Page 126 of The Scene of the Crime

Chapman went to the bar and brought back two more pints. When he’d sat down, Wood continued. ‘Stubbs started enquiring about Cole through informants and other contacts he still had, and . . .’

‘Are some of them serving police officers?’ Chapman interrupted, frowning.

‘I didn’t ask. But he found out that Cole used professional burglars to steal valuable jewellery from wealthy people. In the main, he targeted people who had purchased goods from him as he had their addresses. Cole then removed any precious stones and made new rings, necklaces, etc. to sell as legit pieces.’

‘He could have been using Wheeler to do the burglaries, then,’ Chapman remarked.

‘Yeah, but Wheeler must have double-crossed him. I found out Cole smokes cigars, so it looks like he’s the person who tortured Wheeler.’

‘Which means he may do a runner . . .’

‘He hasn’t. Not yet anyway. I got my wife to call his mobile number this afternoon and ask if he could restore an old diamond ring. He said he’d need to look at it first. He’s open for business at ten a.m. except for Sundays and Mondays.’

‘You’re a crafty old bugger, aren’t you?’

‘I like to think so. Stubbs said he told Michelle everything he’d discovered and asked if she was going to inform the police. She didn’t give him an answer but asked if there was any evidence that her husband was involved in Cole’s dodgy dealings. Stubbs told her he hadn’t found any but could do more digging if she wanted.’

‘And did she ask him to?’

‘No. She paid him off and warned him he’d better not breach the non-disclosure agreement, or she’d sue him for every penny he had.’

‘So Stubbings walked away, and that was the end of it?’ Chapman asked.

‘Of course he didn’t. He’s a detective, isn’t he? He was suspicious of Belsham and wanted to know more, but knew he had to be careful.’ He flicked through pages in his notebook.

‘So is Johan linked to Cole’s criminal activities?’

‘Stubbs couldn’t be certain, but he did some surveillance on Cole’s shop and saw De Klerk entering the shop with a briefcase. He came out nearly an hour later . . . without the briefcase.’

‘When was that?’

‘A few weeks after his wife hired Stubbs.’ He turned another few pages.

‘So it looks like Johan could be involved in Cole’s scams. The question is, does Michelle know, or is she involved as well?’ Chapman said.

‘Stubbs also followed De Klerk to a warehouse in Hackney Wick.’

Chapman shrugged. ‘That’s where he stores his wine.’

‘Then Cole turned up while Stubbs was watching the place.’

‘OK, that’s more interesting. But he could have been buying some wine.’

‘That’s what I said to Stubbs, but he said Cole didn’t come out with any wine . . . just the same briefcase that he’d seen De Klerk carrying.’

‘Is he still watching Cole?’

‘No. He got involved in other investigations and didn’t have the time.’

‘Did he tell Michelle?’

‘He couldn’t. He reckoned she might sue him for continuing the investigation behind her back.’

‘So how did Stubbings find out about Chandice if Michelle didn’t tell him?’

‘Through LinkedIn, Facebook, etc. He guessed that Chandice Bramston was most likely to be the “close friend” Michelle was referring to.’

‘He took a big risk talking to her. Wasn’t he worried she might tell Michelle?’