BBQ SAUCE, EVERYWHERE

***BBQ SAUCE, EVERYWHERE*** is the second episode of the first season of *Dead Man's Phone*.

## Synopsis

*A community reels after Jerome's death. Suspicions abound. A notorious gang leader emerges.*

## Plot

PC Bronson calls you to update. If you sent Bronson to chase the attacker, the attacker is apprehended but the victim dies. If you sent PC Maguire to chase, the victim survives but in critical condition, and the attacker gets away. It doesn’t appear to be connected to the case as stabbings are common around the area.

CCTV footage confirms Marcus and Lucas’ stories, with Jerome carrying the chrome mask Lucas dropped minutes before. There was no footage available from Stafford Tower. Bronson and Maguire are sent to conduct a community impact assessment. They report the community has been in shock and can’t believe Jerome would be murdered, but the name ‘Kane’ was mentioned a few times, a notorious local gangster. Sophie identifies him as Elijah Deng, the leader of the Spring Block gang. She also discovers a stolen black Mercedes reported to be associated with the Spring Block gang, entered the neighbourhood half an hour before the murder.

Kane is brought in for questioning. He is open and charismatic, but has no idea who Jerome Jacobs is, nor what SE15 is. He explains SE15 is a postcode, not a gang, and Spring Block vehicles are everywhere in south east London. He also explains he has way more efficient ways of making someone “disappear” than throwing them off a tower block. He is free to leave the interrogation room. Post-interview, DCI Sutherland says the Mercedes is confirmed to have been doing a drug drop off nowhere near Stafford Tower block and Bronson says there is nothing to suggest SE15 is a gang.

The autopsy reveals Jerome’s estimated time of death was 02:26, and he had defensive bruises on his arms, confirming murder. There were also bruises on his neck and chest from at least a week before his death, and that his system was clean even though he went to a party that night. Pathologists find Jerome’s prints on the 12th floor railings.

Crown court has granted access to Jerome’s photos and other convos in his Chatsapp. Looking through Jerome’s separate chats with his friends, you find he is troubled by something. He promised to tell Aaron first. Lucas told him a story of the Spring Block gang killing a rival, who was found dead in an alley with BBQ sauce coming out of him in all places, even his eyes. Because of this, Lucas carried a knife for protection but Jerome managed to convince Keiran not to take his. Sophie investigates and finds no evidence of such an attack.

You ask for Aaron to be brought in for questioning. Aaron says Jerome never got a chance to confide in him, and that he’d never seen Jerome like this before. He bursts into tears and is allowed to leave.

You also find pictures of Jerome and his girlfriend in his camera roll, as well as a video and image of Jerome looking distressed the night of his death. Forensic psychologist Diane Morris determines from his distressed video that the distressing incident likely took place a week before his death, triggering emotions of anger and fear, turning into shame and guilt the following week. Jerome was unable to process these emotions. Sophie identifies his girlfriend as Tara Stevenson. You notice some glitching on YardOS but Sophie brushes it off as the out of date system. Bronson and Maguire are sent to collect her but Bronson calls to inform you Tara isn’t in a fit state to be interviewed yet.

Sophie recovers a voice memo from Jerome’s mum asking him to keep his live-location on. Sophie suggests anyone with his number could have tracked him and attacked him. DCI Sutherland calls you and orders you to get permission to access the rest of the apps on Jerome’s phone.

## BBO News headlines

* John Greenlees accused of sexual assault
* Family found dead in Guildford house fire
* Mexico declares Enterovirus emergency
* Voting made compulsory across France
* End teen depression ‘taboo’, Home Secretary says
* Tower block fall ‘unlikely’ gang-relates, police say