** APRIL 26TH **

*** INTERVIEW ROOM ONE - 10:20 AM ***

Ben is led into the room and takes a seat next to his brief. Kim and Alistair are sitting at the desk. Kim nods to Alistair and he sets up the tape player.

DS Greig:

This is a taped interview commending at ten-thirty AM, Friday April twenty-sixth 1991. Officers present are Detective Sergeant Greig,

DCI Reid:

Detective Chief Inspector Reid.

Gordon nods at Ben.

PC Prior:

Benjamin Frederick Prior.

DS Greig:

Also present is,

Gordon Smart:

Gordon Smart, Mr Prior's legal representative.

Kim purses her lips and smiles disarmingly at Ben.

DCI Reid:

Is it okay if I call you "Ben" for the purposes of this interview, PC Prior?

Ben looks up, his expression sly.

PC Prior:

I suppose so.

DCI Reid:

Great. Do you like women, Ben?

PC Prior:

I've been happily married for the past eight years.

Kim smiles.

DCI Reid:

That doesn't answer my question. Do you like women, yes or no?

PC Prior:

Yes.

DCI Reid:

So why do you treat them so badly?

Ben looks across quickly at his lawyer.

PC Prior:

No comment.

Kim sighs.

DCI Reid:

Would you describe yourself as a happily married man, Ben?

PC Prior:

Yes, I would.

DCI Reid:

Do you ever find yourself tempted by other women? Sexually?

PC Prior:

I'd be lying if I said I wasn't but I'm committed to my wife. So 'tempted' is as far as it ever goes.

DCI Reid:

Were you ever tempted by Polly Page?

PC Prior:

No, of course not.

Kim shakes her hair backwards.

DCI Reid:

Not even slightly? She's a very attractive woman!

Ben sighs.

PC Prior:

That's a matter of opinion. She's a kid.

DCI Reid:

If she's just a 'kid' then why were you boasting about having sex with her to PC Stamp?

PC Prior:

No comment.

Gordon nods approvingly at his client.

DCI Reid:

Have you ever had sexual intercourse with Polly Page, Ben?

PC Prior:

No, of course not.

DCI Reid:

So then why did you tell PC Stamp that you did? As well as several of your other colleagues. PC Quinnan and PC Loxton to name just a few.

Kim produces several witness statements and places them on the table.

DCI Reid:

Well Ben? If nothing ever occurred between Polly and yourself then why did you claim to have had sex with her on these occasions?

PC Prior:

Just as a laugh, ya know. All the guys were digging me about it. It didn't do any harm and she woulda been up for it, given half a chance.

Kim leans back in her chair.

DCI Reid:

You don't like Polly Page, do you Ben?

Ben considers his reply.

PC Prior:

I don't have any personal resentment towards her but I don't fancy her or nothing.

Kim sighs, frustrated.

DCI Reid:

You claimed that nothing happened between you two on the night of April the thirteenth. Do you still stand by that?

PC Prior:

Yes, that's correct.

DCI Reid:

So I would ask you again, how do you explain the dent in the locker corresponding to the bruise on Polly's forehead?

Ben scowls, becoming edgy.

PC Prior:

How the bloody hell should I know!

DCI Reid:

The samples have come back from the lab, Ben. The blood found on the locker matches Polly's. Come on, your case is crumbling before your eyes. Tell the truth.

Kim's voice has become high-pitched and sardonic. Ben calms down slightly, looking across at his lawyer.

PC Prior:

No comment.

DCI Reid:

You went in there didn't you Ben? You saw Polly all alone and you thought you'd try something on, didn't you? Then when she said "No" you wouldn't take "No" for an answer!

PC Prior:

That's rubbish!

DCI Reid:

You're the one speaking rubbish, Ben. You raped her, didn't you? In the WPC's locker room! When she was half-naked and alone, you took advantage of her and forced yourself on her!

Gordon is getting flustered.

Gordon Smart:

I really must object to this line of questioning.

Kim glares at the solicitor.

