Page 154 of The Scene of the Crime

Again, she surprised him by giving a soft laugh. ‘I know I am going a roundabout way to explain why I’ve had problems with relationships, but in all honesty, it is not why I don’t think it’s a good time for me to begin one with you. I really like you a lot, but I’m going to be going to Virginia and right now my career is too important to me to embark on any kind of relationship.’

He nodded. ‘I understand, and thanks for being so open. All you’ve achieved in your life after so much heartache and pain is remarkable, and you should be very proud of yourself.’

‘It might sound odd, but this investigation has really helped me understand how to cope with the emotions of my past.’

‘Good for you. Can I ask if a plutonic relationship between us is acceptable?’

‘It’s pronouncedplatonic, but yes, it is.’ Jessica leaned forward and kissed him on the lips. ‘Thanks for being so understanding. I’ll see you tomorrow morning.’

* * *

Arriving home, Jessica poured herself a glass of Sauvignon Blanc and sat at the kitchen table with her iPad to look at the warehouse and hospital CCTV Guy had sent her. As usual, Guy had been very thorough, sending her the sections she needed along with notes giving the exact timings.

Jessica first looked at the hospital CCTV for Thursday and noted that Michelle was by the lift on Johan’s floor at 5.45 p.m., and left the hospital through the main entrance a couple of minutes later, which wasn’t long after she and Anderson had spoken with her.

She then watched the warehouse CCTV. Michelle arrived in her Mercedes, parked opposite the entrance and went inside at 7.04 p.m. She was wearing the same clothing she had on at the hospital. At 7.35, she left the building, carrying the black bin bag, returning to bring out two heavy-looking carrier bags. She looked at Guy’s notes, which said Michelle returned to the hospital at 8.50. She fast-forwarded the video to that time and noticed that Michelle was wearing different clothing. She assumed Michelle must have gone back to her house to change.

Guy also noted that Michelle left the hospital just before midnight and didn’t return until eight Friday morning, carrying a briefcase. By this time, Jessica and the team had been made aware that Johan had regained consciousness but neededcomplete rest. She assumed Michelle had gone home for the night to get some sleep so she’d be ready for the next round of questions. She closed her laptop, giving it a small pat. She would do the same thing, get a good night’s sleep and be prepared for her. Michelle was a formidable opponent, and Jessica knew she could not afford to put a foot wrong.

CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

On Saturday morning, Jessica went to Barking for a meeting with Anderson, Chapman and Dawn Owens. Anderson said he’d spoken with Michelle the previous evening, and she was happy to talk to them this morning. She’d asked if there had been any further developments, but he’d only told her they had identified other suspects who had yet to be interviewed.

‘Is Johan fit to be interviewed as well?’ Chapman asked.

‘Doctor Babu said De Klerk appears to be suffering from post-traumatic amnesia, which is not uncommon after a serious head injury. He said it can last for a few hours, days, weeks or even, in rare cases, months.’

Chapman looked dubious. ‘How convenient for him. Surely a doctor could tell if he’s putting it on?’

‘I didn’t want to challenge Babu’s diagnosis and give anything away. He said a short interview of about half an hour would be enough for now. We can still ask Johan questions, and if we can subsequently prove it was all an act, we can use it against him. I told Doctor Babu we’d be at the hospital around ten, so we’ve got about an hour and a half to get our ducks in a row.’

When they got to the hospital, they went straight to De Klerk’s room. Anderson knocked on the door and Michelle opened it, but the bed was empty. She was wearing makeup, expensive-looking jewellery and a tight-fitting pale cream cashmere dress that made her pregnancy very obvious.

‘Johan’s been taken for a scan. He shouldn’t be long,’ she said.

‘I wasn’t expecting four of you,’ she frowned.

‘Due to your husband’s condition, I wanted to speed things up. I will be speaking with him, and DI Chapman will take notes. DC Owens needs to ask you a few questions, and Jessica will take the notes. If that’s all right with you?’

She sighed. ‘I suppose it will have to be. Johan is still very groggy. I told him it wasn’t a good idea to stress himself by talking to you today. I suggested he wait until tomorrow, but he’s stubborn and insisted he’d be fine.’

‘We all appreciate his and your cooperation. We will be in the waiting room. Could you ask someone to tell us when Johan returns?’ Michelle said she would, and they went to the waiting room.

‘She looks ready for action,’ Chapman remarked.

‘How do you mean?’ Anderson asked.

‘You know, all dressed up with her warpaint on,’ Chapman replied.

A few minutes later, a nurse came to the room and said that Johan was back in bed and ready to see them. Anderson asked Dawn and Jessica to stay in the waiting room and said he would ask Michelle to join them. Dawn waited until they had gone before speaking to Jessica. ‘Do you mind asking Michelle the questions?’

‘I think DCI Anderson wanted you, as a police officer, to do the interview.’

‘I know, and I’ve got his list of questions, but you know so much more about the case than I do. I’m not fully up to speed with what’s happened in the last couple of days and haven’t had a chance to watch Cole or Bishop’s interviews. I’m really worried I might ask something I shouldn’t.’

Jessica knew it would be inappropriate to interrupt Anderson and ask his permission now that he was with Johan. But she couldn’t help agreeing. ‘All right, I’ll do it,’ she said. She just hoped Anderson wouldn’t tear them both off a strip afterwards.

* * *