** DECEMBER 13TH **

*** COURTROOM - 10:00 AM ***

Viv steps up to the witness box. She takes the oath and faces Daniel. He stands up and prepares to question her.

Daniel Harker:

WPC Martella, how did you first become involved with this case?

Viv opens her pocketbook and glances at the contents, before looking up and answering him.

WPC Martella:

I first met Polly Page on April the twelfth 1984 when as part of our normal duties myself and WPC Ackland were dropping a child back at Cheetham Road Girls' School. We observed Polly and another girl involved in an altercation. We intervened when the child pushed Polly backwards onto the ground. I talked with Polly after the incident and I noticed a faint bruise on the side of her eye, however I was unable to question her about it at the time, as the headmistress of the school arrived and escorted us off the premises.

Daniel Harker:

So even at this stage you were worried about her? Concerned for her welfare?

Viv proceeds to detail the events that occurred in the months after the playground fight, concluding with a description of the session between herself, Hilary, Polly, and Anne.

Daniel Harker:

And you and WPC Ackland conducted an interview with Polly?

WPC Martella:

That's correct. Two interviews. On August the seventeenth.

Daniel Harker:

I am now playing the tapes of the two interviews, the first between Detective Sergeant Tommy Burnside and WPC Martella with the victim Polly Page, the second with WPC Ackland and WPC Martella and the aforementioned victim.

Daniel plays the taped interviews to the stunned courtroom.

Daniel Harker:

Did you believe her, WPC Martella?

WPC Martella:

I did.

Daniel Harker:

Why did you believe her? You knew that it was her word against that of her stepfather, surely?

WPC Martella:

As I have already explained, I had spoken with her on several previous occasions. I spotted several bruises at these times, not to mention her broken arm.

Daniel Harker:

Injuries that were specifically mentioned by Doctor Pierce earlier. In your opinion, how did Polly come by these bruises?

Alison gets to her feet.

Alison Ashley:

Objection, your Honour! The witnesses' opinion is neither here nor there. What matters to the court are the facts of the case.

Judge Richards:

Objection sustained.

Daniel sighs and rephrases the question.

Daniel Harker:

Using your professional judgement as a police officer, would you say that it is likely that Polly is telling the truth?

WPC Martella:

Taking into consideration both her statement and the medical examination as well as the interview with Mr Matthews in which he confessed then yes, I believe that she is telling the truth.

Daniel Harker:

You cannot see any other possible explanation for the injuries? In your professional opinion, could they have been sustained accidentally?

WPC Martella:

I originally suspected that the bruising may be a result of bullying at school. However, after going through several extensive conversations with Polly and given the sheer magnitude of her physical injuries, I now fully support her allegations. Moreover, I believe that they were inflicted by the accused.

Daniel Harker:

You talked with the defendant in a recorded interview, did you not?

WPC Martella:

I did, yes.

Daniel Harker:

In which he confessed to beating and raping his stepdaughter?

WPC Martella:

That is correct.

Daniel Harker:

Did you apply any untoward pressure upon the defendant to obtain that confession?

WPC Martella:

We merely showed the forensic photographs and asked him to explain the bruises. This was enough to break him down.

Daniel Harker:

So he confessed voluntarily? He made a full, frank and open confession to you?

WPC Martella:

He admitted his guilt, yes. Even criminals can have guilty consciences.

Daniel gestures to the tape recorder and Greg's interview is played to the court. Once it is finished, Daniel returns to questioning Viv.

Daniel Harker:

That was the defendant in this case, Gregory Matthews?

WPC Martella:

It was.

Daniel Harker:

As the court has heard, he fully admits his guilt. No further questions, your Honour.

Daniel sits down with a satisfied look on his face. Alison stands up and smiles waspishly at Viv.

Alison Ashley:

You say that you applied no pressure whatsoever on Mr Matthews to force him to confess?

WPC Martella:

None besides my interviewing technique, which did not deviate from the normal Metropolitan Police interview style.

Alison Ashley:

Is it not true that Mr Matthews was later assaulted in his cell by a police officer, DS Tommy Burnside? And that the officer in question has been suspended from the police because of this incident?

