‘Go on.’ She pushed it further across the table.
He glanced down and rubbed his now sore nose as he began shaking his head. ‘I don’t know her but I did recognise her when she came in the last time, maybe before Christmas. She flagged up as being a local on AppyDater and I saw her profile. I even left her a smiley but she never responded. When I caught sight of her, I made sure I never came out of the kitchen because… I suppose I was embarrassed.’ His Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed. ‘I mean look at me and look at her. I thought I might be in with a chance but, no, she didn’t want to date me. That’s the only reason I recognised her. I’m not some oddball that likes hurting people.’
Gina knew she had to bring up his previous conviction. ‘Mr Goodman, we know you have previous.’
‘Frigging hell! That was years ago and it was stupid. I was a stupid kid. It was just a few items of clothing and I was deeply sorry and… I didn’t do anything. Do you know, the kids at school found out and picked on me for the rest of senior school? I don’t want this to all come out again. I came here for a fresh start and I didn’t hurt Amber Slater.’ The young man hunched over and began hugging his knees. ‘Please don’t tell Lennie. If anyone here knew about my stupid past, they’d think I was a freak.’
‘Where were you on Friday the twenty-second of January between six and eight in the evening?’
‘I didn’t do anything?’
‘Please, Mr Goodman. If you just tell us where you were, we can clear this up. Mr Dack sent us the schedules through and it showed that you started work at eight as you had an appointment. What appointment did you have?’
He shook his head and wailed. ‘I didn’t have an appointment. I was depressed and I couldn’t get my ass out of bed and showered. I lied. I was at home and my brother kept calling me. I did answer his call. It was the anniversary of our mum’s death. It’s only been a year and I loved my mum. She was the only person who knew me properly and she had to die. We only have our dad left and he’s a right bastard. You can check with my brother… please don’t tell Lennie. I can’t afford to lose this job and he’s been really good to me.’
‘Where were you yesterday evening?’
He shrugged. ‘Getting rat-arsed at home. I worked the day shift and was off last night.’
‘Were you alone?’
He wiped his nose with his arm. ‘Of course I was alone.’
Gina glanced at Jacob who was scrunching his brow. Jake Goodman may have had opportunity, however brief, for Amber’s abduction but Gina wasn’t sure. She could tell by Jacob’s expression that he felt the same and they would definitely be checking his call times with his brother. Jake’s past crime was definitely a red flag. ‘We will need you to come to the station to make a voluntary statement. We will also need your brother’s details and to see your call log to verify your movements on Friday night.’
‘My past isn’t what you think. I wasn’t obsessed with the women. Neither was I gawping at them through their windows or stalking them. You’ve got me wrong, so wrong.’ His face looked paler than before, making his newly picked spot stand out.
‘How have we got it wrong, Jake?’ Gina leaned forward and tilted her head. Whatever he was holding back, she needed to know.
‘I’m not a perv and I’m not some dangerous saddo who got off on stealing underwear for sexual kicks.’
‘It’s okay, Jake. Just tell me what you need to tell me.’
The door flung open and Lennie pointed to his watch.
Jake sat rigid to attention.
‘We’re going to need a few more minutes.’
Lennie stood with his mouth open. ‘Oh hell. I suppose I’d better don an apron.’ He shrugged and left.
Jake hurried to the door and checked to see if Lennie had gone before sitting back down. ‘I don’t know how to…’
Gina wondered if she should say something. The torn look on Jake’s face told her it was best to stay silent. Jacob remained looking down at his pad, not focusing on Jake.
‘I took the clothes for myself… to wear… and I’ve never told anyone that except my mum and she understood and helped me through my emotions and feelings. I was a teen and I couldn’t go into a shop to buy any, I just couldn’t, but I wanted them so badly. I don’t expect you to understand.’
‘Thank you for being honest with us, Jake. We’re not here to judge you in any way.’
A tear streamed down his face. ‘I didn’t know who I was or how I felt. I still don’t. It’s confusing… I…’
He took in a huge breath and sobbed.
‘I couldn’t bear to tell my father or my brother but my mother was the best and she stood by me. The only person in the world I trusted with my secret and she died.’
Jake wasn’t their killer. The best actor on earth couldn’t fake the emotions she saw before her. ‘I’m so sorry about your mother, Jake, and thank you again for sharing the truth with us.’
He shrugged. ‘It’s all going to come out now, isn’t it?’
