Page 116 of The Scene of the Crime

‘You need to read the forensic and behavioural report Jessica prepared,’ Chapman said, taking it from his jacket pocket.

‘Why has he got it before me?’ Anderson asked Jessica.

She removed another copy from her handbag. ‘I only compiled it yesterday and haven’t had the chance to give it to you until now.’

‘You could have left it on my desk,’ Anderson huffed, grabbing the copy from her.

‘I wanted to give it to you personally and discuss the reasoning behind my observations and conclusions.’

He didn’t seem to have an answer to that. ‘What’s happening at the crime scene where you found Wheeler’s body?’

‘It’s been cordoned off, and Jessica’s team are attending,’ Chapman said. ‘A pathologist has been called to examine the body and estimate the time of death.’

‘Do the video and photography,’ Anderson said, looking at Jessica. ‘But I want to see the body in situ. Call your team and tell them the forensic examination can start after I’ve done that.’

She took her phone out. ‘Since I compiled the report, other things have come to light that we need to discuss, but time is of the essence. The body can be left in situ while Diane and Taffexamine the scene. We need to identify whoever else is involved with Wheeler, and quickly.’

‘Very well, but I need you two to tell me everything, chapter and verse, after I’ve read this. A coffee wouldn’t go amiss either.’

Chapman said he’d get them all a coffee. Jessica called Diane. She informed her she was with DCI Anderson and Diane was not to touch or move the body as he wanted to see it. Diane asked about examining the scene, and Jessica said it was OK to proceed with that after the video and photography were completed.

After finishing the call, Jessica sat quietly while Anderson read her report. She noticed his look of irritation gradually turn to one of concern. She hoped he was beginning to realise that Palmer was not involved in the crimes he was accused of. Chapman returned with the coffees and looked at Jessica with raised eyebrows, wondering how things were going. She gave him a wink.

A few minutes later, Anderson finished reading. ‘That’s a very detailed report, Jessica. We may have misjudged Palmer’s involvement in the crime. The messages to and from the burner phones show two people were involved, so it doesn’t absolve Palmer completely. He may even be responsible for Wheeler’s death.’

‘He gave us Wheeler’s location. Why on earth would he do that if he’d killed him?’ Chapman argued.

‘Other things that absolve Palmer have come to light since I wrote my report,’ Jessica added.

‘Enlighten me then,’ Anderson said, turning the report over so he could make notes on the back.

Jessica told him about Guy’s digital examinations, which revealed Palmer was playing online games or watching films during the night De Klerk was assaulted and then when the Range Rover was set alight. She then told him aboutthe Sealskinz glove marks on Palmer’s cistern lid and Taff’s discovery that the lock on Palmer’s front door had been picked.

‘When we found Wheeler’s body, he was wearing Adidas Ultraboost trainers, and there was a pair of Sealskinz gloves on the table, alongside a fake passport and one-way flight ticket to Dubai for Wednesday morning,’ Chapman added.

Anderson nodded. ‘I hear what you’re saying. It looks like this man Wheeler committed the crime, but it doesn’t account for the money in Palmer’s wallet that had De Klerk’s finger-prints on it.’

‘That’s because Wheeler stole it from De Klerk, then gave it to Palmer as payment for turning off the CCTV system at the garage and giving him a can of petrol,’ Chapman said.

Jessica took over. ‘Guy managed to identify Wheeler’s phone number from Palmer’s mobile. Wheeler rang Palmer on Monday evening to arrange switching off the CCTV and . . .’

Anderson raised his hands. ‘Slow down a minute, it’s hard to put all this information in context. Go back a bit and tell me how you learned about Wheeler.’

Chapman explained why they went to The Bell and their conversation with the landlady, when decided Palmer knew more about Wheeler than he was letting on.

‘Palmer is terrified of Wheeler, but he eventually gave us his address.’

Anderson sighed. ‘You did the right thing. I just wish you’d spoken to me before interviewing Palmer or going to Wheeler’s flat. Tell me what Palmer said when you interviewed him.’

‘I can’t remember everything, word for word. Being off the record, I didn’t record it or take notes.’

‘Lucky I did then,’ Jessica said, producing her iPhone.

She saw the look of surprise on Anderson and Chapman’s faces. ‘It’s not illegal, is it?’

‘Never mind about that. I want to hear it,’ Anderson said.

‘I thought it might be useful for my behavioural analysis of Palmer,’ Jessica said, turning on the recording.