Page 35 of The Scene of the Crime

‘Seeing your work today and listening to what you said, your approach seems more sensible.’

‘When I became a SOCO, I learned to combine my knowledge of human behaviour with crime scene investigation, so I tend to look at things differently.’

‘But you do sort of become the offender and try to think like them?’

‘Yes, you could say that.’ They drank their coffee in silence for a moment.

‘I don’t mean to pry, but how long have you been meditating?’

She hesitated. Part of her wanted to tell him to mind his own business, but then she relented. She shrugged. ‘Long time, about eleven or twelve years now.’

‘What made you take it up?’

‘It was something I just thought I’d try. I liked it, so I stuck with it. Can we change the subject, please?’

‘Sorry. Have I upset you?’ he asked.

She took a deep breath and exhaled before answering. ‘No, it’s just that it’s personal.’

He nodded as if he understood, and Jessica thought the subject was closed, but then he continued. ‘I didn’t want to say anything before, but I was worried you might remember me and it would distress you.’

‘What on earth are you talking about?’

‘I know you were sexually assaulted when you were a probation officer. I thought . . .’

Jessica’s heart started racing and she could feel her colour rising. ‘Fucking Anderson told you, didn’t he! He had no right to. What I said in my interview was confidential.’ She stood up and grabbed her bag. ‘I’m going to report this to Commander Williams. You have no idea how terrified I was that night or how it affected me. If you and Anderson think it’s something to gossip about, you’re both sick in the head!’

Chapman took a step back. She was so angry he thought she might attack him, but she started to walk off. ‘Jessica, please wait. I swear, Anderson never told me.’

She spun round to face him. ‘Of course he did. I’m not stupid!’

‘I’m sorry, but I didn’t say anything until now because I thought it best not to.’

‘It’s a bit late for apologies.’

‘I was worried you might remember me, and it would lead to flashbacks and cause you distress.’

She stared at him. ‘Why on earth would I remember you?’

‘I was the duty detective the night you were assaulted and one of the first officers on the scene at your flat.’

‘What? I don’t believe this . . .’

‘You told me your assailant put his hand over your mouth and said to keep quiet. You fought him and bit him, then screamed for help, and he ran off.’

‘Oh my God.’ Jessica groaned as her mind flashed back to that awful night.

‘A female officer attended and took you to the comfort suite.’ Chapman was referring to the dedicated room where victims of rape and serious sexual assault can talk to police in privacy and safety.

She had to take several deep breaths to calm herself. ‘Her name was Paula,’ Jessica said softly, remembering how the officer held her hand and comforted her while the doctor performed a physical examination.

‘And she took your statement. She told me how brave you were.’

Jessica stared at Chapman. Everything he said was right, but she still wondered if he was lying. ‘I have no recollection of you being at my flat,’ she said.

‘I was only there briefly. You were very distressed, which may be why you don’t remember me. You told me the person who attacked you was wearing a balaclava, but from the sound of his voice and the smell of his body odour, you suspected it was a fifteen-year-old on probation and under your supervision at the time. I went to his flat that night and arrested him.’

She pursed her lips, and the anger returned. ‘You could have got all this information from the old crime report. Why are you snooping into my private life?’