Page 40 of The Scene of the Crime (Jessica Russell #1)

‘Good idea.’ As she got up to leave, Chapman said he’d email her a link to the site and a password to gain entry. She gave him a sad smile that made him want to go round his desk and hug her tightly, but instead he stood up.

‘I know you want to step back from being involved in the investigation, but I’d value your opinion on the interview.’

‘Marks out of ten?’

He smiled. ‘With your psychological expertise, I’m interested in how you interpret Palmer’s body language and how he answers questions – if he chooses to.

I’ve told Anderson it’s best to do a short interview first, let Palmer stew for a few hours, then go back and hit him with all the hard evidence.

I’d value your thoughts before the second interview, how we should approach it and what questions might get him to talk. ’

‘I’ll do it, but only if it’s just between us.’

‘Of course, that’s what I was thinking anyway. Would you like to discuss it somewhere away from the office?’

‘Over the phone might be easier if it’s in between interviews.’

‘Maybe after the second interview we could go for a drink?’ he suggested, expecting a refusal.

‘That’s fine by me. Let me know what time and where you’d like to meet,’ she said, picking up her bag.

‘Thank you for understanding, talk later.’ She closed the door after her.

*?*?*

Jessica took the quickest route back to Lambeth via the Rotherhithe Tunnel, but the traffic was still slow and she could feel her frustration building.

She wanted to return to the MSCAN office well before the interview started to speak with Diane, Taff and Guy about her withdrawal from the investigation.

Although she trusted them, she didn’t want to reveal the full details of what Palmer did and hoped they would respect her decision.

Driving towards the electric gates for the underground parking facility, she noticed Commander Williams and the Laboratory Director standing and talking together by the foyer entrance. She parked her car in the first available bay, hurried into the building and saw Williams entering the lift.

‘Can you hold the doors, please?’ Jessica called out as they started to close. Williams pressed the button to open the doors. ‘Afternoon ma’am. If you’ve got time later before you return to the Yard, could I speak with you about the De Klerk case?’

‘As it happens, I’ve come to see you about the case.’ Williams smiled and pressed the button for the fourth floor.

‘Oh, right. I thought you might be here for a meeting with the lab director,’ Jessica said, wondering why Williams hadn’t called her before coming to Lambeth.

‘No, we just happened to bump into each other outside and had a quick catch-up.’

‘Are you aware of the latest developments in the case?’

‘If you mean William Palmer’s arrest, then yes, I am.’

Jessica sensed Williams knew more than she was letting on. ‘Have you spoken to DI Chapman?’

‘I think we best have this conversation in your office.’

Jessica hoped that Chapman hadn’t betrayed her trust and was about to say something when the lift stopped on the third floor.

Two people got in and pressed the button for the fifth floor, where the canteen was.

Jessica decided that it was best to say nothing until they were alone.

Exiting the lift on the fourth floor, Williams followed her to the MSCAN offices.

Guy Jenkinson was at his desk inputting data on the HOLMES computer when he saw Commander Williams. He stood up. ‘Good afternoon, ma’am.’

‘Good afternoon, Guy. But really, you don’t need to get up.’

‘Force of habit,’ he said, giving her a mock salute.

He turned to Jessica. ‘A detective on DCI Anderson’s team called to say a fingerprint scan confirmed that the arrested man was William Palmer, also known as Liam.

I gave Taff and Diane all the details to compare Palmer’s fingerprints and DNA against those recovered from items seized at the De Klerks’ house and the flat.

Also, five hundred pounds was found in Palmer’s wallet, which is now with Taff for fingerprinting. ’

‘OK, thanks, Guy,’ she said.

‘I can tell you that Palmer’s lengthy criminal record started when he was thirteen with petty theft and progressed to burglary and handling stolen goods. He was . . .’

‘Thanks, Guy,’ Jessica interrupted, ‘but DI Chapman has already told me about Palmer’s criminal record.’ She noticed how Williams looked at her as Guy spoke about Palmer.

Guy held up a phone. ‘This is De Klerk’s mobile. Unfortunately, the only prints and DNA on it were his own. Would you like me to download and examine the data for recent calls, texts and messages?’

Jessica looked at Williams. ‘I raised examining the phone with DI Chapman before Palmer’s arrest. He authorised it on the grounds the data may assist the investigation and lead to reasonable lines of enquiry . . .’

‘But you’re worried, now that Palmer’s been arrested, the legality of doing that has changed,’ Williams said.

Jessica nodded. ‘I’m not very au fait with the legal side of digital examinations.’

‘I think I have a solution,’ Williams said. ‘Palmer’s due to be interviewed this afternoon, so I would advise waiting until that’s done. If he denies everything or goes “no comment”, I’d say there are reasonable grounds to examine the phone for any possible connection between them.’

Jessica realised Williams must have spoken to Chapman or Anderson about Palmer’s arrest. She removed an exhibit bag containing the phone from her handbag, handed it to Guy and told him it was in Palmer’s possession when he was arrested.

