Page 48 of The Scene of the Crime (Jessica Russell #1)

Jessica was reviewing the forensic evidence and writing her report when Chapman called.

‘Sorry, I was in a meeting with Anderson and then speaking to the CPS. How are you after the interview? I was worried about how upsetting it must have been for you, listening to Palmer’s story about you fancying him. ’

‘Hearing him say that and then recounting what he did to me was quite harrowing, but I also feel a sense of relief that he finally confessed. What did the CPS say?’ she asked, not wanting to dwell any more on the interview.

‘There is sufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of a conviction, so they recommend charging Palmer with attempted murder, aggravated burglary and arson.’

Jessica was taken aback. ‘Even though it’s clear from the burner phones and other evidence that someone else was involved?’

‘They considered it a joint enterprise crime, which means Palmer can be convicted if he planned it with another person, was present, helped or encouraged others to commit the crime, even if he didn’t participate in the offences himself.’

‘I see.’ Jessica wondered if it was the right time to raise her concerns about Palmer’s involvement.

‘What did you think of the interview?’ Chapman asked.

‘I thought you and Anderson worked well together. I liked how you casually showed Palmer the photographs and asked harmless questions before challenging his answers with more direct ones. It revealed he was lying about some things.’

‘Anderson is over the moon and he’s delighted with you and your team’s quick results.

He even phoned Williams to sing your praises.

You might get a commendation on your first case!

All we need to do now is identify the other person or persons involved, and the case is closed.

Have you got any forensic updates that might help us on that? ’

‘Yes, I have. We can discuss them when we go for a drink later.’

‘Slight change of plan there, I’m afraid.’

‘Oh, right. Are you bailing on me?’

‘I need to go to The Bell, a pub on Leytonstone High Road.’

‘Any particular reason?’

‘Palmer said he went there Monday lunchtime, and the anonymous informant said he tried to sell a Rolex in a local pub. I thought it might be worth popping in and asking a few questions.’

‘I can meet you there if you like,’ Jessica said, eager to speak to him face-to-face.

‘It’s a bit of a dive, you know, the sort of place frequented by criminals. I could meet you at The Bull in Chislehurst around eight if that’s not too late.’

‘No, that’s fine. I fancy doing a bit of detective work.’

‘OK, do you want to come here first and we’ll go in my car?’

‘Sounds like a plan. I’ve got a report to finish, so I’ll be with you about six.’

*?*?*

Jessica had just finished her report and printed copies for Chapman and Anderson when Taff rang.

‘You were right about the cistern lid. Prints from the Sealskinz gloves and Palmer’s are on it.

Luckily, whoever changed the lock left the old one in the kitchen.

I’ll examine the interior components at the lab under a microscope and look for any fresh scratches or tool marks.

If someone did fit Palmer up, they could have picked the lock to get in there. ’

‘Good thinking, Taff. There’s no need to come back here. You can do it first thing in the morning.’

‘I’d rather get it done right away. I’ll head back now and let you know the result later.’

‘Thanks. I’m off to Barking to see Chapman and update him on our findings, so I’ll see you tomorrow.’

‘I doubt he or Anderson will be very pleased.’

‘Well, all we can do is present them with the forensic evidence as we find it. What they do with it is up to them.’

When she arrived at Barking, Jessica called Chapman and said she was in the yard. She locked the car, then untied her hair and fluffed it out. ‘That suits you,’ he said when he saw her.

She smiled. ‘If you have curly red hair as a kid, you get teased a lot and learn to keep it tucked away. I feel more myself like this.’

‘So, what’s the latest on the forensic evidence?’ he asked as they got in his car and he pulled out of the yard.

She took her report from her briefcase. ‘I don’t think you’ll like it, but . . .’

‘You’re going to tell me anyway,’ he smiled. Jessica read from the report, covering everything she had discussed with her team earlier. She also told him about the prints on the toilet cistern and lock that Taff was going to examine.

Chapman frowned. ‘Anderson’s not going to like it. He’s convinced Palmer’s our man.’

‘Do you honestly think he could scale the De Klerks’ garden wall with his bad leg?’

‘He managed to run away with no problem when we went to arrest him.’

‘Going down a few flights of stairs is not the same as climbing over a twelve-foot wall.’

Chapman sighed. ‘All right, if it makes you feel better, I suppose he could have been stitched up.’

‘It’s not about making me feel better. It’s about finding out the truth!’ she said sharply.

‘Believe it or not, that’s what we were trying to do in the bloody interview!’ he replied.

