Page 134 of The Scene of the Crime

‘Oh, thanks to God. I have been praying for them every day.’

‘Can you tell me when you last cleaned the De Klerks’ house?’

‘It was last Friday morning.’

‘And what hours did you work?’

‘I do five hours.’

‘From when?’

‘Seven a.m. to twelve.’

‘I take it you have a key to the premises.’

‘Yes, Mrs Michelle trusts me, and I let myself in.’

‘And do you clean the whole house?’

‘Oh, yes. I clean everything. I am very thorough.’

‘Do you do the basement areas as well? Including the cinema room?’

‘Oh, yes. And the gym and Mr Johan’s study.’

‘We found two crystal glasses in the cinema room on the Monday morning after Johan was hurt. One glass had a cheetah engraving, and the other a water buffalo. Can you recall if you saw them there on Friday morning?’

‘Oh no, they were not there. If they had been, I would have washed them by hand. I never put the crystal in the dishwasher.’

‘And you’re certain of that?’

‘One hundred per cent. Mr Johan often leaves the glasses in the cinema room and popcorn on the floor, but I always make sure it is clean and tidy. I don’t miss even a tiny speck of dust when I clean.’

‘Was Michelle or Johan at home that morning?’

‘Mrs Michelle was at work, and Johan was in his study. I remember it because I was going to hoover and dust the study, but he said not to bother as he was very busy.’

‘Did anyone come to visit Johan while you were there?’

‘No, if they did, I would know. I always answer the door when I am there.’

‘Thank you, Janice. You’ve been very helpful. I’ll let Michelle know she and Johan are in your prayers. I’m sure they’ll appreciate it.’ Jessica ended the call.

Anderson smiled. ‘That was crafty.’

‘If the fingerprints and DNA on the water buffalo glass are Cole’s, it proves he was in the De Klerks’ house and could only have got there after midday on Friday,’ Jessica said.

‘I’m going to organise arrest teams for Cole and Bishop. Mike, I’d like you to lead the team arresting Cole and DS Wood for Bishop. I’ll monitor everything from here and keep radio contact with both teams. Unless there is anything else, I think it’s time for the office meeting with the rest of the team.’

‘Can you give me twenty minutes to speak to Julian and organise our teams?’ Chapman asked.

‘No problem. Is there anything else we need to discuss?’

‘There’s a way we can get Cole’s fingerprints so that Taff can make an instant comparison before an arrest,’ Jessica said.

‘And what’s that?’ Anderson asked.

‘Pay a visit to his shop, ask for an estimate on a ring or something.’