Viv replies sharply.

WPC Martella:

I believe that to be correct, yes. Irrelevant but correct.

Alison Ashley:

Wouldn't you say that assaulting a suspect in a cell is a pretty sure way of getting him to do what you want? Punch him a couple of times then threaten him with another beating until he agrees to confess? Even when the confession is manifestly false?

WPC Martella:

I think you'll find that the alleged assault involving DS Burnside took place several hours following the defendant's full confession. I'm surprised that even with your law degree you still can't tell the time.

Alison smiles and smoothly changes tack.

Alison Ashley:

You've become close to Polly Page because of this case, haven't you?

WPC Martella:

Due to the nature of this investigation and Polly's disturbed personality traits, I have been required to spend a lot of time with her. We have deliberately endeavoured to minimise the number of officers involved with the case in order to enhance a feeling of stability and familiarity. For Polly's sake.

Alison Ashley:

You took Polly back to your home one night, didn't you?

WPC Martella:

I did. And I make no apologies for that. I only took that step after contacting social services and being advised that the only way emergency accommodation could be made available was if we split the children up. I thought this was a bit too drastic considering what Polly had already been put through that day. After talking with WPC Ackland, with whom I share a flat, we thought that it would be in Polly's best interests if she was not separated from her brother or thrown into an unfamiliar environment.

Alison Ashley:

You don't like Mr Matthews, do you WPC Martella?

Viv hesitates before replying.

WPC Martella:

I find his actions completely unacceptable and I question his value as a member of society if he takes pleasure in raping children.

Alison Ashley:

How many times have you spoken with Mr Matthews, WPC Martella?

WPC Martella:

Twice. In the two interviews that the court has heard.

Alison Ashley:

So you've spoken to him twice before and in your opinion that was enough for you to decide that he was valueless as a member of society? Some would call that a little bit harsh, WPC Martella. Some would call you biased.

Viv takes a deep breath and speaks softly yet firmly.

WPC Martella:

Well if they are going to accuse me of being biased then let them do so.

Alison Ashley:

I put it to you that you are biased, WPC Martella.

WPC Martella:

I was present for the medical examination. I had to look that girl in the eye as she described what he subjected her to night after night. I comforted her at eleven o'clock at night when she was crying herself to sleep because she feels responsible for breaking up her family. I've handed her paper towels at eight in the morning because she was throwing up in a toilet bowl because of what that bastard did to her. So don't you dare try to suggest that a twelve-year-old girl deserved that, or that she brought any of it on herself! How can you even think about doing that, you cold-hearted bitch?

Viv bites her lip and sniffs back tears. Alison is slightly shell-shocked at the outburst of emotion.

Judge Richards:

WPC Martella! Control yourself, please.

Viv takes a breath and looks at the Judge.

Judge Richards:

I do not allow outbursts of this nature in my courtroom. I will forgive you because of the emotional nature of the case but please refrain from losing your temper or insulting the officers of the court in future.

WPC Martella:

I apologise, Your Honour.

The Judge nods at Alison to go on. She launches her next question.

Alison Ashley:

You obviously feel a great deal of sympathy for Polly, don't you?

WPC Martella:

I think it is extremely unfair that a young child be subjected to such cruelty for such a long period of time.

Alison Ashley:

But you feel sympathy with her? Answer the question please.

WPC Martella:

I would feel pity for any child living in her circumstances, yes.

Alison Ashley:

You feel pity for her. Well, WPC Martella, you would agree that strong emotions must sometimes affect the judgement of police officers dealing with cases such as this?

WPC Martella:

It requires a lot of self-discipline to put the crime before the victim. Sometimes.

Alison Ashley:

How many cases have you dealt with before that have involved the sexual abuse of a child?

WPC Martella:

This is my first child abuse case.

Alison Ashley:

Yet you felt confident enough to take over the entire investigation by yourself? Wouldn't it have been wiser to hand over the case to a more senior, experienced officer?

