Page 156 of The Scene of the Crime

‘I wouldn’t call it a relationship. Johan has purchased jewellery from him a few times. He bought me a beautifulnecklace and his Rolex watch from Cole. I’ve only met him once and found him perfectly pleasant, but then he did something to a friend of mine that made me realise he was dishonest.’

‘Was that friend Chandice Bramston?’

‘How did you know that?’ a puzzled-looking Michelle asked.

‘Cole told us that you and Johan thought he’d deliberately switched a sapphire on her ring. He said it was a genuine mistake, and he had no intention of stealing it.’

‘Then he’s a liar. Chandice and I had been friends for years until we met that horrible little man,’ Michelle said bitterly.

‘Can you tell me what happened?’ Michelle told Jessica the now familiar story. ‘How did this situation make you feel?’

‘Obviously appalled, and deeply embarrassed.’

‘Did you believe Cole when he said it was an honest mistake?’

‘Of course I didn’t. Johan wanted to report it to the police, but I told him it was pointless.’

‘Why did you think it was pointless?’

‘We all knew Cole was lying, but I doubted the police could do anything as it would be hard to prove. I knew as a barrister there was insufficient evidence for the CPS to recommend charging Cole.’

‘That might not have been the case if you had reported it,’ Jessica said.

‘Actually, Michelle is probably right. It would be hard to prove Cole intended to steal the sapphire,’ Dawn remarked.

‘Thank you, Dawn. I’m glad someone agrees with me,’ Michelle said and looked at Jessica with a superior smile.

‘Weren’t you worried, as a barrister, that not reporting a potential crime might reflect badly on you?’ Jessica asked, irritated by Dawn’s interjection.

‘To be honest, yes, I believe I was. I’m not the police’s favourite person. I was worried that if they got involved, rumours would spread that I was associated with a commonthief, and the press might get a hold of it. As a barrister, it wouldn’t have looked good, but as I said, and your colleague Dawn agreed, there wasn’t enough evidence to prove it.’

‘Did Chandice not want to report it?’ Jessica asked.

‘Initially, yes, but she agreed about the lack of evidence. She also didn’t want her husband to discover what had happened. He’d have been furious. The sapphire was a family heirloom. Looking back, maybe we should have reported it, but it’s too late now,’ Michelle sighed.

‘You were in an awkward position, and I’m sure I’d have done the same thing if I were in your shoes,’ Dawn said kindly. Short of slapping her, Jessica wondered how she could get Dawn to keep her opinions to herself.

‘The really sad thing is that Chandice and I fell out over it, when she suggested Johan was in cahoots with Cole, and we haven’t spoken since. She did leave me a message after what happened to Johan, but I haven’t got back to her.’

‘You should. My mum used to say a good friend is like a fourleaf clover. Hard to find and lucky to have,’ Dawn smiled.

Michelle smiled back. ‘That’s very true. Chandice said in her text that she’s always there for me if I need her. Right now, I feel like I do, and I’d be a fool if I didn’t make the effort to rekindle our friendship.’

‘What did you think when Chandice said Johan was in cahoots with Cole?’ Jessica asked.

‘Well, it was nonsense, obviously. Just something she said in the heat of the moment.’ Michelle looked at Jessica. ‘Do you know what my husband is accused of?’

‘I’m not privy to information concerning that side of the investigation. It’s best you speak with DCI Anderson.’

Michelle turned to Dawn. Jessica feared Dawn would tell her but was relieved when she heard her answer. ‘I’ve been offsick the last couple of days and don’t really know what’s been happening on the investigation, I’m afraid.’

‘Then I guess I’ll have to ask DCI Anderson,’ Michelle smiled.

‘That’s all we need to ask you for now,’ Jessica said, ‘but I expect DCI Anderson will want to speak to you after he’s interviewed Johan. Would you like a coffee or some water?’ Jessica asked.

‘Actually, a decaf coffee would be nice, thank you.’ Jessica asked Dawn if she would go to the hospital canteen. When she had left the room, she turned to Michelle.

‘I watched some video from your husband’s warehouse yesterday. You went there on Thursday evening. Why was that?’