Page 127 of The Scene of the Crime

‘Stubbs didn’t talk to her. I did. He gave me her name and said she lived somewhere in Coombe Park. I traced her address through the voters’ register and visited her this morning. I told her I was investigating Nathan Cole for fraud and theft. She’s a smart cookie and was very cagey at first, but I got what I needed from her, and it confirmed that Stubbs was telling the truth.’

‘Why did he wait until yesterday to speak to you?’

‘He’s been abroad. He didn’t know about the De Klerk stabbing until he got home a couple of days ago.’

‘What did Chandice tell you?’

‘Chandice said Michelle is a very ambitious woman and would do anything to protect her reputation. Stubbs had the same impression.’

‘Do you think Chandice might tell Michelle about your visit?’ Chapman asked.

‘They’ve not spoken since she got her sapphire back, and that’s nearly six months ago, so I think it’s unlikely. I know you’ll have to tell Anderson about Cole, but I’d appreciate it if you could find a way to keep Stubbs’s name out of it. Same with Chandice Bramston.’

‘I’ll do my best. How much did you tell Stubbings about the investigation?’

‘Just what was on the news and a bit more detail about what happened during the burglary.’

Chapman gave him a suspicious look. ‘Did Stubbings want anything in return for the information?’

‘Not a sausage.’

‘Why do you think he spoke to you then?’

‘Two reasons. One because he’s a friend and knows he can trust me. He doesn’t like Belsham and is happy to see her get some comeuppance. A few years before Stubbs was dismissed, he was involved in a murder case where she represented the defendant, a wealthy businessman who was acquitted. I won’t gointo all the details, but Stubbs was convinced she coached him and basically prepared his answers. He felt she’d really fucked them over.’

‘I don’t think she’d risk her career doing that. Sounds like Stubbings is blaming her for his own mistakes. The fact that Michelle Belsham hired Stubbings isn’t a crime, and she may well just be an innocent victim of Cole’s.’

‘Then why didn’t she want Chandice to report the theft of the sapphire or report it herself?’ Wood said bluntly.

‘Fair point,’ Chapman conceded.

‘Was it that redhead, Jessica Russell, that figured out Palmer wasn’t involved?’ Wood asked.

Chapman nodded. ‘She’s a real pro. She sees things other people miss.’

‘She’s pretty fit as well,’ Wood winked.

‘I wouldn’t know about that,’ Chapman replied with a shrug.

Wood grinned. ‘Don’t give me that crap. I’ve seen the way you look at her. Have you asked her out yet?’

‘Look, I like her a lot, but I don’t think she’d be interested.’

‘If you don’t ask, you’ll never find out,’ Wood said with a wink.

* * *

When Jessica and Anderson got to De Klerk’s room in the hospital, the blinds were down. Anderson knocked gently on the door and few moments later Michelle opened it and stepped out into the corridor. Before she closed the door behind her, Jessica could see Johan lying motionless with his eyes closed.

‘Has he still not woken up yet?’ Jessica asked.

‘Not yet,’ Michelle replied with a sad expression. She suggested they go to the waiting room and talk there. Oncethere, Michelle sat down, while Anderson and Jessica remained standing.

‘I wanted to give you an update on the investigation,’ Anderson told her. ‘I’ve brought Jessica along to answer any questions about the forensic side of things.’ Anderson told Michelle about Liam Palmer’s arrest and the subsequent withdrawal of all charges against him after it was discovered that John Wheeler had committed the break-in, assaulted Johan and framed Palmer for the crime.

‘I’m pleased to hear you caught the real culprit and an innocent man was vindicated. Did Wheeler admit he was responsible for what happened to my husband?’

‘No. When we found him, he was dead.’