Page 84 of The Scene of the Crime

Baldwin answered for him. ‘Liam was hit by a car two years ago. He broke his leg, dislocated his knee and fractured his skull. He can’t lift his right foot properly, so it drags on the ground when he walks.’

‘Can’t be that bad. He managed to run from my officers when we arrested him this morning,’ Chapman said.

Palmer pulled up his right trouser leg and lifted his leg. ‘I have to wear an ankle foot support to help me walk better. It makes the drag less noticeable but doesn’t help me to walk any quicker.’ Jessica made a note to request Palmer’s medical records while Anderson continued.

‘Our forensic team found fertiliser pellets embedded in your doormat. They’re identical to the pellets used on Wanstead golf course . . .’

Baldwin interrupted. ‘That is ridiculous, DCI Anderson. Anyone visiting his flat could have left them on his mat, or it could have been an innocent cross-transfer onto my client’s shoe.’

‘I am aware of that, I just felt it’s something Liam should know, in case it jogs his memory about being on the golf course.’

‘How many times do I have to tell you? I’ve never been on that bloody golf course, and I didn’t set light to the car.’ Liam pursed his lips and sat back defiantly with his arms crossed, but he was looking more worried.

‘Do you own any trainers like these?’ Anderson asked as he put a picture of the Adidas Ultraboosts on the table.

Liam shook his head, pointing to his shoes. ‘I wear Skechers all the time. They’re lightweight and make it more comfortable for me walking. Like I just told you, I got a bad leg.’

Anderson put down a picture of the gloves. ‘Have you ever owned any Sealskinz gloves like these?’

‘No, I’ve only got a pair of woollen gloves. Would you like to know what underwear I’ve got on?’ Palmer asked with a smirk.

‘I know this may be frustrating, Liam, but we are investigating a serious crime. Johan De Klerk’s house in Victoria Park Road, Hackney, was broken into around two a.m. on Monday . . .’

‘For fuck’s sake, I don’t know the guy, and I’ve never been to Hackney in my life!’ Palmer interjected.

Anderson continued calmly. ‘Please, just let me finish, Liam. During the burglary, he suffered a fractured skull and was repeatedly stabbed. At present, he is in a coma, he should be conscious very soon and hopefully will be able to identify the man who attacked him.’

‘Good, because then he’ll be able to tell you it wasn’t me.’

‘I told you in the first interview that we found De Klerk’s Rolex and a large sum of cash in your flat.’ He put the photographs on the table. ‘You previously chose to give a “No Comment” answer when I asked about them, but I’d like to give you another opportunity to explain how they came to be in your flat.’

Palmer shook his head in apparent despair. ‘I don’t know! I’ve never seen that stuff until now.’

‘I find that hard to believe, seeing as it was hidden under your kitchen sink,’ Anderson said.

‘Then someone else must have put it there.’

Anderson frowned. ‘Are you seriously suggesting someone broke into your house and put them there to frame you?’

‘Yeah, and I think it was him.’ Palmer pointed at Chapman.

‘That’s a very serious allegation to make, Liam,’ Baldwin said, sounding genuinely surprised.

Palmer looked straight at Chapman. ‘He arrested me years ago for something I didn’t do. They tried to fit me up, but it was all fucking lies, and I was never charged.’

‘Have you arrested my client before, DI Chapman?’ Baldwin asked.

‘Yes, about ten years ago, when I was night duty CID. The case was allocated to Detective Sergeant Blake to investigate . . .’

‘Is Blake also involved in your current investigation?’ Baldwin interrupted.

Anderson answered. ‘No, and for your information, DI Chapman didn’t recognise who Liam was until his fingerprints were taken. When he was identified as William Palmer, DI Chapman immediately informed me about the previous arrest.’ Jessica winced as she watched the screen. She was seriously worried now that the revelation of Liam’s previous arrest could lead to her and Chapman’s removal from the investigation. She also worried that Anderson might reveal that she’d been the victim and was now in charge of the team dealing with the forensic investigation. It felt as if everything was unravelling.

‘Why didn’t you tell me this before?’ Baldwin asked Liam.

‘Because I didn’t recognise him at first. Then when I was told his name it came back to me. I was thought it would look bad if I said anything, but I had no choice when they started trying to fit me up again.’

‘What were the circumstances of the previous arrest?’ Baldwin asked.