Page 142 of The Scene of the Crime

‘That’s no excuse, plus you lied to me. It makes me wonder if you’ve been honest with me about what Stubbings told you. What about breaking into the warehouse?’

‘You know everything Stubbs said has turned out to be correct. And I know for a fact he didn’t break into the warehouse.’

‘You’ve spoken to him, haven’t you?’

‘Yes. He went straight home after we met in the pub and was in Bath the next day on a case, and he’s still there. He told me his wife could vouch for him and sent me pictures of receipts for meals he’d purchased in Bath and on the way there. He also gave me the name of the hotel where he’s staying. I checked it out, and he was telling the truth.’

‘Sounds like you don’t trust him either.’

‘It got me worried when you thought it might be Stubbs. I had to be sure. He was pissed off with me for thinking it might be him. I’m sorry I’ve put you in an awkward position by talking to that journalist. I deserve to be disciplined for what I’ve done.’

‘You’re treading on eggshells, Julian. I doubt you’ll get dismissed, but you could be kicked back to uniform.’

‘I’ll tell Anderson it was me after we’ve interviewed Bishop.’

Chapman ran his hands through his hair, then let out a deep sigh. ‘I must be mad, but I think there’s a way out of this for you.’

‘Forget it, Mike. I’m not going to let you risk your career over my fuck-up.’

‘Dead men don’t tell tales, Julian.’

‘I’m lost . . . unless you’re thinking of killing me.’

‘It had crossed my mind. Seriously though, we know Wheeler gave Crime Stoppers the info about Palmer. Who’s to say it wasn’t him that contacted a journalist or went straight to the BBC? Maybe he wanted it on the news as part of his plan to frame Palmer.’

Wood thought about it. ‘It’s feasible – and virtually impossible to disprove now he’s dead. Do you think Anderson will go for it?’

‘Why not? It may also lead to the professional standards unit dropping their investigation, which he’d be pleased with.’

‘Thanks, Mike, I owe you big time.’

‘Too right you do. A bottle of Remy Martin VSOP might do the trick.’

‘Expensive stuff.’

‘Don’t push your luck or it will be two bottles.’

* * *

Chapman turned on the recording equipment and cautioned a glum-looking Christopher Bishop, who’d said he was willing to be interviewed without a solicitor present. ‘Let’s start with how you came to know Cole,’ Chapman began.

‘It was about three years ago. I heard that Cole was buying stolen jewellery without asking questions. My days of breaking into houses were over, but I still handled stolen goods now and then. Anyway, I ended up working as a driver for him, delivering jewellery mostly.’

‘What do you know about Cole’s association with Johan De Klerk?’ Chapman asked.

‘I think initially he was just a client who bought some jewellery from him.’

Chapman showed him a photograph of Wheeler. ‘Do you know this man?’

‘Sure, Wheeler the Dealer. We shared a prison cell some years back, and I got to know him a bit more than I’d have liked. He’s a nasty piece of work, definitely someone you don’t want to cross. When we were banged up, he shanked a couple of inmates with a homemade knife. He’s a pretty handy cat burglar but he mostly sells what he steals to buy cocaine.’

‘What’s his association with Nathan Cole?’

‘Nat told me he needed someone to do a burglary at a big fancy house in Victoria Park Road. He didn’t tell me who lived there, but he made me drive past it and took some photos on his phone. The back wall was about twelve feet high. I told him I was too out of shape to get over it so he asked if I knew anyone else who could do the job. I told him about Wheeler and introduced them. Nat said to buy two burner phones and SIM cards, and I think he gave one to Wheeler.’

‘You must have known it was De Klerk’s house,’ Chapman said.

‘I didn’t know where De Klerk lived then, and I didn’t ask questions.’