Page 124 of The Scene of the Crime

‘You two have been up since the crack of dawn, so go home and get some rest. Tell your team to do the same, Jessica. We’ll have another meeting at ten a.m. tomorrow to discuss any new developments.’

‘I was just wondering. Seeing as Dawn’s gone sick, would you like me to accompany you to see Michelle?’ Jessica asked.

‘I appreciate your offer, Jessica, but you’ve had a long enough day as it is.’

‘Honestly, I’m fine.’

‘OK, I appreciate it. I’m sure she’ll be more at ease with you there. I’ve got a couple of calls to make, then we can head off to the hospital.’

‘I’ll grab a drink and a sandwich in the canteen. Just let me know when you’re ready to go.’

Before Jessica went to the canteen, she and Chapman had a brief conversation in his office. ‘I reckon he’s phoning his wife to tell her he’ll be home late,’ Chapman said.

‘Looks like he’s beginning to stand up to her.’

‘Let’s hope he makes it to work tomorrow!’ Chapman laughed.

Jessica went to the canteen and ate a sandwich in a quiet corner. When she finished, she phoned Dawn. ‘Hi Dawn, it’s Jessica Russell. I just heard you’d gone sick and thought I’d call to see how you were.’

Dawn immediately burst into tears. ‘I don’t know what to do. DCI Anderson wanted me to go and see Michele De Klerk with him today, but I can’t face her right now. I’m terrified I’ll lose my job if anyone discovers what’s happened.’

‘Take a deep breath, Dawn, then tell me what’s worrying you.’

‘Is there anyone with you?’ Dawn asked.

‘No, I’m on my own. Whatever you say is just between us.’

‘Thank you. I did something stupid and I think I could be in big trouble.’

‘What did you do?’ Jessica asked calmly.

‘I told my boyfriend, Sam, about the investigation, you know, what happened to Johan De Klerk and who his wife was. I think it was him that told the media.’

‘What makes you think that?’

‘I remembered meeting his uncle at a family wedding last year. He said he worked for the BBC.’

‘Do you know what department he’s in?’

‘I think he said he was a producer or something.’

‘Did you speak to Sam about it?’

‘He said he hadn’t spoken to his uncle in ages and would never pass on what I told him. But I think he’s lying.’

‘Why?’

‘I don’t know, just the way he reacted. I asked him again, and he got really upset. He said if I didn’t trust him, then there was no point in continuing our relationship . . . then he stormed out.’ Dawn burst into tears again.

‘He might be telling the truth, you know.’

‘But what if it was him and someone finds out?’

‘Do you know his uncle’s name?’

‘It’s his dad’s brother, so I guess it will be Brian Moore.’

‘I’ll make discreet enquiries to find out if it was him. For now, don’t say anything to anyone. And please don’t get yourself all worked up about it. Sam may be telling the truth.’