Page 141 of The Scene of the Crime
‘Two more nails in his coffin,’ Chapman remarked.
‘What about the unknown DNA on the diamonds?’ Anderson asked.
‘Diane’s doing Rapid DNA on Cole’s mouth swab. It will take another hour to raise a profile, after which she can do a direct comparison and give us the result.’
‘That’s fine, as Bishop will be interviewed first, and Cole will want a pre-interview consultation with the duty solicitor.’
‘Is it Baldwin?’ Anderson nodded. ‘Isn’t there a conflict of interest if he represented Liam Palmer?’ Jessica asked.
‘Apparently not. I spoke with the CPS about it. They said that as the charges against Palmer in the De Klerk case were being dropped, there was no conflict, and, as the duty solicitor, he could represent Cole.’
‘It could work to our advantage. Baldwin only knows what we questioned Palmer about. He has no knowledge of Wheeler’s death or any of the latest forensic results, and we don’t need to disclose our case to him fully.’
‘I agree. I want you and DS Wood to interview Bishop. Jessica and I can watch from the viewing room.’
‘What about Cole’s interview?’
‘You and I will do it together later. I suggest you inform DS Wood and prep for the interview with Bishop. Let us know when you’re ready to start.’
Chapman nodded. ‘Will do, guv.’
* * *
Chapman called DS Wood into his office to discuss Bishop’s interview. ‘Is there anything else you can think of we should ask Bishop?’ Chapman asked.
‘Nope, we’ve listed all the relevant questions we need to ask.’
‘You recall when we were waiting for Palmer to turn up at his flat, I asked if you thought someone in the office had leaked information to the press.’
‘Yes, and I told you it wasn’t me.’
‘I know it wasn’t. But between us, it might have been Dawn’s boyfriend. She told him about the investigation, and he has an uncle who works for the BBC.’
‘She told you that?’
‘No. Jessica spoke with her. Poor thing was in a dreadful state. She had an almighty row with her boyfriend, and he walked out on her.’
‘Have you told Anderson?’
‘Not yet, but at some point I’ll have to. I don’t want her kicked off the team. The problem is, if Anderson finds out I knew and didn’t tell him, then I’m in the shit.’
Wood sighed. ‘It had nothing to do with Dawn or her boyfriend. It was me. I called a journalist I knew, and he went to the BBC.’
‘For fuck’s sake, Julian, why didn’t you come clean when I asked you?’
‘Because I reckoned I could front out an internal investigation. I was pissed and furious with Anderson when I did it.’
‘What did you hope to achieve?’
‘Apart from pissing Anderson off? I thought it might lead to some useful information turning up, which it did, with Wheeler phoning Crime Stoppers.’
‘He was trying to frame an innocent man!’
‘I know that now. I also hoped Anderson might get kicked off the investigation, and they’d let you take over.’
‘I can’t believe you could be so stupid, with all your experience.’
‘Like I said, I was shit-faced.’
