Page 110 of The Scene of the Crime

Chapman shook his head. ‘Not these days. A growing number of criminals on the run are heading to the Middle East. It’s become a popular alternative to the Netherlands and the Costa del Sol in Spain. There are large expat communities and a regular flow of tourists, which allows fugitives to maintain a blend in.’

‘There’s a suitcase in the bedroom with a few bits of clothing in it, and a lot of clothes strewn around the floor,’ a uniformedofficer told them. They both had a look. Some folded clothes were still on the bed, but other clothing was scattered over the floor, and the bedroom wardrobes and dressing table drawers had also been searched. Jessica nodded to the case. ‘The inner lining’s been ripped out. I wonder what they were looking for.’

Chapman shrugged, ‘Could be the watch and the cash, but it doesn’t make sense that Wheeler would plant it on Palmer and leave the UK without it. You can’t survive in Dubai without money. Maybe there was more in that safe we don’t know about.’

‘As this is a suspected murder, I think we should remove ourselves in case of any cross-contamination,’ Jessica said. ‘I’ll call my team out. They can photograph and video the scene before we start the forensic examination. Can you take me back to Barking? I need to get my car. All my equipment’s in it.’

‘I better ring Anderson.’

‘Are you going to tell Liam?’

‘Yes, but I need to ask him about the phone call with Wheeler first and what else he knows about him. Do you think he could be involved in Wheeler’s murder?’

‘No, and be honest, neither do you. But I expect Anderson will.’

Jessica called Guy and asked him to tell Diane and Taff to come to the scene and for him to collect Wheeler’s mobile phone and laptop so he could start working on them. Chapman called Anderson, who was still at home. He said he hadn’t seen Chapman’s text as he was charging his phone. Chapman briefly explained his visit to the pub, the information about Wheeler and the discovery of his body. Anderson was livid and told Chapman to call the MSCAN team to the scene and to get his ‘arse’ back to the station. ‘I expect a thorough explanation for your actions, in particular your failure to keep me informed about what you’re doing at all times!’

Travelling back to Barking, Jessica asked Chapman why he hadn’t told Anderson she was with him at the pub or mentioned they had spoken to Palmer. ‘I thought it best to wait until I talked to him personally. He was angry enough as it was.’

‘We’re in this together, Mike, so we’ll talk to him together.’

He grinned. ‘Yes, ma’am.’

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

Palmer looked anxious as he entered the interview room. His eyes were bloodshot and puffy as if he’d been crying. ‘Did you find Wheeler?’ he asked nervously.

Chapman nodded. ‘Yes, we did.’

‘Does he think it was me that grassed him up?’

‘No, he doesn’t, and he never will,’ Chapman replied in a confident tone.

‘There’s nothing for you to worry about, Liam,’ Jessica said quietly.

‘Just take a seat, and I’ll explain everything,’ Chapman said. ‘We need to interview you to clarify some points and allow you to comment on information that has come to light since you were charged. Are you happy for me to do it without a solicitor representing you and with us both being present?’ Chapman asked.

‘What have I done now?’

‘Nothing. I just need to ask you a few questions about Wheeler and your relationship with him.’ Palmer looked at Jessica for reassurance. But he had to look away as she returned his look coldly.

‘Will what I say be used in evidence against Wheeler?’ Palmer asked.

‘No, it won’t, but it will help us clear a few things up and be to your credit if you can help us,’ Chapman replied.

Liam again looked at Jessica. ‘OK,’ he said quietly. Chapman switched on the recorder and went through the caution. ‘Do you know a John Wheeler who lives at 78 Fred Wigg Tower?’

‘Yes.’

‘How did you meet him?’

‘I met him in the pub a few months ago. I used to play pool with him sometimes until he got barred for punching this kid out because he’d switched the TV channel. He just fucking went for him, busted his face open, so we weren’t what I’d call friends. He scared the life out of me.’

‘Was that The Bell on Leytonstone High Road?’ Chapman asked.

‘Yes. Sometime after that, I was playing pool with him and he asked me if I was interested in buying some second-hand electrical stuff. I asked him what it was, and he said a couple of games consoles and a laptop. When we left the pub, he took me to his flat and showed me the stuff. It was in good nick, so I bought it.’

‘What, there and then?’