She asked him to check who the registered owner was and access the data on it, working backwards from midday to two days before the crime occurred.

Guy said Taff had told him about the phone found in the cistern at Palmer’s flat, and if he’d finished with it, he’d start working on that as well and compile a list of the same numbers that had been called or sent messages on both phones.

‘That would be great. Thank you, Guy.’ Jessica walked towards her office with Williams.

‘Sorry. One other thing,’ Guy said. She stopped and turned.

‘I looked up Springbok Wines Limited on Companies House. The company was in credit, with assets of just over one point five million pounds in the last financial year, which suggests there could have been a large amount of cash in the safe. That’s it.

I’ll go and see Taff and Diane in the lab. ’

‘How are you coping since Palmer’s arrest?’ Williams asked as they entered Jessica’s office.

Jessica sighed, ‘Chapman told you, didn’t he?

‘Yes, but not right away . . .’

‘He knew full well I wanted to tell you. He’s betrayed my trust,’ Jessica interrupted, deeply upset.

‘It was Anderson that called me first.’

‘Chapman said he’d tell him after Palmer was interviewed. How could he do this to me!’

‘Please, just sit down and listen to me, Jess,’ Williams said softly but firmly, then sat on the sofa and tapped the cushion for Jessica to sit next to her before continuing.

‘Anderson was aware of Palmer’s criminal record and noted his arrest by Mike Chapman ten years ago for an attempted rape while he was on probation.

He was understandably curious and looked up the original crime report.

The victim’s name was redacted, but her profession wasn’t.

He remembered what you said in your MSCAN interview about being sexually assaulted and contacted me. ’

‘He was worried I’d screw up his investigation, was he?’ Jessica said.

‘No, he was worried about your welfare and how knowing about Palmer’s identity might affect you.

He saw your car in the yard at Barking and guessed you were with Mike Chapman, but he didn’t want to stick his nose in for fear of upsetting you.

He called me because he thought it might be better if I spoke to you, woman to woman, so to speak. ’

‘Does Anderson want me off the investigation?’

‘He never raised it as an issue, but Chapman told me you did.’

‘What else did he tell you?’

‘That you saw a conflict of interest because of your connection to Palmer and thought you should step away from the investigation.’

‘I don’t have much choice.’

‘Chapman, like Anderson, is concerned for your well-being, but neither of them wants you off the investigation. However, we all realise that you may not wish to continue under such stressful circumstances. But the choice is yours.’

‘I won’t deny Palmer’s arrest came as a shock, but none of you need worry as I know I can cope.’

‘Are you sure? Because his arrest has clearly upset you.’

‘Honestly, ma’am. I’ll be fine.’

Williams wasn’t so sure but gave her the benefit of the doubt. ‘Would you like to continue working on the case?’

‘I’d love to, but my actions might be perceived as biased against Palmer. His lawyers could challenge the forensic evidence and allege I had a vendetta against Palmer and made the evidence fit the crime.’

‘I won’t deny that could happen, but the critical question is whether a fair-minded person, having considered all the facts, would believe you could be biased.’

‘Even if they didn’t, my continued involvement could be a big risk.’

‘There are ways of minimising the risk.’

‘How?’ Jessica asked, surprised by Willams’s remark.

‘You only knew the suspect as Liam until DI Chapman informed you of his full name and previous convictions. It was then you realised William Palmer was the person who sexually assaulted you ten years ago. It was a very personal and sensitive issue, so rather than speak to a male officer, you immediately informed me. We discussed all the details of the case and your involvement from the get-go. As a fair-minded senior officer, I believe you are unbiased, honest and always act with integrity. Your history with William Palmer will not bias your thoughts or conclusions, and the forensic evidence will speak for itself. I concluded that it is safe and appropriate for you to be involved in the investigation, and I will stand by my decision, regardless of who questions it.’

‘Thank you, ma’am.’

‘Is there anything else you wish to discuss?’

Jessica wasn’t about to disagree or challenge her decision. ‘No, ma’am.’

‘Problem solved then. From what Anderson told me there’s enough evidence to charge Palmer. If he’s found guilty, he will spend a very long time behind bars. I’d best get back to the Yard. Keep up the good work.’ Williams then started to type a text message on her phone as she left.

Jessica breathed a huge sigh of relief. It was as if an enormous weight had been lifted off her shoulders. She also realised she had misjudged Anderson and decided to thank him personally for supporting her and for his concern about her welfare.

A few minutes later, Jessica’s phone pinged. It was a text message from Chapman: ‘Sorry for not telling you Williams was involved. I was under strict orders to say nothing until she spoke to you. For what it’s worth, I agree with her decision and I’m glad you chose to remain on the investigation.’

Jessica realised Williams had texted Chapman, and probably Anderson too, to tell them about the conversation they’d just had. She texted back: ‘I understand. Thanks for your support. I’m looking forward to watching the interview and having a drink later. God knows I need one!’