DCI Reid:

I am perfectly within my rights putting questions to Mr Prior in whatever order I choose. I have done nothing outside the limits of PACE so please keep your objections to yourself!

Ben looks over smugly at his brief. Kim gives Alistair a changeover signal with the top of her pen and sits back. He pulls his chair closer to the table, his voice lower and softer.

DS Greig:

Well then perhaps you'd like to go over the events of that night again for us. You've already admitted to entering the WPC's locker room, what happened then?

Ben takes a deep breath, becoming bored and frustrated.

PC Prior:

I wanted to have it out with her. She'd been pestering me all shift and I just wanted to make it clear to her that I wasn't interested. I let her down as gently as I could but she obviously wasn't happy with that. So she's extracting her revenge this way.

Alistair nods understandably. Kim looks sceptical but remains silent.

DS Greig:

I can understand that it'd seem like that from your position. But we're talking about sexual assault here Ben. Rape. Now that'd hardly the type of thing a woman's going to fabricate just to get even.

Ben shrugs.

PC Prior:

How should I know? Frankly, I wouldn't know what to expect from that probate. Ask anyone, the woman's got problems.

Kim chuckles.

DCI Reid:

Not as many problems as you, Ben. She's not facing charges of rape and sexual assault!

Ben shrugs.

PC Prior:

She's screwed up enough to invent them.

DCI Reid:

Really? What makes you say that?

Kim stares daringly into Ben's eyes.

PC Prior:

Well, isn't it pretty clear! She's pissed off 'cause she couldn't win me over, so she's making up false allegations!

DCI Reid:

If her allegations are rubbish then how can you explain the bruising to her face? The evidence showing that someone gripped her arms and threw her against a locker? Come one Ben, look at the photos and give me an explanation for this!

Kim casually tosses a few medical photos across at Ben, who pushes them back angrily across the desk.

PC Prior:

She's making the other stuff up though, the lying bitch! Okay, so I had to make her listen, so what!

Kim leans back and takes a deep breath.

DCI Reid:

You had to make her listen? What exactly did you do to her?

PC Prior:

Nothing, I just had to get her to shut up a bit. She wouldn't accept that I wasn't interested in anything!

DCI Reid:

So what did you do? Did you shake her? Did you hit her, Ben?

PC Prior:

I mighta done. Pushed her against a locker. Maybe that's how she hurt her head?

Kim shakes her head and fixes Ben with an angry glare.

DCI Reid:

The dent was towards the base of the locker. It was consistent with the victim being pushed to the floor and having her head bump against the locker. Well Ben, what have you got to say about this?

PC Prior:

So she ended up on the floor, so what! It doesn't make any difference!

DCI Reid:

If she was on the floor then it suggests that you were on top of her. And if you were on top of her, it suggests to me that you had a sexual motive when assaulting her!

Gordon Smart:

This is ridiculous. My client...

Kim silences Gordon with a glare.

DCI Reid:

Come on Ben, it went a lot further than a simple assault didn't it? You forced her to have sex with you without her consent and hit her when she resisted. You raped her, Ben, didn't you?

PC Prior:

That's crap and there's no way you can prove anything! It's her word against mine!

DCI Reid:

You've already lied to us once. You said that all that happened in the locker room was that you kissed her. Now you have changed your story. Who do you think a jury's more likely to believe, Ben?

PC Prior:

Nothing happened.

DCI Reid:

Keep telling yourself that, Ben. I'm sure it'll work a treat in court.

Kim shakes her head contemptuously and the atmosphere in the room relaxes.

DCI Reid:

Interview terminated at eleven-thirteen AM.

*** THE KITCHEN - SECTION HOUSE - 12:00 PM ***

Cindy walks into the kitchen, looking for a bite to eat. She stops when she realises that Polly is already there making a cup of tea. Polly looks over, muttering softly.

WPC Page:

You want one?

Cindy nods haughtily.

WPC Craine:

Is it true that you're stitching Ben up for sexual assault?

Polly tosses the teaspoon into the sink, heading over towards a table.

WPC Page:

That didn't take long to get around.

