*** CHEETHAM ROAD GIRLS' SCHOOL - 11:55 AM ***

Viv and Jim arrive outside the school. Viv has brought Jim up to speed with the basics of the situation.

PC Carver:

So what exactly are we doing here?

WPC Martella:

Seeing what Miss Laura Jacobs has to say about all this!

PC Carver:

Do you think she'll co-operate?

WPC Martella:

How should I know? She had bloody better!

Viv and Jim make their way towards the headmistress's office.

PC Carver:

Are you sure this is a good idea Viv?

Viv sighs angrily.

WPC Martella:

Why the hell is everyone doubting me on this one? I'm not a little kid, I know what I'm doing.

Jim gulps and wisely decides not to press the matter. Viv arrives at the office and strides past the secretary, ignoring her objections. Mrs Eggins is sitting behind a large desk in her office. She looks up.

Mrs Eggins:

Yes? Can I help you?

WPC Martella:

WPC Martella and PC Carver. I need to speak with Laura Jacobs. Where might I find her?

Mrs Eggins:

Excuse me but this is school property. You can't just come barging in here like this.

WPC Martella:

Look, this is important and I haven't the time to muck about. What class is Laura Jacobs in?

Mrs Eggins:

WPC Martella, if you do not get out of my office this instant I will lodge an official complaint with your senior officer!

Viv gives the headmistress a venomous look.

WPC Martella:

I am here on official police enquires regarding the welfare of one of your students and it is imperative that I speak with Miss Jacobs.

Mrs Eggins:

Well, I'm sorry but we don't allow the police on the premises during school hours. And I am certainly not about to disclose the location of one of our students to the police. For any reason.

WPC Martella:

She's a student. Isn't she at school?

Mrs Eggins:

Laura has a rather unfortunate habit of playing the truant. But you'll have to look elsewhere if you want to find her because I flatly refuse to tell you anything that might conceivably harm one of our pupils.

Mrs Eggins folds her arms decisively.

WPC Martella:

It's way past that stage, I'm afraid. We need to speak with Laura as a potential witness regarding some very serious allegations that have been made by one of your students.

Mrs Eggins:

Which student? I bet it was Polly Page. That little girl lives in a fantasy world. You'd be a fool to believe a word that she says.

Viv glares across at the headmistress, surprised at her shrewd guess.

WPC Martella:

What makes you say that?

Mrs Eggins:

I've known her for a lot longer than you have WPC Martella. My daughter has been forced to put up with that vicious little cow on a daily basis for the last seven years.

WPC Martella:

So how can you explain the incident that my colleague and I witnessed a few months ago? Your daughter has a rather powerful punch in case you'd forgotten.

Mrs Eggins:

She was defending herself from an unprovoked attack. And that's exactly the sort of thing I mean. Polly Page might act like an innocent little girl but once you scratch the surface you'll find out that she's really a twisted, evil little bully.

Viv steps forward and casually rests her hands on the desk.

WPC Martella:

I want to speak with Laura Jacobs. We can either do this the easy way or I can get a warrant and flood the school with police officers. That ain't gonna look too good at the next board meeting, now is it?

Both Jim and Mrs Eggins are taken aback at the fire smouldering in Viv's eyes.

Mrs Eggins:

Don't you dare threaten me young lady. Get out of my school this instant!

WPC Martella:

Or what? You'll call the police?

Viv smirks at the headmistress. Mrs Eggins is lost for words.

WPC Martella:

Class teacher and room number. Now!

Mrs Eggins slowly fumbles through a pile of papers on her desk until she locates Laura's class timetable.

Mrs Eggins:

Mr Charlton. Room twenty-four.

WPC Martella:

Thank you.

Viv storms out of the office, leaving a shocked headmistress in her wake. Jim trails along quietly behind Viv.

PC Carver:

I'm sort of scared to speak to you after that.

WPC Martella:

Sorry about that, Jimmy. I just can't stand the sight of that stuck up snooty bitch!

Viv and Jim make their way to the classroom. They enter the room without knocking and quickly spot Laura sitting in the back row. Laura is sticking squares of chewing gum underneath her desk in a businesslike fashion.

Mr Charlton:

Four squared is sixteen, sixteen squared is� Excuse me?

Mr Charlton is somewhat surprised to see the police in his classroom.

WPC Martella:

May we speak with Laura Jacobs, please?

Mr Charlton:

What has she done now?

WPC Martella:

She hasn't done anything. We just need to speak with her down at the station regarding an allegation made by another student. We've already spoken with Mrs Eggins.

