Page 29 of The Scene of the Crime

Michelle nodded. Jessica left and spoke with a nurse who pointed to a ladies toilet down the corridor. Once inside, she called DI Chapman. ‘Hi, it’s Jessica Russell . . .’

‘You lost?’ he asked, thinking she couldn’t find the station.

‘No, I’m at Homerton Hospital.’

‘What are you doing there? The meeting starts in twenty minutes.’

‘I know, but I’m going to be unavoidably late.’

‘Anderson won’t be pleased . . .’

‘I don’t care. I’m with Michelle De Klerk.’

‘What? How did that happen?’

‘If you stop asking questions, I can tell you!’ Jessica told Chapman about Michelle De Klerk unexpectedly turning up at the house, her distressed state of mind and why she felt obliged to drive her to the hospital.

‘OK, you did the right thing. I’ll let Anderson know. If you get the chance, ask Mrs De Klerk about the Rolex watch, and if she knew what was in the safe, then we’ll know what we’re looking for.’

Jessica returned to the waiting room. Michelle was on her phone, anxiously rocking back and forth in an armchair. She looked at Jessica and ended the call.

‘Thought I’d better let my parents know what’s happened. My mum was beside herself. Johan’s parents live in South Africa. I’ll call them later when I know more about his condition.’

Jessica sat down beside her. ‘I know this isn’t a good time, but do you mind if I ask you a couple of questions?’

‘I want to do all I can to help you.’

‘OK. Do you know what was in the safe in the study?’

‘To be honest, I don’t. Johan did all his business work from his study. I know some of his sales were cash transactions, so he probably kept money in the safe before depositing it in the bank.’

‘Any jewellery belonging to either of you?’

‘We’ve got a small safe in the bedroom we keep our jewellery in.’

‘Can I ask where it is . . . just in case it was broken into as well?’

‘It’s a wall safe in my wardrobe.’

‘I looked in your wardrobes but didn’t find any signs of a disturbance . . . so I think your jewellery will still be there. I’ll get one of my colleagues to double-check.’

‘Honestly, I couldn’t care less if it was all stolen. I’m more concerned about Johan right now.’

‘We think his Rolex watch might have been taken. Would he keep that in his safe when he’s not wearing it?’

‘No, he wears his Rolex all the time. It’s his pride and joy. I told him repeatedly he shouldn’t wear such an expensive watch. People are always being mugged for them.’ She banged the armrest with a clenched fist. ‘Since we moved in, I’ve asked Johan countless times to get CCTV and security lights fitted to the house. He kept promising to do it . . . if I’d organised it, this would never have happened and he wouldn’t be lying in a hospital bed.’

‘How long have you lived there?’

‘We moved in a few months ago, after renovating it . . . where’s the bloody doctor?’ she exclaimed.

‘I’m sure he’ll be here as soon as he’s able,’ Jessica said, trying to calm her. ‘When did you last speak to Johan?’

‘On Sunday morning. I was in Lancashire for the weekend. One of my friend’s baby daughters was christened yesterday.She’d asked me to be a godmother. I got a flight from Docklands airport on Saturday morning to Manchester. Johan was meant to come with me but cancelled at the last minute.’

‘Can I ask why?’

‘He said there’d been a problem with a big wine shipment which he needed to sort out urgently or he would lose a lot of money. I was annoyed with him but I . . . never expected to return to this nightmare.’ She put her hands over her eyes and started sobbing.