Page 136 of The Scene of the Crime

‘The hallmark indicates it’s a two-carat diamond, and the ring is twenty-four carat pure gold. It’s definitely Victorian. It’s a very nice piece and will look as good as new when cleaned up. Is it insured?’

‘I’m not sure, to be honest. My husband deals with that sort of stuff.’

‘I’d have to look at it more carefully, but I’d say it’s worth at least forty thousand pounds.’

Jessica gasped, pretending to be surprised. ‘Best I make sure it is insured then.’

‘I can do you a valuation certificate if you like.’

‘Thank you. How much would it cost to have it cleaned?’

‘Forty pounds, which includes a polish. I can’t do it right away, but if you leave it with me, I’ll have it done in a day or two and let you know when it’s ready for collection. Remountingwould be a bit more expensive and take a few weeks. Honestly, it’s such a lovely, historical piece, I wouldn’t alter it.’

Jessica heard the door buzz. Cole looked at the CCTV monitor on his side of the counter and pressed the entry button. A man came in and quickly approached the counter. ‘I need to have a word in private, Nat.’

Cole turned to Jessica with an ingratiating smile. ‘Please excuse me for a moment, if you would.’ Jessica saw the man’s face as he walked past her to the rear of the premises, with Cole following behind. She recognised Christoper Bishop from his most recent criminal record photo. Jessica got out her phone to text Chapman, pretending to be absorbed by it as she listened to the two men’s conversation.

‘I got a phone call from my neighbour. He said four blokes were at my flat knocking on the door. From how he described them, it’s got to be the old bill. He said they were now in the back of a big van. It’s fucking obvious they are after me.’ Bishop sounded very agitated, making it even easier for Jessica to hear.

‘That’s not good.’ Cole sounded worried. ‘We need to go to the warehouse and get the diamonds.’

‘I just had a drive round here, and there’s a van parked down the road. I think it’s the filth. I reckon they must have found Wheeler.’

Jessica sent the text: ‘Bishop here. Knows you’re watching. Come quick!!’

‘Shit. We need to get out of here,’ Cole said.

‘Where the fuck are we going to go, Nat?’

‘We need to get to the Hackney warehouse. We can buy fake passports and get out of the country. Get your cab and meet me out the back. Fucking move it!’

Jessica was still standing by the counter as they returned. Cole picked up the ring put it back in the box, then handed it to her. ‘I’m very sorry, madam. Something’s come up that needs myurgent attention. You’ll have to come back.’ He put his hand on her back, ushering her towards the door.

Once she was outside, Cole locked the door behind her and moved the sign to closed. She looked across the road and saw Bishop heading towards his car. She then saw the observation van speeding up the road. ‘Police! Stay where you are!’ Jessica shouted at Bishop. He froze momentarily before opening the driver’s door of his cab. She rushed towards him, grabbed the back of his jacket and pulled him into the middle of the street. As he turned, he slammed the palm of his hand into her chest and she lost her grip on his jacket, nearly losing her balance.

‘Get off me, you fucking bitch!’ Bishop growled with his fist raised. Before he could throw a punch, Jessica kicked him as hard as she could between the legs. He grunted in pain and fell to his knees, clutching his groin. Chapman and DC Bingham quickly grabbed Bishop and handcuffed him.

‘Cole’s gone out the back. Bishop was going to drive round and pick him up,’ Jessica said.

‘Caution him, Andy. I’ll go and get Cole,’ Chapman told Bingham.

‘I’ll help you,’ Taff said, hurrying off with Chapman. As they turned into Hatton Wall, Chapman saw Cole running down the road carrying a shoulder bag. Taff was fast on his feet, quickly caught up with Cole, and rugby-tackled him to the ground.

‘Going anywhere nice?’ Taff grinned.

As Chapman handcuffed Cole, Taff opened the bag, revealing a large amount of cash and various pieces of jewellery. He showed it to Chapman. ‘Good job, Taff. I must say he’s sprightly for his age.’

‘I used to be a fullback,’ Taff said proudly.

Chapman read Cole his rights, arresting him on suspicion of the murder of John Wheeler and conspiracy to commit burglary. Cole didn’t reply. Chapman handcuffed him and removed hismobile phone from his pocket, then handed it to Taff. ‘Get Guy to have a look,’ he told him. He took Cole’s shop keys from his pocket. ‘We’re going to search your premises,’ he said.

‘You need a warrant to do that,’ Cole said.

‘You’ve been arrested for an indictable offence. That gives us the power to search premises that may hold evidence without a warrant – which is probably every bit of jewellery in your shop.’

Cole laughed. ‘It’s all perfectly legit. I’ve done nothing wrong.’

‘Put this dreamer in the observation van,’ Chapman told the other two officers on the arrest team. He pointed at Bishop. ‘And get him to Barking.’ He went over to talk to Jessica. ‘Are you all right?’