Mr Charlton:

I thought it was the school's policy not to let the police�

Mr Charlton trails off when he notices the look on Viv's face. Laura slowly gets up from her desk, sighs then makes her way out of the room. Viv, Jim and Laura walk down the corridor for a while in silence until Laura's curious nature gets the better of her.

Laura Jacobs:

Right, so if I'm not in any trouble then what is this all about?

WPC Martella:

You're one of Polly Page's friends, right?

Laura's face betrays her surprise at the question.

Laura Jacobs:

Yeah, probably the only one. So what?

WPC Martella:

Didn't you notice that she's been used as a punching bag by her stepfather?

Laura stares down at the floor uncomfortably.

Laura Jacobs:

Well� Yeah� How do ya mean?

WPC Martella:

He's been bashing her up on a regular basis for years. She told you about it but you didn't believe her!

Laura Jacobs:

Oh, that... Look, she mentioned something about it ages ago. But ya know how it is around here. Bruises aren't an uncommon thing.

WPC Martella:

I know. But she hasn't exactly got a truckload of friends has she? You could have at least listened to her. Why didn't you listen to her?

Viv is getting really worked up, much to Laura's embarrassment.

Laura Jacobs:

Look, it was weeks ago. We were all having a sleepover and she showed me a couple of bruises. What was I supposed to do? I'm not a ruddy social worker.

WPC Martella:

You could have helped her. You could have been there for her. You didn't even stick up for her when that Jenny girl was bullying her!

Laura Jacobs:

Look, they're younger then me ain't they? I don't hang out with them or anything. I feel sorry for her but I've got me own problems to sort out. The bottom line is that you've got to look out for number one.

Viv turns her head away from Laura in disgust.

WPC Martella:

Can you tell me anything about Polly that might help her in court?

Laura Jacobs:

In court? This sure is getting heavy! Look, all I know is that she showed me some bruises she had on her stomach. I asked about them and she kinda let it slip that it was her Dad or something. That's all I know. I was pretty freaked out and I didn't know what to say.

WPC Martella:

Can you remember exactly what she said? Or what she showed you? Anything would help.

Laura thinks carefully, realising the seriousness of the situation.

Laura Jacobs:

We were getting changed, ready for bed. I noticed the marks but I didn't say anything at first. Later on, we'd finished watching a movie and it was a pretty horrible flick. I don't think we were meant to be watching it, ya know what I mean? We sat around and talked about it for ages but Polly went very quiet. After the other three had gone to bed she said she had bruises on her like the ones in the movie. I asked her about it and she showed me and said that her Dad had punched her. I felt pretty disgusted by it all so I didn't mention it again or nothing.

WPC Martella:

But you saw the bruises? And she definitely told you that it was her stepfather who had hit her?

Laura Jacobs:

Well, yeah. Stepfather, father, what's the difference?

WPC Martella:

Would you be prepared to say that in court if that's what it came to?

Laura Jacobs:

Well, I guess. If I have to. Anything to miss a day of school at this dump.

Laura grins up at Viv.

WPC Martella:

Then I need to get a statement off you. Are you okay to come down to Sun Hill station now?

Laura Jacobs:

Well, not really. I� I have a� Yeah, I guess so.

Laura reluctantly trails behind Viv and Jim as they all head back out to the panda. Tommy watches them walking past with interest.

DS Burnside:

What has that little brat gone and done now?

Tommy starts his car's engine and begins to follow the panda.

*** SUN HILL POLICE STATION - 12:35 PM ***

Tommy drives into the station yard. He parks his car and walks into the front office. He approaches Reg, who is sitting behind the front desk.

DS Burnside:

Oi, Hollis! Have you got a short, pretty black-haired WPC here?

PC Hollis:

Well, we have a few of them Sarge. Anything more specific?

DS Burnside:

She had a silly hairstyle. Had that young probationer Carver following her around like a puppy.

PC Hollis:

Ahh, that would be Viv Martella. She and Jim are just taking a statement in the front interview room.

DS Burnside:

Good. Do you want a tip, Hollis?

Reg is confused.

PC Hollis:

Pardon, Sarge?

DS Burnside:

Use less hair gel. You're greasy enough as it is without it.

Tommy strides into the front interview room. Laura looks up hopefully as the door opens.

DS Burnside:

'Scuse me. Sorry for butting in. Can I see you for a minute WPC Martrolla?

WPC Martella:

One moment.

Viv makes her way outside.

