Page 54 of The Scene of the Crime (Jessica Russell #1)

She went to the bathroom to shower and tried to open the door, but it was locked.

‘Let me know when you’ve finished, David. I’ll be in the kitchen.’

‘You can go next, as long as you’re quick,’ David replied. She turned sharply and saw him standing by his bedroom door in his pyjama shorts.

‘Who’s in the bathroom?’ a shocked Jessica asked. She heard the door being unlocked.

‘Donna, this is my sister, Jessica. This is Donna,’ David smiled. Jessica turned and saw a slim, attractive girl in her late twenties with long, wavy blonde hair standing in the bathroom doorway with a towel wrapped around her.

‘Really good to meet you, Jessica,’ she said with a big smile. ‘David has told me a lot about you. I’m a real fan of all those forensic TV shows. Your job must be so fascinating and gruesome.’

Jessica was so surprised that she wasn’t sure what to say. ‘Er . . . nice to meet you too.’

‘I’d love to chat about your work, but I’d better get dressed for my rounds,’ Donna said as she kissed David on the cheek, walked into his bedroom and closed the door.

‘How long have you known her?’ Jessica whispered, as they walked towards the kitchen.

‘Donna only started at the post office yesterday. But we hit it off just like that.’

Jessica turned and faced him. ‘Are you serious?’

He grinned. ‘We’ve known each other for about six months and have been dating for two. She’s also into cycling and she’s joined the Petts Wood club. We’ve been away together on a few cycling trips.’

‘So, you weren’t with friends like you told me.’

‘Sometimes there was a group of us . . . on others there wasn’t. Is it a problem?’

‘Of course not. I’m pleased for you. But I don’t understand why you didn’t tell me you were in a relationship.’

‘I didn’t know I had to.’

‘But why didn’t you?’

‘Because I knew you’d start asking me loads of questions and worrying if she was right for me.’

‘No, I wouldn’t.’

‘Yes, you would. You can’t help it. You’ve always worried about me when there was no need to.’

‘It’s because I care about you and wouldn’t want to see you get hurt. Is it serious?’

He raised his eyes. ‘There you go, worrying.’

‘It is a reasonable question to ask.’

‘And the answer is yes. I like her a lot, and I think she feels the same about me.’

‘Why didn’t you bring her to the house before now?’

‘Her name’s Donna!’ he snapped.

‘Sorry. It’s just a bit of a surprise, that’s all. I’m pleased to have met Donna and I’m glad you’re together. Maybe we could all go out for a meal, then I can get to know her better.’

‘Yeah, that would be nice – as long as you don’t get called out to a crime scene in the middle of dessert.’

‘I might have to work on Saturday, but I’ll make sure to get the night off.’

‘I’m going to a party with Donna on Saturday night. What about tomorrow evening?’

‘Let’s pencil it in, but I can’t promise as it’s really hectic at work. You book somewhere you and Donna would like to go and the meal’s on me. What does she like, food-wise?’

‘She loves seafood, especially prawn linguini. I’ll book Quattordici in Chislehurst for seven thirty.’

‘Sounds good. I’ll do my best to be there.’

‘Just so you know, I’ve told Donna about the past and my problems with depression. She really understands because she’s had her own issues to deal with over the years.’

Jessica nodded. ‘It’s good that you told her and that she’s confided in you. Right, I better get a move on. I’ve got to be at the office at half six. You OK if I use the bathroom first?’

He nodded. ‘I got an email from the doctor about my creatine kinase levels. I’ve got an appointment with the neurologist tomorrow morning at Guy’s. I got in earlier than expected due to a cancellation.’

‘That’s good news. I can ask DCI Anderson for a few hours off work to go with you.’

‘Donna’s taken the day off to go with me. You’d probably have to spend hours in the waiting room while the tests are done. I know you’re not comfortable sitting about doing nothing,’ he smiled.

‘Are you sure you want to go out Friday evening after your appointment?’

‘Of course. I can’t eat or drink anything for twenty-four hours before it, so I’ll be famished. And don’t worry if you’re stuck at work. We can all go out another time.’

‘I’ll do my best to be there.’ She opened the dishwasher and looked inside. ‘Glad to see you rinsed and stacked the plates neatly for a change.’

He laughed. ‘That was Donna.’

*?*?*

Arriving at Barking, Jessica went to the ladies’ room. Looking in the mirror, she remembered Chapman saying that having her hair down suited her. She removed the scrunchie and puffed her hair before going to his office.

‘How do you want to approach things with Anderson?’ she asked as she walked in.

‘I think we should just be frank with him. The forensic evidence speaks for itself. I’ll let him read your report first if that’s OK with you.’

