitchen. The woman came in about five minutes later and told me I had taken too long and I would have to do extra chores the next day. The next day I was told to sweep the garage, it was a different man that time."

Tears were streaming down Stacey's face as Emily moved closer and spoke quietly and softly.

"It's ok Stacey, you're safe here with me, open your eyes and take a break sweetheart."

Emily frowned as Stacey shook her head.

"No, you need this, to help with the other children."

"Ok but if you need to stop we will. Did you tell anyone what had happened to you on those two days?"

"The next time Mrs Autwal came round I told her, she told me not to tell lies and if I said anything to anyone else I would be in even more trouble. When I got home from school that day I was told to tidy up the garage again, when I went in there I saw a video camera set up and three men waiting for me."

Sobs left Stacey as Emily moved and wrapped her arms around the young girl.

"It's ok Stacey, you're safe now, I am right here with you."

"I left that night and didn't go back."

The words were whispered as Stacey buried her head into the crook of Emily's neck, seeking comfort from someone she was finally beginning to trust.