Dave's Interview

Police Officer 1 (PO1): Can you confirm your full name for the tape?

Dave: David Ronald Thompson.

Police Officer 2 (PO2): Thank you. I'm D.I. Watts and this is D.S. Stanford. We'd like to ask you a few questions in relation to some accusations that have been made against you.

Dave: This is nonsense.

Watts: Maybe, Mr Thompson but that's for us to find out.

Stanford: Let's start with Christine. How do you know Christine Thompson?

Dave: She's my wife.

Watts: And Bethan...er, Thompson?

Dave: She's my ex-wife. I don't know what they've told you but they're liars.

Watts raises his eyebrows while Stanford knits hers.

Stanford: Why were you in the quarry, Mr. Thompson?

Dave: I went for a walk with Bethan.

Stanford: Your ex-wife.

Dave: Yes.

Stanford: Why there though? Was there any reason?

Dave: No.

Watts: Did Christine know you were meeting Bethan?

Dave: I don't know.

Watts: Had you told her?

Dave: No.

Stanford: Why?

Dave: Because it wasn't important.

Stanford: Why were you meeting Bethan?

Dave: Um, I, just wanted to see how she was getting on.

Watts: I see. Did you often meet up?

Dave: No.

Watts: So what caused you to want to meet up now?

Dave: She contacted me.

Watts: And?

Dave: And what?

Watts: Why did she do that?

Dave: I don't know.

Watts: When was the last time you saw her?

Dave: I don't know. Years ago.

Stanford: So, why after all these years, would Bethan contact you?

Dave: I don't know. Have you asked her?

Stanford: We're asking you, Mr Thompson. She must have given you a reason especially if it was unusual. Otherwise, why would you go?

Dave is hesitant to mention anything about photos and the reason for Bethan calling him. He knows that he is on dangerous ground. His palms are sweaty and his throat is dry.

Dave: (stalling) Can I have some water please?

Stanford: (sensing Dave's hesitation) It's a simple question, Mr. Thompson. Why were you meeting your ex-wife who you haven't seen in years in a deserted quarry? It looks suspicious, don't you think?

Dave: Please! Can I have some water?

The interview is paused while water is fetched. In the background, D.I. Watts has been looking at the notes from Bethan's interview. He resumes the interview.

Watts: You've had a tough time of it. (He pauses. Stanford is keen to take over but Watts shoots her a warning look.) Let us know when you want to continue. (He nods to the water and Dave reaches for it slowly and takes a sip.) You have to realise, Mr. Thompson, that we are in a dilemma here. We have been presented with a situation which is very unusual. If I can state it how I see it while you refresh yourself.

Dave nods, grateful for the reprieve.

Watts: We are called to a situation in a deserted quarry. It involves two women and a man. The man has been attacked and restrained by the two women. Both are known to the man. Very well known. It looks like a meeting was arranged at or near to this location where the attack took place. You would agree so far?

Dave: I would.

Watts: Let's put the location to one side for the moment. We'll return to that in due course.

Dave shifts uneasily in his chair.

Watts: It appears that the two women were working together against the man, although both claim to have never met before that day.

Dave lowers his head, desperately thinking.

Watts: And it is not only the man who has been attacked. One of the women has marks around her neck. Bruising. And the pattern, although I'm no expert, looks like it has been caused by someone's hands.

Watts pauses here. Stanford is sitting arms folded, tension radiating but is willing to let Watts take the lead. She waits.

Watts: You have a daughter, is that right?

Dave: Yes.

Watts: What's her name?

Dave: (confused by the twists that Watts is taking) Katie.

Watts: Katie?

Dave: Yes.

Watts: I'm sorry but...I...let me see... (he shuffles papers, thoroughly aware of the name of Dave's first daughter but playing a part)...I've got something different here... (he finds a paper and scans it, the name already known to him)...yes, here we are...Laney. Is that right, Mr. Thompson?

Dave: Yes.

Watts: You have a daughter called Laney?

Dave: Yes.

Watts: Not Katie.

Dave: No, I mean, yes, I mean, I have two daughters. Had.

Watts: Had?

Dave: (very uncomfortable now) Yes. Laney went...missing.

Watts: Missing?

Dave: Yes. (gulps) She's never been found.

Watts: I see. (He, of course, is aware of this already) I'm sorry.

Dave: Yes.

Watts: Your wife Bethan...

Dave: Ex-wife.

Watts: Ex-wife, yes, says that you found a camera.

Dave says nothing.

Watts: Mr. Thompson?

Dave remains silent.

Watts: Did you find a camera?

Dave sits, head down, silent.

Watts: Your wife, sorry, ex-wife says that it was Laney's.

Dave puts his hands to his head and leans his elbows on the desk.

Watts: She says that you found it in the quarry.

Dave: (finally speaking) She's lying.

Watts: She says that you were taking her to show her where you found it.

Dave: She's lying.

Watts: She says that when you got to the quarry, you tried to kill her. That the marks on her throat are from your hands. That you tried to strangle her.

Dave: (louder now) She's lying!

Watts: The problem with that is that I think they'll match up, Mr. Thompson. Your hands to the marks on Bethan's neck. (Pause) I think you tried to kill Bethan.

Dave: No!

Watts: I think you tried to kill her because you'd told her too much. I don't think you planned it but I think you realised that you were going to have to cover your tracks. I'm not sure why you told her. Why did you tell her?

Dave is silent again.

Watts: I think you know where your daughter is, Mr. Thompson. I think you know where Laney is.

Dave: No! I don't! I don't know where Laney is!

Watts: I think you do. (Dave is whimpering in the background) We already have a warrant to search for the camera. It would help if you told us where it is. We know you have it.

Dave: (head still down) I don't know what you're talking about.

Watts: (ignoring this) And it makes me wonder about the quarry too.

Dave is shaking his head and groaning.

Watts: Do you know why, Mr. Thompson? Why it draws me to the quarry? Because if you (Watts slams his hand on the desk for emphasis) found your daughter's camera at the quarry, it makes me wonder what else might be found there. And (volume rising) you know what I mean, don't you. Mr. Thompson?

Dave: NO!

Watts: But I think you do, Mr. Thompson. Your missing daughter.

Dave: NO!

Watts: We'll find the camera, Mr. Thompson and when we do, there'll be more questions, more scrutiny. Why don't you just tell us?

Dave: (breaks down) No, no, no, no, no. (muttering) I didn't kill her! I didn't kill her!

Watts: That's it for now, Mr. Thompson. But we'll be back.

Interview ends.