Page 115 of The Scene of the Crime

‘There is a great woman. Sounds like they have a very successful marriage.’

‘Like all married couples, they have their ups and downs. Mind you, Michelle is the one who rules the roost and keeps him in line. Johan can get a bit loud when he’s had a few, but he’s a pussycat really.’ She poured herself another glass of champagne. ‘Detective?’

‘No thank you, I’m driving. But I’ll have to try one of Johan’s wines sometime. Can you get them in supermarkets?’

Chandice laughed. ‘Good lord, no. His wines are far too expensive. He mostly supplies top restaurants, but you can get them online.’ She removed a bottle of Pinot Noir from a rack under the kitchen counter. ‘This is one of Johan’s family’s wines. Take it with you and try it when you get home.’

He looked at the label with its animal logo. ‘“Springbok Wines, a Taste of the Cape”. That’s very kind of you. I look forward to having a glass or two. And thank you for taking the time to talk to me.’

Chandice opened a kitchen drawer and started to rummage around inside it. ‘I’m sure I’ve got it here somewhere.’

‘Got what?’

‘Nathan Cole’s business card. I don’t know why I kept it. It’s of no use to me, so you may as well have it. Ah, here it is.’ She handed him the card.

He took it from her. ‘How would you describe him?’

‘An arsehole and a little shit would be most appropriate,’ she replied frankly. Wood smiled. ‘But I suppose I’d say he’s quiteshort, about five foot six, bald on top and has dyed black hair on the sides. I’d say he’s in his mid-fifties.’

Wood nodded. ‘That pretty much fits with what other people have said.’

‘If you can put Cole behind bars without our involvement, I will be very pleased, and I’m sure Michelle will be as well.’

‘As promised, I won’t be approaching Michelle or Johan. A few victims are willing to make a statement and give evidence against Cole, and I’m sure I’ll find more. I hope you and Michelle can find a way to restore your friendship and that her husband makes a full recovery.’ Chandice suddenly looked worried. ‘Are you all right?’ he asked.

‘I’ve just had a thought. Do you think Cole might be involved in what happened to Johan?’

Wood hadn’t expected her to make the connection and had to think quickly. ‘That’s a very good point you’ve made and one the investigating team should consider if they don’t already know about Cole. But to be honest, I very much doubt Cole had anything to do with it. He has no criminal record, no history of violence and from what I’ve learned about him so far, he’s just a con man.’

‘Thank you, Julian. You’ve been very kind and understanding.’

‘Thank you again for being so forthcoming.’ Wood left and got in his car.

He drove around the corner, parked up and took a small portable recorder from his jacket pocket. He checked it was still recording before switching it off. He then took out his pocketbook and started to make notes of his conversation with Chandice. He would have plenty to tell Chapman, but he needed to make sure none of it led back to Richard Stubbings, so this might have to be an edited version.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

Anderson sat at his desk while Jessica and Chapman stood in front of him. ‘What the hell are you two playing at, interviewing Palmer after charge and without a solicitor? You’ve broken Code C of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act, so anything he said is inadmissible as evidence.’ He was clearly still angry but managing to keep his voice level.

‘I’d beg to differ, sir. Code C also states that an interview after a charge can be conducted to prevent or minimise harm or loss to some other person or the public and in the interests of justice.’

Anderson shook his head. ‘Oh, a legal buff as well as a fool. Your irresponsibility could now lead to the case against Palmer being thrown out by a judge.’

‘There is no case against him. He was . . .’ Chapman started to reply, but Anderson wouldn’t let him.

‘Now you think you know better than the CPS lawyers, who, let me remind you, said there is clear evidence of a joint enterprise and Palmer’s involvement in the attempted murder of Johan De Klerk!’

Chapman was unable to disguise his annoyance. ‘We just dismissed everything Palmer said without looking at all the evidence. Apart from Jessica, that is. He’s been set up. He had nothing to do with the burglary or the assault on De Klerk.’

‘Have you lost your mind?’ Anderson asked incredulously.

‘The landlady of the pub told us about Wheeler, and Palmer, to his credit, gave us his address. Wheeler broke into De Klerk’s house, and now it looks like he’s been murdered!’ Chapman concluded.

‘You failed to inform me about what you were doing, and that’s neglect of duty.’

‘I sent you a text. I thought you would call me. I couldn’t sit on my arse and do nothing. Go ahead, discipline me and send an innocent man to prison if that’s what you want. But I—’

Jessica butted in. ‘Can the two of you please stop arguing. It’s getting us nowhere.’