‘Of course. He might not like it, though.’

‘If Anderson wants to throw his toys out of the pram, then so be it. Everything you’ve said so far makes sense. He’d be a fool not to listen, but the choice is his.’

About half an hour later, Jessica got a phone call from Guy. ‘You’re in early,’ she remarked.

‘I wanted to get to work on Liam Palmer’s mobile phone asap.

’ She put the speakerphone on. ‘I found a contact for a J. Wheeler. There have been no recent calls from Palmer’s phone to Wheeler’s.

However, Wheeler’s number called Palmer on Monday at six p.m., and the call lasted about two minutes.

Cell site analysis revealed that the call was from the Montague Road mast. I had the number pinged for the phone’s current location, and it’s still live and in the same area. ’

‘Looks like Wheeler does live in one of the tower blocks,’ Chapman said. ‘Have you got an address?’

‘His mobile is pay-as-you-go, so there’s no registered address, I’m afraid.’

‘That’s no surprise, given he’s a wanted man,’ Chapman said.

‘The last call Wheeler received was just after midnight on Wednesday morning. I haven’t got the caller’s details yet, but I’ll let you know as soon as I do.

I’ll keep digging and start looking at all the calls, texts, etc.

made by Wheeler. Hopefully, that will give you the names of a few people you can speak to who might know his current whereabouts.

I’ll send an email with what I’ve got and Wheeler’s phone number. ’

‘Thanks, Guy. Good work.’ Jessica ended the call.

‘So we’ve got a definite connection between Palmer and Wheeler now,’ Chapman said. ‘The question is why Palmer has failed to tell us about him.’

‘He could be frightened of him. It doesn’t look like Palmer was a random choice to be the fall guy.’

‘I agree. Palmer tried to put on the hard man act, but I reckon he’s a soft touch and easily led. The stolen games consoles and laptop he had in his flat were probably bought from Wheeler and the proceeds of a burglary he committed. You’re right, you know.’

‘Aren’t I always,’ she smiled.

‘I mean what you said yesterday about re-interviewing Palmer.’

‘I thought you said there were legal implications about doing that?’

‘Stuff the legality. It’s the truth that matters, and we need to find Wheeler.’

They went to the custody suite, and Chapman took Jessica to a room with a one-way mirror so she could see into the interview room without being observed. ‘You could get into trouble for this,’ she warned him.

‘Honestly, I don’t give a shit,’ he shrugged. ‘He’ll be in court later this morning and then remanded in custody. Speaking to him on the inside without a solicitor will be almost impossible. And we’re up against the clock. This could be our last chance to see what he knows about Wheeler.’

Jessica nervously watched Chapman enter the interview room and waited for Palmer to be brought in.

After a few minutes, a bewildered-looking Palmer was led in.

As soon as he saw Chapman, his eyes opened wide with panic, and he turned quickly, trying to leave the room.

The custody officer accompanying Palmer gripped his arm and led him towards one of the chairs.

‘It’s OK. You can let him go.’ Chapman put his hand on Palmer’s shoulder. ‘There’s nothing to worry about, Liam. Please sit down.’

‘My solicitor said you can’t talk to me again now I’ve been charged,’ he said.

‘This isn’t being recorded, Liam. This is all off the record. I’m here because I need your help, not to have a go at you, and if . . .’

‘Help me! You don’t believe a word I’ve said. I don’t want to talk to you anymore, so just take me back to my cell.’

‘I admit I didn’t believe you during the interviews, Liam. But I’ve learned things since then that have made me change my mind.’

‘How do I know you’re not lying and trying to blame me for something else I didn’t do?’ Liam asked suspiciously.

‘Look, Liam, I know you didn’t break into De Klerk’s house. And you’re right about someone trying to frame you. But I need to ask you some questions to prove it.’

Palmer twitched and chewed at his lips. ‘All right, I’ll listen to you, but can I go back to my cell when I want to?’

‘Of course.’ Palmer reluctantly sat down, looked over to the closed door and then at Chapman.

‘Do you want a drink?’ Chapman asked. He shook his head.

‘Our forensic team examined your phone and the games consoles. We know you were playing games on the night De Klerk’s house was broken into.

The same with your phone on the night the car was set alight, so we know you’re not responsible for either of those crimes.

’ Palmer let out a trembling sigh of relief.

‘And you’ll be pleased to know your fingerprints and DNA were not on the watch, cash or burner phone found in your flat. ’

‘You see, I told you I’d never seen them before. What about the clothes in the outside bin?’

‘Forensics are still looking for wearer DNA on them, but I believe you were telling the truth when you said they’re not yours.’