Page 55 of The Scene of the Crime

While eating her meal, David walked in. ‘Thanks for the curry. It’s delicious,’ she said.

‘Glad you like it,’ he said. ‘That investigation you’re on. Is the victim Johan De Klerk and his wife’s a lawyer?’

She was taken aback, wondering how David knew this. ‘Have you been going through my stuff?’ she asked, glaring at him.

He stiffened. ‘Yeah, I cracked your iPad code. The guy was stabbed multiple times, found in his kitchen and rushed to hospital. Whoever did it also stole his Rolex watch.’

Jessica kicked her chair back and stood up. ‘How dare you! That information is highly confidential. Have you shot your mouth off at work . . . because if you have, I could be in serious trouble and out of a job.’

David was taken aback by how angry she was. He hadn’t seen her react like that in years. He sighed. ‘It was on the local news earlier. If you don’t believe me, watch it on catch-up.’ He picked up the remote, tossed it onto the table and walked off to his bedroom.

Jessica turned on iPlayer, brought up the six o’clock news and fast-forwarded to the London news. She continued eating her meal while listening to the presenter talk briefly about the crime before a reporter outside De Klerk’s house gave further details.The picture then cut to Commander Williams standing outside New Scotland Yard by the famous rotating sign. Just behind her was a glum-looking DCI Anderson.

‘We withheld releasing information about this horrific crime so as not to impede the investigation while pursuing significant leads. Detective Chief Inspector Anderson is leading the investigation. If anyone has any information, please contact him or his team at the Barking Homicide and Serious Crime Unit. You can also contact Crime Stoppers online or by phone. The details are on your screen, and all information will be treated as confidential. We are committed to keeping the public safe, and we will bring the person responsible for this heinous crime to justice at the earliest opportunity.’

A flurry of journalists’ questions followed. Williams started to walk away, but when a question was asked about Michelle Belsham, she turned sharply and glared at the cameras.

‘Johan De Klerk is in a critical condition and may not survive his injuries. I cannot begin to imagine the emotional distress Michelle, his wife, must be suffering. I’m sure at this time, she wants to be by her husband’s side, so I would kindly ask you all to leave her alone and just let your thoughts and prayers be with them . . . not your cameras and microphones!’

There were no more questions as Williams walked back into Scotland Yard, quickly followed by a sheepish-looking Anderson.

Jessica got up and knocked on David’s bedroom door. ‘Sorry, I overreacted. I know you would never look at my things,’ she said.

He shrugged. ‘Forget about it. I shouldn’t have been so flippant. You must be under a lot of pressure. That Commander woman on the TV was feisty, though. She put the press right in their place.’

‘Commander Williams is definitely not someone you’d want to mess with,’ Jessica agreed. ‘The odd thing is though, this morning, she was dead against releasing those details to the press. I can’t fathom out why she suddenly changed her mind.’

‘Maybe that bloke who was standing behind her did,’ David suggested.

‘That’s DCI Anderson. She’s not his biggest fan. He wanted to do a full press release, but she refused.’

‘Maybe Anderson leaked it, and then she had no choice but to go on TV.’

Jessica hesitated. ‘I can’t see Anderson being that desperate or stupid, but you’ve made a good point. It could be one of the detectives on his team.’

‘What, for money?’

‘Possibly, but some of them are not fond of Anderson, so it may have been to get back at him.’

‘From the expression on his face, he didn’t look very happy.’

‘Probably because Commander Williams tore a strip off him. If one of his detectives had contacted the press, it’s on him. I might give Chapman a call to find out exactly what happened.’

‘Who’s Chapman?’

‘He’s a detective inspector and Anderson’s deputy.’

‘Could it be him who told the press, looking to fill a dead man’s shoes?’

‘No way. He can be a bit of an oddball at times, but he’s not the type of person who would do something like that.’ She made as if to leave, pausing at the door. ‘Sorry again I sounded off at you. Are we OK?’

‘Of course, but I wouldn’t like to get on the wrong side of you – you scared the pants off me.’

She left David in his room and returned to the kitchen to clean up. She considered phoning Chapman but thought it was a bit late. As she wiped down the worktops, she realised anunauthorised leak could lead to an internal investigation. If there was, she knew the finger of suspicion would be pointed at Anderson and his team and, more worryingly, MSCAN. She picked up her mobile and rang Chapman.

‘Hi, it’s Jessica. I’ve just watched the six o’clock news on catchup and saw the press release. Do you know what’s going on?’

Chapman let out a deep sigh. ‘The shit has definitely hit the fan here. I was in Anderson’s office this afternoon when a BBC reporter called him. At first, he thought it would be something positive, so he put the speakerphone on for me to listen in. The things the reporter knew about the investigation made it obvious there’d been a leak. He asked Anderson if he had any comment, and he tried to bluff his way out, but wasn’t very convincing. When the call ended, he panicked and didn’t know what to do. I told him he had to speak to Williams immediately, and he flew out of the office to the Yard.’