‘Too early to say,’ Rachel said. ‘Would it surprise you?’
‘No, not at all,’ he said frankly.
‘OK. Lisa was signing on?’
‘That’s right, we were looking at access courses and improving her literacy and numeracy skills. Getting Lisa into a job and getting shot of Sean would have been the way to turn it all around, but it’s hopeless out there. That age especially. Dozens of kids after every minimum-wage vacancy.’
Rachel tried to imagine the girl on the mortuary trolley in a job interview. Failed.
‘Things weren’t great between Lisa and her mother. It was all or nothing. Denise veered from being a wreck unable to cope with anything to wanting to be best buddies. That inconsistency, it’s very difficult for a child. Denise would get drunk and emotional and ring Lisa, and either Lisa would hang up or they’d end up in a shouting match. Our aim is to keep families together as much as is possible, but sometimes the family isn’t a healthy unit. The relationships get stuck in a self-perpetuating cycle that doesn’t help anybody.’
‘Sounds hopeless,’ Rachel said.
‘Sometimes I think it is, but I’m not a complete pessimist.’ He smiled. ‘With the right sort of intervention, sustained and well resourced-’
‘Throw money at it,’ she said.
‘Couldn’t the same be said in crime prevention? Early intervention, working with the family as a whole? Tough love?’ He was smiling, teasing her.
‘How often did you see Lisa?’
‘Every fortnight at first, then once a month. She could phone in between if there were problems.’
‘Did she?’
‘Couple of times. Cock-ups with the housing benefit, that sort of thing.’
‘Was she involved in any other sexual relationships?’ Rachel asked.
‘No.’ He looked curious.
‘Prostitution?’
‘No. Though she wouldn’t necessarily tell me.’
‘She didn’t confide in you?’
‘Not much. Conflicting view of social workers. She knew I was there to help, to give her support, but that can be read as bossing her about.’ His phone rang again and he glanced at his watch. ‘Timewise…’
‘Nearly done,’ Rachel said. She skimmed back over her notes. ‘And when did you last see her?’
‘The twenty-fifth of November.’
‘And how was she then?’
‘I had no particular concerns – nothing new, anyway,’ he amended. ‘I’ve tried talking to her about rehab, but it’s got to come from them.’
‘Was anyone threatening her? Did she have any enemies?’
‘No.’
‘Thanks. If anything else occurs, just give us a ring.’ Rachel passed him a card, the MIT number. It didn’t have her name on yet, something she’d have to ask Gill about – or Andy. As sergeant, he might be more approachable.
