Page 46 of The Scene of the Crime (Jessica Russell #1)

‘You are, and you know it, Liam. The money in your wallet with Johan De Klerk’s fingerprints and yours proves you were involved in the crime,’ Chapman said.

Liam was crying uncontrollably as he turned to Baldwin, ‘Please tell them to believe me, you got to make them believe I’m telling them the truth, I never done it.’

‘I think you shouldn’t answer any more questions, Liam,’ Baldwin replied, stoney-faced.

‘If you know anything at all about the crime, it would help you to tell us,’ Chapman said.

There was a brief silence before Liam replied, his head bowed as he wiped his nose with his hand.

He sounded almost childlike. ‘She wasn’t making it up – I lied, I got me mother to lie for me, she was so pissed she never knew what day it was.

I’ll admit it now, because you got to believe me that I’m telling the truth, it was me that broke into her flat, but I swear to God I didn’t try to rape her,’ Liam sobbed.

Jessica was stunned. Why had Liam suddenly made this admission?

Was it just guilt, or did he naively think it was a way out of his present dilemma?

‘I would advise you not to say anything more, Liam,’ Baldwin said, really concerned now.

Liam shook his head. ‘It’s me that could go to prison, not you. I’m prepared to admit what I did to that woman if it makes them believe I didn’t stab that man or steal his money.’

‘I hear what you say, but I strongly advise you to say nothing more for now,’ Baldwin insisted.

‘Just let me make my own decisions. I’m not listening to you anymore, you’re full of bullshit. I want them to know so they’ll believe me,’ Liam said as he rubbed the tears from his eyes. Baldwin shook his head and sighed, knowing his advice was not going to be taken.

Anderson handed Liam a tissue. ‘Tell us what happened with the probation officer.’

A distraught Palmer nodded as he blew his nose.

‘Her name was Jessica. She had curly red hair and was really nice to me. I fell in love with her but knew she’d never love me back.

I followed her home one day to find out where she lived.

It was a groundfloor flat in Peckham. I’d use my electric scooter, go to her flat at night, hide behind a bush and watch her through the window with binoculars. ’

‘Were you hoping to see her naked in the bedroom?’ Chapman asked.

‘Yes, but I never did. She always wore a nightdress or towel when she closed the curtains.’

‘Did you masturbate when you watched her from the bushes?’ Anderson asked. Liam nodded, and Jessica felt a cold shiver run through her body. ‘How long were you watching her for?’

‘A couple of weeks.’

‘How did you break into her flat?’ Chapman asked, knowing the method of entry was important in case Liam changed his story later or said he deliberately lied, thinking it would help him in the De Klerk case.

‘Through the kitchen window at the back. It was old and easy to force open quietly with a screwdriver. I was never going to rape her. I couldn’t do that to her. I just wanted to see her in bed.’

‘Masturbating while watching her, then breaking into her house suggests an intention to sexually assault her,’ Anderson said.

He shook his head. ‘I just wanted to be near her.’

‘What happened when you went into her bedroom?’ Chapman asked.

‘She was wearing a nightdress, but it was hanging off her shoulder to one side and I could see part of her breast. I got an erection and started to masturbate. I wanted to see more of her body and slowly pulled the bed sheet back, but she woke up.’

‘Were you still masturbating then?’ Anderson asked.

‘Yes, I could see the fear in her face and knew she was about to scream. I jumped on her and put my hand over her mouth. I said I wasn’t going to hurt her, but she pulled my hand away, started to scream and I ran off home.

’ Palmer bowed his head, twisting the now sodden tissue between his fingers.

He muttered something that was almost inaudible but sounded like a wretched apology.

As Palmer recounted the events of that terrifying night, Jessica felt as if she was being transported back in time.

Everything he said was exactly as it happened, but she had no idea he had been watching her night after night and masturbating.

She suddenly realised that the rest of the team were watching the interview in the main office and she wondered if they would work out that she was the victim.

Jessica suspected Diane, who knew she used to be a probation officer, might figure it out but trusted her not to say anything to the others.

‘Were you wearing a balaclava at the time?’ Chapman asked.

‘Yes. I threw it in a bin on the way home.’

‘And you persuaded your mother to lie for you.’

Liam nodded, ‘She was drunk, I told you, so pissed-up she didn’t know what I was doing. But I knew she’d protect me, because I had stuff on her.’ He looked up. ‘I’m ashamed and sorry for what I did, but I wasn’t going to rape her.’

‘I find that hard to believe after the way you stalked your victim and broke into her house.’ Chapman glanced up at the camera, knowing Jessica was watching.

‘Will Liam be charged with a sexual offence?’ Baldwin asked.

‘I hope so, but that will be a decision for the CPS,’ Anderson replied bluntly.

‘Will I go to prison?’ Liam asked, his voice shaking.

‘A judge will decide that, but it’s highly likely. Admitting that crime is to your credit but continuing to lie about your involvement in the De Klerk case isn’t helping you. If found guilty, you could go to prison for attempted murder, which carries a life sentence.’

Liam looked shocked, as if he’d thought by admitting the sexual assault the other crimes would be dismissed. ‘But you got to believe me, it had nothing to do with me. If I knew anything about it, I swear before God, I’d tell you.’ He began sobbing again.

Chapman shook his head. ‘You’re lying, Liam. All the evidence we have points to you being involved in the burglary and assault on Mr De Klerk. The calls and messages sent from the burner phone recovered in your toilet cistern suggest you were the person who broke into the house and stabbed him.’

‘It wasn’t me!’ Liam shouted, standing up with his fists on the table.

‘Sit down!’ Chapman commanded. ‘That’s a lie, and you know it.’

‘If you know, Liam, or can think of anyone who might be involved, then I suggest you tell the officers,’ Baldwin said. Liam slumped back in his chair and put his hands over his face.

‘I’m giving you one last chance to tell us the truth, Liam,’ Anderson said, but Liam didn’t answer.

‘I don’t think there’s anything more to be achieved by continuing this interview,’ Baldwin said.

Anderson nodded. ‘I will call the Crown Prosecution Service and seek their advice on which crimes Liam should be charged with. This interview is concluded.’

Liam looked devastated. ‘Wait a minute, please, you have to believe me. I haven’t committed any crimes since the burglary when I got run over. I got a place to live and a job. I’ve worked hard, and I don’t want to lose it all, so please just let me go.’

‘You need to speak with Mr Baldwin, Liam,’ Anderson said as he turned the tape off. He and Chapman left the room.