WPC Martella:

As I have previously stated, I felt it was in Polly's best interests if a certain level of familiarity was established. She did not appear to respond well to male officers, such as DS Burnside, so WPC Ackland and I decided to handle the case ourselves.

Alison Ashley:

Two Women Police Constables handling a case this delicate? And you expect the court to believe that you are still objective? You've become involved with this case, haven't you WPC Martella? It's become a little crusade. You've lost your professional judgement!

Viv weathers the storm.

WPC Martella:

No, that is incorrect.

Alison Ashley:

You've already admitted that you felt pity for the girl! You've gone to extraordinary lengths to make sure that you remain involved with this case. Can you deny that you deliberately ignored your superior officer's instructions by carrying out an interview with the defendant in the absence of DS Burnside?

WPC Martella:

We conducted the interview in DS Burnside's absence so that we were able to begin making accommodation arrangements for the children. We didn't have time to wait for him to return from a drugs raid he was on.

Alison Ashley:

So why did the children end up staying the night at your house?

WPC Martella:

I have already explained to the court that it was a choice between splitting them up or staying at our house. We decided that the latter option was preferable.

Alison Ashley:

But if the interview was conducted early in order to arrange suitable accommodation then why wasn't the accommodation arranged? You have lied to the court, haven't you WPC Martella? You deliberately strung out proceedings so that the little girl would stay with you for that night!

WPC Martella:

The interview was conducted so that we could go ahead and contact social services. It was unknown to us at the time of the interview that accommodation for the children would be unavailable. Is that clear enough for even a lawyer to understand?

Alison looks exasperated.

Alison Ashley:

Admit it WPC Martella. You have let your emotional attachment to Polly get in the way of your better judgement here. You have concocted these charges and convinced Polly to lie in order to justify your personal crusade against child abuse!

WPC Martella:

No, that is not the case.

Alison Ashley:

No further questions.

Alison sits down, resigned. Viv leaves the stand and exits the courtroom.

*** PROSECUTION OFFICE - 10:45 AM ***

Polly and Samuel Harker are playing in Daniel's office. Samuel is shooting staples across the room while Polly is busily hole punching little pieces of paper.

Samuel Harker:

This so boring. Have you had to sit around like this for two days?

Polly Page:

Nah, yesterday was fun. We were interviewed by all these photographers and other people. I was scared at the time but it wasn't too bad.

Samuel Harker:

Cool, you mean you had your photo taken and stuff? That happens to my Dad all the time. Did you get to be on TV?

Polly Page:

Yeah, but I started feeling sick as they all crowded around me so Viv went and scared them all off. I want to be just like her when I grow up!

Samuel Harker:

What, a police officer? Yuck! Dad says that would be horrible coz you have to work all the time and people throw up on you and stuff. He once told me a story about a policeman who was covered in lice. It was awful! I'd hate it if that ever happened to me.

Polly Page:

Yeah, but Viv is so cool. She can handle anything. It was her that started all this, you know.

Samuel nods as he fires a few more staples at the window. Polly pats her stomach proudly and he notices.

Samuel Harker:

What's with your tummy anyway? It looks like you ate a football!

Samuel giggles. Polly is not amused.

Polly Page:

I'm pregnant, you wally! Or don't you know what that is?

Samuel gawks at the young girl.

Samuel Harker:

What do ya mean? You're gonna have a baby?

Polly Page:

Ten out of ten mister.

Samuel looks horrified.

Samuel Harker:

But, you're just a kid like me. You have to be married to have a baby! Don't you?

Polly Page:

No you don't. This is a very special baby!

Samuel thinks about this and frowns slightly.

Samuel Harker:

So, there really is a baby in your tummy?

Polly Page:

Of course there's a baby in my tummy! Want to feel her?

Samuel's face becomes somewhat pale.

Samuel Harker:

How do you mean?

Polly Page:

She kicks every now and then. It's so cute! Here, put your hand on my tummy and you'll see.

Samuel does as he's told. After a few moments, a look of surprise crosses his face.

Samuel Harker:

Cool! Doesn't it hurt though?

Polly Page:

No, she's as good as gold. She's really sweet.

