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‘I was very sad to hear that Jessica’s body had been recovered On the one hand twenty-six years has gone so fast, on the other it seeone quickly for the Collins family,’ said Erika

‘No, of course not Do you have any leads?’

Erika tilted her head and looked him square in the eye, ‘I’m not here to tell you if we have any leads Mr Browne In fact, why am I here?’

‘I’m still in contact with the Collins faation unfolded It was distressing and da for the family’

‘I’m aware of what happened’

‘I’ve been asked by the family to act as their spokesperson’

‘But you are a barrister, not a PR?’

‘Correct’

‘I’m not sure in what capacity they’ve hired you Have they hired you?’

‘I don’t like the word hired I know the law, I also know a lot of people I think the fa the first investigation things span out of control I’ht you were asking to see me to tell you about your involveave her a disarave the officer at the ti with Laura We were both away ca’

‘Te Gower Peninsula in Wales?’

‘Yes, it’s a beautiful part of the country’

‘What made you choose Wales?’

‘We were both at University in Swansea It’s quite close We’d been there with friends the previous Easter, and we fancied a proper trip, just the two of us’

‘Are you still close to Laura?’

‘I wouldn’t say we’re close Our relationship didn’t last We split up in early 1991’

‘Why?’

‘In the Septeo back for our second year I was studying law, she was studying Matheo to University?’

‘No I didn’t,’ said Erika It came out with more hostility than she intended

‘Well, let me tell you, life at University is very insular and intense I met someone else, she was upset and so was I, but we parted amicably and I was still there for her’

‘So you dumped her?’

‘I wouldn’t say that Laura will admit that it was a terrible time, she didn’t kno to deal with it, she…’

‘She, what?’

‘She became impossible to be around I don’t blame her one little bit’ He emphasised the last three words with the flat of his palm on the polished surface of the desk