Cindy glares angrily at her blonde colleague.

WPC Craine:

So you're not denying that it's a pack of lies?

Polly takes a sip of her tea, looking thoroughly uncomfortable.

WPC Page:

I really don't wanna talk about it.

WPC Craine:

You're playing with his career, you silly girl! He's got a wife and child to support so why are you trying to ruin his life? Don't you care about his job, his marriage, his family?

WPC Page:

That doesn't change anything. What's it got to do with you anyway?

Cindy shrugs.

WPC Craine:

I care about Ben. He's a damn good copper and I don't want a screwed up little tart wrecking his life just 'cause he had the guts to turn her down!

Polly looks up, a slightly stunned expression on her face.

WPC Page:

Is that what he's putting about? That I turned him down?

Polly sighs, continuing to drink her tea. Cindy nods grimly.

WPC Craine:

And I think I can understand why. You don't give a stuff about the damage that this will do to him do you?

WPC Page:

Look, this has nothing to do with you, just mind ya own business!

Cindy grabs Polly's shoulders and glares directly into her eyes.

WPC Craine:

It's got everything to do with me. Ben's my mate and mates stick together. Just tell me why you're telling these lies about him! Satisfy my curiosity!

Polly looks away, stepping out of Cindy's grasp.

WPC Page:

They're not lies and I don't have to answer to you!

Cindy sneers and hisses at Polly.

WPC Craine:

Someday you'll have to answer to someone! You can go crying rape as much as you like but you'll be laughed out of court!

Polly looks up at the WPC, narrowing her eyes.

WPC Page:

Somehow, I doubt it.

WPC Craine:

Doubt all you like, blondie but I'm gonna make sure that your name is mud with the entire relief if you continue with this! When this is over, you're not gonna have a friend in the world, you little screwed up cow!

Cindy storms out of the room in a huff. Polly's eyes are wet with tears and her head sinks into her arms. Viv paces into the kitchen, having been upstairs looking for Polly. She approaches the upset woman, taking a seat next to her as she whispers.

WDC Martella:

Polly? What's wrong, love?

Polly looks up tearfully at Viv and tries to hide the fact that she's been crying by brushing her arm across her eyes.

WPC Page:

Nothing. What are you doing here?

WDC Martella:

I just wanted to come and have a talk with you. What's all this about?

Viv gestures towards Polly's puffy eyes and tear-stained cheeks. Polly shakes her head firmly and tries to stand up.

WPC Page:

It's nuffink! Why can't you all just leave me alone?

Polly collapses back into her chair and sobs quietly to herself. Viv shrugs.

WDC Martella:

You sure you don't wanna talk about it?

Polly doesn't answer.

WDC Martella:

It is because of Ben? Because of the hearing today?

Viv rests a hand lightly on Polly's shoulder. Polly shakes her head slowly and dries her eyes.

WPC Page:

One of Ben's mates just told me that she'd make sure that no one ever liked me at Sun Hill if I went through with this. As if I don't have enough trouble making friends as it is, now I won't stand a chance wherever I go. Even if I went to another station, this'd follow me. It'll be on me record for life!

Viv sighs, finally understanding.

WDC Martella:

I know but you've got to do what you believe's right. No matter about the others. And once he's proven to be the lying piece of filth that he is, the rest of the relief will see how wrong they've been.

WPC Page:

But what about his friends on the relief? They seem to think he's some sort of Saint! If I go through with this then they'll hate me for it and they'll make sure that the rest of my time at Sun Hill is made as miserable as possible. I'm beginning to wonder if it's all worth it, Viv. If there's any point to going through with this.

Polly sighs mournfully.

WDC Martella:

Don't be silly, Polly, of course it'll be worth it! You think you'd be the last person to fall prey to him? And chances are you're not the first either.

WPC Page:

Well maybe it's me? Maybe I bring this sort of thing upon myself? I mean, Lord knows it's not like this is my first time in this situation...

Viv takes the opportunity to slip out the golden pendant from her pocket, placing it softly on the table near Polly's arm.

