Page 39 of The Scene of the Crime

‘I already checked it out, as I saw them when I drove along the route. TFL CCTV cameras are not constantly recording and only do so when an operative from the compliance team identifies a road traffic infringement, like parking in a bus lane or using it illegally. I gave them the relevant times, and they said they’d check the bus cameras for the car. We might get lucky, but I wouldn’t bet on it.’

‘Bloody hell, you have been busy, Andy,’ Chapman remarked, and Bingham grinned and made a mock bow.

Jessica was also impressed. Despite his flippant manner, DC Bingham was clearly one of the experienced and painstaking older detectives Chapman had been referring to earlier.

‘Could I have a copy of the CCTV, please?’ Jessica asked Bingham.

‘Coming right up,’ he said.

The room began to empty and Chapman invited Jessica and DC Owens to his office to discuss what Michelle De Klerk had said at the hospital. While Dawn got some coffees, Chapman pulled up two seats and sat down behind his desk. ‘I think it might be best if you are with Dawn when she meets Mrs De Klerk and takes a statement. She’s only twenty-four and hasn’t been a detective long.’

‘I don’t think Anderson would approve,’ Jessica replied.

‘He never said you couldn’t be present. Anderson hasn’t made any effort to contact Mrs De Klerk. He quotes the murder manual at you but fails to abide by it himself. Once he knew she was at the hospital, he should have gone there to introduce himself. With her background as a barrister, she knows we will do our best to arrest the person responsible, but Anderson needs to tell her that personally. I get that family should always come first, but being on time for dinner when a victim might die at any moment is out of order.’

Jessica wondered if Anderson was worried about meeting Michelle as he lacked confidence in his communication skills and his ability to ask delicate questions without causing offence. Chapman asked Jessica if she could call Michelle, ask how her husband was and if she and a family liaison officer could speak with her in the morning. Jessica said Michelle might have her phone off or on silent if she was with her husband, so sent a text instead. She received a reply a couple of minutes later: Johan was stable but still unconscious. Michelle was going to spend the night at her sister’s and would be at the hospital in the morning between 9.30 and 10. She also said she was grateful to whoever organised for a uniform officer to be present at the hospital. Jessica texted back that she would meet Michelle in the ITU waiting room with the family liaison officer, Dawn Owens.

When Dawn returned with the coffees, Chapman explained that Jessica would accompany her to the hospital and introduce her to Michelle. She looked relieved. ‘I must admit I’m a bit nervous about meeting her, with her reputation. I’m happy for you to take the lead,’ she said, nodding at Jessica.

After reviewing Jessica’s conversation with Michelle at the hospital and Doctor Babu’s observations, Chapman said it had been a long day and suggested Jessica and Dawn meet atBarking in the morning to discuss any further developments that might impact the interview.

‘Sounds good,’ Jessica agreed.

‘Fine, and I’ll prepare some questions in accordance with the family liaison manual,’ Dawn said. After she’d left, Jessica turned to Chapman. ‘Sounds like Dawn hasn’t got much experience as a FLO.’

‘This is definitely her first major investigation as an FLO,’ Chapman agreed. ‘Which is another reason I’d like you to be there. With your background in psychology, you’ll better understand Mrs De Klerk’s feelings and know when and how to ask the right questions without upsetting her.’

‘Makes sense. OK, see you tomorrow,’ Jessica said, leaving his office. Back on the ground floor, Jessica called Diane to ask how she and Taff were getting on with the scene examination.

‘I reckon we should finish in about two to three hours, then we’ll take the exhibits back to the lab and examine the car,’ Diane said with a yawn.

‘You sound tired.’

‘I am. We’ve been up for nearly fourteen hours. To be honest, I’m finding it hard to concentrate.’

‘I want you both to call it a day. Working when you are exhausted leads to mistakes, and we can’t afford to make any. A PC will guard the house overnight so you can return in the morning and finish up.’

‘I’m more than happy with that suggestion,’ Diane said. ‘We should be with you at the lab by about ten if we start at seven.’

‘I’ve got a meeting with Michelle De Klerk and the FLO in the morning, but I should be back in the office about one p.m. We can discuss everything we’ve done and prioritise the exhibits for examination.’

‘Would you like Taff and me to make a start on the car?’

‘Yes, thanks. Just make sure you get a good night’s sleep first.’

‘I think I’ll be in dreamland as soon as my head hits the pillow. I’ll let Taff know, but no doubt he’ll want to crack on.’

‘Tell him I’m pulling rank, and it’s an order,’ Jessica said.

‘How did the meeting with DCI Anderson go?’

Jessica didn’t want Diane to feel any more antagonistic toward Anderson than she already did, so didn’t mention his aggressive manner. ‘He was better than this morning. I briefed his team on our work at the crime scene and our initial analysis. They gave me a warm welcome and were pleased with what we’ve done so far.’

‘Was Mike Chapman being a ferret again?’

‘He wasn’t too bad. He didn’t interrupt me anyway.’

‘He left that to Anderson, I expect,’ Diane joked.