Taming Sophie

C H A P T E R 1 2

Rixi stared anxiously around the interview room. He had seen these walls before and had reminded himself of the witty graffiti he had once seen. The room was now painted, leaving the strong odours and bright, new walls. This was the first time he had been innocent. He felt good, he was actually doing something right for a change. He wondered where Sophie was, he hoped she would be thinking of him, but most of all, he hoped she was all right.

A lady appeared from the corridor and sat down at the table. She was quite old, but she looked mumsy and sweet. Her bright coloured lipstick, and her blue suit made her look posh and well educated. She didn't look like a police woman, she looked like a bank manager. Her dark hair was neatly tied back, she was taller than Sophie.

She was soon joined by a man half her age, he held a folder in his arms, he didn't wear a suit, he wore jeans and a sweatshirt. His hair was long and he had a stubble. He too, did not look like a police man, he looked instead like a bricklayer or a mechanic. He placed the folder down on the table, and smiled at Rixi.

'Hi, I'm DS Walters and this is DI Forest. I believe you have some information for us?'

Rixi felt important, he had their sole attention and was only too pleased to start telling them all he knew.

He began by telling them, where they met, how they met and what Sophie had told him, but they wanted more, much more. He racked at his mind, trying hard to remember the slightest details, what she was wearing, how old she was, where she came from. these small details didn't seem important, and had been overridden by the sheer scope of the dangerous situation that Sophie had been drawn too.

'Is there anything else you can tell us about this... boyfriend of hers?'

Rixi thought for a moment, he had told them everything he knew. He didn't seem so important now, he felt unsure and pathetic, he couldn't even think straight anymore. The questions still came. He began to feel small and intimidated. They asked him some of the same questions that he had already answered. Perhaps they didn't believe him. He sunk into his chair and sighed. He wished he hadn't come. The reality of saving Sophie had been buried, all they were interested in now was scoring another point in the capturing criminals game. A game he never knew he was playing.

'What about Sophie, it's her that's in danger. Don't you care, she could be dead by now, he might have got her. And her friend.'

Forest interrupted him. 'We know, we are trying, we have got people on it even as we speak, they have gone searching for her, but we can't find her without some idea of where to look, and what to look for. Your description is a great help, but that description will match a hundred people in London, it's a big place you know. We've got officers at every station on the look out, but if your friend is feeling like a fugitive, then she will do her very best to avoid them. It's not easy... I know you think were being hard on you, but sometimes you think better, remember more when your pushed that little bit.'

Rixi felt reassured by Forests' explanation and tried to think again.

Sophie stood for a moment outside the bus, and scanned the bus station. It was so alive with movement. She felt almost invisible amongst the chaos of the busy commuters. She hoped Sarah would get there soon, they could be going home soon. She had no intentions of leaving the safety of the station. These busy commuters were her only shield, they would protect her while she waited for her. Sophie scanned the crowds of people, hoping for a glimpse of Sarah, if she had got away, she would be with her soon. She was probably already there. Sophie walked towards the phone boxes. Should she risk phoning her mobile again, or should she wait in the hope that she would see her. She waited for a few minutes and then dialled her number.