Page 138 of The Scene of the Crime

‘That’s exactly what you’ll be doing Bishop, twenty-five years with no parole. So I’d suggest you better start talking – now!’

Bishop looked desperate. ‘All right, all right, it’s 383 Wick Lane, next door to De Klerk’s. It’s a digital key entry lock. One zero six six.’

‘And what can I expect to find there?’

‘A machine for making diamonds. Cole’s also hidden some cash there.’

‘Is Johan De Klerk involved in the diamond lab?’

Bishop nodded. ‘They’re running some sort of scam where they swap real diamonds for lab-grown ones.’

‘What’s your part in it all?’

‘I’m not involved in it. I swear on my life, I’m just a driver, I drive Cole around and deliver jewellery to his customers.’

‘De Klerk has a couple of drivers he uses to make wine deliveries. Are they involved?’

He shook his head. ‘Not as far as I know.’

Chapman nodded. ‘All right, you’ve done the smart thing.’ He walked over to Jessica, repeating what Bishop had told him. ‘I’ll inform Anderson of everything that’s happened here and about the warehouses. We’ll need warrants to search them. I’ll get him to send more officers to search Cole’s shop. Would you mind helping me in the meantime?’

‘Oh, you want my help now, do you? I’ll be happy to – if you explain why you didn’t tell me or Anderson about DS Wood and his informant. I’d also like to know what else Wood told you.’

‘You drive a hard bargain, Jessica Russell.’

‘I don’t like being lied to, Mike . . . and don’t you dare say sorry again!’

* * *

While they searched Cole’s jewellery shop, Chapman told Jessica about the information Stubbings had given Julian Wood and what Wood had told him about his meeting with Chandice Bramston. ‘After the incident with the sapphire ring, I now understand why you suspected Michelle might be involved, and you may be right. What I don’t get is why you never said anything about it when we had the meeting with Anderson,’ Jessica said, still annoyed.

‘Because Julian asked me not to. If Michelle found out Stubbings was the informant, she’d sue him for breaching the non-disclosure agreement.’

Jessica snorted. ‘That’s pretty ironic considering Stubbings was dismissed for gross misconduct after leaking information to a journalist . . .’

‘That may be, but he’s still an informant, and you protect your informants. Now we’ve arrested Bishop, who looks like he’s going to spill his guts, I’m still hoping I can do that.’

‘That’s not going to be easy because you’ll have to ask Michelle about her friend Chandice and tell her about Cole’s arrest. She’s not stupid and will realise you got the information from Stubbings.’

‘Michelle may well think it was Stubbings, but she’d have difficulty proving it with all the evidence we have against her husband. It would also show that she failed to report a crime and may have withheld information that would have assisted our investigation.’

‘That’s true.’

‘Chandice has point-blank refused to make a statement, so she’s out of the equation.’

‘I won’t say anything. I still think you should tell Anderson, but it’s up to you. In some ways, I wished you’d never told me.’

By the time the other team members arrived, Jessica and Chapman still hadn’t found anything of evidential value in Cole’s shop, apart from his laptop, which Taff had taken back to the lab for Guy to examine. Chapman instructed an officer to look for mobile phones and any uncut diamonds. Chapman was eager to leave but waited until a detective arrived handing him warrants for the two warehouses.

‘Can I come with you?’ Jessica asked as they walked to Chapman’s car.

‘If you want to. You’re sure you’re not sick of the sight of me?’

She shrugged. ‘I’m only following you out of idle curiosity.’

They got into a squad car with a driver and headed towards the warehouses. Jessica was quiet on the journey and Chapman sensed she was still upset with him. ‘I know I’ve pissed you off, but I . . .’

‘Do not start apologising again,’ she snapped.