Page 91 of The Scene of the Crime

‘So, you don’t think he was going to assault you before he ran off?’

‘I did at the time, and it was a terrifying experience, but I’ve learned to cope with it.’

‘Through your yoga and meditation?’

‘That’s helped, but I had a lot of counselling before I started meditating. You might find this hard to believe, but hearing Palmer confess has made me feel better, maybe given me some kind of closure. And strange as it may sound, I now have some sympathy for him.’

‘How can you feel sympathy after what he did to you?’

Jessica told her about the terrible childhood Palmer had endured, living with an alcoholic mother and a violent, drugaddicted father. Diane winced as Jessica described how Palmer’s father smashed his head against a wall when he was eight, which probably caused his ADHD.

‘That’s tragic, and I understand why you feel some sympathy for him, but it doesn’t excuse what he did to you. If it was me, I’d still like to punch the living daylights out of him.’

‘I’m not saying it does excuse what he did to me. But from the way he reacted, I believe he feels genuine remorse.’

Diane looked sceptical. ‘Well, just hear me out – do you not think he might have confessed because he thought it would help him wriggle his way out of the other things he’s accused of?’

‘Yes, but probably just through desperation, if he’s being accused of an attempted murder he didn’t commit.’

‘Well, he’s lying about something, so he’s only himself to blame,’ Diane said.

‘It’s not in my nature to see someone suffer for something they might not have done.’

‘I know. And that makes you a good person,’ Diane said. ‘But you have to think of yourself as well. You know I’m a good listener if you ever need to talk.’.

Jessica got up and embraced her. ‘I know,’ she said as they hugged each other tightly.

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

Jessica was reviewing the forensic evidence and writing her report when Chapman called. ‘Sorry, I was in a meeting with Anderson and then speaking to the CPS. How are you after the interview? I was worried about how upsetting it must have been for you, listening to Palmer’s story about you fancying him.’

‘Hearing him say that and then recounting what he did to me was quite harrowing, but I also feel a sense of relief that he finally confessed. What did the CPS say?’ she asked, not wanting to dwell any more on the interview.

‘There is sufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of a conviction, so they recommend charging Palmer with attempted murder, aggravated burglary and arson.’

Jessica was taken aback. ‘Even though it’s clear from the burner phones and other evidence that someone else was involved?’

‘They considered it a joint enterprise crime, which means Palmer can be convicted if he planned it with another person, was present, helped or encouraged others to commit the crime, even if he didn’t participate in the offences himself.’

‘I see.’ Jessica wondered if it was the right time to raise her concerns about Palmer’s involvement.

‘What did you think of the interview?’ Chapman asked.

‘I thought you and Anderson worked well together. I liked how you casually showed Palmer the photographs and askedharmless questions before challenging his answers with more direct ones. It revealed he was lying about some things.’

‘Anderson is over the moon and he’s delighted with you and your team’s quick results. He even phoned Williams to sing your praises. You might get a commendation on your first case! All we need to do now is identify the other person or persons involved, and the case is closed. Have you got any forensic updates that might help us on that?’

‘Yes, I have. We can discuss them when we go for a drink later.’

‘Slight change of plan there, I’m afraid.’

‘Oh, right. Are you bailing on me?’

‘I need to go to The Bell, a pub on Leytonstone High Road.’

‘Any particular reason?’

‘Palmer said he went there Monday lunchtime, and the anonymous informant said he tried to sell a Rolex in a local pub. I thought it might be worth popping in and asking a few questions.’