Page 165 of The Scene of the Crime

‘I thought he would have by now. I think he’s being tentative because she’s pregnant and blaming us for Johan’s death. It seems he wants to play everything by the book and not upset her.’

‘You think he’s scared of her?’

‘That’s one way of putting it. Out of his depth is another. Have you heard from Taff or Diane about the drip bag?’

‘Not yet. They’re probably busy searching Johan’s hospital room. I’ll nip out the front and give them a call.’

‘There was a filing cabinet in Johan’s basement study, wasn’t there?’

‘Yes, it isn’t locked. Why do you ask?’

‘Something just crossed my mind that might help us.’

‘What?’

‘I’ll let you know if I find it,’ he said, walking off.

Jessica went outside and called Taff. ‘How’s it going? Any luck with the drip bag or syringes in Johan’s room?’

‘It’s been a bit of a nightmare, to be honest. When we got here, Johan’s room had been cleared out. Unfortunately, all the syringes and needles had been put in a sharps disposal box and taken to the incinerator. Fortunately, we managed to speak to the cleaner and traced the yellow clinical waste bag she used, but it had seven drip bags in it among a load of other waste. Plus, some of the bags had leaked, so everything was wet.’

‘So, it’s not looking good for us.’

‘Actually, we might have struck lucky. The hospital let me use a lab to do some comparison work. I’m just examining the fourth bag and using a particle reagent spray, which makes fingerprints visible on wet surfaces. Among a number of prints I’ve got what I’m pretty sure is Michelle De Klerk’s left thumbprint on one side and index finger on the other side, which implies she held the bag.’

‘How sure are you the prints are Michelle’s?’

‘Ninety-five percent, particularly as there are two matching prints. I’m confident further comparisons back at our lab will confirm they are hers.’

‘Any needle marks in the bag?’

‘No, but she could easily have injected potassium into it through the self-sealing additive port.’

‘You’re a bloody star, Taff. We can examine the bag’s contents for potassium at the lab.’

‘It’s empty. It could have leaked out or have been deliberately emptied.’

‘Even a tiny trace is good evidence.’ Jessica returned to the house to speak to Chapman and found him in the basement study.

‘Take a look at this.’ He handed her an Aviva life insurance policy.

Jessica looked over the policy and then waved it in her hand. ‘Talk about a motive. Bloody hell. Michelle gets a million pounds if Johan dies!’

‘Yep, but in fairness, her life insurance is for the same amount. I doubt she would kill him for the money, but it’s something else we can use to put pressure on her.’ Jessica told him about her conversation with Taff and Michelle’s fingerprints. ‘No doubt she’ll anticipate we’d search Johan’s hospital room, but the evidence against her is getting stronger,’ Chapman smiled.

‘Can I ask Michelle about her prints being on the drip bag? She doesn’t like me, so it might spark a reaction that could be to our advantage.’

‘I don’t think Anderson would approve.’

‘Anderson can’t object while he’s in the garden with Duante. Michelle said she doesn’t want a solicitor and all this farting around is getting us nowhere.’

‘All right, but if Anderson says anything, it was my idea, as you’re the forensic expert. We best go and see if she’s come downstairs yet.’

A few minutes later Michelle walked into the living room wearing a designer tracksuit, slippers and the same maroon velvet dressing gown to find Jessica sitting in one of the armchairs while Chapman stood to one side.

‘I would like to ask you some questions regarding some forensic issues. Is that OK with you?’

Michelle took a sip from the bottle of water she was holding, then sat opposite her. ‘So, what do you want to ask me?’ She sat back, crossed her legs and put her hands on her belly.