Page 66 of The Scene of the Crime

‘Cause I thought you lot was some guys that out to get me.’

‘Upset someone, have you?’

‘What’s this all about?’

‘I think you know,’ Chapman said, ‘and that’s why I’m arresting you on suspicion of aggravated burglary and attempted murder. You do not have to say anything. But it may harm your defence if you do not mention when questioned somethingwhich you later rely on in court. Anything you do say may be given in evidence.’ While Chapman was cautioning Liam, DS Wood joined them, panting heavily.

Liam looked stunned. ‘I don’t know what you’re talking about. I ain’t tried to kill no one . . . you got the wrong person.’

‘The stolen property we found in your flat says otherwise,’ Wood smiled.

‘I didn’t nick it. I bought it at a car boot sale.’

Wood laughed. ‘I’ve heard some shit excuses in my time, but that tops them all.’

‘What have you done to Liam?’ Iris shouted from the fire exit doorway, seeing his face covered in blood.

‘They beat me up, Iris. I ain’t done nothing wrong,’ he shouted back.

‘This is police brutality, and I’m going to report you all. Don’t say a word to them, Liam. I’ll call my granddaughter right away. She’s a solicitor’s clerk, so she’ll know what to do.’ Iris hurried off.

‘Who’s the old battleaxe?’ one of the detectives asked.

Chapman sighed. ‘This is all I bloody well need.’ He looked at the officers holding Liam. ‘Call uniform, get a van to take him to the local hospital and you two accompany him . . . do not leave his side. If he has to lie on a casualty bed to have stitches, cuff him to it. Let me know when he’s released from the hospital and booked in at the nick.’ He turned to the two officers who had been inside Liam’s flat awaiting. ‘I want you to guard the flat for now, but don’t do any further searching until I’ve spoken to DCI Anderson.’

As the officers led Liam away, Wood looked down at his trainers, still getting his breath back. ‘You all right?’ Chapman asked.

‘I’m too old for foot pursuits. I should have stayed with Iris and had another slice of cake.’

Chapman laughed. ‘You need to get down the gym and lose a few pounds.’

‘I can think of better ways of wasting my time, thank you Mr Motivator. Anyway, leave Iris to me. I’m good at sweet-talking old girls.’

‘Thanks. I think Liam’s flat needs a full forensic search. I’m going to call Jessica Russell and her team down here.’

‘I agree. He says he bought the watch, so some hard forensic evidence from his flat linking him to the crime scene could be invaluable.’

‘I forgot to clock his trainers,’ Chapman said, annoyed with himself.

‘I did, and they’re Skechers, not Adidas,’ Wood replied.

Chapman phoned Anderson, who was delighted to hear of Liam’s arrest but concerned about his fall. ‘How bad are his injurries?’ Anderson asked.

‘Just a few cuts that might need stitching. He was able to talk, told me to eff off and said he bought the watch at a car boot sale.’

‘Do we need to inform the IOPC?’ Anderson asked, referring to the Independent Office for Police Conduct.

‘No, guv. It’s not an incident where they need to be involved.’

‘Death or serious injury during an arrest by direct or indirect police contact is a mandatory referral to the IOPC.’

‘Liam’s not dead, and his injuries aren’t serious. He tripped over trying to escape.’

‘The CPS defines serious injury as actual bodily harm.’

Chapman was growing irritated by Anderson’s lack of support for the arresting officers. ‘I’d say it’s borderline. He might not even need stitches.’

‘Is Liam likely to make an official complaint?’