Polly leans forward and coos to the baby. Samuel is intrigued.

Samuel Harker:

So, is she gonna come out of your tummy?

Polly Page:

Yeah, in about four months you dill!

Samuel Harker:

Hey, it ain't my fault I don't know nothing bout this. I don't care about babies at all. Not that I'm interested but aren't you too young to have a baby?

Polly Page:

You're just a silly boy. You don't understand these things!

Polly pokes her tongue out at Samuel. He soldiers on bravely.

Samuel Harker:

But doesn't a baby have to have a Mummy and Daddy? And you have to live in a house and everything?

Polly Page:

I'll be giving my baby to a Mummy and Daddy when she's born.

Samuel thinks this over for a few moments.

Samuel Harker:

Why?

Polly lowers her voice.

Polly Page:

Because I want to. I want to save my baby from them.

Samuel begins testing out several different-coloured highlighters.

Samuel Harker:

Save it from who?

Polly Page:

From Gweg and from Mum. From all the people that want to kill her.

Samuel looks shocked.

Samuel Harker:

Why would anyone wanna kill a baby? Has it done something bad?

Polly huffs.

Polly Page:

It's a really complicated thing that a boy wouldn't understand!

Polly turns her back on Samuel. He shrugs and sticks out his tongue to pay her back. She swivels around, grabs his shirt and the two begin a playful fight. Samuel traps Polly in a headlock.

Samuel Harker:

That's for calling me a wally!

Polly slithers out of the headlock, grabs Samuel's arms and pulls him onto the ground.

Polly Page:

You are a wally! And a boy too! I can't decide which is worse.

Samuel grabs Polly's ponytail and pulls on it.

Samuel Harker:

I am not a wally. Take it back or I'll tell my Dad and you'll be in trouble!

Polly Page:

Let go! Ow! You're the one who'll be in trouble! I'll tell Viv about you and she'll arrest you!

Samuel Harker:

My Dad's way more powerful than her. My Daddy puts police officers in jail!

Polly turns around and neatly kicks Samuel in the groin. He bends over in agony.

Samuel Harker:

Ow! That is so unfair!

Samuel's hand scoots out unexpectedly and he pulls at another bunch of Polly's hair. Polly slams her fist into Samuel's stomach. Suddenly, the door opens and Viv walks into the room.

WPC Martella:

What the hell are you two doing?

Samuel looks up in shock. Polly rolls off him, stands up, holds her hands behind her back and looks down at the floor. She looks guilty across at Samuel. He pulls himself to his feet and limps awkwardly across the room.

WPC Martella:

Polly?

Polly Page:

Yeth Viv?

WPC Martella:

What's been going on?

Polly Page:

Nuffink. We were just mucking around.

WPC Martella:

I can see that! How did it happen?

Polly Page:

We were talking about the baby and he started being nasty to her, so I had to� erm�

Polly trails off in embarrassment.

Samuel Harker:

She kicked me miss! And it really hurt!

Samuel clutches his crotch. Viv looks between the two kids and slowly shakes her head.

Polly Page:

It was only coz you pulled my hair!

Samuel Harker:

I only did that coz you pulled me down onto the floor!

WPC Martella:

All right you two! Calm down. Look, Polly, was it really necessary to kick him? Especially in such a sensitive area?

Polly Page:

I'm sorry, Viv.

Polly looks seriously guilty. Viv sighs.

WPC Martella:

Well it's time for lunch now. Polly, you'll be going into court straight after we've eaten.

Polly Page:

It's my turn already?

WPC Martella:

Almost. At least after that you won't have to hang around this office any more.

Polly Page:

Good. I'm sick of pesky boys and their immature games!

Polly walks off, throwing a dark glance at Sam as she reaches the door.

Samuel Harker:

I have a long memory Polly Page! You just wait!

Polly Page:

Good. Remember this then!

Polly runs back and quickly kisses him on the cheek. She then dashes out of the room. Viv raises an eyebrow and looks at the stunned boy.

WPC Martella:

Come on Sam, your Dad's waiting out in the corridor.

Continue...