‘If you’re worried about telling Anderson, I’m happy to do it,’ she said.

‘I’ll tell him tomorrow,’ he said, shaking his head. ‘But no doubt he’ll want to speak to you about it.’

‘Then let’s just do it together.’

‘He’ll want to know why you’re defending Palmer.’

‘I’m not defending him. I’m just doing my job, as are the rest of my team.’

‘But you do agree that Palmer is involved in some way?’ he said.

‘I believe he is hiding something. It is odd that the CCTV cameras went down at the garage the night the car was set alight, for instance.’

‘There’s also the missing petrol can.’

‘Yes, but we can’t prove he stole it.’

He slapped his hand on the steering wheel in exasperation. ‘Why are you defending him, after what he did to you?’

‘For Christ’s sake, don’t you start as well,’ Jessica retorted. ‘What Palmer did to me has nothing to do with the current investigation.’

‘I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to upset you.’

She took a deep breath. ‘I just think it might be worth interviewing Palmer again. Now he’s had time to think about things, he might be more forthcoming.’

‘There are legal issues around questioning a suspect after they’ve been charged unless new information has come to light.’

‘What about speaking to Palmer, off the record.’

‘I’m not putting my job on the line for him.’

‘But you’ll let him go to prison for a crime he might not have committed.’

‘Palmer should have thought of the consequences before he got involved,’ he said stubbornly.

‘Look, can we just drop it for now, go to the pub and make some enquiries?’ Chapman said, trying for a more conciliatory tone. Jessica didn’t reply, and neither spoke for the rest of the journey to the pub.

Ten minutes later they passed The Bell, as Chapman drove slowly along Leytonstone High Road, looking for a parking spot.

Two large signs said ‘All the Great Sporting Action – Sky Sports’ and by the front entrance was a large blackboard sign saying ‘Live Karaoke Every Friday, Regular Bingo, Live Bands and Quizes’, spelt with one z.

Chapman eventually found a parking space and asked Jessica if she had the RingGo app on her phone to pay online. ‘Can’t you put a police sticker on the dashboard?’

‘I would normally. But around here, it’ll get the car keyed or the tyres slashed.’

‘That’s good to know. Are we likely to get mugged as well?’ she said, raising her eyebrows.

‘I did say it was a rough area, but you insisted on coming.’

‘No. You said the pub was a bit of a dive, and if the outside is anything to go by, you were right.’

‘You can wait in the car if you want.’

‘If it’s going to be vandalised, I’d rather come with you.’ He laughed, the tension between them broken.

*?*?*

The Bell was a traditional pub with an open interior and large arches leading to a dining area on one side and a pool table and darts board on the other.

The long bar was wood with several bar stools in front of it and tables and chairs to one side.

It was only 6.30 and the pub was quiet; a few people were sitting at the bar, and some were in the dining area having a meal.

The decor was a bit run down, but the inside was reasonably clean and tidy.

Jessica noticed TVs on nearly every wall, showing different sports.

‘There’s more TVs in here than Currys,’ Jessica said, which made Chapman smile.

‘What’ll you have to drink?’ he asked.

‘A glass of Sauvignon Blanc if they’ve got it,’ she said.

While he was getting the drinks, Chapman discreetly showed the young barmaid his warrant card and asked to speak to the landlord or landlady.

She told him the manager was away on a golf trip, but his wife Pauline was out the back and she’d fetch her.

Chapman and Jessica sat at a corner table, and after a couple of minutes, a lady with short-cut blonde hair in her early fifties approached them and introduced herself as Pauline Holland, the landlady.

‘How can I help you, officers?’ she asked.

Chapman leaned forward, speaking quietly. ‘We were wondering if you had anyone in here trying to sell a watch on Monday or Tuesday just gone.’

‘What sort of watch?’

‘A man’s Rolex, with a black face and a diamond-studded dial,’ Chapman said.

‘No, definitely not. Me and my husband run a decent pub. If we think someone is trying to sell hooky gear, we give them a warning and say to do it elsewhere, or you’re barred.’

Chapman got a picture of Palmer out of his pocket. ‘Do you know this man?’

‘Yeah, I’ve seen him in here before. He’s as bald as a coot, so it’s hard not to notice him. What’s he been up to?’

‘His name is Liam Palmer, and we heard he was trying to sell a Rolex in here.’

Pauline chuckled. ‘Are you being serious? I’d soon know if he had, and believe me, he’d have been out on his arse before he knew it. Excuse me a second.’

‘Is there anything else you can tell me about Liam?’ Chapman asked.