Page 167 of The Scene of the Crime

‘We’ve got a copy of the court papers, and your name is on them. You attended the trial and assisted Sir Donald every day. You were aware that the defendant was found not guilty. You thought if he could get away with it, so could you. Am I right?’

Michelle screamed in fury, hurling the water bottle at Jessica, making her dodge out of the way. Michelle jumped up, the maroon velvet dressing gown spreading like wings as she reached for her. Chapman grabbed her as she spat and struggled, still trying to get to Jessica.

‘Michelle De Klerk, I am arresting you on suspicion of the murder of Johan De Klerk. You do not have to say anything, but it may harm your defence if you do not mention when questioned something which you later rely on in court. Anything you do say may be given in evidence . . .’ It was over as fast as it had begun. Michelle collapsed, sobbing, as Chapman helped her into an armchair.

‘What the fuck is going on?’ Anderson shouted as he ran into the room.

‘She’s had a bit of a meltdown, and I’ve arrested her on suspicion of murder,’ Chapman replied calmly.

Michelle kept her head bowed, saliva dripping from her mouth as she sobbed. She cried, ‘My Baby, my baby,’ and clutched her stomach as if in pain.

‘Go call an ambulance for her, Mike, and tell Dawn to come in here.’

‘It’s all an act. Her fingerprints were on the drip bag and . . .’

‘Do as I fucking say!’ Anderson barked, looking at Jessica. ‘The pair of you go back to the station. I’ll speak to you later.’

CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE

It was early evening. Jessica and Chapman were in The Bull having a drink but not feeling like celebrating. ‘Well, that was an eventful day,’ Chapman said dryly, sipping his lager.

‘Yes, we managed to enrage Michelle and Anderson simultaneously,’ Jessica sighed.

‘He wasn’t as annoyed with us as I thought he would be.’

‘That’s because he knows Michelle is as guilty as sin.’

‘It all seems like an anti-climax now that she’s been de-arrested, though,’ Chapman sighed as he systematically shredded a beer mat.

‘Why did Anderson do that?’

‘Because she’ll be in the hospital for a day or two. She won’t do a runner, and having an officer guard her day and night is costly. He can re-arrest her when she’s discharged or just arrange for her to attend the station for an interview.’

Jessica shook her head in disgust. ‘I’m glad her baby is all right, but the whole thing at her house was a big act for me. Being in the hospital gives her more time to think and get her story straight.’

‘Anderson knows that, but he doesn’t want to give her another reason to complain.’ Chapman pushed the shreds into a pile.

Jessica grabbed his hand. ‘Would you please stop doing that, it’s irritating.’

‘Sorry.’

‘Don’t start all that again.’

‘Start what?’

‘The compulsive apologising. Did Anderson question Duante about the diamonds?’

‘Yes, but of course he denied being involved in the smuggling and wouldn’t believe that his brother would do such a thing.’

‘No doubt Michelle coached him as well,’ Jessica sighed.

‘It’s hard to understand why she killed Johan. Do you think it was just because she had the perfect opportunity and would get the million pounds insurance?’

‘I don’t think money has ever been as important to her as her career. She couldn’t risk being dragged into Johan’s crimes or him confessing what he’d been up to.’

‘It will still be all over the press.’

‘But with Johan dead, she can speak for him and come out with the perfect story.’