Page 2 of The Scene of the Crime

‘Maybe you should ask your manager about working in the sorting office if your back’s playing up.’

‘No way. I like being outside in the fresh air.’ David turned the cold tap on too far, splashing water everywhere.

‘Mind what you’re doing, David, I just tidied up.’ She grabbed some kitchen towel and placed it on the floor.

‘What is it with you and tidiness?’

‘Old Chinese proverb says a tidy house is a happy house.’

He grunted. ‘Less of your silly yoga chanting will keep me happy.’

‘I’ve got my big interview today. I was trying to calm my nerves.’

‘It’s not like you to be nervous about anything. It’s just another job, isn’t it?’

‘It’s more than just a job. If I’m selected, it will be a big step forward in my career, running a team of forensic experts.’

‘You’ll smash it. You’re bloody good at what you do.’

She smiled. ‘I’m meeting some colleagues after the interview. I should be home between three and four.’

He started to walk off, then turned around. ‘I was joking about you moving out. You know I appreciate everything you’ve done for me since Mum died, but I’m better now, so if you did want to find a place of your own, I wouldn’t be upset, that’s all.’

‘That’s OK. I’m happy here with my adorable little brother,’ she replied.

‘You may have popped out twenty minutes before me, but people say you look a lot older,’ he said with a grin.

‘And wiser,’ she responded.

He yawned and rubbed his lower back as he left the kitchen.

* * *

Jessica could feel her nervousness mounting as the train arrived at Charing Cross just after 10.15 a.m. It was a cloudless but slightly chilly May morning, and the streets were bustling with people. As she joined the crowd, she couldn’t help glancing at her watch again, knowing she had plenty of time.

Arriving at Scotland Yard, Jessica showed her Kent Police civilian identity card to one of the armed officers. He nodded, stepped aside and let her in. She then gave the receptionist a copy of the email from Commander Mary Williams confirming the appointment. The receptionist checked Jessica’s name against the list, ticked it off and handed her a visitor’s lanyard. ‘Take the lift to the fourth floor, then turn left. Commander Williams’s assistant’s office is at the end of the corridor.’

Jessica nodded her thanks, checked her watch one more time, then went into the Ladies opposite the lifts. In the toilet, Jessica checked herself in the mirror to make sure she looked professional. She was wearing a navy-blue trouser suit, white silk blouse and block-heeled court shoes. Her thick, curly red hair was tied up in a bun. She touched up her makeup and then washed her hands. After carefully drying them with paper towels, she used the towels to clean the sink and taps.

Exiting the lift, Jessica made her way to Commander Williams’s PA’s office where a tall, dark-haired, good-looking man in his mid-forties was sitting behind the desk. ‘I’m Jessica Russell. I’ve come for the Murder and Serious Crime Analysis Team Leader interview.’ She handed over the confirmation email and showed him her identification card.

‘I’m Jordan, the Commander’s PA. You’re nice and early.’

‘Gives me more time to compose myself before I enter the lion’s den,’ she joked.

He smiled. ‘I think you’ll find it less formal than you’re expecting. So that you know, the panel likes to call it MSCAN for short . . . it’s less of a mouthful. The waiting room is just acrossthe corridor. Help yourself to a hot or cold drink. I’ll come and get you when Commander Williams has finished interviewing the other candidate.’

‘Thank you. Can you tell me who else is on the panel with Commander Williams and what their rank and department is?’

Jordan smiled. ‘Well done, you’re the first person to ask. They all work in the homicide and major crime command. DCI John Anderson is the small bald chap. He’s a Senior Investigating Officer on the Barking homicide team. The other officer is DCS Morgan. He’s based here at the Yard and is Commander Williams’s deputy.’

‘How many people are they interviewing?’

‘Eight in total, and you’re the last.’

‘Thanks.’ Jessica entered the waiting room and got herself a bottle of water. Thankfully she already knew Commander Williams from when she was a DCS in the Kent Police before she got a promotion and transferred to the Met. Jessica had been the crime scene manager on Kent homicide cases when Williams was in overall command. She was a highly respected, no-nonsense detective with a successful track record and the Met had recruited her to improve the efficiency of investigative and forensic work in homicide and major crime investigations.

Jessica removed her phone from her handbag, switched it off, and looked at the time again; it was 10.45 a.m. She had thirty minutes before her interview and decided to review the notes she’d made in preparation. Jessica read a couple of pages, then realised it was making her anxious again, so decided to do some deep breathing instead. She was just exhaling when the door opened and Jordan entered.