DS Burnside:

Why are you fingering that girl?

WPC Martella:

Firstly, it's WPC Martella. Who might you be?

DS Burnside:

Who might you be, Sarge! I'm DS Tommy Burnside. Why are you interested in that girl?

WPC Martella:

We're taking a statement from her as a witness in a possible child abuse case. Why?

Tommy relaxes slightly.

DS Burnside:

They left a child abuse interview to a WPC? Who's the pillock in charge of the investigation?

Viv takes a deep breath before replying.

WPC Martella:

At the moment I'm in charge along with WPC June Ackland. And I resent that insinuation!

DS Burnside:

It's a major case, WPC Martrolla. And you're a WPC. Ever dealt with child abuse before?

WPC Martella:

Martella. No I haven't, Sarge, but over the past several months I have built up a significant relationship with the girl concerned and after I'm through with this statement I'll begin the formal interview.

DS Burnside:

Yeah, and a right balls-up you'll make of that too. Look, that girl you've just lifted is one of my best snouts. I want her out of it. Now!

WPC Martella:

Well I've finished with her anyway. So, if you're quite through yelling at me, she's all yours.

DS Burnside:

Good. Be a good girl and tell her to wait outside, I want to have a chat with your Mr Galloway while I'm here. Tell her I won't be long and she'd better have a damn good explanation for all this or I'll come down on her like a ton of bricks.

WPC Martella:

Sarge.

Viv replies crisply as she turns and heads back into the interview room. Her loathing of Tommy is patently obvious.

*** DI GALLOWAY'S OFFICE - 12:45 PM ***

Tommy walks into the CID office. The place appears to be deserted.

DS Burnside:

No-one in?

Tommy takes a brief look around before wandering into the DI's office. DI Galloway looks up as Tommy enters the room.

DI Galloway:

What is it now?

DS Burnside:

Can I have a word, guv?

DI Galloway:

One. Then you go.

Tommy sits down in the chair on the other side of the DI's desk. The Detective Inspector looks across at him disinterestedly.

DI Galloway:

So how is the drugs obbo going, old son?

DS Burnside:

Not good, guv. One of the plonks downstairs has lifted my snout!

Roy snorts contemptuously.

DI Galloway:

Typical Woodentops. I ain't saving your bacon this time, though. Once was more than enough.

DS Burnside:

Nah, it's all sorted guv'nor. I just wanted to have a word with you about the case. I think if I help the button mob out with this one then I might be able to get a few leads on my drugs investigation.

DI Galloway:

Not my problem, Tommy.

Bob hesitantly knocks on the door and enters the office.

DI Galloway:

Yes Sergeant?

Sgt. Cryer:

Sorry to interrupt your meeting, sir, but we have a bit of a situation with one of our young female officers. I was hoping someone from your mob could help her out.

DI Galloway:

Why should I give a toss about your plonks, Bob? They're nice to look at but that's about it.

Sgt. Cryer:

If you'll just hear me out, sir. WPC Martella has become involved in a case where she suspects that a child has been abused. I was wondering if one of your officers was available to assist her with the interview because she's inexperienced with these matters.

DI Galloway:

What the hell is a WPC doing in charge of a child abuse case? Are you really so short staffed down there in uniform that you have to give the major cases to WPCs? Next thing you know they'll be making June Ackland the next Commissioner!

Tommy smirks appreciatively. Bob is not amused.

Sgt. Cryer:

I only found out about it this afternoon, sir.

DI Galloway:

So you don't even know what your troops are doing? You're getting past it Bob!

Sgt. Cryer:

I was just offering. You obviously couldn't give a damn if a young girl is being molested every night by a member of her own family. I'm sorry I spoke. Forget I said anything.

Bob turns on his heel and starts to make his way out of the office.

DS Burnside:

Wait a second, Bob.

Bob turns slightly at the sound of Tommy's voice.

DS Burnside:

I've got nothing better to do. I wouldn't mind a look in. With your blessing, of course.

Sgt. Cryer:

If you want to, it's up to you. You can find WPC Martella downstairs. If that's all, sir.

Bob nods his head briefly at the DI then makes his way from the office.

DS Burnside:

I'll take that as a yes! Arrogant bastard.

DI Galloway:

Well it looks like you've got what you wanted, Tommy. As per usual. You're a crafty bastard, I'll give you that much.

DS Burnside:

It's my natural charm, guv. Maybe it'll rub off on you if you're lucky.

Tommy gets up and leaves the office, leaving the DI slightly puzzled in his wake.

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