Page 157 of The Scene of the Crime

Michelle looked surprised but remained composed. ‘I went to collect some of Johan’s paperwork, which I had every right to do, and before you ask, his warehouse wasn’t ransacked when I got there. I took a binbag of papers home, sorted them out later that night and took a briefcase with Johan’s business paperwork to the hospital the next morning for him to go through.’

‘Was he well enough to do that?’ Jessica asked.

Michelle looked at her as if it were a ridiculous question. ‘I took it so he could look at it when he felt well enough. I know he recently had a wine shipment. He’d been very excited to get orders from Harrods and Fortnum & Mason, and I wanted to check if I needed to get them delivered for him.’ She laughed softly and shook her head. ‘Johan desperately needs a secretary or a PA. His papers were all mixed up with receipts and orders, his diary was not up to date and there were even some unpaid bills.’ Jessica nodded, feeling Michelle was lying and giving her too much information to cover it up. She waited for her to lapse into silence before leaning forward.

‘Along with the bin bag, you removed two large carrier bags. That seems to be rather a lot of documents.’

‘If you must know, I also removed some bottles of the best wine to hand out to the nursing staff and doctors as a thank you for saving Johan’s life.’

‘That’s very thoughtful of you, and believable, Michelle. But I think your story about Cole is a well-constructed fabrication, and I’ve no doubt Johan’s will be as well.’

Michelle returned her look steadily. ‘I’m not particularly bothered about what you think since I’ve done nothing wrong, and neither has Johan.’

‘On Thursday evening, when DCI Anderson and I came to see you, I noticed that the water bottle beside Johan’s bed was almost full. The same bottle was empty after speaking to you in the waiting room. It made me wonder if Johan was awake and drinking from it while we spoke to you.’

Michelle shook her head. ‘Dear God, I think you are fixated on us. If you must know, I drank it. I’m pregnant, as you can see, and the stress is rather frightening for me. As soon as I returned to his room, I felt quite unwell and needed some water.’

‘Come on, Michelle, don’t take me for a fool. I think Johan has already confessed his sins to you. The pair of you must have discussed what you would say, though it must have been difficult not knowing the full extent of the police investigation.’

The look on Michelle’s face changed from one of irritation to self-righteous anger. ‘You might think you’re good at analysing people, dear. You have no idea what it has meant to me to be expecting a baby, after the miscarriages and then the IVF, to have finally conceived naturally again is a special blessing. What I have been subjected to since Johan was almost killed is disgusting and agonising torment. I have been terrified of the damage it could have on my unborn child. As a woman, I would have thought you could at least show me some kindness and consideration.’

‘I have every sympathy for you, Michelle, and for your unborn child, but like DCI Anderson and his team, I have a job to do and . . .’

Michelle glared at Jessica as she interrupted her. ‘You don’t know me or what I’m capable of . . . and you have to hope you never find out. You’re clutching at fucking straws with your wild fantasies. Rest assured, I will report you and destroy your career if you throw further insinuations or accusations at me.’

Jessica remained calm in the face of Michelle’s assault. ‘I’m just giving my honest opinion. I think you would do whatever is necessary to protect your career and stop the truth from coming out, but pride always comes before a fall.’

Michelle dropped her act and stood up, looming over Jessica in an intimidating manner. ‘The only downfall would be yours if I miscarried because of this awful harassment I am being subjected to.’

‘Michelle, please . . .’ Jessica tried to interject as it was obvious how emotional she was becoming, her hands clenching and unclenching.

‘No, you nasty little bitch, you let me finish. I love Johan, and he loves me. He respects me and what I do for a living. He would never risk destroying our marriage or my career by getting involved in criminal activity with a man like Cole. Do I make myself clear?’ She looked at Jessica with steely eyes. Jessica deliberately said nothing, hoping that Michelle would continue.

Dawn suddenly burst into the room, carrying two coffees and looking terrified. ‘Anderson said to tell you Johan’s collapsed. They think he might be having a heart attack,’ she managed to say.

‘Oh my God!’ Michelle exclaimed, running past Dawn and out of the room, knocking one of the coffee cups out of her hand. It hit the floor, splashing hot coffee over Jessica’s legs as she leapt up and followed.

Anderson and Chapman were outside Johan’s room. Michelle tried to go in, but a nurse said to wait outside as the room was full of hospital staff working on Johan’s chest with a defibrillator.

‘What have you done to Johan?’ a terrified Michelle shouted at them.

Anderson started to reply. ‘He was fine. One minute he was talking to us and then suddenly . . .’

‘I don’t believe you! You did something to him! This is all your fault!’ she screamed.

The door opened, and Johan was wheeled out, an oxygen mask over his face. A young doctor and two nurses were hovering over him.

‘Please, out of the way,’ the doctor said. ‘We need to get him to ICU.’

Michelle turned on them, her eyes blazing. ‘If Johan dies, you’re to blame. You haven’t heard the end of this . . . any of you!’ She hurried off to be with her husband.

CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN

Anderson and the others went to the waiting room. They sat quietly, trying to take in what had just occurred and desperately hoping Johan made it.

‘What happened?’ Jessica asked, breaking the silence.

Anderson looked too shocked to answer, so Chapman stepped in. ‘One minute he was fine chatting to us, and then he just went downhill fast.’