Page 67 of The Scene of the Crime

Chapman had had enough. ‘Are you worried that an assault allegation might reflect badly on you?’

‘I’m just following standard procedure for these types of incidents.’

‘I was there when Liam was arrested, and I can tell you for a fact he wasn’t assaulted. If you want to inform the IOPC and have them accuse your detectives of assault, that’s up to you. But don’t be surprised if it causes a lot of bad feeling in the team.’

‘Like I said, I’m just following standard . . .’

‘It’s not always about the rule book. You don’t earn respect by destroying your team’s morale. You should be thanking and supporting the arresting officers. Liam tried to kill De Klerk and left a knife embedded in his back . . . he could have stabbed one of your officers during the arrest.’ Anderson didn’t know what to say. ‘Now, if you don’t mind, I’ve got a flat that needs searching. I’m also calling the MSCAN team in to do a full forensic sweep of the premises . . . if that’s OK by you.’

‘If you think it’s necessary,’ Anderson muttered.

‘I do, and that’s why I asked,’ Chapman replied bluntly.

‘Ask her to keep me informed of any developments.’

‘I’m sure she will, as a matter of course.’

‘I’ll see you when you return to the office. We need to discuss the interview strategy.’

Chapman hung up and called Jessica. ‘How’s it going?’ she asked.

‘Good and bad. We arrested Liam, but I think I overstepped the mark with Anderson.’

‘What happened?’

Chapman told her about the arrest and her conversation with Anderson.

‘What do you think he’ll do about it?’ she asked.

‘I don’t know and don’t care. I just want to get this case done and dusted. If Anderson wants me off the team for insubordination, so be it. I’d be much happier workingfor someone who knows what they’re doing and supports his officers.’

‘You never know, what you said might have hit a nerve and made him realise the error of his ways.’

‘You can always dream. I want your team to come to Liam’s flat and examine it . . . and before you ask, Anderson has approved it.’

‘See, your charm is working on him already. I’m still at the hospital with DC Owens, taking a statement from Michelle De Klerk. Anderson gave me the Rolex watch and cash he found, so I’ve—’

Chapman interrupted. ‘He didn’t find them . . . DS Wood did. The continuity of items seized in an investigation is critical. Pathetic lies like that can cause problems and make any forensic results worthless or inadmissible in a trial.’

‘Then you need to tell him that, Mike.’

‘He’s so self-righteous he won’t listen to me or anyone below his rank. It might be better if you spoke to him.’

‘I don’t know him well enough. I believe he respects you and might accept what you say.’

‘I’ll see what I can do,’ he said grudgingly. Chapman asked how long it would take her to get to John Walsh Tower. Jessica said Diane and Taff were at the lab, and she’d tell them to go to the scene. Then, when she was finished at the hospital, she’d join them. She also told Chapman that Taff would need a set of Liam’s fingerprints to compare to any found on the watch, cash and other items they had seized. ‘The station has a Live Scan machine. I’ll make sure Liam’s fingerprints and DNA are taken as soon as he’s booked in.’

Jessica knew that Live Scan allowed a suspect’s fingerprints to be compared with a national database and identified within a few minutes if they had a criminal record. ‘Did you find any bloodstained clothing or Adidas trainers at the flat?’ she asked.

‘Not yet. Anderson had us withdraw and set up the observation before we could do a full search. DS Wood is with me. We can start looking if you want, but I’d rather wait until your team gets here so it’s all coordinated and there’s no risk of contamination.’

‘No problem. I should be there within the hour. Will you still be at the flat, or have you got to return to the station?’

‘Anderson wants me to help him prepare the interview with Liam, so I’ll have to head back.’

‘Are you doing the interview with him?’

‘I don’t know. DS Wood will remain here to assist you. Let me know if you find anything else of evidential value, then Anderson can ask Liam about it.’