Page 145 of The Scene of the Crime

‘How do you know it was a fake certificate?’

‘Well, you wouldn’t throw it away if it was real. You need a genuine Kimberley certificate to make stolen diamonds look legit.’

‘Sounds like you know a bit about it all,’ Chapman observed.

‘You learn a lot when you’re banged up,’ he said.

‘They must have been making a lot of money,’ Wood said.

‘I don’t know exactly how much, but I’d imagine you’d be looking at hundreds of thousands.’

Chapman whistled. ‘Did you ever see Cole or De Klerk handling any uncut diamonds?’

‘I saw De Klerk in the shop one time with Cole. There was a black box on the counter, which, looking back, was probably the lockbox Cole kept going on about. I saw what looked like little stones, but they must have been uncut diamonds. De Klerk closed it pronto when he saw me. I’ve also seen him in Cole’s warehouse a few times, so they must work the scam together. To be honest, I keep my nose out of their business. I’m just the gopher.’

‘How long have they been producing these lab-made diamonds?’

‘I don’t know, but I found the fake certificate about three or four months ago.’

‘What about De Klerk’s wife, Michelle? Do you know if she’s involved with Cole as well?’

‘I’ve never heard her name mentioned.’ Bishop looked as if he’d come to the end of his tether. ‘Listen, what’s going to happen to me? Am I gonna be charged? I’ve told you everything I know.’

‘The CPS will decide that. Would you be willing to give evidence against Cole?’

‘Will I get a shorter sentence if I do?’

‘Possibly, but the CPS would have to accept a guilty plea to the charges before you give evidence against Cole. We would also give a letter to the judge saying how you admitted your part in the crimes and assisted us.’

‘Cole’s the one who got me into this fucking mess. So yes, I’ll give evidence against him . . . and De Klerk if you need me to.’

After the interview with Bishop, Chapman went to see Anderson in his office. Jessica was with him, having watched the interview together in the viewing room. ‘Nice work, Mike,’ he said. ‘And the search of Cole’s shop turned up a loaded World War Two revolver hidden under the floorboards in the back office.’

‘Good, that fits with what Bishop told us,’ Chapman said.

‘Do you think he was telling the truth about the rest of it?’ Anderson asked.

‘Bits and pieces, yes, but he’s trying a bit hard to make himself look like a victim. He could have refused to take Cole to Wheeler’s flat, but he didn’t. Bishop doesn’t have any previous convictions for violence, but he was prepared to assault Jessica to escape arrest.’

‘Nicki Giorgini thought the more recent mark on Wheeler’s face was a punch. I’d have expected a cut or a deeper bruise if it was a pistol-whip injury,’ Jessica said.

Chapman nodded. ‘I suspect Bishop was promised a cut of the cash or diamonds if he helped Cole. He also went straight to Cole’s shop when he knew we were on to him. I reckon they’re a lot closer than Bishop makes out.’

Anderson nodded. ‘I thought you and Wood worked well together. I’d like the two of you to interview Cole. Be interesting to hear what he has to say now the evidence is beginning to stack up.’

‘I suspect he’ll go no comment or just deny everything. But I’m confident the CPS will agree he and Bishop should be charged. With that in mind, we should consider disclosing some of our evidence against him to his solicitor before the interview’.

‘What about Bishop’s interview? Will you disclose that?’ Jessica asked.

‘I was thinking about it as a possibility. It might get him to talk.’

Jessica raised her hand. ‘Just a suggestion, but I think you might be better off holding back with Bishop’s interview until you question Cole. I would tell Baldwin that you interviewed Bishop but don’t disclose what he said. Then Cole might think Bishop hasn’t told you anything, and it will come as a shock when he learns otherwise in the interview. Even if he makes no comment answers, his reaction on camera could be incriminating and good for a jury to see.’

‘Very crafty, Jessica,’ Anderson smiled.

‘We’ll play it that way then,’ Chapman said.

Leaving Anderson’s office, Chapman went to organise a meeting with Baldwin, who was due to arrive at the station. Jessica went to the canteen, hoping she might find DS Wood. She got herself a coffee and a sandwich, then spotted him at a corner table away from the other officers. ‘Mind if I join you?’ she said.