WDC Martella:

I believe this is yours?

Polly looks down at the small golden pearl necklace then looks back up at Viv, her eyes glistening.

WPC Page:

Where... I mean how...?

WDC Martella:

It's a long story. I got it from June who got it from Norika.

Viv pauses awkwardly.

WDC Martella:

Polly, back those weeks ago, in the bathroom. Why didn't you tell me the truth?

Polly bites her lip and gives Viv a funny look.

WPC Page:

Because I was scared. Because I was confused. Because I was terrified that I might be getting myself into another situation that I couldn't handle. Hell, I don't know Viv. I didn't even know if I could trust you then.

Polly trails off, looking seriously vulnerable.

WDC Martella:

Firstly, you can always trust me. Secondly, this is a piece of cake compared to what you've been through before. In the end it's up to you but you have to do what you can live with. Drop the charges now and the relief'll think you made it all up. Not to mention the fact that he'll just go out and do the same thing to someone else.

Polly sighs and shrugs her shoulders.

WPC Page:

Well firstly we have to make sure that he doesn't get bail. To be honest, I'm sort of dreading this afternoon.

WDC Martella:

That's understandable. Are you worried? I mean, that he'll do something?

Polly shakes her head.

WPC Page:

It's not so much that... I mean, I know he wouldn't be stupid enough to try to interfere with me before the trial but I just don't like the thought of him free. Going back home... to his family.

WDC Martella:

Yeah, if his wife has any sense, she'll toss him out in the cold.

WPC Page:

That's not going to happen any time soon, worse luck. I dunno, what does she see in him?

WDC Martella:

You're asking me?

Viv continues with a small smile.

WDC Martella:

Anyway, try not to let the others get to you too much. There's Norika, June and I. We're all behind you on this.

Polly smiles too and takes Viv's hand.

WPC Page:

You mean that? All the way?

WDC Martella:

Of course we are. I mean, you probably wouldn't want us old mother hens around but Norika and you are pretty close, right?

Polly nods.

WPC Page:

Nori's great. It's almost like she's seen all this before.

WDC Martella:

Yeah, she'll be a good support. Is there anything I can do to help?

Polly turns to face Viv.

WPC Page:

There's one thing. Can we talk like this from time to time? I mean, you're the only one who really understands my past and... things. It'd really mean a lot to me if you were there to support me.

WDC Martella:

Sure we can, whenever you want. I didn't really know want you wanted, I mean, whether you wanted me to just keep a distance, let you get on with the job. But it's totally up to you.

Polly smiles at her friend and colleague.

WPC Page:

Thanks Viv. You're really great, you know?

Polly surprises Viv with a quick hug. Viv rolls her eyes with a smile.

WDC Martella:

I seem to remember you saying something similar a few years back but thanks.

Polly carefully fastens the small gold pendant around her neck. It still fits.

WPC Page:

I need to get meself cleaned up then it's off to court again. Do you think he'll get bail, Viv?

Viv shakes her head with a sigh.

WDC Martella:

I've really no idea, Polly. It depends but honestly, it wouldn't surprise me if he did.

Polly's lip trembles slightly.

WPC Page:

I guess I'll just have to hope that we get a good judge.

Viv nods, getting to her feet.

WDC Martella:

It'll work out and, as you said, he wouldn't be stupid enough to try anything. That'd be as good as a confession.

Polly stands up and empties her cold cup of tea down the sink.

WPC Page:

I'll be fine now, Viv. I just needed someone to talk things over with.

WDC Martella:

What time's the hearing?

WPC Page:

At four. Norika's coming with me.

Viv nods, checking her watch.

WDC Martella:

Well, I'd better get back but let me know how it all goes? And remember, I'm always here if you need me.

WPC Page:

I will. And Viv?

Viv raises an eyebrow.

WDC Martella:

Yeah Poll?

WPC Page:

Thanks. For everything. You've been a real mate.

Viv turns in the doorway.

WDC Martella:

Think nothing of it.

Viv smiles briefly, before briskly making her way out of the section house and back to the station.

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