Page 18 of The Scene of the Crime (Jessica Russell #1)

Jessica parked her car, grabbed her shoulder bag, ran across the yard to the station entrance and pressed the buzzer.

She would have liked to go through the notes and photos on her iPad first but was already half an hour late for the meeting.

She needed to know more about Johan De Klerk’s personal, professional and social life to complete a detailed victim profile.

If there was a link in De Klerk’s lifestyle to his assailant, it needed to be found.

The receptionist told Jessica that Anderson’s team office was on the third floor and pointed to the lift down the corridor, but Jessica opted for the stairs.

Before entering the room, she paused for breath, untied her hair, smoothed it down with her hands then tied it up again before brushing herself down.

As she entered, the room of twenty detectives and civilian staff went quiet as they looked inquisitively at her, clearly wondering who she was.

Jessica saw DCI Anderson standing by a large TV screen at the far end of the room with DI Chapman.

‘Glad you could join us, Miss Russell. Better late than never, I suppose,’ he said coldly.

‘Sorry, sir, but I was . . .’

‘Yes, DI Chapman told me you were with Mrs De Klerk at the hospital. If you had phoned me when she turned up at her house, I could have gone to the hospital to meet her.’

Jessica knew Anderson was deliberately belittling her in front of his team, but she was determined not to react. She focused on her breathing, remained expressionless and let him continue.

‘For those who don’t know, this is Jessica Russell, head of the newly formed . . .’ He paused and looked at Jessica. ‘Remind me, what was it called?’

‘It’s MSCAN, short for the Murder and Serious Crime Analysis Unit.’

Anderson was about to continue, but she got in there first. ‘I manage a team of experienced and dedicated forensic experts. We specialise in crime scene analysis, evidence retrieval and forensic examination. We aim to provide evidential opportunities and intelligence that will assist you, as detectives, in solving the serious crimes you investigate. We are here to help . . . not hinder.’ Jessica smiled, and many in the room nodded their approval.

‘And to work effectively and assist us, Jessica’s team need to know what we know,’ Chapman chipped in.

‘I decide on what information needs to be shared, DI Chapman!’ Anderson interjected.

‘I was going to add, within limitations and your approval, sir.’ He gave Jessica a sidelong glance.

Jessica opened her iPad, expecting to be asked to brief everyone about the crime scene, her analysis and the forensic evidence they had gathered.

Anderson looked at his watch, then addressed the team. ‘Carry on with your enquiries, and we’ll have another office meeting at 9 a.m. tomorrow.’

A couple of detectives raised their hands. Anderson looked at his watch again and pointed to the older one.

‘The first attending officer’s body cam video was shaky and unclear, making it difficult to view. I was wondering if Miss Russell had any scene videos or photos we could look at?’

‘I was going to ask the same question, and if the scene examination turned up anything of specific interest,’ another detective chipped in.

‘I’d like to discuss Miss Russell’s observations and the forensic opportunities with her first, then I’ll brief you in the morning,’ Anderson replied, clearly flustered.

He turned to Chapman. ‘I need to make a quick phone call. You and Miss Russell come to my office in five minutes.’ He walked out briskly.

‘The missus wants him home in time for din dins,’ one of the detectives quipped, causing a ripple of laughter in the room.

Chapman turned to Jessica with a rueful frown. ‘Sorry about that . . .’

‘Thanks for sticking up for me,’ she said. ‘He’s obviously got some issues.’

‘Is that your assessment as a profiler?’ Chapman asked with a grin.

‘Just an observation. People who are insecure about their abilities often try to boost their self-esteem by belittling others.’

‘Well, from the looks on their faces, the team are on your side,’ he said.

Chapman knocked on Anderson’s door and let Jessica enter first. DCI Anderson was still on the phone.

‘I’ll be there as soon as I can, dear.’ He quickly put the phone down.

‘Everything all right, sir?’ Chapman asked.

‘Um, it was Commander Williams. I’m running late for a meeting with her, so we’ll have to postpone our chat until tomorrow.’ He stood up, removed his jacket from the back of the chair and put it on.

Jessica took the USB stick from her shoulder bag. ‘This contains the crime scene videos and photos, sir.’

‘Give it to DI Chapman and he’ll upload it to the HOLMES computer.

I’d also like you to do a full report of your scene analysis, forensic exhibits and strategy .

. . including everything Mrs De Klerk told you, then put it on HOLMES.

I’ll read and review it in the morning, then circulate it to the team. ’

‘I don’t have access to the HOLMES system,’ Jessica said.

He frowned. ‘Then give it to someone on my team who has.’

‘There are a couple of things I’d like to ask,’ Jessica said as Anderson picked up his briefcase.

‘Make it quick,’ he sighed.

‘I’d like a forensic pathologist to attend the hospital, speak with Mr De Klerk’s surgeon and examine his injuries.’

Anderson gave her a look of disdain. ‘He’s not bloody dead yet!’

‘I know, but a surgeon is not an expert in interpreting injuries, their pattern or causation. Forensic pathologists, unlike doctors, are also trained in the rules of evidence and considered experts by the courts. If De Klerk survives, a pathologist’s report could be invaluable evidence.’

‘Very well, I’ll leave you to organise it. If that’s all . . .’

Jessica hadn’t finished. ‘I also think a victim profile on Johan De Klerk would benefit the investigation. I’ve formed a rapport with Michelle, so I’d like to interview her about Johan’s lifestyle, his work and . . .’

Anderson pursed his lips. ‘Absolutely not. You are not an FLO or a detective. Mrs De Klerk needs to be treated sensitively and compassionately so we can gather evidence and information that will contribute to the investigation and preserve its integrity.’

Chapman knew he was quoting virtually word for word from the homicide and major crime investigation manual. He gave Jessica another covert glance.

‘As you know, I have a background in psychology . . .’ she began to protest.

‘Interpreting a crime scene and being an FLO involve different skills. A statement from Mrs De Klerk will be taken tomorrow morning, which you’re welcome to read.’

‘I did the FLO course, albeit a few years ago, but I’m happy to interview Mrs De Klerk, if you’re too busy to see her,’ Chapman said.

‘No, I’ve already appointed DC Owens as the FLO. As my deputy, I need you here to help run the investigation. I’ll meet with Mrs De Klerk in the morning. In the meantime, Miss Russell can give DC Owens the details of their conversation at the hospital.’

‘Will you be holding a press conference?’ Chapman asked.

‘I don’t see the need now we know Mrs De Klerk is safe and well. Besides, burglaries and assaults in Hackney are an everyday occurrence, so it’s unlikely to be headline news. I also want to avoid panic among the local community.’

Chapman suspected he was frightened of appearing on camera and facing probing questions from journalists. ‘That may be the case, sir, but do you not think the press will be interested when they discover the victim is the husband of Michelle Belsham?’

‘I’m sure Mrs De Klerk doesn’t want the press camping on her doorstep, so let’s ensure that fact isn’t released.’ He looked at Jessica. ‘Have you found any evidence to help us identify the person responsible?’

‘Not yet, but hopefully DNA testing and other examinations in the lab will do so.’

‘Well, we are still in the “golden hour”, so I suggest you find me something positive from your scene and forensic examinations, even if it takes you all night,’ Anderson said.

‘Yes, sir. We’ll do our best,’ Jessica replied, knowing the ‘golden hour’ was a standard police term for the period immediately following the report of a major incident.

‘But my team are exhausted. They have been up since the early hours.’

‘As have I,’ he said, then walked out.

Chapman sighed. ‘It’s all my way or the highway with him.

He won’t come back to the office tonight, so it’s your call about continuing work at the scene.

He’s ignoring health and safety issues and breaking work time regulations.

You are entitled to at least eleven hours of rest between shifts.

If you all want to go home and get some rest, there’s nothing he can do about it. ’

‘I’m aware of the regulations,’ she said. ‘I’ll speak with Taff and Diane. I was going to suggest some protection for Mr De Klerk,’ she added. ‘If the intruder intended to kill him or De Klerk recognised him, then his life could still be in danger.’

‘That’s a good point,’ he agreed. ‘I can’t authorise an armed guard, but I can ask for a uniform presence. I’ll call the local station.’

He dialled a number on his mobile and spoke for a few moments. ‘It’s all done. A uniform officer will be outside the ITU round the clock. I’ll get a couple of coffees. My office is just down the corridor, we can drink them in there.’

While waiting for Chapman to return with the coffees, Jessica phoned the coroner’s officer at Hackney Mortuary and requested that a pathologist attend Hackney Hospital, speak with Johan De Klerk’s doctor and examine his injuries.

Jessica gave him Doctor Babu’s details and asked, if she couldn’t be there, for a copy of the pathologist’s report.

Chapman returned with the coffee and some biscuits. ‘Between us, I’m getting to the point where I feel like telling Anderson to stop behaving like a spoilt child. I don’t think he realises how it affects everyone’s morale.’